Season of Joy

by Annie Rains

  “You say that as if you’re not coming too,” Granger said.

  “I’m afraid I’d be a drag this afternoon. I mean, look at me.”

  “I am looking at you.” And he couldn’t find any fault with anything he saw. Joy was the most beautiful woman inside and out that he’d ever known.

  Joy shook her head. “I shouldn’t.”

  He got that she didn’t want to put a damper on his family holiday but she could only make it better, regardless of her mood. “You should,” Granger insisted. “No one should be alone on Thanksgiving.”

  “I have my cat,” Joy protested.

  Granger chuckled softly. “You can return home to Chelsea right after you eat the biggest, most delicious meal you’ve ever experienced. Say yes, Joy.” Suddenly he couldn’t think of anything he wanted more in this moment. His Thanksgiving would be so much better with her by his side this afternoon.

  She hesitated and then nodded slowly. “Okay. I’ll go.”

  * * *

  Granger saw the look that his mom kept giving him across the dinner table. Joy was seated next to him. Abby was on his other side with Willow to her right. They looked like one big, happy family.

  But they weren’t. He and Joy were friends, and he’d invited her to a family holiday dinner because she’d needed someone. The thought of her locking herself away in her house today and crying was unconscionable.

  “I’m so glad you could come, Joy,” his mom said. “Aren’t you, Granger?”

  “I am!” Willow answered instead.

  “Thank you.” Joy looked over at Granger. She seemed to be in better spirits now.

  “It’s such a shame that your parents couldn’t take the day off,” his mom continued.

  “No, it’s not,” his dad defended. “If they took days off, I might not be here today. We need good doctors like them manning the ER.”

  Granger didn’t really think his father had been at death’s door a few weeks ago but he had been sick.

  “What they do is very honorable,” Joy agreed.

  “No less honorable than what you do,” Granger argued, looking over at her.

  Joy met his gaze, her brows subtly lifting. “I make art.” She said it as if that was the argument against her.

  “And your art makes people happy. Happiness is just as important as being healthy.”

  “I don’t know about that. There are plenty of grumpy but healthy people out there. We met a few this morning.” Joy smiled.

  Granger could feel everyone’s eyes on them but he didn’t care. He wasn’t going to let Joy think that what she did wasn’t just as important as anyone else’s jobs. Joy mattered to him and his family. She was saving his Christmas this year. “What you do matters. Don’t ever think it doesn’t.”

  Joy looked at him for a moment, and his family at the table seemed to fade into the background. He’d been one of those people to think art didn’t matter before her. It was just a glorified hobby that some made a living off of and some barely survived with before finally getting a “real” job.

  He didn’t feel that way after seeing Joy work with his girls and other kids at the Sweetwater library. Or after hearing the people at Sugar Pines go on and on about how much they enjoyed Joy’s lessons. She added fun to their lives. She added fun to his too.

  “Thank you,” she said almost shyly.

  “If Abby grows up to become an artist like she wants, I’ll be proud,” Granger added.

  Joy looked down at her plate now.

  Maybe he took his defense of her a little too far. What had gotten into him? “And if Willow decides she really does want to teach dogs to talk one day, I’ll support that too,” he joked, attempting to lighten the mood that had suddenly fallen over the table.

  “Yay!” Willow cheered. “You hear that, Tin?”

  Tinsel barked from the other room. Tin had been sluggish lately and wasn’t following the girls around everywhere they went. Granger wasn’t sure what was going on with her, but if it kept up, he might call the town’s new veterinarian, Dr. Lewis, next week just to schedule her for a checkup.

  “Can Tin sit at the dinner table if she learns to talk?” Willow asked.

  “No,” Granger’s mom answered. “Dogs don’t get to come to the table. That’s a house rule. Even talking ones.”

  Everyone laughed, including Joy. Then the conversation slipped into talk of Christmas, which was a big deal in the Fields household.

  “We always put a real tree up,” Granger’s mom said, “but I’m making one with you and the LDO this year instead,” she told Joy excitedly.

  “We put up a real tree,” his dad argued. “Always. Real trees are our business.”

  She frowned at him. “Usually, yes. But things are changing this year. Our business is real trees as well as the kind you make with your hands and your heart.” She winked at Joy.

  Granger looked over just in time to see Joy smile. His heart kicked against his ribs so forcefully that he looked down at his plate for a moment, collecting his breath as he listened to the ongoing conversation.

  “I’ll put up two trees, then,” his mom said. “A real one and the one I make at the Christmas tree workshop. How’s that?”

  Granger’s dad nodded. “I guess I can’t argue with more trees.”

  “And you’ve never been able to win an argument with me anyway,” his mom added, winking at both Granger and Joy this time.

  * * *

  “You didn’t have to help with the dishes,” Granger’s mom said, as Joy walked into the kitchen with her arms full of dirty plates.

  “It’s the least I could do. The food was amazing. Thank you so much for having me over, Mrs. Fields.”

  “I’ve already told you, call me Debbie.”

  “Debbie,” Joy repeated. She guessed, after spending a family holiday together, they should definitely be on a first-name basis.

