A Wishing Stone By Judy Dawn

Have you ever made a wish for happiness, hope, love, or even to just have something to believe in?

Well, wishes do come true and the man of her dreams is trying to find her. Will she believe?

~~

Shopping settled down as the stores in the Bellevue Mall closed their doors. Stone sat on a bench and stared at the empty red and gold Santa chair. He came to the Mall in hopes of finding his true love among the shoppers. When he saw the Santa chair with children lined up to tell their secret wishes, Stone watched and listen. Now, he couldn’t help but feel he’d wasted a precious day out of his thirty-five left to find his special someone.

He closed his eyes and rubbed the back of his neck.

“You wasted time sitting on your ice block watching children.” He heard Brooks’ voice bellow in his head. His best friend and mentor man of snow always cut to the chase when he had an opinion. “It’s the end of November already.”

Stone cursed to himself. He knew Brooks’ voice was right.

“Excuse me sir, but if you wanted to see Santa, you had all day.”

Stone opened his eyes at a female’s voice.

“He was here for six hours.” Her smile warmed his ice heart. “I watched you all day while I made hotdogs and blended drinks over there.” She pointed at the corner shop.

Stone didn’t look. He couldn’t take his eyes off the emerald in hers. She wore a thin white sweater that looked as soft as fresh powdered snow. Her dark red slacks matched her red tennis shoes and her bag seemed heavy.

Stone stood. “Can I help you with that?” He reached for the bag.

She narrowed her eyes and stepped back. “Look, I thought I’d come and tell you that the Mall is closing. You looked like you were in a trance as you watched Santa today. If you sit there any longer, security is liable to escort you out. I’m sure I’m not the only one who noticed you.” She shrugged and took a few more steps back. Her eyes dipped to take him all in. “There aren’t many albino men around.” She looked back into his eyes.

He smiled. “No, I suppose not.” He let his arms fall to his sides. He realized he scared her. He figured he probably scared most people with his unique man of snow appearance. His pearlescent skin matched his pale hair and light-blue eyes. But that would change once he found his special someone.

“And you were right,” he added. “I did sort of fall into a trance when I saw Santa.” He shook his head. “Thanks.”

“Sure.” She smiled and shifted to walk away.

Stone wanted to reach out to her, he knew she was the one, but he didn’t want to scare her. He opened his mouth to say…something, anything to stop her from walking away from him.

She paused in her retreat. When she turned back, she bit her lip before she said, “Can I ask what it was about Santa that had you mesmerized?”

Stone took a few steps towards her and stopped. “It was the wishes that the children made. All of them wished for something different. I sat and listened for one wish to be repeated, but there wasn’t one. It made me wonder just how many possibilities there were.”

“Do you believe in wishes?” Her eyes sparkled like Christmas tree lights as she spoke. Her sugarplum lips pressed together and she finger-combed earth colored hair.

He asked, “Do you believe in wishes coming true?”

She shrugged slim shoulders. “Well, Happy Holiday’s.” She lifted a hand to give a little wave when she turned.

Stone wanted to go after her, but by the way she reacted when he reached for her, he decided he’d come back tomorrow and buy a hotdog instead of following her like a stalker. His mind wondered about her as he yanked his keys from his pocket. The winter air helped to pick up his spirit as he made his way to his pickup. He parked in front of The House of Snow.

Charlie sat on the front porch with his special someone. The two didn’t look happy. Charlie swiped at his stripped black and white hair as Kate stormed down the stairs and into her car.

Stone shook his head and got out of his truck, started up the front stairs, and smiled at Charlie. “She still won’t admit it, huh?”

Charlie blew out a breath. “I have a month, man. That’s it! She doesn’t think I’m telling the truth. She says I’m a fun guy and all, but…” he shook his head. “No, she doesn’t believe my story. She says I need to stop with it or she’s going to drop my phone number off her cell.” Charlie turned with him. “I’m at a loss.”

Stone held the door open. “Have you tried courting her?”

“What?” Charlie walked through the door but looked him in the eye. “Like flowers and candy? Seriously? That’s, like, so old school.”

Stone laughed. “I’m told it works.”

Charlie veered off to the right towards his stereo system. “Old school,” Charlie mumbled to himself. “Maybe…” Christmas music covered the rest of Charlie’s murmur.

