The Pastor's Christmas Courtship

It all blended together with Sofia’s lovely piano renditions in the background, that is until Garrett stood to deliver the morning’s message. As if he had a direct hotline to her troubled soul, his words regarding right and wrong choices—how split-second decisions could make a lasting impact—unexpectedly hit their fragile target.

It was all she could do to maintain her composure as a montage of uncomfortable images flashed through her mind. Her life was such a muddled mess right now, mostly due to choices made. God had forgiven her. She believed that, not because she felt forgiven, but because that’s what He promised. But hadn’t she also paid for her mistakes in the worst possible way?

Now she’d very likely lose her job, too, through no fault of her own. Was it any wonder her faith was tottering? She took a steadying breath as a too-familiar suffocating sensation pressed in.

“Jodi? Would you like to join us?”

Jerked back to the present, she realized the service had concluded. She’d zoned out through the closing hymn, people were milling in the aisles, and Marisela was standing beside her, smiling uncertainly.

She gave an apologetic laugh as she stood to slip back into her jacket. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that. Join you where?”

“Al and Dolly Lovell have invited us to lunch. You remember Dolly, don’t you? Another of your grandmother’s friends? You’re invited, too—or we’d be happy to drop you off at the cabin if you’d prefer.”

“Oh, do come.” Another older woman, her fair hair cut in a chin-length bob, placed a hand on her arm. “You remember me, don’t you? Georgia Gates. I was your vacation Bible school teacher in third and fourth grades. Your grandma was such a dear friend. We miss her so much.”

“Of course, I remember you.” But for a fleeting moment, surrounded by those who knew and loved Nadene Thorpe, she couldn’t help but wonder why Grandma couldn’t still be there among them, too.

While she’d prefer to return to the seclusion of the cabin, she didn’t want to be rude to her grandma’s friends. If she got through the expected socializing today, she could then oversee the Christmas project as quickly and efficiently as possible. After that, she’d be free to withdraw from human contact for the remainder of her time in Hunter Ridge. “I’d be delighted to come as long as I won’t be intruding.”

“Of course you won’t be,” Georgia said, giving her arm a squeeze. “We’d love to catch up on your life and that of your folks and sisters.”

Thankfully, they could all reminisce about Grandma, too, and there was plenty she could fill them in on regarding family members—marriages, kids, travels. She should be able to keep the attention off herself for the most part.

She’d started down the main aisle when she caught a glimpse of a familiar-looking young man in a wheelchair making his way toward a nearby side door she knew led to an outside ramp. She paused as her grandmother’s friends continued toward the back of the church.

Drew Everton?

He’d been one of her friends from church and a longtime buddy of Garrett’s. Top-notch student. Athlete extraordinaire. But she didn’t see any sign of a cast or elevated leg, so what had...? He glanced up and caught her eye, an ear-to-ear grin illuminating his face. Then he expertly spun the wheelchair in her direction.

“Well, look who’s here.” His eyes smiled as he rolled up to her. “My mom said she thought she saw you, but I didn’t believe her.”

“Moms are always to be believed. It’s me.”

“You look great, Jodi.” His dark-eyed gaze warmed as he looked her over. “Better than great.”

“Thanks. You do, too.” A lock of sand-colored hair dipping over his forehead, he was even better-looking than she remembered from the last time she’d seen him when he was a senior in high school. He’d sometimes joined her and Garrett in their youthful escapades, but he didn’t have that wild streak Garrett had been known for. He’d been more cautious, a look-before-you-leap sort, a steadying influence that probably kept Garrett out of more serious trouble. “How are you, Drew?”

He gave a self-deprecating laugh and motioned to his legs. “I do all right, considering I can no longer chase after cute little gals like you and can’t outrun their boyfriends should I attempt to steal a kiss.”

She smiled uncertainly. “What happened?”

He shrugged. “A little accident. You think you’re in control of your life and the next thing you know, you get your legs knocked out from under you. In my case, literally.”

“This is...permanent?”

“It’s been my reality for several years, but who’s to say? Strides are being made in medical science, and God can always choose to step in. So I’m not giving up hope.”

“I admire your attitude, but I’m sorry, Drew. This can’t be easy.”

