Smitten Book Club

by Colleen Coble

  “What is it?” She ran her fingers through her hair. “I look a mess, don’t I?”

  “You’ve never looked more beautiful.” His eyes held hers and lingered there.

  “Well, I guess you’d better go out so I can make myself presentable for dinner. Tell Mom I’ll be right there.”

  “Great.” He took her hand and ever so gently brought it to his lips, then placed it carefully back on her bed. “I’ll look forward to it.” He turned and walked out the door.

  His heart pounded in his chest. What was he thinking? He was going to blow it between them, acting like that. It was a good thing he was leaving. He needed to get out of there, away from Elliana, and think. This was coming out of nowhere. Wasn’t it? He hadn’t always felt this way, had he? Of course he hadn’t. They were friends.

  It must be seeing her sick that had thrown him. It sent an urgency through him. He wanted to fix things. Just like with his wife. But some things he just couldn’t fix.

  He stepped into the dining room. “Elliana is going to come out to the living room and lie down on the sofa.”

  “Oh good,” her mother said. “She’s been stuck back there, and I was worried she’d get depressed.”

  “That’s enough talking about me.” Elliana entered the room with a weak smile. “You go ahead and eat. I’ll just sit over here.”

  Mrs. Burton said the prayer over the meal, and they began to eat.

  “Smells delicious,” Elliana said.

  “Would you like to try some, dear?”

  “No, thanks, Mom. I might have some chicken broth later. That would feel good on my throat.”

  “I’ll get it for you now.”

  Soon her mother had the mug of broth in Elliana’s hands.

  After Joey and Grace helped clear the dinner table, he walked over to join Elliana, and Grace settled into a Disney movie on TV with Mrs. Burton.

  “So,” Elliana said, breaking the silence. “You all packed and ready to go?”

  “Almost. We’re flying out of Plattsburgh. Flight doesn’t leave until three o’clock.”

  “That’s about an hour and a half drive. I hope you don’t run into bad weather.”

  “We may head out early, depending on the weather reports.”

  Elliana fidgeted with her blanket. “You’re sure you have to go?”

  She glanced up at him, and the look in her eyes made his heart squeeze. He almost wanted to say no. But he had to do this for Grace.

  “Yeah, I’m sure.”

  It was for Grace, wasn’t it?

  “We’ll miss you at the Christmas Eve service.” There was no hint of judgment in her voice, only caring.

  “Don’t tell me you’re still going?”

  She perked up. “Of course I’m going. The doctor says I’m no longer contagious, no fever. Wild horses couldn’t keep me away.” She laughed. “I look forward to this all year.”

  “You really love Christmas, don’t you?”

  “I really do. It’s a magical time of year for so many reasons. People are more charitable—”

  “And desperate,” he said.

  “I’m sorry, Joey. I know you’ve been through so much.”

  “Thanks. But you’re right. I need to work past it. I just haven’t been able to do that yet. To forgive, you know?”

  “I understand. It would definitely take the power of God to forgive someone for taking the life of a loved one. I can’t begin to understand how that must feel. I only know that God is able.”

  “I know he is too. I’m just not sure I want to forgive the man who did this.”

  “Holding on to it feels better?”

  He ran his hand through his hair. “I don’t know. It just doesn’t seem right to let him off the hook.”

  “But they caught him?” She coughed.

  “Yes.”

  “Then justice will be served. Whether you forgive him or not doesn’t affect the killer. It affects you. And Grace. Your peace of mind.”

  Joey sighed. “I know you’re right, Elliana. Maybe I’ll get there one day. Just not right now.”

  “You know, Joey, sometimes you just need to be willing to be made willing.”

  He thought about that a minute. “That’s pretty deep, you know?” He smiled. “Thanks.”

  They talked awhile longer, then when Grace’s movie was over they said their good-byes and went upstairs to their apartment—Elliana’s words on forgiveness following his every step.

