Twelve Days of Christmas Read online

  He couldn’t remember her name if his life depended on it. That was just the way he liked it. His life was organized and structured, and there was no way he was going to let his vivacious, irritating neighbor disrupt that. He paused as he stepped into his office and closed the door. If he chose to ignore his neighbor, then why was he wasting time thinking about her now? It was a good question, and one he was reluctant to answer.

  —

  Once at Macy’s, Julia had a good day and suspected it was the distraction of her experiment with Cain. The shoppers didn’t seem to be as frenzied or impatient as usual. She made sure to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and had her best sales to date. After work, she headed off to the Boys and Girls Club to help her friend Jeremy with the youngsters as they prepared their holiday program. The kids were great and Julia enjoyed them. She had just enough time to get from the Boys and Girls Club to church for choir practice.

  The choral group enjoyed spreading a bit of Christmas cheer and joy to those who were often ignored or forgotten. The previous week they’d sung at a soup kitchen after volunteering to serve meals. This week they would perform at Manor House, an assisted-living complex in the city. By the time Julia finished up at the church and made it back to her apartment, it was eight-thirty and she was pooped.

  Stopping by the mailbox in the lobby, she was collecting her assortment of bills when she noticed someone had joined her. It was Cain. He must have come from the gym, because he wore Nike workout gear and had a white towel dangling around his neck. She’d never noticed how buff he was. That was a pleasant surprise, although it shouldn’t have been.

  Ignoring her, Cain checked his mailbox, and seeing that he had no mail, he closed it. He paused then, and glanced at her as if he expected her to comment.

  Julia would have if she wasn’t exhausted. She’d spent eight hours on her feet, and then an additional two hours playing piano. The energy to be witty and cheerful wasn’t in her.

  They silently rode the elevator together. He stood as far to one side as he could, and she did the same on the other side. Julia could feel his gaze on her, almost as if he expected her to say something and was suspicious when she didn’t. When they reached the third floor, they each went to their respective doors.

  She started inside her apartment but paused when she felt his scrutiny. Looking over her shoulder, she noticed him staring at her, frowning.

  It almost seemed as if he was concerned about her lack of chatter. She managed a smile. “Have a good evening, Cain,” she said.

  To her surprise he returned, “You okay? You don’t look so good.”

  She managed a smile. “It’s been a long day.”

  He nodded curtly and disappeared inside his apartment. Silly how a short, innocuous comment excited her. She wasn’t even entirely sure whether this was progress or not. It felt promising, though.

  Sitting on her sofa, laptop in hand, she opened her blog and saw she had more than a hundred hits, along with twelve comments. Wow. She read the comments and took notes. Some of the ideas were great.

  SassySusan: I love your thinking and totally agree that killing Ebenezer with kindness would be perfect. Rub his nose in cheerfulness and goodwill.

  Julia’s Blog

  TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

  December 15

  The Mailbox Encounter

  * * *

  * * *

  Operation Kill Him with Kindness continues…Tormenting him with my cheerful chatter: check. I’m fairly certain he gritted his teeth when he saw me this morning.

  Phase Two: I brought him his newspaper and purchased his coffee for tomorrow with a Starbucks gift card. It’ll be interesting to see how he reacts to that.

  A curious development this evening. We met in the lobby when I was collecting my mail, purely by coincidence. From previous experience, I had the feeling he would do just about anything to avoid me. It goes without saying that I am not his favorite person, though I’m not sure this guy likes anyone. Scrooge, remember? I’m certain my attention has him utterly confused, not to mention how I’ve pretended to ignore his rude responses, including every cold shoulder. I’m sure he doesn’t know what to make of me.

  So I gave him a little cold shoulder myself this evening in an effort to keep him on edge. And because I was too tired for much else. Then, and this is what I found interesting, as I unlocked my door I felt his gaze on me, almost as if he was waiting for me to speak. When I looked back, I saw him studying me as if he was disappointed that I hadn’t gushed with my usual charm.

