Meet Me Under the Mistletoe (2 page)

“That’s very admirable, and it looks like you’ve done your dad proud.” Julia lifted a doll from the box on the floor. “Molly Dolly.” She blinked hard a few times and bit her lower lip. “I had one like this, but I lost her when I was five. My brother claims to know nothing about it, but I have my suspicions.”

“You
still
haven’t let go of that?” Dylan raised both hands. “Honestly, I know nothing. If you remember, I led the search and rescue operation. I’m sticking to my original story: Mugs had everything to do with it.”

“Mugs was our dog,” Julia said. “He
was
sort of
a canine kleptomaniac.” She wiped moisture from the corner of one eye. “Sorry to get all silly and sentimental about a doll.”

“Until she was almost seven, my sister, Amanda, used to haul Sally Sings-a-Lot around everywhere, so I know how attached girls can get.” Know yes, but understand, no. When Julia’s magnetic eyes smiled into his, he had the irrational urge to buy her a hundred dolls. He also knew enough about women to realize a replacement couldn’t fill the void in Julia’s heart for the one she’d lost. “You don’t think this could be—”

“Oh, no,” Julia said, shaking her head. “That would be a real Christmas miracle. This one is a newer version. Mine had darker hair, and the smile is different.” She smoothed a wrinkle in the slightly torn red dress and replaced the doll in the box.

Jake glanced at her left hand, surprised she wore no engagement ring. Given Dylan’s earlier comment, perhaps there was trouble in paradise, and she’d returned the ring. Or temporarily removed it and come to Starlight so she could think things over.
Man, get a grip. She’s engaged. End of story.
Jake averted his eyes and shifted his position.

“You do terrific work, Jake, and I’m sure these toys will make the kids very happy.” Julia’s smile charmed him senseless.

Dylan cleared his throat, bringing Jake back to reality. “Sorry to break up this tender moment. It warms this old heart of mine. And yes, it’s wonderful for the kids and all, but you wanna know something?”

Not sure he wanted to hear what was coming, and not appreciating the sarcasm in Dylan’s tone, Jake waited. His friend’s proclivity for blunt honesty was a mixed blessing depending on the topic. Jake moved into the living room, taking slow, careful steps. Slumping onto the padded arm of the sofa, he planted both feet on the floor to balance his weight.

Dylan moved in front of him, his brow creased and arms crossed. A familiar stance. The man wasn’t backing down. “Ever since you got hurt, you’ve been holed up here every night. Just another reason to hide from the world and lick your wounds.”

“Excuse me?” Jake ran a hand through hair grown too long in the last couple of weeks. Why did his friend have to bring up a sore subject with Julia in the same room? He inhaled a deep breath, trying to disguise his irritation. “Falling through a burning flight of stairs had a little something to do with it, Dylan. It’s called
nursing
my wounds, and it’s a legitimate reason for staying home. My top priority right now is making it through a full shift at the firehouse. Besides, ever heard about your home being a refuge? There’s a lot of merit in that sentiment.”

“Maybe I should wait in the car…” Julia started toward the front door.

“No,” Dylan said. “Give us a few minutes, Jules.”

Jake nodded in the direction of the kitchen. “Feel free to help yourself to a glass of water or anything you want while your brother lectures me. I’m used to it, so it shouldn’t take too long.”

“I know the feeling,” Julia said.

“My sympathies.”

Julia’s lips twitched as she turned to go.

Am I flirting?
Jake thought he’d forgotten how, not that he was ever any good at it. At least he didn’t utter anything misguided in that last exchange, but he needed to watch himself. Julia might not wear an engagement ring, but the woman was off-limits. Still, no way was he going to get into this now and air his dirty laundry in front of
any
woman. Then he remembered he’d been folding his freshly washed clothes on the kitchen table and stifled a groan. The red and green plaid boxers he’d bought on sale dirt cheap—the
only
reason he’d purchased them—were sitting on top of that pile of clothes. The ones with silly embroidered reindeer prancing all over them.

Aw, man
. He wouldn’t want his
mom
to see those stupid boxers. If only he could move faster than a snail in snow, he’d dash straight to the kitchen table and hide them, but no. It was too late, and his embarrassment reached a whole new level. He’d always known God had a sense of humor, not to mention a highly-developed sense of irony.

Jake braced himself for the coming lecture. The only saving grace? Dylan’s chastisement might actually be preferable to a burst of laughter from the gorgeous but unavailable woman in his kitchen.

