Love Inspired December 2013 - Bundle 2 of 2: Cozy ChristmasHer Holiday HeroJingle Bell Romance

by Valerie Hansen

  “That’s what he told me when I asked him to come to my place, so I suppose he’s made up his mind. At least let’s hope so.”

  “Then I’ll wait and give him space,” Whitney said, relieved to have learned that all was not lost.

  “Maybe that is for the best, although there’s nothing wrong with the whole, unvarnished truth, as I always say.”

  “Feel free to add me to your prayer list,” Whitney said, bestowing a wistful smile on her companion. “And thanks for the good advice.”

  “It’s only good if someone takes it,” Coraline quipped. “If I don’t have another chance to tell you, have a blessed Christmas.”

  “I will,” Whitney said, getting to her feet and scooping up the tote. “You, too. Enjoy having your family home for the holidays.” She winked before starting for the door. “And have fun with Mr. Randall.”

  “Please keep that information to yourself,” Coraline cautioned. “We’re not quite ready to announce anything.”

  “Wow, it’s that serious?” Whitney gave her old friend a high five. “You go, girl!”

  Coraline giggled. “Funny you should call me that. I feel younger since Robert and I started seeing each other than I have in many years.”

  “And I feel like Methuselah since I got interested in Josh,” Whitney joked. “Only not half as smart as I should be at that age.”

  “Speaking of things biblical, are you going to the Bethlehem program at the church? Robert and I are. I really feel for those young actors, sitting out in this cold at night, and I want to show my support.”

  “I hadn’t thought about it.”

  “Well, do. And why not ask Josh if he wants to go with you?”

  Whitney’s grin was widening. “Casually, of course.”

  “Of course.” Coraline lifted a hand to wave. “Goodbye, dear. God bless you.”

  It was comforting to hear that blessing bestowed, particularly by an old friend. The principal could not be that bold with the current students, of course, but she managed to convey the same sense of caring and affection even when she didn’t mention the Lord. It was in her expression and the way she related to everyone, even the smallest children.

  Or the constantly misbehaving ones, Whitney thought, recalling her youth and how she had often wondered why Coraline was so kind to even the worst rule-breakers.

  Now that she was older and had grown in her Christian faith she understood, of course. Miss Coraline was simply seeing the wounded souls beneath the rough exteriors and ministering to those rather than making snap judgments.

  “That’s what I should do in regard to Josh, too,” Whitney told herself, chastened.

  She glanced at the laptop lying beside her on the seat of her car as she started for home. Before she had driven half a block she had decided to stop at the Cozy Cup and ask Josh to take her to the Christmas pageant—before she changed her mind or lost her nerve.

  The urge to see him again was what drove her. She knew that. But as long as he didn’t catch on, all would be well.

  She began to grin. “Besides, if he balks I can just tell him it was Coraline’s idea.”

  *

  Thankful that he’d had plenty of customers to serve as a distraction, Josh managed to keep functioning without being too angry with himself. What a bonehead move. He should never have kissed Whitney. What in the world had he been thinking?

  “I wasn’t thinking. That was the problem,” he muttered.

  The bells the florist had attached to his door wreath tinkled musically. Josh wiped his hand on his apron as he looked up. Her! Again. Was she trying to drive him crazy?

  Remaining nonchalant he nodded in greeting. “Coffee?”

  “Sure. Mocha, please.”

  Acting automatically, he slid a stainless steel pitcher beneath the frothing wand and turned it on while he prepared the chocolate flavor to add to the dark brown espresso trickling out of the machine.

  When he turned around, Whitney was standing on the opposite side of the counter, a mere three feet away.

  He set the mug in front of her and accepted the payment she offered, taking care to give her the proper change. “Still cold out?”

  “Like Kansas in December,” Whitney quipped. “And speaking of freezing weather, I wondered if you’d like to accompany me to the outdoor pageant at the community church tonight? The drama club is only going to present it a few times and we should all support them.”