  Granger’s mom turned from the sink and leaned against the counter. “It’s so good to see Granger finally moving on after all this time.”

  Joy felt her jaw drop. “What?”

  “Oh, it’s no secret, dear. We’ve noticed the way you two have been looking at one another. And Abby spotted you two kissing.”

  Joy’s full stomach flip-flopped in her belly now. “She did? When?”

  His mom nodded, her eyes warm. “I guess that means there’s been more than one kiss,” she said on a pleased smile. “Don’t worry. Abby only told me, not Willow. It wouldn’t be good for Willow to get her hopes up, of course…But to be honest, mine are soaring. You two make a wonderful match.” Debbie stepped toward Joy and reached for both of her hands.

  Joy shook her head. How did she explain kissing Granger when they weren’t even together? “We’re not…what Abby saw was a misunderstanding. Granger and I aren’t…”

  Debbie’s wide smile wilted slightly. “But the way he defended you over dinner. A man doesn’t rush to a woman’s defense so fiercely unless he cares about her.”

  “I’m sure he does care about me but we’re just friends.” Friends who kiss sometimes. Friends who probably shouldn’t kiss anymore. Joy had come to realize that Abby was just as fragile as Willow. Maybe even more so.

  “Just friends?” Debbie let go of Joy’s hands and walked over to the kitchen island to sit down on one of the stools. She waited until Joy did the same. “When Erin left, Granger made his life about keeping the rest of the family going at all costs. The girls mean everything to him, and he’s not one to bring someone into their lives without losing several nights’ sleep over the possible complications. And yet, you sat right beside him at our Thanksgiving meal today.”

  His mom shook her head. “No, I’m not buying that you’re just friends.” She held up a finger. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying you aren’t being honest either. I just think you’re selling yourself a story that’s far from complete.”

  Joy wasn’t sure what to say. She didn’t want to lie to Debbie but the truth was complicated. “Granger has
two little girls. He needs someone more—”

  “Save your breath. I’m Granger’s mother, so I know what he needs. It’s my maternal instinct to know.”

  Joy didn’t know much about maternal instinct. Her mom couldn’t be bothered to even call her on Thanksgiving. And her one experience with being a mother was short-lived.

  “What Granger needs is someone who makes him smile and laugh, and think about himself for a change. And that’s what I saw him do today. With you.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Joy felt Granger following behind her, trying to keep up as she walked to her car.

  “Hey. I feel like I’m chasing you,” he said on a laugh.

  She stopped walking when she reached her car and turned to face him. “Sorry.”

  He reached out for her but she moved so that his arm fell back down by his side. “You okay?” he asked, his expression pinching. “Did I do something wrong?”

  “No.” She shook her head. He’d done everything right today. In the hospital parking lot, he’d been there for her after she’d run into her jerky ex. Then when Alma had innocently mentioned her failed pregnancy, he’d been there. He was the reason she hadn’t spent her holiday alone painting dark pieces of art. He’d been nothing short of amazing. “Granger, Abby saw us kissing.”

  Granger drew back, his eyes subtly widening. “What?”

  “I think that’s why she’s been acting out. It’s so unlike her, and it came out of nowhere. Do you think she’s upset because she saw us kiss?”

  Granger shook his head. “She started acting out before that.” He narrowed his eyes as if just realizing what she’d asked. “When did she see us kiss?”

  Joy shrugged. “After we took the lighted hayride together. That’s the only time she could have seen us. Your mom told me.”

  “My mom.” Granger lifted a hand to his forehead now. “Oh, wow. This is not good.”

  “Willow doesn’t know though. Not yet. I just think…” Joy’s heart was racing. She didn’t want to suggest what she was about to but she didn’t feel like there was any other choice. “Maybe it’s time to back away. We kissed and got each other out of our systems.”

  Except she hadn’t. Kissing Granger only made her body ache for his touch even more. She loved the feel of his arms embracing her, holding her. It was something she hadn’t even realized she’d missed. “Tomorrow starts the Christmas tree workshop and the lighted hayride so I think we should just focus on that. And your girls too, of course,” she added, remembering what Debbie had said about how dedicated Granger was to his family. He would never do anything to risk their well-being. And being involved with Joy was a risk.

  Granger hesitated before finally taking a small step back and increasing the distance between them.

  Part of Joy had hoped he’d argue with her. She’d heard Debbie when she’d claimed that he had feelings for Joy. And part of her had believed it. A tiny sliver of her had wanted that to be true. But here he was backing away with just the slightest push.

  It was the right thing to do, of course. He had no choice, and neither did she.

  She stuck out her hand to shake. “So friends, then? Just friends. For real this time.”

  Granger looked at her hand and then slipped his palm against hers. Big mistake. Warm tingles ran from her hand up her arm and straight to her heart, making it kick against the current. Did he feel it too? Was it just her?

  “Friends,” he agreed, still holding her hand. “I guess I’ll talk to Abby and make sure she understands what she saw.”

  How could a little girl understand though, if even Joy at thirty years old couldn’t? “That’s a good idea. Maybe you should talk to your mom too. I think she’s rooting for us. We’re apparently not that good at sneaking around.”

