Meet Me Under the Mistletoe (7 page)

The play began, and proud parents beamed, clapped and snapped photos with lots of oohs and ahhhs. A few of the smaller children forgot their lines and needed prompting. The same bossy girl from the fire engine tour wanted to say all the lines, and three boys Julia recognized from the Christmas party at Regency Hall stumbled over names and found creative ways to mispronounce them.

Julia sipped her hot chocolate and enjoyed it all, but there was a pause in the play when an actor apparently missed his or her cue. One of the wise men grunted. “I say, ‘Hark?’” A small twitter of laughter rippled across the crowd.

Hannah giggled and put a hand over her mouth to muffle the sound as Julia spied an angel stepping onto the makeshift stage. Clomped was more like it. A very
tall
angel.
Jake
. He stood in all his glory—white robe flowing in the wind and a crooked halo made from glittery gold pipe cleaners perched precariously on his head. His clunky fireman boots completed the ensemble.

Tyler pointed to him, waved and hollered, “Hi, Uncle Jake!”

“Uncle
Jake?”
Julia
slanted a look at Hannah and raised a brow. Since when had Tyler started calling him that? Hannah shrugged without answering.

“Hark!” Jake said. “For unto us a Savior is born this day in Bethlehem…” His naturally deep voice resonated in the night, carrying across the hushed crowd. At first hesitant, he gained more confidence the deeper he got into his speech. In the church service that morning, she’d heard Jake’s rich tenor voice rising above the rest. This man
lived
his faith.

At the end of the play, Pastor Ted stepped forward to give an invitation. Hearing a few sniffles, Julia noted a number of those gathered around her were dabbing their eyes with tissues. One of the older men whipped a handkerchief from his pants pocket and blew his nose loud enough to make a few of the kids, including Tyler and Andrew, snicker.

A little boy ran over to Jake, tugging on his robe, and Jake crouched to eye-level with him. “Jesus was once a little baby like you were, Tommy,” she heard Jake say. “He slept in a crib, cried, needed food, and did those other disgusting things babies do.” He laughed at something Tommy said, and it was enough to almost dislodge the pipe cleaner halo. When Jake’s smile sobered, he made sure he had the boy’s eye contact. “Think about someone you love, and think about how you’d feel if you had to leave them.” He put one large hand on Tommy’s shoulder. “Jesus gave up his
life
in heaven because He loved us. That little baby in the manger grew up to be a man who died when He was a few years older than I am right now.” Jake smiled. “I know that seems old, but I’m not ancient. Remember this: Jesus gave up
everything
for us. He died, was buried, and He rose again all because of our sin, and that’s the greatest gift the world’s ever known—or ever will know.”

Julia moved her hand over her heart as a man she assumed was Tommy’s dad shook hands with Jake. So touched she couldn’t speak, she turned to go as Jake walked over to another group of parents and kids, his hand outstretched.

“You OK, sweetie?” Hannah hooked an arm through hers as they joined Dylan, Tyler, and Andrew and walked to their car.

“Sure am,” she said. “The play was wonderful, wasn’t it?”

Hannah squeezed her arm.

On the way home, Dylan told them how Jake was drafted into his role when another man fell ill earlier in the day. “Jake didn’t get much of a chance to study the script. I think he strayed from it, but—once he got going—he put his own spin on it and made it even better. No offense to Marge.” Dylan chuckled. “Knowing Jake, he probably thought it’d make a statement if he showed up wearing his boots tonight.”

That it did.
Staring out the window, Julia tuned out the animated conversation in the car. Pretending to be tired, she closed her eyes. She loved how he spoke so openly about his faith. Together with that silly halo and those ridiculous boots peeking out beneath his “angel” robe, Jake Marston had captured a little bit more of her heart.

9

On Tuesday morning, helping to celebrate the “Grand Reopening” of Barney’s Diner after the fire, Jake sputtered and put his napkin over his lips so he wouldn’t spew out a mouthful of grounds. Grabbing the glass on the counter beside him, he swallowed a few gulps. Thank goodness Caroline also knew to give him a large side of ice water along with his usual breakfast: three eggs over easy, a couple of sausage patties, and two pieces of whole wheat toast with strawberry jam.

“Are you OK?” No mistaking that voice.

