Love Inspired December 2013 - Bundle 2 of 2: Cozy ChristmasHer Holiday HeroJingle Bell Romance

by Valerie Hansen

  He should keep his distance. He was in no condition to get involved with anyone, even as a friend. But while he didn’t have much to give another, the thought of not seeing Emma on Saturday churned his gut.

  *

  On Saturday morning, Emma stood at the back door at the Caring Canines Foundation facilities and watched her son and Madi play with a few of the dogs in the fenced-in recreation area. A beautiful fall day still held a chill in the air, but the sun beamed down and would soon burn off the last of the fog rolling over Winter Haven Ranch.

  “Josh is so good with the animals,” Abbey said as she came up behind Emma.

  “So is Madi. Maybe when we get old and gray, they’ll take over the foundation.”

  “Don’t forget Nicholas. He may be only a couple of months old, but he’s already responding to the animals.”

  Abbey’s son is such a happy baby. It made Emma want another child.

  “Dominic and I have been talking about having another child soon so they’ll be close in age. I want a little girl.”

  Emma hugged her best friend. “That would be great. I know how much you miss your daughter.” Lisa, her daughter by her first marriage, had died at five.

  “You know how scared I was when I was pregnant with Nicholas. Maybe I shouldn’t risk having another.”

  Emma held up her hand. “Shh. You aren’t to think like that. Turn this over to God and don’t worry. It doesn’t do you any good.”

  “I know.” Abbey sighed. “Let’s talk about you for a while. What are you preparing for Jake tonight?”

  Emma shrugged. “I don’t know. He was no help at all. What if I fix something he doesn’t like?”

  Laughing, Abbey shook her forefinger. “No. No. Didn’t you just tell me not to worry?”

  Emma’s cheeks burned. “I didn’t say I always follow my own advice.”

  “You cook what you and Josh will enjoy. I have a feeling Jake will like it, too. If not, he had his chance to get what he wanted. What I really want to know is did you say anything to Josh last night about Carson and Sean?”

  Emma lowered her gaze. Yesterday she’d rehearsed with Abbey how she was going to tell Josh. “No. The right time didn’t present itself.”

  “You chickened out.”

  “No, he came home from school in a bad mood. I didn’t want to make it worse.”

  “Shh. Here come Josh and Madi. You better say something before this evening.” Abbey lowered her voice. “Isn’t the point of the dinner with Jake—to have him help Josh? That won’t happen if Josh doesn’t know what’s going on.”

  “I know.”

  It was one reason for seeing Jake again. But equally important, she wanted Jake to work with Shep. There was something about the man that caused her to think of him at odd moments throughout the day. Last night she had even dreamed about him. They were in the park throwing a ball for Shep to fetch. Then she remembered why she’d awakened suddenly. Her son had been there grinning, happy. The scene gave her a feeling of family. She mentally shook herself. She would help Jake, but she wasn’t looking for anything beyond friendship.

  “Are you ready to go? I’m supposed to be at Craig’s in half an hour,” Josh said, stopping in front of her.

  “Yes, I have to go to the grocery store and then start dinner.”

  “Do I hafta go tonight? I’m sure I could stay with Craig.”

  “I’d hoped you’d help me convince Mr. Tanner to take Shep.”

  “Okay. I guess I can since he helped me last Saturday.” Josh headed inside with Madi, the two talking about the new terrier.

  “Smooth. He has no idea what you’re really doing,” Abbey whispered close to Emma’s ear.

  “Hush,” Emma said, then louder she called out to the little girl, “Hey, Madi. What’s the terrier’s name? I’ll start training her next week.”

  Abbey’s sister-in-law turned around. “Buttons. Josh and me decided that today.”

  “See you all tomorrow at church.” Emma followed her son out to her gray PT Cruiser. If she was going to say anything to him, she had to now while she could focus on the conversation rather than driving. Inside her car, she shifted to face Josh in the front passenger seat. “I’ve discovered the names of two of the boys who attacked you last weekend.”

  He grew rigid. “Who?”

  “Carson O’Neil and Sean Phillips. It’s only a matter of time before I find out who the third guy is. You might as well tell me.”

