A Light in the Window

by Jolyse Barnett

  His friend cursed under his breath. “I don’t want her hurt, Ben.”

  Ben stood and walked over to his wall of windows overlooking Starling Lake. “Jeremy, you know me well enough to realize nothing is going to happen between Jade and me unless she wants it to happen.”

  His friend expelled a long sigh. “Yeah, okay, makes sense.”

  “Good, because it’s the truth. And you know my motto, “If you’re not with me—”

  “You’re against me. Yeah, yeah. I know. It’s a moot point, anyway, I guess. Jade hasn’t shown any interest in you since she decided to act like a girl.”

  “True,” Ben agreed lightly. Jeremy’s comment would sting if he didn’t know better. Jade may not have thought twice about him as a teen but she sure as hell had noticed him last evening and again this morning. “If you’re done talking nonsense, I’d like to talk business.” Finally, he felt able to pause for a long pull on his beer. “I told Craig to call you.” Craig was his first-in-command at Stephens Productions. “We’ll take a few trips to Lake George this month before we start shooting first full week in January.”

  The other end of the line was quiet.

  Good. Craig and the other half-dozen employees were one hundred percent on board with their mission. If Jeremy wanted to be part of the team, he needed to toe the line and not go off half-cocked about personal issues. “I’ll have Craig call you with the details once I firm up the schedule.”

  Jeremy agreed and thanked him again for giving him the opportunity.

  Ben ended the call, took another swallow of beer, and leaned back on the couch.

  Sadie jumped on the couch and licked his face.

  Tension drained out of his shoulders. “You hungry, girl?” He ruffled her fur and she nuzzled his shoulder before they raced each other into the kitchen. Ben pulled out the bag of food and poured the remaining kibbles into her bowl. “Guess we’ll drive to Clyde’s tonight, huh?”

  After calling Craig with an overview of the month’s assignments and watching the sports highlights, Ben grabbed Sadie’s leash and headed out to the car with her.

  He had opened the passenger door for Sadie when he noticed an article of clothing sandwiched between the seat and console. “Hold on, girl.” He leaned into the vehicle and retrieved Jade’s glove, turning the soft fabric over in his hand. Her scent filled his nostrils. He laughed, thinking back to when they were kids. He’d once asked why her mittens were connected to each other by a long string and she’d responded her mother didn’t want her to lose any more pairs. In many ways, he’d liked her far better when she’d been a tomboy, unconcerned about hair and nail and clothes. He stuffed the item into a coat pocket, moved so Sadie could jump onto the seat, and closed the door behind her.

  Another errand to add to the list. For some reason, he wasn’t as annoyed about the second one as he’d been by the first. In fact, he was rather looking forward to it.

  Jade parked her mother’s silver Subaru on Main Street under a banner advertising Starling’s upcoming Twelfth Annual Winter Festival on the twenty-eighth. She plucked the grocery list from its spot inside the cup holder and exited the car, stepping onto the sidewalk in front of Clyde’s Country Store.

  A tiny bell attached to the door signaled her arrival. The woman behind the counter didn’t look up from her magazine. “Welcome to Clyde’s. Let me know if you need anything.”

  Jade peered at the lady. “Laura?”

  Recognition crossed her old high school classmate’s freckled face. “Oh my goodness.” She hopped off her stool behind the small wood counter. “Jade. I can’t believe it. I thought you were kidding when you said on Facebook that you were coming home December. You once told me you’d never set foot in this town again.”

  Jade gave her a squeeze. “Well, I’m here. It’s great to see you.” Laura was one of few girls from Starling Central she had kept in touch with after moving to Florida. “You look terrific.”

  Her friend puffed out her chest. “Lost eighty-five pounds in two years.”

  “I saw those Before and After pictures. Amazing.”

  “I learned what three kids and an addiction to reality TV can do to a girl’s figure.” Laura laughed. “Anyway, I’ll let you get cracking with that list.”

