Meet Me Under the Mistletoe (13 page)

Surprising him, Julia recaptured his hands. “I think...”

He braced himself, hardly able to breathe.

“I think that’s the most honorable thing I’ve ever heard.”

Jake slowly exhaled. “I’ve kept that promise, Julia. Being here with you now, I know why.”

Her smile filled his heart. “That’s a precious gift, Jake. But,” she said, rising to her feet, “I’d better go out in the kitchen now and engage myself in conversation with Hannah, or I might not be held accountable for my actions and be tempted to kiss
you
.”

Reaching for Julia’s hand, Jake stood beside her and planted a gentle kiss on her cheek. “I was wrong.”

“About what?”

“Sophie’s not the only one with the softest skin in the world.”

“Consider it a prelude. I mean,” she stammered, moving her hands to her cheeks. In her embarrassment, she’d never looked more beautiful. “That did
not
come out right.”

“I know exactly what you mean.” He winked.

“Good. Then I guess I’ll leave while I still have my dignity—sort of. I’ll see you in a bit.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

“Be sure that you do.” Julia returned his wink.

What a woman
.
Thank You, Lord
.

19

Julia couldn’t believe it. Jake entered through the door of the hospital cafeteria, headed directly for her. Half the women stared as he blew in the door and marched over to where she sat with another pediatric nurse. What was he doing in Cedar Rapids two days before New Year’s Eve?

He stood beside their table, wearing his bunkers and turnout coat.

Way to be subtle, Jake
.

“You know, Julia, I should have known better.” He nodded at Jessica across the table and extended his hand. “Jake Marston. Pleased to meet you.”

“Jessica McLaine,” she said, shooting a wide-eyed look Julia’s way. “If you’ll excuse me,” she said, sliding her tray off the table. “I’d better get back to my station.”

He wasted no time sitting at the table without an invitation.

“What’s wrong?” Although she’d seen him disgruntled, she’d never seen the force of his anger before. He raked a hand through his hair, and his eyes looked a little wild.

“I don’t know what to think.”

She could almost see the steam rising.

“We shared what I consider the best Christmas of my life, and we’re building something long-term together based on mutual faith and trust, but now
this
happens.” With his eyes full of righteous anger, Jake never looked more appealing. But whatever had him stirred up couldn’t be good.

“Take a deep breath, start at the beginning, and tell me what’s wrong.” Julia forced calm into her voice although she was quaking inside.

Jake’s eyes met hers and softened. “It seems everyone in Starlight believes I’m some kind of freak. An oddball.”

She reached for his hands, but Jake moved his underneath the table. Agitation laced his expression, and she felt the vibration from his thumping boot. “Please tell me what you’re talking about.”

He crossed his arms and sat back in the chair. “It started at Barney’s this morning. Caroline poured the absolute worst cup of coffee of her
life
and then asked me if I wanted a little extra sugar. Then when I went to grab a sandwich at the corner deli for lunch, Sammie pointed at me and asked her mom why Mister Jake couldn’t kiss. The senior ladies asked me if I needed lessons. Everywhere I went today, I was the object of laughter, ridicule, or clucking.”

“Clucking?” she repeated. “Did you go to Mel’s House of Chicken?”

“No!” He lifted his head and counted to ten under his breath while she waited, her stomach roiling. An entire Boy Scout troop could earn merit badges with all the knots in there right now.

“No,” he said, his voice a bit more calm. “Gossip, loose lips, from hens who can’t keep their beaks shut!” Those brown eyes were on fire now, and he blew out an exasperated sigh. “Wanna know the worst part?”

“There’s a worst part? Yes,” she said quickly, “go ahead. Get it out. Tell me.”

“When I walked into the firehouse and saw hundreds of red, cut-out paper lips stuck to my locker, in the kitchen, and even on the engine in my seat, for crying out loud. I’ve never seen such insubordination from the guys, but of course, they won’t admit to a thing.”

Julia bit her lower lip, unsure whether to laugh or cry. “Jake, I don’t know what to say except I’m sure Dylan had nothing to do with it.”

“Agreed, but I’m not done yet. Hang on, sweetheart. There’s more.”

She closed her mouth and stared.
He called me sweetheart.
Somehow it didn’t come across as an endearment.

