by Wendy Davy
Emma joined him in the kitchen.
“When did Luke make this?” he asked.
She glanced at the picture. “The day we put the lights on the porch. He’s quite an artist, isn’t he? With an active imagination. It would take a bulldozer to build a snowman that size.”
Reed laughed. “It probably would.” The warm, rich scents of coffee filled the air as Reed filled two mugs with the fresh brew. He took a seat at the kitchen table. Still, something niggled at him about the drawing, but he couldn’t place it.
“Here, take the picture. Luke said he wanted you to have it.” Emma removed it from the fridge and handed it to him.
“Thanks.” He folded the paper and secured it in his back pocket. “Has he fallen back to sleep already?”
“Yes, he was worn out.” Emma ran her hands through her hair and then smoothed her palms on her jeans. “Thanks for making the coffee,” she said but didn’t sit down. She opened a cabinet and pulled out a package of flour and a bag of chocolate chips. She set them on the counter.
“You’re not planning on adding those to your coffee are you?” he teased.
The comment brought out a quick, but fleeting smile. “I’m just checking to see what I need for Luke’s favorite cookie recipes. We always bake together on Christmas Eve.”
Reed sipped coffee as Emma flitted from the cabinet to the fridge and back to the cabinet. “Looks like I need some more peanut butter, cinnamon and vanilla.” She opened a drawer and pulled out a sheet of lined paper, wrote on it.
“Does that mean you fixed your oven?”
“Oh no,” she gasped. “I forgot it was broken. I’ll need to buy a heating element. Then it’s a matter of removing the broken one and plugging in the new one,” she said as if reassuring herself it would be that simple.
“If you have any trouble with it—”
“I can handle it.” She slid into a chair and continued making a list.
He placed a hand on hers, stilling her movements. “I don’t want to step on your toes. But please, if you need me, just ask.”
She slipped her hand from under his. “I don’t want to take advantage of your generosity or your kindness. And I don’t want you to think I’m needy or incapable.”
“No worries there. I don’t allow people to take advantage of me.” He leaned forward and lowered his voice. “And I would never think you are needy or weak. You are a strong, capable woman. Resilient. Trust me, Em. When I offer to help you with something, it’s because I want to.”
She looked at him as if she wanted to believe him, but couldn’t quite allow herself to.
“What are you afraid of?”
Emma sprang from her chair and paced the small kitchen. It barely had room for her to take four steps before she had to turn around and walk the other way.
Reed stood and intercepted her on her third pass by the table. He gently placed hands on her shoulders. “Why are you so nervous?”
“Because I’m not very experienced at this sort of thing.”
Lost, Reed lifted his shoulders. “What sort of thing?”
“Dating. Now that Luke’s asleep and the two of us are alone, I started thinking about what might happen next.” Her gaze dropped to his lips. A blush rose up her neck and seeped into both cheeks before she looked away. “This is so embarrassing,” she added in a whisper.
Her shyness endeared him to her. He cupped her face with his palm, drawing her gaze back. “Nothing happens next. Unless you want it to.”
Relief spread across her features. Moments passed, and then she wrapped her arms around his waist and held on so tight, he felt her heart beating against his chest. “I feel like I’m in a dream with a man too good to be true.”
“This is as real as it gets.” He ran a hand through her hair, letting the silky strands slide between his fingers. “I’m just an ordinary guy, Emma.”
“Not to me.” She slowly released him, took a step back and looked up at him with timid, yet apparent interest.
The temptation to kiss her hit him hard, but he wouldn’t act on it. Not until she made it clear she was ready. “I’d better go,” he said, but he didn’t want to leave without making plans to see her again. “I’m going to be in my church’s live nativity scene on Christmas Eve. You and Luke are welcome to come. Maybe after that we could bake cookies at my house? Since your oven’s broken.”
“You don’t have plans with your family and friends?”
“Not this year. My sister, her husband and kids recently moved to Hawaii. My parents are on a cruise, and my friends are all busy with their families. It’s just me this year.”
