Under the Christmas Star (Crossroads Collection)

by Amanda Tru

  Instinctively, she slid down in her seat and watched as he parked and got out of the car. As he walked toward the building, she could see that he was talking on his phone.

  He stopped in the courtyard next to what appeared to be a small fountain, obviously smiling and enjoying the conversation with whoever it was on the other end. Then he put his phone in his pocket and just stood there like he was waiting for something. Or, more likely, someone.

  Her stomach tensed at the thought of him glancing over here and seeing her van. Fortunately, it was that incredibly common color—how many times had she tried to unlock the wrong navy blue van in a parking lot?—and it was dark enough now that even if he did notice the van, it probably wouldn’t strike him as strange. Still, she slunk down even lower, feeling like the heroine in one of those romantic comedies she and Victoria loved to make fun of.

  Just then, the front door of the building opened and Henry bolted out. Or did the best bolt he could manage, given the constraints of the leash that held him back. Joy watched as the person on the other end of the leash followed him outside. It was a woman and, as much as Joy hated to admit it, she was lovely. Wearing a cute coat and a hat and carrying what looked like a nice designer bag. Henry led her over to Kyle, who gave the dog a two-fisted nuzzle, and the woman…a hug.

  Trying to swallow back a wave of hurt, regret, and humiliation, Joy squinted. Had he kissed her? It was so hard to tell from this distance, but they were more than just friendly.

  Then Kyle reached into his coat pocket, took something out, and fumbled with it for a moment before handing it to her. They parted ways, Kyle taking Henry down the sidewalk while the woman went the other direction, toward the parking lot. Joy gasped as she unlocked Kyle’s car and got in, then drove off.

  Joy just sat there feeling numb. Obviously, Kyle and this woman shared more than just Henry and an address. They also shared a car. Which meant that they probably shared a life.

  As she sat there staring at Kyle and Henry making their way down the block, a new emotion crowded to the front of her heart. Anger. She had been played, and that was more than she could handle.

  Working her jaw, she reached over to the passenger seat and yanked her phone from the pocket of her purse. She didn’t need to see the look on Kyle’s face if he tried to deny this, she would know that he was lying.

  Predictably, Henry veered off the sidewalk as they approached his favorite grassy area a block from their building. It wasn’t much, but at least it provided him with a safe place to sniff around for a few minutes when Kyle didn’t have time to take him to the dog park.

  A dumb smirk tugged at Kyle’s lips as he replayed the scene at his warehouse with Joy for about the two hundredth time. He still couldn’t believe that she had actually asked him to go to her sister’s wedding with her. Nicole, who was his barometer for things like this, had assured him that women took things like weddings pretty seriously, and that he should definitely consider this to be a date.

  As Henry followed the scent of what was probably a squirrel or a neighborhood cat, Kyle took out his phone and brought up the website for the Emerald Yacht Club. It sounded pretty swanky, but he had been to plenty of weddings so he was well aware of the meaning of the term “semi-formal.” Good thing he had a nice suit. And since it was a Christmas wedding, he could probably get away with wearing the cranberry-colored tie with the subtle holly design. He’d ask Nicole what she thought, but it seemed fitting.

  Just as he started to slip his phone back into his pocket, it started vibrating. Probably Nicole with a question about his car. Even though she had driven it before when her own car was in the shop like today, she hadn’t quite gotten used to driving a hybrid.

  But the number on the screen was one he didn’t recognize. Ordinarily, he let mystery calls go to voicemail, but since he’d been giving out his cell number for the business, he really should answer it. It might even be a potential client.

  Before he could click Accept, a text message popped up on the screen from Wes. Now what?

  He was about to swipe it to the side in favor of answering the call, but Wes had a way of commandeering his attention.

  Did you see this pool of water on the basement floor? Just inside the kitchen. Should we be worried!?

  What? There hadn’t been any water on the floor the last time he’d been down there. The inspector hadn’t found any issues. Still, water in a place where it shouldn’t be was never a good sign.

