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

by Valerie Hansen

  Pink tinted her cheeks. She lowered her eyelids, veiling her expression. “If you can be patient, I will. I got hit with a baseball when I was a kid and can’t say that I’m very good at putting myself in the way of one. My first instinct is to run from it.”

  Laughter welled up in Jake, and its release felt good. Even better, Josh and Emma joined in.

  “Josh, you need to go wash your hands. Then please get the salad and dressing out of the refrigerator and set the table with the paper goods I brought.”

  When the boy disappeared inside, Jake used the wooden railing to hoist himself to his feet and faced Emma at the top of the steps. “We had a good conversation. He wasn’t very happy with me at first, but he listened to my explanation.”

  “I’m so glad you volunteered to help. You should see me throwing a ball. Not a pretty picture. I have never been athletic. Actually, as you heard, I’m pretty much a wimp.”

  “A cute one.”

  Her blush deepened. She looked down for a few seconds before lifting her head. “Are you sure you want to do this? I know a lot is going on in your life and I don’t want to add—”

  “Stop right there. I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t mean it. Josh reminds me of when I was young. When I struggled with bullies, I had a father to help me. Josh doesn’t.” When Shep planted himself next to him, he stroked the dog’s head as though he’d been doing it for a long time.

  “How are you and Shep getting along?”

  “Fine.”

  “He can stay the night if you like.”

  “You’re one determined lady. I don’t have anything for a dog.”

  “I’ve fed him already today. I could come pick him up tomorrow morning before going to church. It would give you a chance to bond with him without doing the day-to-day care. Then if you want to try longer, I can help you get what you need and show you how to work with Shep.”

  “Ben warned me about you. You did the same thing to him.” Jake mounted the steps. “You do know that Josh is attached to Shep?”

  “Yes. He’s that way with every dog I bring home to train.”

  “He needs his own dog. I saw that earlier when we were talking about being bullied.”

  “He talked to you about that?”

  “Yes, after I told him what happened to me. Maybe Shep should stay with you and Josh.”

  “No, I’m bringing home a new dog that would fit Josh better. I’ve seen him with Buttons at Caring Canines. She responds with him already. I could involve him in Buttons’s training.”

  Leaning on his cane, Jake opened the back door, and Emma went inside ahead of him. The aroma from the dinner reheating filled his kitchen and enticed his taste buds. He hadn’t been eating as well as he should, but this evening he planned on having a second helping, and he hadn’t tasted the dish yet. But anything that smelled this good had to be delicious.

  “Take a seat, guys. I’ll get the casserole out of the oven, and then we’re ready to eat.”

  Both Josh and Jake washed their hands, then Josh sat while Jake remained standing and waited until Emma had placed the casserole on a trivet in the center of the table. He pulled out a chair for her. She flashed him a surprised look but eased down onto it. Then he took his seat.

  “Do you mind if we pray?” Emma asked, reaching across the table to take Josh’s hand, then offering hers to Jake.

  He clasped it, and the feel of her small one surrounded by his larger grasp seemed so right to him. Astounded by that sensation, he almost released it.

  But Emma bowed her head and said a prayer over the food, concluding with, “Please, Lord, put a wall of protection around Josh and Jake. Amen.” She squeezed his hand then let it go.

  Stunned, Jake couldn’t think of anything to say. To be included in the prayer with her son spoke of her depth of caring. The gesture touched his heart as nothing else had in months. Somehow he would return her kindness by aiding Josh with his problem.

  Chapter Five

  Later, in Jake’s living room, Emma sat on one end of the couch while Josh curled up at the other and fell asleep. After dinner he had asked Jake to show him a self-defense move, and they had practiced while Emma and Shep watched. Jake demonstrated how Josh could use his arms to form a triangle to block certain punches. Josh had wanted to go over the move again and again until finally Emma called a halt.

  Fatigue lined Jake’s face, and yet he stayed right there trying to help her son. She didn’t like the idea of Josh fighting, but she understood he needed to defend himself, especially when she remembered her child’s injuries. The cuts and bruises were healing, but Josh’s self-esteem was damaged.