  Lia tossed and turned in her bed. She finally threw off the covers and sat up. She couldn’t get Joey off her mind. She loved him. That was nothing new. But tonight he’d seemed different toward her. Did she dare hope his feelings toward her were changing?

  She worried about his unwillingness to forgive. Nothing could tear a man or woman down faster than allowing bitterness to take root and grow. But she’d said as much as she dared. She couldn’t make him forgive the man who had killed his wife.

  Opening her Bible, she searched for words on forgiveness and prayed them over Joey. In her mind she pictured a sparkling brook, free of debris and clutter. That’s what she wanted for him, a clean heart. If they had any hope for a future, he had to be free of the poison.

  And oh, how she hoped they had a future . . .

  The next morning the doorbell rang. Mom opened the door, and from her place on the couch Lia could see Joey and Grace standing on the front porch wrapped in woolens, boots, and smiles.

  “With three feet of snow dumped on Smitten through the night, it looks like we won’t be taking that flight today,” Joey announced.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry,” Mom said.

  “We’ve changed our tickets to Christmas Eve in hopes the weather will have cleared by then and the planes will be back to full service.”

  “Well, why don’t you come in where it’s warm and visit a spell?”

  Grace shook her head and tugged on her daddy’s coat.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Burton, but Grace and I wondered if we could make a snowman in your front yard?”

  “Well, you certainly may! Our yard needs a nice, friendly snowman. What can I get for you?”

  Joey held up his hand. “Not a thing. We brought a bag full of supplies, in hopes that you’d say yes.” He looked over toward Lia. “And how are you this fine morning?”

  “Much better, thanks. You’re in good spirits despite your flight being cancelled.”

  He lifted his hands and dropped them. “What are you going to do? I just go with the flow. Besides, snow like this brings out the kid in me. I wish you could join us. We could have a good snowball fight.”

  “I wouldn’t want to hurt you,” Lia said.

  He let out a good laugh. “I’m worried. How about a rain check . . . or snow check?”

  “You’re on.”

  “Well, thanks, Mrs. Burton, for letting us do this. We’ll be out front for a while.”

  “That’s fine. And once you’re finished, come inside for some hot cocoa and coffee.”

  Grace nodded enthusiastically.

  “You’ve made us an offer we can’t refuse.”

  Joey and Grace turned and walked back outside. Lia moved herself farther down the sofa so she could watch their progress through the window. Her mother brought in a tray of tea and sat down next to her.

  “When are you going to tell him?” Mother asked.

  “Tell him what?”

  “How you feel about him.” Her mother methodically stirred her tea.

  “Mom, if he doesn’t know by now, he’ll never know.”

  “Men are clueless.” Her mother hesitated. “Listen, Lia, I know you’ve loved him for years. The kind of love you have for him—being willing to let him go when he went off to college, knowing how much it hurt you, and now allowing him to work through his grief when you’d like so much more between you . . . Well, that’s a once-in-a-lifetime kind of love, and I’m praying God’s best for you both.”

  “Thanks, Mom. I’m afraid Joey will always think of me as the s
kinny girl with red braids. A pal to fish, ski, and go hiking with.”

  Mom looked into her teacup. “I think things are changing between you two.”

  A faint stirring fluttered in Lia’s stomach. She had hoped the same thing, but didn’t dare vocalize it.

  “I don’t want to be one of those women who always dreams of the guy while he goes off with someone else and miss my own life in the process. I just don’t know.”

  “Do you have anyone else in mind?”

  “Well, no, not at the present time.”

  “Then there’s no harm in seeing where this relationship goes with you and Joey.” She sighed. “He’s a good man, Lia. He’s been through a lot, but I believe there is something between you. Give him time.”

  “Thanks, Mom. I know you mean well.” She reached over and gave her mom a kiss on the cheek. “Whatever will be, will be.”

  Her mother smiled and patted Lia’s hand.

  “I think I’ll go get cleaned up. It looks like a beautiful day.” She got up and headed toward her bedroom, knowing full well her mother was smiling after her.

  But the question remained . . . could she love a man whose heart was filled with unforgiveness?