  Ignoring the call now, he tapped out a response.

  I didn’t see it. Can’t come now because Nicole borrowed my car. Send pictures.

  His phone beeped, notifying him that whoever had called had left a message. He’d have to check it later, after he calmed Wes down and got to the bottom of what was hopefully a non-issue. The last thing they needed was an expensive repair on the building they had just taken ownership of.

  It had required all of Joy’s restraint not to tell Victoria about Kyle as they’d sat there getting their nails done. She’d have to break the news eventually, but right now Victoria was walking on air. It didn’t seem fair for Joy to put her own problems front and center so close to the wedding.

  To add insult to injury, Kyle hadn’t even responded to the message she’d left on his phone. Talk about an admission of guilt.

  Now, as she stood at her front door waiting for Mike to get the kids out of his car and into the house, she wiped her cheeks and did her best to put on a happy face. Not that Mike would detect any hint of distress in her, or care even if he did. But she always did her best not to let on to the kids when she was struggling.

  She stepped aside, allowing Mike to carry Ty—whose sleep-heavy head rested on Mike’s shoulder—and lead Charlie inside.

  “Hi, Mommy.” Charlie reached up to give her a sleepy hug, then whispered, “Ty’s all crashed out.”

  “I see that.” She gestured toward Ty’s bedroom door, and Mike nodded, veering in that direction.

  Several minutes later, Joy emerged from Charlie’s room. No surprise that she had gone down without a fight, considering that it was after nine. It would feel good to get all of them back onto a regular schedule once the wedding was over.

  As she pulled the door to a cracked-open position, her stomach growled. The tantalizing smell of cumin and curry reminded her that she hadn’t bothered to eat earlier because she’d been too upset. Why did her house smell like her favorite Indian restaurant? Confused and a bit suspicious, she crossed the hall and peered into the dining room.

  The table had been set for two, complete with candles. The only other light came from a crackling fire in her living room fireplace and the lights from the tree. Joy just stood in the doorway, not sure what to make of this.

  Mike entered from the kitchen, carrying a couple of steaming serving bowls. He smiled when he saw her. “I thought you might be hungry.” Setting the bowls on the table, he dipped a nod at the chair closest to her. “Have a seat.”

  As he disappeared back into the kitchen, Joy eyed the bowls and slowly sat. Butter chicken and salmon curry. Her two favorites. What was going on here?

  Mike reappeared and set down a bowl of rice and a plate of samosas, complete with dipping sauces, then sat across from her.

  All she could do was stare at the food. “You didn’t take the kids to India House for dinner, did you?”

  He chuckled. “I know better than to try that. I got them Taco Bell. Help yourself before it gets cold. Then I want you to tell me how the wedding’s coming together.”

  Joy gaped at him, wondering if this might be some sort of stress-induced hallucination. “Since when do you care about the wedding?”

  Spooning a large helping of rice onto his plate, he looked a little stricken. “I’ve always cared. Not enough to check out her Pinterest board or anything, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care.”

  “Huh.” Realizing now how hungry she really was, she started filling her plate as she spoke. “Actually, I’m surprised at how well things are g
oing. I was a little concerned about the wedding planner she hired.”

  “Concerned? Why?”

  Joy lifted a shoulder. “She’s not very experienced. She messed a lot of things up at first. Little things, but still. It made a ton of extra work for me. But lately, she’s seemed to be more on the ball. Everything’s falling into place.”

  He nodded, biting off a hunk of a samosa. “Weddings are always stressful.” He swallowed. “Remember at our wedding? That little boy you wanted to be the ring bearer pitched a screaming fit about…what was it about?”

  “His shoes.” She laughed. “I forgot about that. My friend Carly’s little boy Brandon. He was the cutest thing in the world, and I thought he’d be so adorable walking down the aisle in that tiny vest and tie. But Carly bought him his first pair of dress shoes and didn’t warn him that he couldn’t wear his sneakers.”

