by Teri Wilson
Peggy interrupted. “We can’t. Goldie and Joe have a hot date Saturday night.”
“Peggy!” Honestly, did she have to put it quite that way?
“What? It’s true.” Peggy shrugged, the perfect picture of nonchalance.
“Why does she know all about this and I don’t?” Eve crossed her arms and hitched a thumb in Peggy’s direction.
“Eve, I…” Goldie stammered until Peggy interjected again.
“Joe told me.” Peggy shrugged her shoulders while Goldie and Eve both gasped in unison.
“What?” Peggy asked, her voice full of innocence.
Goldie narrowed her gaze at Peggy. “When did you talk to Joe?”
“Yesterday, I think. Let’s see…today is Thursday. That would mean yesterday was Wednesday. Hmm.” Peggy ticked off the days of the week on her fingers.
Eve snickered as Goldie struggled to resist the urge to shake her neighbor by the shoulders. She supposed that wouldn’t be very neighborly. Or Christian, for that matter.
“So, it wasn’t yesterday. It was Tuesday. Or maybe Monday.” She shrugged her shoulders again. “Why, dear? Does it make a difference?”
“Well, I was just wondering how it came about.” Goldie cleared her throat in an attempt to rid her voice of its telltale nervous tremor. “That’s all.”
“I stopped by his shop for a cup of coffee.” Peggy pursed her lips. “I was under the impression it was still a public place.”
Eve, not Peggy’s target, for once, burst out laughing. Goldie shot her a dirty look and then smiled sweetly back at Peggy. “Of course. Did you have a nice, er, chat?”
“Why, yes we did. I wanted to stop by and make sure he knew we wanted him to come to Care Group.”
“Care Group. That’s tonight, right?” Eve chimed in, her lips still twitching with laughter.
“Yes. And he’s coming. I invited him at church on Sunday.” Goldie focused all her attention on Bliss’s soft, pink belly. She didn’t trust herself to look either Peggy or Eve in the eye when she mentioned Sunday. Surely, they would see the passion lurking barely beneath the surface of her already-shaky exterior whenever she thought about their afternoon on the beach for even a moment.
“Yep, he mentioned that.” Peggy went back to her knitting, needles flying with a blur through the yarn.
“Did he mention anything else?” Like the fact that he kissed me? Not just any regular kiss, but the kind of kiss that sweeps a girl off her feet?
Goldie’s heart began to drum faster at the mere memory of being wrapped in Joe’s arms.
Eve’s eyes widened. “What is going on? You’re blushing!”
The knitting needles froze, and Peggy and Eve both stared at Goldie, which only made her cheeks burn even hotter. “No I’m not.”
“Yes, you are. Something happened.” Eve plopped on the ground next to Goldie and Bliss. “You have to tell us.”
Goldie shot a pleading glance at Peggy.
“I’m afraid you are indeed blushing, dear,” was all she said.
Goldie took a deep breath and then blurted it out. “Joe kissed me.”
“I knew it!” Eve clapped her hands. “What was it like?”
She must have really wanted to know because she didn’t so much as flinch when Peggy gave her a gentle jab with one of the knitting needles and told her that Goldie might not want to talk about it. Of course, then the older woman added, “But if you want to talk about it, we’d love to hear all the details. I mean, if you want to tell us.”
Goldie sighed dreamily. Even if she wanted to tell them, how could she possibly find the words? “It was the kind of kiss that could change my life.”
No one said a word for a long moment, until Eve clutched her chest and mouthed, “Wow.”
Peggy raised her eyebrows. “Well, no wonder.”
“No wonder what?”
“No wonder he looked like the happiest man alive when I saw him at the coffee shop.” Peggy winked at Goldie.
The burning in her cheeks returned with a vengeance. “He seemed happy?”
“That might be an understatement.”
Goldie’s insides tumbled with the now-familiar thrill, but one thought nagged at the back of her mind. “He told you about our date on Saturday. Did he mention the dog show at all?”
“No, I don’t think so.” Peggy shook her head. “Why?”
“He’s not exactly thrilled that I’m going.”
Eve planted a hand on her hip. “Why not? You and Bliss are doing so well.”
“It’s not that. It’s just that last time we were at obedience class I sort of had a breakdown.” Goldie and Peggy shared a meaningful glance and then filled Eve in on the events of the previous Saturday. “Joe’s been bringing me coffee to the library every morning this week and he hasn’t mentioned the dog show once, but I know he’s still worried about it.”
“You mean he spent the entire night on your front porch?” Eve’s jaw hung open.
Goldie nodded and Peggy shook her head. “You should have seen him the next morning. He was a wreck, worried sick about our dear Goldie.”
“I can’t believe I thought he was all wrong for you. What a great guy.” Eve dabbed at her eyes and sniffed. For as long as Goldie had known her, Eve had always loved a good romantic story. “So, what are you going to do? You’re still going to the dog show?”
Goldie sat up straighter, stiffening her spine. “Of course. Everything will be fine.”