“I see…” Emma hesitated.
Reed tucked thumbs into his jeans pockets as his nerves kicked in—she was going to say no. It was presumptive of him not to ask if she already had plans. Or, perhaps she had decided she’d rather be only friends with him and didn’t know how to tell him. “Don’t feel obligated. I just thought—”
“Oh, it’s not that. I want to come. But, would it be OK if we wear our pajamas?”
“To church?”
She tilted back her head and laughed. “No. To your house. We always wear our flannel Christmas pajamas while we bake cookies. It’s tradition at our house.”
“Then, it will be tradition in mine as well. Of course you can wear PJs.”
“OK then. It’s a date.”
“Sounds good.” With renewed hope Reed headed toward the foyer, picked up his coat and shrugged into it.
“Wait.” Emma joined him at the door. “Before you go…” She placed both palms on his chest, rose to her tiptoes and touched her lips to his. The kiss was only a brief, feathery touch but it jolted him to his core.
“Goodnight,” she whispered.
“’Night, Em,” he said to the woman he was falling in love with.
13
“What’s a live native scene, Mommy?” Luke asked as Emma parked her car in the lot at Reed’s church.
The GPS on her phone announced they had arrived at their destination only ten minutes after leaving home, which made them several minutes early. Located in the opposite direction from town, the quaint white church sat in the middle of about five acres. A few large oak trees stood out front and to the sides, providing ample shade for the picnic tables during summer months. Today, however, the people mingling around the church were bundled in cold weather gear, and scents of hot apple cider and popcorn filled the air as volunteers prepared refreshments beside the church.
“I think you mean live nativity scene, don’t you?” Emma climbed from the car and waited as Luke scrambled out.
“It’s the thing Mr. Reed is gonna be in. He tolded me he was gonna pretend like he was a wise man. But, he’s alweady smart. So, I don’t know why he has to pretend.”
Emma bit her lip to hide her amusement but she couldn’t conceal her smile. “Oh, Luke. I love you so much.” She knelt in front of him and helped him slide on gloves. “Mr. Reed is helping to show people what it was like when Jesus was born. You know the set of figures we always have on our fireplace mantel at Christmas? Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus with their friends? It’s like that but with real people.”
Luke grew quiet a moment. “So…it’s kind of like a way to remember what Christmas is all about?”
“Yes. That’s right.” Emma stood and took Luke’s gloved hands in hers. “Sometimes people get caught up in all the business of Christmas and forget why they are celebrating.”
“But it’s still OK to like presents too, right?”
“Of course it is, honey.”
“Good. Cuz I asked God for something super special this year. He’s gonna be a present for both of us.”
Emma slowed as they neared the people gathering around a makeshift manger lined with hay. The participants hadn’t gathered beneath the shelter yet. She scanned the area for Reed but didn’t see him. The hum of activity dulled to background noise as Emma replayed in her mind what Luke had just said. “What do you mean he is goin
g to be a present?” Had Luke asked God for a puppy? She hoped not because she didn’t want him to be disappointed.
“Tomorrow’s Christmas day. You’ll see then.” Luke grinned up at her.
“Hey. There you are.” Reed stepped around from behind them. “I’m glad you’re here early.”
If not for his familiar blue eyes and deep, rustic voice, Emma would have had to look twice to verify it was him; he wore a thick fake beard, a royal blue velvet cape over a burgundy long-sleeved tunic, a gold crown on his head and a medallion around his neck.
Luke stared up at him. “Mr. Reed?” His eyes narrowed. “You don’t look wise. You look silly.”
Reed chuckled and knelt before Luke. “I’m representing someone who lived a long time ago. People used to dress differently back then.”
“If you say so.” Luke looked unconvinced. “Can I touch your beard?”
“Sure.” Reed placed Luke’s palm on his chin. “But don’t tug on it or it might come off.”
Luke giggled. “That tickles.”
