A Winter's Promise (A Winter's Tale Series Book 2) Read online

  A Winter’s

  Promise

  By Kristi Tailor

  7th Meadow Publishing

  All Rights Reserved

  Cover design by Les

  Cover photos from Shutterstock

  Book printed by CreateSpace Publishing USA

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, products, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2016 Kristi Tailor

  All rights reserved.

  Acknowledgements and THANKS

  A special thank you to my wonderful daughter, Madison, for helping me come up with a title in the late hours of night. Mommy loves you.

  Thank you to my family and friends for their continual support through my writing journey.

  And to my readers, thank you so much for all your support.

  Lord, thank you for blessing me continuously.

  “Life is full of surprises, embrace all of them whole- heartedly.” - Kristi Tailor

  Look for A Winter’s Vow, the next novella in the A Winter’s Tale series coming August 2018.

  A Winter’s Promise is also available as a paperback

  dEDICATION

  To My Beautiful Grandmother, Annie Mae, who has been the rock in my family for all of my life. At 93 years old, she has so much wisdom and wit and such a zest for life. Thank you for everything you have done for me and our family throughout our lives. You are the foundation to everything that I know and love. You mean the world to me, and so much more.

  Chapter One

  DECEMBER 2008

  Charlotte Toutant kept a steady pace as she ran through Greenwich Village, her long legs systematically weaving through the crowds with ease. The streets of The Village were electric. Energy seeped out of its pores as people from all walks of life stood on the corners basking in the brilliance of the early morning sunlight; the once dim pavements brightened by its unyielding luster. Turning onto MacDougal Street she flexed her arms, arching her back with every stride. The distance between her flat and the corner bakery where she was headed to meet her friend, and co- worker, Patricia Foster, was 4.2 miles, and while she had the heart of a runner her body rejected the idea of continuing any further. Still, she pushed forward stretching her torso onward as her feet slapped the ground in a quiet victory. Ignoring the burning sensation in her chest she stayed on course pushing past the pain that had slowly begun to creep its way through her limbs. Charlotte blinked rapidly in a failed attempt at clearing her vision from the wind- blown tears that watered her eyes. Moving beyond the pain she forced her tightened muscles to keep going as she neared the small building that set quaintly on the corner of W. Houston Street.

  Walking into the dim lit establishment Charlotte scanned the petite room, smiling when she spotted Patricia nestled in the back-left corner engrossed in a book. One of Kirby Elaine’s newest titles no doubt. Patricia had fallen in love with the up and coming author, never going anywhere without one of Elaine’s novels in her purse.

  “Good morning gorgeous,” Charlotte greeted when she reached the other woman. Pulling out the chair on the opposite side of the table she inched her way onto the seat, slowly straightening her back against the wooden spokes. “What cha’ reading?” she asked as if she didn’t already know.

  “Are you alright?” Patricia frowned, closing her book to display the cover, All I Ever Wanted. “You look exhausted.”

  “Gee, thanks!” Charlotte laughed, taking the book from her friend’s hands. “I’m fine, just a little sore. Is it a good read?”

  “Of course, it’s Kirby Elaine,” she grinned, reaching for the paperback with greedy fingers. “She never disappoints.”

  “Maybe I should start reading her novels. I need something, anything to keep my mind from wandering when it’s not focused on work.”

  “Reading does that for me . . . takes me to a place away from the everyday drama that has become my life; it puts me in a place of contentment− like an escape.”

  Nodding her head Charlotte agreed, “Escape. An escape is exactly what I need.” Especially now, she thought, combing her fingers through her damp hair.

  “So, how was your trip to Maryland?” Patricia asked. “How are your parents?”

  Licking her lips Charlotte shrugged her thin shoulders beneath her olive-green bubble vest. Though the question seemed simple enough the answer had so many layers. “My trip . . . my trip was interesting,” she answered, reaching for the untouched banana nut muffin that sat wastefully in front of Patricia. “It was nice seeing my younger sister. She’s growing up so beautifully.”

  “Interesting how?” Patricia probed, wanting the particulars that her reticent friend would no doubt try to withhold from her.

  “Let’s just say that the Toutant household is never a boring one,” Charlotte offered. “They’re my family, and I still don’t know what to expect from them.”

  “Well, I’m glad you had a chance to visit. I didn’t know that you were planning a trip to Maryland until after you had already left.”

  Ignoring Patricia’s unasked question Charlotte brought the warmed bread to her lips inhaling the sweet aroma before taking in a mouthful. Over the past two years she had grown accustomed to the other woman’s ways. Seeking information without really asking for it had been a skill that she had readily mastered.

  When Charlotte didn’t take the bait, Patricia pressed further. “I didn’t know what to think when both you and Nicholas missed work. The last few days before Christmas break were brutal, needless to say when the editor, and editor-in- chief both went among the missing pandemonium swept through the building instantly. Vivid stories about secret rendezvous and romantic getaways spread like wildfire.”