Stone shook his head and continued to the kitchen. Fresh cookies permeated the air and his eyes roamed over the spread of treats. Stone noticed the cook wasn’t anywhere to be found. He smiled and hurried to the fridge, grabbed the milk, then poured himself a glass. After he returned the milk, he picked up a peppermint toffee bar. His mouth watered as he appreciated the look of the cookie. It flaked in his fingers. When he lifted it to his lips, an impact on the back of his head jerked the cookie away from his mouth and he moaned.

“Throw an ice ball at me, why don’t you?” Stone grumbled.

“I walk away for a few seconds and every man in this house tries to eat my cookies.” Brooks took the treat out of his hand and laid it back on the counter. “Those are for the boys club. They’re having a bake sale tonight.” Brooks took the plate away from him and set it next to a different cookie covered plate.

Stone scowled. “What good is making cookies in this house if we can’t have some?”

“You look happier than when you left.” Brooks re-tied his kiss the cook apron around his narrow middle. Brooks’ shoulders blocked the open oven’s view while he retrieved a new dozen cookies.

“I found her,” Stone blurted.

Brooks turned with a smile on his face. He set the hot cookie sheet down and closed the oven door. When he turned back, he grabbed a knife that had a load of green frosting. He picked up a pale cookie in front of him and began to frost it with vibrant colors. “Have you told her who you are?”

“I just found her.” Stone drank milk.

Brooks looked at him. “You’ve been gone all day and you haven’t told her.”

Stone set the empty glass down. “These things take time, Brooks.”

Brooks lifted his wrist and looked at his watch. “You’ve had all year, Stone.” He locked eyes with Stone again. “Plus the past ten hours,” his hard voice announced. “I’d hate for you to melt in the New Year’s sun because you weren’t gutsy enough to tell her.”

Stone stood, fisted his hands. “I’m gutsy enough. I just met her. I need more time.” He stormed to the hall. “I’ll talk to her tomorrow.”

“Talk isn’t what you need to do, Stone. You need to tell her.”

Stone shook his head. Brooks didn’t understand. He wasn’t going to sit around a kitchen that held fresh cookies he couldn’t eat and argue his points with a man that only had one thing on his mind.

“Hi Stone,” Anna smiled.

Okay, well, two. Stone greeted Brooks’ believer, now wife. “Hi.”

“How’d it go today?” Her body warmed him as he hugged her.

“Fine,” Stone said. When he pulled back he announced, “I found her.”

Anna’s smile widened. She bobbed up and down on her toes. Her shoulder length blonde hair bounced with her movements. Her hands squeezed his biceps as her blue eyes sparkled. “I’m so happy for you.” She patted his shoulder. “Good job, Stone.” She stepped away. “Have you told Brooks?”

He scowled. “Yeah.”

“Oh.” Anna’s smile faded. “What’s wrong?”

“I haven’t told her who I am yet.”

“Well, what were you doing all day then?”

“Watching Santa.” Stone shoved his hands into his pockets.

Her eyes held amusement. Anna’s laugh sounded musical. “Can’t resist the call to make sure Christmas wishes are gifted. Can you?”

“Father Christmas has some good helpers this year.” Stone shrugged. “The Santa listened well to the children. From what I could tell, this Santa really cared about the job.”

“Father Christmas will be happy to hear that report.”

Stone shrugged.

Anna moved to pass him.

“Anna,” he stopped her with his soft voice. “Is our albino appearance that scary?”

Anna turned and studied him for a moment as if she wanted to know why he asked, but she didn’t voice her concern. “At first, seeing the white hair and pale complexion with those ice blue eyes makes a woman hesitant. But it’s the honest facial expressions that win in the end. Plus, all men of snow have this…calm enticement about them that draws an interest. The draw is strong when it’s right.”

“I get your drift.” Stone nodded. “Thanks.”

After a sleepless night and a slow morning, Stone eagerly wait for the stores to open in the Mall. He forced himself to stay away from the hotdog stand for a few more hours. He didn’t want to seem weird and order a hotdog before the time was right. He took in a few of the storefront windows as he inched towards the Santa chair.

“Mommy, look at that man.”

Stone turned to see a small girl point at him.

“He’s weird.”

“Shush,” the mother admonished as the two walked away from him.

Stone had smiled and explained his unique appearance to people who said things throughout the year in effort to set them at ease, but to really look in the mirror, it made him wonder what he had to offer his special someone.