  I wonder if I’m getting to him. Could it really be possible? So soon? It’s been only two days!

  I’ll close for now. I appreciate the comments. And to HattieHomemaker, who wrote, “Sweeten him up with peanut butter cookies. Works with my husband every time.” I think you’re onto something…

  Cain hated to admit it, but his irritating neighbor was beginning to get to him. He stood with Schroeder in the dark while waiting for the dog to do his business, his head full of Julia. Determined as he was to put all thoughts of her out of his mind, he found it nearly impossible. He hadn’t been able to stop since their chance encounter the night before.

  When he saw her collecting her mail, he felt fairly certain she was only then getting home from work. She’d had one long day. Nothing said how exhausted she was more than the fact that she hadn’t burst into jovial babble the instant she saw him. By all that was right, he should count his blessings. At every other meeting, calculated or by chance, she’d brightened up like a yellow canary and started chirping like the cage door had unexpectedly sprung open.

  Cain hadn’t meant to comment and regretted that he had. He cherished the peace and quiet of the elevator. Then he saw how slowly she walked to her apartment door. The deciding factor came when she’d looked over her shoulder at him with a weary expression. Cain hadn’t been able to help himself.

  It was her eyes, round and hopeful, as if all she needed was a kind word from him to restore her. Fool that he was, Cain had given in and then instantly regretted it. Their short conversation was sure to lead to more conversations, and he wasn’t interested in being neighborly or anything else. Julia needed to stay on her side of the hall, and he would gladly do the same.

  As a result of his slip in judgment, Cain had spent a restless night convinced he’d given Little Miss Sunshine all the encouragement she needed to force-feed her sweetness into his life. Well, that wasn’t going to happen.

  Schroeder let out one sharp bark and Cain realized his dog was eager to get back to the warmth of the apartment.

  “Sorry, buddy,” Cain murmured. “Be sure you’re done, because I won’t be back at lunchtime. It’s Bernie’s birthday, and I need to buy him a gift. I was thinking about a sweater. You got any better ideas?”

  Schroeder stared up at him blankly.

  “That’s what I thought. A sweater will have to do.”

  Schroeder led the way back to the apartment. If he hurried through his morning routine, he just might escape riding the elevator with her.

  —

  Julia suspected Cain was probably looking to avoid her at the elevator. She was equally determined to make sure she manipulated it so they left at the same time.

  She was ready and waiting when she heard movement across the hallway. That was her cue. She lingered until he reached the elevator before coming to stand beside him.

  When he saw her, Cain’s shoulders sagged in defeat. Her responding smile was genuine. “Ah, we meet again,” she said, grinning gleefully back at him. “It seems we leave about the same time every morning.”

  “I noticed, and I don’t think it’s coincidence.”

  He had a small scab forming from his shaving cut the morning before.

  “I didn’t get your newspaper this morning, as you requested.”

  He kept his gaze up, focused on the floor numbers.

  “Looks like we’re in for another day of drizzling rain. Does the rain bother you?”

  �
�Not particularly.”

  “Me neither.”

  “Are you always this chipper in the morning?” he asked.

  “Always.”

  “Would it be possible for you to tone it down a little?”

  She swallowed a smile. “I can try.”

  “It would be appreciated.”

  The elevator stopped on the second floor and an elderly gentleman Julia didn’t recognize got on.

  “Morning,” she greeted.

  “Morning,” the older man said and inclined his head toward her.

  Julia looked over at Cain. “So you go to Starbucks nearly every morning.”

  His gaze narrowed. “How’d you know that?”

  “Phil told me.”

  “Who’s Phil?”

  “The barista.” The fact that he didn’t know Phil said he hadn’t paid even minimal attention to the waitstaff.

  “Daily Starbucks doesn’t fit into my budget,” Julia continued, “but I manage to treat myself once or twice a week. Have you ever tried their peppermint mocha? It’s one of the seasonal specialties. It’s the best.”

