Holding Holly (Love and Football Series)

by Julie Brannagh

  Holly knew they weren’t hiring, but there were blank applications under the counter all the time. The woman fidgeted nervously. There were dark circles under her eyes too. She forced her eyes off of the pastries in the case one more time. The hair stood up on the back of Holly’s neck as the realization hit her: This woman was hungry, and she hadn’t eaten for a while. She needed a job, but first she needed something to eat.

  “I don’t know what our hiring situation is,” Holly said, “but let me get you an application. Why don’t you have a seat at the counter while you fill it out?”

  “I can go sit at a table or something—”

  “That won’t be necessary. Really. I’d like the company.” Holly reached beneath the counter to grab a blank application and a pen. “Let me get you a glass of water. Do you like coffee?”

  She saw the momentary flash of fear and desperation that crossed the woman’s face. Her shoulders slumped. She probably didn’t have any money in her pocket. Holly could put enough in the till to cover a coffee and a breakfast sandwich, if the woman would accept it.

  She wondered how many other applications the woman had filled out in Noel, and if anyone else had noticed the fact things weren’t going well for her.

  “I . . . it’s good, but I don’t need any right now.”

  “There’s a special this morning. Everyone who comes in to fill out an application gets a good breakfast.” Holly reached out to briefly touch one of the woman’s trembling hands. “It’s on the house.”

  The woman’s head bowed. She picked up the pen and the application and glanced at Holly again. “Are you sure?”

  “Positive. What would you like?”

  Holly made the woman a double-shot latte. She assembled two breakfast sandwiches, wrapping one up to go. She put some cut fruit on the plate too. She wasn’t in the business of handing out her boss’s food with no charge, but she knew he would have done the same thing. Holly crouched beneath the counter to grab the ten dollar bill out of her wallet. She’d put it in the till when the woman wasn’t looking.

  The woman was still working on the application when Holly set the plate and coffee cup down in front of her. “Time for breakfast,” Holly said.

  “Why are you doing this for me?” the woman said.

  “You’ll pass it on to someone else who needs it when you can,” Holly said. She wiped down the countertop again. “Do you know how to work an espresso machine?”

  The woman shook her head a little.

  “It’s not that hard,” Holly encouraged.

  The woman took a long, appreciative sniff of the coffee and brought the cup to her lips to sip delicately. She wanted to make it last. “I’m a fast learner,” the woman said.

  Holly gave her a nod and reached across the counter to shake her hand. “I’m Holly, by the way.”

  “I’m Stephanie,” the woman said. “Thank you for the coffee and the breakfast. It’s delicious.”

  Holly did a little more cleaning and stocked the condiments bar while she covertly checked Stephanie out. There was black duct tape holding the sole of one of her snow boots on. She was clean and presentable, but it looked like she really, really needed a job. Stephanie also cut her breakfast sandwich in half, wrapped the other half in a napkin, and slid it into her pocket. No wonder she was hungry; she was sharing the food Holly gave her with someone else, it looked like.

  Holly strolled back behind the counter again to glance over the finished application and stick the extra wrapped breakfast sandwich in a bag. She added a couple of pastries for the hell of it. There was enough in the tip jar to cover that amount. She plunked herself down on the bar stool behind Caffeine Addiction’s counter.

  “Is there anything else I can get for you, Stephanie?”

  “No, thank you. Thank you again for the breakfast and the coffee. If you need a resume or something besides what I wrote down, I can get that to you.” Stephanie rose from the stool she’d been sitting on, and Holly said, “Wait.”

  Stephanie turned back to her.

  “I-I need to ask you a question,” Holly said. “You have people at home who are hungry, too, don’t you?”

  Stephanie folded her lips and bowed her head again. “I just need a job. If I could find a job, I think we’d be okay. I . . . I got laid off, I haven’t been able to find another job, and I’ve applied everywhere.” She let out a sigh. “I know you didn’t ask for this today, but I have to tell someone. My husband left us. My unemployment is running out. I don’t know how I’m going to find the money to give my kids a Christmas, let alone how I’m going to pay next month’s bills.” Her mouth trembled. She looked into Holly’s eyes. “I’m so sorry to dump on you.”