A shadow flickered through his eyes. “Far from that.”

His attention was caught by something behind her and his expression brightened. “Hey, you! Get on over here before I make off with your pretty little buddy.”

She turned as Garrett approached. He nodded to her, and the two men shook hands.

“Did you know Jodi was in town?” Drew studied his friend intently. “You kept that to yourself.”

Garrett raised his hands in a gesture of innocence. “I only found out last night. Ran into her by accident.”

Drew squinted one eye. “That true, Jodi?”

“One hundred percent.” It seemed surreal to be standing here talking to these two grown men she’d known when they were boys, and again she felt that faint sensation of suffocation. Disorientation. “I’ll be in town long enough to take care of family business related to Grandma and Grandpa’s cabin and then right back out again.”

“Maybe we can—”

“Wish I could let you two catch up on old times.” Garrett gave them a regretful look. “But Marisela Palmer sent me in here to retrieve Jodi, and I don’t want her to come looking for the both of us.”

“Scaredy-cat,” Drew taunted.

“Guilty as charged.” He tilted his head toward Jodi. “Marisela’s in the car and waiting.”

She and Drew said their goodbyes, then she impulsively leaned over to give him a quick hug.

“Talk about a shock,” she whispered to Garrett as they stepped into the noontime sun and still-crisp air. “I feel so bad for Drew.”

Garrett’s jaw hardened as he nodded, but he didn’t meet her gaze. “Me, too.”

* * *

“How did you con this poor girl into taking on the Christmas project, Garrett? Shame on you for burdening a visitor with church responsibilities.” Georgia Gates clucked her tongue as she gazed at him from across the Lovells’ dining table. “When we heard Melody headed off to Texas, we thought for sure you’d recruit Sofia.”

Here we go again.

Garrett reluctantly looked up from his half-eaten apple pie to focus his attention on the older woman. Aware that all eyes at the Sunday lunch table were on him—including Jodi’s—he placed his fork on his plate and carefully schooled his features to what he hoped was a pastor-like demeanor.

The ink had barely dried on his church contract when it seemed a not-too-subtle campaign commenced to set him up with Sofia Ramos. Is that why all the church ladies he’d talked to yesterday turned down his plea for assistance? They thought if none of them stepped up he’d be forced to call on the attractive single mom?

But they didn’t know Sofia’s whole story, and it wasn’t his to tell.

“I think Sofia’s hands are plenty full right now, don’t you, Georgia? She’s working full-time, and there are Leon’s health issues to consider.”

“I’ve always heard,” Georgia persisted, with an emphatic nod to the others, “that if you need something done, give it to the person who is already successfully juggling a million things and they’ll get it done, too. That’s our Sofia.”

“It’s the holidays, though.” Garrett again picked up his fork. “Let’s show her a little mercy, shall we?”

Jodi gave him a pointed look as if to convey he hadn’t let her off the hook for the holidays. But Sofia was the widow of a volunteer fireman who’d been killed on an icy winter road two years ago. She had enough on her shoulders as it was.

“The issue’s been settled, Georgia,” Dolly chimed in, coming to his rescue. “Thanks to Jodi, who has a big heart like her dear grandma.”

Marisela smiled at Jodi fondly. “You probably wouldn’t remember—you were only here a few days at Christmas some years—but your grandmother had so much fun helping Melody make deliveries. She loved holding the babies.”

“So, then, young lady—” Good-natured Bert Palmer, Marisela’s balding, rotund husband, leaned a forearm on the table. “Christmas is two weeks away. What’s the plan?”

Startled—and looking prettier in that emerald-green turtleneck sweater than a woman had a right to look—Jodi’s gaze flew to Garrett. “I assumed that at some point that’s what someone would tell me.”

“She accepted the role last night, Bert.” Garrett set his fork down again with an inward sigh. Forget the pie. “I picked up Melody’s notes and checklist from the office this morning, so we need time to sort it out.”

“You’ll need volunteers. I can help.” Georgia smiled encouragingly at Jodi. Then, apparently realizing she’d been asked to volunteer yesterday and turned him down flat, she cut a sheepish look in Garrett’s direction. “I can help, Pastor. But I can’t take on the whole thing right now. Getting ready for grandkids coming next week, you know.”