  Granger’s gaze hung on hers. The night was cold, and she just wanted to step into him one more time. It couldn’t have lasted anyway. They were from two different worlds. He was a family guy, and she was focused on opening her art gallery.

  “You’re still holding my hand,” she said.

  “Honestly, I’m having a hard time letting go.”

  Joy’s breath hitched. “You saying that probably shouldn’t make me feel wonderful,” she confessed, breathless. “But it does.”

  “What if we didn’t care so much about what we were supposed to do and feel? What if we just did what we knew we shouldn’t for a while?” he asked.

  Joy swallowed. Her mouth was suddenly dry. “What are you suggesting?”

  “Dating you. Out in the open. Why not?”

  “Well, because I’m not looking for anything serious. And you have a family to think of,” she pointed out.

  “People apparently want to see us both moving on with our lives. Why not now?”

  “A pretend relationship for the benefit of the town?” Joy asked.

  “Who’s pretending?” Granger tugged on her hand, pulling her toward him and pressing his mouth to hers.

  She closed her eyes and melted into the embrace, her heart hammering as it pressed against his chest. This probably wasn’t the best idea but she wanted what he was offering her. She was just so tired of being alone.

  He nipped at her lower lip as the kiss came to an end. Then her eyes fluttered open, and she looked at him. “I still don’t want anything serious. I can’t right now.”

  Granger glanced up at the sky for a moment, seemingly looking for answers in the clouds. Then he pulled his gaze back to her. “All I know is it feels good being with you. Better than good. It feels amazing.”

  Joy wound her fingers through his. “I agree.”

  “We’ll take this at your speed.”

  “But your girls. I thought you were worried about who you brought into their lives. They’ve already lost so much.”

  Granger nodded. “That’s true. But you’re already in our lives. And they’re going to see me dip my toes in the dating pool sooner or later.”

  “Might as well be me, right?” Joy asked.

  “I can’t think of a better person than you.”

  She swallowed. “Okay,” she whispered, her breath making white puffs that faded into the night. “So what next? We go from stolen kisses to what, exactly?”

  “How about we start with a date? Saturday is the Lights on Silver Lake event.”

  Lights on Silver Lake kicked off the Christmas season every year in Sweetwater Springs. It was a night when stores on Main Street stayed open later, showing off their Christmas décor and offering sales to the night’s shoppers. Then, after a group of carolers serenaded everyone with holiday tunes, the tree in the town square was lit, brighter than any star in the valley sky.

  Joy had felt the weight of the upcoming holiday and had already decided not to go to the Lights on Silver Lake event for the first time in over a decade. But the thought of going with Granger on a date sounded like fun. “What about the girls?”

  “My parents can take them,” Granger said. “We shut the farm down that night anyway. We don’t like to compete with something so important. My mom and dad can take Abby and Willow, and I can take you. What do you say?”

  Joy thought about it for a moment. “If the girls want to go with you, promise me you’ll cancel our date. I know what it’s like to feel like your mom or dad has more important things to do than spend time with you.”

  Granger grinned.

  “And that shouldn’t make you happy. Why are you smiling at me like that?”

  “The fact that you said that is one reason I’m not terrified to go on a date with you.”

  “Why?” she asked.

  “Because you get what they’ve been through. It’s not the same as with your childhood but you get it. And you’re willing to put Abby and Willow first.”

  “I care about them. You have two of the sweetest kids.”

  Granger nodded. “No thanks to me.”

  Joy punched his arm softly. “All because of you.”

  Granger shook his head. “But I won’t promise
to cancel if they’d rather go with me.”

  “Grang—”

  He held up a hand. “If that’s the case, I’m guessing it’s okay if they just tag along with us. Not much of a date if a guy brings his kids, but…”

  “It would be perfect. No kissing in front of them though,” Joy said, putting up a finger.

  “Only when they’re not looking,” Granger amended. “Or when we’re standing under the mistletoe.”

  * * *

  By the time Granger stepped inside, it was too late to talk to Abby. He knew he needed to. Maybe Joy was right. Maybe seeing him and Joy getting closer was why Abby was acting so differently lately, getting in trouble at school and snapping at Willow.

  Tomorrow would be a busy day, being the first of the Christmas tree season, but Granger would make time to talk to Abby first thing in the morning. He didn’t want to be alone forever; one day he’d have to move past his broken marriage. He’d thought the timing was all wrong right now but Joy made it all right.

  “The girls are already tucked into bed. They brushed their teeth and said their prayers,” his mom said. She’d walked them over here after dinner at her house. “Thanksgiving is a lot of work. But worth it,” she added, patting his arm.

  “Thank you for today, Mom. Everything was wonderful.”

  “Especially the fact that you invited a guest this year. I liked that part best.”

  Granger ran a hand over the top of his head and laughed. “She told me that you two talked earlier in the kitchen.”

  “And she explained to me that there is nothing going on and all the fireworks I’m seeing between you two is just a figment of my imagination.” She narrowed her eyes at him.

  “That was true. Partly. But Joy and I just changed our minds on what we are.”