Santa Wore Combat Boots (4 page)

“No need to thank me. I enjoyed it just as much as they did. I’m about ready for a nap, though.”

“They will be too, after lunch. Sure I can’t persuade you?” Emma cocked her head and tried for her best smile. She had no idea what was coming over her, but for the first time in a long time she didn’t welcome the quiet of the house. “I could use the company.”

“Well ... when you ask like that, how can I refuse?” Jake stepped through the door and Emma all but jumped up and down.

“Fantastic! Come make yourself at home and I will start cooking.”

Emma busied herself in the kitchen, taking a peek from time to time as Jake sat in the living room fighting to keep his eyes open and occupy the kids. Something strange happened while waiting in line for Santa, and while she couldn’t put her finger on it, she had a feeling Jake had something to
do with that, too. There were too many coincidences, and her notion that he had a special gift was becoming more and more apparent.

They had built a friendship over the years, only she didn’t know if it was close enough to ask him to use his gift. He’d probably agree now if she asked, he was just that way, but she didn’t feel the timing was right and didn’t want to impose. Maybe she needed to get to know him better before using him for something so personal.

She stood over the stove, stirring her soup when the phone rang. “Hello?”

“Hi,
Em
, it’s Traci.”

“Oh, Traci, I’ve got so much to tell you. I’m glad you called. Aren’t you supposed to be at the store tonight?”

“That’s why I’m calling. Meghan has a stomach bug. I think she ate too many sweets when we went to see Santa, and between that and all the cookies we’ve been making, I think she’s in sugar overload. Mike got called in, too, and no one else is available. I hate to do this to you, but could you cover for me? I don’t know what else to do. I’d bring her there, but then I’d have to bring Drew, too. I don’t want to expose your family if she really is sick.”

Emma could hear the desperation in her friend’s voice. Traci had covered for her many times when the kids were ill, and had been a rock after Ben was born. She couldn’t let her best friend down.

“Of course I will. What time do you start?”

“Two until midnight. You are a lifesaver.”

Emma hung up the phone and looked at the clock. Her parents weren’t due back until tomorrow, and she barely had enough time to get to the store, let alone find a sitter on such short notice. Taking another peek at the man in her living room, she took a deep breath and trusted her instincts. If Jake was who she thought, then she knew her children would be in safe hands.

“Jake, Traci needs me to fill in for her at the store. Her daughter is sick and she has no one to watch her.” Emma paused, wringing her hands on her apron. “I know this is a huge favor, and maybe an awkward thing to ask, but would you mind staying here and watching the kids for me?”

“Are you sure?” Jake sat up straight and carefully stood as not to knock over the tower of blocks.

“Yes, but only if you’re okay with it. I know we’ve been neighbors for years, and we just spent such a nice morning together. My kids like you and I think you like them, and I just don’t have anyone else to call, and I can’t let Traci down. She’s always been there for me.”

“Emma.”

“And I totally understand if you say no.” Every nerve ending in her body tingled with worry. He had every right to deny her request. It wasn’t like she was asking him to shovel snow off the room, although that would probably be easier. What did a single man know about watching two sometimes rambunctious children? This was a silly idea.

“Emma.”

“You know, I can always take them with me and make them comfortable in the break room, it’s all right.”

“Emma, you’re rambling. Don’t worry, I’ll do it.”

“Really?” She felt a surge of heat across her face at his mention of rambling. “I mean, really you’ll watch them?” She caught sight of his grin and her embarrassment vanished.

“Of course.”

“Thank you so much!” Emma jumped forward and hugged him quickly before scooting back into the kitchen to turn down the stove. “The soup is ready whenever you guys are, and there are leftovers for dinner, unless you want to order pizza. The number is by the phone.”

“Got it, anything else?”

“Oh, Ben goes to bed by seven, then Sarah by eight, and I’ll be home as soon as I can.”

“No problem. Be safe if the roads get icy. I hear we are in for more snow.”