  Sometimes a gentlewoman must help a man when he cannot find his way.

  PEARL CHAMBERS, The Gentlewoman’s Guide to Love and Courtship

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Lia reached for the Gentlewoman’s Guide to Love and Courtship on her nightstand. She looked forward to reading a little in it each night. Probably a silly notion, but she couldn’t help thinking it was helping her gain insight into Joey’s world.

  A gentlewoman longs for a kindly gentleman to sweep her into his arms and offer her the world. At the heart of it all, of course, is her innate desire to have a home and family. For true treasure is found in the heart of the home.

  The last line was underlined. Lia reread it. Could it have a coded meaning? Her heart pounded hard against her chest. What if the gold was actually in Molly’s house? But where? For true treasure is found in the heart of the home. What was the heart of the home? The kitchen? The bedroom? Where?

  Lia picked up her cell phone and clicked off some numbers. “Molly, are you busy?”

  “Terribly. I’m watching You’ve Got Mail on cable.”

  Lia laughed. “Again?”

  “What? I love this movie! Are you feeling better?”

  “Good as new. The meds finally did the trick. But listen, I think I’ve stumbled onto something with the book. Can you gather the girls to meet at Mountain Perks tomorrow evening. Say, seven o’clock?”

  “Can’t make it then. How about before work? Say seven a.m.?”

  “Sure. I’m a lady of leisure over break. But I have a zillion things to do tomorrow, so the earlier, the better for me.”

  “Sounds good. I’ll call the others and let you know if they can meet.”

  “By the way, do you want me to tutor Noah over Christmas break, or do you want to give him a rest?”

  “We’ll let him enjoy his break, then get back at it after the holidays. Does that work for you?”

  “That’s just fine. Thanks, Molly. See you soon.”

  Lia got more excited by the minute. What if she had discovered the truth? Then panic set in. What if it meant nothing at all? Would the girls think she was ridiculous? Now she wished she hadn’t called Molly. It was probably nothing at all.

  Joey couldn’t get to sleep. Elliana’s words kept running through his mind. Sometimes you just need to be willing to be made willing. He wasn’t sure he could ever forgive the guy who killed his wife, but maybe, just maybe he could be willing to be made willing. The forgiveness would have to come from God working in him.

  He punched his pillow for the hundredth time. “Well, Lord, it’s up to you. I’m not trying to be stiff-necked about this. It just hurts too much. I don’t want to let him off the hook after what he did.”

  Let me deal with that. Forgiving him doesn’t free him from his consequences. It frees you.

  “I offer you the best that I have, Lord. I’m willing to be made willing. Please help me forgive.”

  Having said that, Joey tried to sleep, but couldn’t. Elliana’s beautiful eyes seemed to look deep into his soul. His love for her was obvious to him now. And he was almost sure she had feelings for him. The question was where they would go from here . . .

  The bell on the door jingled as Lia entered Mountain Perks. She stomped the snow from her boots at the door and walked over to secure a table. While she took off her coat, cloche woolen hat, and thick scarf and mittens, Molly and Abby walked in, with Heather not far behind. Lia’s heart did a little flip. She was excited to share her book find, and yet nervous too.

  The women got their drinks and settled across from one another at the table.

  “This weather is crazy. At least they got the streets cleaned off,” Heather said as she took off her coat, settled into her chair, then covered an enormous yawn.

  “Yeah, I know, it’s early,” Molly said. “But you had to get up for work anyway. Might as well meet your best buds for coffee.”

  Everyone agreed, though Abby seemed a tad reluctant. She must have been up late reading the book group’s pick.

  “Joey had to postpone his flight until this evening. He had planned on leaving Saturday,” Lia said.

  “Well, he’s lucky to be going, that’s all I can say.” Abby slumped in her chair. “This cold weather wears me out. Give me the tropics!”

  A sharp light caught Lia’s attention, and she gasped.

  “Abby! Are you engaged?” She reached for Abby’s left hand while her friend sat there, smiling mischievously.

