An Everlasting Christmas

by Mandy M. Roth

  Betsy snickered as she pulled a bottle of ketchup from her apron front and set it before Kelsey. “The last time you ordered chicken salad, you were pregnant, and insisted on ketchup with it. Here is the bottle. I really hope you’re out of that.”

  Kelsey laughed. “I am.”

  “Good. I still have the taste of those horrid pickle flavored baked goods in my mouth. You know the ones that you and Penelope insisted I try.” Betsy winked and looked to Jolene. “Have a good chat. Be sure to enjoy your honeymoon.”

  Father Walker tipped his head, giving Jolene a questioning look.

  She held back a grunt. “Father, what did you hear?”

  “That you and Marty got married in Vegas last week,” he said, folding his hands before him. “Jolene, you should have reached out to me. Vegas? Really?”

  Kelsey and Penelope burst into a fit of giggles.

  Father Walker gave them both pointed stares. That did nothing to stop their laughter. It only increased.

  Father Walker looked tired. “Youth today.”

  Jolene bit her lip to keep from joining in the laughter. “I know. What are we going to do with them? And you should know, I’m not married.”

  “No?” he asked.

  She shook her head. “Just a rumor.”

  He nodded. “Good. Besides, I always thought you and Messing would end up together.”

  Jolene froze. “Um.”

  Geraldine leaned over. “He slept over at her place last night.”

  Father Walker’s gaze snapped instantly back to Jolene.

  Penelope bit her lower lip, looking as if she was about to start crying from laughter. “We told her it’s a sin.”

  “Father, I need to talk to you about Christmas mass,” said Abe Dunlap from the other side of the diner.”

  Father glanced at Jolene. “You two should know better.”

  “Yes, Father,” she said, as he shook his head and walked off in the direction of the counter. He found an open stool and sat.

  Kelsey tapped the table. “Ohmygoodness, the rumor mill has you already married to Marty. Hmm, might need to get used to the surname Hanover.”

  Chapter Six

  Jolene shut the hood of the old truck she was working on in her service station. Its former owner, often referred to as Old Man Nelson, was something of a town eccentric, but then again, who in Everlasting wasn’t a bit over the top? The truck had been on cinder blocks in Nelson’s front yard for years. So many that Jolene couldn’t recall just how long it had been there. She did know it had caused quite the stir among the town council members, but Nelson never budged. The man had gone so far as to try to have the eyesore declared a historic landmark. That was why Jolene had been surprised when she’d learned he’d parted with it.

  The truck had seen far better days, but she was running thanks to Kelsey’s brother Leopold “Leo” Gibbons. Nelson had given the young man the truck as a thank you for helping out around his house with odd jobs.

  Though if you asked Jake, Leo stole the truck.

  The two men had an interesting relationship. They got along—kind of.

  Leo was down in Hedgewitch Cove for the time being, helping out a hunter artifact shop, as per Wil’s wishes. Sigmund had filled Jolene in on the details on one of his twice-a-week calls home. Apparently, the current owner of the shop was under a curse that was put on him by his grandmother, of all people

  There was a story there. One she hoped to one day hear more of.

  Leo had reached out to Jolene and asked her to take a look at the truck when she got a chance. He’d also asked that she get it off the street where he’d left it parked. She had, and it had been sitting in her parking lot for nearly three months. Now seemed like as good a time as any to handle what it needed.

  Besides, it gave her something else to focus on instead of the mysterious presents that continued to appear. After the roses had come a beautiful red dress, that matched the shawl she’d gotten earlier, and a pair of matching black flats. The dress had been her exact size and the shoes had fit as well. It didn’t escape her that the shoes had no heel. As if whoever gave her the gifts knew she didn’t dare wear them with how tricky her ankle was. That, and she didn’t actually know how to walk in them.

  After the shoes and dress had come a very beautiful antique pearl necklace. One she’d seen at Wil’s shop in the display case. It had made her question ruling him out. Had he only pretended to be angry about the presents when in reality he was the one gifting them to her? Was he really her Secret Santa? It fit. He knew her well. Better than anyone ever had—or ever would. But he’d seemed very convincing in his bluster over her getting the gifts and his insistence that Marty had been the giver.

  She wasn’t sure Wil was a good enough actor to pull off the ruse. If he was, she had to hand it to him. He’d fooled her.

  The newest present she’d found, propped against the door to her home garage, had been a bouquet of torque wrenches, arranged in a way that looked like they were metal flowers. It had been such a funny, off-the-wall present that fit her personality, she’d found herself tearing up.

  She wiped her hands on a dry rag and then headed into the office area and surveyed her nails. Surprisingly, her manicure was holding up well. That was a good thing, since she had to start getting ready for the Christmas party later that night. Thankfully her ankle was finally feeling better. She’d babied it the last few days and that appeared to have done the trick.

  Pausing, she stared at her desk.

  There was a small box, wrapped in white paper with a red bow, just like the presents she’d been getting from her Secret Santa.