“I will.” She grabbed her coat, kissed the kids and flew out the door. In two seconds, she opened it back up. “Thanks again, I -”

“Get to work. I’ve got it under control.” Jake saluted, and she closed the door with a comfortable smile. Yes, having Jake around was beginning to feel very comfortable. Her smile slipped. So why did that thought make her feel a bit uncomfortable? She pushed that feeling aside, counted her blessings, and headed off to work knowing she had bigger things to worry about, like planning the holiday dinner. Who in their right mind would put her in charge of anything holiday related?

CHAPTER FOUR

The digital clock on the dash switched to 12:30 as Emma pulled into the driveway. She could see the flicker of the television in the darkness of the living room and felt bad for keeping Jake up so late. She couldn’t wait to crawl into bed and, with a little luck, sleep until noon. While the thought was good, she knew it was highly unlikely. Her kids were early risers.

After dropping her purse and coat by the door, she walked softly into the living room. She would owe Jake a dinner for sure after this. She hadn’t intended to be so late but last minute shoppers had come out in droves looking for bargains.

The glow from the television highlighted Jake sprawled on the couch. She froze for a moment and stared at two other bodies which came into focus. There, tucked between the back of the couch and the crook of Jake’s elbow, was Ben. Laying across his chest and nestled tightly within his other arm, was Sarah. Jingles curled up at the top of his pillow and they were all fast asleep.

Emma moved further into the room, not wanting to disturb them, but to have a better view. All three of them were covered in glitter and paint. Twinkling above her head she noticed dozens of paper snowflakes. More colorful paper objects lay drying on the coffee table, and popcorn strings draped around the room.

Her heart swelled and tears of happiness formed behind her eyes. Jake made true his promise to Sarah that the house would be ready for Santa. They must have gone straight to work the moment Emma had left.

Carefully, she slipped Sarah free of Jake’s arm and carried her upstairs. After tucking her in and kissing her cheek, she returned to pick up Ben and put him to bed as well. Not having the heart to wake him, Emma brought a thick comforter downstairs and covered Jake. As she brought the blanket under his chin, she breathed deep and closed her eyes for a moment.

Pizza, glue, and...a scent which seemed familiar but she couldn’t place. Blaming her poor sense of smell on being tired, she gazed at him once more and silently thanked him for being such a good friend.

For the second time that day, Emma wondered what she would ever do without Jake Nicklaus.

***

So much for sleeping in, Emma thought as she tied her bath robe and headed downstairs. She couldn’t wait to make Jake breakfast and thank him in person for all he did yesterday. She poked her head in each of the kids’ rooms and they were sill sound asleep. Good, it would give her some time to talk to Jake.

When she reached the living room, a fire had been started in the fireplace, and the comforter was folded neatly at the end of the couch. Emma rushed to the kitchen only to find it empty, except for the gurgle of the coffee pot.

Jake was gone.

Emma filled her cup, trying to push away the disappointment. This was proof why she didn’t need a man in her life after Larry. Jake was a neighbor and a friend, and she had no business indulging her imagination.

She knew it was early, but she also knew Traci would be up. They had shared many a cup of coffee when the kids were smaller. Emma thought she’d be calling with exciting news, only now she was calling to set her friend straight.

“How’s Meghan?” Emma asked when Traci answered the phone.

“Her stomach calmed down around three a.m. How was the store?”

“Busy as you can imagine. I got home around twelve thirty.”

“Thanks again. You’re mom wasn’t too upset at having to get out and watch the kids for you, was she?”

“Mom didn’t watch them.”

“Oh no, you didn’t have to bring them to the store did you? Emma, I’m so sorry. I should have figured something else out.”

“Jake watched them.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! You let Jake, come-on-baby-light-my-fire-so-you-can-put-it-out, watch the kids? What did I miss?”

Emma laughed and refilled her coffee cup. “A very interesting day, that’s what.”

“Well spill it! I’ve got all morning. Glad to see you took my advice.”

“Yeah...about that advice of yours.”