“When I opened my locker after lunch, it triggered an avalanche.” He leaned across the table, motioning for her to meet him halfway, and their noses touched. Not much physical space separated them, but a heart load of anger sure did. He wouldn’t be kissing her anytime soon, if ever. “Care to take a guess?”

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “Not really.”

“About a thousand chocolate kisses. I stood there, staring, and then I heard smacking noises behind me. In a few short weeks, I’ve gone from hero to laughingstock!” Pushing away from the table, Jake started to stalk away before pivoting about-face. He raked his hand through his hair again, and his eyes searched hers. “I climbed in my truck and drove straight here without bothering to change, obviously.” He waved a hand down the front of him. “In the foggy recesses of what’s left of my brain, I somehow remembered the name of your hospital. This was a big mistake, and I’m probably creating a mess for you by coming here.” His shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry, Julia. I’ll leave now so I can sort through all this in my mind.”

“No, you won’t. If it was enough to make you drive all the way here, then you’re going to stay until we can talk this out. Come with me, please.” Standing, Julia kept her head high and her shoulders straight as she blocked out the stares of her co-workers and walked across the cafeteria to deposit her tray and cutlery in the receptacles.

Where could they go? Inspiration seized her, and she headed to the main lobby. Opening the door to the small prayer chapel, Julia poked her head inside, relieved to find it empty. “We can talk privately in here. I think it’s soundproof.” Her attempt at levity didn’t register with Jake. His expression made him look like a lost little boy. Without words, Julia pulled him close, slipping her arms around his broad shoulders and leaning into him. “I’m so sorry you were hurt, Jake.”

Jake disengaged himself from her arms but kept his hold on her hand as they sat down together. “Hear me out on this, Julia. I owe you a whopping apology. I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but we need to always be honest with each other. No more secrets.” He waited until she nodded. “All that stuff compounded today, and I guess I kind of lost it. My first thought was that you’d sold me down the river.” He must have sensed her stiffen beside him because he faced her more directly, so close their knees touched. He frowned and rubbed his eyes.

Julia turned her head, unable to look at him.
Not helping, Jake.
“If you’d told me that’s what you believed, you’d have left my heart in a puddle on the cafeteria floor.”

“I was angry, but before I headed over here, I prayed. I’ve gotten to know you, and I trust you. You wouldn’t do anything to purposely slander or hurt me. Then I thought maybe Nicole told Henrietta, but I don’t think that’s what happened, either. I’m sure the pranks weren’t intended to drive a wedge between us. If anything, the opposite is true; they were attempts by some misguided, but well-meaning souls, to bring us together. The people in Starlight are the best, but they need to let others find their own way.”

She took his other hand and held on tight. Unable to find the right words, she swallowed hard and nodded for him to continue.

“We don’t need any help from anyone else, although a little groveling might be nice.” A hint of a grin emerged, giving her heart a lift. “It’s clear to me the Lord’s in this relationship, and He has been from the start. But it’s been in
His
timing, not ours, the way it should be.” He waited until she looked up at him. “You know what made me so angry? Nothing more than stupid male pride. What does it matter that people in Starlight know about my promise anyway?”

Jake’s eyes softened when she broke into a smile, her eyes wet. “I can’t believe you admitted there’s such a thing as male pride,” she said, laying her hand on the side of his face, drinking in how rugged and appealing he was, disheveled and all. His expression held admiration for her and promise for the future.
Their
future.

“The important thing here is that you were the first person I thought of, Julia. More than anyone else—more than my parents, Amanda, Dylan and Hannah or anyone else—other than God, of course—I wanted to talk with
you
and pour out the whole thing,” Jake said.

“I’m so glad you came here to find me.” She squeezed his hand.

“Julia, you have one of the most giving, caring spirits I’ve ever had the honor of knowing, and it makes me want to share everything with you. So, today I jumped in the truck and drove straight here because I lo—”

The door swung open and Dylan stuck his head inside the room. “There you are! Well, it’s about time.”

20

Both Julia and Jake turned as Dylan stood in the doorway, propped against the door of the chapel. He crossed his arms and frowned. “Do you know how hard it was to find you two?” His glance encompassed the cozy scene they created. “Especially in full uniform, you should stick out like a sore thumb around here, buddy.”

