Tidings of Joy

by Shanna Hatfield

  That definitely couldn’t be a good thing.

  Or could it?

  Chapter Two

  Joy set Bacon inside the foyer of the house and watched him scamper down the hallway toward the kitchen and his food bowl. She sorted through the stack of mail as she strolled into her office. The room had once been a formal dining room, but she figured it better served her as a place to work.

  She took a seat at the big oak desk and glanced at the window when Pete stuck his nose against the glass.

  “Pete, what are you doing?” she asked, rising to her feet and going to the window. She pushed it open and reached out, scratching the donkey between his long ears. His brown fur had gotten thick and shaggy the last few weeks. She wondered if that meant they were in for a long, cold winter.

  Joy hoped not.

  She was used to mild California winters where a cold day meant it was in the fifties. From the depths of her memories, she recalled spending a few Christmas holidays with her grandparents in Faraday. Most of the time when she came to visit them, it was during her summer break. Twice, though, she remembered coming to Faraday for Christmas. The fuzzy visions in her head of the experiences included snowmen and a towering Christmas tree along with the scent of gingerbread.

  Truthfully, she hadn’t spent as much time with her grandparents as she would have liked. Her father had grown up in Faraday and couldn’t wait to leave. As soon as he graduated, he drove to California and never looked back.

  Her mother had grown up on the beach and never wanted to leave, so they built a home and life there for their only child. They both were so busy with their jobs, clubs, and organizations, they had no time for or interest in Joy’s life.

  Those summer breaks when she came to stay for three weeks with her doting grandparents were the highlight of her year. She’d been devastated when Nana passed away two years ago. It hadn’t surprised her when the call came that her grandfather died of a heart problem back in July. His heart had broken the day Nana took her last breath. He’d lasted far longer than she expected, but not nearly as long as she wished. If it was up to her, her grandpa would outlive her.

  What had surprised Joy was the discovery her grandparents had left everything they owned to her. Not to her father, but to her. Her dad wasn’t pleased at being written out of his parents’ will. Joy couldn’t blame him. When she offered to give her father everything, the attorney assured her that was not a possibility. The will clearly stated she inherited the entire estate, but only if she lived in the house for six months. If she refused, then everything would go to a charity none of them had heard of, a place for rescued cats in Portland.

  Joy had a feeling her grandfather had chosen that particular charity as a joke. He’d known she’d jump at the chance to move to Faraday, even if she cared nothing about inheriting the money he’d left behind.

  Not that she’d refuse the funds, but it was the sense of home and welcoming and unconditional love she felt in the house that she wanted. The tender memories that echoed in her heart when she walked through the rooms or sat on the porch swing and looked out on the quiet street were what mattered.

  Life in Faraday with her grandparents had been as different as night is from day to her noisy, busy, lonely life in California.

  In spite of her father’s disapproval, she packed her things and moved to Faraday in August.

  At least working from home made it simple for her to move. The past four years, she’d worked at home as a certified medical transcriptionist. The clinic that hired her didn’t care if she lived a block away or across the Pacific Ocean, as long as she did the work and got it back to them in a timely manner.

  She’d also taken a job testing products almost two years ago. It was a great way to make extra money, and she got to keep all the products she tested, which provided a nice perk. Most of the products were household items like clothes, makeup, and kitchen supplies. All she had to do was test the product then send the company a review. If they liked her comments, they used the review in their marketing efforts. If they didn’t, she still received payment for her time.

  Joy rubbed a hand along Pete’s neck. The donkey had been another unexpected surprise. A few days after she’d moved in, she heard a strange noise coming from the backyard. She wandered outside to find a dirty, bedraggled donkey with a nasty cut on his leg and blood crusted over his nose.

  Unable to transport him anywhere, she called the local vet, Angela Carol. When the woman arrived, she assured Joy she’d never seen the donkey around before and had no idea where he’d come from. The gash on his leg was infected and from the way he shied from strangers and jerked in fright when anyone tried to touch him, they could only assume he’d been abused.

