Tidings of Joy

by Shanna Hatfield

  “No. I spend most of my time on the streets delivering mail. Marlene works the window most days and then Kelly, she’s part-time, covers for both of us when we have a day off or take a vacation.” Drew stood and took the empty plate from Joy’s lap. “Do you want another cinnamon roll or maybe…”

  A deafening noise, like a screeching motor, grew louder and louder, like it was about to explode in the front yard.

  “What in the world is that?” Joy asked, peering over the couch.

  “I’ll go see,” Drew said. He set her plate on the coffee table then hurried to the front door with Bacon jumping around his feet. He scooped the puppy into one hand and opened the door, startled to see an old snowmobile roar down the street and stop right outside Joy’s front gate.

  The machine had to be several decades old, but it was polished to a high shine and ran, albeit loudly. The rider cut the engine and got off, slowly striding through the gate and closing it before carefully making his way to the steps.

  Drew hustled outside in his sock-clad feet and reached out a hand. “Mr. Davis? What are you doing?”

  The old man cackled and removed a pair of goggles that might have been standard Army issue back in the days of the war. “Whoo-hee! I haven’t done that in ages. I wasn’t sure ol’ Bertha would run, but I got ’er cranked up and going.”

  Stunned speechless, Drew didn’t say anything as he helped the old man up the steps and into the house.

  “Well, don’t just stand their gawking,” Mr. Davis said as he removed his coat and picked up a knapsack he’d carried over his shoulder. “I’m here to pay a visit to Miss Cooke.”

  Drew motioned down the hall. “I didn’t realize you knew Joy.”

  “I don’t, but I heard about her accident and thought I’d bring over a little something.” Mr. Davis pointed to the dog. “Looks like you made a new friend.”

  “This is Bacon. He gets a little excited.” Drew kept step with Mr. Davis as he walked with him to the family room where Joy waited.

  “Joy Cooke, this is Mr. Ed Davis.” Drew made introductions, still befuddled by the man’s arrival, particularly on the old snowmobile.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Davis. What brings you by?” she asked, offering the elderly gent a welcoming smile while Drew put Bacon in the laundry room and shut the door.

  “I heard you had an accident and Drew here was helping take care of you, so I thought I’d come over and bring a few things you might like.” Mr. Davis walked around the couch and took a seat in the chair Drew had vacated just before his arrival.

  “That’s so kind of you, sir.” Joy sat up and Drew hurried to prop pillows behind her back.

  Mr. Davis gave him a knowing look before he opened his olive-green knapsack. “Well, I had to see the girl that our Drew rescued.” He took a small tin from the bag and handed it to Joy. “Those are chocolate caramels. My nephew sends them to me every few months because he knows how much I like them. They make them somewhere in Michigan, I think it is. Anyway, they’re pretty tasty.”

  Joy took the tin, opened the lid and took one of the candies, popping it in her mouth. “Oh, that is good, Mr. Davis. Thank you.” She held the tin out to Drew and he took one before setting the tin on the coffee table.

  “I also brought you this.” Mr. Davis held out a small leather-bound book. “It’s poetry. My wife loved to read it and I thought you might enjoy it. It’s a little too flowery for my taste, but my dear Alma sure liked it.”

  “That’s so sweet, Mr. Davis.” Joy took the book and held it close to her chest. Tears glistened in her eyes. “I promise I’ll take good care of it until I return it to you.”

  “You keep it, honey. Alma and me, we never had kids of our own. I reckon you might as well have it as some of my sister’s kids and grandkids. Bunch of ungrateful hooligans, except for Paul. He’s the one that sends the candy.”

  Drew hid a smile. “Would you like a cup of coffee, Mr. Davis, or something else?”

  “Coffee is fine, but you’ll have to water it down with about half milk and a big spoon of sugar. And if you have extra, I’d sure like one of your mother’s cinnamon rolls.”

