Meet Me Under the Mistletoe (12 page)

Not long after, Jake offered to help clean the dishes, but Julia encouraged him to go play a game with the boys while Dylan talked with Ben and Caroline.

“You’re going to tell Jake later, right?” Hannah asked, handing her a plate to load into the dishwasher.

“That’s the plan,” Julia said, keeping her voice low in case anyone made an unexpected appearance in the kitchen. “I’m nervous about it, so I’d appreciate your prayers.”

Hannah turned off the water and wiped her hands on a dishtowel. “I’ll do you one better. Come with me.”

She followed and sat down at the table with her sister-in-law. Taking her hand, Hannah closed her eyes and prayed for the Lord to give both her and Jake a spirit of calm and peace. When she finished, Julia added a few words and wiped away a tear. “Thanks, Hannah. I know the Lord will help me.”

“He will, sweetie,” Hannah said, patting her hand. Her faith was so strong, and she was such an inspiration. “You might be surprised by what happens.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, let’s just say—”

Jake burst through the kitchen door with Sophie in his arms. Julia’s heart melted a little more at the sight of this man who’d managed to wrap himself around her mind, and her heart, in such a short time. Was she crazy?

“Hannah, your sweet baby girl needs your attention.”

“How is that possible? I fed her a half hour ago…
”

Julia almost laughed at the way Jake wrinkled his nose. “I’m, uh, not talking about
that
kind of attention.” He patted the baby’s bottom. “She’s warm, and I’m pretty sure she could use a diaper change.”

Tyler came into the kitchen, and he laughed. “You’ve got a puppy, Uncle Jake. Sophie’s like Bailey.”

“Yeah, but puppies don’t have diapers. Those are a little complicated, so I’ll leave that to your mother, kiddo. Unless
you
want to learn.” They all laughed when Tyler slapped his hands on both cheeks and pretended to faint. Jake carefully lowered Sophie into Hannah’s arms. “Dylan went outside to get more firewood, or I’d ask him to do the honors.”

“Mom, where’s the mistletoe?” Tyler asked, giggling and looking straight at Jake.

Hannah clamped a hand on her son’s shoulder. “You come with me, young man. I have a job for you.” With a parting glance over her shoulder, she hurried Tyler from the kitchen, leaving her alone with Jake.

Julia’s smile was a little shaky as she focused on Jake. “So, how proficient is a firefighter at cutting slices of pie?”

With a grin, Jake walked to the counter and pulled out a knife and spatula from the utensil drawer, holding up one in each hand. “Bring ‘em on.”

****

As they finished their pie a short time later, Hannah posed an intriguing question: “What do you most want to see happen in the coming year?”

Dylan startled them all when he smacked his palm on the table. “I’m going first on this one. What I want is for two people I love, who are sitting around this table, to finally be honest with each other and have a heart-to-heart conversation.”

Julia glanced at Jake seated across the table, but he pretended to be preoccupied with digging out the lemon from the bottom of his glass of iced tea.

“What in Sam Hill is he talking about?” Ben angled his head toward the sleeping child in the corner. “Little Sally over there probably knows more about it than me.”

“Sophie!” That correction came from several family members. The baby’s breath hitched, and she did that little shuddering thing babies often do in their sleep.

“I’ll tell you later,” Caroline said, nudging Ben’s shoulder.

“Who’s Sam Hill and what does he have to do with anything?” Tyler asked, his eyes wide.

Jake rose from the table. “If you’ll excuse me…” He crooked a brow in Julia’s direction. “Julia? Care to join me?”

She slowly pulled herself up and gave him a slight nod. “Certainly.” Her heart was beating out of control in her chest. She willed it to stop, knowing it was a lost cause.

“Are you going to visit Sam Hill?” Tyler called after them before being shushed by his parents.

18

Jake waited until Julia passed by him and led the way to the living room. Dylan gave him a thumbs-up sign, Hannah winked and Caroline smiled.

“That wasn’t the least bit awkward,” Julia said. “I apologize for—”

He sat beside her on the sofa. “Don’t apologize for your brother.” Julia’s eyes met his. “Dylan’s right. We need to clear up some things, so we can move forward.”

She nodded, but said nothing.

“Since Nicole left the door open when she left Starlight, we didn’t have any closure. I called her last week, wished her the best, and told her it’s over for good between us. We’re too different in our long-term goals.”

