Despite his better judgment, he leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her cheek, loving the pretty pink blush that blossomed. “To make them think we’re in love, my dear.”
***
In—what?
Beth stood beside his Ford Explorer, mouth flung open, while Garrett walked, all handsome in his dress slacks and overcoat, to the other side and jumped into the driver’s seat. “Getting in, dear?”
Blinking, she lowered herself into the seat and shut the door, her tongue finally unraveling enough to talk. “Who said anything about love?”
Garrett shrugged as he started the engine and drove out of the parking lot. “Well, Jesus did, for one. Then Paul in 1 Corinthians said a whole lot.”
The man was incorrigible. “Shut up. You know what I’m talking about. The point of this prank was to get them to think we’re dating and then be all like, ‘Ha-ha - we fooled you, wannabe matchmakers!’ No one ever said anything about making them think we’re in love.”
“Correction. The idea was to make them think their matchmaking scheme worked, and then pull the rug out from underneath them. They won’t be happy until they think we are madly in love and are hearing wedding bells. Believe me. Do you know how many times Mom reminds me that I’ve failed at my number one duty as a son?”
“And what duty is that?”
“Producing grandchildren, of course. My mother wants to hear wedding bells then baby cries. In that order. This will be a good lesson to her that it’s in God’s timing, not hers. And maybe it isn’t in the cards for me to get married and have kids. Maybe I’m destined to be a single chef the rest of my days.”
“But—” Words about what a good daddy he would make someday were on the tip of her tongue, but she snatched them back. She of all people knew that, seeing as how she’d spent many of her teen years dreaming of that very thing—with her as the baby’s Mommy.
He glanced over at her. “But what?”
“Nothing. I just—I’m not sure I’m going to be good at pretending to be in love with you.”
“Oh, you’ll do fine, dork. Just imagine I’m what’s-his-name from high school.”
Beth turned in her seat to face him. “I have no clue who you’re talking about.”
“I don’t remember his name, but you had the hots for him your freshman year. I thought Jeff and I were going to have to get out the water guns to separate the two of you a few times.”
Fire blazed on her cheeks. “Oh my goodness. You are not talking about Jared.” The boy she’d dated to try and capture Garrett’s attention. When that hadn’t worked, she’d upped the ante and taken to inviting him over to the house when she knew Garrett would be there, and even timed some kisses just right.
It hadn’t worked.
Jeff had told her parents that she was getting hot-and-heavy with a guy on the front porch, and Jared had been banned from the Jamison home. Beth was madder about her plan failing than poor Jared’s feelings.
Unfortunately, Jared went down in history as her first kiss. She’d only gotten through them by imagining it was Garrett instead.
Looking back—good grief. How crazy could a girl get?
Garrett snapped his fingers. “Yes. Jared. That was his name. I thought Jeff was going to pop a vein when he saw the two of you making out.”
“Oh, stop. It was just a little kiss.”
He pulled into his mom’s driveway and parked. “If that was little, I’d be curious to see what your version of a regular kiss is.”
Thankful for the timing, she grabbed her purse from the floorboard and shot him a grin. “Well, too bad for you that you’ll never find out.”
She hopped to the ground and headed toward the house before he could reply—or see the blatant look of desire written on her face.
Ten
The front door opened, and Beth was immediately engulfed in a one-armed hug from Garrett’s mom. “Come in, come in! It’s so good to see you, Beth!”
Patting the older woman’s back, Beth inhaled the meatloafy air mixed with cinnamon potpourri that wafted from the house. “Thank you for inviting me, Mrs. Hanson.”
“Oh dear. Please call me Pearl. Now, come on in and make yourself at home. Your coat can go right here on the hall tree.”
Sliding off her heavy jacket, she hung it up as directed, kicked off her snow-covered boots and set them to the side as Garrett did the same behind her. “You have a beautiful home, Pearl.” In an old-fashioned, charming way. She’d only been to Garrett’s house once or twice as a girl with her mom, but it looked very much as she remembered.