  Although Joy had no idea how to care for a donkey or even where to put him, she couldn’t give him away. So Pete stayed in her backyard and became her special pet. If she was outside, he followed her around like a dog, trailing her every step and keeping watch for strangers.

  It was a good thing her grandparents had built their house on the end of a cul-de-sac on three acres of land. The expansive backyard gave Pete plenty of room to roam. Joy had hired a local handyman to install a tall fence around the front yard with a gate to the back. It allowed Pete to check out who was coming and going without having to get close to anybody. She’d also had them add more fencing in the back, so Pete had all the space he needed to graze and play.

  At least he’d eventually gotten used to her. It had taken patience and continued diligence on her part. Since the day she’d proclaimed his smelliness beyond her ability to accept and insisted on a bath, he’d been her devoted fan.

  She had no idea what his name was before he found his way to her yard, but with his tendency to peek around corners and hide in the shadows, she’d started calling him a sneaky Pete. The name stuck, and he became her Pete.

  The donkey was a lively, sometimes strange addition to her new life, but she loved him just the same. And he’d been very accepting of Bacon when Joy brought the puppy home a month ago. She hoped the dog would give Pete some company and also keep the donkey from feeling lonely.

  Although she planned for Bacon to remain outside most of the time, the little guy had squirmed and wiggled his way not only into her heart, but the house.

  Joy knew Pete felt left out, figuratively and literally, as he lingered outside, but she tried to give him devoted attention several times a day.

  Angela had been by to check on Pete and Bacon just yesterday. She assured her both animals were in great health. Angela’s little boy, Nick, had been with her. Pete had immediately taken to the child, surprising both women.

  Nick decided Pete would be the perfect addition to the living nativity held Christmas Eve in the town square by the community Christmas tree. Joy hesitated to say the donkey could participate, particularly given his dislike of people in general. However, the way he interacted with Nick made her agree.

  Now, after seeing him spy on Drew, she wondered if she should call Angela and tell her it might be best if they didn’t plan on the donkey being in the play. Angela had mentioned they’d used a cranky pony last year because there weren’t any donkeys in Faraday. Joy hated to disappoint the community, but especially Nick. Perhaps she’d wait and see how Pete did over the next few weeks.

  If he could warm up to the mailman, there was hope for them both. Joy grinned as she gave Pete a final pat then closed the window. She went into the bathroom near the kitchen and washed her hands then returned to her office.

  Rather than get back to work, she dreamily stared out the window, thinking about the smile on the face of Drew Miller when she opened the door.

  She’d seen him walking away from her house or down the street, but had never encountered him face to face. In truth, she’d admired his fit physique from afar when she’d first arrived and watched him walking across the street in his postal uniform of shorts and a knit shirt. The shirt clung to well-developed muscles and those long legs with thick thighs had made
her grab for a glass of iced tea to cool her suddenly feverish state.

  Up close, he was even better looking than she’d dreamed. He wore a stocking cap on his head, but she knew his hair was a light shade of brown. His eyes were a dark, intriguing shade of blue, his nose straight, and lips full. Then there was that square jaw and chin with a hint of a cleft that made her wonder if he’d ever considered modeling.

  The thing she liked the most about Drew Miller, though, was the unmistakable kindness she saw on his face and in his eyes. Her dog liked the mailman and the donkey didn’t seem opposed to him, so that made him okay in her book.

  Not that she had a book she planned to fill with lists of eligible men.

  No. The last two guys she’d dated had left her so disenchanted with relationships and love, she had no interest in putting her heart out there to be broken a third time. Besides, after six months spent living in Faraday, she might be ready to head back to the noise and chaos of California.

  Joy rolled her desk chair forward, ready to get back to work, while wondering what it would be like to kiss that incredibly handsome mailman.

  Chapter Three

  “Dad-blasted, durned blizzard!” Mr. Davis shouted as he swept off his top step with angry strokes of the broom.

