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Authors: JoAnn Durgin

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Meet Me Under the Mistletoe (8 page)

BOOK: Meet Me Under the Mistletoe
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Tugging the collar of his jacket tighter around his neck, he burrowed the lower half of his face in it as a shield against the cold. He moved as fast as he could down the sidewalk and climbed into his truck. By summer, he’d have Bailey all trained, and she could sit on the front seat beside him.
Bailey
. Maybe he should take Julia’s advice and go check on the pup, see if she was safe and not wreaking havoc all over the house.

As he drove the short distance, Jake made a mental list of all he needed to do at the firehouse—anything to keep his thoughts from wandering to Julia. No matter how hard he tried, the dark-haired beauty invaded his waking moments. He knew it was wrong to think so much about an engaged woman, and he needed to pray the Almighty would take away his fascination with her.

Climbing the front steps of the house a few minutes later, Jake wondered how Julia might react to the promise he’d made to the Lord all those years ago. Yeah, he’d be doing some serious praying tonight. As he reached the threshold, he inhaled a deep breath, hoping he wouldn’t find a disaster behind the door.

 

 

 

 

10

 

“Did you start a war in here?” Dylan stood in the middle of Jake’s living room early that evening. He raised his hands in the air, making a slow circle as he surveyed the mess. “You need a housekeeper something fierce, man. At least I know what to get you for Christmas.”

A knock sounded on the front door. “Who could that be?” Jake mumbled.

“It’s Jules.”

A low growl escaped from between Jake’s clenched teeth. “It’s embarrassing enough to have
you
over here. Did you invite her?”

Dylan shrugged. “You obviously need guidance, and I have a family to get home to. My sister loves to help the wounded and the clueless. Go open the door and don’t leave her waiting. It’s cold out there.”

Jake scowled and rubbed a hand over the five o’clock stubble on his jaw as he marched toward the front foyer. His feet touched wetness on the carpet near the desk, and he released a groan of frustration. Throwing open the door, he motioned to Julia with one hand. “Come on in, but enter at your own risk.”

The way Julia’s mouth twisted, it appeared she tried not to grin as she came inside the house and closed the door behind her. “Hello to you, too.” Her eyes grew large as she took in the chaos. “Dylan thought you might need a little help, and I think he’s right.”

Jake’s shoulders slumped. “It’s official. I’m a failure as a dog owner. I bought her a ton of toys, but all Bailey does is shred stuff and do her business whenever I turn my head.” He led Julia into the living room and waved a hand toward his mother’s favorite throw rug with its newly-minted stain. “Mom will kill me when she sees this if Dad doesn’t finish me off first.”

“Yeah, and no way will any female want to come near you smelling like you do at this moment,” Dylan said.

Jake could only stare at Dylan. What a thing to say.

“Other than you, of course, Jules. But you’re like a sister to Jake.” Dylan trained his gaze on him. “Right, buddy?”

Jake’s scowl deepened. “It’s
eau de puppy
, man.” As much as he hated to admit it, Dylan was right. He needed a good, long shower and a powerful deodorizer for the entire house. He purposely chose to ignore the rest of his comment. “Is it too much to ask to get a little affection, even from a dog?” He blew out a sigh. “You could have warned me, you know.”

Dylan scoffed. “Yeah, right. I’m still getting used to kids of the human kind. I’ll learn from your mistakes, thank you very much.”

“Well, I’m making enough of them.” Jake tossed squeaky chew toys in the basket by the hearth. He’d spent a small fortune, but so far, Bailey seemed more interested in chewing the bottom of the couch or trying to get at the toys waiting to be fixed. “In some ways, I think a baby might be easier. At least they sleep a lot and don’t wander all over the house leaving little legacies.”

“Where’s the baby gate?” Julia asked.

Jake snapped his head up. “I’ll never tell. I can’t cage Bailey. That’s inhumane.”

“It’s not caging her, Jake,” Julia said, employing what must be her “nurse” voice. Funny thing, but it was already working on his frazzled nerves. “The unfortunate alternative is soiled carpet and buying stock in companies that manufacture pet deodorizers and stain removal products.”

How she said it with a straight face, he’d never know, but that comment made the corners of Jake’s mouth curl.

“Where’s Bailey now?” Julia took a quick survey of the sofa and living room chairs.

“Sleeping on my bed.”

Dylan picked up a plastic toy and tossed it in the basket. “Are you sure that’s wise?”

“Why not?” Whose side were these people on, anyway? Bailey’s?

