Just Until Christmas

by Carole Towriss

  He scanned the horizon. “The beach in the morning is my favorite place in all the world. I think God did his best work on the beach.”

  Hope huffed.

  He shifted his gaze to her. “What?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  “Don’t believe in God?”

  “Sure I do. I’m just a little angry with Him at the moment.”

  “That’s OK.”

  “It is?” She halted and stared at him.

  “Sure. He’s a big God. He can handle it.” He tilted his head. “Would you like to go to church with me on Sunday?”

  “I don’t think that would be a good idea.” She walked away, waving a hand.

  “Why not?”

  “It’s just not.” She glanced over her shoulder. “It’s been close to an hour. I think I should get back.”

  She was obviously trying to get away. “Can we run again?”

  “Sure. I’ll see you at the store. By the way, the last couple times I’ve been in the store, you know that girl, the one with the red hair?”

  “Amy?”

  “If you’re not there she seems to be very upset with me. She wasn’t like that the first time she waited on me, and she’s not like that with other customers. But when she rings me up, she just glares at me. I mean, if looks could kill, I’d drop dead right there.”

  Ian shook his head and chuckled.

  “What? Why are you laughing?”

  “Rob was right.”

  “About what?

  “He’s said for weeks Amy has a crush on me. I think she’s jealous of you. When was the first time this happened?”

  “Umm ... the morning before you came to fix the plumbing.”

  “I’d mentioned to Rob I was going to your house. She heard me.”

  “Well, thanks for getting me on someone’s hit list!” She punched his shoulder, and her eyes grew wide. She placed her hand over her mouth.

  Ian laughed and rubbed his arm.

  “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to do that.” Her cheeks pinked.

  “Don’t worry. My sisters have done worse.” They climbed up on the walkway over the dunes.

  “How many?”

  “Three.”

  “Three?”

  “And two brothers.”

  “Wow.” She dragged her hand over the railing, skimming the dune grass.

  “That must sound crazy to an only child.”

  “Crazy, no. Chaotic, maybe.” She grinned at him.

  “Most of the time, yes.” He winked. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  “This is my street. I guess I’ll see you later.” She turned to go.

  He caught up with her. “Can I see you again?”

  “Maybe. I’ll see you at the store. No promises.” She walked backward a few steps before turning and jogging away.

  No promises.

  He’d just have to make it happen, then.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  FRIDAY NIGHT HOPE RAN TO the door when the doorbell rang. She opened it to Ian standing there holding a picnic basket with a huge red bow on it.

  “Isn’t it a little late in the year for a picnic?”

  “Not a picnic. Brought you a present.”

  Why would he bring her a present? It wasn’t her birthday. No holiday she could think of. He stood there with that silly grin on his face. “Can I come in?”

  Oh, gosh, how long had she kept him standing on the porch? “I’m sorry! Please!” She stepped back to let him in.

  It took him just a few long strides to reach her couch. “Come, sit down.” He patted the couch next to him.

  She sat on the cushion beside him as he placed the basket on the floor at their feet.

  “Sit back, and pull your feet up.”

  She gave him a quizzical look.

  “Just trust me. And close your eyes.”

  She pulled her legs onto the couch and allowed her eyelids to slide shut. Ian’s solid thighs bumped against hers as he reached into the basket, and then something soft and warm was placed into her lap.

  Her eyes jerked open as the tiny fur ball moved. Big, green eyes peered out from a round, fuzzy head. A long tail swished against her legs. A barely audible mew squeaked past a pink tongue.

  “Oh, Ian!” She gathered the kitten in her arms and lifted it for closer inspection and a kiss. “He’s beautiful.” She held him close and looked at Ian. “Why?”

  “I wanted to see you smile.” He leaned closer to pet the animal, and his musky scent surrounded her. “What are you going to name him?”

  She swallowed hard as his shoulders rested against hers when he sat back. The warmth of his body spread throughout hers. “I- I’m not sure yet. I’ll have to think about it.”

  He twisted in his seat toward her. “Did you eat yet? We could get a pizza, watch a movie.”

  “Sounds great.” She unfolded one leg, but he put his hand on it. “I’ll order it. Stay with your cat.”

  “He’s a kitten.”

  “Fine. Kitten.” He stood and walked a few paces away and pulled out his cell phone.

  She watched his broad shoulders move under his yellow polo shirt as he raked his hand through his wavy, sun-bleached hair. She jerked back to attention when he snapped his phone shut.

  “Twenty minutes. There’s a great place about a mile from here.”

  “Of course there is.”

  He shrugged. “I grew up here. I know where everything is.” He wandered to the kitchen and returned with plates, napkins and glasses, which he set on the coffee table. “I know you’re not a native. So, when did you move to Maryland?”

  “We moved here about six years ago. Then—”

  “Here? To Brandon Beach?”

  “Yeah. I moved here for my last semester of high school. Nice, huh?”

  “Ouch.”

  “I finished high school and did my first two years of college at the tri-county community college, and then I went to Chicago, where we lived before Maryland, for the last two years of college.”

  “And you majored in English?”