“I can assist, too.” Marisela nodded in Jodi’s direction. “I’ve helped in past years but, like Georgia, I couldn’t assume responsibility for it all.”

Dolly cut another slice of pie and slid it onto her husband’s offered plate. “You can count on me, too, sweetheart. Let me know what I need to do. The young unwed mothers are so appreciative of any assistance they get, and we always come through for them. Baby food. Diapers. Maternity and infant wear. All topped off by a generous helping of things intended to pamper them a bit. I love seeing their faces when they open the packages.”

Jodi’s gaze, unexpectedly bleak, met Garrett’s.

Guilt stabbed. Had he, in trying to get the project off his own overloaded plate, asked her to take on too much?

* * *

Unwed mothers.

She still couldn’t believe she’d signed on to immerse herself in the world of young women with babies and no husbands. That was a situation she could all too vividly relate to. But she’d given Garrett her word, and Grandma’s friends were looking at her as if she were Grandma come back to life.

But Garrett now appeared rather uncertain. Was he having second thoughts about her ability to take it on, thinking she’d let him and the church down?

Despite the initial shock last night, she could handle this. There was no reason she had to spend time with unwed mothers and their infants, was there? She’d sit in the overseer’s chair and delegate. Her grandmother’s friends promised support, as, she assumed, would others. They could be the ones making any required personal contacts.

Holding the babies.

Feeling the phone vibrating in the purse nestled by her feet, she excused herself from the table. In the hallway outside the dining room, she checked the caller ID. Her sister, Star.

“Aunt Jodi?” The giggling voice of her sister’s five-year-old, Bethany, came through the earpiece.

“Hi, sweetie.”

“Is it true you’re a Grinch?” A peal of childish laughter ensued, and Jodi could hear Star whispering something to her daughter as she took possession of the phone.

“Funny, Star.”

“I didn’t coach her to say that, Jodi. Honest.”

“Maybe not. But she overheard that somewhere, and I doubt the source is your ever-lovin’ husband.”

“Well, if the shoe fits...”

“It doesn’t.”

“The kids are disappointed that you aren’t coming here for Christmas. They were looking forward to you taking them to see the holiday lights at the Phoenix Zoo again this year.”

She’d miss that, too. The zoo put on a display of almost four million lights, special shows and rides to delight kids of all ages. Even grown-up ones.

“The thing is, things are really up in the air right now with my job and other stuff, and I told Mom and Dad I’d get the cabin in shape to put on the market while they’re in Mexico.”

“Which brings me to the reason I called. We’re not going to let you spend Christmas all by yourself. Ronda and I and the kids are coming up a couple of days before Christmas.”

Her heart sank.

“Isn’t that a great idea?” Her sister’s voice rose in excited anticipation. “Our hubbies will join us Christmas Eve.”

This could not be happening. Not now. Not when she needed time alone. Time to ask God some hard questions and, hopefully, get her life back on track.

“Star, this isn’t a good idea. I’m here a limited amount of time to get the cabin in shape. I can’t do that with a houseful of kids underfoot.” While Star’s Bethany could be counted on to behave herself, little sister Savannah was only three and would be at that better-watch-her-every-minute stage. Then there was sister Ronda’s four-year-old, Henry, who, from what she’d been told, was still a rambunctious handful.

“We can help,” Star continued. “The kids will play outside most of the time, especially if it snows. You do have snow already, don’t you? I think I saw that on the news.”

“Yes, there’s snow, but—”

“Perfect. They can go sledding and build snowmen like we used to do. And what was that game we played with the paths made in the snow? Fox and geese or something like that?”

“Yes, but—”

“Ronda and I were reminiscing last night about all the wonderful times we had at our grandparents’ place up there. Amazing summers and fun-filled Christmases. Stringing popcorn for the big tree. Opening grab-bag presents. Finding baby Jesus in the manger on Christmas morning. Remember?” She sighed happily. “We were so fortunate to experience that—something our kids have never gotten to enjoy. Something that they’ll never have the opportunity to experience when the cabin sells.”

“Star—”

“This is it, Jodi, our last chance.” Her sister’s voice now openly pleaded. “I know you can pull something amazing together for the kids’ sake. Our last big Christmas together at the cabin. One like Grandma and Grandpa used to give us.”

