by JoAnn Durgin
Tyler sniffled and rubbed his eyes with his fists, pulling away from her embrace. “I’ve got a confession.” His voice caught on another small cry, and he dragged in a deep breath and glanced at Dylan, who nodded.
Julia knew Tyler was brave like his father, and he’d face it like a man—whatever this was.
“Seems the thing to do these days,” Jake muttered under his breath. “Tell us, little guy.”
“I heard you two talking at our house on Christmas. I wasn’t really easy dropping…”
“Eavesdropping,” Dylan said with a determined expression. “Keep going.”
“I, um…” Tyler hesitated and shifted from one foot to the other. “I heard what Jake said about not kissing a girl before, and I figured that’s why he said he didn’t want to kiss Aunt Julia—”
“Did you say that?” Julia’s question slipped out unaware.
“Yeah, but it was the first night we met,” Jake said. “Tyler asked me to kiss you under the mistletoe because you seemed sad, and he figured it would make you happy.”
“Oh, Ty.” Julia moved her hand over her heart.
“Go on, son,” Dylan said. “You’re not done yet.”
Tyler frowned and crossed his arms. “OK. I kinda sorta told a couple of kids at school, and I guess it got around.” His big brown eyes brimmed with fresh tears and when Julia opened her arms, he flew into them. “Sorry. Please forgive me, Aunt Julia. I never meant for people to find out and start doing all that dumb stuff.”
“I accept your apology, sweetie, but I think Jake needs to hear it more than I do.”
With his head bowed, Tyler walked to Jake. Crouching down beside him, Jake tousled the boy’s wavy hair and hugged him close when he dissolved in tears again, murmuring how sorry he was. “I don’t know anything about kissing girls,” Tyler said between sobs, “and it sounds really gross, but Mom told me I’d understand someday.” He raised his face to Jake’s. “I still hope you kiss Aunt Julia under the mistletoe if that makes you happy.”
“I don’t need a kiss from Jake to make me happy.” Julia avoided looking at Jake. Hopefully, he’d understand what she meant.
“Yeah, Jules, I think you do,” Dylan said, staring her down, the corners of his mouth upturned. “It sure couldn’t hurt anything.”
Julia shook her head and resisted rolling her eyes.
Jake grunted. “Can we please leave the kissing to me and Julia? There’s something to be said for privacy, but it seems to be in short supply these days.” He shook his head and quirked a brow at her brother. “I believe you have something to add?”
Dylan shifted his position and faced her. “It never would have come to this if I hadn’t acted the way I did. Julia, I owe you a big apology—again—for fixing you up with all those loser guys and forcing you to make up a fake fiancé to get me off your back. You’ve never been shy with me; you could have told me to shut up and sit down already. I can take a hint, you know. But, for what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”
“Thanks, Dylan, and I’m sorry, too. They weren’t really losers,” Julia said, but she stopped when Dylan raised his hand.
“The guy with the Corvette—”
“Camaro,” she said, under her breath. “Not that it matters.”
“Falsetto Boy and Lover Boy and all the rest of them. If I had a lick of sense, I’d have pushed you in Jake’s direction a lot sooner, fake fiancé or not.” Dylan’s gaze traveled to Jake. “When Nicole showed up, she threw a monkey wrench into the whole thing. And buddy, you know the guys at the station don’t mean anything by their teasing.” He shrugged. “They get a little bored sometimes. You’ve reminded me enough times that you can’t wear the sensitive shirt in the firehouse.”
Jake nodded. “It got a little personal this time, that’s all. I’ll get over it.” A slow grin emerged. “I’ll find a way to retaliate.”
Dylan laughed. “That’s the spirit. Anyway, I’ve decided to accept Hannah’s take on this whole situation between you two. She’s a wise woman, my wife.”
“What’s that?” Julia asked. She took immeasurable comfort when Jake moved behind her and slid his arm around her waist.
“She said you both had to go through what you did in order to show you God’s will and for the two of you to find each other. Well, I think our work here is done,” Dylan said, putting his hand on Tyler’s shoulder.