  “English Ed. I wanted to be a teacher.”

  His brows furrowed. “So why aren’t you teaching?”

  She sighed. “I followed my college boyfriend, Marcos, to Maryland. He told me there were plenty of teaching jobs in Montgomery County, but he was so wrong. Well, there were plenty of jobs for Spanish teachers, especially native speakers like him, but not English teachers like me. I took the tech writing job just to have something to live on. Maybe next year.”

  “And are you still with this boyfriend?”

  “No. He turned out to be about as reliable as his information.”

  “Wow. I’m sorry.”

  She shrugged. “Not your fault.”

  “I guess that’s why I never met you. I was at U Maryland the whole time you were here. I got my bachelor’s there and then my MBA. I was here for the summers, but I don’t remember you. I was almost always working, though.”

  “Trust me, we never shopped at your store.” She winced. “No offense.”

  “None taken. Locals usual don’t.” He chuckled. “Should I get a movie?” He moved to the bookshelf near her TV. “Anything in particular?”

  “I like all of them, so whatever you like.”

  He frowned as his fingers skimmed along the titles. “Are they all chick flicks?”

  “No, not all, tough guy.” She stuck her tongue out.

  He laughed, then selected a movie and grabbed the remote before sitting next to Hope again. He put his arm behind her on the back of the couch and his feet up on the table.

  Hope raised her eyebrows at him. “Comfortable?”

  “Very. Thanks.” He flashed his dimples.

  She leaned her head back on his arm.

  “I like spending time with you.” He tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear.

  The cat mewed and crawled across her lap into his.

  “Hey, I brought some kitten food and
two bowls. And a litter box, and litter.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “Nope. Everything you need. At least that’s what the pet store said.” He picked up the cat and headed into the kitchen.

  Hope stood and watched, speechless, as Ian set the bowls on the floor, filled one with water and one with food, and then set up the litter box.

  He came back to her side. “I have one more gift.”

  “Another one?”

  He reached once more into the picnic basket, then handed her a red spray bottle and cat brush.

  Hope’s jaw dropped and her mouth went dry. “The blueberry wash? You remembered?”

  “I remember a lot.”

  She threw her arms around his neck. “Thank you.”

  “Well that was a surprise.” His voice was low in her ear.

  She drew back, keeping her arms looped around his neck. “Impulse. Sorry.”

  “I’m not.” His sapphire eyes searched her soul as his hands slowly settled at her waist.

  Her breath hitched. She withdrew her hands, played wither necklace. “Ian ... I’m only here until Christmas.”

  His smile faded. “Only until Christmas? Then you’re leaving?”

  Was that disappointment in his eyes? Didn’t matter. She wasn’t staying. Her decision, not his. Not this time.

  She stepped away—away from his scent, away from his warmth, away from any power he might begin to have over her.

  “Yes. I have to go back to Bethesda.”

  He gave her a crooked smile. “Oh.”

  The doorbell chimed. Thank goodness.

  “Pizza’s here.” He opened the door to retrieve dinner then set it on the coffee table.

  They chattered about safer topics as they polished off the pizza, and the tension faded. Hope finished her last slice and picked up the cat. “I’m going to name him Muffin.”

  “Muffin?” Ian laughed. She felt his chest rumble beside her as she settled back on the couch, Muffin curled up on the couch next to her.

  Ian put his arm behind her again, so she slid closer to him. Not quite touching him, but enough to enjoy his presence.

  He pressed “play” on the remote.

  She sighed and focused on the Sandra Bullock film she’d seen a dozen times, trying to ignore the gorgeous man next to her. All she had to do was remember that no matter how nice he seemed now, he would eventually end up just like all the others.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  HE KNOCKED ON HER DOOR at precisely 7 pm. The late fall breeze blew through the porch and the calla lilies on the railing danced gently. The scent of the ocean and the squawks of seagulls wafted in from the beach.

  No answer. He waited a few moments, then knocked again.

  She answered almost immediately. “Did you knock before? I was upstairs. I couldn’t tell if I heard a knock or not.” She gestured for him to come inside. “Just let me get my shoes on.”

  As she pulled on white tennis shoes, he took in her long legs clad in faded jeans, the blue blouse that hugged her waist, and the pearl pendant that hung around her neck. Her blond hair was for once hanging freely down her back instead of pulled up. He hadn’t realized how long it was.

  “Where are we eating?” She tilted her head and smiled. She was wearing lipstick. Not a lot. Just a hint of soft pink.

  “What are you hungry for?”

  “Oh, just about anything. Mexican. Chinese. Not fond of Italian, though.”

  “There’s a great Chinese restaurant not too far from here. One of my favorites. Sound good?”

  “Sounds great.” She grabbed her purse and headed for the front door.

  He reached the door first and opened it for her. Her familiar citrus scent filled the air as she passed him.

  The restaurant was on the small side, a typical Chinese establishment. It sported lots of red on the walls, round tables, a fish tank against the wall near the entrance.

