“Us?” Now she knew she was going to be sick.
“Four of us. The four shining stars.” Coop closed his eyes but not before she saw the pain again.
“How long were you taking the stuff?”
“A little bit over a year. We were at the end of our regular season. Last game and we were undefeated. The team we were going up against was also undefeated and, if push came to shove, probably better than us. Push was going to come to shove. Brian Dole was our quarterback and a shining star. He was from some hick town in Tennessee and desperately needed to prove himself. Three days before the big game he got ahold of the coach’s supply and figured if one syringe was good, three would be better.”
She closed her eyes and wanted to close her ears.
“They found him dead in the weight room later that night. Everything broke loose. I stuck around long enough to testify and then took off for California.”
“Why not come home to Misty Harbor?”
“Sullivan, my parents live in Sullivan.” Coop shook his head. “I couldn’t face the town, or my parents. I had known it was wrong, yet I took the drug anyway.”
“But you were just a kid. You were—what?—eighteen?”
“Nineteen. Old enough to be away at college and making my own decisions.”
“But it was your coach who gave it to you.”
“I could have said no.” Coop’s lips were twitching.
“He could have kicked you off the team. You would have lost your scholarship.” She glared at him. “Why are you laughing at me?”
“I’m not laughing, Jenni.” Coop reached out and cupped the back of her head. “I did something that was illegal, and you’re defending me.” Coop forced her mouth closer to his. “I love you, Jennifer Wright” was whispered across her lips right before he kissed her.
Jenni felt herself sink into the kiss. The sheet slid down her chest as Coop hauled her up onto his lap—his very hard lap. She broke the kiss and slapped her hand onto his chest. “Don’t you ever do anything so stupid again. Do you have any idea what that stuff can do to your body?”
Coop grinned and held up his fingers in the Boy Scout–promise position. “Promise.”
She nodded, then blinked as a new thought came to her. “Is that why you’re so good at . . .” She swept her hand toward the rumpled sheets and wiggled her butt on the hard evidence of his arousal.
Coop grinned, then threw back his head and laughed himself silly.
Felicity glanced at the clock and tried not to allow her excitement to show. She had a very special Christmas present for her mother, one that couldn’t wait till Christmas morning, nor would it fit under the tree.
“What do you think, Felicity? Should we have dessert now, or wait until we get back from the Festival of Lights?” Dorothy smiled at her daughter as she straightened up the kitchen.
She put the last glass in the dishwasher. “Since it’s only four now, let the boys have some cookies if they’re hungry. After the festival we can make up sandwiches with all the ham that was left and you can serve your cake then.” She was getting tired of her mother asking her opinion on every little matter.
The age-old saying was true: Be careful what you wish for; you just might get it. Well, she had been the one who wanted to have a bigger part in this family. She had been foolish enough to run off to Boston to prove it. Her mother was only granting her wish by seeing that everything met with her approval.
French toast and blueberry pancakes were now served every morning for breakfast. Her laundry was done to perfection and there was always an abundance of bath towels in their bathroom. Her mother had taken her clothes shopping twice for Christmas, and even Fred hadn’t made an appearance in her room since Uncle Mitch had brought her home.
If she hadn’t checked it herself, she would have sworn her mother had welded Fred’s cage closed.
It was enough to make Felicity scream. She couldn’t take one more day of being cuddled and coddled by her mother. At least Jenni treated her about the same. Her mother needed a hobby—one that didn’t include her.
Sam walked into the room and gave her a wink. It was time. Only Sam knew of her surprise. She ducked her head as the doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it,” shouted Tucker from the back room.
“I will,” yelled Corey.
Both boys raced for the door. Tucker had the speed, but Corey was finally starting to exert himself. Her littlest nephew grabbed onto the back of Tucker’s sweatshirt and hung on for dear life.
She watched as her mother left the kitchen to go see who was at the door. Sam grabbed her hand and pulled her after her mother.
Tucker yanked open the front door. “Yeah?”