  “You took the words right out of my mouth,” Drew teased as he handed the old gent his mail.

  “Do you see this abomination?” Mr. Davis yelled, raising his fist in the air, as though he could threaten Mother Nature and make the storm stop.

  “It’s kind of hard to miss, Mr. Davis. It’s been snowing hard since last night,” Drew said. He set his mail bag on the porch, picked up the shovel leaning against the top rail, and started shoveling the walk. Drew and his brother had gone to their friend Rhett’s house for their Friday night get together. Four friends took turns hosting it every week. The snow had started falling as he and Drake had driven out to Rhett’s place on the edge of town. The blustery flakes and wind had caught them by surprise, but no more so than the many messages Rhett’s new neighbor left on his answering machine demanding he do something with his errant camel. He smirked, thinking about Rhett’s reaction to the woman’s pleas for help.

  “What’s got you in such a fine mood today, son?” Mr. Davis asked, eying Drew.

  He shrugged and hefted another shovel full of snow off the sidewalk. “Rhett’s new neighbor moved in. From the numerous messages she left on his answering machine, I don’t think she cares much for Lolly.”

  Mr. Davis snorted and slapped his leg. “That camel is one of the best things to happen to this town. Not every community can claim to be home to a real live Bactrian camel.” The old man turned up his coat collar and followed Drew as he shoveled. “Did I ever tell you about the time…”

  Drew listened to Mr. Davis recount one of his war stories while he shoveled. It didn’t take him long to finish, then he returned the shovel to the porch, picked up his mail bag, and gave Mr. Davis a smile. “You never did say why you’re standing out here cursing the snow.”

  “Because it cancelled the parade, that’s why. We can’t very well have a Veteran’s Day parade when it’s too cold for the kiddies to be out not to mention the lack of visibility. What fun is a parade if there aren’t any spectators?”

  “Oh, I’m sorry, Mr. Davis. I forgot about the parade. I’m sure it’s a disappointment.” Drew took a few steps toward the street. “Maybe you can participate in the Christmas parade.”

  “That’s a grand idea,” the old man said, picking up the mail he’d tossed onto an Adirondack chair and opening his screen door. “Stay warm out there, Drew.”

  “You be careful, Mr. Davis. Don’t want you falling and breaking anything. That would really put a hamper on your joining in the next parade.”

  The old man laughed and waved at him before disappearing inside his home.

  Drew dreamed of a hot shower and a warm meal as he continued on his route. He’d worked for the post office long enough he knew how to dress to keep warm without getting overheated as he delivered the mail, but it still didn’t completely ward off the chill, especially when the snow fell in blinding flurries.

  He pulled a face mask up over his nose and continued on his way. When he turned down Cardinal Lane, his gaze flicked to the house at the end of the street. A light glowed through the snow, and he assumed Joy must be hard at work. It was clear she worked at home, but he had no idea what she did. He’d often seen the light on or heard her voice come from the room to the left of the front door. A logical assumption was that it must be her office.

  In his haste to reach her, he stepped on a spot of ice and would have fallen if he hadn’t caught himself on a fence post. Thank goodness most of these older houses had fences around the yards. Drew glanced around to make sure no one watched him almost bite it on the sidewalk. Assured he was alone in the stormy weather, he made his way to Joy’s house.

  After meeting her the other day, he couldn’t think of her in formal terms any longer. Instead of being just another customer on his route, she’d become a beautiful person he wanted to know more about.

  What would she do if he asked her on a date? Laugh at him? Slam the door in his face? It wasn’t like she could run away from him. He did know where she lived, after all.

  A scowl furrowed his brows together. That probably wasn’t a great point to share with her. “Hey pretty lady, I know where you live. Will you go out with me or I’ll be some weird dude that scares you half out of your wits,” Drew mumbled as he slid mail into a box and closed the lid. He rolled his eyes as he realized he’d resorted to talking out loud to himself. He’d be sure and keep that from his brother, otherwise Drake would never let him hear the end of it. Just a year apart in age, Drake never needed any fodder for teasing him. He was usually well-armed with a quick wit and an ample supply of stories from their childhood.

