Randall grasped Josh’s hand and shook it again, capping their clasped fingers with his free hand. “I don’t care what name you use or anything else about you. You’re okay in my book. Very okay.”
“Thanks,” Josh said, touched by the candor and show of friendship. “I hope you’re not the only one who thinks so after tonight.”
“What’s next for you?” Robert asked. “Would you like to join us for an early dinner?”
“I’ll take a rain check this time,” Josh said pleasantly. “I’ve already arranged with Melissa at Sweet Dreams and Elwood at The Everything to provide refreshments for tonight, but I have to pick up a few personal items first. Do you think Miss Ann will open the This ’N’ That for me, even if it’s closed for the holidays?”
Robert looked puzzled. “I’m sure she will. What in the world do you need from that place?”
“It’s a secret.” Josh couldn’t help grinning. He’d had a brainstorm on his way to Bygones and was only one more step away from implementing it.
Yes, it was chancy. But it was also the perfect way to approach Whitney and prove he was her kind of guy. He hoped. Time would tell. He could hardly wait.
*
Whitney had heard rumors about Josh’s impressive arrival before he phoned her.
“I needed to get my mother settled at Coraline’s,” he explained.
“Your mother is here? In Bygones? Now?”
“Yes. I told you she was born and raised here.”
Did you bring her here to meet me? Whitney wondered, feeling her hopes soar.
Instead of voicing that, she asked, “Did you get the text file I emailed? That’s the final version of my article unless you can think of something else.”
“It’s fine. Are you all set to print it?”
“Yes. Ed knows to reserve empty space on the front page for a picture and my big news. I’ve told him it’s going to knock his socks off and he believed me enough to agree to hold the presses.”
“Wonderful. I’d offer to pick you up if I had wheels.”
“I heard about your mind-boggling arrival. Flying in aboard your own helicopter is hardly the best way to maintain your pose as a simple shopkeeper.”
“That won’t last long, anyway,” Josh said. “And I was afraid bad road conditions might make me late. I’d promised you I’d be here, and here I am.”
You certainly are, Whitney thought, cradling the phone. “So, what’s plan A?”
“I figured to put out the hot food after the film. Melissa’s cookies will be served with cider and tea before my announcement. We’ll do that, run the movie, then Velma and Elwood will man the snack booth.”
“Okay. I’ll bring my laptop and be ready to transmit my scoop to the Gazette as soon as you give the word.”
“Fair enough. We can use the Wi-Fi from the Cozy Cup.” He paused. Cleared his throat. “Thank you, Whitney. I really appreciate your consideration.”
“As long as I get my story filed ASAP I’ll be happy.”
“I want you to meet me on stage, behind the curtain,” Josh said. “I’d like you there when I make the big announcement.”
“Why? What can I do?”
“Offer moral support if nothing else,” he said. “I know you were pretty steamed when you found out the truth about me and I’d like some company if I end up ducking rotten tomatoes.”
“They’re out of season,” she said, stifling a laugh. “But look out for snowballs.”
“Thanks for the tip. You will stand with me and watch my back, won’t you?”
“Yes,” she said, wondering if he was half as eager to see her again as she was to be with him.
The simple fact that he had requested her presence on the stage beside him was almost enough to convince her everything was going to be okay.
Chapter Twenty-One
Josh patted his jacket pocket to assure himself he still had the special surprise item he needed. The crowd entering the old theater had filled nearly every seat except the two he’d reserved on the main aisle in the very last row for himself and Whitney.
Townspeople were conversing so boisterously the whole place buzzed and hummed.
Red velvet curtains separated him from the audience. He checked his watch and peeked out. Almost time. Where was Whitney? If she didn’t show up, all his perfect plans would be for nothing.
“Hey!” she called, rushing in from the rear alley instead of fighting through the crowd out front.
Josh whirled, grinning so broadly he was certain she could tell how glad he was to see her. “You came!” He reached to help her off with her coat.
