A Mistletoe Christmas

CHAPTER FIVE

JAKE WAS BEGINNING to feel as if he suffered from some sort of mental illness. Last night he’d desperately wanted to kiss Melody, and he’d known by the smolder of her eyes that she’d wanted him to kiss her.

What had held him back? Guilt? Fear? Maybe a little bit of both. His feelings for Melody and Libby had spiraled out of his control in such a brief period of time, and yet he felt as if he’d known Melody for months.

He awoke to the sun shining brightly despite the forecast for a wintry storm in the next forty-eight hours. He was in the process of stacking wood for the fireplace on the front porch when an old red pickup truck pulled into his driveway.

Bill Johnson owned the ranch next to his on the opposite side from Melody. Bill was in his early seventies and a widower like Jake. He occasionally stopped by just to jaw about local happenings, but it had been a while since he’d visited.

“I see you’re getting ready for the storm,” Bill said when he’d climbed out of the driver seat.

“From what the forecast is saying, it’s supposed to move through fairly quickly, but you can’t always trust what the weathermen tell you. Coffee?”

“I wouldn’t mind a cup if you’ve got it.”

Jake smiled at the older man. “You should know after all these years that most mornings I’ve got it.” He took off his gloves and motioned for Bob to follow him inside.

Bob sat at the kitchen table and Jake filled two cups with coffee and then joined him. For the next few minutes the two men talked cattle and crops and everything that had to do with ranching.

“Although you wouldn’t know it by looking around here, I’ve heard a little gossip that you’re in the Christmas spirit again,” Bob said when they’d exhausted the ranch talk.

“I don’t know about that. I’ve just been showing Melody Martin and her daughter around town. It’s their first Christmas here in Mistletoe.”

Bob lifted his cup to his mouth and eyed Jake over the rim. He took a drink and then lowered his cup. “If I were a good-looking young man like you I’d be doing more than just showing that pretty lady and her cute kid around town.”

“Did you come over here to give me a lesson in romance?” Jake asked drily.

“No, but I did come over to remind you that this afternoon is the day I open up my pond area for the annual ice-skating party. As I recall, there was a time when you cut a fine figure on the ice.”

“I haven’t skated in years.” Not since Stacy’s death. His skates had been packed away along with all the Christmas decorations they’d owned and stored in boxes in the barn. He’d intended to donate it all to a local charity but had never actually gotten around to it.

“I wasn’t thinking so much about you. I thought maybe you’d like to bring Melody and her girl out, enjoy the festivities for the afternoon.”

“I’ll think about it,” Jake replied. He couldn’t help but think how much fun Libby would have. Bob always went all out for his yearly skating parties. There were blow-up Santas and giant reindeer, bushes decorated with the ever-present mistletoe and hot cocoa for the children and Mistletoe Toddies for the adults.

“I’d like to see you out there again.” Bob took another drink of his coffee. “In fact, you’d be doing me a favor if you come.”

“How’s that?” Jake asked dubiously.

“You know there are always more kids than adults out there, and I’ve got my hands full. If you come and bring Melody and her daughter then that makes two more adults and only one more kid.” Bob looked at him innocently.

Jake narrowed his eyes as he stared at the man who had brought him meals after Stacy’s death, who had sat with him for hours without speaking, just being there as the worst of Jake’s pain had peaked.

“Are you trying to do some sort of matchmaking?” Jake asked.

Bob grinned and raised one of his gray eyebrows. “From the gossip I’ve heard, the match has already been made. I just stopped by to remind you about the skating party this afternoon, that’s all.” He finished his coffee and stood. “And now I’d better get back to my place. I’ve still got plenty to do before this wingding happens.”

Jake walked with him back outside and to his truck. Bob stopped at the door and turned to look at Jake. “So can I expect you all at my place later?”

Jake shoved his hands into his pockets. “I don’t know. I’ve got a lot to do around here.”

Bob stared at him for a long moment. “Don’t close yourself off anymore, Jake. You’ve grieved long enough. Stacy wouldn’t want you to live the rest of your life all alone.”

Jake nodded to acknowledge Bob’s words. Intellectually he knew that, but emotionally he wasn’t sure he was there yet. “Thanks for stopping by, Bob,” he finally replied as Bob got back into his truck. “You’ve been a good neighbor, a good friend.”

“That’s been easy. You’re a good man, Jake. You’ve just been lost for the past couple of years. I see a new spark in you, and if Melody and her daughter have put it there, then you should grab on to it.” Bob started his truck and pulled away.

