by Annie Rains
Joy leaned in as well. “I love a good secret. And I’m great at keeping them.”
Darby giggled softly. “I’ve always had a little crush on Ray.”
Joy pulled back. “What? Why have you waited so long, then?”
Darby shrugged and picked up her spoon, dipping it in her applesauce. “I never thought I wanted to be bogged down in the tangles of love.”
Love?
Darby lifted her spoon to her lips. “But Ray makes me feel like I’m flying. I’ve been missing out.” She slid the applesauce into her mouth now. “In fact, my artwork has even changed. And it’s selling better than ever.”
Even though Darby was getting older, she still created paintings and sculptures that she put up for commission in the same locations that Joy did.
“Yeah? That’s great, Aunt Darby.”
“It is.” Darby gave her a serious look. “Love was the missing ingredient. It hasn’t drained my creativity; it’s increased it a thousandfold.”
There was that love word again. Joy hadn’t realized things were so serious between Darby and Ray.
“You should try it,” Darby said.
Joy pulled back. She shook her head, speechless for a moment. “I have, Aunt Darby. Remember? Dan cheated on me with a nurse.”
Joy swallowed back the bitter pain. Having her boyfriend go behind her back was one thing. Going behind her back when she was pregnant, another. Casual dating was one thing but she wasn’t looking for love again anytime soon.
Chapter Twelve
Granger knocked lightly on the front door of his parents’ house on Tuesday afternoon. When they didn’t immediately answer, he knocked again and then opened the door.
“Hello?” He continued walking through the front foyer until he reached the living room where his dad was snoring in his recliner.
Granger walked through the house some more, finding his mom napping as well. That was unusual for them but he knew his mom worked hard for Merry Mountain Farms. And his father was under doctor’s orders to rest.
Granger started to walk back out the way he’d come.
“Granger? Where do you think you’re going?” his dad asked gruffly.
Granger spun to face him. “To let you and Mom continue with your overdue afternoon nap.”
His dad chuckled. “Overdue by a couple decades, I’d say.” He sat up as the back of the recliner followed him.
“I came to update you on the farm,” Granger said.
His father gestured to the couch. “By all means. Let’s hear it.”
Granger sat down and recapped. “Peppermint Path is done and ready to get started on Friday night. We’ll have our first Christmas tree workshop that evening as well. Joy’s gotten the Ladies’ Day Out group signed up to be our first customers.”
Granger’s mom walked into the room as he spoke. “Oh, that’s so nice. I used to go out with them all the time. Do you think I can join them and experience the workshop and the path myself?”
Granger looked up. “Sure.”
“I mean, for the rest of the holidays, I was thinking of pulling out my old apple cider stand so we’d be more convenient to the folks taking the classes. Me and the girls would sell cider and hot chocolate. We can give the stand a fresh coat of paint tomorrow.”
“That’s an awesome idea.” Granger looked at his father, who was frowning.
“You’ve done all this on your own?” his father asked skeptically.
“Joy’s doing the Christmas tree workshop. It was just a matter of buying materials and making a sign for her. And we already had most of the materials for the lighted hayride. The tractor is shined and polished. The path is clear. I replaced a lot of bulbs. I just need a Santa.” He looked at his dad hopefully.
His dad took a moment to respond. “You want me to play an overweight old man with a jolly laugh?”
Granger couldn’t help but laugh. Half out of humor and half out of nerves. He wasn’t sure his dad was joking.
“I love the trees,” his dad said. “The real trees. The highlight of my year is watching families come out and pick the perfect one. That’s what I’ll be doing again this year. I’m resting like the doctor said but that doesn’t mean I can’t man the register, talk to our customers, and ring them up. Looks like you’ll have to find another Santa Claus for this project of yours.”
Granger nodded. “Fair enough. I’ve touched base with the guys from the Sweetwater Springs fire and police stations as usual. There were a few single guys from each who agreed to help load and deliver for us.” Employees from both had been earning extra money helping Merry Mountain Farms for years.