  “I agree,” Josh said, carefully wiping his already dry hands to give himself something to do. “Unfortunately, I’ve promised to help Matt tonight.”

  “Really? What’s he up to?”

  “Some of the kids and adults who worked on the home refurbishing project in the fall are going to go around stringing up Christmas lights on those same houses. Matt rooked me into helping.”

  “What a wonderful idea!”

  “I thought so. Sorry I can’t go to the church program with you.”

  He almost choked when Whitney smiled sweetly and said, “Not a problem. The drama is being presented one more night this week and twice next week. There’s plenty of time to go. I just suggested tonight because that was when I planned to see it.”

  “Have a good time.”

  “Oh, I will. Next week. I can’t believe Matt didn’t ask me to string lights with his group. I helped on the painting and repair the same way you did.”

  “How well I remember.” Josh made a face at her.

  “Hey, it wasn’t my fault. That ladder was rickety or something.”

  “Or something.” He ran his hand over his dark auburn hair. “I didn’t think I’d ever get all that white paint off me. It was even in my ears.”

  “If you’d been on your toes you’d have caught the paint can before it tipped over,” she taunted.

  “I was more concerned with keeping you from falling off that ladder. And you painted me from head to toe for my efforts.” He couldn’t help but smile remembering that day in September.

  She laughed lightly. “At least there was no lasting harm done. Except maybe to your pride.”

  He watched her take a slow sip of her hot drink, then set it down. Her eyes widened. If she had been a cartoon character, a light bulb would have appeared above her head.

  “I just had a great idea,” Whitney told him.

  Josh was not pleased. When it came to her ideas they too often included him, particularly of late.

  Waiting for the trap to spring, the shoe to drop, the jack-in-the-box to pop up, Josh focused on her face. There was a glint in her eyes that did not bode well for him, and her soft lips were starting to lift in one of those hundred-watt smiles he’d gotten so used to seeing.

  “Since I can catch the pageant next week there’s no problem. I can help Matt tonight, too.”

  What could Josh say? I don’t want you there because I want you there too much? Too bad his chaotic emotions could not be defragged and rebooted like a computer system.

  Whitney laughed. “I wish you could see the look on your face. A person would think I’d just suggested we go rob a bank. It’s community service. I do stuff like that all the time. Anybody in Bygones who’s physically able would volunteer to do the same thing and you know it.”

  “Who are you trying to convince, me or yourself?”

  She laughed again, softer this time. “You. I’m not trying to ruin your evening,” Whitney vowed. “I’m just following up on a project we both worked on before. Isn’t that why you told Matt you’d do it?”

  “Of course it is.”

  “Well, then, you should be happy to have another set of hands participating. The more folks we have stringing lights, the faster we’ll be done and in out of the cold.”

  “True. I’ve already invited everyone to gather here afterward to warm up and have a hot drink.” He hesitated, then did the right thing. “You’re welcome, too, of course.”

  “Thanks. Where are we meeting to begin?”

  “At The Everything at six-thirty. Elwood and V
elma have the lights for us, thanks to Miss Ann, and they promised slices of pizza as an incentive to show up. I figure that will bring lots of Matt’s friends.”

  “Works for me, too.” Whitney drained her cup and licked a bit of froth from her upper lip.

  Josh felt his insides quaking as badly as if she’d leaped into his arms and planted a kiss smack in the middle of his mouth. Did she have any idea how her simplest actions were beginning to affect him? He doubted it. Whitney wasn’t the type of woman to tease a man. She was simply being herself, with all her idiosyncrasies and the open innocence and gullibility of a newborn babe.

  That was a big part of his dilemma. If he brought it to her attention and asked her to stop, she’d know how much she was affecting him. And then what?

  Josh sighed. Then, if she chose, she could become an even bigger problem, one he wasn’t certain he could handle without making a fool of himself.

  He already felt like one. Unbalanced when he was usually the voice of calm. Unsure when he was normally the man his employees sought out when they needed answers. Wavering in his decisions, his purpose, merely because of the influence of a pretty woman.