  “How many kids do you have?”

  “Three. Michael’s fourteen. He’s my rock.” It was all Holly could do not to punch the air with excitement as Stephanie spoke. “He’s had to take care of my younger son and daughter so many times while I interviewed or filled out applications, and he never complains. He’s a growing boy. He needs good nourishing food; he’s outgrowing his clothes”—tears rose in her eyes, and she silently fought them back—“Ethan’s my seven-year-old, and Chloe is my baby. She’s four.”

  “Your contact info is on here, right?” Holly picked up the application to check for an address and phone number.

  The fear in Stephanie’s face clutched at Holly’s guts. “Things aren’t great for us right now, but please don’t turn me in to Child Protective Services. I don’t want to lose my kids. I’ll get past this and we’ll be fine.”

  “I wouldn’t do that,” Holly said. “I want to help.” She grabbed the bag of food she’d assembled and walked out from behind the counter. “I know you’re doing the best you can. I also know people here who will help.” She grabbed the pen still sitting on the counter and scrawled her phone number on the bag of food. “Here’s a snack for your family. I will call you when I get home later. Let’s work on finding you a great job for starters, okay?” She held out her arms to Stephanie. “Everything is going to be fine. I promise you.”

  She felt Stephanie’s body shaking with sobs as she hugged her.

  Chapter Nine

  DERRICK SAUNTERED INTO Noel’s community center, which had been transformed into a winter wonderland for tonight’s party by a group of event planners and a caterer. He glanced around at round tables covered in butcher paper, boxes of crayons at each place setting so the kids could draw while they ate what he’d been assured was excellent food, and centerpieces made of all different sizes of candy canes. A wall-length buffet was under construction. Santa’s seat of honor was waiting for him, and so was a photographer who would take souvenir pictures for each child.

  Holding the party for the Santa letter-writing children of Noel on a Tuesday turned out to be a stroke of genius. Noel’s vendors were booked on party weekends, but were happy to have the business on a weeknight. After the Sharks annihilated Denver on Sunday afternoon, it wasn’t hard to persuade most of his teammates to spend a few hours of their day off visiting a cute little town and sharing some holiday cheer. The fact that snow wasn’t predicted today—he’d booked every seat on the train going back and forth between Seattle and Noel, so nobody had to drive—didn’t hurt, either.

  The party didn’t start for another hour. His teammates were wandering around Noel’s main street, getting a bite to eat, or doing a little holiday shopping. They’d meet up outside the building and walk in shortly after the party started. Right now, he wanted a few minutes with Holly. Alone.

  Four days ago, his phone rang shortly after practice was over for the day. He sat down on the bench in front of his locker and hit “talk” to hear Holly’s tear-filled voice.

  “We found Michael,” was all she said.

  Michael and his family were due here tonight as well. He couldn’t wait to meet them. They’d never know he’d worked behind the scenes with an employment agency to make sure Stephanie found a job. They now had more than enough food, the bills were paid, a
nd it would be the happiest of holidays for them. There was no better feeling in life than knowing he’d done what he could to help a family when they needed it most.

  He had an additional surprise for Michael, which would happen later. He headed toward the community center’s kitchen. He couldn’t wait another minute to see Holly again.

  HOLLY TIED AN apron on over the white shirt and black pants she wore to serve at catering jobs, and picked up a pastry bag of chocolate mousse filling. The caterer was racing around the kitchen putting the last-minute touches on her holiday menu. Holly was helping out by piping the mousse into chocolate cookie cups. She was trying to concentrate, but all she could think of at the moment was Derrick. He was due to be there soon with his teammates, who would sign autographs, pose for photos, and help Santa hand out the swag bags. The mousse looked good, but she couldn’t have eaten a bite if her life depended on it right now. Her stomach was full of butterflies, her heart raced, and her palms were sweaty.