“Sounds like we’re all set for Friday afternoon, then,” his dad said.
“Except for a Santa,” Granger confirmed. The end of Peppermint Path was an elaborate place for his Santa to sit and talk to the kids. Now all he had to do was go down his list of friends who owed him a favor.
“Christmas is coming, yes,” his mom said, interrupting his thoughts. “But first comes Thanksgiving. Granger, I was hoping you’d invite Joy to eat with us. The girls love her so much, and I’m not sure she has anywhere to go.”
“She’s going to see her aunt at the community center for lunch,” he argued.
“Yes, but after that she can come here. Make sure you ask her.” She gave him a stern look. “And before you jump to conclusions, I am not matchmaking. Thanksgiving is for friends and family, and Joy should be included this year.”
“Sure, I’ll ask her.” In fact, he’d already considered asking but he’d worried that it was crossing some unspoken line. She wasn’t looking for a relationship, and hanging out with his entire family wasn’t exactly casual. But with the invitation coming from his mom, that made it less complicated.
“Oh, good. I hope she can join us. The girls think so much of her. I do too.”
Granger looked at his father. “Her mom is quite the doctor too. I owe her a lot this season.”
“Oh, maybe we should invite Joy’s parents as well,” Granger’s mom said excitedly. “It’s the more the merrier. And her aunt Darby. Ask Joy, won’t you?”
Granger hedged. Asking Joy was one thing. Asking her whole family took it to a new level. Even if he did ask, he doubted they’d all come. According to Joy, her parents lived at the hospital. “I’ll ask,” he finally agreed.
As he headed outside, he saw Joy and the girls preparing cans of paint. He assumed they were getting ready to paint the beverage stand that his mom had mentioned.
Joy looked up from what she was doing and beamed at him. “Hi.”
“Hi.”
There was a charge in the air between them.
“Daddy!” Willow came barreling toward him. He braced himself for her bear hug. Abby took her time and gave him a quieter hug.
“Did you guys have a good day?” he asked.
They both nodded. It was the last day before their fall break. Tomorrow, they’d be home all day preparing for Thanksgiving on Thursday.
Granger looked up to see the mail carrier slowing down at his mailbox up the road. “There’s the mail,” he said.
Abby livened up and turned quickly to look. “I’ll get it,” she said eagerly. Her voice came out louder, which he found curious.
“Me too, me too!” Willow said.
Abby looked down at her younger sister. “Do you have to go everywhere with me? Stay here with Dad and Joy.”
“But I want to go with you.” Willow looked genuinely dejected.
And Granger was a bit surprised by Abby pushing her away. Abby was always a mother hen to Willow.
“You can stay with me, Willow,” Joy said. “I might need your help while Abby is checking the mail.”
Granger felt his heart squeeze. Seeing the way Joy interacted with his children made her attractive in an entirely different way. Combined with his overwhelming physical attraction to her, it was all he could do not to tug her toward him right now and kiss her silly.
* * *
Jo
y knew when someone was keeping something from her. Well, at least when a kid was. Men were another story. And Abby was definitely hiding something. Joy could see it in the way her gaze darted around. And the way she’d seemed completely deflated since she’d come back from the mailbox. What was going on?
“So we have to stay out here every night and sell drinks?” Abby asked, her mood sullen suddenly.
“Or you can help me with the Christmas tree workshop,” Joy said. “I’ll need an assistant. Willow can help your nana.”
Abby seemed to cheer up a little at the idea. She glanced back toward the house where Granger and Willow had gone to get a glass of water. “Willow will probably pout about me not being with her,” Abby muttered.
Joy put her hand on Abby’s shoulder. “What’s going on with you and Willow lately? Did something happen?”
Abby shrugged. “She just acts like I’m her mom. I’m not.”