“You’re spoiling her, that’s all.” Julia’s voice was low and calm, softening the brunt of her words.

“That’s where you’re wrong,” Jake said. “Maybe
I’m
the one who needs a little spoiling.”

“Guess someone’s a little cranky,” Dylan said. “Time to get over the little pity party you’ve got going here, Jake, and set limits with this dog. Otherwise, she’ll be a diva, and you won’t ever get a woman. No way she’ll want to compete.” He sighed. “I think you called me because you have more toys for pickup. Got them ready to go?”

“Oh, right.” With all the talk about Bailey, he’d almost forgotten the original reason he’d asked Dylan to stop by. “They’re over there in the hall closet.”

From the corner of his eye, Jake spied Julia removing her jacket and draping it over a chair. “Jake, do you mind if I stay a while and help you clean up?”

His pulse skipped a few beats, and he swallowed hard. Something stirred in his gut. Maybe it was hunger since he hadn’t eaten dinner, but he didn’t think so. “If you’re sure. I mean…” He shook his head. “I’d really like that. Thanks. A bowl of my specialty chili’s in it for you as a reward.”

“Sounds like a plan.” When Julia smiled and started to pick up more of Bailey’s things, his heart softened a little, as it seemed to do every time he was around her.

“Jake?” Dylan prodded.

He jumped.

Dylan chuckled under his breath. “I’m not even going to ask. The stuff for the kids?” he prompted when Jake gave him a blank stare.

“Yeah, sure. Follow me.” After walking back into the front foyer, Jake opened the coat closet and hauled out the box.

Dylan whistled as he stepped closer. “That’s a lot of toys, buddy. You been burning the midnight oil? How’d you have time to fix all these?”

“I made time.” He hadn’t been sleeping that well, but Dylan didn’t need to know or he’d start asking questions or making assumptions. Best not to go there.

Crouching down, Dylan picked up one of the dolls. “Isn’t this the one Jules called Molly what’s-her-name?”

“Molly Dolly. Right.” Jake ignored Dylan’s knowing glance. “Penny Granger made her a new dress, and I cleaned her up, brushed her hair, and touched up her face with some paint.”

Dylan nodded to the shiny red Corvette. “And that one?”

“Touched up the paint, reattached a door, and shined it up.”

“Well,” Dylan said, hoisting the box, “you’ve done yourself proud. You’ll make a fine dad someday, Fireman Jake.”

When Dylan patted his shoulder—the right one—in the usual way, it didn’t make him cringe. “Judging by Bailey, that’ll take some doing. Give me time.” On a whim, Jake reached for Molly Dolly.

Dylan rested the box on the desk, anchoring it with one hip as he pulled on his gloves. “Guess you’ve got someone picked out for that one, huh?”

“Yep, or the other way around.” Jake followed Dylan to the front door.

“Jake, I have a question for you,” Dylan said. “Answer me straight.”

“Don’t I always?”

“You’re the most honest man I’ve ever met next to my dad, so yeah. Did you ever tell Nicole about your secret?”

Jake looked over his shoulder to see if Julia was within hearing distance.

“We’re alone. I think she took something to the kitchen.”

“Yes,
Mom
, I told Nicole.” Jake lowered his voice. “At first, she thought it was kinda sweet, but then I think she got frustrated because of it.”

Dylan grinned. “No offense, buddy, but I can empathize. You’re a whole different breed, but I have to admire you all the same. You’re a rare man of conviction and moral fortitude.”

“Thanks,” Jake said, keeping his voice wry. “It’s not what broke us up, but I can admit it might have been a contributing factor.”

His friend nodded. “Nicole’s probably like a lot of girls in the way she reacted, but keep in mind she doesn’t represent all women.”

Jake raised his brows. “Oh? You got one in mind, Dylan?”

Dylan’s gaze traveled to the doll in his arms. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”

“Just take the toys and go already. I need to grab a hot shower before the little terror wakes up and finds something else to shred or mess.”

“Open the door for me and I’m gone. Oh, oh.” With a grimace, Dylan nodded in the direction of the nearest window.

Jake slapped his forehead with his palm. “Man, if that puppy wasn’t so cute—” The bottom of his mother’s curtains—the ones with delicate lace she’d bought on a trip to Brussels, Belgium—bore the distinct evidence of Bailey’s tiny teeth marks.

“All relationships go through some rough spots in the beginning,” Dylan said. “I’m sure you two will be very happy together.” He breezed past him. “Catch you later, buddy.”

