Mr. and Mrs. Maher disappeared into the hall, whispering fervently to each other. Joni turned and wound her arms around his neck. “Was that something I need to know about?”
Careful not to bump her bandaged hand, James pulled her close. “Uh, no.” He brushed her lips with his. “That was something I didn’t want to know about.”
She giggled. “You’re scared of my mother?”
“Terrified.” Laughter prevented him from claiming the kiss he wanted. So he held her while the shock wore off.
Isaac’s exaggerated sigh echoed through the room. He bumped his heels against the plastic tote. Sitting on the lid, he propped his chin on his fist. “It’s not fair. Joni just got here, and we have to go to work.”
The bandage on her hand scratched his cheek. “James?”
He recognized the smile in her eyes. She wanted something and he’d give anything to make her happy. So when Joni asked if Isaac could stay the week, he couldn’t say no.
~~~
Sunday morning, Joni waited outside the preschool class. Isaac barreled out the door holding a fist full of coloring pages. “Did you have fun?” She smoothed his baby-fine hair.
“Yeah, that was cool. This guy found money inside a slimy fish.”
She cringed. “At least you were paying attention.”
Holding his little hand, they walked into the sanctuary. The praise and worship team warmed up instruments while people in the pews chatted among themselves. In the back, Pastor shook hands and welcomed newcomers at the double doors.
Joni walked over to the piano where Marla played the opening music.
“Who’s this?”
“Isaac.”
Rachel turned up her nose. “James’s son?”
“I’m babysitting.”
Marla smiled warmly at Isaac. “Well, I’m glad you came to church.”
Isaac grinned. “Me too.”
Joni held her friend’s gaze and whispered, “I can’t sing this morning?”
“Why not?”
Joni tilted her head toward Isaac. “Mark and Sara are on vacation and Mrs. Preston wasn’t in Sunday school. I’m scared to leave him by himself in the pews. I doubt he’ll sit still.”
A hand landed on her shoulder. Joni jumped. Pastor knelt in front of Isaac and held out his hand. “It’s good to have you in service with us today.”
Isaac lifted one brow and frowned up at Joni. “Who is this man?”
She stifled a giggle. “This is the pastor. Be nice and say hello.”
“Hi.”
Pastor shook a reluctant hand. “And what’s your name?”
“Isaac.”
Pastor tilted his head and a slow smile crept up his lips. “It’s nice to meet you, Isaac.” He lifted the little boy and placed him in the chair reserved for a guest speaker. “Can you sit here quietly while Joni sings a few songs?”
Isaac smiled. “Yeah. Me and Daddy like when she sings.”
Heat crept up her cheeks.
“Problem solved.” Pastor crossed the stage and greeted Cole and Philip.
Remembering how James’s dad gave him a microphone, Joni wondered if she should do the same for Isaac. “Don’t move unless I say you can.”
“Okay.” His serene smile put her on guard. She never knew when a burst of energy would hit him.
The music began. She pictured Isaac dancing all over the platform and took a deep breath. “Sit right there.”
Isaac blinked with innocence. “Okay.”
“And don’t wiggle.” Joni said a quiet prayer and lifted her microphone. Isaac was a perfect angel. Until the middle of the second song.
“Grandma!” He jumped off the platform and ran toward James’s mom who’d walked in the church. Halfway to Mrs. Preston, he skidded to a halt. Joni stumbled over her words as Isaac raced back to her.
Somehow, she managed to force the lyrics from her mouth.
Isaac whispered. “Can I go sit with her?”
Joni quickly nodded.
He dashed up the center aisle. Thankfully, his grandmother caught him by the waist and hauled him into her pew.
After service, Isaac chatted nonstop while Mrs. Preston hugged Joni. “I’m sorry if we embarrassed you.”
“It’s okay. I survived.” Joni smiled at Isaac.
“Where’s James?”
“He’s in New Orleans. I’m, uh…” A deep-gutted feeling told her not to mention where they were staying. “I’m keeping Isaac for a few days.”
Isaac held up his hands and Mrs. Preston lifted him in her arms. “Joni moved in my apartment, but she sleeps in Daddy’s room.”
Mrs. Briggs, the church gossip, smiled maliciously and sashayed toward the pastor.