There was a tremor in Abby’s voice, telling Joy that she was on the edge of her emotions. She’d told Joy that she was missing her mom lately. Maybe that was all it was. A girl her age needed a mother figure, and Abby only had her grandmother. Maybe Abby resented having to be that figure for Willow. It wasn’t fair.
Granger and Willow came walking back outside where Joy and Abby were working.
Joy looked up at him. “You clean up nicely.”
He looked down at himself for a moment. “I’m on my way to meet Jack and Luke at the Tipsy Tavern. It’s overdue, and I need to collect on a favor from one of them.”
Joy laughed. “Uh-oh. I have a feeling I know what that favor is.”
“And you’re probably right.” He gestured back to his house. “My mom is inside. She’s ready to take the girls off your hands anytime. They’re out of school tomorrow, and my mom wants to spend some time with them. Then Thursday is a holiday.”
Joy nodded. “Yes, it is.”
“My mom was wondering if you could join us,” he told her.
“Your mom?” Joy repeated.
Granger tilted his head from side to side. “And me.”
“And me too,” Abby agreed, suddenly looking a lot more cheerful.
“Yes, yes, yes! Pleaaaase,” Willow said, grabbing Joy’s hand. “I want you to come too.”
Abby shook her head, her expression twisting. “You’re copying me again, Willow!”
“Am not!”
“Are too!”
Joy held up a hand. “Well, it’s hard to refuse such an enthusiastic invitation.”
Her gaze fluttered up to meet Granger’s. It was growing harder and harder to refuse him as well, which was part of the problem. “What can I bring?”
“Just yourself. Mom also told me to tell you to invite your parents and your aunt too.”
Joy hedged. “I doubt my parents will make it. They’re always so busy but thank her for thinking of them.”
“Mom’s a saint.”
“She is,” Joy agreed. “I’ll ask Aunt Darby. She might prefer to spend the occasion with her new boyfriend though.”
Granger shoved his hands in his jeans pockets. “My mom makes more than enough for an entire army if Darby wants to bring Ray.”
Joy nodded. “You’re sure you don’t need me to bring anything on Thursday?”
“Positive.”
Joy started backing up, feeling the need to distance herself. Not that distance eased the ache in her chest. It was just supposed to have been a few innocent kisses but she knew better. She had already started to develop feelings for Granger. What was she going to do about that? “Then I’ll see you Thursday after I leave the community center.”
“Yay!” Abby said. “Thanksgiving is usually kind of boring. But it’ll be fun with you here.”
“Thanks a lot, kid.” Granger poked Abby’s shoulder.
“No offense, Dad, but you usually pass out on the couch after eating two platefuls. I doubt Joy will do that.”
“It’s called the turkey coma. And everyone does that after stuffing themselves,” Granger said. “Even Joy.”
Joy raised a hand. “Guilty. Turkey gets me every time, I’m afraid.”
“Well, you can stay and nap here with us,” Willow offered. “You can even sleep over if you want,” she said, bopping on the balls of her feet in the way that she did when she was bursting with excitement.
Joy didn’t dare look up at Granger after that comment. A sleepover at Granger’s place definitely wouldn’t be happening this week. Or any week.
* * *
Joy left home bright and early on Thanksgiving morning. She planned to serve at the Sugar Pines Community Center at lunch but she wanted to stop by and see her parents at the hospital first. This was a day to spend with family after all.
She parked and headed inside, waving at the receptionist as she passed by. That job was still vacant as far as she knew. But she wouldn’t be filling it. Not anytime soon at least. She stepped onto the elevator and pressed the button for the second floor. The door closed behind her and began to move. Yeah, she could’ve just taken the stairs and probably should have to make up for all the delicious food she was going to eat later. But just anticipating a battle of wills with her mom was exhausting.
Her mom would remind her about the open position here. She’d also likely insinuate that Joy needed a stable job. Or she’d imply that Joy needed a stable relationship. Someone like Joy’s ex, Dan.
The elevator opened and…Speak of the devil.