  Drew had no idea how the old codger knew he had cinnamon rolls, but he went to the kitchen and heated one for him, prepared the coffee as Mr. Davis requested, and took the coffee and cinnamon roll back out to the old man.

  If he didn’t know better, he would have said Mr. Davis was flirting with Joy.

  “Did I hear you have a donkey, sweetheart?” Mr. Davis asked as he took the mug and plate from Drew. “I mean other than the large one in here you’ve had to put up with since yesterday.”

  Joy giggled. “I do have a donkey, Mr. Davis. He adopted me not long after I moved in. Mrs. Carol… do you know the vet?” At the old man’s nod, she continued. “Her little boy asked if I’d allow Pete to be in the living nativity on Christmas Eve. I told him I would, so I hope Pete behaves himself. He’s not all that fond of strangers.”

  Mr. Davis took a slurp of coffee and nodded to Drew with approval. “I don’t like strangers, either, so Pete and I are in great company.” He set down the coffee and took a bite of the cinnamon roll before he looked at Joy. “Now, honey, tell me all about you. Where did you grow up? How did you come to live here? And how did you get tangled up with this cranky ol’ mailman?”

  Drew took a seat and listened as Joy shared details about her life he’d wanted to know but hesitated to ask. He discovered she was an only child, that she grew up in a coastal town in southern California, and loved spending time each summer with her father’s parents in Faraday. He wondered why he never ran into her when they were kids. Then again, he probably wouldn’t remember if he had met her all those years ago.

  As she and Mr. Davis talked, he found out Joy moved to town as part of fulfilling her grandparents will. She had to stay in the house for six months to receive the inheritance. That left him ill at ease. Once the time was fulfilled, she’d probably pack up and return to her life in California and he’d never see her again.

  The more she talked, the more Drew realized he was a complete idiot to fall for her. She was a big city girl with a life she’d most likely return to once the terms of the will were fulfilled. The smart thing to do would be to leave before he lost any more of his heart to her.

  Mired in his musings, he glanced up when Mr. Davis tossed a magazine off the coffee table at him. “The doorbell, Drew. Answer the door, son!”

  He hopped up and hurried to the door where his mother and two of her friends stood holding boxes of food and goodness only knew what else.

  “Hi, sweetie! I figured you’d be ready for a break and it’s getting close to lunch time anyway,” Barbara Miller said as she and her friends breezed inside. “Just show us to the kitchen.”

  Drew led them to the family room, made introductions, then, at his mother’s insistence, went out to her car and carried in two more boxes.

  Uncertain how it happened, he found himself riding Mr. Davis’ snowmobile back to the old man’s house and parking it in the backyard then walking to Joy’s and driving Mr. Davis home.

  “Take care of that girl of yours, Drew,” Mr. Davis said as Drew walked him up the porch steps.

  “She’s not mine, sir.”

  Mr. Davis narrowed his gaze and stabbed Drew in the chest with a bony, gnarled finger. “Don’t be an idiot. That girl is ten kinds of smitten with you, even if she doesn’t know it yet. Just give her a lip-blistering kiss and she’ll figure it out.”

  Drew didn’t see any good coming from telling Mr. Davis that Joy had kissed him last night, so he changed the subject. “Do you want me to put the snowmobile in the garage for you?”

  “Nope. We might have another big storm and I’ll need it to get groceries or something.” Mr. Davis unlocked his door. “Don’t give up yet, Drew. This time of year practically invented romance.”

  Drew would have scoffed if he thought Mr. Davis wouldn’t offer a word, or dozens, in rebuttal. Instead, he nodded his
head and made his way back to his Jeep.

  Since his mother had told him to go home, that she’d handle things with Joy, he had no choice but to return to the quiet of his apartment and hope Drake wouldn’t infuriate him with his nonstop teasing.

  For the first time in his life, he thought he might just punch his brother’s lights out if he so much as mentioned the girl who had captured his interest and his heart.