  Charlotte eyed the other woman curiously. She was prying. “Oh?” she asked, seemingly un-phased by her colleague’s words. It wasn’t the first time that ugly gossip had spread around the office about her and Nicholas, and she was certain that it wouldn’t be the last. Nicholas Elliot, her boss, and more importantly her best friend had dropped everything to travel with her to Baltimore, Maryland the second she had gotten the heartbreaking voicemail regarding her father’s bad health. And while it turned out to be a false alarm− a blatant lie rather, crafted by none other than her mother as a tactic to get her to return home for the holidays, Nicholas still put in every effort to keep her sanity intact, not once complaining about the forged emergency, or even the fact that they were stranded in Baltimore due to a blizzard that had put New York in a State of Emergency.

  “Yes, stories on top of stories,” Patricia shook her head. “Of course, I eradicated each one that crossed my path, but I would be lying to you if I didn’t tell you that I’m interested in knowing about you and Nick.”

  “If you have a question just ask it,” Charlotte said, narrowing her eyes at her friend. “It’s unlike you to beat around the bush.”

  “I thought I had asked, but if you want me to be more specific did he accompany you to Maryland?”

  Charlotte licked her lips in search for stray crumbs as Patricia watched her in silence. Batting her dark brown eyes at the other woman she meditated on he
r words before she said them aloud. “We were together, yes, but that shouldn’t be surprising to you. You know better than anyone that Nicholas and I are just friends.”

  “I know that the two of you say that you’re just friends, but after taking off together to spend time with your family for the holidays, and then having to be so secretive about it . . . it kinda’ makes me second guess the ‘just friends’ story you’ve been selling me these past couple of years.”

  “We really are just friends.”

  “Mhmm. As your friend he could have stayed behind while you went to visit with your family. During such a critical time at the magazine it would seem that he would have opted in staying here to make sure that the transitioning of employees was happening smoothly.”

  “Trish, I get it. But given the sudden circumstances my trip back home couldn’t be avoided. I had a family emergency, and Nicholas was there for emotional support. It was unfortunate that it happened in the midst of Leisure Me Ready’s dismantling, but I promise you I had no control over the situation.” Leisure Me Ready, a fifty year running retirement magazine had closed its doors a few weeks earlier after being bought out by multi- millionaire, Hayward Fissicle, Chief Executive of Gizzelle Bridal, a bridal magazine whose yearly profit was unmatched within its content area.

  “A family emergency? Is everything okay?” Patricia gasped, instantly regretting her accusatory demeanor.

  Charlotte offered a quick smile before taking another bite from the banana nut goodness. “Everything is fine, now,” she said, covering her mouth with her hand as she spoke. “Thanks for asking.”

  “Of course,” Patricia sighed. “I’m just glad that everything is okay.”

  Nodding, Charlotte placed the half eaten muffin back on the plate. “Me too,” she answered, crossing her arms together and resting them on the table in front of her. Knowing Patricia’s inquisitive nature Charlotte was certain that the older woman was dying to know the details behind her untimely family crisis. Still, friend or not, Charlotte had made the conscious decision to keep the aspects of her past life in Maryland at bay . . . far away from the reality that was her life now.

  “Speaking of Nicholas, how is he? I haven’t spoken to him since before the two of you left.”

  “I don’t know,” Charlotte replied, her brows knotting together. “Christmas was the last time I’ve heard from him.” Saying the words aloud left a bitter taste in her mouth. She couldn’t remember the last time they had gone a few hours without talking let alone a day, yet, here it was two days later, and not a single phone call, not one text message between them. And that’s not saying that Charlotte hadn’t tried to reach out to him because she had . . . just not successfully.

  “What? You don’t know? Since when do you not know his every move?” Patricia joked, bringing her coffee mug to her full lips.

  Since I forced myself on him, and then asked him to lie to his parents for the sake of my pride, she mused. “I’m sure he’s fine. Probably just busy.” Yeah . . . too busy to answer my calls and reply to my text messages.

  “Well I’m glad that everything worked out for the best. Now you can go back to work tomorrow with no stress.”

  “Right,” Charlotte replied, a forged smile on her lips. “Back to work with no stress.”

  Chapter Two

  Groaning aloud Charlotte pulled the covers over her head as her alarm sounded off for the third time. She couldn’t fathom how those five minute snooze sessions ended so quickly. Squeezing her eyes shut she made a futile attempt at falling back to sleep, but the moment had passed, and she was wide awake. Charlotte turned over in her bed several times before finally tossing the comforter off of her body, and robotically making her way to her bathroom. You would think after being off for a week I would be well rested, she reasoned. Standing in front of her small bathroom mirror she stared at her reflection. Her pale skin appeared yellow under the florescent lighting. Sighing aloud Charlotte rubbed her skinny fingers down her narrow face. She was beyond exhausted. “It’s going to be a wonderful day,” she assured herself, forcing a smile. “Today is going to be amazing.”