“Tucker James, that is not how we . . .” Dorothy’s voice trailed off when she saw who was standing there.
“Eli!” shouted Tucker.
Corey picked himself up off the floor, where he had slipped, and grinned at Hope and Faith standing on the front porch. “Hi, we’re going to go see the boats.”
Felicity rolled her eyes when she realized her mother wasn’t going to invite Eli and the girls in. She stepped farther into the room. “Come on in Eli, girls.”
Eli was holding a tall crystal vase filled with red roses and baby’s breath. He held it out toward Dorothy. “These are for you.”
“Me?”
“Yes, Mom, he said they’re are for you.” Felicity could tell Eli was nervous and not quite sure what was going on. The roses were gorgeous, but she liked the bouquet of pure white tulips that had been gracing the buffet in the dining room when she got home from school the other day. Her mother never said where they had come from, but Felicity had known. She looked over at Jenni, Coop, and Chase, who had come to see what the commotion was all about. “Mom, I invited Eli and the girls over.”
“You did?”
“Yes.” Inviting Sam’s father over had been one of the hardest things she had ever done. By all rights, the man should have been furious at her, but he wasn’t.
“Eli, I want to give you your Christmas present now.” Felicity smiled at the man who wouldn’t, or couldn’t, take his gaze off her mother. “You don’t even have to unwrap it.”
Eli’s gaze cut to her. “I thought you said your mother knew about us stopping over.”
She shrugged. “I fibbed.”
Sam reached for her hand and pulled her to his side. “She lied, but it was for a good reason.”
“What reason?” Eli asked.
“To give you your present.” The man was turning stubborn on her.
Eli glanced around. “What present?”
“This one.” she grinned and squeezed Sam’s hand harder. “Eli Fischer, I give you permission to date my mother.”
Eli’s gaze flew back to Dorothy. “You do?”
“Two conditions.” She held up two fingers of her free hand. “One, you hurt her in any way, shape, or form, and we are sending Tucker to come live with you.” She ignored Coop’s chuckle from the back of the room. “Two, no mushy stuff around me.”
“Deal.” Eli smiled.
She glanced over to Jenni, who was grinning and nodding her head in approval. She knew the situation was going to be awkward, but she also knew it was the right thing to do. Her mother truly did deserve some happiness in her life, and if Eli was the one to do that, who was she to stop it?
“Give me those. I’ll put them in the kitchen for you, Mom.” Dorothy still hadn’t reached for the vase.
“Hope, come see our tree,” said Tucker as he pulled on the girl’s hand.
Corey reached for Faith’s hand. “Coop set up a train under the tree. It’s cool. Come see.”
The kids all hurried from the room. Jenni and Coop followed.
Sam started to steer her from the room toward the kitchen. “We’d better put them in water, Felicity.”
“They are in water.” She held the vase up for Sam to see.”
“It needs more.” Sam groaned, trying to hurry her from the room.
“Sam, what are you doing?” She wanted to make sure her mother was okay with her surprise.
“You said no mushy stuff in front of you.” Sam practically pushed her into the kitchen. “In case you didn’t notice, there was mistletoe hanging right above their heads.” Sam’s voice was filled with laughter.
“Oh, yuck.”
Coop tugged a laughing Jenni all the way to her shop. It was freezing outside, but neither of them seemed to care. He had slipped Hope a ten-dollar bill to keep an eye on the boys for a few minutes. He had something very important to ask Jenni.
“We could have gotten our coats,” teased Jenni as she unlocked the door.
“They were in the foyer.” Coop hurried her through the door as soon as it opened. “Eli and Dorothy are in the foyer.”
Jenni laughed. “I wonder if they are doing any of that mushy stuff.” Jenni reached for the lights, but Coop’s hand stopped her.
“Leave them off.” There was enough light given off by the low-wattage bulbs Jenni kept on all the time. He pulled Jenni into his arms and briskly rubbed her back and arms. “Warming up?”
Jenni wrapped her arms around his neck and teased his chin with quick kisses. “A little.”
