by Mary Manners
“How did you manage…why?”
“Can’t you see, Faith? The answer is simple…I’m falling in love with you.”
7
“This is shaping up to be our best episode yet,” Ben said as he settled into the loveseat beside Faith. He placed a hand on her knee, squeezing gently as the film rolled on a screen the size of half a wall length while Harry made final decisions on what to keep and what to cut, and where to add the last touches of music and narration. “And you’re a huge part of the reason for that.”
“I don’t know…” Faith paused to gnaw at her lower lip, all her insecurities swirling in her belly. “I never noticed that my voice sounds so tinny, and I twirl my hair way too much.”
“We all have our little quirks, but I agree, Faith. You’re a natural in front of the camera.” Ben’s sister-in-law, Mandy, held daughter Carrie, who’d just turned two, in her lap. The child slept soundly, a halo of blonde curls fanned around her head and her thumb tucked neatly into her mouth. Samuel settled in at Mandy’s side, holding five-year-old Scotty who mimicked the sounds of a car motor—albeit softly so as not to wake his sister—while he ran a small toy car over the arm of the couch.
A few feet away Colby and Trisha were huddled together. Colby had one hand draped across the mound of Trisha’s belly. Filming had wrapped up just in time; their baby was due in less than a month—New Year’s Day, to be exact—and excitement buzzed through the air like a swarm of fireflies.
“Yes, it was fortuitous that you attended the audition that day, even if you didn’t plan on doing a screen test,” Trish added. “God obviously had other plans.”
Fortuitous…hadn’t that been the very word Avery had also used on their way back to Mountain Light following the fateful afternoon audition? Hadn’t she mentioned God’s sense of humor?
“Thank you.” Faith’s voice caught on a breath as tears welled in her eyes. “And, I never imagined the episode would be done at Mountain Light. I couldn’t believe it that first day of filming when I was seated in the truck with Ben and watched the heavy machinery pass by.”
“It was a stroke of genius on Ben’s part.” Harry, seated in front of them, paused in his note-taking as he turned back for a moment. “I have to admit, it took a bit of convincing but his vision was solid. These ratings should be through the roof.”
“It’s not just about the ratings, Harry.” Ben frowned. “There’s more to life than numbers.”
“You have your opinion and I have mine. I’d say this is a win-win all the way around. Ratings are up, the home got a beautiful pool, Miss O’Fallon will receive a good amount of money to support her charity, and you—”
“About the money,” Faith interrupted. “I don’t think it’s fair to take it. Ben bought all those gifts for the Christmas party…and you’ve all donated the pool, as well. It’s gorgeous. The kids are beside themselves with excitement, and my supervisors are so pleased with the way this has all turned out that they’ve removed my probationary status. I just couldn’t—”
“You can and you will take the money.” Ben’s voice was firm as he lifted a hand to stroke the length of her hair. “You’re always thinking of others, Faith. Do something for yourself this time around.”
Little Carrie sighed in Mandy’s arms. Slowly, Mandy handed the child over to her. “Do you mind, Faith? I’d like to stretch for a minute or two.”
“Not at all.” Faith bundled Carrie into her arms, and sighed with satisfaction. The youngest child at Mountain Light had just turned six, so Faith had little interaction with toddlers. Carrie felt good…right…settled against her shoulder. The soft scent of baby powder filled Faith’s nose and tugged at her heart. A wave of longing filled her.
“That look suits you, Faith.” Valerie nodded slightly. “Yes, I’d say it’s just this side of perfect.”
Faith’s throat tightened. If they all only knew how much she’d dreamed of this very moment…of all the possibilities. She scanned the room as she smoothed a hand over Carrie’s back, drinking in faces that radiated kindness. There was Mandy and Sam…Trisha and Colby...Mrs. Ward, who insisted on being called Valerie, Harry.
And, of course, Ben. The way he looked at her now, his blue eyes wide and vast as the ocean, reduced her to a weepy puddle of mush.
