Christmas In July/Romance Rewind: Christmas Brunch
To bring everyone together for the holidays, Jennifer had invited the whole family to stay at her home, and even made the declaration that she'd prepare brunch for everyone on Christmas Eve morning…
Jennifer entered the grocery store as the sun was setting behind the mountains. A last-minute visit, and one she was trying to avoid, for eggs and orange juice. Her family, mother and father, along with her brother and his children, were arriving first thing in the morning (assuming their flight remained on time).
To bring everyone together for the holidays, Jennifer had invited the whole family to stay at her home, and even made the declaration that she’d prepare brunch for everyone on Christmas Eve morning.
Within all the planning it took to make sure her home, a modest ranch with a guest room (for her parents) and a living room with a couch (for her brother) and space for his kids to “camp out” would be the bed-and-breakfast of a lifetime, if only she could get everything in order.
As she perused the aisles for anything else she might need, she noticed a man setting up garland by the soup cans. He had a beard down to his shirt collar and his dark hair, cut short on the sides, slicked back. He turned to her and waved. Did they know each other?
“Hello,” she said, walking toward him. “I have an odd question.”
“Those are my favorite kind,” he replied. He ripped a piece of tape and stuck it over the garland.
“Wonderful job,” she said. “I come here all the time and haven’t seen you. Are you new?”
“Something like that. I’m visiting for the holidays and noticed there weren’t any decorations up. The shop owners used to do such a wonderful job. I wanted to pay it forward, if you will, and bring back some of the holiday cheer they showed me. Luckily, there’s a Christmas store in this plaza so I could stock up. I’ve been working on this all day, hoping I can finish it all before Christmas Eve.”
“Well, you’re doing great.”
“What was your question?”
“Are you sure you have time?”
He smiled and tore off another piece of tape.
“Of course,” he replied. “If it’s related to the location of something, I’m not sure how helpful I can be. They seemed to have moved everything around since I left.” He shrugged.
“I know my way around the store. I was wondering if you had any ideas for a Christmas themed brunch. Since you’re clearly in the holiday spirit. I bet you love caroling, too.”
“I’m not much of a singer. Holiday treats, on the other hand, I’m quite good at. Gingerbread cookies would be a great place to start.” He tapped his chin. “I noticed a mix in the aisle next to us.”
“That’s a wonderful idea. Can I ask one more question?”
“What’s that?”
“Where do I know you from?”
The man with the dark beard tore off another piece of tape and stuck it to the garland. He took a step back, seemingly to admire, or judge, his work.
“We went to school together,” he replied. He scratched at his beard.
Jennifer’s eyes grew wide.
“Wyatt?”
“That’s me,” he replied.
“I barely recognized you under all that beard. How’ve you been?”
“I’ve been great. Moved to California after college. I’ve been living there ever since. This is the first time in a long time I’ve been back home in Colorado for the holidays. How about you?”
“I went to college in Florida, which is where my parents live now. I moved back home afterwards, and my brother and his children live in Ohio. Since I have never hosted so many people before, I’m getting nervous.”
“Family is a good way to get your feet wet.”
“You must not know my family,” she replied.
The two shared a laugh.
“I don’t have plans tomorrow morning,” he said. “I don’t want to intrude, but I can help get everything setup for your brunch.”
“You would do that? That’d be so kind.”
“I take it you don’t remember, but you helped me study for math our junior year of high-school. Without you, I would’ve spent the summer in school. That was the summer I learned how to fish. A hobby I still bond with my father over.”
“I do remember. How’d we lose touch after that?”
“There isn’t much time for the little guys when you’re dating the school’s star quarterback.” He scratched his beard.
“Senior year is such a blur to me,” replied Jennifer. “It all happened so fast. If you’re willing, I certainly won’t turn down help. I’m in over my head.”
“I’m happy to. Just tell me where and when.”
During the drive home, Jennifer thought back on high-school and how she’d helped Wyatt study. She recalled the initial reason she’d offered. She had a crush on him. Once their junior year ended, they lost touch over the summer. Come senior year, her social circle was entirely different.