Like all of the men of snow created, he didn’t have a last name until he married his believer. He didn’t have a personal appearance until he felt her touch and molded to her male preferences. He didn’t even have a constant heartbeat until he gave his believer the letter she’d written and she accepted him. What was he going to do to get her to see him, and to believe in him enough, to love him?

Stone looked at the gold and red Santa chair. He sat at the bench and stared at the empty seat as he tried to figure out what he had to offer. He did have a job with Santa. However, he couldn’t tell her that before she accepted him as the gift he was created to be. Santa’s Secret Service wasn’t a hot topic for discussion in modern day conversation with an adult. Stone watched as the children began to line up for their turn at Santa’s lap.

“I bet, if you stand in line, Santa will let you sit on his lap too.”

Stone smiled at her voice. He looked up. “Well, Happy Holiday.”

“You’re a little early.” She sat next to him on the bench.

He could have jumped for joy, but he remained under control.

She stared at him for a moment. Her eyes looked like she wanted to ask a question but wasn’t sure how to go about it. So, he waited for her to start. She bit her lip before she launched her question. “Can I ask you something?”

He nodded. He wanted to lean over and kiss the little red mark on her lips that she made with her teeth, but resisted.

“I don’t want to be mean or anything, but I wondered why you’re…well.”

“Unique,” he supplied for her. At her nod, he decided to take advantage of the situation. “I could tell you why, but you wouldn’t believe me.”

“Try me,” she challenged.

He shook his head. “If you knew me better, then I’d tell you. Otherwise, you’ll just laugh and think even weirder things about me.” He let that sink in. “So, let’s get to know each other better. Do you have a lunch break?”

She leaned back but kept her eyes on him. He thought he saw surprise and amusement. “Oh, like I’ll go with you just like that,” she snapped with a smile.

“Nnno,” he back peddled.

She laughed more and put her hand on his arm. She hissed back and blew on her palm to warm her flesh. “You’re cold.” Her laughter disappeared.

A sharp pain radiated somewhere in his chest. He winced.

“Are you okay?”

His fingers tingled with the first signs of his conversion from snow to human. She was his special someone. Not wanting to show her his distress, he ground his teeth and ignored the sting of breathing air for the first time. The kinetic energy in his magical molecules converged and his lungs expanded, he shook his head.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

He nodded.

She studied him for a moment longer before she said, “I’ll be off at one. I usually take a late lunch. I brought mine. I don’t have enough for two though. I don’t like to eat in the Mall’s food court either.” Her face scrunched in disgust.

He found that he liked her facial expressions. “Not a problem, I’ll grab something.”

“Okay,” She stood and started to walk away. She twirled to face him again. “My name is Jessica, by the way. Jessica Ocean.”

“Stone,” he smiled.

“Okay, Stone, I’ll see you at lunch.” She walked away.

He watched her hips sway suggestively. Then he rushed to The House of Snow. He needed a lunch. Not just any lunch. He needed one of Brooks’ cookies in his lunch. Maybe he could convince the oldest man of snow to include one for him too.

As Stone drove, he tried to come up with a reason to try Brooks Christmas cookies. When he pulled up to the House of Snow, he saw Charlie standing on the front porch with a different girl.

Curious, Stone got out of his truck and jogged towards the house. He greeted Charlie and turned to the girl. “Hello.”

“Ah…hi,” she glanced at Charlie.

“This is Amber,” Charlie said.

“I’ve got to run, but it was nice to meet you Amber.”

Stone realized the girl had a crush on his brother. He wondered if Charlie saw it, but decided to deal with his issue at the moment. He hurried to the kitchen. When he rounded the corner into the kitchen, he paused.

Anna and Brooks were in an intimate embrace. They laughed with one another and looked so comfortable with each other, it made his chest tighten. He wanted that. He needed Jessica to accept him. He didn’t want to melt in the New Years sun.

He cleared his throat.

“Hi Stone,” Brooks greeted without letting go of Anna. “You’re lunch is ready. And, no, you don’t get to eat the cookies in it.” Brooks held Anna’s hand and locked eyes with Stone. “They’re both for your true love, understand.”

Stone shook his head and chuckled, “Okay. How did you know?”

“I have my resources.” Brooks led Anna out of the room. “The same sources that keeps an eye on my cookies while I’m out of the kitchen,” Brooks yelled.

Stone reached for a cookie.

“NO!” Brooks yelled again.

Stone smiled and withdrew his hand. “Just testing.”