Would kids that young actually make any lasting memories from a family get-together at the cabin—or was this a front for her sisters’ own nostalgic journey?

Still trying to take in all her sister was saying, Jodi stared blankly down the hallway, then caught movement out of the corner of her eye—Garrett, who’d stepped to the dining room door, his eyes filled with concern.

“Everything okay?” he mouthed.

Oh, sure. Everything was fine. Just fine.

Chapter Four

“Thanks again, Garrett, for the loan of the pickup.”

Jodi’s words warmed him as he sat across from her in a cozy corner of his book-lined church office Monday morning, the soft strains of “Joy to the World” wafting from the open door that led to his now-absent assistant’s work area, manned today by Dolly.

The grateful smile of his childhood friend was enough to tempt even the most determined man to rethink his priorities. But being tempted and following through on temptation were two different matters. He’d committed to a plan for his future, and not even Jodi reappearing in his life could stop him now.

Besides, undoubtedly she still thought of him as a big brother. She had no idea how he couldn’t get her out of his mind for months after that amazing kiss he’d recklessly drawn her into. How he’d tried to shrug it off. Joke it off. Run other guys off. He’d never forget, either, the shock in her eyes. Big brothers didn’t kiss little sisters like that. He’d broken a trust.

Did she think, by his asking her to help on the church project, that he still had designs on her? If so, no wonder she’d looked dazed after he’d all but twisted her arm to “volunteer.”

“Rio’s more than happy to lend you her truck since she’s out of town until Christmas.” Having Jodi on foot would have been problematic, but driving her around town and to neighboring communities could only lead to being targets of gossip. So he’d gotten in touch with his cousin Rio—Grady and Luke’s little sister—and found a solution.

Jodi shook her head as if in wonder, the burgundy shade of a cable-knit sweater lending an attractive glow to her fair skin. “It’s so funny to think Rio’s all grown up now. I remember when she was competing at the county fair kids’ barrel-racing division in elementary school.”

“Twenty-one next spring and still barrel racing.”

“Makes me feel old.” A shadow that troubled him flickered momentarily through her eyes as she shifted in the wingback chair to look out the window beside them. Rio’s red pickup, parked in the gravel back lot next to his SUV, already sported a light layer of snow. It looked like the lingering effects of an El Niño weather pattern were going to make themselves known this winter.

She again turned her attention to him, holding up the compact spiral notebook in which she’d been writing as they’d talked. “It sounds as though there’s still a lot to be done.”

In the past hour, they’d gone over the budget and checklist, and brainstormed strategies—over which they had opposing ideas—to meet the looming deadline. Not counting today, there were only eleven days until everything had to be delivered before Christmas Eve. Had his powerhouse office assistant actually thought it could be pulled together in such a short time?

Now he’d unintentionally dumped his own headache on Jodi.

“I apologize for that. Melody’s usually on top of things. One of the most organized people I know, and she keeps me organized, too. But with her mother passing away last spring and then trying to keep tabs on her father’s welfare from a distance, I don’t think her focus was on the project as it usually is much of the year.”

“There’s a lot of solicitation yet to be done for both monetary and physical item donation. Then supplementary purchases to be made. And distribution.”

“That sums it up.” He ran his hand through his hair. “You know, though, Jodi, like I said yesterday when you told me about your family coming, you don’t have to do this. It’s certainly a worthwhile project to help out unwed moms in the area, but Georgia was right. This isn’t your responsibility. Church members need to pick up the ball and run with it.”

Or he’d have to.

He couldn’t risk a dark blot on his performance evaluation right here at the end of the year should the annual Christmas project flop. But he’d do all he could not to call on Sofia. Neither of them needed to encourage the matchmakers.

“Grandma’s friends said they’d help.” Jodi’s chin lifted as she offered a determined smile, reminiscent of childhood days when she’d set her mind to something. “I’ll make getting funding and donation commitments a priority this week, then leave it to the others if it comes down to that.”

He squinted one eye. “From what you shared with me this morning, though, this is the first real vacation you’ve had all year. Maybe in several years.”