“What brings you here, Dylan?” Jake asked, rising to his feet. “Great timing, and I don’t mean that as a compliment.”

“Dylan, come inside and both of you please keep your voices down.” Julia didn’t want anyone passing by to overhear their conversation. As it was, this scene seemed surreal.

“I’ve got someone who needs to say something to you, Jake, and then it’s my turn with Julia.” Opening the door wider, Dylan ushered Tyler inside.

“Tyler!” Julia stood, and her sobbing nephew ran to her, throwing his arms around her middle and burying his head into her uniform, soaking it with his tears. “What’s going on?” She directed the question to Dylan as she smoothed Tyler’s hair and kissed the top of his head. “It’s OK, baby.”

Tyler sniffled and rubbed his eyes with his fists, pulling away from her embrace. “I’ve got a confession.” His voice caught on another small cry, and he dragged in a deep breath and glanced at Dylan, who nodded.

Julia knew Tyler was brave like his father, and he’d face it like a man—whatever this was.

“Seems the thing to do these days,” Jake muttered under his breath. “Tell us, little guy.”

“I heard you two talking at our house on Christmas. I wasn’t really easy dropping…”

“Eavesdropping,” Dylan said with a determined expression. “Keep going.”

“I, um…” Tyler hesitated and shifted from one foot to the other. “I heard what Jake said about not kissing a girl before, and I figured that’s why he said he didn’t want to kiss Aunt Julia—”

“Did you say that?” Julia’s question slipped out unaware.

“Yeah, but it was the first night we met,” Jake said. “Tyler asked me to kiss you under the mistletoe because you seemed sad, and he figured it would make you happy.”

“Oh, Ty.” Julia moved her hand over her heart.

“Go on, son,” Dylan said. “You’re not done yet.”

Tyler frowned and crossed his arms. “OK. I kinda sorta told a couple of kids at school, and I guess it got around.” His big brown eyes brimmed with fresh tears and when Julia opened her arms, he flew into them. “Sorry. Please forgive me, Aunt Julia. I never meant for people to find out and start doing all that dumb stuff.”

“I accept your apology, sweetie, but I think Jake needs to hear it more than I do.”

With his head bowed, Tyler walked to Jake. Crouching down beside him, Jake tousled the boy’s wavy hair and hugged him close when he dissolved in tears again, murmuring how sorry he was. “I don’t know anything about kissing girls,” Tyler said between sobs, “and it sounds really gross, but Mom told me I’d understand someday.” He raised his face to Jake’s. “I still hope you kiss Aunt Julia under the mistletoe if that makes you happy.”

“I don’t need a kiss from Jake to make me happy.” Julia avoided looking at Jake. Hopefully, he’d understand what she meant.

“Yeah, Jules, I think you do,” Dylan said, staring her down, the corners of his mouth upturned. “It sure couldn’t hurt anything.”

Julia shook her head and resisted rolling her eyes.

Jake grunted. “Can we please leave the kissing to me and Julia? There’s something to be said for privacy, but it seems to be in short supply these days.” He shook his head and quirked a brow at her brother. “I believe you have something to add?”

Dylan shifted his position and faced her. “It never would have come to this if I hadn’t acted the way I did. Julia, I owe you a big apology—again—for fixing you up with all those loser guys and forcing you to make up a fake fiancé to get me off your back. You’ve never been shy with me; you could have told me to shut up and sit down already. I can take a hint, you know. But, for what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”

“Thanks, Dylan, and I’m sorry, too. They weren’t really losers,” Julia said, but she stopped when Dylan raised his hand.

“The guy with the Corvette—”

“Camaro,” she said, under her breath. “Not that it matters.”

“Falsetto Boy and Lover Boy and all the rest of them. If I had a lick of sense, I’d have pushed you in Jake’s direction a lot sooner, fake fiancé or not.” Dylan’s gaze traveled to Jake. “When Nicole showed up, she threw a monkey wrench into the whole thing. And buddy, you know the guys at the station don’t mean anything by their teasing.” He shrugged. “They get a little bored sometimes. You’ve reminded
me
enough times that you can’t wear the sensitive shirt in the firehouse.”