Chapter Twelve
James had every intention of driving to his mom’s house, but Joni had been upset when he called to tell her he was on the way home, and she wouldn’t tell him why. He decided to stop by the apartment and check on her, even if it was after midnight.
Needles of worry pricked his tired eyes as he hurried up the stairs. He opened the front door, and the sound of her weeping clenched his heart in a vise grip. He abandoned his duffle bag by the Christmas tree in the living room and hurried down the hall. Kneeling by the bed, he wiped her cheeks with his thumb and whispered, “Joni.”
Her gasp caught him off guard. She shrieked and sat straight up on the mattress. “James? What are you doing here?”
“You’re crying. What happened?” He settled on the bed beside her.
Her eyes widened and she scooted away from him. A trembling finger pointed at the door. “Get out. You can’t be in here. Especially now. Go, James. Leave.”
The light coming from the closet illuminated the tissues littering the bed. The lace hem of her nightgown barely covered her thighs. The covers were quickly snatched to her neck as fear entered her red, swollen eyes. “Joni, you know I’d never hurt you.”
Wet lashes fluttered against her cheeks, creating a new river of tears. The rapid rise and fall of her shoulders slowed. She nodded and relaxed her death grip on the blanket. “Please, James. I’m fine. Now, get out.”
He stood and she sunk into the mattress. For some reason, his presence agitated her. He thought back to the days of living at home with his sister. Stopping at the door, he turned toward her. “Is this a bad time of the month?”
“No!” She laughed, sniffed, and laughed again. Her gaze held his. “Come back in the morning. I missed you.”
“I love you, Joni.” He shut the door on her soft cries.
In the hall, Isaac rubbed his fist over his eyes and held up his arms. “I wanted you to come home yesterday. Joni’s sad.”
James lifted his son and retreated to the living room. “I see that. Do you know why?”
“That man at church said she couldn’t sing.”
He placed his son on the couch and sat beside him. Joni had a beautiful voice. Who would dare tell her such a thing? A few women at church might be jealous of her talent, but… “What man?”
“The one I was supposed to be nice to.”
Bending, he unlaced his boots. In his mind, he reconstructed the arrangement of church pews. Most people sat in the same row every Sunday. None of the men would criticize the singing. Unless he was new. Maybe that’s why she wanted Isaac to be nice. But not to like her voice and to tell her she couldn’t sing were two different things. “Wonder why someone would do that?”
“Cause that mean girl is jealous.”
James toed off a boot and sighed. Whoever she was, she probably couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket. “Did Joni tell you that?”
“No, Miss Marla did. We don’t like gossips. Do you?”
“Nope.” The other boot clunked to the carpet. For Joni to be crying after midnight there had to be more to the story than Isaac knew. James fell against the couch cushions, but sat up as a random thought hit him. “Did Joni slap anyone?”
Little blue eyes narrowed. “No sir, but I kicked that man’s leg.”
“Good.” James grinned and ruffled the little blond head. “Go back to bed. Joni will be okay. She just had her feelings hurt.”
Isaac scrambled off the couch. “If you don’t cry, you can sleep with me in my room.”
“That’s okay. I’m gonna bunk on the couch tonight.” James grabbed a couple of throw pillows and stuffed them against the padded armrest.
A sweet kiss landed on his cheek. “Is Joni the momma, now?”
What happened while he was gone? Innocent blue eyes blinked, waiting for an answer. “Not yet, but hopefully one day she will be.”
“Good. That means you can sleep with her.”
James choked. “What?”
Isaac tilted his head. “Uncle Ray sleeps with girlfriends, but you don’t sleep with Momma. When I grow up, I’m gonna be like him. Mommas are bad.”
Pulling his son in his lap, James did his best to explain about girlfriends and why he was sleeping on the cold couch instead of in a warm bed next to Joni.
~~~
The smell of bananas and pumpkin woke him. James smiled as Joni hummed in the kitchen. On the floor by the coffee table, Isaac sat in front of a half-empty bowl of oatmeal. Stretching fully awake, James tossed the blanket-thing covering him and swung his feet off the couch.
Isaac smiled. “Good morning, Daddy.” Oatmeal ran down his chin.