“I’m good with it.” She tapped the notebook now on her lap. “I have Melody’s cell number, checklist and contact numbers of past donors. I can take it from here.”

It sounded as if she wanted him to stay out of the way. Why should that disappoint him? Wasn’t that what he wanted—someone else to take over the project and free up his time for other demands?

“Okay, then, if you’re sure.” He stood to look down at her, noticing how her hair glinted softly in the lamplight. “Did you want to take a look at the storeroom? See what has already come in?”

“Good idea.”

She’d just risen to her feet, standing what some might consider a shade too close, when Sofia appeared in the doorway, a plate of cookies clutched in her hands.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Her dark-lashed eyes widened slightly. “I didn’t know you had someone with you. Whoever is covering for Melody today must have stepped away.”

She motioned apologetically to the work area behind her.

“We’re finishing up.” He took a step back, putting more distance between him and Jodi. “I’m going to show Jodi the storeroom where we keep donations for the unwed mothers project. She’s going to manage it while Melody’s away.”

“Oh, really? When I heard yesterday that Melody had to leave town abruptly, I thought for sure I’d hear from you with a plea for assistance.” Sofia thrust the plate of cookies into his hands—pumpkin spice, his favorite—then focused a curious gaze on Jodi. “That’s very...nice of you, especially considering you’re only in town for a short time.”

“Blackmailed,” Jodi whispered in a deliberately audible aside. “Believe me, someone who has known you since you were a first grader has loads of ammunition to work with.”

She cut a playful look at him.

“Come on now, don’t give Sofia the impression I railroaded you into this.”

“You didn’t?”

He had. Sort of. But he’d given her the opportunity to back out, hadn’t he? “You said you could handle it.”

“And I can.” She leaned toward Sofia, mischief still in her eyes. “Garrett and I don’t quite see eye to eye on some of the details, so you’d be doing me a great service if you could keep him out from underfoot.”

“I think that can be arranged.” Sofia’s own gaze now teased as she looked up at him.

“Well, then—” Suddenly feeling compelled to escape the confines of the small office, he set the cookies on his desk, then motioned them both toward the door. “Please join us, Sofia.”

No way did he want anyone stumbling across him alone in a storage room with Jodi. Where was Dolly when he needed her?

Together they made their way to the wing of the church that housed classrooms and a fellowship hall. In a side hallway, he unlocked a door with a smiling paper snowman taped to it. Then, holding it open to reveal a shadowed, eight-by-twelve shelved space, he flipped on the light.

It was all he could do not to gasp aloud.

Viewing the sole package of disposable diapers sitting on the floor, Sofia looked at him doubtfully. “The cupboard looks pretty bare, Garrett.”

Where did everything go?

“Melody took some stuff to the crisis pregnancy center in Canyon Springs earlier in the fall, but it looks as if it hasn’t been replenished.” As pastor of the church, he should have been more attuned, not let it fall through the cracks. But he’d trusted his office assistant. Last December when he’d started here, the room had been overflowing with holiday baby bounty even before the final push for donations.

“We’ll get this room filled,” Jodi said matter-of-factly as she stepped away from the door, but not meeting his likely guilt-filled gaze. She probably wanted to throttle him. But he’d always been able to count on her to come through for him when they were kids. Covering for him. Saving him from the repercussions of his own misdeeds and shortcomings.

Apparently, despite the rough-and-tumble tomboy’s transformation in many other ways, that invaluable attribute hadn’t changed.

He took a relieved breath.

God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay...

* * *

“I’m sorry to hear that, Mr. Bealer.”

Jodi stared blankly across the room at the cabin’s stone fireplace, the phone pressed to her ear. Pete Bealer was the seventh person on Melody’s contact list that she’d called following the “enlightening” meeting with Garrett. At the rate things were going, she’d consider herself fortunate to have a single baby rattle to split among the unwed mothers next week. Oh, and that package of disposable diapers sitting in the otherwise empty storage room.

“Wish I could help out but, yeah, it’s been a rough year,” the owner of the local ice-cream shop continued. “As much as I’d like to, I can’t even blame all those artists in town for this one. According to the Chamber of Commerce’s findings, they actually drew even more business to Hunter Ridge last summer than the one before. Go figure.”