Page 5 of Christmas Souls

Going up the ladder with the broom in one hand is a bit of a circus trick, but I manage it. I've got three of the four corners of the room done and am ready to do the fourth when there's a knock on the door. I shout a 'come in' in a squeaky voice and wonder if these tight leggings were a wrong fashion choice today.

"Hey, Mandy."

His voice still can melt my insides, and I get all wobbly.

"I'll be right there," I call out.

I continue to sweep the cobwebs with the broom, knowing I'm unsteady on my feet with Michael in the room. I overextend myself and I just know when I've lost my footing, and I'm going down. I yelp and let go of the broom. I'm just waiting for the pain that will come when I hit the floor or some furniture on my way to the floor.

Something stops my descent, though, and I feel muscular arms envelop me. I look up into his eyes, and warmth fills my body. My reaction to him is immediate, and I start to press my legs together in need.

"I've got you." He whispers in my ear.

You do. You really do, Michael Hoffer.

He puts me down gently, and I can't help but blush profusely.

"Thank you. That was a broken arm waiting to happen. I really can't afford that right now."

"I'll get the last cobwebs out for you."

"That's okay, you've done enough. Let's talk business."

I guide him over to the dining room table and sit on one of the chairs. He sits across from me, and for a moment, I'm frozen, watching this gorgeous man before me. How I had the ovaries to leave him five years ago, I'll never know. I guess I was too hungry for success and fame. I know I'd make different choices today.

"Before we talk business, Mandy, I'd like to apologize for my behavior the day of the Christmas Mixer."

"You don't have to do that, Michael."

"I do, Mandy. I was rude and let my anger out, and it wasn't pretty. That's not me. You know that's not me."

"I was surprised. That's why I reacted so harshly."

"I just thought I would never see you again. Except in the movies or something like that."

"Michael…"

"I just wanted to apologize and let you know I'm one hundred percent good with working with you on this project. What's your end goal, to sell?"

"Yes, unfortunately, I need to for personal reasons. This place has a lot of nice memories for me, but I've got no choice."

I really hope he doesn't fixate on what I've just said. Michael is a knight in shining armor, and he's always ready to save a damsel in distress. I don't want to play that role in his life. I'd rather he'd love me for who I am and that we complete each other. What the hell am I thinking right now? I did not come back to Woodland Falls to rekindle my romance with Michael Hoffer.

"So you said you had a list?"

Oh good, we're on the same page. We start going through my gigantic list of repairs. It takes us a couple of hours. We order in pizza for lunch and seem to be in sync with our conversations. When he's ready to go, I ask him to stay for a bit.

"Michael, I'm so sorry—about—about how it ended."

Pain covers his face, and I'm kicking myself for having said anything.

"I should have never left the way I did. I was a coward. I thought you would try to convince me to stay, and I would have. Dreams and aspirations filled my head, and I didn't want to let anything get in between that goal. So, I did everything wrong. I'm sorry."

He looks at my tear-stricken face for a minute and seems to make a decision.

"I would have convinced you to stay. I wanted the whole house with a white picket fence dream. The dog and the two and a half kids. But I was too keen on my own dreams."

"I'm sorry."