Emma bet it did. A sharp twinge of attraction jolted through her as she thought about what it would be like to kiss Reed while he wore the tickly beard. When she’d kissed him the other night, it had been a quick, impulsive move—a test to see how she’d react to the intimate contact. The brief moment had left her lightheaded and wanting more.
“Can Mommy touch it, too?” Luke asked.
Emma’s face heated. “Oh, well I—”
Reed stood and stepped forward, mischief dancing in his eyes. Leaning in he placed a soft kiss on her cheek. “What do you think? Does it tickle?” he whispered against her ear.
Vibrations from his deep voice tickled as much as the beard did. She nodded. “It does.” If not for the people surrounding them, she’d be tempted to turn her head and press her lips to his.
He drew back, met her gaze. “I’m glad you came. It means a lot to me.”
“I’m glad you asked us to come.” Just being near Reed felt right, as if this is where God wanted her to be. Another confirmation that she’d made the right decision moving to Shenandoah Valley.
An older gentleman called the volunteers to gather at the manger.
“I’d better get going,” Reed said. “Wish I could spend more time with you, but I have to act like a statue for the next two hours.”
“A satue?” Luke asked.
“Statue. It means I have to stand really still while people stop by the church and enjoy the scene.”
Luke scratched his head. “So you won’t be saying anything?”
“Nope. Carolers will be singing Christmas songs. You can sing too if you’d like.”
“I like the song about angels. Can we sing that one?”
“Maybe.”
Reed seemed to have infinite patience with Luke’s questions. The other volunteers had already taken their positions in the manger, so Emma intervened. “Mr. Reed needs to go.”
“OK.” Luke hugged Reed’s waist. “I love you, Mr. Wise Man.”
“Love you too, buddy.” He answered and kissed the top of Luke’s head as if he’d been in Luke’s life for years, not days. Reed turned to Emma, “Enjoy the nativity and refreshments. I’ll see you at home later.” He strode away, joining the other volunteers.
The affectionate exchange between Reed and Luke made the prospect of making cookies at Reed’s later seem all the more meaningful and intimate. When she’d arrived in Oakburn a little over a month ago, Emma never would’ve predicted she’d be spending Christmas Eve with a man who could possibly learn to love and cherish her son as much as if Luke were his own.
Her relationship with Ben had cultivated over years, growing and maturing over a long period of time. She’d always been skeptical about couples who claimed to fall in love at first sight. Attraction could be instant, but love? She hadn’t believed a genuine relationship could ignite so quickly until Reed had swept into her life offering such kindness and generosity.
“Mommy, I can’t see. Can we move closer?” Luke brought Emma’s thoughts back.
She led the way to the manger as Reed took his place alongside two other wise men. Mary and Joseph leaned over baby Jesus while angels and shepherds and half a dozen sheep completed the scene.
“Look! The sheep are eating the hay,” Luke pointed to the animals.
“They must be hungry.” Emma took in the majestic scene before her as carolers began singing. Watching the volunteers representing their faith made her reconsider her own relationship with God.
Until Ben had died, she’d felt safe and secure in the knowledge that God loved her and wanted the best for her. Since then she’d been plagued with doubts. Why would God allow her husband to die if He truly loved her? Why deprive Luke of his father? But, as she looked upon the manger scene and the swaddled baby portraying Jesus, the weight she’d been carrying for so long began to lift.
Seeking answers to her questions didn’t seem as important as reality set in; God sent his Son to Earth to live with us and teach us, to die for us. She couldn’t quantify that kind of love. Maybe it was time to stop questioning Him and start trusting Him.
Kneeling beside Luke, Emma drew him into her arms. God had given her a priceless gift; her own son. Had God sent Reed into their lives, too? As peace settled into her, she met Reed’s gaze and love for him began to fill the void in her heart.
14
Reed hadn’t decorated the inside of his house for Christmas because he hadn’t expected to have visitors. After the live nativity at church, he rushed home and climbed into the attic to retrieve a few boxes of Christmas decorations. The attic still needed a layer of extra insulation, but he deemed preparing for Emma and Luke’s arrival much more important and fun.
