Thank you for reading our winter serial romance story by
Limington resident Judi Phillips. The conclusion of “Winter Fireworks”.
CHAPTER 5
Seeing her furrowed brow, Jack tried to lighten Karrie’s
mood. "Guess we're having our own fireworks--early and inside."
When the corners of her rosy lips tilted, he was pleased.
"That's one way to look at it."
He stepped back and smothered the few live ashes that
landed on the hearth rug, ignoring the twinge from his sore ankle. As good a
diversion as any to keep from pulling her into his arms and kissing her.
Gingerly, with the help of the broom, Karrie retrieved
the carcass and wrapped it in a plastic bag. "I'll put this in the outside
trash barrel."
He looked out the window. "It's dark and the
fireworks-the outside ones-will start soon. How about this? I'll work on the
fire. You prepare the food. 'Cause I'm a lousy cook."
"Based on my karma today, a lousy cook may be the
better option."
Jack laughed. "Or make it even worse."
She sent a mock frown in his direction before going into
the kitchen. Leaning against the doorjamb, he watched as she quickly blended
the cream cheese and minced clams. After tasting the dip, she scooped it into a
dish. Opening the jar of salsa, she poured that into another bowl.
"Okay?"
She nodded. "Seems to be."
He heard voices as people began to gather outside. "Let's
go." He slipped into his jacket and held Karrie's for her. Donning hats
and scarves, they were ready to brave the falling snow.
* * *
Karrie paused on the front porch for a moment. A bonfire
blazed in the circle of the cul-de-sac. The campfire ring had been there as
long as the camps. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"
"Brings back lots of memories."
Memories of New Year's Eve with Grammy Lou flooded her. "All
happy ones."
She crossed to the table set to one side for food and
deposited the dip and salsa. Jack set the bags of chips beside them.
Brenda Stanley, Grammy Lou's closest friend, walked over,
wrapped her arms around Karrie, and hugged her. "I miss Lulu so
much."
"Me, too." Tears flooded Karrie's eyes before
she could squeeze them away.
David Johnson came up and patted her on the back. "Glad
to see you here, Karrie." His voice was gruff as if he was holding back his
own tears.
Karrie swiped her eyes. "Tonight isn't a night for being
sad. Let's make this a celebration. Gram always loved the winter
fireworks."
"You are so right, dear." Brenda leaned close
and whispered in Karrie's ear. "I'm so glad she left Birch Haven to
you."
"Thanks. That means a lot to me."
Brenda strolled away, followed by David. Interesting.
"Hey, Parker." Jason Dinsmore joined them.
Jack turned. "Hi, Jason. I go by Jack."
"Good move."
"What are you doing now?"
Jason blew on his fingers to warm them. "I've just
started my own architect firm. Going solo after the outfit I was with
collapsed. The housing bubble burst the firm."
"Good luck with that."
Jason looked across the fire. "My sister and her
family just arrived. Catch up with you later." He lifted a hand and walked
away.
"I thought he was married,” Karrie said. “Wonder
where his wife is?"
"Maybe another casualty of the recession."
"Wouldn't be the first."
"Let's get something to eat," Karrie suggested.
They joined the group around the table.
Melissa Perkins stopped beside Karrie. Once upon a time
Melissa and Karrie's mother had been friends. "Hi there. Haven't seen you
in a while."
"Been away at college." No need to go into
detail about her crappy family. "What about you?"
"Just got a promotion to purchase manager at Dad's
construction firm."
"Congratulations."
"Not sure it's that great. I seem to have more work
and not a lot more pay."
"I'm finishing up a B.S. in business administration
at Colby-Sawyer."
"Give me a call when you graduate. If we don't have
any openings, I may be able to help. For sure I'd love to talk with you."
"Thank you so much. I'll be in touch."
Melissa smiled and walked away.
"That's cool," Jack said.
Karrie spotted Taylor Winslow standing beside Brad
Jennings, holding hands. She'd never seen them as a couple before this evening.
His daughter, Faith, was perched on his shoulders.
Karrie slid her arm in Jack's. "C'mon. This
way."
"What for?"
"I want to try the clam dip."
Sounded bogus to him, but whatever.
She stopped further down the table. "Hi, Taylor. Do
you know if anyone has lost a cat?"
Taylor looked at Brad, a knowing gleam in her eyes. "Not
that I know of. Have you heard anything, Brad?"
"Nope. No missing Yorkies, either."
Taylor laughed. "Long story about my little dog
escaping."
Brad gazed at her. "And how we were blown together."
Karrie smiled. "I'd love to hear it sometime. I seem
to have acquired a cat with a taste for salmon--hence the clam dip."
"If we hear anything, I'll let you know."
"Thanks."
"Okay, folks," Dave Johnson called out. "Time
for the Campfire Circle Annual New Year's Eve fireworks."
By city standards, the display was small. Mostly roman
candles. Some whistled, some crackled and some glittered. Around the fire,
three-foot sparklers alternated with morning glory sparklers. At the end was a
nice finale with a shower-burst.
The light snow made it even more magical. Everyone ooohed
and aaahed.
As the falling snow thickened, people drifted away from
the fire and back to their camps.
Back inside Birch Haven, curled on the rug in front of
embers in the fireplace, the cat greeted them with a yawn and a meow.
"Looks like I have a new pet."
"What's her name--assuming it is a girl."
"I'm thinking Shadow, because that's how I saw her,
the first couple of times."
"Nice."
"Works if it's a boy or girl."
"You are so practical. I never would have thought of
that."
They settled in front of the fire on either side of the
cat, facing each other. This was a much better New Year's Eve than she'd
planned.
Karrie stroked Shadow's soft fur, not sure what she
wanted to happen next. Well, sort of sure, to be perfectly honest. She smiled
slightly.
Jack reached out and cupped her face with his hands. He
studied her for a long moment.
Suddenly shy, Karrie glanced away.
He leaned forward and kissed her, slow and soft. She
moaned, and he deepened the kiss. She forgot to breathe. Her blood heated as if
fireworks blazed inside her.
He lifted his head and gazed at her.
She smiled and shook her head. "This has been the
craziest New Year's Eve ever."
He grinned. "And the best."
THE END
Here's a taste treat for all my Campfire Circle fans, the
recipe that Karrie couldn't make, thanks to Shadow.
Salmon Cream Cheese Spread
1 pkg of frozen smoked salmon (4 oz.)
1 pkg of cream cheese (8 oz.)
Cream or milk
Prepared horseradish to taste (1/8+ tsp.)
Defrost the salmon and have the cream cheese at room
temperature. Break the salmon into pieces and put in food processor. Whirl
until minced. Add the cream cheese, 2-3 tablespoons of cream or milk (to aid
blending), horseradish (I use between 1/8 and 1/4 teaspoon) and salt and pepper,
if you wish. Whirl until blended. You may need to stop the food processor and
stir in some of the unblended clumps.
Put the mixture in a covered dish (if you plan on
hoarding it for yourself) or in a pretty bowl for a party. Absolutely delish
when spread on Ritz crackers.
Acknowledgments:
Ziploc is the registered trademark of S. C. Johnson &
Son, Inc.
Ritz crackers are the registered trademark of
Intercontinental Great Brands, LLC.
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