2

Dylan’s penetrating gaze bore through Jake. “I’m not discounting your pain, but it’s been almost a year since Nicole left. You can’t wallow forever, Jake.”

Ah, right. Here we go.
Dylan’s “concern” was borderline nagging, and it was beginning to annoy him. Jake crossed his arms over his chest and cringed, not bothering to hide the fact that tonight his twenty-eight years felt more like seventy. The relentless, freezing Iowa winter must be settling in his back.

“Did my mother or Amanda pay you to make that speech? And for the record, this frown’s the back pain talking, not the reminder of abandonment. Nicole made her choice, and I’m not wallowing. Trust me on that one. I’m thankful she realized she didn’t want to marry me
before
I put a diamond on her finger and we pledged everlasting love.” Funny how the mention of Nicole didn’t bother him anymore.

“Yeah, whatever,” Dylan said. “Listen, there’s a Christmas party down at Regency Hall. One of the local churches is handing out gifts and stuff for the kids. The chief called earlier and asked if we’d make an appearance. We’re taking the engine and doing the usual gig. In this case, since you’re the walking wounded, you get to play up the hero card. Not to sound insensitive.”

“I don’t need a reminder, but clarification, please,” Jake said. “The chief asked or he commanded?” Big distinction.

“Asked. Where you’ve got kids, ladies will be hovering nearby, if you catch my drift.” Dylan wiggled his brows and started to slap him on the arm before he caught Jake’s warning glance. “Sorry. Force of habit.”

The corners of Jake’s mouth lifted as he nodded toward the box of toys still needing repairs. “One-eyed, one-armed Suzie over there can catch your drift, Dylan. Glad to know your priorities are in order.”

“OK, then, since you’re forcing me to bring in the big dogs…”

Jake snapped to attention and raised his hand. “Oh no, buddy. Don’t tell me you and Hannah are fixing me up. I thought you learned your lesson after the last time.”

“Hey, Jasmine is a fine woman, has a solid relationship with the Lord, a good career—”

“Who thinks the Eiffel Tower is in the Midwest. Kings Island or something. Not that she isn’t pretty and sweet as molasses, but she’s not for me.” Thank goodness Jasmine didn’t live in Starlight, or the situation could get awkward.

Dylan shook his head. “So she might not be the best at geography, but who cares? Ever think maybe you’re too picky?”

Jake stared him down. “No, as a matter of fact. Maybe I’m waiting on God’s timing and not yours, mine, or anyone else’s. Ever consider that? You will not—I repeat—
not
fix me up again. That’s final.” He stood without too much discomfort, and gained the advantage of a few more inches. “If I humor you and go tonight, it’s for the kids, and no other reason. Just so we’re clear on that point.” Dylan always knew how to play on his weakness.

“Of course, there’s no other reason,” Dylan said. “Don’t worry. We didn’t arrange anything, but Hannah’s matchmaking efforts have shifted into overdrive these days. This nesting instinct of hers makes her want to pair up everyone.”

Seemed Hannah wasn’t the only one playing matchmaker. “All right. Tell me I don’t have to put on the gear and all’s forgiven.” The full uniform with bunkers—boots, pants and suspenders, combined with the turnout coat and helmet—would add more than fifty pounds. Guaranteed to give him grief and slow the healing process. He headed to the front hall closet, each step a little easier. Moving around was good and helped alleviate the stiffness.

“I think the chief will excuse you from wearing it,” Dylan said. “You’re one of our finest, but it’s a real shame you don’t have the same effect on women as you do with kids.”

Jake pushed aside Dylan’s comment, no matter how true. He bent over to retrieve his boots from the hall closet and blew out a breath he hoped Dylan would interpret as physical pain. Not many women could understand the sacrifice of being on call, especially if it meant missing out on planned events. Through the years, his dad had missed a few football games, one of Amanda’s dance recitals, and a school program here and there. Sure, Jake had been disappointed, but he also admired his father’s commitment to the firefighter brotherhood.

He carefully lowered himself to the steps, wincing with the effort. When Dylan reached out a hand to help, Jake waved him away. “I got it.”

“Hannah was afraid you were turning into Scrooge. Or a hermit.”

“Never,” Jake said. At least smiling didn’t hurt. “How’s she feeling?”

“Better. This third kid’s taking more out of her. She’s convinced it’s a girl since she says this pregnancy ‘feels’ different. Can’t discount a woman’s intuition on these things. She was right about the other two.”