  “I remember the guys and I were standing there with the pastor waiting for all you women to start down the aisle.” Mike smirked. “And suddenly we hear this scream like someone was being murdered. “It actually echoed in the sanctuary.”

  Joy covered her face with her hands, laughing. “Oh, that’s awful. And poor Carly. It was too late for her to run downstairs and get his sneakers, so I told her to just let the kid go shoeless.”

  “Which was why he wound up sliding down the aisle like Wayne Gretzky.” Shaking his head, he took a bite of curry. “It was the highlight of the ceremony.”

  “I haven’t thought about that in ages.” Joy wiped a tear of laughter from her eye. “Carly was humiliated, but the rest of us thought it was hysterical.”

  A comfortable silence settled for a moment, as they continued to enjoy the food. It had been so long since Joy had let loose with a good laugh, and even longer since she’d been at ease around Mike. It felt good.

  She took another bite of the heavenly food and closed her eyes as she savored it. When she opened them again, Mike was looking at her, his face more serious now.

  “Joy…” He looked away for a moment, seeming to choose his words with care. “I want you to know how deeply sorry I am. For everything.”

  Swallowing, she nodded. “You told me that the other night.”

  He tipped his head to the side. “I said a few things, but not everything. I made a huge mistake. I’m such an idiot. But I’ve learned my lesson. I don’t want to be an idiot anymore.”

  “Okay.”

  Feeling the tension seep back into her body, she reached for a samosa, but he took the opportunity to grasp her hand. Startled, she lifted her eyes to meet his intent, sincere gaze.

  “And I don’t want to be without you anymore either. Joy…” His eyes glistened in the candlelight as he enveloped her hand in both of his. “I think we should get back together.”

  She stared at him, too stunned to speak. Had she heard him right? Get back together? Really?

  “Don’t answer now. Take some time to think about it.”

  He gave her hand a squeeze, then released it and ran a finger next to his eye. Was he actually crying?

  Her appetite having fled when her stomach leaped to her throat, she placed her hands in her lap. She had no idea how to take this sharp turn in what she’d thought was a straight path they were on.

  “I know this seems sudden.” Mike gulped, as if he might need a cup of humility to wash down that pride he seemed to be swallowing. “My counselor says we need to spend time together. Both as a couple and as a family. So I was thinking…” He paused, then continued. “I should go with you to the wedding.”

  Her mouth opened to protest, but all that came out was, “Oh…” There had to be a reason for her to say no, but right now she couldn’t think of what it might be.

  “You don’t have a date, do you?”

  “Well…no. But—”

  “Then it’s settled.” He let out a breath, like he’d been holding it. Then a smile took over his face. “This is kind of symbolic, don’t you think? I mean, weddings are romantic and represent a fresh start. You won’t be sorry, Joy. We’re going to be a family again.”

  Seeming content, he continued to eat, but all Joy could do was try not to hyperventilate. This was so unexpected. Could she ever trust him again?

  After the night she’d had—journaling till the wee hours about the men in her life, then barely sleeping a wink—Joy thought the day at work would never end. Now, as she drove to the yacht club, where she was meeting Victoria to drop off the final payment, she stifled a yawn. What she wouldn’t give to just go home, crawl into bed, and sleep until God decided to answer her questions.

  What was she supposed to do? Mike was the kids’ dad. If he meant what he said about wanting to fly right, didn’t she owe it to Charlie and Ty to give him that chance? And if enough time went by, maybe she’d start to trust, and even love him again. Wouldn’t that be the best outcome for all of them?

  But if that was the right answer, why couldn’t she stop thinking about Kyle?

  Kyle. The shock of discovering that he wasn’t the nice guy he’d pretended to be kept hitting her fresh. It didn’t help that now every time she looked at her journal, which she had come to depend on, it made her think of him. She scoffed. Since he was the one who gave her the book, it was probably fitting that his name seemed to dominate the pages. Whether she wanted him to or not, the guy just kept showing up in her conversations with God.