Jake stared after him until the vehicle disappeared from view. He returned to stacking the firewood next to the front door and tried not to think about Bob’s yearly ice-skating party, tried desperately not to think about Melody and Libby.

He’d spent the first couple of years after Stacy’s death thinking only of her, and then he’d reached a place where he’d tried desperately not to think of her or any other woman. Now he was fighting Melody and Libby filling his every thought.

Were they baking cookies this morning? Filling their kitchen with the sweet homey scent of sugar and cinnamon? Or had they gone into town to continue to explore the charm of a Christmas-bedecked, mistletoe-laden little town?

At noon he moved to the window that gave him a view of Melody’s house, half hoping her car wouldn’t be parked in front of the garage, indicating that she was home.

It was there, and before he realized what he was doing his cell phone was in his hand. She answered on the second ring, her voice warm and with that musical lilt of life.

“Melody, it’s me.”

“Hi, Jake. I was just thinking about you.”

“Oh?” Warmth suffused him. When was the last time any woman had entertained any thoughts of him at all? “Good thoughts, I hope.”

“Great thoughts,” she replied. “I was thinking about our dinner last night and how much I enjoyed it.”

“I enjoyed it, too. Do you and Libby ice-skate?”

“Libby used to skate a little, but it’s been a long time. She’s probably quite rusty. Why? What’s up?”

He told her about the yearly skating event at Bob’s pond. “I thought maybe the two of you would enjoy the circus and might be interested in going with me.”

“Do you skate?” she asked.

“I used to cut a great figure eight on the ice, but like Libby, I’m probably rusty.”

“I don’t skate, but we’d love to go, and I’ll cheerlead from the sidelines.”

Arrangements were made for him to pick them up around three, and when he hung up he headed out to the barn to find his old ice skates.

He didn’t think about Stacy as he pulled down box after box of Christmas decorations in the hunt for the skates. He didn’t even think about Melody and Libby. He didn’t want to dwell in the past any longer, but he was also reluctant to look toward any future.

* * *

JAKE PULLED UP in front of the house at precisely three. It had been a busy couple of hours for Melody as she realized Libby’s skates were too small, requiring a fast trip into town to get a new pair.

Libby had been slightly disappointed that the sporting-goods store didn’t sell purple skates, but her spirit had only been dampened for a few minutes.

She raced ahead of Melody to the car before Jake could even get out of the driver’s-side door or Melody could close the door to the house.

“Cowboy Jake, I colored you a picture,” Libby said as she slid into the backseat and Melody got into the passenger seat. Libby handed her work of art over the seat to Jake. “And here, I even brought a baggie with two purple butterfly magnets in it so you can hang the picture on your refrigerator. That’s where Mom always puts my art stuff.”

Jake looked at the coloring of a Christmas tree, a fireplace with a blazing flame and three people. The man figure wore jeans, a shirt and a cowboy hat, the woman had on a red coat and the little girl was clad in purple. Melody had watched her daughter labor over the drawing and had been pleased that she wanted to give it to Jake.

“I’d be proud to hang this on my refrigerator door, Libby. You did such a good job.”

Libby beamed with pleasure, and Jake placed the picture and the baggie of magnets in his glove box and then smiled a greeting to Melody.

“I found out that my best friend, Megan, is coming later to the pond party with her parents,” Libby said.

“I imagine half the town will be there,” he replied. “You both look ready for a little outdoor activity.”

Melody had dressed for a cold afternoon with black leggings and a long pink sweater beneath her black coat. Pink gloves adored her hands and pink earmuffs covered her ears. Libby had prepared for a cold day as well, clad in blue jeans, a purple sweater, her coat, a hat and gloves. “I’ve got on long underwear,” she told Jake. “Mom is hoping it will protect my bottom when I fall, but I’m not going to fall, right, Cowboy Jake?”

Jake laughed. “I’m not sure that I’m not going to fall. It’s been a long time since I skated. I might do a cowboy slide clear across the pond on my bottom.”

* * *

LIBBY GIGGLED AND Melody smiled warmly at Jake. It was going to be another wonderful day, and she loved that Libby seemed to be opening herself up to Jake.

As am I, she thought. Despite the shortness of the time they’d known each other, Melody was precariously close to being heart and soul in love with Jake. It both scared her a little bit and excited her a lot.

By the time they reached Bob’s ranch, cars were parked not only in front of his house but also in the grassy area next to the house.

“Looks like there’s already a crowd here,” Melody said.

“Bob’s party usually brings out a crowd. The Mistletoe Bakery donates cookies, and the café donates Mistletoe Toddies and hot cocoa,” Jake explained.