“I’m so sorry, Jake. I—”

“Don’t be. It’s for the best. You see, Julia, being around a certain woman the last few weeks has shown me the Lord’s best, and I know there’s someone else out there for me. The Lord’s also been working on my heart, and He’s revealed some things to me.”

“Such as?” Julia’s blue eyes canvassed his face, making it much more difficult to think coherently much less to articulate his feelings.

“As much as I want to be a hero in the eyes of a certain woman, that shouldn’t be my primary goal. It’s my job to be a living, breathing example of His love, but the Lord should be the true hero of our hearts, if we belong to Him.” He shook his head and raked a hand through his hair.

“Jake, as much as any man I’ve ever met, you
live
the love of Christ through your words and actions. Any woman would be proud to stand by your side.” Her tears threatened to spill over. “I’m really happy,” she said, her voice catching, “that you’ve found someone to make you happy.”

Julia started to get up, but he reached for her hand and enfolded it in his, pulling her beside him before releasing her hand. “Wait. We’re not done.”

She visibly trembled and bit her lip. “I don’t know if I can…”

He leaned closer, gaining her eye contact. “Julia, I’m talking about
you
.”

“Me?” The word came out a squeak.

“Yes, but I’ve also accepted the fact that I came along too late to try and win your heart.”
Even though you own it. I’ll take what I can get.
He swallowed hard but needed to keep going. He drew in a deep breath. “I cherish our friendship, and I’d really like to meet your fiancé.” Did she understand how much it took out of him to make that magnanimous offer?

“OK, OK,” she said, rising to her feet. “Stop taunting me. I feel guilty enough as it is.”

He looked up at her. “Taunting?”

“Jake, there is no fiancé.” She started to pace but stopped in front of him, fidgeting with her hands as if unsure where to put them. Finally, she dropped them to her sides and gave him a helpless shrug.

Strong emotion washed over him, something he couldn’t define. “I’m sorry, Julia. What happened?” Inside, he was thrilled, but she wouldn’t take kindly to a display of insensitivity given her recent heartbreak.

Sitting beside him again, Julia ran her thumb along the side of his hand, an unconscious gesture so sensual it made him shiver. “I’m not engaged. It’s as simple as that.”

He shook his head, confused. “I don’t understand.”

She blew out a deep sigh. “I never was engaged. I only pray you don’t hate me for not telling you before. Dylan—my whole family, really—wouldn’t let up on the teasing, and they kept fixing me up with all sorts of well-meaning, but quirky, undependable men. I had to make them stop, so I,” she faltered a moment, “made up a man and led them to believe I was…taken.”

Stunned, Jake couldn’t speak as the truth seeped into his consciousness. He opened his mouth then closed it. This explained a lot of things—why Julia never talked about her fiancé, why she wore no engagement ring, why she flirted with him. Why hadn’t he seen this coming? He must be more clueless than he’d thought.
Wow
.

“The more time we spent together, the more I knew I was falling for you,” Julia said. “But Nicole had just come back to town, wanting you back, and she’d left the door open on your relationship. I thought you might still want to reconnect with her but didn’t realize it. I didn’t want to complicate your life. When you think about it, we got to know each other without the added pressure. I’m very sorry I misled you, Jake. I’m not a liar. Trust me. I’ve had a lot of conversations with the Almighty about it. I started to tell you at the church when we were doing the dishes after the soup kitchen—”

“And we were interrupted by Angie screaming my name because Harry swallowed a chicken bone,” Jake said, rubbing his hand over his forehead.

“Right. Then when you, um,” she said, twisting her hands together, avoiding his eyes, “wanted to kiss me on the front porch. I couldn’t let you do it because it wouldn’t have been honest. But I wanted to kiss you more than anything—”

“Then Dylan interrupted us with his whole big brother act.”

“The timing never seemed right to tell you. I hope you can forgive me and accept my apology, but I won’t blame you if you never want to see me again.” Julia turned away from him.

Maybe he should be mad, but for some reason, Jake wanted to shout to the heavens with joy. Putting gentle hands on her slender shoulders, he turned her around. “It seems to me this is actually a win-win kind of thing, Julia. We’re both free to pursue a relationship—if that’s what you want.”

Julia wiped moisture away from one cheek. “You’re not mad?” Her voice was tentative, and her lower lip trembled.