  Ian led Hope to a table in the corner. A young, strawberry-blond man fairly bounced up to the table. “Hi, my name is Josh. I’ll be taking care of you tonight. May I get you a drink to start?” He spoke rapidly, barely taking a breath.

  “Um, yeah, I’ll take a Coke. Hope?”

  “The same.”

  “You got it.” Josh sped off.

  Hope laughed. “At least he’s perky.”

  “He’s new. I’ve never seen him here before. Usually it’s just family working. But I do remember the daughter left for college, now that I think about it.”

  “I think he could replace two people.”

  Ian chuckled. “You’re probably right.

  Hope’s cell phone rang just as Josh finished taking their order. She winced and let it go to voicemail.

  “Everything OK?”

  “Don’t worry about it.” She shrugged and smiled, but her eyes went dark.

  “I do worry about it. I worry about you.”

  “I don’t need you worrying about me.” She rearranged the silverware beside her plate, moving the spoon from one side of the knife to the other and back again.

  He placed his hand on hers. “Hope, that’s the fourth time I’ve seen you react that way to a phone call. Something is very wrong, and I’d like to help if you’ll let me.”

  Her brow furrowed. “Four times?”

  “That I’ve seen. Which means there are probably many more.”

  She let out a breath of frustration. “I owe a lawyer a lot of money back in Chicago. They keep calling about it.”

  “They won’t let you make payments or anything?”

  “I was, every month, but now they want it all.”

  He leaned on his forearms. “Will you let me help you? I have some money saved up. You can get them off your back, and pay me back whenever you can. I won’t hassle you like they do.” He grinned at her, but she only speared him with a harsh stare.

  “I don’t need to be rescued, Ian MacKay. You think I can’t take care of myself? That I’m incapable just because I’m a woman?” She narrowed her eyes, now the color of spinach. “Or is it that I’m obviously too stupid to keep myself out of legal trouble and therefore need to be looked after?”

  Ian put up his hands in surrender. “None of that!” He glanced at the patrons whose attention they had drawn and and leaned in again. “I just see your face every time you get one of those calls. And I would do anything to keep you from pain.”

  The anger melted from her face. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you like that.” She rested her face in her hands for a few moments, then ran her fingers through her hair. “It’s certainly not your fault.”

  He took her hand in both of his. He wanted to kiss it, but thought better of it.

  “The debt is not my fault. It’s my father’s. But I still have to pay the legal fees. My lawyer was great. I loved her, but she moved to California, and the bill went to the collections department, and they haven’t been nearly as understanding.”

  “Hope, please let me help you.” He’d get down on his knees and beg if it would keep him from seeing that fear in her eyes again when the phone chimed.

  “Ian, I barely know you. I can’t take your money.” She shook her head.

  “We’ll draw up a note. You can sign something if it makes you feel better.”

  “I don’t know ...”

  “Will you at least think about it?”

  “All right, guys. Here we go.” Josh slid glasses of Coke and empty teacups out of the way. We’ve got spring rolls. General Tso’s chicken. Careful. Plate’s hot. And sesame beef. White rice. May I bring you anything else?”

  “No, thanks, Josh. I think that will do for now.” Ian nodded.

  “Okay, then. Back later.” He wheeled around and headed for another table.

  “So, will you?” Ian scooped out some chicken onto his plate, and offered some to Hope. She held out her plate, and he served her as well.

  “Will I what?” She grabbed the rice.

  He sighed. “Think about it.”

>   “Yeah, I’ll think about it. If only to get you off my back. I don’t need you on me as well as the lawyers.” She made a goofy face at him.

  “Hey, whatever it takes.” He chuckled.

  “Whatever what takes?”

  “Whatever it takes to keep those green eyes sparkling.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  HE WALKED HER TO THE door at the end of the evening. “Why don’t you come to church with me tomorrow morning?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Why not? You said you believe in God?”

  “Of course.”

  “Are you a Christian?”

  “I am.” She reached into her purse for the keys.

  “Then what are you doing about worship? What have you been doing for the last month?”

  “I read my Bible. I listen to preachers on TV on Sunday morning.”

  “Hope, you know that’s not the same thing.”

  “It’s the best I can do right now.”

  “The Bible reminds us we need each other, we shouldn’t neglect coming together to worship.”

  “I know, but ...” She leaned against the door.

  “But what?”

  “I can’t afford to get too connected here. It’s bad enough ...”

  “Bad enough what?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Bad enough you’ve allowed yourself to make one friend already?”

  “I didn’t mean it.”

  “Yeah, you did.” He stared at the porch floor. “You can’t cut yourself off from everyone for three whole months.”

  “I can try.”

  “Hope ...”

  “Hey, look, it’s late. How about we finish up some other time?”

  At 10:15 Sunday morning Hope’s phone rang. Who would call so early on a Sunday morning?

  “Hope? It’s Ian.”

  Panic gripped her. “Ian? What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. I’m picking you up in half an hour for church.”

  Uggh. “Ian, we talked about this.”

  “You talked.”

  “And apparently you didn’t listen.” Would it be too rude to just hang up now?

  “And neither did you. This is not good for you. Get dressed. It’s a beach church. Jeans are fine.”