  As she entered the yacht club property, the sight of Christmas lights draping everything from the trees to the ship masts and brightening the early evening heartened her. Several people wearing festive cocktail partywear made their way toward the club. Victoria had reminded her that there would be a party going on here tonight, so it was no surprise that parking was limited.

  She saw Victoria’s car angle into a space over in a corner of the lot.

  After circling the lot twice and maneuvering her van into a space marked “compact,” Joy shimmied her way out and hurried over to the center walkway. Victoria greeted her with that glow that probably wouldn’t fade until sometime long after the wedding.

  “Hey, Vic.” Joy willed herself to sound cheerful, hoping her fatigue didn’t show on her face. “Did you get everything done today?”

  Bouncing on her toes, Victoria demonstrated that she clearly had enough energy for both of them. “We picked up the rings from the jeweler’s and Brian’s cousins from the airport.” She counted each item off on her fingers. “All that’s left is to pack up the boxes and bins we’re toting over here on Saturday. I’m counting on you and Shelby to help me with that tonight.”

  “I cleaned out my van so we’ll have plenty of room for hauling.”

  “Perfect.” Seeming distracted, Victoria scanned the street end of the parking lot. “I guess we can head on in…. Oh, wait. I think I see Wendy getting off that bus.”

  “Wendy’s meeting us? Why?” Joy saw the bus that Victoria had spotted a block away from where they stood, and Wendy’s distinctive form, carpet bag and all, stepping off of it. “Aren’t we just dropping off the check?”

  “Yeah, but she wants to be sure the venue has a copy of her list of delivery times for Saturday. She’s being very thorough.”

  “It seems like a lot of work to take a bus down here. Couldn’t she have just emailed it?”

  “I think it makes her feel good to do things in person. Like she’s being more involved. Come on.” She tipped her head and took a step toward the street. “We can meet her partway.”

  “Actually,”—Joy reached out to stop her—“I have to tell you something. I guess this is as good a time as any.”

  Victoria’s cheerfulness dimmed slightly. “What is it?”

  “There’s been a change of plans.” As much as Joy hated to burst even one bubble of her sister’s bridal effervescence, she had to tell her. “I’m not bringing Kyle to the wedding.”

  “Oh...” Victoria’s face wilted with disappointment. “Why not?”

  “It’s a long story.” Willing herself not to cry, she bat
ted her hand like it was no big deal and even managed a small smile. “I’ll tell you some other time.”

  “Okay. That’s too bad, Joy.” She reached for Joy’s hand and gave it a supportive squeeze, then glanced over her shoulder to check Wendy’s progress.

  “There’s more.” Joy bit her lip, working up her courage. “I’m going with Mike instead.”

  Victoria’s focus snapped back to Joy. Her eyes bulged and her mouth hung open, then she started to sputter. “Wha…you…” Suddenly, she dropped Joy’s hand and folded her arms. “You had better be joking.”

  “I’m not. I’m sorry. It’s just that…well…he’s been seeing a counselor.”

  “A counselor? Now?” Throwing her hands up, Victoria turned and started to walk away. “I don’t believe this.”

  “Please just hear me out.” Joy took a step to follow her, then stumbled back when Victoria reversed directions. “He says he wants to get back together.”

  Victoria stopped her pacing and stared, her face turning as red as the poinsettias lining the walkway. “Have you lost your memory? You’ve completely forgotten all the reasons you divorced him?”

  “Of course I haven’t forgotten. But he says he wants to change.”

  “Yeah, he says he wants to change. What he means is that he doesn’t want to see you get together with someone else.”

  Her words hit Joy like a splash of cold water to the face. “That’s not what this is about. He realized he made a mistake with Cyndi, and now he’s asking for another chance. And I have to think of the kids.”

  “I can’t believe this.” Folding her arms, Victoria shook her head. “You found a great guy, and you’re going to let Mike ruin that for you with his—”