He jumped out of bed and pulled a thermal Henley shirt over the T-shirt and sweatpants he had worn to bed. Then he walked out to the living room, hoping he hadn’t missed anything.
Julie sat on the couch in her blue bathrobe. Her long hair was mussed from sleep, and she looked tired but extremely pretty, he thought. She gave him a sleepy smile. “Merry Christmas, Jack.”
“Merry Christmas,” he said with a yawn. “What time is it?”
“You don’t want to know,” she assured him.
A few boxes were already open, but Kate was pulling more packages and boxes from under the tree and handing them out to Julie and Jack. Most of the gifts, though, were for her, from Santa.
“Look at what I got, Jack!” she said as she tore open a box containing a fluffy pink sweater. She put it on at once. “It’s pretty, isn’t it?” she asked, holding out one arm and admiring it.
“That it is,” Jack agreed, though he was trying hard not to laugh. She was already wearing a bike helmet, a charm bracelet, and a ballerina tutu over her pajamas. Kate, apparently, believed in wearing all her gifts immediately. And simultaneously.
“You look like a pink bunny rabbit,” her mother told her. “Lester would probably think you were one of his cousins.”
Kate looked pleased at this idea, but she was already into the next box. Jack oohed and aaahed with surprise at all her gifts from Santa, the ones he had bought and wrapped. He was content to give the big red guy the credit and simply bask in her happiness.
The very last package she found was Lester; Jack recognized the shape and wrapping. This gift tag he had signed with his own name. He watched intently as Kate tore off the paper. The expression on her face was priceless.
“Lester!” she said breathlessly. “He’s beautiful.” Kate hugged Lester to her chest. “I love him,” she told Jack.
Jack leaned over and hugged her. “I love you,” he said.
Kate slipped her arm around his neck and kissed his cheek. “I love you, too, Jack.”
He felt shocked by his admission and by Kate’s. He hadn’t meant at all for that to come out. He looked over at Julie. Her expression was unreadable, and she didn’t say a word.
Finally, it was time for the adults to open their gifts. “Open that one first,” he told Julie, pointing to a large box.
He felt nervous as he watched her begin to open the layers of tissue paper. “Now if this isn’t right for some reason, you can exchange it and get something you like,” he said.
“Oh my goodness . . . what a beautiful jacket.” She lifted out a dark red down jacket with fur trim on the hood. Her own jacket was old, Jack had noticed, and working with the trees and pine sap had ruined it.
“You think I’d exchange this?” She looked at him as if he had lost his mind. She got up and tried it on over her bathrobe, giving a little turn, like a runway model. “What do you think, guys?”
“You look pretty, Mommy,” Kate said.
“I’d never argue with that,” Jack agreed, meeting Julie’s gaze.
Julie just blushed, making her look even lovelier.
The rest of her gifts were less extravagant but chosen with care. A hat and glove set to match the jacket, a bottle of perfume that he knew she wore, and a box of art supplies. In the evenings, when Kate was asleep, Jack had often seen her sketching with charcoals. So he had gotten her a set of charcoal pencils but also rich, creamy pastels and a little metal traveling case of watercolor paints.
Julie looked at him in astonishment. “These watercolors and the pastels . . . Did you somehow read the wish list I never got around to writing?”
Jack shrugged awkwardly. “I just picked out what I thought you might like.”
She shook her head, laughing. “I’m beginning to think you really do have a direct line to Santa.”
She got up from her chair then walked over to where he sat. She leaned down and hugged him. “Thank you, Jack. I love my presents.”
Her cheek rested next to his for a moment and her soft hair trailed along his shoulder, enveloping him in her warmth and softness. Why couldn’t moments like this last, he wondered.
Julie straightened up, her eyes alight with anticipation. “Now it’s your turn to open presents,” she said.
Jack scratched his head as he stared at the pile of wrapped boxes at his feet. “I don’t even know where to start.”
Kate jumped up to advise him. “This one is from me. Open that,” she said.
He tore off the tissue paper and found a round cylinder-shaped object made of clay and painted in a colorful, messy design. “Wow! You made this? For me?”