He allowed his hands to rub lower while tilting up her hips against his growing need. “What about now?” He tried to capture her teasing mouth. He hadn’t pulled Jenni away from her family for this, but he couldn’t let her freeze.
“Getting there.” Jenni’s hungry mouth slid over his.
He could never get enough of this woman. He wanted Jenni day and night, and not just in his bed. Letting her out of his bed on these cold winter nights was one of the hardest things he had ever done. He didn’t mind sharing her with the boys, Dorothy, or even Felicity, but he wanted something more. He wanted a life with her.
He tenderly cupped her cheeks and held her wandering mouth still for a moment. “I love you, Jen.”
Jenni’s smile was beautiful as she whispered the words he had been hoping to hear. “I love you, Coop.”
The soft, dreamy expression on Jenni’s face told him she was telling the truth. Jen loved him. His Jenni loved him. There really was a Santa Claus, because he was given the most precious gift of all—Jenni’s love.
He slowly lowered his head and kissed her.
Jenni opened her mouth and seductively raised more than his body temperature. The more she gave, the more he wanted. He pressed her up against the wall and took it all.
“Coop.” Jenni’s mouth was everywhere, begging and teasing him beyond thought.
He cupped her bottom and raised her off her feet. The warmth of her legs encircled his thighs. There were too many clothes between them. He needed her now.
His hands tunneled their way under her sweater. He caressed the warm, silky skin of her back as his tongue tangled with hers.
“Mom!” shouted Tucker from the other side of the door. “Are you there?”
Coop jumped back so fast that Jenni nearly tumbled to the ground. His quick reflexes caught her before his brain could comprehend what was happening.
Jenni’s blush was beet red as she tugged down her sweater. “Yes, Tucker, I’m here.” Jenni gave Coop a slow sweet smile that stole his breath. “You’re naughty,” she whispered while playing with the clip holding up her hair. “Santa won’t leave you anything tonight.”
“He already did.” He grinned as he opened the door to Jenni’s son. “Hey, Tuck, what’s up?”
“Eli says it’s time to leave, or we’re going to miss the boats.” Tucker’s eyes gleamed with excitement. “Come on.”
Coop and Jenni left the shop, locking the door behind them. “Okay, buddy, we’re hurrying.” Tucker was practically running back to the house.
Before they reached the house, Hope came hurrying out the sliding doors of the family room. She came to a sudden stop when she saw Tucker tugging on his mother’s hand. With a hopeless sigh she apologized. “I only turned my back for one second.”
Coop laughed. “Don’t worry about it. It’s fine.”
“Hurry up, Mom!” shouted Chase from the doorway. “Everyone’s ready to leave.”
Jenni glanced over her shoulder at Coop. “You ready to go?”
“As soon as we get our coats.”
They hurried into the house, grabbing coats, keys, mittens, and hats.
“Felicity and Sam already left. They said they’d meet us down there.” Dorothy stood next to Eli with a radiant smile upon her face and happiness dancing in her eyes. She was either blushing or having a hot flash.
“Coop,” Eli said, “we might have to park on Spruce or White Pine streets. Anyone who can walk to the docks usually does, but in this weather, most drive. Last year we got there late and ended up on Hamilton Street.”
Jenni undid the clip in her hair and tugged on a hat. Fashionable she wasn’t, but she wanted to stay warm. “Boys, last potty call, and grab your scarves before heading out.” As sure as she knew Santa was coming tonight with way too many presents, one of the boys would need a bathroom as soon as they got to the docks.
She dug in her purse and then flipped Coop her keys. They couldn’t all fit in Coop’s pickup, and, besides, it was filled with the presents Santa would be bringing tonight. Coop had purposely parked away from the boys and their prying eyes. “Why don’t you warm up the car while I handle the boys.”
Coop gazed at the mistletoe above his head, wiggled his brow, and grinned.
She shook her head. “Don’t even think about it.” Dorothy, Eli, and the girls were already in their car waiting for them. If Coop kissed her again, they would miss the festival.