  His blue eyes became big and round, fear inching into them. “No. I can’t. And you can’t say anything to anyone about Carson and Sean. Promise me, Mom.”

  “They really have you scared. How? Why?”

  “Because they’re mean.”

  “Carson? He used to be a friend of yours.”

  “Well, he’s not anymore. He thinks Sean and…” His eyes bored into her. “Oh, never mind. You don’t care about me. If you say anything to their parents or them, it’ll only get worse for me. Is that what you want?”

  Conflicting emotions crammed her throat, making it impossible to reply. Her stomach roiled with frustration and her own fear she wouldn’t be able to help her son with this problem. But Josh’s anguish pierced her. She felt so inadequate to make everything all right for him. He and his father had had such a close relationship. Sam would have known the right thing to do in this situation.

  She straightened behind the steering wheel and started the engine. “I’m friends with Carson’s mother. I’ll start there, and if there’s any backlash, I want to know about it.” As she pulled away from Caring Canines, she glanced at Josh.

  Turned away from her, he stared out the side window, his left hand opening and closing.

  “Josh?”

  “Sure. Why don’t you follow me around? That oughta work and alert everyone in school my mother fights my battles.”

  “If I could to protect you, I would. I know you have to learn to deal with these boys, but you may need help.”

  With his back still to her, he ran his hands through his brown hair. “How did ya find out their names?”

  “I have my resources.”

  “Which friend snitched?”

  She didn’t want to tell him Jake identified the two in the yearbook, but she didn’t want her child angry at his friends. He needed them. For a few seconds, she thought of lying, but that never worked and would only make the situation worse. “Mr. Tanner.”

  Josh twisted around. “How? He didn’t know their names.”

  “I brought him your yearbook, and he found them in it.”

  Silence reigned the rest of the way to Craig’s house, and the frosty atmosphere underscored how mad her son was. The second she stopped, Josh thrust open the door and hurried toward his friend’s place.

  “I’ll pick you up at six-twenty,” Emma yelled. She would call Craig’s mother and let her know.

  Now more than ever she needed Jake to help her son cope with the bullying. If her son would even talk to him.

  *

  Saturday night, carrying a cardboard box full of the food for dinner, Emma approached Jake’s house with her son shuffling his feet at least three yards behind her. She set the meal down on the porch and waited for Josh who led Shep on a leash. Other than telling her again he didn’t want to come to Mr. Tanner’s, he said nothing in the car when she picked him up at Craig’s.

  “I expect you to use appropriate behavior tonight.”

  Josh’s bottom lip stuck out farther. “It’s none of his business.”

  “The minute he stepped in and helped you it became his business. It’s like a person witnessing a crime. He has an obligation to come forward and report it. That’s the right thing to do. And beating up someone, especially three to one is wrong. If adults do that to one another, they are charged with a crime and jailed.”

  “Can’t you trust me to handle my own problems? I don’t butt in with yours.”

  “Guess what? I’m your mom and that’s part of my duty as a parent.” She rang the doorb
ell then scooped up the box. She was beginning to think it was a bad idea including Josh, but she wanted Jake to help her son.

  When Jake let them inside, Emma fixed a bright smile on her face, determined to go ahead with her plans, even if her son wasn’t cooperating. In the past Josh rarely held a grudge long, but lately he’d changed so she had no idea how he would act with Jake.

  “It’s nice to see you again, Josh,” Jake said as he closed the front door, his back to them.

  Which was a good thing because her son scowled. Emma clasped his shoulder and squeezed gently. Josh’s expression morphed into a neutral one.

  Jake swung around. “I’ve been anticipating a home-cooked meal all day.”

  Emma smiled, hoping it would cover the fact her child wasn’t being too friendly. “I’m going to put this enchilada casserole in your oven to reheat. Josh, why don’t you show Mr. Tanner some of the things Shep does in the backyard?”

  Displeased by that suggestion, her son huffed and headed to the back door with Shep in tow.

  As Emma put the salad bowl in the refrigerator, Jake moved to her and waited until the back door clicked closed. “He knows I pointed out the boys in the yearbook?”

