Chapter 2
Jo dropped the phone in the cradle. He could be such an ass. She rubbed her forehead. Just once, couldn�t they do something she wanted? Every
holiday season it was the same, dinner at two with Sam�s parents. Jo would love to cook and have them all come to her apartment, even though it was
small. But the Barrett�s never deviated from their rituals. Margaret would supervise the kitchen staff and all the guests would sit down promptly at
two. By four dinner was finished and the guests had gone home. Sam�s parents would retire to their respective rooms and she and Sam would meet
his friends at the club for the evening. The holidays were about family and being together but not the Barrett�s. And now Jo wanted to go downtown
and participate in the activities before the tree lighting. They had argued and she told Sam she was going with or without him. He said fine and she
hung up on him. Just once she wanted to smell the chestnuts roasting and listen to the carolers and be in the town square when the lights came on
instead of on the fifth floor of the Barrett building. More and more she was beginning to question what she ever saw in Sam. She was 30 years old
and at some point she thought he would talk about marriage let alone propose, but somehow it never came up. And now, Jo wasn�t sure she wanted it
any more. They didn�t want the same things and his patrician attitude lately was grating on her. He was so like his father that at times she loathed
him. There was plenty of time to weigh if their relationship was worth saving but not now. She put on her coat and left the store.
Jo breathed deeply and let the cool evening air fill her lungs. It wasn�t quite as cold as she remembered when she was a child growing up in New
York, but it was close. She hoped there would be snow. It wasn�t Christmas unless there was at least a dusting on the ground. She stopped in the
small caf� on the corner and ordered some soup and a sandwich. She had about 30 minutes before the caroling would start.
~*~*~*~*~
The city chorus and children�s ensemble were all dressed in late 19th Century attire. Jo felt like she was back in Dickens London. They strolled
through the crowd as they sang traditional carols, eventually working their way back to the stands near the base of the tree. Jo stood at the edge of
the walk and waited. A hush went through the crowd and then the lights came on and a loud ahhh could be heard tremble through the mass of people.
And then it began to snow, flurries actually. And it couldn�t have been planned any better. As Jo stepped back to take a better look at the tree she
lost her balance as she slid off the curb. Two hands caught her under her arms and prevented her from twisting an ankle. When she stood up a
familiar pair of blue eyes greeted her.
"Seems you are helping me again," Jo backed up and brushed her hair from her face and secured her hat on her head.
"Just helping a lady in need. You okay?" His forehead creased as he looked questioningly at her.
"Yes. I didn�t realize I was so close to the edge."
"Well it is a breathtaking sight." Brian looked towards the tree. The lights just twinkled and the snow gave it just the right touch.
"Yes it is." She smiled feeling a bit awkward. She lifted her head and looked straight in his eyes. "I�m Jo." She extended her hand.
"Brian." He took her hand and held it for what seemed longer than necessary. Jo slowly removed hers and then they both looked at each other and
laughed. "How about some hot chocolate and cookies."
"Hmm, I�d like that." They walked to the tent set up and even though Jo tried to treat him, Brian refused.
"It�s my way of saying thank you, please." She begged as he handed her the cup of cocoa.
"You can thank me by sitting with me on that bench over there and we can admire the tree together." Brian paid the woman and they took their cups
and sweets and planted themselves in front of the Christmas Tree. "Is this your first time at the tree lighting?" Brian peered at her over his cup as
he sipped the hot liquid.
"No. I�m usually up there," she pointed to the office building, "on the fifth floor, all snug and warm drinking egg nog." Jo sipped from her cup too,
letting the warmth flow through her body. "But I decided this year to really take part in the festivities. You really can�t enjoy it, unless you can see,
hear and smell it all." Brian noticed how her eyes danced as she spoke. "I have to admit though it is cold." She shivered as the wind swirled around
them.
"So you gave up an office party to be here on the streets?" Brian was curious about her.
"Sort of. Actually a friend of mine works there and I usually attend with him."
"But not this year?"
"No, not this year." Jo averted her eyes and drank her cocoa. Brian sensed she didn�t want to talk about it so he let it drop.
"So what do you do at Jordan�s?" She looked at him surprise on her face.
"How did you know I work at Jordan�s."
"I watched you go back to the store after you got your coffee." He smirked. She went to reply when he stopped her. "No let me guess, ah
fragrances?" She shook her head. "Ladies Shoes?" She grinned. "Lingerie?" Jo laughed. "Not doing too well am I?"
"No." While he was talking it suddenly dawned on her that he looked familiar. "I work in the children�s department."
"I was way off." He grinned at her.
Jo just stared for a minute hesitant to say anything for fear she could be wrong. Of all the people to meet, was it possible? She knew he had grown up
right here in Lexington, but last she had heard, he was living in California working as a songwriter and producer.
"Hey, you okay?" Brian waved his hands in front of her face. "Jo?" He touched her arm and she blinked her eyes.
"I�m sorry, but you, you�I don�t want to be rude but are you Brian Littrell?" Brian let out a moan. You would think after all these years, he could
sit and talk with a girl and just let it be about them and not about what he did for a living years ago.
"If I say yes, what will you do?"
"Nothing. You look like him and I didn�t want you to think I didn�t recognize you."
"So you are not going to go ballistic or anything."
"No. Do you want me to?" He was acting very strange.
"No! I mean, no. I didn�t think anyone would notice so much any more that�s all."
"Why do you say that? You guys were good. I have your albums and still listen to them." Jo noticed he was beginning to feel uncomfortable. "I�m
sorry, if I made you uneasy. It�s really none of my business." She stood and threw her cup in the trash. "Listen, thanks for the hot chocolate and
saving me from a twisted ankle." She extended her hand again. Brian took it but didn�t let go.
"Don�t leave. I should apologize. I just get a bit nervous when young women recognize me. I�ve had some unpleasant experiences in the past, that�s
all." He stood directly in front her. The lights from the tree lit up her face. Her eyes were clear and her lips curled ever so slightly at the corners.
"I can understand your hesitancy." She smiled and then whispered in his ear, "I promise to keep your identity a secret." The flurries had just about
stopped and it was getting late. Jo looked around. There were very few people left on the streets. "I need to get home. I enjoyed this, thank you."
"You�re welcome, but I would be falling down on my job if I didn�t walk you to your car." He held out his hand and Jo nodded and slipped her hand
inside his.
Chapter 3
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