Floral couch and leather recliner in the living room. An old, roll-top desk on one side of the room and a dark, upright piano on the other. An eighties floral border trimmed the room. Pictures from the past few decades graced almost every wall.
The only hint of modern was a large, flat screen TV mounted over the brass insert fireplace and a laptop sitting on the coffee table. Garrett’s influence, no doubt.
Pearl waived off her praise. “It’s home, and that’s what matters. Now, lunch is ready. Why don’t you two have a seat in the dining room?”
Garrett stepped past Beth, sending her a sly wink. “We can help, Mom.”
The older woman opened her mouth in protest, but then she glanced at her sling. Her mouth dipped into a sad frown for a quick second, then morphed into an ever-present smile so fast Beth almost missed it. “I guess you could carry the meatloaf to the table.”
Beth followed the pair into the kitchen. “You know, Pearl, this reminds me of old family dinners at home. Everyone grabbing a dish and setting the table together. I never was fond of the whole sit-and-be-served thing when being a guest. If I wanted that, I’d go to the Emporium, you know? This is how a family should be.”
The glow on Pearl’s face was priceless. “And family is exactly how I want you to feel. Here, you take the mashed potatoes and green beans while Garrett gets the meatloaf from the stove. I’ll grab the rolls out of the bun-warmer.”
Garrett passed her holding a loaf pan, a look in his eyes that said thank you.
Was it concerning that they were starting to understand each other’s non-verbal clues?
Wasn’t that something only real couples did?
Brushing away the thought, she grabbed her assigned dishes and took them to the small, formal dining room that looked like it was rarely if ever used.
Truth be told, she would have preferred being in the small, homey kitchen, but she didn’t dare express her opinion.
After everyone had taken a seat, Garrett said grace, a short but sweet prayer thanking God for their food and their guest. Pearl’s “amen” was a bit too hardy for the circumstance, but Beth suppressed her giggle.
As the meal went on, guilt began to prod at Beth’s heart.
They were fooling this sweet, sweet woman.
This was supposed to be a funny prank with everyone surprised and laughing when it was over.
But—would Pearl find it funny? She looked at her like Beth was already safely secure in the Jamison family as her daughter-in-law. All she could think of was sweet Pearl, heart crushed and eyes welling with tears when she finds out she’s been bamboozled into thinking her son finally found his soul mate.
They were big jerks for doing this.
Big, honkin’ jerks.
“You finished?”
Beth darted her gaze from her food to Garrett, who was standing with his empty plate in his hand, eying her still-half-full plate. “Uh, yes. It was delicious, but I’m afraid my eyes were bigger than my stomach.” That sounded normal, right?
She stood to clear her place, but Garrett grabbed her plate before she could. “I’ve got it. I told Mom I’ll do the honors of cleanup.”
“I’ll help.” He was not leaving her alone to lie to his mom by herself.
Pearl perked up. “That’s a good idea. I’m feeling a bit tired and wanted to lay down for a few minutes.”
Garrett hid his concern on his face, but not well e
nough for Beth to miss the slight frown furrowed in his brow. “We’ll clean up and get out of your hair so you can take a nap, okay Mom?”
“No, no. I don’t need a nap. I’ll just rest for a few minutes, and I’ll be right as rain, I promise. I’ve been looking forward to visiting with you both.”
“But—”
“Garrett. Do we need to have the chat we did the other day again?”
He dipped his head. “No, Mother.”
Beth bit the side of her cheek not to laugh out loud at the very mom-to-teenager-but-not-really conversation going on.
Pearl disappeared down the hallway.
“Well, she told you.”
He gave her a stink eye. “She’s just stubborn.”
“I’m dying to know the chat you had the other day that made you repentant so quickly.”
They made their way into the kitchen with the dirty dishes. “I’ll wash, you dry. Deal?”