Jake knew Dylan wanted a little girl to spoil this time around. Might soften him up, so it could only be a good thing. “Hannah’s coming tonight?”

“Yeah. She’s meeting us there and bringing the boys.” Dylan returned his smile and angled his head toward the kitchen. “It’s safe to come out now, sis. Time to get Captain Jake all bundled up.”

Within seconds, Julia rounded the corner of the staircase. Dropping to her knees, she tied the laces on his boots.
Wow.
If this angel of mercy wasn’t already spoken for, he might be interested. As pretty and nice as she was, she’d have guys lined up into the next
town
waiting to date her, given the opportunity. Plus, she’d seen those ridiculous Christmas boxer shorts. Even if Julia
was
available, she’d have that silly image forever burned in her brain.

Once she finished her task, Jake thanked her. Clutching onto the stair railing, he rose to his feet, feeling like less of a man since he needed the support. He wasn’t used to helplessness, and he hated it.

Retrieving Jake’s jacket from where he’d left it in the living room, Dylan tossed it to him. “Need help putting that on? No offense, but you seem a little feeble there, buddy.”

“I’ll manage. You two go on, and I’ll be there in a second.” His right shoulder felt like it had a knife lodged in there. Jake ground his teeth in a concerted effort not to reveal his pain as he shrugged into the jacket.

“We’ll get the car all warm and toasty for you. See you in a minute.” Dylan saluted and followed Julia outside.

Jake grabbed his thermal gloves and stepped onto the front porch, closing the door behind him.

“Still don’t lock your door, I see.”

The woman’s voice—coming from the far corner of the porch—immobilized him.
Nicole
. Her timing was unfortunate as ever, and her tone didn’t sound the least bit nervous or apologetic considering the way she’d left him without so much as a personal good-bye. A few of the Christmas bulbs had gone out since Dylan and Julia’s arrival, leaving his former girlfriend in the shadows. Narrowing the distance between them, she stepped so close he caught a whiff of her familiar scent and felt the warmth radiating from her.

Jake turned, the muscles in his jaws flexing. He forced a calm into his voice he didn’t feel. “Hey, Nicole. What brings you back to Starlight?”

“You.” Her eyes focused on him. “Merry Christmas, Jake.”

3

Thirty minutes later, Julia shifted from one foot to the other as she waited outside Regency Hall. Burrowing her chin in the turtleneck, she stretched the fabric over her mouth and nose and then hugged her arms across her mid-section. Even for early December, the temperatures felt uncommonly cold tonight.

“Aunt Julia!”

She glanced up at the fire engine where her curly-haired, oldest nephew—the spitting image of Dylan at age seven—waved to her from the jump seat. His gap-toothed, infectious grin never failed to warm her heart.

Jake clamped a big hand on Tyler’s shoulder, and Julia’s pulse hopscotched as he beckoned to her. “Come on up for the abbreviated tour. It’s balmy inside.”

She smiled as she lowered the turtleneck. “OK, but only for a minute.” Accepting Jake’s hand, Julia hopped onto the steps and climbed aboard.

“Watch this, Aunt Julia. It’s awesome.”

Jake pulled on a full face mask and demonstrated how his voice sounded while wearing the apparatus. As Tyler asked him a few questions, Julia heard the door of Regency Hall open and glimpsed a small group of parents and children gathering by the door. Quickly removing the mask, Jake grinned. “That was a private performance for Tyler’s benefit,” he said. “It can frighten the girls.”

“Scaredy cats,” Tyler mumbled, rolling his eyes.

“Remember, girls grow up to be firefighters, too, Ty.” When Jake’s smile grew wider, it revealed a small dimple in his right cheek, adding to his growing appeal. “At least your Aunt Julia didn’t run away screaming.”

“That’s ‘cause she’s a nurse. She’s brave, too, like you and Dad.”

“You’re right,” Jake said. “It takes a very special person to be a nurse.”

Hearing the excited voices of children approaching the engine, Julia scrambled down to the sidewalk. For the next few minutes, she exchanged small talk with one of the mothers and half listened as Jake explained firefighter basics. She smiled as the children—two girls and three boys—took turns sitting behind the wheel in Sergeant Sinclair’s seat as they pretended to steer the truck. Julia loved the pride on Tyler’s face at the mention of Dylan’s name, and she laughed when they made siren noises, none louder than Captain Marston.