He hurried to the fridge and retrieved a small container. He read a sticky note on the top. Good luck buddy. Stone crinkled the note in his hand as he rushed out of the house.

Charlie looked disturbed.

The girl seemed uncomfortable. “Well,” she mumbled. “I’ve got to go.” She left as if she wanted to run.

Stone noticed Charlie stare after her. “What’s up?”

Charlie jumped at his voice. “That’s Kate’s sister.”

“And…” Stone encouraged.

Charlie’s eye color faded from brown to blue. “She’s…she’s…ah.”

“Is it possible that Kate’s not your believer?” Stone asked.

“What?” Charlie looked hurt. “No…ah…Kate is my believer, I know it.”

Stone shrugged a shoulder. It was up to each man of snow to find his true love. “I’m just saying that maybe you should look around, Charlie.”

“Look where? Her?” He thumbed behind him and shook his head. “No.”

Stone stared at his brother’s disbelief. Unfortunately, Charlie’s true love wouldn’t see the change in his eye color until he gave her the letter and she believed. Stone and the other men of snow could see the changes in Charlie’s appearance. Even Charlie could see, but he hadn’t chosen the right woman.

“No, Amber just said she was getting married. I couldn’t…she couldn’t. She loves her fiancé. They’ve been together for, like, years or something.” Charlie shook his head.

Stone shrugged. “You’d know better than I would. I’m off to court my believer.” He smiled at Charlie’s laughter.

“Good luck with that old school stuff, Stone.”

Stone jumped into his pickup. He knew he was lucky to find his believer and know it was her. Poor Charlie had a way to go before he saw things right in front of his eyes. Stone stopped at a flower shop and bought chocolates from the candy store. He hoped she liked caramel. Well, at least he did, and if he couldn’t eat the cookies, he’d eat the chocolates.

Stone headed to the Mall. By the time he hit the hotdog stand where Jessica worked, she exited the store with a smile.

“Punctual.” She stated.

“These are for you.” He handed her the two dozen red roses.

Her eyes widened. She sniffed the flowers. “Wow, how nice.”

“This too.” He handed her the box of chocolates.

She giggled, “This is too much. I haven’t gotten gifts from a guy in a long time. It seems the old fashioned way of courtship has gotten lost somewhere.” The warmth in her eyes made his heart hit his chest.

He sucked in a breath. Now, he’d become accustom to the nuance. “Ready?”

“I have a favorite spot.”

He gestured. “Lead the way.” And fell in step beside her. He couldn’t take his eyes from her beauty.

Amusement sugared in her emerald eyes. “What?”

“I’m just happy you agreed to have lunch with me.”

“Why wouldn’t I?” She entered the Nordstrom’s coffee shop.

“I’m different.”

“Yes, you are.” She sniffed the roses again. “But that’s what I like about you.”

“Hey, Jess.” A man behind the counter smiled. He circled the counter and hugged Jessica. “Hey, baby, how’s the job today?”

“Hi Chris.” She hugged the dark haired man back.

Stone’s smile wavered. “Hi,” he interjected.

Chris’s smile faded too. “Who’s this?” He stepped away from Jessica.

“My new friend, his name’s Stone.”

“Stone, huh?” Chris put out a hand in greeting. Though, Stone read his body language as less than happy with the association. “Unique name for a unique man?”

“Good to meet you,” Stone forced out of his mouth.

“Where did you meet Jess?” The man dropped his hand and rubbed the cold off his palm with his jeans. Stone stood taller than the man by a foot.

“I asked Santa for a special present.” Stone offered.

Jessica laughed.

Chris wasn’t amused. “What?”

“He was watching Santa in the center court,” Jessica explained. “He was here yesterday too.”

Chris laughed, “To watch Santa? A grown man watching Santa.”

“Shut up!” Jessica slapped Chris on the arm. “Can I go to lunch now?”

“Sure, I’ll be in after this rush.” Chris returned behind the counter and glared at Stone before he looked away.

Stone’s chest tightened. “Company?”

“You don’t mind do you?” She looked at him and smiled.

Would he mind if her boyfriend tagged along? Thoughts of Charlie and his situations surfaced. If Charlie didn’t identify Amber as his special someone and make his move, he’d lose his chance at a happy life.

“No,” Stone grumbled, “I guess not.”