  Well, that couldn’t be helped. Not immediately, anyway. If he took one day at a time, a single encounter was not going to be enough to unhinge him.

  At least he sincerely hoped it was not. He had graduated magna cum laude, winning academic honors greater than many other talented students. He had faced corporate bosses intent on taking over his business and had bested them. He had met foes in court over patents and had won in that arena, as well.

  He was a winner. Always had been and always would be, God willing. So why was one special woman sending all his stability and self-assuredness out the window?

  Because I care too much, Josh admitted ruefully. I care way, way too much.

  Chapter Eleven

  Whitney was so excited about the upcoming community project she arrived at The Everything a half hour early and decided to gas up her car there to kill time, then park it out of the way.

  Going inside to pay for her fuel, she discovered that she wasn’t the only one eager for pizza and good company. The Dills, Elwood and Velma, were there, of course, since they owned and ran the place. Both were in their mid-fifties, as far as Whitney could tell, considering Elwood’s full, gray beard. The long-haired couple were self-styled hippies, showing enough tattoos to complete the image. In Velma’s case, her excess weight made the one on her arm seem a trifle distorted and Whitney hated to imagine the inked images that might be hidden beneath the loose T-shirt and jeans currently covered by the woman’s apron.

  Matt and some teenage girls were standing off to one side. Most of the girls were busy texting on smartphones while one shared a paper plate of food with Matt and giggled every few seconds. Even Rory Liston had shown up, although since his arrest and community service sentence for vandalism, the teen had spent most of his time working to rehabilitate stray dogs at the animal shelter.

  Lily and Tate Bronson had brought red-haired, eight-year-old Isabella, who was so enthusiastic she was practically jumping up and down. Seated with them were Melissa and Brian, from the Sweet Dreams Bakery.

  Whitney smiled at Lily and nodded toward the little girl. “Looks like one of us is raring to go.”

  “Absolutely,” the new stepmother replied. “I wish I had half her energy.”

  “Me, too.”

  Before Whitney had a chance to work her way to the counter she heard a bell tinkle. Patrick Fogerty was holding the door open for petite Gracie Wilson, his employee and fiancée. Gracie was gazing up at him as if he were the most amazing man in the entire world, which to her, he probably was.

  In Whitney’s opinion, however, no other guy even began to rival Josh Smith. Not in looks, or intellect, or sheer attractiveness, and that was only the beginning. If Josh changed his mind and didn’t show up tonight she would still participate, but it wasn’t going to be nearly as much fun without him.

  Allison True, from the bookstore, was ahead of Whitney in line. “I’d like two slices, please,” Allison said. “Sam’s running a little late. He had to drop the twins at the babysitter’s.”

  Whitney smiled. “It is pretty cold out there for toddlers. I’m surprised Tate brought Isabella.”

  “She’s probably old enough to help,” Allison said. “Keeping track of three-year-olds in the dark would be like trying to herd feral cats.” She laughed lightly. “Particularly those two kids. What one doesn’t think of, the other does. Rosie is usually pretty good but once Nicky gets her going it’s every man for himself.”

  “Well, I think you’re doing a wonderful job stepping into their mother’s shoes. They needed stability,” Whitney told her.

  “Thanks.” The slim, brown-haired young woman accepted her food and carried it aside to wait for her fiancé.

  Whitney stepped up. “Hi, Velma. It’s really sweet of you to offer to do this. Are you coming along when we go out to decorate?”

  “’Fraid not. Can’t leave when we’re busy, which is most of the time now that Bygones is gettin’ back on its feet.” Her grin accented the puffy wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. “It’s sure good to see.”

  “Very true.” Whitney pointed to a glass-shielded warmer. “How about a slice of that pepperoni one? Do you have plenty?”

  “Elwood’s bakin’ more right now. We’re good.”

  “In that case, I’ll take that kind. Are you sure I can’t pay you for it?”

  “Nope. It’s on the house for anybody who’s going out to decorate those old houses. It’s gonna be such a blessing for those poor folks who can’t do for themselves. Just like the repairs and painting were.”