“Thanks, guys,” Jake said.
“Sure thing. Just kiss and move on already.” Dylan stopped, his eyes wide. “Or whatever it is you were going to do before we interrupted. Carry on.” Passing by Jake, he leaned close. “Keep it tame, buddy. I know you’ve been saving up, but don’t forget you’re in a hospital chapel.”
Jake pushed him toward the door, winking at Tyler. “Sorry you have to leave so soon.”
After watching them depart, Julia turned to face Jake. “I’m not quite sure what to say after all that.”
“Yeah, it kinda killed the earlier mood, but I’m glad they came and explained everything.” Jake stepped closer and pulled her into a quick hug. “Thanks for putting up with me.”
She smiled. “You’re more than worth it. I’m sorry, but I really need to get back to my station now.” She hated to leave, but was already quite late.
Jake kissed her cheek, his lips lingering. “Ditto, to my station. I had the presence of mind to get one of the other guys to cover for me, but I’m supposed to be on duty tonight. But,” he said, hiking his sleeve and glancing at his watch, “I’ll be back here in Cedar Rapids, on your doorstep, at 7:00 PM sharp, approximately forty-eight hours from now. Wear something warm and be ready for a New Year’s Eve you’ll always remember. Until then, sweetheart.”
Julia’s heart raced with anticipation, and she knew it would be difficult to focus on anything until his next visit. “Do you need the address?” she called to him as he headed out the door.
Jake turned and gave her a smile she felt everywhere. “I’ll find you.”
21
Jake was later getting away from Starlight than he planned on New Year’s Eve. The snow was blinding, falling rapidly with one of the biggest storms of the season. Nothing was stopping his mission.
A couple of hours later, he found Julia’s house on a quiet side street. He raised his fist to knock, but the door swung open. He didn’t think anything could top that red dress she wore on Christmas, but tonight she looked every bit as gorgeous in her jeans and light blue sweater. His heart stopped for a few seconds before he could catch his breath. “Hi, Jake. Please. Come on in.”
He held up the large sack in his hand as he stepped over the threshold into what he hoped would be his future. “I was going to bring you some lame—tame—chili,” he said with a big grin, “but Dylan told me you love Chinese. Hope that’s OK.”
She closed the front door, and her smile was an absolute wonder. “Perfect. Would you like some water or tea or something?”
The ‘or something’ part sounds promising. Good thing he didn’t say that one out loud since it sounded way too forward. “I’ll take some water. Thanks.” Unzipping his jacket and hanging it on the coat rack by the front door, Jake followed her through the living room, making one brief stop, hoping she wouldn’t notice. “Nice place.”
“It’s a rental, but it’s home.” She’d added a lot of touches—pillows, afghans and family photos—to make it cozy and personal. “Have a seat,” she told him as they reached the kitchen. She filled a glass with ice water and put it on the table.
“I come bearing news,” he said as she sat in the chair beside him. “Someone got married tonight.”
Julia’s eyes widened and her cheeks flushed. “What…what do you mean?”
“Pastor Ted did the honors a few hours ago, and Ben and Caroline are now husband and wife. Angie and Harry stood up with them.” He took a sip of the water. “After Ben fell off that ladder, I guess it gave them the impetus to finally make it official.”
“Oh, I’m so thrilled for them,” Julia said with a smi
le. “I wonder if Ben will ever finish that portrait of Caroline I saw in his house that day.”
“You mean the day I fell in love with you?” The look on her face was priceless. “The snowball pretty much did it. That’s when you had me.”
“I didn’t even hit you,” she said, laughing.
“Oh, yes you did.”
Julia rested her hand on the side of his face in the way he loved, and it made him thankful he’d taken extra care with his shaving before heading her way. With what he planned for tonight, he didn’t want to irritate her soft skin with the roughness of his day-old beard. Focus.
“Jake, I gave you my heart when you were barefoot and out of sorts because you weren’t sure you could handle Bailey.”
He leaned close and kissed her cheek. “That’s still in question, but don’t worry. She’s happy and securely tucked in her crate tonight. Growing like crazy, too, so I must be doing something right.”