He followed her through a door and down a small hall. “The company uses this room for high spenders. Chris makes sure it’s empty for me, though. He’s so nice that way.” She entered a small suite and set her lunch bag down on a chair. She moved to the T.V. and switched it on. When she returned, she sat on the loveseat and patted next to her. “Have a chair.”

Stone sat. He wasn’t sure what to say now. He opened his lunch box and glanced at the movie, A Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart, on the screen. He retrieved a zip lock that contained a few sandwiches and Jessica sighed.

She closed her eyes and leaned towards him. “My gosh, that smells heavenly.”

“Here, I’ve got enough for two.”

“Really?” She opened her eyes and blinked.

He handed a sandwich to her. “Sure.”

She leaned back with her bite and sighed again. “Oh,” she said with a full mouth. “This is so good.”

“A friend of mine made it.” Stone wished he knew how to make Brooks’ recipes. “Who’s Chris?”

She opened her eyes. A slow smile stretched across her face. “Are you jealous?”

Stone shrugged. He reached into the lunchbox and pulled out two drinks. He handed one to her without a word and looked back at the T.V.

“This drink is good too. I have got to meet this Brooks guy.” She laughed. Then she sighed. The green in her eyes sparkled. He couldn’t resist. He brushed a wayward hair out of her eyes. His finger trailed over her soft skin.

She closed her eyes and smiled. “Chris…”

“Never mind.” Stone didn’t want to waste time. He leaned into her and kissed her. The contact was simple and quick at first. Then her hand snaked around his neck. They kissed a little deeper before she let him go.

He smiled and stared at her for a moment before he asked, “Want some desert?”

She laughed. “I only go so far on a date, Stone.”

“Is this a date?” He feigned shock. “I thought this was just lunch.”

She laughed again. “Stop, my sides are hurting.”

He retrieved the cookies. “Now, I have to ask you something before I give you this cookie.” He opened the zip lock and let her sniff.

“Whatever it is, ask me fast. Those cookies smell wonderful.”

“Do you believe some wishes come true?” He studied her.

She shrugged one slim shoulder. “Sometimes, but not when I make them.”

His heart double flipped. “Why not?”

“A while ago, I asked for something.” She reached for a cookie.

He pulled them out of her reach. “What did you ask for and from whom?”

She sat back with a frustrated sigh. “You’ll laugh.” She pouted.

“Tell me.” He encouraged.

She bit her bottom lip. “Okay, since you have a soft spot, I’ll tell you.” She inhaled. “I worked late one night, last year, and asked Santa for something. Now, hand over the cookie.”

“I’ll give you more than a cookie.” He yanked the small vial from around his neck. The vial contained a letter from his special someone wishing for companionship. He handed it to her and smiled. “I give you my life.”

“What?” She looked at the vial. She popped off the top. Her eyes shined as she inched out the small scroll. When she began to read, she gasped. “I wrote this…how did you?”

“Santa said that you’ve been a good girl.”

Chris entered the room. “Hey, cookies, yum!”

Stone groaned and leaned back on the couch.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Chris said to Jessica.

“A man of snow to be exact,” Stone grumbled. “Custom made. All she has to do is believe and we’re all good.”

Jessica gasped beside him again.

“What?” Chris asked.

“This is crazy. I just met you yesterday.”

“Jess, you’re going to have to explain yourself.” Chris admonished.

“I’ll leave you two alone. So you can talk this out.” Stone stood. He hesitated at the door and looked back at Jessica. “You have to believe in order for it to come true.” He left the room.

He took a risk by leaving, but it had to be her acceptance in the end, and he didn’t want to storm her at the top of the toboggan ride. Worst case, he’d visit her tomorrow at the hotdog stand and ask her out to lunch again.

“Wait,” she called.

Stone pivoted to face her. “You need time to talk things over with your boyfriend.”

She smiled. “He’s my brother, Chris is my brother.” Her bright eyes twinkled under the florescent lights.

“Your brother? Really?”

She nodded.

He smiled and punched the air. “Yes.”

She laughed and hugged him. “Now, I’ve got a question for you?”

He lifted his eyebrows.

“How do I send Santa a thank you note?”

~~

Thanks for reading “A Wishing Stone” by Judy Dawn I hope you’ve enjoyed it.

Other short stories in this series are ”A Colorful Winter” and “A Partiridge in a Pear Tree“

The first Men of Snow full length novel is now available:

Click here to buy “A Secret Gift”

www.JudyDawn.com