  Heather let out a squeal.

  The girls oohed and aahed over the beautiful ring and congratulated their friend.

  “Wyatt will make a great husband,” Molly said.

  “Goodness, first Heather, now you. Who’s next?” The moment the words left her lips, Lia wished she hadn’t spoken. The girls all looked at her.

  “Uh, so maybe now you’ll get to go to Hawaii, for your honeymoon,” Heather said, taking the heat off Lia.

  “We haven’t gotten that far. We haven’t even settled on a date yet.”

  They talked a little longer about weddings and honeymoons before Molly took a slurp from her frappe and reminded them that she couldn’t stay long, so they’d better get to business.

  Lia felt heat flush her cheeks. She pulled out the book, and the friends exchanged a glance.

  “Okay, it’s like this,” she said. “There may be nothing to this at all. I told you I’m no good at puzzles, but as I was reading this last night I found something that piqued my interest.”

  “Well, what is it? You’ve got us all curious,” Molly said.

  Lia looked down at the book and read the section she had marked. “‘A gentlewoman longs for a kindly gentleman to sweep her into his arms and offer her the world. At the heart of it all, of course, is her innate desire to have a home and family. For true treasure is found in the heart of the home,’” she finished. “That last line is underlined. I got to thinking it could mean something.” She looked up at the others.

  Heather fell back into her chair. “Wow. I know there’s some silly stuff in that book, but that actually makes sense. It’s not just the guy that matters, it’s the promise of home, of family, of establishing something meaningful and lasting.”

  Lia thought of Joey and Grace and her own desire to have them close at Christmas. The book had described what she wanted, it was true. But could Joey offer her that world?

  “But that’s not the point, Heather. What if the gold is actually at Molly’s house? At the ‘heart of her home’?” Lia said.

  “Oh,” Heather said. “You may be onto something.”

  Lia felt her shoulders relax a little.

  “What do you think, Molly?” Abby asked.

  Molly fidgeted with the straw in her cup. “It’s something to consider. But I can’t imagine where it would be.”


  “Let’s all think on that while we go our separate ways. ‘The heart of the home.’ What that could mean in terms of a hiding place,” Lia said.

  “Oh, I love a good mystery,” Heather said.

  They talked a little longer about the possibilities, then parted ways. Lia hoped Molly would find the treasure. It could change everything.

  No sooner had Lia gotten back from coffee with the girls when her doorbell rang. Her mother had already gone to breakfast with Anna.

  Joey smiled from the porch. “Can we come in a moment?”

  Lia looked down at a sleepy Grace, holding her favorite doll and standing close to her daddy.

  “Suzie was supposed to watch Grace today, but something came up. I have some errands to run before we leave for our flight. Could I talk you into keeping Grace for me? Please, please, please?” He gave the grin that curled her toes.

  Lia thought of all the things she had planned to do, then she looked down at Grace, and they exchanged a smile. “Of course I’ll watch her. But I do have some errands of my own, if you don’t mind her going with me?”

  “That’s fine. How about I call you when I’m ready to pick her up? If you’re out, we can meet somewhere.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Grace went into the living room and sat on the sofa, leaving them at the door.

  “You’re the best friend in the world,” Joey said. Then without skipping a beat, he bent down and kissed her right on the lips! Short, sweet, to the point, but it was a kiss. From Joey Oliver.

  “See you soon,” he said, waving as he headed down the porch.

  Obviously, the kiss meant nothing to him, but Lia felt as though she were frozen in time. And it had nothing to do with the cold wind blowing through her front door.

  One last errand and Lia could take Grace home for hot chocolate and thawing out. She could hardly wait. She was wearing out fast, and she still had the Christmas Eve service tonight. She might have to take a nap.

  She had to go to University Mall in Burlington. Their Kohl’s store had the curtains her mother had wanted for her upstairs apartment. Knowing she would be moving back up there soon, Lia had ordered them right after her mother had showed them to her online. Once Lia picked the curtains up, her shopping would be done.