She shook her head. “No deal. I’ll wash, and you dry and put away. I’d have no clue where to put things.”
“Fine. This house is full of stubborn women today. Geez.”
Filling the sink with hot water and soap, she tried to ignore his warm presence beside her, his hip grazing against hers as he waited for the first clean dish. Couldn’t they have had a dishwasher or something? “So spill it. What did you do to cause your mother’s ire?”
“She thinks I’m treating her like a child and hovering too much. Threatened to kick me out if I didn’t stop.”
She raised her eyebrows as she handed him the first clean plate. “Which begs the question, why are you pushing, what, forty now? And living with your mom again?”
“I’m thirty-seven, and you’re only what, two—three years behind me, right? So don’t go calling me old.”
That’s right. She sometimes forgot they were closer in age than their difference in school grades had suggested since her parents had waited an extra year to put her in kindergarten. “Whatever. At least I don’t live with my parents.”
The room went quiet except for the soft slap of water and the clink of glass as Garrett put a cup away. How could she have been so callous? Stupid mouth. “I’m sorry, Garrett. That was thoughtless of me. I’m—I’m sorry about your dad.” She still felt guilty for not making it to the funeral, but she’d been overwhelmed with flowers for the funeral and barely had time to finish all the orders in time for the viewing. Then Sierra had chosen the day of the funeral to be conveniently sick, so she didn’t have anyone to cover her at the shop.
His mouth propped to the side in a quirky grin as he elbowed her playfully in the arm. “Don’t worry about it. I knew what you meant. I moved back after mom fell and hurt her arm. She’s been having a rough time coping with Dad being gone. I didn’t want her to live by herself, at least not until she has both arms free again. She’s not sleeping well either, though, so I’m playing it by ear.”
She should have guessed that moving in with his mom was selfless versus selfish.
A truckload of guilt unloaded on her shoulders. “Still, it was thoughtless. I’m sorry.”
Before she could react, he reached a hand in front of her, dipped it into the sink, and splashed water. Droplets of suds sprayed out, landing on her shirt.
She shrieked and backed up, soapy hands outstretched, her shirt front drenched. “What are you do— Garrett Hansen. I’m soaked.”
He grinned. “Sorry?”
“You are not.” She dipped her hand into the water and flicked a few drops his direction.
“Hey, little lady.” He grabbed the sprayer and pointed it at her, his other hand menacingly on the faucet handle. “I wouldn’t do that again if I were you.”
She narrowed her eyes, backed up a step, and set her hands on her hips. “You wouldn’t.”
His eyes danced with mischief. “Try me.”
A throat cleared behind them, and they both swung around to see Garrett’s mom standing there, an amused grin on her face. “You’re supposed to wash the dishes, not your clothes.”
Garrett shrugged as he returned the sprayer to its home. “Sorry, Mom.”
“No harm done. Now, I can finish that if—” She stalled, her eyes moving to the ceiling. “Now. Would you look at that?”
Beth followed her gaze. Above the sink, attached to the small light that dangled from the ceiling, was a sprig of green. Was that—
“I must have forgotten to take down the mistletoe.”
Beth frowned. Who hung mistletoe above the kitchen sink?
Pearl must have read her mind. “I always made Clive hang the mistletoe there. I told him that way he’d have a good excuse to help me with the dishes during the holidays since I’d reward him with a kiss.” She wore a shy grin, but sadness touched the older woman’s eyes.
Garret stared at the greenery. “I didn’t realize you’d even put it up this year.”
“Oh, I did, I just didn’t tell you, and then completely forgot about it. But what fun that now you and your sweetheart are doing dishes underneath it.” She wiggled her eyebrows playfully. “Go on now. It’s tradition, you know.”
Beth’s heart beat a staccato rhythm in her chest as she looked from Garrett to his mother, then back to Garrett. Was he going to go through with it?
Was she going to kiss Garrett Hanson for the first time? In front of his mother?
Her lips tingled as Garrett’s gaze dipped from her eyes to her mouth.
