California Christmas Dreams

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Noelle shrugged. “The little things are selling well. I’m working harder, but people are only spending money on little luxuries.”

Noelle’s glassware was museum quality. She’d even designed a garden of glass flowers and trees that echoed like musical chimes.

“But you’ve had a number of large commissions,” Merry said, puzzled. “Didn’t you design the atrium in one of the Las Vegas hotels?”

“I did, but it didn’t result in more commissions. Lots of oohs and ahhs, but no more business. The money came from making miniature copies of the large flowers and selling those in the gift shops,” Noelle said. She measured another wall and made some notes in her spiral notebook. “And that got me thinking about your park and maybe opening my own retail store. This way, I bypass the middleman. I can hire some people to work here and have more time to work in the studio.”

“Let’s talk to John, then,” Merry said, stepping to the door and pulling it open.

Jake stood on the other side, one hand raised as though he’d been about to enter. “Jake,” Merry said. “Did you need something?”

Noelle scooted past Merry, her gaze calculating as she studied Jake.

“Dad said you might have a renter for this unit. I came to check it out.” He looked at Noelle questioningly. “And you must be...?”

Noelle held out her hand. “I’m Noelle, Merry’s baby sister, though I’m only a year younger,” she said with a grin. “You must be Jake.”

He looked startled. “Nice to meet you.”

“Funny, you don’t look like Scrooge.”

Merry glared at her sister. She wanted to die. How could Noelle say such a thing?

He laughed a little uneasily. “I see we’ve been sharing sister confidences.”

“Which were supposed to be confidential,” Merry said, seriously considering slapping her hand over Noelle’s mouth.

Noelle waved her hand.

“What do you do?” Jake asked politely.

“I’m a blower,” Noelle said with a grin.

Merry pinched the bridge of her nose. Her sister just loved to toss that one out to strangers.

“A what...?”

“Noelle’s a glass blower,” Merry said hastily.

“I don’t think I’ve ever met a glassblower. I didn’t even know there was such a thing,” he replied. He cast a glance at Merry and she could see he was comparing her to her sister.

“So you’re thinking about renting space,” Jake said.

“Yes, I am,” Noelle replied.

Jake tilted his head. “I’m trying to visualize this.”

“I do glass jewelry, knickknacks like little glass flowers or for this park, I did a little Benny the Bear. It’s in Merry’s office.”

His eyebrows went up. “Do those kinds of things sell?”

“I thought I’d theme my products to the park, like carousel horses, Benny the Bear, maybe orange paperweights, and some of my own jewelry creations. People want classy mementos, they don’t want cheesy stuff.”

Jake looked thoughtful. “I have an errand to run. Why not meet me in my office in thirty minutes?” He shook her hand and walked away.

Merry was stunned. Except for their afternoon on the carousel, she’d never seen him be this civil before.

Noelle studied him as he walked away. When he was out of sight, she pulled Merry back into the building and gave her sister a crushing hug. “He’s a hottie. Wrapped a little too tight, but still hot.”

“He’s my boss, Noelle.”

“Tell me you’re not having inappropriate thoughts about him.”

Merry’s cheeks blazed with heat. “I don’t have inappropriate thoughts.”

“Then appropriate ones,” Noelle said.

“Some days I want to stick a pickax in his head. That’s the most appropriate thought I can come up with at the moment.” Though at other times, she wanted to jump his bones. She didn’t like that she had hot thoughts about him. “Besides, he’s not my type.”

Noelle burst out laughing. “Sweetie, he’s every girl’s type.”

“Have at it, Noelle.”

“I think not. Did you see the way he looked at you?”

“With scorn and distrust?”

“Girl, he likes you.”

Merry rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. The only things that man likes are money, control and power. You should hear how he talks to his clients. Like they’re five years old.”

Noelle shook her head. She opened the door and stepped out into the hot September afternoon. “From what you’ve already told me, I suspect most of them act like five-year-olds.”

“Come on, let’s go back to my office. You’ll probably want to take your little bear with you to show him what you can do.”

Noelle just grinned. “By the time I get to his office, he’ll already know. I can guarantee he’ll check the internet first. But before I head over, I want to take a look at the carousel and get photos of the horses.”

Merry closed the door to the shop and pointed her sister in the right direction. Noelle marched off, camera in hand.

* * *

Jake spent a few minutes looking up Noelle Alcott on the internet, preparing for her visit. What he discovered surprised him. She was quite the celebrated glass artist, having done several large commissions in Las Vegas and San Francisco. His cell phone rang. He glanced at the display and considered not answering it. He really didn’t want to have a conversation with Annie Gray, but he had an obligation.