“You all have been so kind to me. I was nervous beyond words at the outset of this adventure, and you made it all seem so easy. I never imagined…”
“You’re part of our family now—our Poolside Oasis family.” Trisha smiled over the rim of her teacup. “I feel as if we’re sisters.”
“That’s right, dear,” Valerie chimed in with a warm smile. “And you’re a third daughter to me…such a blessing.”
Our family…sisters…a daughter…These were things Faith had always longed for yet had never had for her very own. She’d given up the dream after having her heart broken time and time again over the years. The tears spilled over, and she swiped them away as she leaned down to kiss Carrie’s warm, dusky cheek. So soft…so perfect.
All of this was perfect…too perfect to last.
“Please, Ben, take the baby.”
“Why? She loves being swaddled in your arms.”
“Because…” Faith handed the baby to him as tears trailed down her cheeks and the words rushed out. “Take her because I have to leave now. I forgot I have some important work to finish on the Mountain Light Christmas party.” She leapt from the couch as a sob escaped her lips. “I should go. I’m sorry, but I need…”
Her voice faded on a rush of heated breath as the thumb slipped from Carrie’s puckered mouth. She stretched and whimpered, and Faith felt like whimpering, as well. Now that the filming had ended what, exactly, did she need?
And, even more importantly, what did Ben want—from her?
~*~
“Faith, hold up!” Ben’s voice echoed from the walls as he closed in on her, his boots pounded the tile. “Don’t run away. Talk to me.”
“No. I can’t.”
“You have to.” He reached her, placed a hand on her shoulder and spun her back to face him. “I need you to tell me what’s going on. What happened back there, Faith? You were fine one minute and then the next...”
“I told you, I have work to do.”
“The work can wait.”
“No it can’t.” Faith wrenched her hand from his. “I’m not like you, Ben, with never-ending resources. You snap your fingers and people jump right up to do your bidding. You come and go as you please, buy what you want. It doesn’t work like that for everyone—especially not for me.”
“You’re wrong, Faith. I’ve worked hard to get where I am. It hasn’t been easy.”
“Don’t talk to me about hard work, Ben. When things get tough for you, you have a family to help see you through. I don’t have anyone.”
“You have me.”
“Do I? It’s taken me eight months to get off probation at work.”
“I thought we already worked through that. I’m sorry. I’ve tried to make it up to you, to make things right…”
“Is that what this is all about—your attempt to make things right?”
“What? No!” He took her by the shoulders. “You know that’s not what this is about. I care about you, Faith.”
“Do you?” Tears spilled over to trail down her cheeks. “I don’t fit in your world, Ben. You have a loving family, roots, and a future. I’m rappelling through life by a thread, with no safety net to speak of.”
“You do have a safety net, Faith.” Ben skimmed her cheek with the palm of his thumb. “Two, actually…me, if you’ll allow it, and the Man Upstairs who sports a wicked sense of humor.”
“It’s impossible.” Faith lifted a hand to her mouth as she backed away from him. “I have to go now. I have to.”
“Fine. You might have to go, but that doesn’t mean I have to let go.” He drew her back once more to kiss her soundly. “You go take some time to figure things out, but I’ll be around again soon. We’ve
got more than a single episode to share, sweetheart; we’ve got an entire series ahead of us, complete with decades of syndication.”
8
“You’ve done a beautiful job, Faith.” Avery set the last of the food trays on the banquet table. She’d offered to help with the dinner, eliciting assistance from the head chef of the banquet hall she managed. He’d prepared a menu of the kids’ favorites such as baked macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes with gravy, but everyone knew the highlight of the meal would prove to be the pairing overstuffed turkey with sugar-glazed ham. “The decorations are gorgeous, and that Christmas tree...just look at all the gifts waiting to be opened by the children.”
“Ben must have brought them over earlier today.”