“Hey, Joy,” Dan said. He was in his white doctor’s coat, and for a moment, her heart skipped a beat. She’d loved him once after all. Then her brain caught up, and she walked past him. “Joy?”
Ugh. Her conscience wouldn’t let her continue walking.
She stopped and turned but didn’t return his smile. Instead, she offered her best glare. “Yes?”
He stepped closer. She caught the whiff of his familiar cologne, much too strong to be appropriate at the hospital. It competed with the antiseptic smell on the floor but he had to impress the nurses, right? “Happy Thanksgiving.”
“You too,” she said curtly. “Have you seen my parents?”
He seemed to search his brain. “I’m pretty sure they both got called downstairs to the ER for an emergency consult.”
Joy felt her good mood deflate another notch. An emergency consult for both an orthopedic and cardiac surgeon meant that someone was in pretty bad shape. It also meant she probably wouldn’t get to see them today unless she stopped by later. That might give her an excuse to run away from Granger’s house. She wanted to run from Granger for an entirely different reason than the one she had for eying the exits with Dan.
“I bought the piece of art that was hanging on consignment in the gift shop,” Dan said suddenly.
Joy’s gaze cut to his. “You were the one who purchased it? Why would you do that?”
“It was good. Really good.” He shrugged a shoulder, something vulnerable flashing in his eyes. “And I wanted to support your art. I know every sale helps.”
Joy felt her insides coil. She considered her art an extension of herself, and she did not want any piece of her on display at Dan’s house. What could she do though? She couldn’t put a restriction on who bought her pieces. “So it was a pity purchase?”
Dan looked taken aback. “Not at all. I’ve always loved your art. I consider myself lucky to get a piece at such a steal of a price. It won’t always be so reasonable.”
He was being nice for some reason that she didn’t have the energy to investigate. “Well, if my parents aren’t here, then I guess I’ll leave.”
She started to walk past him back toward the elevator but he grabbed her arm gently.
Joy yanked it away and glared up at him. “What do you want?”
“I don’t know. I just…I wish we could still be friends—that’s all.”
Was she supposed to feel bad for him? Maybe her mom did when he talked like this but Joy didn’t. “After you cheated on me with that nurse behind my back? No, w
e can’t.”
“That’s not fair,” Dan said.
“Unfair is leaving me to grieve our—” Joy cut herself off. She wasn’t doing this here with him. That was a year ago. She should be over this by now. “Bring my artwork back to the gift shop. I’ll tell Shirley to refund you in full.” Even though Joy could use that money to help put a deposit on her store.
She turned and started walking away again. Dan didn’t stop her this time.
Joy was shaking as she stepped inside the elevator and silently begged the doors to close behind her. Once they did, she exhaled, and the tears rushed toward her eyes. Get it together, Joy. Today was a day to count her blessings, and one was the fact that Dan had shown her his true colors before their relationship had gone any further.
She couldn’t bring herself to think that losing their baby had worked out for the best though. Yes, sharing custody of a child with that jerk would have been uncomfortable but she’d carried a child inside her. She’d felt an indescribable love for the life that she’d harbored. And then she’d lost it to some medical fluke she barely understood.
Joy stepped off the elevator and once again tried to conjure up a level of gratitude worthy of Thanksgiving morning. She had her parents. Her aunt. Her cat. And her passion for art. And that was enough.
She left the building and headed through the parking lot. After unlocking her car, she plopped down into her driver’s seat, jabbed the key into the ignition, and turned it. The engine grumbled and refused. She turned the key again. The engine made another grumbling sound that flattened out along with the last of Joy’s positive outlook.
Chelsea, Aunt Darby, her parents, and her passion for art couldn’t jump her car for her. And no way was she going back inside and asking Dan for help.
Next on Joy’s list of options was Granger. She really didn’t want to call him and ask for help right now. But she knew he’d drop everything and come to her rescue. He was that type of guy. Then again, she’d thought the same about Dan.
* * *
Granger popped his truck’s hood and stepped over to Joy’s car.