Kate nodded, looking very proud. “You can put pencils in there. And pens.”
“I can see that,” Jack said quickly, though he had not guessed the object’s purpose. “I will put my pencils and pens in there. I’m going to keep it right in the kitchen, by the phone. Where everyone can see it,” he added. “That is really, really special. Thank you, Katie.”
Kate shrugged. She still wore her eclectic outfit, with the addition of puffy snow boots. “You’re welcome,” she said.
Jack opened a few more gifts from Kate, the little ones she had snuck under the tree—a small stuffed animal, a tiny baby doll, and a little book. Jack was very touched that she had chosen from her own possessions.
“Wow, Katie . . . I love all these toys you gave me.” He picked up a little stuffed tiger and patted its head. “Are you sure you want me to keep them all? You won’t miss anything?”
Kate stared at the toys a minute. He thought she was going to change her mind, but she shook her head. “I won’t miss them. They’re all for you. You don’t have any toys and I have a lot now, from Santa.”
Jack glanced at Julie. He couldn’t help smiling. He tilted his head. “Well . . . that’s true. But thanks anyway.”
The next gift he opened was from Julie, a pair of new work gloves, the expensive, heavy leather kind. “Julie, these are great.” He slipped them on and admired his big hands. “They’re exactly the right size. Do you really think I need them?” he teased her.
“Your old pair is held together with duct tape,” she reminded him. “Maybe they can be retired—to the Work Glove Hall of Fame or something?”
“Maybe,” he agreed, trying to keep a straight face. He reached for his next package, a medium-sized box. First, he was sure it was clothing. But as he opened it he realized he couldn’t quite guess what was inside. He pushed back the tissue paper to find a picture in a frame. It was a sketch of him and Kate, sitting together on the couch, reading a Lester book. The drawing was so finely detailed that he could even make out Lester’s whiskers on the book’s cover. And Kate . . . Kate somehow looked even more real than she would in a photograph. Julie had caught the shine in her hair, the softness of her skin.
Jack’s throat felt thick. He couldn’t speak. He took the picture out for Kate to see, too. “Look at that,” he said quietly. “Your mom’s a real artist. That looks just like you, Katie.”
“That looks like you, too, Jack,” Kate said.
“So it does.” His eyes met Julie’s. “This is amazing.”
She scooped up a few of the discarded ribbons and began to untangle them. “It’s just a sketch, Jack. But I’m glad you like it.”
“I love it. It’s really . . . beautiful.” It was beautiful, preserving a perfect moment in his life. He wondered though if he would be able to keep it out once they went away. Looking at it might simply be too painful.
He sighed. “Well, I don’t know how you did that. But thank you. That’s about the nicest gift you could have given me.”
“You’re very welcome,” Julie said softly. Her dark eyes seemed serious for a moment, as if there were something she was trying to tell him. Then her expression brightened as she handed him another box. “But you’re not done yet. You have a few more boxes to open.”
Jack winked at Kate. “I can’t believe all the great stuff I was missing when Santa didn’t stop here. It’s
a good thing he finally found me.”
He opened the box, which held a sweater, and another box, which contained a matching shirt. The sweater was finely knit, the dark blue color she said looked good on him. The shirt was stylish, a blue-gray he never would have chosen for himself. Then again, if Julie told him he looked good in leopard print, he would probably wear that to please her.
She looked apprehensive, watching him examine the clothes. “Are they all right?” she asked doubtfully.
“This all looks great,” he told her. “You have terrific taste, Julie. Maybe you should pick out a whole new wardrobe for me.”
She smiled again. “Oh, I think you have your own style. I wouldn’t want to change that.”
He grinned at her. “I do like the shirt and sweater. Maybe I’ll wear them today.”
Julie rose and began picking up the scraps of wrapping paper. “We have some special things for breakfast that Kate and I baked. Date-nut loaf and cinnamon bread.”
“How about some of those chocolate chip cookies?” Jack asked brightly. He got up and began to pick up paper and boxes, too. “They were good. I mean they looked really good. Santa got to eat a whole plate last night.”