Wyatt showed up at Jennifer’s at 10:00 am on Christmas Eve morning. He walked up to the porch and knocked the snow off of his shoes on the step before ringing the doorbell. It wasn’t long before the door creaked open.
“You must be Wyatt,” said the woman standing in the doorway. “I’m Jennifer’s mother, Nancy.”
“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Nancy.”
“Please, come inside. Jennifer is busy in the kitchen, at least that’s what she says.” She rolled her eyes and smiled. “None of us can witness her ‘progress’.”
Wyatt removed his boots and placed them on the mat beside the door. Nancy took his jacket.
“Point me in the right direction and I’ll see what she’s up to.”
Jennifer poured the pancake batter onto the skillet. It sizzled, and within seconds, she could smell it burning.
“Smells lovely in here.”
She looked up and noticed Wyatt walking toward her.
“Lovely. Right.” She laughed. “As you can see. Things are off to a great start.”
“No worries. We’ve got this.” He took the apron hanging from the hook beside the oven and put it on. Jennifer couldn’t help but smile at him, wearing the apron decorated with gingerbread people. It was a gift she’d received in the mail the previous Christmas from her brother.
“What’s your specialty?” she asked.
“Everything,” he replied. “I used to work at the diner in town during high-school. I’ve prepared breakfast more times than I can count.”
“I guess we should’ve worked on your counting skills better when we were studying for our math tests.”
“I’m open to more lessons,” he replied. He smirked and took the skillet from the stove and placed it in the sink. “Do you have a spare?”
As the loaded eggs sizzled on the stove-top, Jennifer plated the items they’d already finished. Bacon rested beside the sausage, cranberry jelly coated toast sat atop chocolate chip pancakes. While Wyatt continued working on the eggs, Jennifer got started on the mimosas for the adults.
Snow was falling as Jennifer began putting plates on the table. She couldn’t help but glance outside and feel cheerful at the notion of a white blanket coating everything on Christmas morning.
“Brunch is served,” declared Jennifer.
“You’ve really outdone yourself, Wyatt,” said her brother.
“Funny,” said Jennifer. “I helped. Right, Wyatt?”
“I couldn’t have applied the jelly any better if I tried,” said Wyatt.
“Tremendous,” exclaimed her mother.
Her father entered the kitchen with his coffee in hand. A satisfactory smile and nod were his only response.
As everyone dug into their plates, Jennifer leaned back in her chair and took a sip of her mimosa. She’d placed Wyatt at the other head of the table. It made sense for the cooks to be at either end, right? So they could look at the delicious bounty of food they prepared? Had she done it in hopes they’d catch each other staring across the table?
She reached for the salt beside her brother.
“So, Wyatt,” said her mother. “What are your plans for the rest of the day?”
“Head home and rest up for the big day,” he replied. “What are you all up to?”
“We’re going caroling,” said her mother. “Care to join us?”
“Jennifer mentioned caroling yesterday. I’m not much of a singer, but I can’t turn down an offer to spread some holiday cheer. When are you going?”
“As soon as we finish eating,” said her brother.
Jennifer took a bite of her pancake and glanced at the table. Everyone was busy enjoying their meals. She looked at Wyatt and locked eyes with him, and smiled. He smiled back at her. She restored her gaze to her plate. Her cheeks felt warm, and she wondered if they’d turned red.
Everyone at the table sipped their drinks and picked at the last remnants of their plates as Jennifer began clearing the table of condiments.
“I hope everyone has room for dessert,” she said. “Gingerbread cookies.”
Wyatt walked alongside Jennifer to the next house on the street. He took a bite from the candy cane they each had been gifted him at the previous house. He noticed her brother’s children were the only ones doing the same.
How’d he end up walking alongside his high-school crush on Christmas Eve? If he’d stayed in the small town they grew up in, could they have ended up together?
Was it too late to give it a try?
“Uh oh,” said her mother. Wyatt looked up and noticed he and Jennifer were standing under mistletoe.
“Who puts mistletoe above their porch?” he asked.
He turned to Jennifer, and she gave him the same stare he’d caught from across the table during brunch. He leaned in. She did the same.
The cool air nipped his nose as he pulled away from her warm lips.
“Merry Christmas,” she whispered.
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