  “You’re chattering again.”

  “Sorry. I’ll try harder to get a grip on that,” she said, and pantomimed zipping her lips closed.

  The elevator door opened, and once more Cain rushed out like a bat escaping a cave, determined to get away from her.

  “Have a wonderful day,” Julia called after him, offering him a small wave, although he couldn’t see her. Once more, as soon as he was out of sight, she struggled to smother a laugh.

  She wasn’t sure she was supposed to enjoy this experiment this much; certainly it was more fun than she’d thought it would be. Because she was a few minutes early, Julia stopped to chat with Eddie, who manned the front desk, complimenting him on the Christmas tree and other holiday paraphernalia that decorated the lobby, before heading to the bus stop.

  Phil must have seen her waiting outside, because he came out of Starbucks a few minutes later, wearing a big grin. Julia was excited to see him, wondering how Cain had reacted to her gesture for a cup of coffee.

  “So,” she said, even before he reached her. “What happened?”

  He handed Julia the gift card. “He refused to accept it.”

  “That figures.” It didn’t surprise her, but she was disappointed.

  Phil gave her an odd look, as if he wasn’t sure he should even ask the question. “Are you interested in this guy? You know, romantically?”

  A horrified look came over her. “You’re joking, right?”

  “Well, it certainly seems that way. If you are, I’d advise you to save your breath. He’s one cold fish.”

  “I’m looking to spread a little Christmas cheer is all,” she explained, unwilling to talk about what she was doing or her blog.

  “I don’t think this neighbor of yours is into Christmas.”

  That would be Julia’s guess as well. She didn’t expect he would be, which was sad. She didn’t understand how anyone could not appreciate Christmas. As the lyrics of one of her favorite Christmas songs said, it was the most wonderful time of the year.

  “I better get back inside,” Phil said. “I’m on break.”

  “Thanks again. I appreciate the help.”

  “Yeah, no problem; I’m sorry it didn’t work out.”

  “Me, too.” She hadn’t expected Cain to accept, but part of her had hoped that he would. It would’ve shown a small crack in the armor he wore like a second skin. Despite everything, she wanted to think he wasn’t immune to kindness.

  Phil started to leave but then turned back. “He asked about you.”

  “Cain did?” She saw the bus approaching and groaned. “What did he want to know?”

  “Sorry, I’ve got to get back inside and it looks like your bus is here. We’ll connect later.”

  “Later,” she echoed, disappointed. It would be telling to learn what Cain had asked Phil about her.

  —

  Julia’s phone rang just after she clocked in to work at the department store. Seeing it was Cammie, she decided to answer. She had an extra five minutes before she needed to be on the floor.

  “Hey,” Julia greeted her. “What’s up?”

  “What’s up is you!” Cammie said excitedly.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You have two hundred views on your most recent post.”

  “I do?” Julia did a mental happy dance. “Really?” It’d been up only a few hours. This was unprecedented.

  “I’m telling you, this blog idea is catching on,” Cammie continued. “It will win you that contest for sure. You’ve as good as got this job, my friend.”

  “And just think, it was all your idea.”

  “You’re killing him, Julia.”

  She loved hearing it. She mentioned the gift card Cain had refused from Starbucks earlier and that he’d asked about her.

  “When will you see Phil next?” Cammie asked right away.

  “I don’t know…I guess I could stop in tomorrow morning.”

  “Do. You need to find out what Cain was asking.”

  Her friend paused, and it was almost as if Julia could hear Cammie’s mind spinning.

  “I bet he’s hot for you.”

  “Not happening,” Julia countered swiftly. “First off, he sees me as a nuisance. Fact is, I’m pretty sure he cringes any time he sets eyes on me.”

  “Pretty sure he’s interested. Dig what you can out of Phil.”