“Spoilsport.” Coop headed out the door with Chase.
Tucker was already in the powder room.
Corey banged on the door. “Hurry up, Tucker.”
She patiently slipped on her gloves. Knowing those two, this could take awhile. She was pleasantly surprised when not a moment later Tucker sprinted past her and out the door. “Come on, Mom” had been shouted over his shoulder.
“I’ll be right there.” A moment later, she and Corey headed out the door to see their first Festival of Lights in Misty Harbor.
Forty minutes later, she spotted the first boat off in the distance. A soft, light snow had begun to fall, giving everything a peaceful and quiet feel. She moved closer to Coop. It felt like Christmas Eve.
“I see a boat,” shouted Tucker as he jumped up and down on the dock.
“Shhh . . . you’re not supposed to yell, hon. Everyone can see the boat.” Her hand reached out and pressed his shoulder downward so he would stop jumping and people would stop staring.
“What are we supposed to do?” Tucker frowned and glanced around.
“Just watch the boats come in, hon. That’s all.” She gave her son a big smile. “Enjoy how pretty they look on the water all lit up like that.” The first boat was all decked out in white and green lights that reflected off the sea.
Tucker gave her a look that expressed what he thought about that. Her middle son didn’t do “pretty.” “Where’s Grandmom?” Tucker asked.
“With Eli.” She had seen Eli’s daughters walk off with a bunch of teenagers when they had first arrived at the docks. Eli and Dorothy had headed in the direction of the restaurant, the Catch of the Day. She still hadn’t caught sight of Felicity and Sam, but she wasn’t looking that hard.
“Can I go with them?”
“No, you are to stay with us.” Coop had wanted to find a quiet place along the shoreline that might block some of the wind. The boys had taken one look at the wooden-planked dock with all the other kids and families on it and insisted that was where they wanted to be.
“There’s another one,” whispered Chase, who was closer to the edge than she liked.
“It’s all yellow,” Corey said. Her youngest son was holding Coop’s hand and keeping his distance from the edge.
“It’s gold,” Chase said. “They don’t make yellow Christmas lights, only gold.�
��
Leave it to Chase to point that one out.
“How many lights do you think are on that boat, Chase?” Coop gaze was off in the distance. “Has to be thousands, I would think.”
Chase frowned. “Maybe.”
“Here comes another one,” Tucker said in loud voice. It wasn’t a shout this time, but it wasn’t a whisper either. “This one is all white.”
She watched as the boats slowly and almost silently made their way into the harbor. It was one of the most perfect sights she had ever seen. “It’s beautiful.”
“That it is.” Coop wrapped his arm around her waist and tugged her closer. “Are you warm enough?”
“Toasty.” She stuck out her tongue and caught a big fat flake. She closed her eyes and tasted the drop of water that had been the flake. She opened them again and grinned. “I love the taste of falling snow.”
Coop’s eyes were dark and full of promises as he followed her every move. “You’re playing with fire, Jen.”
“That’s why I’m toasty.” She loved the way Coop made her feel, all hot and needy.
In her quest for the snowflake and to tease Coop, her hand had released Tucker’s shoulder. The boy now was standing next to Chase, much too close to the edge of the dock. There was a good six-foot-drop before a person would end up in the frigid water below. Before her feet could follow the warning her brain was screaming, Tucker saw another boat come into view.
Tucker twisted around to tell her and lost his footing. With flailing arms he teetered on the edge of the dock, about to go over into the darkness below.
She opened her mouth to scream, but before a sound could emerge, Coop had a hold on the back of Tucker’s jacket and was pulling him to safety. Jenni had never seen anyone move that fast in her life.
“Hey, Coop,” someone about ten feet down the dock shouted, “nice catch.”
“Thanks,” Coop shouted back.
“Still has the hands,” shouted another.
Coop shook his head and looked pale as he frowned down at Tucker. “You stay away from the edge.”
Chase, who had witnessed his brother’s near fall, took two giant steps back away from the brink.
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