“Mom doesn’t let me have cookies for breakfast,” Kate said wistfully.
“Well, it is Christmas.” Jack glanced down at her and winked. “I don’t think once a year would hurt you.”
“I suppose not,” Julie agreed. “Which reminds me, Kate and I are going to church this morning. . . . It’s going to be a very nice service with lots of music. Would you like to come with us?”
Julie kept picking up the wrapping paper. She didn’t even glance at him. Perhaps she was being considerate, not wanting him to feel put on the spot. Inviting someone to church could be a touchy question.
Jack put the lid back on his sweater box and took a breath. “Sure. I’ll come. Why not?”
“Once a year won’t hurt you, Jack,” Kate said, echoing his own words.
Jack stared at her then laughed. He could not remember having had a Christmas morning like this in a very, very long time.
JACK PULLED UP TO THE CHURCH ON THE GREEN, SHOCKED TO FIND the parking lot full and all the spaces nearby lined with cars. Did this many people really go out on a cold Christmas morning to attend church?
Of course it was Christmas. Everyone goes to church today, he reminded himself. Even me.
Once inside the church, they made their way through the crowded foyer. They were a few minutes early and many people were still milling around, exchanging holiday greetings and catching up on news.
“Hello, Jack. Merry Christmas.” Lucy Bates and her family were just behind them. Lucy smiled at Julie. “Hello, Julie,” she added. “Is this your little girl?”
“Yes, this is Kate. This is Lucy, Katie. Say hello.”
Kate politely said hello but suddenly seemed shy. Jack was not used to seeing her like that anymore and gently smiled. With her mother’s permission, she had brought along Lester and now hugged the toy rabbit close, as if it would protect her from strangers.
“Oh, she’s so cute,” Lucy said. “You have a great Christmas,” she added, moving along with her family again.
Jack touched Julie’s arm, trying to steer her toward the entrance to the sanctuary. He noticed the Morgan family coming in with their two boys. Jessica Morgan suddenly stood right near him as she helped her younger son take off his jacket. “Oh, Jack . . . how are you?” He could tell by the way she stared that she hadn’t recognized him for a moment without his beard and long hair.
“I’m fine. Couldn’t be better,” he said honestly. “It was awful about your house. I was so sorry to hear that.”
“Yes, it was an awful situation for us,” Jessica admitted. “But we’re doing better now. Things are coming along,” she said with a hopeful note. “Thanks for the Christmas tree. That was very nice of you.”
“Oh, that was nothing. When you get set up in a new place, you let me know. I’ll help you with the landscaping, okay?” he offered.
He wasn’t sure where that generous offer had come from. It had just popped out. But once he said it, he was glad. Jessica looked so pleased.
“Thank you, Jack. I’ll remember that.”
Julie had been helping Kate get her coat off, and now returned. “Merry Christmas, Jessica,” Julie greeted her.
“Merry Christmas, Julie.” She gave Julie a quick hug then left to join her family.
Jack stood aside, suddenly realizing Julie had been coming to church these past few weeks and already knew people here. Perhaps as many, or more, than he did.
They followed the crowd slowly moving into the sanctuary. Jack looked around at all the decorations, garlands of pine and long white looping scarves of sheer fabric, red and white poinsettias around the altar, and many white candles.
Tucker Tulley, whom Jack knew better as a police officer than as a church deacon, handed them programs. “Good to see you, Jack,” Tucker said. “Merry Christmas, Julie,” he added. “Merry Christmas, Kate.”
So, she knew Tucker, too. Jack smiled at Julie and let her walk ahead. So many people here seemed to know her, and like her. She was just that type, the kind who made friends quickly. She had that same gift of being easy with people that Claire had.
He spotted three seats on the left side of the center aisle, a few rows from the back, and gently steered her in that direction.
“Julie! Merry Christmas, dear . . .” Sophie Potter sprang up from her seat on the aisle and greeted Julie warmly. “I have a little something for Katie,” she said, pulling a small package out of her big handbag.
“Sophie, you didn’t have to do that.”