“For maybe two seconds, but like I said, the Lord’s been working on me. You want to talk honest? This is a much better answer to prayer than I’d hoped for.”

Her shoulders drooped. “Then there’s the fact that I live in Cedar Rapids, and long-distance relationships rarely work.”

“Here’s another thing you should know about me: geography was one of my best subjects.” He laced their fingers together, noting her hand was even softer than he’d anticipated, and fit perfectly in his. “I don’t mind a little distance if the destination is worth the effort.”

“You know,” she said, meeting his eyes, “for being inarticulate at times, you can also come up with some of the most profound things I’ve ever heard.”

Jake chuckled. “Corny’s probably more like it. Stick around. I’m sure I’ll say something ill-advised soon enough. And, if I may say, you look absolutely
incredible
.” Her long hair, tied back in a ponytail while they’d worked in the kitchen, now fell in long, soft curls. After they’d finished cooking and before their meal, she’d changed from her jeans and blouse into a red dress that was modest but revealed her feminine curves and skimmed her knees. Nothing thrilled him more than when she came downstairs in that spectacular dress, her hair bouncing around her shoulders. “I can finally tell you now what I couldn’t before.”

“What’s that?” Her blue eyes never appeared brighter.

“You’re the most beautiful woman—inside and out—I’ve ever known.”

Her smile was radiant. “Thank you.” She touched his cheek. “In that halo, boots, and white angel robe the night of the Christmas play, I knew you were one of the most humble, genuine guys I’d ever meet. Then when you shared with Tommy afterwards, I knew you were the
best
man I’d ever know. That’ll never change.”

Jake needed to get off the sofa or he’d pull her in his arms and kiss her right then and there. Kiss her long, and kiss her hard. Not that he’d ever regret it, but he had an idea in mind for that special first kiss. But, oh yeah, Julia Sinclair was
the one
. “I have a gift for you.” After crossing the room to the front hall closet, he pulled out a large bag. “I hope you’ll accept this from my heart…to yours. Merry Christmas, Julia.”

Julia’s expression was full of wonder as she opened the bag. “Molly Dolly,” she said, not bothering to stop her tears as she touched the doll’s new dress with a tender smile. “Is this the one from your house, Jake? The one you fixed?”

“The same. Listen, I know she’ll never replace the one you lost, but…”

“I’ll cherish her. Thank you. I can’t tell you how special this is for me.” Her smile was dear to his heart as she hugged the doll. “I have something for you, too. It’s not quite as sentimental as your gift, but I think it’s something you can definitely use.” She went over to the tree and retrieved a gift, bringing it to him.

Jake raised a brow. “I didn’t expect anything. It’s wrapped so pretty, I hate to mess it up—”

“Open it already.”

“So bossy.” He tore off the wrapping and pulled out the book inside. “
Your Puppy, Your Friend
.” He laughed and flipped through the book for a few seconds. “This is perfect, and you’re right—it’s something I can definitely use. Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome.” She leaned close, her expression and tilt of her head inviting him to move closer. “Merry Christmas, Jake.” That statement left her lips on a sigh, and she closed her eyes.

Without knowing it, Julia was tempting him beyond reason. Jake sat back on the sofa. “There’s something else I need to tell you, Julia.”

“Is this the shortest relationship in the annals of time?” Her voice sounded shaky, punctuated by a nervous giggle.

He chuckled. “No, it’s nothing like that. This is about a vow I made to the Lord. More like a promise, really.”

“As long as you don’t have a wife or kids, or a secret life as a—”

Jake put a finger over her lips, stilling them before covering her hands with his. “I also know you have a very active imagination, and that’s one of your best qualities.” He inhaled a deep breath. “When I was a teenager, I promised God that I wouldn’t…” Why did he suddenly feel silly, like it was a dumb thing he’d done as an immature kid that shouldn’t mean anything now that he was a grown man?

“I know what you’re trying to say. I made a similar promise to the Lord. I haven’t…” The telltale flush appeared in her cheeks.

“No, you misunderstand; although I can’t tell you how happy I am to hear…
that
. This is about more than keeping the marriage bed pure. You see, I told the Lord I wouldn’t kiss a woman—on the lips—until I knew she was the one I’d…marry.” He withdrew his hands from hers. Might as well save her the trouble.