Roxanne Kincaid slipped into her evening gown, flipping her bright-red hair over one shoulder. She looked in the mirror at the floor-length, silver gown, high necked and sleeveless. Turning, Roxanne looked at the diamond cutout back and sighed. Although she loved wearing lovely dresses and dressing up, she hated going to balls alone.
The Christmas holiday season was quickly approaching. Although she loved the holiday season, it filled her with dread. This function tonight was the Annual Christmas Cove Homecoming Ball, a fundraiser for The Christmas Cove Children’s Home, a local home that took in children from the town and surrounding areas. The Homecoming fundraiser was the first of many functions that kicked off the holiday season.
As the owner of the Christmas Cove Jewelry Store, attending events like this was expected. Going alone was challenging but was something she had grown accustomed to over the years. Roxanne hadn’t even had a steady boyfriend in ages.
A steady boyfriend.
What was she? Sixteen? Roxanne chuckled. Although she was in her late twenties and quickly approaching thirty, she still hadn’t met “The One.” Many of her friends had already married, and some even had families of their own. Even though she was happy with her professional life, she was still waiting for her personal life to start.
The phone rang, interrupting her thoughts. Roxanne glanced over at it lying on the bedside table and flipped it over. It was her mother. She rolled her eyes. For the last year, her parents were after her to marry and receive her inheritance when she turned twenty-seven, and her deadline was quickly approaching. She turned twenty-seven on January 31—New Year’s Eve.
But Roxanne had wanted to make it on her own, which she had. Despite her mother’s incessant complaints, Roxanne was proud of her accomplishments. But according to her mother, what mattered most was marrying the right man and having 2.5 children. But Roxanne had clearly been a disappointment on all fronts.
For one, she wasn’t a member of her parents' Country Club, the Cedar Ridge Ski Resort and Country Club, founded by Bruce Masterson. Bruce was as friendly as they come. But his son, Kyle, had taken his role as a member of the Christmas Cove society elite to heart.
“Hello, Mother.” Roxanne sighed, putting her on speakerphone so she could finish getting ready.
“Are you still going tonight, dear?” her mother asked. “You know, everyone who is anyone in Christmas Cove will be at the Club tonight.”
“Yes, Mother. I’m well aware,” Roxanne replied in a singsong voice as she slipped on an earring. When she released it, a crystal teardrop dangled from a silver chain, setting off the dress.
“Don’t sass me, darling.” Faye Kincaid let out an exasperated breath. “I don’t care if you are a business owner. It’s unbecoming of a lady.”
“I’m not sassing you, Mother.” Roxanne slid the other earring into place. “But I’m not staying long tonight, just to let you know.”
Her mother scoffed. “You should really plan to stay—”
“Can’t,” Roxanne cut her off. “I have an early day at the office tomorrow.”
“Yes. How is your ‘little business’ doing?”
Roxanne rolled her eyes. “Mom, I’ve grown the business since I bought it. It’s thriving now—”
“Yes, but if you want to make real money, you have to expand,” her mother replied. “Think about franchising, dear. Your father could help you with that.”
“Mother, I have to go.” Roxanne shook her head. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“Oh!” Faye caught her before she hung up. “Be a dear and pencil us in for the holidays. We want to see you this year.”
Roxanne sighed. “I don’t have to ‘pencil you in,’ Mother. I’ll be there.”
Last Christmas, Roxanne had used the birth of Jocelyn’s baby as an excuse not to see her parents during Christmas. But she could only get away with it once. This year, she knew she had no choice but to go.
“And don’t forget,” her mother continued. “You can always bring someone with you, if you like.” Her mother’s not-so-subtle attempt at hinting about her settling down.
Roxanne bit her upper lip and released it, knowing she had to get off the phone before saying something she would regret. “See you tonight, Mother! Have to go!”
“Well, plan on staying for a while tonight.” Her mother let out a deep breath. “Who knows? You may meet the man of your dreams.”
“Mother. I’ve met all of the men in Christmas Cove,” she said flatly.
“Have to run! Your father just came in!” Faye chirped. “Kisses!”
Roxanne scoffed, looking at her phone in disbelief. The sooner this night was over, the better.
Roxanne combed her hair into waves, styling it over one shoulder, and then carefully applied her makeup. Even though she wanted to enjoy herself, she knew it would be a near impossibility with her parents constantly nagging her.
After checking herself in the mirror one more time, she grabbed her silver clutch, slipped on her matching silver shoes, donned her floor-length white coat, and was out the door of her condominium. Although she eventually would like the proverbial house surrounded by a white picket fence, her condo was less maintenance and had a terrific view.
Although she owned a Jaguar, she opted to take a limo tonight. Roxanne had called her regular driver, and, like clockwork, Fred Mather was already waiting.
“Have a great time tonight, Ms. Kincaid.” The evening doorman at Evergreen Tower Condominiums, Dennis Everett, held the door open for her as she approached.
“Thank you, Dennis,” Roxanne said, smiling as she walked past.
Outside, Fred opened the back passenger door of the limo. “Good evening, Ms. Kincaid. You look ravishing tonight.” He took her hand to help her in.
A smile lit her lips. “Thank you, Fred. You’re too kind.” After she slid in, he closed the door behind her.
Even though it was early November and cool outside, the inside of the limo was nice and warm.
Fred slid into the driver’s seat and glanced at her in the rearview mirror. “Ms. Kincaid, I can open a bottle of champagne for you if you like.”
Roxanne shook her head and smirked. “No, thank you, Fred. Between us, I’m ready to get this evening over with.”
Fred drove the limo out of the parking lot and down the hill. “Parents giving you a hard time again?” Fred had been her driver for so long that he was like family. A cool uncle, perhaps.
Roxanne sighed, turning her attention out the window. “You have no idea.”