  Emma nodded, her throat thick.

  “Did something happen between Josh and them?”

  She faced him, just a few inches of space between them. Her heartbeat kicked up a notch. “No, not that I know of. I haven’t done anything about the two boys yet. I’m going to talk to Carson’s mother tomorrow. I thought I would see her after church. Find out what she thinks, especially about Sean. I wanted Josh to know before I did it.”

  “And he wanted to know how you found out?” No emotions indicated what Jake was feeling.

  “Yes, I’m sorry. I didn’t want him to know, but I can’t lie to my son. If you want us to go home, I’ll leave the food and we’ll take off.”

  “No. You went to a lot of trouble to cook a meal for us. Besides, it’s time I have a talk with your son if you still want me to. Avoiding this won’t solve any problems, either.”

  “You don’t mind?” She inhaled a deep breath, laced with his lime aftershave.

  “Your son needs help. The second I decided to break up the fight I made that decision. Bullies shouldn’t be tolerated. If something isn’t done now, it’ll only get worse.” He started for the back door.

  “Jake,” she said. When he glanced at her, she continued, “I didn’t think you wanted to get involved. What changed your mind?”

  His gaze was riveted to hers. Intense. Compelling. “You.”

  There was so much feeling behind that one word. She attempted a laugh that came out shaky. “You mean I wore you down?”

  “Not exactly. But the compassion you’ve shown me, even when I tried to reject it, reminded me how beneficial it is to help others. Maybe then I won’t think about my own problems all the time.”

  She grinned. “So you’re taking Shep?”

  “Maybe. If we’re a good fit. I’ve been reading up on service dogs, and I talked with Ben this afternoon.”

  “You did? I didn’t think you would call him.”

  “Can’t a guy change his mind?”

  “Sure.” She shooed him outside. “Then go see Shep.”

  His chuckles lingered in the air as he left. The sound warmed her. She closed her eyes for a moment, immediately picturing the laugh lines at the corners of his eyes deepening and the edges of his mouth tilting up. The image sent goose bumps spreading over her. She rubbed her hands up and down her arms as though she could erase his effect on her.

  *

  In his backyard Jake slowly eased himself down on the step next to Josh. The boy stiffened but didn’t move away. Instead, he lobbed a tennis ball for Shep to retrieve.

  “Does he like to do that a lot?” Jake asked, not sure how to approach an angry eleven-year-old to deal with a problem he probably thought was unsolvable. He could remember feeling that way on more than one occasion.

  For a long moment Josh’s mouth remained clamped. “Yeah,” he said finally.

  “That’s good to know.”

  When Shep trotted back to Josh, he dropped the ball in the child’s lap, then sat waiting. Jake petted the German shepherd while the dog’s attention was on the boy’s hand. Josh didn’t toss the ball but instead squeezed it over and over.

  “I know you aren’t happy that your mom wants to talk with Carson’s mother or that I pointed out the two boys in the yearbook to her,” Jake said, hoping to get a reaction out of Josh and a chance to approach the subject of bullying.

  A frown descended on Josh’s face, the quiet lengthening. Jake searched for another way to start a conversation. He’d led men into battle, but this wasn’t an area of expertise for him. About the only qualification he had for this was that he had been a boy once.

  “Why did you show her their pictures? I thought you weren’t going to tell her.” Disappointment leaked into Josh’s voice and expression.

  And that bothered Jake more than the child’s anger. “I told you that I wouldn’t say anything about the fight because you were going to. Some things you can’t hide from a mother, and being beaten up like you were is one of them. What did you expect her to do? Not to care and let it keep happening? Do you think that’s realistic, knowing your mother?”

  Josh shook his head. “I was going to hide from her until I looked better.”

  “That would be days, possibly a couple of weeks. Do you think that would have worked?”

  “She’s doing exactly what I knew she would: interfering.”

  “Because she’s acting like a typical mother. You should have seen my mom when I was first beaten up by some bullies.”