Jake coughed and steeled himself to look Julia’s way and not fall off the counter stool. Claiming the vinyl was slippery wouldn’t fly as an excuse for taking a pratfall. “I think so.” When her long hair brushed across his sleeve, he wondered if it was as soft as it looked. His gaze slid to her pink sweater, off-white down vest and jeans tucked into boots.
She’s taken. Don’t even think about it.
He forced his eyes to the milkshake machine, not wanting to be caught gawking, or one of the old-timers would pull out the worn cliché and tell him to take a picture because it would last longer.

“Maybe I should order tea?” Amusement danced around the edges of Julia’s question.

“I’d say so, unless you’re feeling like a martyr.” They shared a grin. It felt good. So far, so good.
Don’t blow it. Say something witty
. “So, I got myself a dog yesterday.”

“You did?” Those mesmerizing eyes—more inviting than a swimming pool to a ten-year-old on summer vacation—met his.

“Well, a puppy. Bailey.”

“Nice name. Male or female?”

“Female. Yellow lab.” He caught her look. “Oh, no. I’m a novice at puppy paternity. Please don’t tell me getting a female was a mistake, too?”

Julia gave Caroline her order for hot tea and whole wheat pancakes. “Too?”

“Let’s just say Bailey’s winning the battle.” Draining his water, Jake thanked Caroline when she promptly refilled it. She also removed his empty plate and poured him another cup of coffee. From what he could tell, the dark brew was grounds-free. Still, he’d taken enough chances for one morning.

When Julia laughed, it sounded wonderful. Hearty and captivating. Man, he was losing it.

“Have you ever had a dog before?” she asked.

Caroline set Julia’s mug of hot tea on the counter with a wink in Jake’s direction. He shot her a return wink and grinned at the way the older woman’s cheeks colored pink like a shy schoolgirl. Remembering Julia’s question, he straightened on the stool. “Believe it or not, my dad was allergic to dogs, and mom was allergic to cats, so nothing but turtles and hamsters for this animal nerd.”

Julia sipped her tea. When she blinked, her lashes were the longest he’d ever seen. If he wasn’t a goner before, that did it. He was falling for her, but she could only be his friend. That fiancé of hers sure was blessed. He hoped the guy understood how much. Funny how she hadn’t mentioned the man in her life; he should think she’d have that “I’m taken” look written all over her. If Julia was
his
fiancée, he’d waste no time in slipping a diamond on her ring finger and shouting it to the whole world. Perhaps it was being sized. Jake avoided meeting her gaze, not wanting her to pick up on his fascination with her.

“I find that difficult to believe.”

Jake shook his head after momentarily forgetting the subject. Maintaining his concentration was difficult with her sitting so close their shoulders brushed. Not to mention her voice was incredibly appealing, so gentle and sweet. “What’s that?” Hopefully that would move the conversation along without letting on his thoughts were inordinately distracted.

“You don’t exactly seem like the nerd type in any sense of the word, especially one who would have his nose stuck in a book when you could have been doing more…outdoorsy things.”

It was Jake’s turn to laugh. “I’ll have you know I was the senior class valedictorian.” His class had fifteen graduates, but he’d keep that to himself.

“I know.” Julia added a packet of sweetener to her tea and swirled it slowly. “But you were also the quarterback.”

How had she learned all this? Was she curious and asked about him? Dylan and Hannah didn’t know everything, especially from ten years ago. One thing was certain: her smile could charm the hardest of hearts. Even old man Picasso would love this woman.

Caroline put the plate of pancakes on the counter with a small pitcher of homemade boysenberry syrup.

“These look and smell delicious,” Julia said. “I’ll have to work out extra hard later, but it’s totally worth it. Thanks.”

“House specialty,” Caroline said with a pleased smile. “Eat up, Julia, and let me know if you need anything.”

Jake liked how the townspeople had embraced Julia like one of their own. He admired her profile as she bowed her head to pray. Knowing he should turn the other way, he couldn’t. Dylan’s sister was like some kind of irresistible magnet, and he was powerless to resist the attraction.
I’m in huge trouble here, Lord.

“I also know you almost got your nose broken in an altercation with a boy named Trevor in seventh grade,” Julia said, breaking into his thoughts. “You were suspended a few days for some type of insubordination during your sophomore year, and you dated the football homecoming queen most of senior year.” Julia laughed at his obvious surprise.