  Chapter Six

  Joy snuggled under the throw blanket on the couch and picked up the television remote. She clicked on the Thanksgiving Day parade and settled back to watch it. She had so much food in her fridge and freezer from neighbors and people she’d never met before she hurt her knee, it would take her months to eat it all.

  The way people had rushed to help her, complete strangers, filled her heart so full she thought it might burst. She’d never known the kind of people she’d encountered here in Faraday. Where she grew up, they barely even spoke to their neighbors and that was only when necessary.

  Beginning with the arrival of Mr. Davis the day after she fell down the steps to last night when a woman named Mrs. Pith stopped by with a pan of hot rolls because she’d made extra, Joy had learned a lesson in what community really meant.

  In a small town like this, she could see how helping each other, supporting each other, was vitally important. As soon as she was able to get out and around, she planned to involve herself in the community that now felt like home. She couldn’t imagine ever moving back to California.

  Her parents had made it clear where she stood with them by barely listening to her explain her injury and telling her they didn’t have time to help. She certainly wouldn’t move back to California based on the hope of miraculously developing a good relationship with either of her parents.

  There were so many reasons she preferred Faraday.

  Sure, the cold weather made her want to hibernate until spring, but she knew she’d eventually get used to it. Other than that, though, she loved Faraday and the life she had there. In the last two weeks, she’d made new friends, met so many people, and learned how to accept help with grace.

  Of all the people she’d met, the one who touched her heart the most was Drew Miller. That man… he had to have come from some alternate universe because he was not like any member of the male species she’d ever known or met.

  He was thoughtful, kind, considerate, and gentle. And so handsome. Even now, his scent lingered in her mind and nose. He smelled like mountain pines and winter wishes.

  In spite of her plans to never let another man work his way into her heart, Joy had lost hers to Drew. His smile, his laugh, the way he moved, and the sound of her name on his lips — she couldn’t get enough.

  Drew had quickly become the best friend she’d ever had. He made it a point to check on her each day when he delivered the mail and then again after he got off work. The night he’d stayed there, taking care of her, he’d programmed his number into her phone. She often sent him texts, just to let him know she was thinking of him. Sometimes, when he came after work, he stayed a while and ate dinner with her. Other times, he’d act a little reserved and cut the visit short. Regardless, each time she saw him, she fell more in love with him.

  Who could blame her? The guy was amazing. Yet, as much as she wanted him to kiss her, to hold her, he hadn’t made any indication of his interest in her as anything except a friend.

  Joy sighed. Considering she could count her real friends on a few fingers before she moved to Faraday, she should be content with the friendship Drew offered her.

  But she wasn’t. She wanted more. So much more.

  She glanced down at the lump her cushioned leg made beneath the blanket. Then again, now was not a good time for her to be entertaining ideas of romance. She couldn’t even walk without help, for goodness sakes.

  It didn’t keep her from dreaming about Drew, though. She’d been doing that since the day she opened the front door and he teased her about Bacon. Honestly, he’d held a starring role in her fantasies from the first time she’d seen him walking down the street with the mail. In one particularly vivid dream, she pulled him to her and kissed him like she’d never let him go then told him she was in love with him.

  Dreams were all they were, though, and they didn’t satisfy that gnawing, persistent need she felt to draw closer to Drew.

  Bacon raced into the room and barked, pulling her from her thoughts. He started to jump up on Joy, but she held a hand out toward him and said, “No. Stay down.” The calm, authoritative tone settled the rambunctious pup and he plopped down on his fuzzy bottom. He barked again just a second before the doorbell rang.

  Joy took a deep breath and started to swing off the couch and grab her crutches when cold air wafted down the hall, chilling her as it reached the family room. The front door closed and heavy footsteps sounded on the hardwood floor of the entry.

  “Joy?” Drew’s deep voice called as he walked inside.

  One of the smartest things she’d done recently was insisting Drew take her door key. He didn’t have to wait for her to make her way to the door, but could come and go anytime. While the knowledge a man she hardly knew had a key to her house might disturb most people, the fact Drew had hers gave her a great sense of peace and security.