He moved forward, his wet hand reaching up to her cheek as he came closer.
His lips brushed hers in a feather soft touch, but all too soon, he stepped away, a dark look shadowing his face. “There. Merry belated Christmas. Now I’m going to get the ladder. I don’t know how you got up there to hang it in the first place.”
Beth stared after him, a little shocked at his abrupt departure.
His mother smiled. “Well. How about I take over drying?”
Turning back to the sink, Beth tried to calm her rapid pulse by grabbing the last dirty plate and plunging it into the now tepid water. “Oh no. I’m almost done. I’ll get it.”
Pearl didn’t listen but picked up the drying rag with her good hand. “I don’t understand why you two didn’t just put them in the dishwasher.”
Beth paused. “The dishwasher?” Looking down, she spied the machine on the other side of where Garrett had been standing earlier, blocking it from view. “I didn’t realize you had one.”
“No harm done. This way I don’t have to put them away later.”
Maybe Garrett had just wanted to save his mom from doing just that. Either that or he’d preplanned their water fight.
She had a sneaky feeling it was the latter.
But then her mind went back to their kiss.
If the half-a-second touch could even be called that.
Her face felt flush all over again. No, she needed to forget all about that kiss. Her heart depended on it.
***
He’d kissed Beth Jamison.
Garrett leaned his hands against the work bench in the garage and gripped the edge.
It had taken every ounce of control he possessed not to slip his hand behind her neck, pull her to him and kiss her like he’d really wanted to all these years.
Every muscle in his body ached from restraint. Had his mother not been there, the kiss would have been much different.
But then again, had his mother not been there, it wouldn’t have happened in the first place.
How had that mistletoe gotten up there? He couldn’t believe he hadn’t noticed it all this time. In fact, he remembered thinking at some point in December how bare the kitchen seemed without the annual sprig hanging from the light. She must have gotten up there after that. If she was going to keep doing things like that with a broken arm, who knew what shenanigans she’d try once she got well?
He might be living with Mom longer than he’d planned.
But what was he going to do about Beth? Pretending to date her was grueling, and today had just taken the
difficulty to a whole new level.
How was he supposed to hold her hand and resist pulling her close?
How would he take her on a “date” without a goodnight kiss now that he’d had a small taste? A way too small taste.
Should he tease her about the kiss? Pretend it never happened?
Teasing would be more realistic because it’s exactly what he would have done if his feelings were merely platonic.
But they were anything but. Still, she looked at him firmly as a big-brother-type figure. Was he a complete idiot to think he could change that?
Probably.
He’d already started down this road, though, and was too far into it to back out now.
Even as his practical side shouted all the reasons he should put the kibosh on it now, his heart won out.
Straightening his spine, he grabbed the ladder propped against the garage wall and squared his jaw. He’d listened to the voice of reason back when he was eighteen.
Who would have thought it’d be his thirty-seven-year-old self throwing caution into the wind?
But that was exactly what he planned to do.
Love was a gamble.
And Garrett was going all-in.
Eleven
Just don’t look at him.
That was her motto to get through this little get-together in one piece. Every time she looked Garrett’s way, that moment in his mom’s kitchen replayed in her head, and her heart went all wonky on her.
But right now, he walked beside her, his hand placed on the small of her back as they walked into Reuben and Maddie’s house.
The very pregnant Maddie waddled toward them, a bright smile on her face. “So glad you could come! It’s just going to be low key. We ordered some pizza and thought we’d get a few tables of Rook going. I can’t handle much more than that these days.”
Beth disengaged herself from Garrett’s arm to give Maddie an awkward hug. “Thank you for inviting us. How much longer is Adam thinking you’ll be?”
“Could be any day. With Matthew’s heart, they want them to stay in as long as possible but not too long either, obviously. We’re thankful to have made it this far.”
A Side of Faith, Hope and Love: The Sandwich Romance Novella Collection Page 25