Jake shook his head. “Trevor insulted a friend and—sorry to say—
he
was the one who got his nose broken. The insubordination was a frog on a chair, and I only had three dates with Sherry. People in this town really need to get a life.” That didn’t come out right. “Look, I don’t mean to sound insensitive, but…”

“I know what you mean,” Julia said, “and for the record, I didn’t ask. All that information was volunteered. Some by my brother and sister-in-law, but I’ll never tell.” She shrugged. “In case you haven’t noticed, we’re like the only two unmarried people under the age of thirty in Starlight.” She opened her mouth as though to say something else, then closed it, appearing embarrassed.

“Not to mention the only two over five foot eight.” That sounded pretty dumb. Jake slid off the stool. At least the simple movement didn’t hurt. Thankfully, every day his pain eased a little more. He reached for his check and pulled out his wallet to keep him focused. One of the two of them was also engaged, and he’d best depart since he was either out of touch or there was some definite flirting going on between them. Maybe she was just being friendly. Didn’t she know she was too irresistible to smile at a guy like that if she was taken, and there could never be anything between them?

The guys at the firehouse were right. Trying to read a woman was worse than trying to figure out Shakespeare. Both were impossible, but at least Julia was worth the effort. Never mind she’d be going home soon to her fiancé, most likely a doctor or professional white collar guy who could build her a big house in the suburbs and they could get all the animals she wanted.

“I’d better get over to the firehouse,” Jake said, his gaze lingering on Julia. The way she cut her pancakes into miniscule bites was fascinating, but the woman must take an hour to eat a sandwich. Thank goodness Dylan didn’t share that trait, or there’d be a few more houses in Starlight burned to the ground while the man finished his food.
Now, you’re being ridiculous
.

“Who’s watching Bailey while you’re at work?” she asked.

“What do you mean?”

Julia lowered her mug to the counter, her expression incredulous. “Please tell me you put her in a crate in the kitchen, in a closed room, or in a contained area with a baby gate or something?”

“No, I didn’t.” Owning a dog was a lot more involved than he’d anticipated. “Will I need to file an insurance claim?”

“You might. Here’s a tip: before you go to the station today, you might want to stop by the house and check on Bailey…and take my suggestion to keep her in an enclosed space.”

Jake frowned. “Point taken. I’m sure you’re right.” His shoulders drooped. “Man, I stink as a dog daddy.”

“You’ll be fine.” The smile she gave him distracted him to the point where he tossed down a five by mistake on the shiny countertop for Carolyn’s tip. He’d look like a heel if he made change, but he figured she could use the extra money since her stove was on the fritz.

“Hey, Caroline?” he called.

She paused while slathering Dan Johnson’s toast with too much artery-clogging butter. “Yeah, Jake?”

“I’ll come over on Thursday morning about ten to take a look at your stove.”

Caroline’s doting smile was reward enough. She raised the knife in her hand and waved it in Julia’s direction. “Honey, if I was you, I’d snap this man up in a heartbeat, for no reason other than he can fix anything. That and the fact he could melt the chocolate on your s’mores. You keep that in mind.”

Jake coughed and turned aside but not before he noticed the flush spreading across Julia’s cheeks. He went over to Caroline and pushed a ten dollar bill into her hand, curling her fingers around it. “Tell her breakfast is on the house. Grand Reopening special or whatever.”

“You’re a sweet boy, Jacob. Will do,” Caroline said, giving him a quick hug.

Passing by Julia, he leaned close. “I’ll see you tomorrow night, Miss Sinclair, in case
you
need anything fixed.”

Putting one hand over her chest, she moved her eyes upward to meet his. “I beg your pardon?”

Jake darted a glance at Caroline. She’d turned her back, but her shoulders shook with unmistakable laughter. At least she was discreet and from what he knew, no one else with decent hearing sat close enough to hear. He scratched his head and tried not to roll his eyes. “I’ll see you at the soup kitchen at the church tomorrow night, if you’re helping out. I mean—”

“I’ll see you then, Jake. Try to be good in the meantime, and go check on Bailey.”

Julia’s smile was a lovely sight to behold, and at least it wasn’t mocking. Not much more he could say. Jake tugged on his hat and gloves before strolling out of Barney’s with as much dignity as he could muster.
Well, it can’t get much worse.
Good thing Dylan’s sister was already taken because after that totally inept blunder, she sure wouldn’t have any romantic interest in him.