  From experience, she knew she could trust him with her life.

  “In here,” she answered, hastily straightening her sweater and fluffing her hair.

  Drew walked into the family room with a smile and a potted poinsettia. “Happy Thanksgiving!”

  “Happy Thanksgiving to you,” she said, breathing in his scent as he leaned over her and kissed the top of her head. One of these days she might just get bold and tip her head so the kiss landed on her lips instead. But today was not that day. “What are you doing over here? Isn’t your mom planning a big turkey fest at home?”

  He set the poinsettia on the coffee table. “Exactly. That’s why I came to get you. Mom and Dad made enough food to feed half the town, so you might as well join us. I know you’ve got plenty of food here, but it’s not the same as turkey with all the crispy golden-brown skin and sweet potatoes swimming in a pool of butter and melted marshmallows or a slice of pumpkin pie with Mom’s special whipped cream.”

  “That sounds wonderful, Drew, but it’s such an ordeal for me to go out. I’ll be fine here at home.”

  “Nope. Not going to happen. You absolutely can’t stay home alone today.” Drew pulled the blanket off her lap and looked at her legs. “You want shoes?”

  She glared up at him. “How did you know I was properly dressed? I could have been sitting here in my pjs.”

  He laughed. “First off, from what I’ve seen, you don’t own pajamas. You wear those girly nightgown things.”

  At her surprised look, he continued. “And you are always properly dressed, with your hair done and ready to tackle the day. Your determination to not let your injury derail your normal routine is quite admirable. That’s how I knew you’d be dressed and ready to go, even if you planned to stay home today.”

  “Thank you.” She smiled at him. “I’ll have to put on snow boots. While I do that, maybe you could load the wheelchair. It’ll be easier to get around with than crutches.”

  Drew ignored her instructions and whistled for Bacon. The dog followed him to the kitchen. Joy heard the back door open and the rumble of Drew’s voice although she couldn’t make out the words. She pictured him petting Pete and telling him to keep an eye on Bacon. He returned to the family room with her coat in one hand and a pair of shoes she’d left in the kitchen in the other.

  “I’ll freeze my toes in the snow if I wear those,” she said.

  “You’ll be fine. I promise,” Drew said, handing her the shoes while he picked up her crutches and hurried down the hall with them.

  “Hey! I’ll need those to get outside.” The front door opened and closed.

  Joy pulled on her shoes and then slid her arms in her coat. By the time Drew walked back in the room, she�
�d turned off the TV and wrapped a scarf around her neck.

  “Ready?” he asked, moving in front of her as she sat on the couch.

  “Yes, but you’ll have to bring the walker over here. Otherwise, I won’t have any way to get to the door.”

  Drew gave her a look, one she couldn’t quite interpret, and then he scooped her into his arms.

  Surprised, Joy sucked in a breath and wrapped her arms around his neck.

  “You okay?” he asked, looking down at her with heat shooting bright sparks through his gorgeous blue eyes.

  Mesmerized by him, by what she saw in the depths of his eyes and felt while he held her so tenderly in his arms, she wanted to melt against him, into him.

  “Never been better,” she said. Her gaze fixated on his mouth, so temptingly near to her own. “What are you doing?” she asked on a whisper.

  “Taking you out for Thanksgiving.” His voice was husky and unusually deep when he spoke.

  The sound of it made butterflies take flight in her stomach and she tightened her hold around his neck ever so slightly, drawing herself closer to him as he carried her to the front door.

  “Drew?” she asked, splaying her hands over his shoulders.

  “Hmm?” he asked as he opened the door and started down the steps with her.

  “I, um…” Joy lost her train of thought. She couldn’t think of anything beyond the feel of Drew’s muscles beneath her fingers, the enticing scent of him, the seductive half smile on his face that did things to her she couldn’t even begin to fathom.

  He set her down on the passenger seat in his Jeep and handed her a fleece blanket she recognized from the day he rescued her. She buckled in then draped it over her lap.