  She was either having a panic attack, or she was excited about seeing Derrick again.

  She’d almost finished piping one tray of the chocolate mousse tarts when two strong arms slid around her waist and she heard a deep voice in her ear.

  “There’s my girl,” he said.

  She dropped the pastry bag on the worktable in front of her, turned in his arms, and wrapped her arms around his neck. “It’s great to see you,” she said into his ear.

  He pulled back from her a little, glanced around the kitchen, and said, “We’re finally alone.”

  “Only until the caterer comes back.”

  He moved closer, and her heart pounded harder. He cupped her face in his palm. “Then I have time to do this.”

  Her eyelids slid closed as his mouth met hers. For a big, tough man, Derrick’s kisses were tender and sweet, and his touch was gentle. He slipped his tongue into her mouth when her lips parted. He pulled her closer as he explored and savored her. She forgot all about the chocolate mousse, all about the fact she was supposed to be working, all about anything else but the way he tasted and how it felt to be in his arms.

  Someone cleared her throat behind them.

  “Oh!” Holly said and moved away from Derrick slightly.

  The caterer was standing feet from them and grinning from ear to ear.

  “If you’ll hand me that tray, Holly, they’re going onto the display,” she said.

  “I’m so sorry,” Holly told her. “We got a little, uh, carried away.”

  “I’m not sorry,” Derrick muttered, and the caterer laughed.

  “I’ll bet you’re not,” she teased. She picked up another tray full of appetizers and went out the swinging door again.

  Holly could feel her face getting hot with embarrassment, but she smiled up at him. “She didn’t look too mad, did she?”

  He traced her nose with a gentle finger. “Naw.” He kissed the middle of her forehead before reluctantly releasing her. “There’s more where that came from, you know.”

  She shivered a little. “I hope so.”

  His booming laugh bounced around the kitchen. “Hopefully I didn’t get you fired. Is there anything I can do to help?”

  FORTY-FIVE MINUTES LATER, Santa had taken his place, swag bags were organized and ready to go, Derrick and his teammates were in another room waiting for their cue, and children in their holiday best and their parents began to stream through the front doors of the community center. Holly was passing appetizers and guiding the younger children to the extra-special food made just for them, like the macaroni-and-cheese bar with assorted toppings, sliders, and chicken nuggets with sauces.

  She spotted Stephanie and her children when they walked through the door. Stephanie had on a new coat, snow boots, and a radiant smile. Her children were dressed in brand-new clothes and shoes as well. Michael was a dark-haired, athletic-looking young man with a shy smile; he was taller than his mother and guided his younger brother and sister to the buffet to fill their plates.

  Stephanie almost ran to Holly.

  “You won’t believe what happened, Holly. I have a new job. I start at a mortgage lender in Wenatchee on Monday morning. It’s a really good salary with benefits, and they cover day care. Plus, the overnight shipping guy stopped at our house yesterday and dropped off presents for the kids, several gift cards for me so I could get everyone new clothes and shoes and . . . oh, God.” Stephanie pressed her hands over her eyes as tears ran down her face. “I never dreamed anything like this would happen to me. There was a tree with all the trimmings, a huge Christmas dinner, and I’m still going through it all.”

  Holly reached out to hug her. “You deserve it.”

  “I know you were behind this. I can never thank you enough.”

  “It wasn’t me, but you are so sweet. I am so happy for all of you.”

  Holly heard Santa Claus’s voice on the PA system. “Ladies and gentlemen, we have quite a surprise tonight. Please welcome our special guests, the Seattle Sharks!”

  Derrick and his teammates walked into the room, and pandemonium followed. The littlest children were swept up in their parents’ arms as the players signed autographs, posed for photos, or sat down at the tables for a bite to eat and a chat with their excited fans.

  Tom Reed, the Sharks’ QB, made his way over to where Michael stood and stuck out his hand. “Hi, I’m Tom.”

  Michael’s mouth dropped open.

  “I understand that you play QB, and you weren’t able to turn out for football last season. I also heard you’re pretty good.”