He’d taken care to place the packages wrapped in festive foil paper complete with velvet bows in rich shades of crimson and evergreen, beneath the massive fresh-cut Douglas fir that had been donated by Rose Parker. All of this had been accomplished, somehow, while Faith was otherwise occupied. It was almost as if Ben had planned it that way.
He’d certainly done a fantastic job of giving Faith the space she’d requested. Since the afternoon they’d gathered to view raw footage of the episode that had been filmed, their conversations had been sketchy at best. The only time they’d really spent together had been at his warehouse, where they focused on furiously wrapping the plethora of Christmas packages. Of course, Sam and Mandy along with Trisha and Colby had pitched in to help. Valerie had even popped in for a short spell.
Yet, all Faith had heard from Ben during the past week or so came in the form of a note he’d tacked to a bough of the Christmas tree.
Faith,
I’ve been thinking of you…of us. I’ll see you tonight at the party. I’m looking forward to our evening ahead.
Ho, ho, ho…
Ben
Faith held the slip of paper to her nose, where she inhaled the scent of Ben’s aftershave that lingered with pine sap from the tree. Fresh, clean...and so very Ben. It brought an onslaught of tears to her eyes.
“The money you earned from the Poolside Oasis show sure has funded a nice spread here,” Avery continued as she finished stocking papers supplies at the table. There were festive plates, napkins, and cups for milk and holiday punch, along with plastic utensils. “I’ll bet the kids will remember tonight for years to come.”
“I didn’t pay for it.” The thought brought a slight stab of guilt. Avery had encouraged Faith to do the episode to make her job of providing for the kids that much easier. Yet, the money sat unused in her bank account.
“No?”
“No. Ben bought practically all the gifts, Mrs. Parker donated the tree, and you’ve provided the bulk of the food with the donations you garnered through the banquet hall. I’ve mainly just watched everything unfold.”
“You’ve supervised to make sure it all comes together.”
“Yes, that was tough.” Her laughter spilled tinny and fake, merely a sound rather than an emotion. “It’s not enough. I should be tossed on probation again.”
“Bite your tongue. You’ve done more than your fair share in all of this, Faith.” Avery switched off the overhead lights, casting the room into a colorful glow of Christmas cheer. She added sound from the stereo system and Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” flooded the intercom. Soon the children would arrive with boundless appetites and shouts of glee. Eyes would grow wide with wonder as each gift was opened. Everything seemed perfect.
Almost everything.
Faith sighed and ran a hand through her hair. She’d swept the long waves into a neat chignon tonight, in preparation of the red felt hat waiting to be donned. “I wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t come.”
“Who?”
“Ben. I miss him, but it’s my own fault.” Faith’s heart tugged at the finality of her actions. “I kind of messed things up in that arena. I think I hurt him badly.”
“Don’t sweat it too much.” Avery smiled as she patted Faith’s shoulder. “All you have to do is look out the window to know how much Ben cares for you. He built that pool in the side yard because he saw how much you love what you do here. He’s fallen in love with the kids, too. Come summer, they’ll spend their days splashing and playing in the sunshine. It’s going to be a child’s dream come true.”
“You’re right.”
“Of course I’m right. I keep telling you that, but I have yet to make a believer out of you.”
“I’m getting there. Be patient with me.”
“And you need to be patient with Ben. Remember, nothing is ever so messed up that it can’t be fixed with a little faith, a little love, and a whole lot of help and guidance from the Man Upstairs.”
~*~
Lights glowed from the community room as Ben pulled into the lot at Mountain Light. The hum of music spilled into the night as he parked and slipped from the truck. Black patent-leather boots clomped over pavement as he crossed to the entrance. He cleared his throat, warming up the laugh he’d taken care over the past several weeks to perfect.
The ample red suit warmed against a bite of winter breeze, and the overstuffed pillow he’d lassoed smartly to his waist added girth. He wanted to look every bit the part of Santa for the kids—and for Faith. He’d let her down once and he had no plans to repeat the blunder and further jeopardize her trust.