  “Thank you for working with Josh. I hope he never has to use any of those moves, but at least he knows them.” Emma had wanted to smooth the tired lines from Jake’s face, but instead she curled her hands at her sides.

  “He’ll need to practice them until they become second nature.”

  She winced. “He’s eleven. This isn’t something he should have to know.”

  “Like you, I hope he doesn’t have to use them. I know how to snap a man’s neck and kill him, but that doesn’t mean I ever want to use that skill. If someone were trying to kill me, though, I’d protect myself. Those boys could have done a lot worse damage to Josh. They could have injured his eye, broken his nose, caused a concussion just to name a few things.”

  Emma’s stomach knotted. “I get it. You don’t have to convince me. But isn’t there a peaceful way to take care of this problem?” Was that too much to ask a warrior?

  “When people decide they aren’t going to tolerate bullying, then yes. When others stand up and say no, that makes a difference. No tolerance is the best policy, but it takes a majority of people pitching in to make that work.”

  “Maybe I can get other mothers to help fight the bullying.”

  “There are probably organizations out there. Check and see what they’re doing.”

  “I will. I’ll do an internet search when I get home.” She rose and stretched her stiff muscles. It had been a long, tiring week. “So what have you decided about keeping Shep overnight?”

  Shep lay at Jake’s feet. The dog’s ears perked forward, and he sat up. Jake patted Shep then ran his fingers through the German shepherd’s fur. “I’d like to give it a try.” Standing, he gripped his cane. “Where does he usually sleep?”

  “In his crate. I didn’t want him to get too used to sleeping somewhere special in my house since he wouldn’t be there long.”

  “Should I have the crate, then?”

  “Try without it. You can fix up a bed with a blanket on the floor. I’d suggest in your bedroom. That’ll strengthen your bond. If there’s a problem, give me a call—anytime.”

  As they talked, Emma realized they kept stepping closer to each other. To her surprise, she wanted to touch him, reassure him this would work. Still, she kept her arms by her sides. “Okay?”

  “I can’t ask Josh to help himself if I won’t at least give this a try. He’s a smart kid. He’ll figure that out. I’ll be fine.”

  “I know you will. Shep’s a good service dog. When I’ve had a particularly bad day, he’s sensed that and is right next to me, rubbing against my leg or nudging my hand to pet him.”

  “That’s a good reason for Josh to have one. As I said before, I don’t want to take anything away from your son.”

  Without thinking, she started to place two fingers against his lips but stopped herself inches away from him. “Not another word.” The feel of his breath against her fingertips tickled, and she dropped her arm back to her side. “I’ll involve Josh in the new dog’s training, and if Josh wants to keep her, we will.”

  Jake’s eyes shone as they roamed over her facial features. “You have your hands full working two jobs. Do you have to work so hard?”

  “I’m still paying off my husband’s medical bills. The hospital is patient, but I want the debt paid off this year. Then I might be able to cut my hours at Harris Animal Hospital
and devote more time to training. The demand for service and therapy dogs is growing.”

  He lifted his hands but dropped them back to his sides, a hesitance entering his expression. “It sounds like you need to relax.”

  She attempted a smile. “I watched my parents struggle with debt, and it nearly destroyed their marriage. I worked hard never to have any until Sam went into the hospital. Then it was like the floor fell from beneath me. My life changed in an instant.”

  He stepped back. “I know that feeling firsthand.”

  “I know there are no guarantees in life, but it seems I take one step forward, then two back.” In his eyes she saw a reflection of her concerns. He was going through the same thing for different reasons. In that moment she experienced a kinship with him she hadn’t felt with anyone but her husband. The realization left her speechless.

  Sounds of her son waking up propelled her back a few paces. When she turned toward him on the couch, he opened his eyes slowly and looked from her to Jake.

  “What did I miss?” Sleepiness coated his words.