“Don’t talk with your mouth full.”
Joni walked out from the galley kitchen with an apron tied around her waist. One hand parked on her hip, but a playful smile graced her lips. “It’s Christmas Eve, and since we have to be at the farm for lunch, we’ll skip the argument concerning sleeping arrangements. Don’t let it happen again.”
“My damsel was distressed. What kind of prince charming leaves his lady without wiping her tears?”
“The prince was forbidden to enter the castle. He wasn’t supposed to hear the distress.” Her smile grew. “You have to stick with the rules. No cohabiting.”
He bit his bottom lip. “Yes, ma’am.” He stood and walked in front of her. There was no sign of tears. “Good morning, beautiful.” He dipped his head and tasted pumpkin on her lips. “Hmm. Pie for breakfast?”
She snuggled against him. “It isn’t pie. It’s a pumpkin roll with a cream cheese center.”
He sniffed the air above her head. “And the bananas?”
She giggled near his heart. “Pudding. It’s my grandmother’s recipe. It doesn’t come from a box. I hope everyone likes it. Some people would rather have instant.”
“Good.” He kissed her temple. “That means more for me.” Holding her shoulders, he searched her eyes. Happiness sparkled back at him. “Are unwanted guests allowed shower privileges?”
She smiled and returned to the kitchen. “You were never unwanted. Just not allowed.” She stuffed her hands into oversized mitts and removed a pecan pie from the oven.
“Is that breakfast?”
She pointed to a bowl of dreaded oatmeal. “If you want a shower, you need to hurry. I don’t want to be late. Aunt Sandra said your family eats at twelve thirty.”
“Trust me, by the time the women get the ham cooked it will be closer to one. Everyone will be starved to death and won’t mind the dried-out meat.”
~~~
Lunch was exactly as James described, but Joni was surprised to see both Mr. and Mrs. Preston there. James whispered near her ear. “Don’t look so shocked. My family is good at pretending.” He winked and swiped a piece pie off her plate.
“Wait until you meet my family tomorrow.”
“Good thing we’re not eating chicken, eh James?” These words came from one of the uncles near the television.
“Don’t be jealous.” James landed a quick kiss on her lips. “Yum, better than chicken.”
Heat crawled up her cheeks. “James, people are watching.”
Despite the frowns aimed at them, his smile was contagious. “I know.”
Across the room, Aunt Sandra cleared her throat. “Joni, how was the Christmas Cantata? I’m sorry we couldn’t make it.”
The thought of never singing in church again stung her eyes. She smiled through the hurt as she remembered Pastor’s words.
James caressed her cheek. “You okay?”
She leaned into his palm and whispered, “I’m fine.” Turning to Aunt Sandra she said, “There were some last-minute changes, but I heard it was nice.” Catching Mrs. Preston’s gaze, Joni silently begged her not to elaborate.
~~~
James cornered his mother at the sink. “What happened at church? I came home last night and found Joni crying.”
The hardness in her voice matched the wet plate she pressed in his hand. “James Isaac Preston. Have you lost all sense?”
He glanced around the busy kitchen to see if anyone overheard. He hadn’t been scolded by his mother in years.
She nodded to a dish towel. “Dry.”
“Mom, I didn’t do anything. I’d never hurt Joni.”
“You caused this mess.” Her hands stilled in the soapy water.
“How?”
“Oh, for goodness’ sake.” She scrubbed the bottom of a stainless steel pot with a vengeance. “You can’t expect to move her in without someone gossiping in the church. She can’t sing in choir from your bed of sin.”
The plate clattered into the empty sink. “God, Momma. Don’t talk like that.”
She pinched his arm. “Don’t take the Lord’s name in vain.”
“Ouch. That hurt.”
“Good.” His mom returned to her scrubbing.
Through the window above the sink, James watched Joni push Isaac in the tire swing. What did her sharing his apartment have to do with her singing?
“James, I need your help out in the barn.” His dad walked out the backdoor without glancing in his direction.
His mother mumbled under her breath. “Maybe he can get through to your hard head.”
Circling through the living room, James lifted his jacket off the back of the couch. Uncle Lawrence, the probate judge, stretched out his feet. “Let me know if you need my services.”