 

 

 

 

11

 

“This is your reward for helping me regain my sanity after the natural disaster known as Bailey. Let me know what you think.” Jake lowered the bowl of chili to the table. He’d overfilled it, so he needed to be careful the chili didn’t spill over the edges. “I’ll have you know this is prize-winning and earned a blue ribbon in the county fair last year.” Normally, he didn’t boast, but it was the one thing he could make from scratch, and people seemed to like it.

“I’m impressed,” Julia said. “It sure smells good. Do you have any crackers or do you think that somehow detracts from the true flavor?”

“Not at all. I think I might have some,” he said, opening a cabinet and holding up a bag. “Oyster crackers OK?”

Julia nodded. “Perfect. Thanks.”

“How about grated cheese? Some people like that in their chili, too.”

“The crackers are all I need.” She stopped him when she saw him pull out a bowl. “Leave them in the bag. No need to be fancy.”

“My kind of woman,” Jake said, sitting across from her. He shook his head. “I mean you’re—”

“Relax. I know what you meant. Aren’t you going to join me and have some, too?”

“I will, but I want you to try it first. Let’s pray.” With a small smile, Julia bowed her head while he said grace. He’d like to enfold her hand in his when they prayed, but that would only be an excuse. No, it wouldn’t be a good idea.

Julia daintily sipped from the spoon. “It’s very good,” she said, sampling another, bigger spoonful. “It’s spicy, but—” In the span of a few seconds, her face flushed, and she dropped the spoon back into the bowl, splattering some of the chili before fanning her face with one hand. “Are you trying to kill me?” She sputtered and thumped a curled fist on her chest before gulping down her entire glass of water.

All Jake could do was sit and stare—and force his mouth closed. No one—not even kids—had shown such an adverse reaction to his chili.

“This is award-winning?” She finally came up for air. “Do you have milk?”

Jake tried not to scowl. “Yes, to both questions.” He pushed the chair back and grabbed the glass. Opening the refrigerator, he pulled out the half-gallon of milk and poured some in her glass.

“How is that possible?” Julia said, coughing some more as she reached for the glass still in his hand. She downed half the milk before stopping. “I mean,” she rasped, “how could the judges give it an award if they’re all dead?”

Jake bit his tongue not to say something inadvisable.
Get over it, man.
She’d helped him to the point of getting on her hands and knees and scrubbing to remove the stain from the throw rug, and she’d promised to repair the curtains. For her willingness to help alone, Julia deserved her own blue ribbon. When he’d come downstairs after a quick shower with Bailey in his arms, she’d gone nuts over the puppy. He enjoyed her enthusiasm and—for the briefest of moments—wished she could stay forever. Considering Bailey was now slumbering away at Julia’s feet, the feeling was mutual. He had to admit, his little canine friend had good instincts.

“I’m really sorry, Jake, but that’s the spiciest chili I’ve ever had. I’m not very adventurous when it comes to food.”

After returning the milk container to the refrigerator, he dropped back into his chair. “Are you OK now?”

She gave him a sheepish grin. “I think so.”

“Tell me something. Why milk?”

“It neutralizes the acid in spicy foods.”

The corners of his mouth upturned. “Good to know. So I suppose you generally avoid spicy foods or else you drink a lot of milk, right?”

“Yes, to both questions. Forgive me, please?” When Julia batted her long eyelashes at him, he’d forgive her anything.

“Stop it,” he said, fighting the urge to laugh. “Those puppy dog eyes remind me too much of Bailey, and I can’t refuse her, either. Wait a second. That didn’t come out quite right.”

“Oh, I don’t know. It sounded fine to me.”

Changing the subject would be good. Jake cleared his throat. “Tell you what, considering I don’t have much else to offer you here,” he said, meaning that in more ways than one, “I’m taking you to Sue’s Pie Kitchen for some safe, homogenous, spice-free grub. Not that I’m making a blanket statement about Sue’s cooking.”

Julia feigned offense. “Excuse me? Do I seem like the kind of girl who eats grub? And I wouldn’t exactly say you have nothing to offer.”

He raised a brow. “Let’s go then.”

“Aren’t you forgetting something?”

Jake followed her gaze to Bailey. “She looks so peaceful. I’m sure she’ll be fine until I get home.”

Without another word, Julia scooped Bailey in her arms and planted a kiss on her head. She carefully deposited the puppy in her crate and latched the door. “I’m only doing this because I love her, and it’s for her own protection. And yours.”

BOOK: Meet Me Under the Mistletoe
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