They got out of his Jeep, and Jake grabbed his skates and a blanket and then pointed toward a pasture gate. “We’ve got a little walk from here. The pond is just over the hill.”

Libby skipped ahead of them, barely containing her excitement, and as she crested the hill ahead of them she stopped and gasped with obvious awe.

“Mom, hurry. You have to see everything,” she said as she clapped her hands together and jumped up and down.

Melody reached the top of the hill and her breath caught as she took in the view. The large frozen pond glittered in the afternoon sunshine. Benches were interspersed with barrels that radiated a fire source obviously intended for warmth.

But she knew that what had captured her daughter’s excitement was the path lined with candy-cane lights, the huge yard ornaments in the shape of everything Christmas and the reindeer that appeared to dance down the hillside. She guessed that they were constructed of wire forms and then covered with mistletoe.

“Bob has gone plumb Christmas crazy,” Jake said as they followed Libby down the candy-cane path. “Last time I was here he only had a couple of those yard blow-ups.”

“How long ago has that been?”

She didn’t miss the slight darkening of his eyes. “A little over five years ago,” he replied.

She realized that this was the first time he’d been here since his wife’s death, and the fact that he’d invited them here meant even more than it had before.

She wrapped her arm with his and smiled up at him. “Let’s go have some fun.”

“That’s the plan.” He smiled down at her, the darkness in his eyes gone.

They found an empty bench and sat. Immediately Libby and Jake began to put on their skates. When he had on his, he turned to look at her. “And why don’t you skate?”

“To be honest, because of my dancing I’ve always been a little afraid. I feel the same about skiing. The last thing I want is a broken bone that interferes with my livelihood. But I do make a great sideline cheerleader.”

By that time Libby had her skates on, but as Jake got up and stepped out on the ice, Libby remained seated next to Melody. “I’m afraid,” she said in a small voice. She grabbed hold of Melody’s arm. “I haven’t skated for a long, long time.”

Jake bent down in front of her. “It’s kind of like riding a bike, Libby. You never really forget how. It’s been a long, long time for me, too.”

He stood and took off across the ice, zigging and zagging around colorful-clad children and other adults. He looked amazing, both athletic yet graceful. Melody loved the way he wore his worn jeans tight and topped them with the suede jacket with the white wool lining, which made his shoulders appear even broader.

He made any other man on the pond look a bit smaller and insubstantial, a bit clumsy and so ordinary. Jake was definitely hot on ice.

He skated back to them and then once again squatted down in front of Libby and held out his hand. “Come on, Libby, come skate with me.”

She looked at his hand and then gazed up at her mother. Melody remained silent. She didn’t want to force Libby to do anything she didn’t want to do.

“Libby, you can trust me. As long as you hold my hand I promise you that I won’t let you fall,” Jake said.

Libby held his gaze for a long moment and then slipped her little hand into his and stood. Melody didn’t realize she’d been holding her breath until it released on a sigh of relief.

Her heart expanded as she saw Jake and her daughter venture out onto the ice hand in hand. She’d not only grieved her own loss of Seth as a husband, but also grieved for Libby no longer having a daddy or a strong male presence in her life.

Melody knew the statistics of the failure of young girls to thrive without a positive male role model in their lives, and seeing the happiness on Libby’s face as she skated with Jake she was grateful for his presence as a neighbor...as a friend...and she was beginning to hope as something much more.

As Jake and Libby skated, several women who had children taking lessons at her studio stopped by to say hello to Melody. She chatted with people, cuddled under the blanket Jake had provided, and raised her hand to wave at the couple on the ice who held her heart.

After twenty minutes or so, Libby was on the other side of the pond with friends and Jake was skating back toward Melody and the bench. “She’s a natural,” he said, sitting down next to her. “By the time she met up with her friends, she was pretty much skating without me.”

“Thanks for helping her over her stage fright,” Melody replied. “Are you warm enough? I’ll be glad to share the blanket.”

He blew on his bare hands. “Thanks, I’d welcome it. I forgot to bring my gloves.”

She moved closer to him and arranged the blanket over the two of them, then grabbed one of his hands and grasped it firmly in her gloved hands. “Silly man to forget your gloves,” she said teasingly.

“Smart woman to share the blanket,” he replied with a twinkle in his eyes.

She settled against the back of the bench, acutely aware of every place their bodies touched beneath the blanket. Although she hadn’t been overly warm before, with his thigh and hip against hers, a flaming heat burned inside her.