“It’s dead on, isn’t it?”

“Not exactly.”

“What do you mean? Listen, I’m dying over here so tell me what happened to change your mind about Jake Nicklaus?”

Emma retold about the phone book, seeing Santa, and how she thought Jake had some psychic gift which could eventually help her communicate with Larry. As she relayed the story, she heard a persistent ‘
shoosh
’ sound. She pulled back the curtain to peek outside. Jake was shoveling.

He was in excellent physical condition, tossing mounds of snow as if they were shovels full of marshmallows. Emma could see the jacket mold to his shoulders and back when he dug deep into the drifted snow. He carried himself in a way which was somehow familiar to her, and probably why her imagination so easily took over.

“When I woke up, he was gone,” she concluded.

“Wow. When you decide to do something, you go big. I’m proud of you.”

“There’s nothing to be proud of. When I came home last night, I let myself believe maybe we could have something, eventually. He looked so at home, asleep with the kids. I went to bed dreaming for the first time what the future could hold. But that should have been Larry, and I never should have thought those things.”

“Wait a minute. You two didn’t sleep together, did you?”

“Traci!” Emma’s free hand flew to her mouth, and she glanced out the window as if Jake could have heard their conversation.

“Then why are you beating yourself up this morning? This is new again. It’s okay to be nervous.”

“I’m not nervous.” Emma dared to watch Jake a moment longer. “Well, okay, maybe a little. I’ve decided I’m going to get to know him better and then ask him to use his power to help me. I know he’ll do it.”

“He’s not a super hero,
Em
. You need to give things a chance.”

“That’s what Jake said.”

“Then open your heart and listen.”

“I’m not ready for that kind of relationship. I don’t think I’d know how.”

Emma hung up the phone and lingered at the window while Jake finished her driveway and his. The holidays always made her sentimental, and this one was no exception. She would muddle through like she did every year, and on Christmas Eve she would get to be with Larry and feel his spirit. In time she would have more, she was certain. Jake wouldn’t let her down.

Jake stopped shoveling and caught her gaze through the window. She smiled and displayed her coffee cup. He responded by making a thumbs-up with his bulky gloves and she laughed.

The sound of her own laughter made her catch herself. Sure, she’d shared laughter with the kids, but this was different, flirtatious and from the heart. She couldn’t resist another peek and
watched as he brushed off their vehicles. Somewhere deep inside, her body stirred with an emotion she hadn’t felt in a very long time and didn’t know what to name it.

The kitchen door slammed shut, and she whirled around to see three downy feathers floating toward the floor. She set her cup on the table and caught them in her hands. Scanning the room she found no trace of the wayward cat.

“Figures,” she mumbled and left the treasures on the counter for Sarah, who’d become almost obsessed every time the cat obviously caught a bird. “Jingles, you’re one hunt away from finding a new home, do you hear me?” she called out in the empty kitchen.

Spying her list taped to the refrigerator, she scanned over what needed to be done for the dinner tonight. Once the kids were awake, she’d plan her day to fit in the last minute pick-ups and drop the kids with her parents on her way to the community hall. Once the dinner was out of the way, all she had to do was get through Christmas. In her mind she already planned the New Year as her new start with Larry. Everything would be fine.

***

Jake brushed the snow off his clothes as he entered through the back door. Yesterday had been the beginning he’d spent years wishing for but never dreamed would be possible. While Emma had been at work, he and the kids constructed holiday decorations. They’d had such fun. He enjoyed every minute, laughing and playing with Sarah and Ben. Emma’s children were a gift. A couple times during the evening, he let himself pretend they could be his children. He would welcome the role of fatherhood in a heartbeat.

He hated to leave so early but knew there was a lot to do. Over coffee and eggs, he’d put the finishing touches on how he wanted to spend the day. Eager for it to get underway, he’d expended some of his energy by shoveling snow.

Jake wanted to make sure the Post 518 dinner was a success. In order to do that, Emma needed to feel Christmas. Today he would make sure she did just that. Today he would show her all she’d been missing.