“I promised I would, didn’t I?”
“Sorry I didn’t make it back for Christmas. I meant to. If the weather had cooperated I’d have been here. You know I would.”
“I know.”
Judging by the way her expression softened and her cheeks grew rosier, she looked as though she actually believed him. That was certainly a step in the right direction.
Josh reached for her hand and held it gently. “I like that red sweater. And leaving your hair down, too. If you get any prettier I won’t know how to act.”
“Just be yourself,” Whitney said, focusing on his eyes and staring into them as if trying to glimpse his innermost thoughts.
His fingers tightened around hers and he gestured at the split in the heavy curtain. “That’s exactly what I plan to do. Are you ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Whitney said, tossing her head to flip back her long, blond hair. “Let’s get this over with before I lose my nerve.”
*
Josh pulled back the curtain just enough for them to step through. If Whitney had not been holding his hand she might have balked at the size of the gathering. Every soul in Bygones must be out there. People were crammed into the seats while the overflow crowd stood in the back and lined the outer aisles against the soundproofed walls.
She and Josh were greeted by a hush of conversation and a smattering of applause. When he raised a hand to wave, so did she.
An old-fashioned microphone waited atop a metal stand in the center of the narrow stage apron.
Josh led her to it and began to speak. As expected, he first introduced himself by his real name.
“Those of you who know me as Josh Smith may be surprised to learn that my last name is actually Barton, although anybody who read the logo on the side of my helicopter has probably figured that out.”
There was an undercurrent of laughter in the crowd, along with a few louder exclamations. So far, so good, Whitney thought, wondering how he could sound so calm when she was a nervous as a kitten locked in a pen with a bunch of unfriendly stray dogs.
“I’ll fill you all in on the entire story in a minute,” Josh told his audience. “But first, I have something else to do. Something very important, as you’ll soon see.”
Whitney frowned. She watched him step back and reach into his jacket pocket. What he pulled out was made of gold-colored plastic with a cloudy glob of glass mounted in the center. Her mouth dropped open as she recognized one of the mood rings from Miss Ann’s store.
There was a twinkle in Josh’s eyes as he dropped to one knee and offered the ring as if it were an exquisite diamond.
Smiling, he said, “Whitney Leigh, I love you. Will you marry me?”
No one breathed. Especially not Whitney. Not only was he asking her to marry him, he was doing it in front of hundreds of witnesses.
Words failed her. She merely nodded.
Josh stood and slipped the toy ring on her finger. Leaning closer so the microphone wouldn’t pick up his voice he said, “I didn’t want you to think I was putting on airs so I got you an inexpensive engagement ring right here in Bygones. I hope you like it.”
Happier than she had ever been and surer of her future than even her fondest dreams had predicted, she threw her arms around Josh’s neck and kissed him.
Below them on the main floor of the theater, the townspeople began to
cheer.
It took several minutes for the crowd to quiet down but that was fine with Whitney. She put the time to good use by kissing her future husband. More than once.
*
Josh finally came up for air and gently set her away before facing the mic again. “Whew! That was the tricky part. Now for the rest of the story,” he said with a face-splitting grin.
“I’d intended to ride off into the sunset without telling anybody who I am, but Whitney made me change my mind.” He cleared his throat. “She is one determined lady, as all of you undoubtedly know.”
A few laughs came from the audience but most were quiet, hanging on his every word and increasing his concern that their warm welcome might be withdrawn at any moment.
“That’s why I’m standing up here tonight. I’m not looking for praise or thanks, I’m asking you all to forgive me for deceiving you by pretending to be Josh Smith instead of using my real name. At the time, it seemed like the sensible thing to do. Now I can see it was a mistake to hide my efforts to help put Bygones back on its feet.”
Murmuring increased to a low hum.