  Josh twisted around and pressed his back against the wooden railing on the stairs and the decking, his focus on Jake’s arms. His muscles were evident since he was wearing a short-sleeved shirt. “You were bullied? You’re huge.”

  “I was small when I was your age.” The subject still bothered Jake. He’d been taught by his father never to show weakness. As stress began to blanket him, he continued to stroke Shep. “It seemed like everyone was bigger than I was. In sixth grade one boy was determined to make my life miserable. When my mother found out and told my dad, he went to the other guy’s parents.”

  Hope brightened Josh’s blue eyes. “He left you alone after that?”

  “No, he didn’t. His dad even looked the other way. Later I found out that his dad behaved that way and didn’t see anything wrong with it. He got his way by intimidating others.”

  The boy’s shoulders slumped. “So you kept having trouble.”

  “Yes, I kept having trouble, but my attitude began changing. I was determined not to be a victim. I started exercising and making myself as strong and capable as I could. I was small at that time, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t use my wits. I found out other kids were being bullied by these boys, too. We stuck together and helped each other. A lot can happen when you realize you aren’t alone.”

  Josh moved down a step closer to Shep and hugged the dog. “I told the lady who supervises recess at lunch about Sean and the other guys last week. They got me alone at the side of the building and took my money then pushed me down in the mud. She didn’t do anything.”

  “Why not?”

  “She didn’t see it. They said I was lying, but I had mud all over my clothes. That’s why they beat me up in the park the next day. To teach me a lesson.” Josh rubbed his face against Shep’s neck, and some of the tension dissolved from his features.

  Watching the interaction between the dog and the boy reinforced what Jake had heard and read about service dogs for people with PTSD. “If one person at school doesn’t do anything about it, go to another. Find someone who’ll listen to you. From what your mother’s told me, your teacher seems sympathetic. Start with her.”

  “But they’ll come after me.”

  “Possibly. I can teach you a few self-defense moves when you’re cornered, but try to outsmart them. D
on’t put yourself in a place where they can get you alone. Have friends around you. If you see them, get to a safe place where others are.”

  “But they’ll call me a chicken.”

  “For defending yourself any way you can? I call that smart. Even the United States Armed Forces use defensive moves to protect themselves.”

  Josh straightened on the step, his shoulders back. “Yeah.” Shep barked a couple of times, nudging Josh’s hand with the ball. “Do you want to throw it for him?”

  “Sure.” Jake took the ball and hurled it so far it ended up at the back of the fence on the one-acre piece of property.

  “Wow!” Eyes wide, Josh looked at him. “Did ya play baseball or something?”

  “In college I was on the baseball team.”

  “Where?”

  “Oklahoma University. I got my degree in psychology.”

  “I want to go there. My dad did.”

  When Shep returned, he released the ball at Jake’s feet. Jake snatched it up and gave it to Josh. “Your turn.”

  “I can’t do what you did.”

  “I wouldn’t expect you to. I played the sport for years and practiced a lot. I also lift weights to keep my muscles in my arms strong.”

  “When did you start playing?”

  “When I was ten. Are you on a team?”

  “I thought about it last spring, but I didn’t try out. I’m not very good. Maybe next spring if I can get better.”

  “When you throw the ball, put your whole body into it, not just the arm you’re using.”

  Josh rose and tried to do what Jake had said. The ball flew a couple of yards farther.

  “That’s better. With practice you’ll improve. It’s a good way to build up your body.” Jake heard the screen door open and close behind him. The hairs on his nape tingled as if Emma were staring at him. “If you want, we can practice a couple of times a week. I’ll also teach you those defensive techniques.” He looked behind him. “That is, if it’s okay with your mom.”

  Josh whirled around. “Is it? Did ya see him throw the ball? He’s good.”

  “If Mr. Tanner doesn’t mind, that’s fine with me.” Emma’s eyes glinted with a smile—aimed at Jake.

  “I don’t. We can use my backyard. It’s big enough even to work on batting, at least at the beginning. But we’ll need a fielder since I’m not ready to do too much running after the ball.” Jake turned his attention to Emma, who was wearing a look that had power to slice through the barriers he’d erected. “Do you know anyone who can do that?”