“Oh, it’s just a little something. Some mittens I made for her and a chocolate Santa Claus. Here you go, sweetheart. Now don’t eat that in church. Save it for later, okay?”
Katie nodded. “Thank you,” she said politely.
“Did you ever meet my granddaughter, Miranda?” Sophie turned to a young woman who sat next to her in the pew. “And this is her husband, Jeff. They just got married this summer. They’re living in Boston now, but they came back to visit for the holiday.”
The Potters were a large family, Jack remembered, though it was only Sophie and her oldest daughter left in the area now. Jack had heard that last winter a young man who had lost his memory had been found on the Potter orchard, and that Sophie and her granddaughter Miranda had taken him in. The story had been in the local newspapers, but it had taken weeks before someone who knew him appeared. Jack had seen that part on the TV news—an ex-fiancée or someone had shown up to claim him.
After that, though, Jeff had obviously come back for Miranda. Jack, who had been out of the town gossip loop, didn’t know that part of the story. But now they were married. There was a happy ending for you. Was that pure luck? Jack wondered. Or was there some way you could make the impossible happen?
Music started. The introit. The service would soon begin.
“Well, I won’t keep you. You’d better get your seats,” Sophie said.
They moved along, but the space Jack had spotted was now gone. He looked around for another opening. Practically all the seats were filled.
Tucker came by, aware of their dilemma. “There are some seats up front, folks. Follow me.” He led them to a front row and stood by as they made their way in.
Jack suddenly felt self-conscious, following Julie and Kate to the empty seats. The Warwick family sat nearby. Everyone knew Emily Warwick and her husband, Dan Forbes, their daughter Jane sitting between them. Emily’s grown daughter, Sara, and her husband, Luke, sat alongside Emily, and the Morgan family sat just behind them. Presiding over the entire clan, in a huge fur coat and pearls, sat Lillian Warwick. The old woman turned her head slowly and stared at him, unsmiling. Then she looked at Julie and Kate and turned away again, her expression tight and disapproving.
Jack’s good mood vanished. He didn’t know why Lillian Warwick’s look had gotten under his skin.
It was silly, but he suddenly felt as if everyone was looking at him and not in a welcoming way. He felt as if the entire congregation, who had known his wife, Claire, so well, worked with her on committees, known her as a friend and active member of this church, was noticing that he was here with another woman.
He felt . . . guilty. He tried to brush the feeling aside. The day had started on such a bright note, and it would be his last day with Julie and Kate. He didn’t want to ruin it. Perhaps coming to church wasn’t such a good idea after all.
The choir walked in down the center aisle, singing “Joy to the World!” Reverend Ben Lewis followed in his flowing robes, his head bowed. The congregation rose. Jack felt a strange stirring in his heart. The bright voices and music moved him, though he wasn’t sure why.
“Welcome, everyone. Merry Christmas. And a special welcome to all our visitors today,” Reverend Ben began. He quickly reviewed some church announcements then looked up again.
“Now let us clear our minds and open our hearts to receive God’s word. Today is a very special day, a celebration of the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. A blessed miracle. Let us lift up our hearts and rejoice. . . .”
The choir began another hymn, “Come All Ye Faithful.”
Everyone stood, so Jack did as well. Unprepared, he grabbed a hymnal and fumbled to find the page. Julie, standing next to him, gently touched his arm and held out her book. He leaned his head close to hers and started to sing, catching up with the lyrics where her finger marked the place. Her nearness was distracting, but he forced himself to concentrate.
She turned a bit and smiled up at him. He felt himself glowing inside. He could sing all morning standing next to her like this.
After the hymn Reverend Ben led the congregation in an opening prayer. When it was time for the Gospel reading, an older woman rose and walked up to the pulpit. She wore what Jack thought of as a thrift-shop outfit—a long blue cardigan sweater with a white blouse underneath and a Christmas brooch on the shoulder. Her loose gray skirt came down just below her knees, revealing black tights and thermal snow boots. Her straight brown hair was streaked with gray and held back at the sides with bobby pins.
A Christmas Star Page 23