Josh grasped the mic stand and pressed on. “The original grants for the Save Our Streets project came from me. In the beginning I acted because of my mother, the former Susanna Hastings. I’m sure a lot of you old-timers remember her and her folks. Anyway, she was heartbroken when Miss Coraline had to cancel the reunion. That’s what started me thinking about ways to help her favorite old town. The rest you know. I set up a dummy corporation and went to work here, myself, to make sure my plans were carried out.”
He grinned down at the audience as he reached for Whitney’s hand once more. “I’m happy to report everything turned out a lot better than even I had imagined.”
A few people started to clap for him. Josh held up his free hand to ask for quiet. “One more thing before we start the film. I liked living here so much I’ve decided to make a permanent move—for me and for Barton Technologies. All the papers are not yet signed but I think it’s safe to say the deal is going to go through. There will be a new company in town to offer more local jobs, as well as maybe more commerce when I get around to implementing other plans. It won’t be fast, but it is coming. I’ll see to it.”
This time, he stood back and accepted the loud applause and hoots of joy before adding, “You all know Robert Randall. He’ll be available after the movie when we have our supper out in the lobby. If you’re interested in applying for a job, be sure to see him.”
Josh stepped back, taking Whitney with him, and they ducked through the velvet curtains before he once again embraced her.
“No rotten tomatoes or snowballs,” he said, smiling.
Whitney giggled and kissed him soundly before she teased, “The night is young.”
*
A few minutes later, Whitney and Josh each pulled out personal computers backstage. She sent her exclusive to the Gazette via hers, while he activated the program that would dim the house lights and show the classic film in digital form.
Whitney looked down at the silly plastic ring on her left hand. Josh had promised her a real diamond and she was certain he’d keep his word. But no matter how much luxurious jewelry he bought for her, she would always treasure this token of his love. It was positive proof that he understood her, that he accepted her quirks just as she accepted his.
“Okay, mission accomplished,” she said. “Shall we join the others to watch the movie?”
“If we have to,” he drawled. “Personally, I kind of like the privacy back here.”
Blushing, she took a playful swat at his shoulder. “In that case, I know we’d better go out front.”
As they took their reserved seats, Whitney noticed Robert and Coraline in the row directly ahead of them.
Whitney saw him lean closer to whisper in Coraline’s ear and watched as the older couple kissed.
“I think we’ve started something,” Josh said softly as he slipped his arm around Whitney’s shoulders.
“More like we’ve ended it,” she quipped. “You were the last newcomer to fall in love.”
“So far,” he said with a nod. “I plan to build a strip mall near the new Barton plant and encourage plenty of my original employees to relocate to Bygones. Plus, there’ll be enough funding to keep the schools open and reinstate the police officers who were laid off, so you’d better keep your pencil sharpened. There’s no telling what will happen when I bring all that new blood into this sleepy little town.”
“As long as you don’t leave, I don’t care,” Whitney said, cuddling closer. “I’ve never been happier than I am right now.” She was absently fiddling with the loose ring.
“Even after I bought your engagement ring at the This ’N’ That?”
“Especially then,” Whitney said, grinning. “You are the coolest rich guy I’ve ever met.”
“How many of them do you know?” Josh asked, echoing his quip about her being his favorite reporter.
“One,” Whitney said with a grin. “And one is quite enough.”
Epilogue
Christmas was a distant memory by the time Whitney’s mother joined her in an anteroom of the Community Church.
“You’re a beautiful bride,” Betty said with a sigh. “I’m so glad you decided to wear the wedding dress I saved all these years.”
“So am I. I just wish I wasn’t so nervous. I can hardly think straight,” Whitney confessed. “Writing about Allison and Sam’s wedding last week was a lot easier than walking down the aisle myself is going to be.”
“Your dad will keep you from falling on your face,” Betty joked. “Of maybe you’re the one who will have to hold him up.”
“I sure hope not. Have you seen Josh?”
“Yes, and he’s the handsomest guy in the building.” She laughed. “Except maybe for J.T. He cleans up really well. I’m glad you waited until he didn’t need a cane anymore.”