“You’re doing great with her. I only pray Bailey’s not a kleptomaniac canine.” They laughed together. “Jake, has anyone ever told you your eyes hold more than a little mischief?”
“Can’t say they have, no.”
Julia leaned her chin on one hand, studying him as he took a longer drink of his water. “You must have given your mother fits when you were younger.”
“How so? And I’m neither confirming nor denying.”
“Well,” she said, “you’ve got this way of looking at a girl that makes her believe she’s the only woman in the world. I’m sure it’s impossible to stay mad at you for very long.” She shook her head. “Never mind. That made no sense at all.”
“Oh, but it did. I’ve been doing a little study of Shakespeare, you see.”
“You? The Bard? Why on earth—”
“Hey, there’s some pretty romantic stuff there. Since I always seem to stick my big boot in my even larger mouth—and sometimes jump to stupid conclusions and act like an idiot with the most beautiful woman in the world—I figured if I memorized some Shakespeare, you might forgive me in spite of myself.”
“There’s nothing to forgive.” She hesitated. “Is there?”
Jake laughed. “I haven’t done anything new that I’m aware of, no. Julia, know that I’ll inevitably make a huge fool of myself sometimes. God knows a work-in-progress when He sees one.” He finished his water. “If you can wait a little longer for dinner, why don’t we take a walk?”
Her eyes widened. “You do realize there’s a raging snowstorm outside?”
“That’s the best kind,” he said. “We’re tough, native Iowans. We can take it.” Julia gave him her hand, and Jake wrapped his around it as they walked back to the living room. He released her only long enough to help her zip up her jacket, and she did the same for him.
“There’s a small park a block away,” she said. “We could go there.”
“Sounds perfect.”
****
The night was still and snow fell all around them as they walked together. Squeezing Julia’s hand, Jake held it even tighter. Now that he’d found her, he never wanted to let go.
“Jake, you’ve wanted to kiss a girl before, right?”
He chuckled. Circling her shoulders, Jake pulled her close. “Yes, of course. Lots of times. I am twenty-eight. As a matter of fact, I plan on kissing someone in the very near future. We don’t need the fortune cookies to tell us how that’s going to turn out.” His mouth twisted. He’d given up trying to be suave. Might as well speak his mind and not worry about the consequences. Julia hadn’t run away screaming yet, so that was a promising sign.
“You know, with a lot of guys that might be a big line, like the issuance of a challenge. Something a guy would say in order to make me want to be the one to conquer the challenge. But you’re so unassuming and sweet, I know you’re sincere. And you know what?”
“What?” Jake ran his thumb over hers, mitten against mitten. Unassuming and sweet weren’t exactly the words he wanted to hear, but they’d do. For now.
“I respect you.” Julia bit her lower lip and rolled her eyes. “I think being around you has triggered my awkward gene. But you’re one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met.” Her eyes, bright in the moonlight, searched his.
Nothing in the world could compare to a fresh snowfall in Iowa. It had been home his entire life, but now, being with Julia meant home in an entirely different way. He’d never felt so alive or energized.
“I know I said all that stuff about the Lord being our only true hero, and I meant it, but I still want to be your hero, Julia. I want to be the guy who comes to your rescue even when you don’t know you need me.”
Her smile reached past his heart and into the depths of his soul. “I’ll always need you. For the record, I wanted to kiss you when I saw you on the fire engine with Tyler the night we met. That image totally captured who you are.”
“And who is that?”
“A hero, Jake. My hero.” Julia tugged on his hand. “Come on, let’s go back inside by the fire, eat some Chinese food, and ring in the New Year together.”
“Meet me under the mistletoe,” Jake murmured under his breath.
****
Walking into the living room, they shed their coats, and Jake tended to the fire. The soft glow illuminated the room as the warmth and the man standing in front of her filled her with love and light. She thought he might kiss her during their walk, but they might have been too numb to enjoy it.
Surprising her, Jake moved both hands around her waist, pulling her in the circle of his arms and looking up at the ceiling. Following his gaze, Julia smiled. “Fresh mistletoe? Where’d that come from?”