  Jade nodded, accepting the plastic shopping basket Laura handed her. Her friend had married right out of high school, one of those happy real-life romances, like Jade’s older brother, Jack and his wife. It was good to know that true love was alive and well—at least in the Adirondacks.

  The bell announced another customer’s arrival and the two women turned to look.

  Laura whistled under her breath. “Oh my, that man makes it worth working the closing shift.”

  Jade locked eyes with Ben Stephens before tearing her attention away, only to be drawn back by those rippling muscles beneath his fitted long-sleeved tee shirt.

  He closed the distance between them. “I’ve got something for you.”

  Laura’s eyes grew wide, glancing between the two of them.

  He pulled Jade’s missing glove out of his pocket. “You left this behind.”

  Jade took the item, warm from where it had nestled close to his—Don’t go there. This is Benji. “Thanks.”

  “Is there something I missed here?” Laura’s voice broke the magic floating in the air.

  “Benji,” she said, emphasizing the nickname, “gave me a ride home from the airport.”

  His emerald eyes darkened. “Well, I’ve got shopping to do. Excuse me, ladies.” He leaned between them, close enough that he grazed Jade’s chest with a shoulder as he reached for a basket from the stack.

  Laura waited until he walked to the back of the store before grabbing Jade’s arm. “Dish.”

  Reeling from his accidental touch, she searched for the right words. “It’s Benji, for Pete’s sake. We haven’t had anything in common since I started wearing a training bra. There’s nothing to dish. It would be weird.”

  “I’ll tell you what’s weird. The air sizzled with chemical attraction just now. Any fool can see you connect.”

  “No...”

  “C’mon, get in the Christmas spirit. You know, love thy neighbor.” Laura giggled under her breath.

  “Ha ha, very funny.”

  Laura leaned close, glanced toward the back of the store then whispered. “Sparks like that are rare. Trust me.” She moved behind the counter with a knowing expression.

  Jade began shopping, her mind warring with her body on the subject of her hunky ex-neighbor. Yes, Ben was attractive. Yes, there were some major fireworks between them, but that wasn’t a basis for a lasting relationship. No, they would be friends at most and nothing more.

  She plopped the last item into her shopping basket and came up to the cash register just as Ben set a large bag of dog food and assorted items on the counter.

  He glanced at her car through the storefront window. “I see you have transport.”

  She nodded. “My mom’s. Where’s Sadie?”

  “In the truck. We’re headed out for a walk along Main Street as soon as I’m finished here. It’s a pretty time of year with the snow and decorated storefronts.”

  “That’s nice.” She set her basket on the counter. “Thanks for my glove.”

  “You’re welcome.” He nodded to Laura. “Say hi to Kenny for me.”

  No sooner had the door shut than Laura whirled on her. “He was asking you to join him. Why didn’t you say yes?”

  She played dumb. “Huh?”

  “You treated him like he was barely there.”

  Heat rushed onto Jade’s chest. “I did not.” She handed Laura her credit card.

  Laura swiped the card and handed it back with a receipt. “Didn’t you?”

  She shook her head and picked up her grocery bag. “You must be imagining things.”

  Her friend shrugged and walked her to the door. They talked about old friends and recent news, before Laura said, “I have next Tuesday off and Kenny’s
taking the kids ice skating after school. Do you want to get together then?”

  Jade wasn’t sure of anything right now but she didn’t want to be viewed as the town Grinch. “Sounds fun.”

  They said their goodbyes and Jade headed back into the chilly night. Ben’s vehicle was still parked behind hers. He crossed the street toward her, Sadie loping beside him.

  She placed the groceries in the trunk and opened the driver’s side door.

  “Hey.”

  She froze, his deep voice sending a shiver of awareness through her. “Hey.”

  He stepped onto the sidewalk next to her. “Want to stop by the Main Street Café, have a cup? They make a mean mocha latte.” He nodded toward the brick building down the block with white twinkling lights and big red bows.

  “Sorry, can’t.” She pointed to the car. “Mom needs it back soon.”

