Warmth spread through her at his touch.
“Sorry to stop by without invitation.” She rubbed her hands together as a shiver raked over her.
“Sorry? Don’t be silly. This is a nice surprise—and I could use some nice surprises lately.”
She glanced around the house, pausing when she saw the Christmas tree in the corner and various boxes scattered around it. “You’re decorating?”
Jack shrugged and followed her gaze. “I thought maybe it would be good for the soul. Sometimes the hardest part is just taking the first step.”
“Yes, it is.”
He turned back toward her. “Would you like to help, Juliette? I’d love some company.”
Juliette couldn’t help but smile. “I’d love to.”
He tugged her jacket off and then got some coffee for her. Juliette found some Christmas music on her phone, and “O Come All Ye Faithful” began playing through her small speakers.
As they decorated, she gave Jack an update on things.
He paused by the Christmas tree, and his warm smile appeared again. Something seemed different about him this morning. He seemed less burdened. Why was that?
“That’s great, Juliette,” he murmured, holding a star-shaped ornament in his hands. “I’m glad you’re not in danger anymore. Actually, ‘glad’ is an understatement. I’m overjoyed.”
“You and me both.” She sat on the floor and began to untangle some lights in-between sips of her coffee.
“And you got all of your phone calls taken care of?” Jack asked. “It sounded like you had a lot to talk about last night with . . . whoever you were speaking with.”
Juliette smiled as she remembered the calls. “It was Sebastian mostly. We were talking about this Christmas special they want to do. It’s not exactly a Christmas special. They want to air snippets of an interview with me talking about the book during commercial breaks. I decided that since my stalker was no longer a threat, we could go ahead and film the interview with me. The crew from Atlanta—that’s where the network’s headquarters is—is coming here.”
Jack’s eyebrows shot up. “Here? To Lantern Beach? When?”
“Today, actually.” She glanced at her watch. “In about three hours. They’re hoping to film parts of the island’s Christmas celebration. The festivities really do tie in with my book. It’s about a small-town Christmas.”
“It sounds perfect then.”
“And maybe it will give the island some publicity.” She shrugged, trying to look on the bright side.
“That’s usually a good thing. There’s not much business here during the winter months.”
“Your Living Nativity and town carolers might even be featured.”
Jack raised his eyebrows. “Now, I never guaranteed how good they sounded.”
Juliette chuckled, pausing for a moment from untangling the lights. “That will make it even better. If they sounded perfect, that would be boring.”
“It sounds like things are really falling in line for you. That’s great, Juliette.”
She rubbed the Christmas lights in her hands as “What Child Is This” played in the background. That song had always been one of her favorites. “I suppose it is. But, in truth, I never really wanted all of this. I just wanted to make a living as a writer. The rest of it . . . it’s been a surprise. One that I’m not always sure how to handle.”
“It seems like you’re handling it just fine.” Jack smiled and sat on the floor beside her.
He reached for the lights, to help her untangle them, and their hands brushed. A shot of electricity rushed through her.
“And I owe a big thanks to you, Jack,” Juliette told him softly.
“What do you mean?”
She swallowed hard. “I mean that I’ve been struggling through my latest novel, wondering how I can write about something I don’t even believe in anymore—love and romance and happily ever after. But being around you has shown me that’s possible. And I’m not talking about you and me. I don’t even know what you and I are. But just hearing about how much you loved your wife . . . it was truly inspiring. I want a great love like that for my own life one day.”
His gaze caught with hers, and something passed between them. “You’re a special woman, Juliette. And I’m sorry for what your ex-husband did to you. You deserve a better love story.”
As if a force beyond their control moved Juliette, she leaned toward Jack. He leaned toward her. Her gaze went to his lips. But no sooner had their lips met then the sound of honking outside shoved them apart.
Juliette tensed. Honking? What was going on?
Her body was still in fight-or-flight mode, and she couldn’t help but wonder if this had something to do with her stalker.
No, don’t be ridiculous. He’s dead.
Still, her heart pounded out of control.
Jack’s eyebrows knit together as he stood, walked to the window, and peered out. “There’s a van outside.”
“A van?”
“With cameras.”
“Cameras?” Juliette repeated again, totally clueless. She stood and joined them.
Jack turned back to her. “Juliette, is there any reason that the film crew might show up here?”
“Here? At your house? They shouldn’t even know where I am.” Her mind raced. Was that really her crew outside?
“Maybe you should call your manager then, because they’re coming to the door.”
Jack stood back and watched as five people invaded his home.
To Juliette’s credit, she looked just as shocked as he felt.
“Sebastian. How did you know I was here?” Juliette asked a man with short blond hair.
“We saw your car outside.” He glanced around Jack’s house and nodded with approval. “I must say—this place is perfect. And you’re decorating for Christmas together? Maybe we can get some shots of this. It’s cozy, and it screams holiday spirit. Viewers would love it.”
“No, I don’t think—” Juliette started.
“Juliette, good to see you again.” Another man—this one nearly bald and wiry—placed a hand on Juliette’s shoulder.