  “I agree. Can I at least buy a soda?”

  “Sure. Help yourself. Just tell Elwood what you took.”

  Whitney was balancing an enormous fountain drink and the paper plate of hot pizza when she heard the door again. Her heart stopped. So did her feet, and someone bumped into her from behind, causing her to stagger and nearly drop everything.

  In an instant Josh was there. Steadying her, he took the soda in one hand, her elbow in the other, and guided her to the nearest table.

  All Whitney could manage was a simple, “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome. Are you through wandering around or should I stay close by, just in case?”

  She made a silly face. “I’m done. And that stumble was not my fault. Somebody pushed me.”

  “Right. Sit there and don’t budge. I’ll be back.”

  “I was on my way to pay Elwood for my soda.”

  “I’ll take care of it. I’m sure he’d rather not have to mop the floor with this crowd milling around.”

  Although Josh had a valid point, Whitney still felt obligated to pay for her own drink. After all, the food had been free and Josh had often treated her to coffee or cocoa at his place. If she wasn’t careful he was liable to think she made a habit of mooching.

  She started to rise as she looked to see where he was. Not only was he staring at her, he scowled and pointed to her chair, mouthing, “Sit.”

  Whitney plopped back down. Laughter from behind caught her attention. She swiveled to see Chase Rollins. Vivian Duncan was with him and the chuckles were coming from her.

  “Sorry,” Vivian said with a smile. “I couldn’t help it. You responded faster than the strays I’ve been training at the animal shelter.”

  Blushing, Whitney had to agree. “I suppose I should complain, but Josh just kept me from dumping my soda all over the floor so I guess I owe him one.”

  “I guess so. Are you going out with us to string lights tonight?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Good. The more the merrier.” Vivian lowered her voice and eyed the Cozy Cup owner in the distance. “How long have you and Josh been a couple? This is the first I’ve heard of it. Are you holding out on me?”

  The warmth in her cheeks increased until Whitney figured she was probably as bright red as a Santa costu
me. “We’re not a couple. We’re just…I’m not sure what we are. Circumstances keep throwing us together.”

  “I’d call that a God-incidence, not a coincidence,” Vivian said. “After all, look what happened to me.” She held out her left hand to gaze fondly at her new engagement ring. “I never thought I’d be a wife, let alone a mother, and all of a sudden the Lord sent me a baby to adopt.”

  “How is Theo?”

  “Wonderful.” Her expression softened. So did her voice. “He’s a beautiful baby. So good and sweet.” She glanced sidelong at Chase. “Just as wonderful as his future daddy.”

  “I’m happy for you,” Whitney said honestly.

  “You ought to try settling down. Love has changed my whole outlook on life.”

  “Because you’ve found the right man.”

  “Are you saying you haven’t?” Once again she looked in Josh’s direction. “Are you sure about that?”

  Whitney shook her head. “I wish I knew. I really wish I knew.”

  *

  The main part of the group left The Everything on foot since most of the houses they were planning to decorate were located close to downtown.

  A few men, including Josh, toted stepladders. The brawniest teens brought the boxes of garlands and twinkle lights.

  What surprised Josh most was the party atmosphere. Everybody seemed to be in high spirits, enough so that the mood was contagious. He had only agreed to participate because he wanted to support Matt’s endeavors, particularly since the boy’s widowed father was off being a missionary and the poor kid had been left with his grandparents.

  Pastor and Mrs. Garman were nice people, they were simply from another generation. Besides, even though Josh had been an adult when his father had died, he still understood what it felt like to have only one parent. His mother, Susanna, had done her best, Josh knew, yet the emotional chasm between him and his late father had always made life difficult. And lonely.

  Even now, trudging along in the slushy snow in the midst of an amiable group such as this one, he felt isolated. Cut off. Perhaps that was his own fault for not taking others fully into his confidence. Patrick and Chase had both been very friendly in the months since they’d all arrived in Bygones. Josh could have let them into his private life if he’d wanted to. But he had not.