Christmas Eve. Always a magical time at the Buffalo and made even more so with sleigh rides down Main Street. Wagon Train folks came for the ride and stayed for hot cider, both leaded and unleaded, served by the Buffalo’s jovial bartenders.
Half the proceeds would go to the charity benefitted by the sleigh ride tickets, a fund to help families regroup and rebuild after a tragedy. It was a worthy cause. On Christmas Eve, Rance donated all his tips to it.
Smiles and jokes tended to increase those tips. He gave it his all, but at this point, his all wasn’t worth much. He feared that his smile had turned into a grimace and coming up with funny lines was beyond his reach.
Since news about DezAndy Press and Lani’s rejection of running it had spread throughout the family, Clint got the picture early on. His little brother had taken a big swing and struck out.
The last person he wanted to see bellied up to the bar around nine and ordered a hot cider. No telling how Irving had obtained information about his epic fail, but he clearly knew Lani had thrown the offer in his face.
He paid for his cider and added a ginormous tip. “Sorry, kid. Guess she’s more entrenched in that world than I thought.”
“She blames you.” Why even tell him? The guy was oblivious to guilt. And to his credit, he’d partially solved the problem. Publishing through DezAndy Press was far better than Lani hooking him up with some unknown editor back East.
Irving nursed his cider as Rance continued serving other customers. When he raised a finger, Rance got him another cider, took payment and received another outrageous tip.
“I’m giving all my tips to the cause.”
“Whatever floats your boat.”
“Just thought you should know.” He started to walk away.
“Ever readGift of the Magi?”
He paused. “This isn’t that story.”
“Sure it is. He sells his precious watch to buy a comb for her hair. She sells her hair to buy a chain for his watch.”
He shouldn’t respond but it ticked him off that the analogy was so off-base. “But in this case, she pitched a fit because she considers the watch priceless and thinks I was gypped out of it by a shyster.”
“Did you tell her she was a million times more important to you than the watch?”
“I did. Made no difference. And she rejected my gift, because running DezAndy Press would put her in league with you, the person who ruined my life. No happy ending.” He left Irving to his cider.
The next time he glanced in that direction, Irving was gone but Lucky was on his way over. This was ridiculous. He had no time for personal chitchat.
“Hey, Lucky, what can I getcha?”
“Two ciders. Just wanted you to know that Oksana’s over in the far corner talking to Lani.”
“She’s here?” His stupid heart started thumping like crazy and he slopped cider over the edge of the mug.
“Came in with Sara and Kieran. They pretty much guilted her into it. And FYI, Lani told her folks everything.”
“Dammit.” He overfilled the second one. Wasting product. He never did that.
“Not the intimate details. Calm down. Anyway, Oksana’s giving it a shot and talking up the indie angle.”
“Tell her thanks. Probably won’t work.” He cleaned up his mess and handed over the ciders.
“Don’t throw in the towel yet, bro.” Lucky slapped too much money on the bar and left with the ciders.
Although nothing had changed, Lucky’s words lifted his mood a little. Lani was here. Misery loved company. Her Christmas Eve was likely as awful as his.
Would Oksana have any luck when he’d been soundly rejected? Probably not, but it was sweet of her to try.
He’d called his mom before leaving for work and she’d advised him to let it go for now. Granny had said the same. He’d take the advice of the two wisest women he knew.
Speaking of Granny, was she still here? She’d come in with Buck and Marybeth, who’d promised they wouldn’t stay late. But it was now past her bedtime and she hadn’t stopped by to say she was going home.