“Rio, it’s so good to see you again.” She offered him a quick hug.
“It’s been too long. You’re looking good—other than the cut on your face. And . . .” He squinted. “Are you injured?”
Juliette shrugged. “It’s a long story.”
“Some psycho has been making her life miserable,” Sebastian said. “But he’s dead now. Perfect timing, right? We’d hate for anything to mess with our production schedule.”
“A psycho?” Rio asked, turning a worried gaze on Juliette. “Juliette, we could have postponed this or cancelled it altogether. It sounds like you have other things to deal with.”
Juliette shot Sebastian a dirty look. “I appreciate that. But I suppose since you’re already in town . . .”
“We’ve got to strike while the iron is hot,” Sebastian said.
Juliette turned back toward her manager. “Sebastian, I understand that. But not here. I never really said that—”
Sebastian didn’t seem to hear her. He walked around the house, observing the decorations that had been put out. His eyes danced with satisfaction. “It’s perfect. Did I mention that? It’s like you stepped into the pages of one of your books.”
“I understand, but—”
Sebastian turned toward Jack, and his eyes widened. “Please tell me you’ve found love at Christmas time! That would be a great angle for this whole interview. You couldn’t have planned this any better.”
Juliette’s face looked a little paler. “No! My romantic life—or lack thereof—isn’t public information ever again. Ever.”
Sebastian stepped back, looking mockingly offended. “Okay, okay. Just an idea. I’m Sebastian.” He turned to Jack.
Jack hesitantly took the man’s outstretched hand, already not caring for Juliette’s manager. “I’m Jack Wilson—the pastor of the community church here.”
“Sebastian!” Juliette said, her voice rising. “Absolutely not. I don’t appreciate you coming here like this. Disrupt my life, but not Jack’s.”
“It’s okay, Juliette,” Jack said.
“No, it’s not okay.”
Sebastian raised his hands. “This is my doing.”
“It is.”
“Sorry, sorry. I was just trying to make the best of this and keep your career going.”
Juliette put her hands on her hips “My career is going fine.”
“It can always be better. That’s why you hired me.”
“I hired you to make my life easier. This is not easier.”
“Alright, alright,” Sebastian said. “I get it. Let’s stop talking about this. We’ve got a lot to do.”
As Sebastian kept talking, Juliette glanced over at Jack and mouthed, “Sorry.”
“It’s okay,” he mouthed back.
But an hour later, Sebastian was still talking.
Jack could sense she needed a break.
“Juliette, could I have a word with you?” Jack asked.
“Of course.” She stepped away from the insanity, looking relieved to have an excuse to do just that.
Jack took her arm and led her toward the back of the house, where no one could hear. “Are you okay with all of this?”
She shrugged, still looking uncertain. “I guess I am. It comes with the territory.”
“I can kick them all out if you want.”
She rested a hand on his chest. “No, I just need to get it over with. I’m so sorry you’re in the middle of it.”
“It’s okay. I know you didn’t plan this.”
“Sebastian . . . he has a strong personality, to say the least.”
“I picked up on that.”
The two shared a smile.
Jack’s heart ached with . . . something. He wanted to say more. Wanted to pull Juliette out of this craziness. He wanted to finish decorating for Christmas and sharing the moment with Juliette.
But . . . he had to let Juliette make her own choices. She obviously had a life away from this place. Could she ever find a home in an isolated place like Lantern Beach? Would it be too much to ask her that very question?
“Listen, I’ve got to go and begin getting things set up down at the boardwalk,” he said. “I hate to leave you.”
“Oh, I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me—Sebastian won’t let me out of his sight. I’ll go kick everyone out.”
Jack shrugged. “You know what? They can stay. I’m leaving. As long as you’re okay with this.”
“I’m as okay as I can be.”
He studied her face another moment. “I’m going to have to trust you on that. I’ll see you down at the Illumination?”
“That sounds great.”
Jack raised her hand and planted a lingering kiss there. “If you need me, call. Promise?”
A smile warmed Juliette’s face. “I promise. Thank you, Jack.”
He only wished he could do more.
Chapter Nineteen
Juliette’s nerves were thin enough to break.
Nothing about today had gone the way she’d planned.
No, with her stalker out of her life, she’d thought today would be laid-back. Maybe she’d spend some time with Jack. Maybe she’d write. Look for a new place to stay—she didn’t want to go back to where she’d been. There were too many bad memories in that house.
She had a lot of decisions to make.
But right now, she’d had her hair and makeup done. She’d been dressed in an adorable white cowl-neck sweater, skinny jeans, and boots.
She looked like the poster girl for everything warm and cozy about Christmas.
Her initial interview had just wrapped up. She’d sat on the steps out of the church building and talked about her best Christmas memories.
It had been a stretch. She didn’t have that many good Christmas memories. But she pulled out what she could.
She nervously played with her hair as she lingered on the church steps a while longer, waiting for her next set of instructions. Behind her, an evergreen wreath decorated the bright red door to the white building. Cars loaded with people wearing Christmas sweaters and old timey holiday outfits went past. She’d even heard Christmas music coming from a couple of them.