  “Not much, kiddo,” said Jake. “I’ve agreed to take Shep tonight and see how it works.”

  For a fleeting moment, a frown skittered across Josh’s face.

  “This way we can concentrate on making Buttons feel at home her first night at our house,” Emma said, glad to see Josh looking more relaxed. “I was thinking of letting her stay in your room at night if you think that’s okay.”

  He perked up and scooted to a sitting position. “Sure. She’ll probably be lonely without the other dogs at Caring Canines.”

  “That’s what I was thinking.”

  Josh rubbed his eyes then peered at Jake. “Can I come visit Shep sometime?”

  “Yes. Don’t forget we’ll be working on your baseball skills and self-defense. There’ll be plenty of time for you to see Shep.”

  The boy grinned. “Yeah, right.” He hopped to his feet, started for the foyer but paused a moment to pat Shep and say goodbye, then continued his trek toward the front door.

  Emma laughed. “I guess we’re leaving.” She turned to follow Josh. “Call if you need me.”

  “Okay.” He waited until Josh went onto the porch, then lowered his voice. “I hope your conversation with Carson’s mother goes well tomorrow.”

  For a short time tonight she’d forgotten what she needed to do. She prayed Sandy would be receptive. It wasn’t a conversation she was looking forward to. “Can I ask you a favor?”

  One of his eyebrows rose. “Yes, you can ask, but I won’t guarantee I’ll do it.” One side of his mouth turned up.

  “I have an idea. I’d like to drop Josh off at two then go see Sandy at her house where it’s more private. I don’t think it’ll take long. But if you’d rather not watch Josh, just say so. I’ll understand.”

  Jake glanced over her shoulder at the boy. “No problem. We can practice the moves he learned today.”

  The urge to hug Jake swamped her. Instead, she murmured, “Thanks,” then scratched Shep behind his ears and left. Josh knelt next to Shep and rubbed his hand down the length of his back. “Goodbye, boy.”

  As her son descended the porch steps, he said, “You know, Mr. Tanner isn’t so bad. I’m not mad at him anymore for showing you those guys’ pictures. I’ve been thinking. If Dad had been alive, I’d probably have told him who they were. He’d have understood.”

  “And you don’t think I would?”

  “You’re a girl. Girls freak out about fighting.”

  She stopped on the sidewalk, blocking her son’s path. “I don’t condone fighting, but I want you to be able to protect yourself long enough to get away.”

  “Sure, Mom.”

  “Self-defense is one thing. Being aggressive is totally different. Understood?”

  “Yeah. I’d be stupid to pick a fight with them. They’re bigger than me, except for Carson.”

  “I’m glad we understand each other.” She draped her arm over his shoulder and began walking.

  *

  Jake sat in his bedroom that night staring at Shep, who was sitting on his makeshift bed. The German shepherd had scratched and walked around in circles then finally settled onto the two blankets.

  “I’m not sure how this is going to work, but if you’re willing to give this a chance, I am, too.”

  Shep cocked his head, his ears sticking up.

  “I still don’t see how you can really help. I hope you prove me wrong.”

  Jake switched off his light and lay on his bed, tired from lack of sleep and overextending himself with Josh. Still, he felt as if he had made a difference. For a long time he kept his eyes open and stared up, the digital clock on his radio throwing shadows on the ceiling. But slowly his eyelids grew heavy and slid closed, whisking him into a world of dreams he would avoid if he could….

  The noise of gunfire cracked the air around him. Boom, boom rocked the ground beneath him. He lunged for shelter, screaming to his men to do likewise.

  Something wet and rough scraped across his cheek, followed by a loud sound. Barking? Jake’s eyes popped open to find Shep propped up on his hind legs against Jake’s bed. The dog’s tongue swept him again. Jake fumbled for the light and turned it on. Shep nosed Jake’s nearest hand, and he began petting the dog.