He finally pulled his hand from hers and for a few minutes they watched the skaters on the ice. Melody kept an eye on her daughter, who had found Megan, and the two were on the ice together, barely moving around the edges of the pond.

“Tell me about your husband,” he said. “I’ve told you a little about Stacy, but you haven’t told me much about the man you were married to.”

She gazed at him and then looked back at the skaters. “Seth and I were high school sweethearts. We started going steady in seventh grade and never dated others. I had just graduated from college when my parents were killed in a small plane crash while they were on vacation. Seth was my rock through that horrible time, and after I’d grieved, he asked me to marry him.”

“So you were young when you married.”

“I suppose in this day and age twenty-two is considered young, but I didn’t feel young. I had no desire to sow any wild oats. All I really wanted was to be a wife and eventually a mother and own a dance studio.”

“It was a happy marriage?”

She paused a moment before replying, thinking back over her marriage. “Yes, for the most part it was a happy one. We only had one topic that we fought about. Seth was a rodeo cowboy. He rode bulls and broncs. I hated it. He followed the circuit so he was gone a lot and I was always afraid.” She shrugged. “And then my worst fear came true. He was at a rodeo riding a bronc and fell. The horse’s hooves came down on his head and he died instantly.”

“I’m sorry,” Jake replied, and the emotion behind the words let her know he wasn’t just saying an empty platitude.

“I tell myself that at least he died loving what he did. Seth lived for those adrenaline-filled moments on the back of a wild beast. I’ll always have a special place in my heart for Seth, but life goes on.”

For the next few minutes the two of them sat silently, watching the skaters. It was a comfortable silence. Melody was not warmed just by the blanket, but also by the very presence of the man seated next to her and her daughter’s laughter drifting across the pond.

She wanted to take this moment and wrap a bright red ribbon around it, top it with a sprig of mistletoe and hold it in her heart. It was a wonderful new memory that she would carry with her from this day forward.

Her gaze lingered on Libby and she frowned. “I’m a little bit worried about this Santa secret thing that Libby has,” she said. She turned and looked at Jake. “I’ve bought her nearly everything she asked for, but I don’t have any idea what special gift she’s expecting from Santa.”

“She hasn’t given you any clues?”

“None, and trust me, I’ve tried to get her to tell me. I just wish I knew so that I could see if I could get it for her. I don’t want her to lose her innocent belief and trust in Santa.”

“And what is it you want for Christmas, Melody?” Jake asked, his eyes glittering more silver than gray in the twilight of approaching night. She loved the way her name sounded falling from his lips.

She smiled and snuggled a little closer to him. “I already have what I wanted—happiness. Oh, I bought myself a bottle of perfume and a new sweater to wrap and put under the tree so that Libby wouldn’t think that Santa forgot me, but all I hoped for this Christmas was peace and happiness, and I’ve already found that here in Mistletoe.”

With you, she wanted to add. She wanted to tell him that he had become part of her happiness equation, but he hadn’t even kissed her yet. He might never kiss her the way she wanted him to, she told herself, although she was certain she’d seen desire for her in his eyes more than once.

It was after eight when they finally left the pond and headed back home. Jake was unusually quiet on the way to her house. Melody chalked it up to tiredness. He’d skated several more times throughout the evening and had also helped Bob carry more cookies and drinks from the house to the pond. Libby was quiet as well, obviously happy and exhausted.

They arrived at the house and Melody thanked him for yet another wonderful day. Libby got out of the backseat and ran to the front door to await Melody.

“I’m cooking a big roast and potatoes tomorrow,” she said, and unbuckled her seat belt. “Why don’t you come to dinner? I’d love to cook a nice meal for you.”

“Thanks for the offer,” he replied, a distance she’d never seen before in his eyes. “But I’ve got a lot of chores to take care of around the ranch, so I have to say no.”

“Oh, of course.” Melody’s heart plummeted, both with disappointment and with guilt. “We’ve been taking up too much of your time.”

“By my choice,” he said.

Melody opened the car door and stepped out. “The dinner invitation is a standing one. Just let me know when you’re available.”

He nodded. She began to walk toward the house but stopped as he rolled down the window and called out her name. “I hope you and Libby have a merry Christmas.”

Before she could reply he rolled up the window and drove away. She hurried toward the front porch where Libby waited for her to unlock the door. Her mind whirled with his words...words that indicated he didn’t intend to see or talk to them again before Christmas.

She unlocked the front door and Libby ran down the hall to her bedroom to get out of her extra clothes, while Melody closed the door and sank down on the sofa, Jake’s parting words still playing in her mind.