Sebastian was right. This should feel like she’d stepped onto the pages of one of her novels. So why did she feel so unhappy?
“You look perfect.” Rio stepped from around the side of the van, a stocking cap over his balding head and a kind gleam to his eyes. “Don’t look so nervous.”
“This isn’t my comfort zone, exactly.”
He stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Don’t let your manager talk you into doing anything you’re not comfortable with. You can always talk directly to me if you need to. I had no idea he was putting you in this position.”
“I appreciate that.” Rio had always been level-headed, a fact Juliette appreciated. He helped balance out Sebastian’s emotionally fueled antics.
“I also had no idea you’d just been through the ordeal you have. Sebastian told us the details. The stalker. The attack. I’m really sorry.”
Juliette dropped the cup of coffee in her hands, and the liquid spilled on the cement there. Another crew member scrambled to clean it up for her.
“Sorry—I like to keep the details of my life private. I told him some of those details earlier, but I didn’t realize he’d shared the information.”
“He was trying to give some insight into your current state. I don’t think he intended to overstep. But you should consider whether or not you really need him. Maybe he’s more trouble than he’s worth.”
Juliette’s gaze traveled beyond Rio to Sebastian, who stood near a cemetery in the distance, the phone to his ear. But his gaze was on Juliette.
It was because they’re filming, Juliette told herself. Not because he’s watching you.
Your stalker is dead.
You’re safe.
Besides, even if your stalker was still out there, no way would it be Sebastian. He’s your friend.
She turned back to Rio. “I’m 100 percent sure that the preacher will not be in this video.”
The last thing she wanted was to pull Jack into this.
“Okay, then. I at least had to try.” He glanced at his watch. “Looks like it’s time to get down to the Christmas celebration. You ready?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” But an underlying twitch of nerves pinched inside her.
Why? Was she nervous about being on camera? Or was it something else?
She couldn’t be sure.
Jack looked over at the choir as they got in place near the lifesaving station. It was one of the buildings original to the island, and it still kept its historic charm with the white clapboard siding and wooden shutters that were propped open with a stick.
The Illumination of Lantern Beach had begun.
The choir from his church was all dressed up in garb like their ancestors would have worn back in the 1800s. They would “carol” here while people watched them. Then, immediately following their performance, the town would be lit up. Lights had been strung along buildings. And near an open area a twenty-foot-tall Christmas tree had been displayed. It would be the last thing lit.
All of that would be followed by the Living Nativity on the beach just beyond this area. His friends Skye and Austin would play Mary and Joseph. Jesus had a runny nose so a baby doll would take his place. One of the sheep had already run away.
This was going to be interesting—especially since everyone in town had seemed to come out for the event.
The good news was that the day was only mildly cold. At least the sun was out and the breeze wasn’t as terrible as it could have been. Besides, the smell of kettle corn mixed with the salty ocean air, and together had created an
ambience like none other Jack had experienced before.
All around him, people seemed oblivious to any of the strain he felt. No, they looked happy in their Christmas sweaters and stocking hats. They drank hot chocolate. A few brave souls had purchased ice cream from Elsa—Serena’s ice cream truck. Lisa and Braden strolled past, arm in arm, giggling together.
That was what Jack wanted, he realized. He missed being part of a couple.
And he didn’t just want what Lisa and Braden had.
What he wanted—who he wanted—was Juliette. The two really needed to talk. To really talk. Without interruption.
He hoped that would happen after today’s craziness ended.
Tension pulled across his shoulders, and he glanced around again. Was the feeling because he was in charge of pulling off part of this event? Or was there something more?
Maybe it was because he’d had to leave Juliette.
But her stalker was dead. He shouldn’t feel this much anxiety about it.
Just as the thought entered his head, Jack turned his attention to a crowd coming down the boardwalk.
A crowd filled with camera crews and producers.
Juliette was right in the center.
She didn’t appear to be eating up the attention. As soon as Jack saw her face, he saw the trepidation there.
But the scene looked like it was made for TV. The island with its Christmas lights and merrymakers and the choir warming up behind him. The film crew couldn’t have asked for a better day.
He licked his lips, desperately wanting to be with her.
But it was better if he stayed here and gave her space.
“We’re ready to start singing.” Ms. Eloise, the choir director, appeared beside him. She shoved her miniature spectacles up higher on her nose. Her brittle blonde hair was pulled into a bun, and she wore a velvety green shawl over her “settlers” outfit.
Every time Eloise sang, she sounded like Frosty the Snowman was giving her a bear hug and causing her voice to rise dramatically in pitch. But it was a joyful noise, and Jack didn’t mind it as much as the rest of the congregation.
Jack turned his attention toward her, raising his mug of peppermint hot chocolate up for a sip. Lisa had brought him a cup several minutes ago. To his surprise, it was just peppermint hot chocolate. He’d halfway expected to taste cayenne pepper or some other strange flavor inside.
Storm of Doubt Page 11