  “My mom needed help with my younger brother and sister,” Michael said.

  In other words, Holly thought, there probably wasn’t enough money for sports fees and football shoes.

  “I give a football camp every year.” Tom reached into his jacket and pulled a long envelope out of the breast pocket. “I’d like you to be there as my guest. Your tuition is paid, and I have a place for you to stay so your mom won’t have to drive you back and forth.”

  Holly took Stephanie’s trembling hand. Her boss was going to kill her for not passing out the appetizers, but she glanced over at the platter in her other hand to find it empty. People were walking by and helping themselves.

  Four of Derrick’s teammates advanced on Michael and Tom. Sharks fans knew them as the best secondary in the league. She knew them as the four guys who spent most of training camp alternately teasing her and pranking their teammates.

  “We heard he’s trying to get you to play QB,” Terrell said.

  “Bad idea,” Jasha chimed in.

  “Cornerbacks and safeties are the real men of any football team,” Conroy told Michael.

  “I got my own football camp this summer, and you’re coming,” Antoine said. He fist-bumped the overwhelmed teenager. “We’ll show you how things are.”

  The five men walked away from Holly and Stephanie, still bickering about how many football camps Michael was going to over the summer and what position he’d end up playing in the league.

  “I need to get another tray of appetizers. I’ll be back,” Holly said.

  She arrived in the kitchen to discover the caterer had deputized some of the players to take some appetizers around too. “The kids will get a kick out of it,” she explained to them. “Hey, Holly, Derrick’s looking for you. He’s outside. So take a break.” She winked at Holly.

  Holly walked out of the double doors of the community center. Derrick was sitting on a bench about ten feet away, holding a bouquet of candy canes tied with a red ribbon.

  “Hello there,” he said. “Would you like to join me for a few minutes?”

  She sat down next to him on the bench, and he pulled her into his warmth. He handed her the candy canes. She had to laugh.

  “I love these. Thank you so much.”

  “That’s not all I’ve got for you tonight,” he said. His deep voice made her shiver, and it had nothing to do with the cold. “I want to take you out for a nice dinner and maybe some dancing next wee
k. Let’s see if we can put it together.”

  “Between your schedule and my schedule?”

  “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

  She leaned back against him. “I’ll look forward to it.” She let out a breath. “Derrick, Stephanie is so happy right now, and Michael is just over the moon.”

  “My teammates argued the whole way over here about whose football camp he was going to, and who was going to work with him a little during the offseason.” She felt the rumble of his laughter. “If that kid has any talent at all, he’s going to end up at a very good school.”

  She laced her fingers through his and closed her eyes.

  “Are you feeling shy again?” he said.

  “No. I’m just happy.”

  “There’s one more thing. I couldn’t wait for Christmas Day. I have a gift for you.”

  “You didn’t have to buy me anything. You put on this huge party, you helped Stephanie’s family, you bought me that hugely expensive phone . . . Derrick, what am I going to get you for Christmas?”

  He laid his fingertips over her mouth. “You don’t have to buy me a thing.”

  “It’s not fair.”

  “Okay, then. You win. Bake me some cookies or something. I would love that more than anything.”

  “What kind?”

  “The same kind everyone else wants: chocolate chip.”

  She couldn’t help but laugh. “Got it,” she said.

  He was fumbling in his coat pocket, and he pulled out a palm-sized Tiffany’s box.

  “Here’s the thing. I saw this and I thought it was perfect for you. I hope you love it as well.” He put the box into her hand, and waited expectantly.

  She pulled open the ribbon, took off the top of the box, and pulled out the little suede pouch inside. He opened the drawstring top and drew out a small platinum heart, studded with diamonds, on a chain.

  “It’s gorgeous. It’s so extravagant though! I . . . cookies aren’t enough. Isn’t there anything else you’d like for Christmas?”

  “You already gave me the greatest gift,” he said. “Your friendship. Someday, you’ll give me your heart too.” He fastened the necklace around her neck. She reached up to rest her forehead against his. She rubbed her nose against his too.