“Hannah got it from Ed’s tree farm, and Tyler brought it to the firehouse. I had it in my pocket and used a push pin to put it up there when you led the way into the kitchen earlier. One of the advantages of being tall. By the way, Tyler’s coming to the station and walking Sparky every day.”
“Oh? To earn spending money?”
Jake’s dimple emerged as a wide grin creased his handsome face. “Sort of. He’s a good kid. Tyler’s making good on the promise he made to me the first night I met you.”
“What promise was that?”
His brown eyes sparkled as he dropped a light kiss on her temple. “Your nephew pledged to walk Sparky every day if I’d kiss you under the mistletoe. You know the rest of the story.”
“I thought you didn’t always follow convention,” Julia said, lowering her gaze and focusing on a button on his shirt. She fingered it for a moment before planting both hands on his broad, solid chest. Her senses were filled with his nearness, and she could barely breathe.
“I don’t normally, but I thought it would be romantic, although hardly original considering it is New Year’s Eve.” Jake’s voice was husky, low. His lips were soft and warm as he nuzzled her cheek. When he lightly brushed his nose over hers, his lips a mere heartbeat away, it was enticing and enough to drive her crazy. Julia never wanted anything more than a kiss from this man.
“Well,” she said, tracing his dimple with one finger, “timing is important, but I hope you didn’t lead me here to tease me, because if you did, that would be cruel and unusual—” Her words were cut off as he cupped her jaw with one hand and pressed his lips to hers. The kiss was sweet and lovely, and then it turned into something more as she felt his kiss from the top of her head to her toes. Never in her life had she experienced such pure joy from a kiss. Never before had she been kissed by a man she loved. Julia lost herself in Jake’s kiss. He finally pulled back, but leaned his forehead on hers. They were both quiet for a long moment. Julia gathered her thoughts and tried to catch her breath.
“Wow.” She raised her head and gave him a hazy, no doubt goofy smile. “I’m glad you’ve got a good hold on me or I might fall.”
“I’ll never let you go, Julia. I know it’s awfully soon, sweetheart, but I’ve fallen head over heels in love with you. Just as sure as I fell down those steps in that burning house. Wait, t
hat didn’t sound right.” He gave her a sheepish grin.
“I think it sounded great,” she said, moving her hands to the back of his neck. “You’re pretty good at this kissing thing, considering you’ve had no experience. You haven’t been practicing on the pole at the firehouse, have you?” She laughed at his incredulous expression. “Little girls practice on their bedposts, you know. Same theory.”
“They do? That’s nuts. And no, I didn’t. The guys would have me locked up and throw away the key. Banish the thought. I’d much rather practice with the woman I love in my arms.”
“It’s banished,” she said, drawing in a deep breath, loving the scent of him, musky and completely masculine. “You know, the ER nurses have a thing for firefighters. Among other things, it’s the way you…smell.” She giggled, not believing she’d voiced that thought.
Jake laughed and dropped light kisses on her forehead, her eyelids, and her cheeks. “Just the thing a guy wants to hear after he tells a girl he loves her. Firefighters are stinky, dirty, and smell like smoke a lot of the time.”
“Exactly, but there’s something very special about it. One of the nurses told me she’d make a fortune if she could bottle it.”
“The only nurse I care about is the one I’m holding in my arms. Fair warning, Julia. Now that the floodgates have opened…” His hold on her tightened, and she never wanted to leave the circle of his arms.
“Please be quiet and kiss me again, Mistletoe Man. And never stop.”
“You’re so bossy,” Jake said, his eyes lighting with mischief. Julia knew she’d see that same look in his eyes on their honeymoon, in the eyes of their children, and when she planned special anniversary dinners or surprise getaway weekends. Life with this man would be a wonderful adventure, full of life, love, faith and family.
“Song of Solomon has some very romantic parts, too,” Julia murmured. Jake’s kisses were beyond tantalizing. Promising. Incredible.
“I know, but I’m saving that for marriage. What do you say? Wanna raise a dog with me? I love you, Julia.”