A fleeting look passed between Peggy and Eve.
“Well, Peggy and I will be there, too. In case you need us.” Eve pat Goldie’s hand, which was still nestled in the soft fur of Bliss’s underside.
“There’s nothing to worry about. Really, there’s not.”
And Goldie said a silent prayer that her words were true.
ef
“You brought coffee.” When she opened the front door, Goldie could barely see Joe’s cocoa eyes over the top of the enormous box in his arms. “Lots of coffee.”
“Yep.” His eyes crinkled in the corners, and Goldie could tell he was smiling, even though his lips remained hidden from view. “I thought the other members of Care Group might enjoy it.”
“I’m sure they will. It smells wonderful.” Indeed it did. The rich aroma of the coffee swirled around him, filling her senses. “Is there anything I can do to help you carry all that?”
“Do you mind grabbing my Bible?” He twisted so that his right side brushed against Goldie’s elbow. “It’s right there, tucked under my arm.”
“Got it.” Goldie slid the smooth leather into the palm of her hand, noticing at once the worn and battered condition of Joe’s Bible. Apparently, he spent his fair share of time in God’s Word. The thought made Goldie smile. “Are you ready to head over there?”
“Sure. Let’s go.”
The night was cool and the grass soft beneath their feet as Joe and Goldie made their way to Peggy’s house next door. Cherry blossoms swirled around them in the evening breeze. As she walked in front of Joe, Goldie was aware of his gaze on her back. Or maybe it was her imagination. She couldn’t be sure.
Until they reached Peggy’s porch and Joe leaned forward to whisper in her ear.
“You know,” he breathed. “If I weren’t lugging around a couple gallons of steaming hot liquid, I’d kiss you silly right now.”
With a galloping heart, Goldie pressed the doorbell and grinned up at him over her shoulder. For a fleeting moment, she wondered if her legs would always feel like noodles when she thought of kissing him. She still couldn’t see much of his face other than his warm eyes dancing beneath his casually rumpled chestnut hair. “Is that so?”
Joe’s voice grew huskier. “Oh, yes.”
Only seconds before Peggy opened the door, Goldie hugged their two Bibles close to her chest and sighed, “I would kiss you right back.”
A snickering sound came from behind the box of coffee as Peggy answered the door.
“Well, look who’s here. Goldie
and Joe.” The older woman’s white curls bounced as she looked back and forth between the two of them. Then, she added in a slightly lower voice, “Hmm. Don’t you two look just like the cat who swallowed the canary?”
Unable to keep the grin off her face, Goldie pranced inside on her noodle legs, with Joe right on her heels. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I may be old, but I’m not blind.” Peggy held her hands out toward Joe and his super-sized box of coffee. “Aren’t you so sweet to bring us coffee? Can I take that from you, Joe?”
“It’s rather heavy.” Joe heaved the box up higher so Goldie could only see his eyebrows. “Why don’t you lead the way and I’ll take it wherever you like?”
“OK. Come with me.” Peggy grasped Joe’s elbow and steered him through the living room.
Still clutching their two Bibles, Goldie watched Joe as he followed Peggy with his giant box of coffee. She rested her chin on the tattered leather cover of Joe’s Bible as he set the coffee box in the middle of the dining room table, his every gesture perfectly fluid and graceful.
I can tell Joe’s a musician just by the way he moves.
Somewhere in the room, a throat cleared. The sound was followed by quiet laughter. Goldie tore her gaze away from Joe and, for the first time, looked around the room. Every member of Care Group was already there, even George Brown. Some of the faces she hadn’t seen since the day of her grandfather’s funeral. And here they all were.
Watching her watch Joe Montgomery.
“Um, hello everybody.” Goldie slunk into the nearest seat, wondering if it would be wrong to pray for some huge distraction like someone’s dentures suddenly flying out of their mouth and tumbling onto the floor.
Yes, wrong. Very, very wrong. Oh God, please forgive me.
“Did I miss anything?” Joe slid into the seat next to her, still smelling faintly of coffee beans.
Oh nothing. Just me wishing bodily harm to a room full of elderly brothers and sisters in Christ. “No. Not a thing.”
Peggy made a brief announcement about Joe’s coffee and everyone darted out of their chairs—as fast as senior citizens can dart—to make a beeline for the dining room table.
Only Joe and Goldie remained in the room. Alone. Together.
“Goldie, what’s wrong?” Joe was leaning toward her now, his eyes full of concern.
“Nothing.”
Skepticism colored his features. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
He lifted her hand, still resting on the cover of his Bible, and cradled it between his. “Then why are you talking in one-word sentences?”
This was never going to work. How could she possibly concentrate on Bible study with him right here? “I find your presence a bit…distracting.”
Joe clamped his lips together, but Goldie could see the laughter in his eyes. “Shall I leave, then?”
Goldie swatted him with his Bible, and then shoved it at his chest. “Not on your life.”