  “I could follow you, drop Sadie off at the parents, and bring you back.”

  She shook her head. “I think Jack may be bringing the kids over tonight and I don’t want to miss them.” That was a bald-faced lie, but he didn’t need to know that.

  Ben moved away from the car, Sadie quiet beside him. “Well, have fun with the twins. Maybe another time.”

  She ducked her head and slipped into the car, avoiding his gaze. Ben had been her best friend from the day after his family moved next door when they were about to enter kindergarten until the second week of eighth grade. She had hurt him enough, and hurt herself just as much, turning her back on who she really was. Now, finally, she was trying to get her life back on track, with plans for graduate school that would take her far away again. Mom was worried enough about her quitting her job and starting this new plan, not to mention the fact that Ben Stephens wasn’t her flavor of the month, right now.

  How could Jade possibly respond to him when they had no future?

  Chapter Five

  Ben watched the Subaru disappear around the corner of Main Street.

  She’d turned him down. She trembled when she accepted her glove from him, held his gaze for longer than was deemed merely polite, yet she’d turned him down. He hadn’t had too many experiences since hitting adulthood where a woman interested in him refused his advances, and this one really bothered him.

  She’d called the shots on their relationship in the eighth grade, and left him bewildered and ashamed. This time, he wasn’t going to let that happen. She would be in Starling for a month. He had shot award-winning films in less time. He had thirty days to find out exactly what Jade Engel was really about, and what he really felt about her after all this time, and he was going to do it or die trying.

  The following morning, Jade stepped into her parents’ sunny kitchen, where a plethora of delicious aromas filled the air. Her mother was making a batch of peanut brittle at the counter while her father and grandmother ate breakfast at the table. She made the rounds, hugging and kissing them each before she slipped onto the chair next to her grandmother snuggled in a daisy-yellow housecoat.

  Her grandmother pushed her round wire-rimmed glasses onto her nose. “Morning, my girl.” Her plump face beamed and short white curls bobbed as her scooped scrambled eggs using a spoon in her good hand.

  “Sleep well?” Her mother cocked her head.

  She nodded and poured a glass of orange juice from the carton. No need to worry the family about her insomnia. She’d get back on track with sleep once she settled into her new routine and life.

  “Your father is taking Grandma to the Senior Center after PT then he’s off to work. Would you mind bringing her home when she’s done? Also, I offered to make the angel costumes for the Children’s Nativity Pageant. Pastor Dan called and said they have the materials ready for pick up. Could you stop at the church hall on your way to the Senior Center?

  Jade smiled. These were the kind of activities she needed to take her mind off her murky future and lackluster personal life. “Sure. Anything else?”

  Her father handed her the bowl of scrambled eggs. “Eat. From the looks of you, you can’t afford to lose any more weight.”

  She rolled her eyes. “No need to worry about me. I love to eat.” She spooned two healthy scoops of eggs onto her plate then reached for the platter of bacon. “I’ve missed Mom’s cooking.”

  An hour later, Jade pulled into the church hall parking lot at the far end of Main Street. An older, heavyset woman with short black hair shaped in a stylish bob appeared at the entrance of the white building next to the gray stone church, her arms filled with packages.

  Ben’s mom.

  Jade exited the car and called to her. “Hi, Mrs. Stephens. Need a hand?”

  “I’m fine.” She came puffing up the walkway. “Ben told me you were home. Good to see you.” She deposited her cargo onto the back seat of her Volvo before turning back for a quick hug and kiss. “Hate to run, but I’m late for my dentist appointment.” She climbed into her car. “See you all at my house the twelfth.”

  Jade waved goodbye and headed down the cement path to the church hall. She was met by a handful of ladies she’d known since childhood along with Pastor Dan, new to the congregation since she’d moved away. He was a pleasant man about her age, married like all of the ladies’ sons. Jade was an Old Maid by Starling standards, single at twenty-nine.