Thank you Father. Having company this evening is the best present you could’ve given me.
As he set up garland across his oak fireplace mantel, Reed glanced at framed pictures of Molly and Miles positioned on the wood surface. Anna liked to take candid shots of the kids, rather than pose them in formal settings. These particular photos were taken last summer when they were camping near a waterfall. His heart ached to spend time with them, to listen to their laughter and see their smiling faces. But with Emma and Luke coming over soon, he was glad he’d decided not to travel this Christmas. He’d be sure to video chat with his family in the morning. For tonight he’d reserve his time for his neighbors, who had become an important part of his life.
Reed added to his tree a couple of ornaments he’d received from students, and then straightened the presents sitting beneath. He’d been honored to place the angel on Emma’s tree. It could have been an awkward moment when Luke suggested it because previously, it was Emma’s husband who had taken care of it, but she had not seemed upset by Reed stepping in. He hoped she was ready to move on. To open her heart to someone. To him.
He could wait, though. However long it took.
Finished decorating, Reed loaded the dishwasher and cleaned the kitchen counters. The letter on the fridge caught his eye. His life had changed for the better in the time since it had fluttered to his feet on the post office floor. As he read the note again, he studied the child’s writing. The niggling sensation returned. What was it about this letter that seemed so familiar? Reed cleared his mind and took a moment to think.
In the quiet stillness the answer snapped into place—the handwriting on the snowman picture Luke had drawn looked similar to the handwriting on the letter to God. Reed rushed to retrieve the drawing and placed it on the fridge next to the child’s letter—the handwriting wasn’t similar. It was identical.
Reed froze. His breath caught in his throat. Luke had written the letter.
My Mom is sick. I tink she mite dy like my dad did wen I was little…Wood you send a dad to take care of me…
Emma wasn’t dying. Was she? He shook his head. It couldn’t be. He’d just found her. Certainly Luke had misunderstood. She’d only had a cold. Hadn’t she?
The doorbell rang, and he ra
n hands through his hair. Reed heard Luke’s excited voice on the other side of the door. In a daze, he crossed the living room and stepped into the foyer. He opened the door to what he hoped were two people that were destined to be in his life permanently. Even though he’d known them a short time, to think otherwise was unimaginable.
He forced a smile and ran his gaze over Emma. True to tradition, she’d changed into a set of Christmas pajamas, red with golden gingerbread men decorating the material. “Hey.” His voice came out a little breathless.
She held up grocery bags and flashed an apologetic smile. “You sure you want to do this? Luke has been bouncing off the walls since we got home from church, and he hasn’t even had any sugar yet.”
“I’m always up for a challenge. Come on in.” He managed to say. “Let me take those bags.” He slipped them from her grasp. She had a hint of dark circles under her eyes, and she looked a little pale. What if she was really sick? Anxiety churned his stomach. “Are you feeling OK?”
“A little tired, but I’m fine.”
The generic response didn’t satisfy him. Come to think of it, she looked a little thin, too. Heart pounding in his chest, he led the way to the kitchen and set down the bags. Reed barely registered Luke’s voice as the boy asked a question.
“I’m sorry. What was that, buddy?”
“Why aren’t you wearing pajamas? I have new ones this year cuz I’m bigger than I was last year.” Luke pointed to his little royal blue outfit dotted with reindeer. “Did you outgrow yours?”
It took Reed a moment to focus. He cleared his throat before speaking. “Mine still fit but I got distracted and forgot to change.”
“That’s OK.” Luke shrugged. “Mommy says you would look handsome no matter what you’re wearing.”
Emma’s cheeks turned rosy. Her lips quirked into a smile, but she avoided eye contact as she looked around. His home had an open concept with the living room next to the kitchen and a reading nook off to the side. He’d decorated man-style. Leather sofas, a few pictures. He had a few select sports memorabilia pieces sitting around. She focused on the floor to ceiling windows facing the river. “You must have a gorgeous view when it’s daylight.”