It was exactly the sort of icebreaker she so desperately needed. As the others filed back in the room, mugs of fragrant coffee in their hands, she began to relax. By the time they had all fawned all over Joe and thanked him endlessly for the coffee, she felt a little bit less like everyone was staring at her. Why would they? Now, they were all in love with Joe themselves.
The thought gave Goldie a warm glow inside as Peggy started the prayer requests. She sneaked sideways glances at Joe every now and then, and saw him nod in all the right places. He even laughed at George Brown’s corny jokes. But something about the way he flipped through the wispy pages of his Bible and the manner in which he freely offered his opinions throughout the discussion told her he was here with his whole heart. He wasn’t merely going through the motions. He was truly enjoying himself. And not once had he even asked her why her Bible study group was filled with people half a century older than herself. What’s more, he didn’t seem to care. He fit right in here, just as she did.
Time passed in a whirl, and before Goldie knew what was happening, it was time for closing prayer. Suddenly, Goldie was sad to see the night come to an end. Sitting here next to Joe, among her oldest friends, she realized what life with him would be like. The two of them, walking together in God’s perfect grace.
She reached for him, this time unconcerned about what the others would think. Why had she been so nervous before? These were her friends. They loved her and only wanted to see her happy. She took Joe’s hand and wove her fingers through his and they stayed like that, hand in hand, until the final amen was said.
“Goldie. Joe.” Peggy rushed toward them as soon as the group was dismissed. “I’m so glad you two came. Joe, I hope you enjoyed yourself.”
“I did. Very much. Thank you for inviting me.” He squeezed Goldie’s hand and then released it to give Peggy a friendly hug. Goldie let him go, admittedly with a little reluctance.
Peggy giggled like a schoolgirl as Joe hugged her. “You’re certainly welcome to come back anytime. I hope you’ll join us again soon.”
“Of course.” He wrapped his arm around Goldie’s shoulders and nestled her right by his side. “That is, if Goldie will have me back.”
Goldie opened her mouth to say something charming, but before she could utter a syllable, Peggy beat her to the punch.
“Oh, you don’t need to wait for Goldie to invite you. You have an open invitation.” Peggy winked at Goldie, and that’s when Goldie knew it was time to go. Peggy’s matchmaking skills were kicking into overdrive.
“Goodnight everyone,” Goldie called out to her friends, clustered once again around Joe’s coffee.
“Night all. It was wonderful meeting all of you.” Joe held up his Bible in a farewell gesture.
As they walked out the door, Goldie couldn’t help but feel utterly delighted. It had been the perfect evening.
And then Peggy said the one thing that could possibly bring her back down to earth. “I’ll see you two Saturday at the dog show.”
Without even thinking, Goldie waited for Joe’s body to stiffen next to hers. But, to her astonishment, it didn’t. She searched his face as he walked her back to her house next door, but his features remained smooth and relaxed. Where was the furrowed brow that had been there the last time someone had mentioned the dog show? Maybe it was just too dark under the soft glow of the moon to see anything.
“I had a really nice time tonight.” Joe ran his hand in slow circles over her back while they walked. “Even though it wasn’t a date.”
Goldie laughed and rested her head on Joe’s shoulder. She tried to forget about the dog show and concentrate on the here and now. After all, she didn’t want to spoil such a lovely evening. “Aren’t you going to ask me why I don’t belong to a more, er, conventional Bible study group?”
“I think I can figure that one out.” His voice carried a hint of melancholy. “And I think it’s great that you’re still part of their group.”
Goldie looked up at him, expecting to find some sign of sarcasm or teasing on his face but found none. Eve could stand to take a page out of Joe’s book. “You do?”
“Of course. They love you. You’re one of them.”
“You were a big hit.” Then, without realizing exactly what she was saying, she added, “Everyone in that house tonight was madly in love with you.”
Joe stopped in his tracks. At first, Goldie kept walking, right up the steps onto her porch. When she missed the warmth of his arm around her shoulders, she turned back to see him standing a few feet behind her with the oddest look on his face.
“Did you say everyone?” Then one corner of his mouth lifted into a half grin.
Goldie gasped, and her heart took flight on hummingbird wings.
In an instant, Joe was with her on the porch, cradling her face in the palms of his hands. “Your cheeks are warm, Bashful.”
Then his lips came down on hers, soft and sweet.
Cup of Joe
Inspirational romance, Christian rom
ance, Christian fiction, romance novel, christian romance novel, teri wilson, white rose publishing
Cup of Joe
Chapter Sixteen
Joe had never been less excited to be going to a dog show in all his life. Sitting in his car, with Goldie beside him and Java and Bliss tucked safely in the backseat, he had the sudden urge to yank the steering wheel in the direction of South Carolina and drive until they were clear to the other side of the Mississippi River. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he was driving her to some sort of occasion for torture—say, an appointment for a root canal—instead of a dog show. He’d always had a great time with Java competing in Rally, but today he was hard-pressed to muster any enthusiasm.