“Or my shotgun.” Male laughter from his other uncles rose above the football announcer on the television. James obviously didn’t get the joke. All day his family had been acting strange. They treated him like a leper and Joni like a queen. What could his dad want in the barn? There was nothing out there but the tractor. He walked through the double doors and looked up in time to see his father’s fist.
James found himself on the cold dirt floor. He touched his burning lip and then stared at the blood on his fingers.
His dad bolted the door. “Get up.”
He hadn’t seen his dad this angry since Uncle Tommy, the sheriff, busted James and his friends for drinking beer down by the pond when they were sixteen. Up until today, his father had never punched him.
“What’s it gonna take to penetrate that thick skull?” His dad circled.
Ignoring the ringing in his ear, James came to his feet. “What’s wrong with you? Why’d you hit me?”
“What’s wrong with me? I’m not the one who ruined a young girl’s reputation. Why, James? She’s not one of those girls you picked up off the street. Did you buy her a wedding band for Christmas? Is that what you’re waiting for?”
“No, Dad. I bought her a keyboard.” A second blow landed on his chin. James staggered back into the tractor. His temper ignited. He worked his jaw and glared at his father. “You do that again, old man, and you’ll regret it.”
“Who’s gonna make me? A wet puppy like you? A real man steps up to his responsibilities. He doesn’t hide in some apartment. Your mother and I raised you better than to treat Joni that disrespectful.”
Laughter erupted from James. “Of all the sins I’ve been guilty of, you choose to go ballistic over this? Joni’s innocent. Not that it’s any of your business, but last night I slept on the couch.”
All the bluster went out of his dad. His shoulders sagged with his sigh and he
dropped his fist. “You expect me to believe you? With your reputation?”
“My reputation? Don’t forget about yours. You know, the sins of the father…” James’s words hung in the air. He upturned an empty five-gallon bucket and sat, careful to stay out of swinging distance. “Dad, Joni and I haven’t…” He rested his elbows on his knees. “It’s not my first choice, but she keeps me in line. I love her. I couldn’t do anything to hurt her.”
“You love her?” At James’s nod, his dad continued, “Then why don’t you marry her?”
Pulling his jacket closed, he fumbled with the buttons. “She needs to finish school.”
His dad nodded his head. “I agree. But you can’t live together without making her your wife. You’ve put the cart before the horse. Why?”
James sighed and peeled the yellow paint from the bucket. “I was there when you left. Mom cried herself to sleep for months.” His father groaned, but James didn’t look up. “What you did, it destroyed her. Everyone says I act just like you. I love Joni too much to hurt her like that. I mean, how do I guarantee something like that won’t happen?”
Tears shimmered in his dad’s eyes. “Son, there are consequences to sin that outlive forgiveness. Learn from my mistake. I wanted things my own way. Not God’s. That’s where I went wrong. If you stay with Him, life’s road is a lot less bumpy.”
Isaac’s wail echoed through the thin barn walls. James raced out the barn toward the swing. By the time he reached them, Joni cradled his son in her arms and wiped blood from his mouth. “He fell off the tire swing.” Her eyes widened. “What happened to you?”
Isaac sniffed and reached for James. He held him with one arm while Joni’s gentle fingers traced his own bottom lip. “I’m fine. A little mishap in the barn.”
She kissed the place between his lip and chin. When Isaac leaned down, she kissed him too. “Like father, like son?”
~~~
That night, as James drove her new Honda down the country road, Joni closed her eyes and thought back to the events of the day. After Isaac fell off the swing, James acted different. Although his eyes caressed her from across the room as the family sang carols around the piano, the kisses and hugs stopped. Why? She reached for his hand, but it was on the steering wheel. Her fingers rested on his jeans. “James?”
He braked at the stop sign and signaled right. “Yeah, Joni?” He was studying the oncoming traffic and didn’t look her way.
She unbuckled and crowded his space. When he turned his head, she covered his mouth with her own. He returned her kiss and the air sizzled between them. Joni felt the jolt when he placed the car in park. His arms came around her and the steering wheel pressed against her spine. A horn blew. She scrambled back into her seatbelt. The heat in James’s eyes was brighter that the headlights that zoomed around them. “What was that for?”
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