  Had he screamed out loud? Awakened the dog? Or had Shep sensed something wasn’t right? Either way, Shep had managed to stop his nightmare before it became full-fledged. That the German shepherd could do exactly what Emma had described amazed Jake. He scooted over and patted the top of his coverlet. Shep jumped up on the bed and stretched out beside Jake.

  With the light off again and one hand on the dog, Jake went to sleep, feeling hope for the first time in months.

  *

  On Sunday afternoon Sandy O’Neil gestured toward a wingback in her living room. “Have a seat, Emma. You sounded serious at church today. Is something wrong?”

  Emma’s heartbeat tapped out a fast tempo against her rib cage. All the way to Sandy’s house she’d practiced what she would say to her friend, and every word she’d come up with fled her mind.

  “Emma?”

  She swallowed then said, “Last weekend Josh was jumped by three boys in the park. As you could see today, he has bruises, a cut on his lip and above his eye.”

  “I wondered about that, but I figured if you wanted to tell me about it you’d say something. I asked Carson on the ride home if he knew what happened. He told me Josh was in a fight.”

  “Yes, one that was completely lopsided and not of his choosing.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  Emma gripped her hands, rubbing her thumb into her palm. “Thankfully, a man who lived near the park saw what was happening and broke it up before Josh was hurt worse. Two of the boys were bigger than my son. I know one was older. I’m not sure about the third kid.”

  Sandy covered her mouth with her fingers. “Oh, no. Do you know who did it?”

  “Two of the boys and I thought Carson could help me with the third one.”

  “Josh doesn’t know who he is?”

  “Yes, but he’s scared to say anything.”

  Sandy pushed to her feet. “Carson’s out back. I’ll call him in and see if he and Josh talked. They aren’t in the same class this year so they might not have.”

  “Wait before you ask Carson to join us. The reason I know Carson can tell me the name of the third boy is because your son was one of the three beating up Josh.”

  Sandy collapsed onto the couch across from Emma, the color washing from her face. “Not Carson. He doesn’t know how to fight. Josh told you he did?”

  “No, but I asked Jake Tanner, the man who stopped it, to look at the yearbook from last spring and see if he could find any of the boys. He picked out Carson and Sean Phillips. Then I talked to Josh, and he admitted it. My son is afraid of retaliation, so he didn’t want me to know who’s bullying him.”

  Sandy cringed. “My son? A bully? I don’t see that. I
didn’t raise him like that.”

  “I know. That’s why I’m here talking to you. Carson and Josh were friends once. I know they drifted apart but…” Emma’s throat jammed with helplessness and frustration.

  “They had a falling-out, and Carson would never say why.”

  “Neither would Josh.”

  “I’ll be right back. We need to get to the bottom of this.” Sandy shot to her feet and marched toward the back of the house.

  Emma took a deep breath, then another, but her lungs still didn’t feel as if they had enough oxygen. The whole affair left her sick to her stomach. She heard Sandy call Carson inside, and the boy stomped toward the living room, denying he did anything wrong.

  Lord, please guide me with what to do. Let the truth come out.

  When Carson entered, he saw Emma and immediately lowered his head and pinched his lips together.

  “Hi, Carson. I haven’t seen you much but occasionally at church. I’ve missed you coming over to the house.”

  Sandy nudged her child farther into the room. “Sit. We need to talk to you.” While her son obeyed, she continued, “Did you take part in beating up Josh last weekend in the park?”

  Seconds ticked away without an answer, then finally Carson raised his head, tears in his eyes. “Yes. But I had to.”

  “Why?” His mother sat next to him.

  “If I didn’t, they’d have done it to me. I was scared.” Carson’s lower lip quivered.

  Emma’s heart cracked at the sight of Carson’s fear—much like Josh’s when he wasn’t trying to mask it. “Who are they? Sean Phillips. Who else?”

  Carson blinked rapidly. “Josh told you about Sean?”

  “No. The man who caught you fighting identified Sean and you. Who’s the third boy?”

  “If he thought I said anything, I’d…” His voice faded, replaced with crying, tears running down Carson’s face.