The supplies were loaded into the back of his truck. All he had to do now was change into some warm, dry clothes. He couldn’t wait to see the look on Emma’s and the kids’ faces, and felt like a child himself, full of anticipation.

Jake tugged on the zipper to his jacket when it refused to budge. He yanked a little harder and tried to straighten the liner. Nothing appeared stuck and the zipper wasn’t moving. He let loose a grunt before pulling the coat over his head and leaving it in a heap on the floor.

In the kitchen, he loaded up a duffle bag of snacks and started water on the stove to fill two thermoses with hot chocolate. He’d even borrowed a toboggan from the fire chief so Sarah and Ben wouldn’t have to walk. The finishing touches to his Christmas surprise. With all of the bases covered, Jake prayed Emma would say yes.

“Whoa!” Jake regained his balance as he slipped in a puddle of melted snow by the door. “Now that would put a damper on things,” he said, shrugging off his clumsiness and looking expectantly at the clock on the wall. “Soon, soon,” he said, pacing expectantly around the small room. “I’ll just give everything one more check before I go over.”

Jake ignored the persistent feeling he was being watched. He had the uncanny sense to know when Larry was around. Not only did he feel his presence, but sometimes he’d smell a distinct combination of gun powder and oil. He knew Larry would speak to him if he really wanted to. Jake was happy in thinking the Major’s spirit was finally ready to move on.

Stepping out the door, Jake smiled toward Emma’s house. He’d no sooner moved off the porch and tossed the duffle into the back of the truck, when a mound of snow broke free from the roof. Startled, he looked behind then wrinkled his brow as two pristine white feathers drifted atop the pile of ice and snow.

Larry’s calling card? He thought as he remembered Sarah’s words from the park. What exactly was the spirit trying to tell him now?

“Jake, what a surprise,” Emma said as she opened the door. “I figured you were working.”

“Not at the station, anyway,” he replied, trying not to look guilty. “I had some things to do, sorry I didn’t stick around this morning.”

“I understand. I can’t thank you enough for jumping in and watching the kids. It looks like you had yourselves a grand time.” She motioned to the hanging snowflakes, and stars and paper trees around the room.

“Which brings me to why I’m here. Where are the kids?”

“Upstairs playing, why?” She tilted her head and shot him a curious stare.

“Tell them to come down and get their coats on.” He couldn’t hide his excitement any longer.

“Why, where are they going?”

“Nowhere yet, first we need to box all this stuff up.” Jake pushed past Emma and began removing some of the glittering snowflakes, making piles of everything on a nearby table. They had a full day ahead and needed to start now.

“Wait a minute, what’s going on?” Her eyes sparkled with a mischief of their own, and the smile he’d grown to cherish
worked its way across her face.

“We’re going to decorate the community hall for the dinner tonight.”

And that did it. She stood stiff and unyielding. Her smile faded.

“That’s nice of you to offer, but it’s not necessary. I have a box of decorations.”

“That old stuff?” he pointed at a ratty cardboard box on the floor. “That will never do at all.”

Emma moved to stand in front of the box. “It will be fine, really. We’ve had the same decorations for years.”

“Exactly my point. Let’s hang the things the kids made, maybe string some cranberries and pick up a few pine boughs while we’re out.”

“Pine boughs?”

“Of course! Nothing smells better than Christmas pine.”

“If you say so.” She didn’t sound enthused. “You know, we don’t have to go all out for this. Nobody will care, really.”

“Nobody, or you?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Emma crossed her arms.

“It’s Christmas, Emma. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. People do care, and they will appreciate all you’ve done.”

“I know what season it is.” She picked up the tattered box, setting it on top of the kids’ decorations. “I’m just not in the mood for it.”

“I think deep down inside you miss the joy of the holidays.”

“No, I don’t.” Her voice was curt, but the tr
uth in her eyes was undeniable.

“Then come with me and prove it.” He challenged, his tone causing her to pick up her head.