  She glanced around, wondering how someone had managed to get past her with a gift. She hadn’t noticed anyone entering the shop through the other entrance. Most of the townsfolk just walked in through the open garage doors. They didn’t bother with the actual entrance.

  Jolene opened the present—and took a step back, shocked at its contents.

  In the box was a red, short nightie and matching panties.

  Reaching out, she poked the contents as if it were a snake and might bite. Never had she owned anything like what was in the box.

  Who in the world would ever think to get her lingerie? That was a very personal item.

  Very, very personal.

  She lifted the panties and stared at them, confused. People actually wore those? They didn’t look the least bit comfortable or functional. As she lifted the nightie, she found a small card in the box.

  She opened it and read the contents. It was a request for her to wear the red dress, necklace and flats to the Christmas party happening later in the evening. And for her to be ready to be picked up at her home by six. The note wasn’t signed.

  She put it and the lingerie back in the box but didn’t bother replacing the lid. She stepped back and shook her head, thoroughly confused as to who was her Secret Santa.

  If it was Wil, and he’d bought her such intimate items…

  She blushed.

  “Hey there.”

  Spinning, Jolene found Marty, a knit cap in his hands, as he stood just inside the garage’s big door. A light dusting of snow covered his shoulders. He brushed it off his black peacoat and gave her a thousand-watt smile. The man was very handsome. He had a head full of black hair with white at the temples. He was around six foot two, which put him close to Wil’s height. And he had a build similar to Wil. Both men took care of themselves.

  She had more in common with Marty than she had with Wil. Marty, like her, was a shifter. He could turn into a polar bear. Something that loved the water as well. It was one of the reasons they’d hit it off so well upon first meeting. He had Jolene by quite a few years but didn’t look any older than her.

  “I haven’t seen you in a few days and thought I’d stop by to check on you,” he said, stepping in more and out of the cold.

  She glanced at her office door and back to him, wondering if Wil had been right. If Marty was the person leaving her the gifts.
She had mentioned to him that she was on the hunt for a few parts for her Mustang restoration, and he’d commented on liking her hair pulled up a few times. He’d never once hinted at fancy panties, dresses, shoes, or necklaces, though.

  He smiled and touched her cheek. “Grease.”

  She grunted. “Of course. I think it might be my version of makeup.”

  “I like it,” he said, sincerity in his voice. “What are you working on today?”

  “Old Man Nelson’s truck.”

  Marty kept his hand on her cheek and their gazes locked.

  The moment was different. While she did like him, she didn’t get the same rush of emotions pumping through her as she did when she was close to Wil.

  The sound of squealing tires caught her attention, and she rushed out of the service station to find Hugh Lupine’s truck partially banked in a snow drift out in front of the shop.

  The young alpha-male was behind the wheel, glaring at his passenger—Wil.

  Just then, Trudy Mays pulled her car up to one of the fuel pumps. Father Walker was in the passenger side of the car, which wasn’t shocking. Trudy was very active in the church and tended to drive the priest around town when need be. The two of them exited the vehicle.

  Father Walker went in the direction of Hugh’s truck.

  Jolene hurried out, worried if everyone was okay. She was almost to them when she slipped on a patch of ice.

  Marty was suddenly there, trying to catch her. It didn’t quite go as planned. The two of them ended up sliding together, with Jolene falling into the snow, on her back, and Marty landing on top of her.

  Father Walker looked at them and arched a brow.

  She groaned.

  Wil flew out of the truck and stormed toward them. He pointed at Marty. “Hands off my woman!”

  Marty’s eyes were wide as he lay on top of her. “Sorry.”

  “Oh my word,” said Trudy. “Is this a lover’s quarrel? You would think Messing would realize that you’re a married woman now and off the market.”

  Father Walker rubbed his brow, shaking his head. “Trudy, the rumor mill has—”

  “Married?” demanded Wil, his face reddening.

  Before Marty could move, Wil was there yanking him by his collar. He ripped Marty off her and then tackled him to the ground himself. The two rolled around, going at it like two schoolboys, rather than the mature adult males they were supposed to be.

  Hugh rushed in, hooking his arms under Wil’s and hauling him off Marty. Hugh was an exceptionally large and very powerful shifter male. He looked to be straining to keep control of Wil. “Gramps, have you lost your mind?”

  Stilling slightly, Wil glanced over his shoulder. “Stop hugging me—and don’t call me that.”

  Hugh flashed a wolfish smile. “You love it and you know it. And I’m not hugging you. I’m trying to get you to act your age.”

  Jolene sat up slowly. “Good luck with that.”

  Wil gasped when he saw her on the ground. “Jo, are you okay?”

  “Of course she isn’t,” snapped Trudy. “She’s on the ground, in the snow, and you’re behaving like Hugh would.”

  Hugh beamed. “Thanks.”

  Trudy pointed at him, having always taken issue with the wolf-shifter. “Don’t make me call your wife and tattle on you.”