“It wasn’t my idea,” Whitney confessed. “Josh had some crazy idea that I wouldn’t be happy unless we had a big wedding.”
“Uh-oh.”
“What?” Whitney held her breath. “Don’t tell me he’s been keeping more secrets.”
“No, no.” Her mother waved her hands and shook her head so hard Whitney expected her tiny hat to slip. “It’s my fault. And Susanna’s. We were the ones who convinced him you needed a fancy shindig so everybody in Bygones could share the moment.”
“Mom! You didn’t.”
“Afraid we did. It’s a good thing you and Josh never compared notes about it or we wouldn’t be standing here right now.”
“We sure wouldn’t.” Astounded but too happy to argue at this late date, Whitney headed for the door to the sanctuary as the music began to swell.
Like the theater had been six months before, the church was packed to the walls with stragglers extending onto the foyer and out the door. Lily Bronson, formerly Farnsworth, her matron of honor and the provider of all the gorgeous flowers, was waiting to hand Whitney her bridal bouquet.
Melissa Montclair, née Sweeney, dashed up at the last minute to take her place as one of the bridesmaids. “The cake’s fine. Brian put the finishing touches on it without getting frosting on his tux,” she said breathlessly.
Whitney smiled over at Gracie Fogerty, delighted that she and her Patrick had finally tied the knot, too. Allison and Sam Franklin were away on their honeymoon but Vivian Duncan had agreed to become the fourth attendant. Asking Tate, Brian, Patrick and Chase Rollins, who was currently engaged to Vivian, to stand up with Josh had made perfect sense and had pleased everyone.
Whitney watched the other lovely women precede her down the aisle, their pastel dresses reminding her of the bright spring flowers that accented their ensembles.
Then, it was her turn. Taking her father’s arm, she smiled at her waiting groom.
“Mom was right,” she crooned. “Josh looks amazing.”
“So does my little girl,” J.T. told her. “That lacy dress of yo
ur mother’s is still a knockout. Ready?”
Whitney nodded.
The aisle seemed miles long, yet she finally reached Josh and took his hand as her father gave the appropriate response to, “Who gives this woman?”
“I have a secret almost as good as yours was,” she whispered to her future husband. “It was our mothers who wanted this big wedding, not me.”
His astonished expression almost made her laugh.
“You’re kidding!”
“Nope. Scout’s honor.”
“Want to elope?” Josh asked, grinning conspiratorially.
“I’m afraid it’s too late for that,” Whitney said, smiling at him and loving him more than ever as they took their place in front of Pastor Garman. “We’ve been thoroughly bamboozled.”
“I could have sworn this was your idea.”
“And I thought it was yours.” This time she did chuckle softly. “From now on, we need to promise to talk more.”
“We’ll have the rest of our lives to catch up,” Josh told her. “Starting today.”
In spite of being a professional writer who was already becoming known for her syndicated, folksy columns about small town life, Whitney knew she could not have said it better.
*
Keep reading for an excerpt from SUGARPLUM HOMECOMING by Linda Goodnight.
Dear Reader,
When I was offered this assignment by Love Inspired I was astounded since I, like Josh, have had family difficulties and conflicts regarding Christmas. But God had a lesson in mind—for me. As I wrote, I learned that some “traditions” are best left behind and new ones made, particularly when we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.
Special thanks to my fellow continuity authors; Arlene James, Carolyne Aarsen, Brenda Minton, Lissa Manley and Charlotte Carter. You’ll find the list of all the series titles here, in this book.
May your faith grow daily and may you be blessed this Christmas season by the One who offers healing and forgiveness to all who believe.
Blessings,
Valerie
Questions for Discussion
As you’ve read each book in this series, have you felt closer and closer to the people of Bygones? How?
Love Inspired December 2013 - Bundle 2 of 2: Cozy ChristmasHer Holiday HeroJingle Bell Romance Page 19