  Drew opened the gate and carefully made his way down Joy’s walk. It appeared she’d shoveled it at some point, but the snow had covered it again. His feet slid on the porch steps, but he made it up them without falling. He’d just opened the mailbox on the house wall and dropped in the mail when the front door swung open and Joy stood there with Bacon racing around her feet.

  She looked even lovelier than he recalled as she wore a sweater the same crimson shade as her lips.

  “Hey there, mister mailman,” she said with a broad smile, holding a mug out to him. Wafts of fragrant steam rose upward in the chilly air. “I thought you might enjoy a little pick-me-up.”

  Drew smiled and tugged off his face mask then removed one glove. He took the mug she held out to him and inhaled the scent of cinnamon.

  “Thank you. I really appreciate this,” he said, taking a sip of the hot, spicy apple cider. “Mmm. This is good.”

  “It’s just a mix, with a little extra spice. I’d just made myself a cup when I heard you on the steps. Would you like to come in and warm up a minute?” she asked, reaching down and picking up Bacon. The puppy’s paws were coated in snow and a dusting covered his face. Joy brushed it off and tucked the puppy close under her arm.

  Drew wanted nothing more than to go inside with Joy for a while, to bask in the warmth of her home and smile, but he shook his head. “As much as I’d love to, I need to get back to work. The cider is great, though.” He finished the last of the drink and handed the mug back to her. “Make sure you stay in where it’s warm and safe today. With ice under the snow, it’s dangerous out here.”

  “And yet, there you are trudging through it,” she said, setting Bacon inside the house although she remained on the porch. “Be careful, Drew.”

  The sound of his name on her lips warmed him more than the cider. He pulled his glove on and gingerly made his way down the steps. He turned and waved at her. “Have a great day, Joy.”

  “You, too!” she called as he walked back out to the street and continued on his way.

  Pleased she’d invited him inside, even if he couldn’t accept, he wondered if that meant she wouldn
’t mind his company. Maybe she was just being nice because of the snow.

  Conflicted, Drew mulled over the possibilities the rest of the day. He skipped lunch, snacking on jerky and a half-frozen banana in his LLV, the Long Life Vehicle standard to nearly every post office across the country, before he hustled back into the storm, eager to finish his route and get out of the nasty weather.

  He’d just returned to the post office and was cleaning out the rig when he discovered an envelope hidden beneath his seat. A glance at the address made a spurt of excitement fill him followed by a burst of anxiety. The envelope was addressed to Joy and provided him with a perfect excuse to see her again. Would she welcome his presence?

  There was only one way to find out.

  Drew rushed through his end of shift duties, clocked out, and then drove to his apartment. Thankfully, his brother wasn’t home to torment him. Instead of the long, hot shower he’d planned on taking to loosen his stiff muscles and chase away the wintery chill, he quickly shaved and showered.

  He refused to admit he was making an effort to clean up before he went to see Joy. In theory, he should have turned right around and delivered the envelope to her the moment he found it. Or he could have left it at the office to be delivered Monday since it wasn’t first class mail. The more he thought about seeing her, though, the faster he moved to pull on his clothes, comb his hair, and brush his teeth.

  It’d been so long since he’d been on a date, he sniffed the cologne bottle and grimaced. Could that stuff go bad? If not, his tastes had definitely changed since the last time he used it. He tossed the bottle in the garbage and made a note to buy some the next time he went shopping somewhere that had a bigger selection than Faraday Drugs or the grocery store.

  With a tug, he shoved his feet into a dry pair of boots, yanked on a dark blue wool coat he generally saved for special occasions, and jogged out the door. His feet scrambled on a patch of ice, but instead of fighting it, he held out his arms for balance and rode the slide to his Jeep.