  The ladies motioned for her to join them at the large table laid out with fabric in neat piles of blue, beige, brown, and white. Alice took charge as usual. “Your mother’s making the three angel costumes.” She pointed to the first packet on the right. “There’s the pattern. Read the list of materials on the sheet stapled to it and take what you need.”

  “Thanks.” Jade measured and cut the correct number of yards of white satin for the robes and tulle for the wings then gathered two spools of wide silver ribbon, a spool of wire, and two large plastic bags of downy white feathers.

  She couldn’t help but overhear as Alice spoke to the group. “I don’t know what we’re going to do. Millie was supposed to be in charge of the project, but she has her hands full with work and family.”

  One of the women replied, “What we need are some young people to take over the job.”

  Jade glanced up from her task. This could be another activity that would help pass the days. “Can I help?”

  The five church ladies gazed at her with hope.

  Alice shook her head, her gray mane bobbing. “Oh, dear, I’m sure you’re busy helping your mother. She has her hand in everything. I imagine you’ll be running errands from now until New Year’s.”

  Jade pulled up a chair and joined the group. “I’m the same as Mom. I like to be busy. What does the project involve?”

  Alice patted her hand. “Well, let us tell you...”

  Jade listened as the five ladies explained the project. By the end of the conversation, she had signed on as lead volunteer. She would visit shut-ins and other people in need, decorating their homes for the season and delivering holiday meals and goodies provided by the Starling Women’s Guild.

  She thanked the women and drove next to Starling Senior Center to join Grandma Bertie. She stepped out of her car and walked through the center’s automatic doors. A group of elderly gentlemen sat in a circle in the large, airy foyer with a roaring fireplace as its centerpiece, laughing and playing with a Golden Retriever that looked like Sadie.

  At the sound of footsteps, Jade turned. She caught her breath. The dog was Sadie.

  Ben smiled at her, coffee in hand. “Following me?”

  “I believe I was at the Country Store before you.”

  “True that.”

  She smiled. “Is Sadie a therapy dog?”

  He nodded. “One of her many talents.”

  “I thought you had a business to run. How do you have the freedom to lounge around while people pet your dog in the middle of a work week?”

  “There are many perks to running your own business. One is that you make your own hours.” He smiled and greeted a resident rolling past in a wheelchair.

&
nbsp; She looked around for her grandmother, but didn’t spot her.

  “Looking for Bertie?”

  She nodded.

  “I saw her in the Media Room with a couple of her girlfriends.” He pointed to a closed door of an adjacent activity room.

  “Oh, thanks.” She glanced around, looking for a quiet place to sit.

  “Coffee while you wait?” He handed her a to-go cup and indicated the coffee urn behind her.

  She poured a steaming cup and sighed. Ah, hazelnut. Thank goodness for caffeine.

  “How are your mom and dad?”

  The question reminded her of her mother’s concern about Ben. She added two creams and stirred. “Fine. Are you and Jeremy still friends?”

  He tilted his head at her. “I recently hired him. Does that answer your question?”

  She stirred in the sugar. “There are people with the impression you encouraged his drinking. Any truth in that?”

  Ben flinched before crossing his arms. He leaned back against the wall. “I’m not perfect, and yes, I did drink with him—before and after the accident. Is that the reason he started having trouble? I guess you’d have to ask Jeremy.”

  “I’ve been gently warned to stay away from you,” she said.

  He turned toward her, his face mere inches from hers, his voice soft. “And do you want to?”

  She ignored his fresh mountain scent, addictive like the coffee in her hand. “I want the loved ones in my life to be happy,” she answered.

  I want myself back. But how does that happen?

  If it involved keeping Ben Stephens out of her life, she didn’t know.

  His voice was direct, without a trace of hurt. “I’ll take that as my cue to leave then, because I apparently don’t fit in that category.” He whistled softly to Sadie then turned back to her, pinning her with those brilliant green eyes. “One day you’ll want to follow your own path instead of the one set before you by others. You know, like you used to do before you entered middle school.”