“Well, look at you.” Avery met him at the double entrance doors. “You clean up well, Ben Ward.”
“Thanks. Where is she?”
“Inside with the kids, doling out slices of pumpkin pie doused in whipped cream. She’s been waiting on you all day, though she’d never admit it. I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me, too.”
Ben followed Avery, winding his way through the halls until they came to the community room…and to Faith.
She took his breath away. Dressed in a cute crimson hat and a cream-colored sweater paired with a hunter-green skirt that skimmed the top of leather boots, he’d never seen a more beautiful woman.
“Ho, ho, ho!” Ben tossed a sack loaded with gifts for the youngest children over one shoulder and headed Faith’s way. “Merry Christmas!”
“Santa’s here!” Cries rang out as chairs screeched and kids scrambled toward him. “What’s in your sack, Santa?”
Ben paused long enough to pat a few on the head, lifting others into his arms. One or two whispered their gift request into his ear and he nodded, confident that Faith had worked all of that out. When the commotion died down a bit, he continued toward Faith.
“Hi there.”
“Hi, yourself.” She tugged at his beard, offering the warm smile that had been missing for days. “You look…perfect.”
“How about the laugh? Ho, ho, ho!”
“That’s an A-plus, as well.” She smoothed a hand down his arm, grazing his skin through the heavy fabric of the costume. “You came.”
“I promised I would.”
“The kids are thrilled.”
“I am, too.”
“I’m sorry for the things I said…and for hurting you.”
“You’re forgiven.” Ben lifted a hand to her cheek. “You look beautiful tonight.”
“And you look…” She paused for a moment. “Wow.”
“I guess I’d better get started with the gifts.” Ben crossed to the chair that had been set out for him, nestled within a miniature Santa’s workshop beside the Douglas fir. “The kids have finished their dessert and they’re getting restless.”
“Yes, they’re ready.” Faith handed him the first gift to be delivered to a waiting child. “But are you?”
~*~
“That was some party.” Faith picked up shredded wrapping paper and stuffed it into a trash bag. “And you were the life of it, Mr. Claus.”
“The clean-up can wait.” Ben reached for her. “Come sit with me for a minute in Santa’s workshop.”
“Me in the workshop? Why?”
“I think I spotted something for you over there. Let’s ta
ke a look.”
Ben guided Faith over and settled her into the oversized, high-backed chair to the right of the tree. The scent of pine, sweet and rich with the season, filled the air around them. Faith’s heart thrummed against her rib-cage as Ben reached a hand deep between a few high boughs of the tree.
“Yes, here it is…a package for you.”
“But I didn’t—”
“I know. I did.” He drew the small box from the limbs and turned back to her with such love in his eyes that the thrum of Faith’s heart grew to the steady pounding of a bass drum. “Merry Christmas, Faith.”
“But I didn’t…you can’t—”
“Hush and hear me out.” Ben pressed a finger to her lips. “Faith O’Fallon, I have loved you since the moment I first laid eyes on you. It was unexpected, for sure, yet it was and continues to be something so very special that I can’t even begin to describe what I feel deep inside…in here.” He took her left hand and pressed the palm to his chest. Even through the heavy fabric of the costume, Faith felt that his heartbeat mirrored hers, strong and steady. “And that love has only grown over the past several months. There’s no denying it. Now we’re here…no cameras or script…just the two of us.”
Ben lowered to one knee, and Faith could manage no more than a gasp as he lifted the lid of the small, velvet box to reveal a sparkling diamond solitaire.
“I want to share my life with you, Faith. I want to spend the length of my days loving you…cherishing you and thanking God for every moment with you. So I’m asking…will you marry me?”
“I thank God for you, too, Ben, and for His boundless grace.” Faith leaned in to kiss him, beard and all, as tears gathered to blur her vision. Happiness welled like a fountain broad and deep. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
“Merry Christmas, Faith…the first of many yet to come.”
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