  Julia wasn’t convinced that was such a great idea. As it was, the barista had already suggested that she acted as if she was romantically interested in Cain. That was definitely a path she didn’t intend to take.

  One thing she did find fascinating, though, was the fact that this experiment had been going on for only a couple days, and already it appeared to be having an effect on Cain.

  As soon as she ended the conversation with Cammie, Julia headed out to the floor. Holiday shoppers waited outside the doors, and as soon as Macy’s opened, the crowds rushed in for the latest bargains.

  Although she worked almost exclusively in menswear, Julia found that seventy-five percent of her customers were women. Many were seeking presents for the men in their lives. One of the few things Julia enjoyed about her job was helping others find the perfect gift.

  The morning sped by and Julia stopped for lunch. While she sat in the break room, she read over the comments from her blog. Several of her readers offered her encouragement and advice. Some swore they had neighbors exactly like Cain and were implementing their own experiments.

  Seeing the interest her blog had generated in only two days encouraged Julia. She owed Cammie for this idea.

  JingleBellGirl: Keep up the chatter!

  #Chatter4Christmas. Maybe try kicking it up a notch with an elf outfit tomorrow.

  Julia smothered a laugh. She could just imagine Cain’s face if she did.

  SassySusan was back as well, with a comment.

  I love that you bought him coffee—bet he drinks only straight drip, and of course no sugar. He doesn’t like Christmas carols? Who doesn’t like Christmas carols? He needs sweetening up. You might try fudge.

  —

  When she returned from lunch after one, she noticed that the displays were a mess. Seeing that the other sales staff were busy with customers, Julia took the opportunity to straighten the stack of sweaters that were currently discounted for the holidays.

  “Excuse me, do you work here?”

  The voice was all too familiar. It couldn’t be. No way. Slowly she turned, and she couldn’t hold back a huge smile. How did she get so lucky?

  Cain was Christmas shopping? This she had to see.

  “Yes, I do,” she said, and beamed him a smile.

  His eyes widened when he saw it was her. An entire slew of emotions crossed his face, and for a half-second Julia thought he might make an excuse to leave.

  “How can I help you?” she asked.

  He continued to stare at her. �
�Is this a joke?”

  “What do you mean?” she asked with a look of innocence, her hands folded in front of her.

  He shook his head as if he didn’t have an answer, or more likely would rather not say.

  “I work for Macy’s, and I’d be happy to help you, Cain.”

  He nodded as if he were a man accepting his fate and facing a hangman. “I need a man’s sweater.”

  “Do you have a price in mind?”

  “Not really. I want to make sure it’s comfortable and warm. That’s my only requirement.”

  “Okay, what about color? Do you have a preference?”

  “Blue.”

  “Size?”

  “Medium.”

  She’d asked because she’d noticed how broad Cain’s shoulders were. The man was stacked, and in a good way. She’d paid attention earlier, but even more so now. What a shame that he pushed people and relationships away. With a personality transplant he would have the potential to be more than eye candy. To use a bit of a cliché, a smile would certainly increase his face value. “Is it for you or someone else?”

  “Why do you want to know?” he asked, as if she’d overstepped her bounds as a salesperson.

  It would be easy to take offense, but she didn’t. “Because,” she returned calmly, “if you were purchasing the sweater for yourself I’d suggest going up a size. You have broad shoulders. I noticed you work out. It shows.”

  He didn’t let on if he appreciated the compliment, not that she suspected he would.

  “Flattery, Julia?”

  She hadn’t been sure he even knew her name. That he would say it was a nice surprise. “It’s a compliment.”

  He didn’t let his feelings be known one way or the other. Instead, he answered her question. “The sweater isn’t for me.”

  She motioned toward the table where she’d been straightening out the inventory. “These are good-quality sweaters and they’re on sale. We have higher-end choices as well, if you’re looking for something in cashmere.”

  “These will do,” he said, and then added, as if it pained him, “I appreciate your help.”