  ***

  Dressed in a black form fitting pencil skirt and a powder blue satin blouse Charlotte quickly made her way through the lobby; skillfully tuning out the group of women who made it their mission to cackle louder than hyenas as she passed the receptionist desk. With her head held high she walked to the line of elevators just past her onlookers smiling to herself at her slowly returning confidence. Though their snide laughter and judgmental gazes had bothered her just weeks before, Charlotte had made a solemn oath to no longer fall victim to irrelevant situations that had no real validity over her life. The catty banter that the women found to be entertaining just seemed childish and unfortunate, and so Charlotte was no longer concerned, nor did she feel the need to discount any of the said rumors that had been going around about her and Nicholas. As far as she was concerned people could think whatever they wanted− she was no longer affected by their thoughts, or misunderstandings of her and Nicholas’ relationship.

  Finally! She perked up when the elevator doors opened. Stepping inside she said, “Good morning,” to no one in particular, her eyes glued to the paperwork in her small hands.

  “Good morning,” spoke a familiar masculine voice.

  Charlotte’s fingers stiffened; tightening her grip on the documents in her hands she quickly turned her head, a deep frown hardening her expression. Nicholas stood behind her with a fixed smile on his face and a gold coffee cup in his right hand seemingly unbothered by the daggers shooting out from her dark brown eyes. “How are you?” he asked when their eyes met.

  “If you cared about how I was doing you would have called, or at least answered my phone calls.”

  “But since neither of those options happened, I’m asking now? How are you?” he returned.

  “I’m awesome,” Charlotte snorted. “How are you?”

  “That’s good. I’m good.”

  Charlotte regarded him intently. “You sure about that?” she asked, taking a step in his direction, intentionally closing the space between them.

  “Would I say that I was if I wasn’t?”

  “Why haven’t you answered any of my calls?” Charlotte pressed.

  “I’ve been busy,” Nicholas answered matter- of - factly offering no explanation beyond that.

  “Too busy to answer the phone?” she demanded, becoming agitated. The thought of spending the past couple of days consumed by thoughts of him alone, just to be given a weak excuse as to why he had been brushing her off was infuriating.

  “Yes.”

  “Nicholas─”

  “I have a meeting in a few minutes. We’ll talk later,” he said, walking past her when the elevator doors opened. Charlotte stared after him as he moved with purpose making his way down the long hallway without even a backwards glance.

  “I missed you, too” she said under her breath, feeling foolish for allowing her feelings to become so attached. “Charlotte, stop being so messy,” she chastised herself. “You’re being entirely too messy.”

  Chapter Three

  Flipping from one article to the next Charlotte felt numb to all things wedding related. Reading the swooning words that elevated romance and affection gave her a migraine. Too many words, and not enough truth, she huffed. If love is as simple as everyone makes it seem then why am I failing so miserably at it? Skimming over an exposition about the critical role flowers play on a bride’s big day Charlotte resisted the urge to gag. HA! Bride’s big day, right, like it’ll last . . . “It’s a damn flower,” she grumbled, tossing the manila folder away from her. After reading one article Charlotte had felt like she’d read them all. She couldn’t fathom how to find interest in a magazine geared toward capturing true love and the do’s and don’ts of marriage when she hadn’t even figured out how to successfully be in a relationship. Feeling naïve and unenlightened with the topic she was now forced to edit and critique, Charlotte sighed.
While reading magazine articles about retirement had been boring, it was an un-personal assignment that hadn’t left her feeling frustrated about her love life, or lack thereof for that matter. Closing her eyes, she leaned back in her brown suede chair rocking back and forth as she fought to keep her mind focused on the task at hand. First day back to work and she wanted nothing more than to go home, order take out, climb back into bed and watch Netflix.

  Combing her fingers through her straight hair, Charlotte pulled her lip into her mouth letting out a deep breath of frustration. It wasn’t like her to be so on edge and agitated− she loved her job, and editing had always been something that she had enjoyed, hence, her reasoning for majoring in English Literature and teaching in Baltimore City for four years before she had made the move to Manhattan. Rubbing her temples to ease the tension gathering there, Charlotte allowed the truth of her ordeal to sink in. It wasn’t her job that had put her in a state of discontentment, nor was it the over compensating articles that she was forced to read− it was Nicholas. It was the cold shoulder he had been giving her, and his suddenly reticent demeanor that had put her in a funky mood.

  Abruptly rising to her feet, Charlotte took long strides out of her office, quickly making her way down the hall to Nicholas’. In the past she had been cautious about being alone with him in the workplace, afraid that if the wrong person had seen her leaving the privacy of his office ridiculous rumors would come from it, and the last thing she wanted to do was to encourage gossip, needless to say though in that particular moment Charlotte was uncaring as to who may, or may not have seen her. As far as she was concerned words were just words, and when delivered by insignificant people they meant close to nothing. Standing outside of Nicholas’ office Charlotte let out an exaggerated breath before pushing open the tall wooden doors and making her way inside. Only after she had passed the threshold did she knock twice, two barely audible taps made out of habit as she stepped further into his office, pausing only when she saw that he was on the phone.