  Marty hurried to Jolene, looking winded but not put off by Wil’s behavior. He bent and eased Jolene to her feet. He nodded to her. “You good?”

  “Yes. Thank you.”

  Marty touched her cheek once more. “Good.”

  A line of curses that could make a sailor on shore leave blush flew out of Wil’s mouth. Jolene had never heard him sound like that. Sure, he was no choirboy, but he wasn’t known for the type of language currently coming from him.

  Father Walker made the sign of the cross and looked upwards as if tired from it all.

  Trudy touched her neck, her eyes wide, her jaw open.

  Hugh lifted Wil off his feet, still holding him from behind. “All right, who’s the foul-mouthed heathen now?”

  “Put me down or I’ll hang your pelt on my living room wall,” threatened Wil.

  Hugh rolled his eyes. “Yeah, okay. Sure. How about I just carry you home and call Penelope? You can explain why you just attacked a man for no reason and why you strung together curses that impressed even me.”

  Wil tensed. “I didn’t attack him for no reason. I attacked him for putting the moves on my girl!”

  “Your girl?” asked Jolene, Marty, and Hugh all at once. They couldn’t have timed it better if they’d tried.

  Father Walker’s shoulders moved up and down—and it took Jolene a moment to realize the man was laughing.

  Trudy was shaking her head. “Poor man just can’t let you go. Let’s hope your new husband doesn’t go missing like the last.”

  “Trudy,” said Father Walker sternly. “We should fill up and let them sort this out.”

  “What’s to sort out?” asked Trudy. “Jolene is married to Marty now. She’s no longer on the market. Wil needs to respect that.”

  Marty moved closer to Jolene. “We’re married?”

  She snorted. “Didn’t you hear? It was a Vegas thing.”

  He nodded and grinned. “I see. Drive-thru chapel?”

  “Oh, with all certainty.”

  He laughed.

  Wil seethed.

  Hugh grumbled. “Gramps, pull it together here. You’re acting like a fool.”

  Father Walker stopped laughing and wiped his hand over his face, as if trying to push away his smile. “He’s acting like a man who’s in love, and who sees the woman he loves slipping away from him.”

  Jolene practically leapt at Marty. “What? No. Wil does not…no.”

  Wil managed to get free from Hugh’s hold and make a dramatic production of adjusting the coat he was wearing. He sent a scathing look in Marty’s direction then stormed off to stand on the other side of Hugh’s truck.

  Hugh tipped his head, watching Wil stomping off. “How do you like them apples?”

  Father Walker did his best to escort Trudy back to her car. It took some doing but he managed to get her to leave with him. That had to be hard. She was the type who cut her teeth on drama and there was no shortage of that in Jolene’s life recently.

  Poor Marty had ended up embroiled in it with her.

  “I’m sorry,” Jolene said to Marty.

  He moved a hand around dismissively as if everything that had just happened was no big deal at all. “I’m not scared of Wilber Messing. Are you okay?”

  “I am.” She went to walk, and her ankle gave out on her again.

  Marty swept her against his body and held her. “Whoa there.”

  “Jolene?” asked Hugh, worry in his voice.

  “Jo?” Wil came around from the other side of Hugh’s truck as if he didn’t just have a temper tantrum only moments before. “You’re hurt?”

  “Oh for Pete’s sake, I’m fine.” She found herself touching her hair, making sure it was okay. If she wasn’t careful, she’d be setting regular appointments at the hair salon. Worse yet, she might join in the gossip tree.

  She shuddered at the thought.

  Hugh pointed at his truck, his attention on Wil. “You stay far from Marty and go sit in the truck. You’re on a time out.”

  “Time out? I’m not a child,” argued Wil.

  “Could have fooled me,” returned Hugh as he basically steered Wil back to the truck. “You made me wreck my truck, you crazy old goat!”

  “Who you callin’ old, boy?” asked Wil, his attention going to Hugh. “And you wrecked because you can’t drive worth anything.”

  Hugh rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I banked my truck because you flipped out for no reason and grabbed the wheel.”

  Jolene groaned, her gaze finding Marty. “I’m really sorry about him. I have plans this evening and am closing up shop early to head home and get ready, but if you’re free on Christmas Day, you could come over and
I could cook for us. I’m not actually celebrating the holiday or anything, but if you’re around and don’t have plans, no one should be alone on that day.”

  Wil spun around, opened his mouth and then closed it quickly.

  Hugh moved in front of Wil swiftly. “Calm down there, Gramps.”

  “I’ve been itching for a reason to end you, Lupine,” snapped Wil.

  Hugh laughed and put his arms out wide. “Who needs another hug? That’s right. The crotchety old hunter does. Come to Hugh.”

  Jolene couldn’t stop a smile from forming. Hugh knew how to get Wil going within seconds.

  Wil glanced around Hugh. “You’re not having him over to your house again, are you?”

  “I am. You’ll be there too.”

  “I will?” asked Wil.

  Jolene nodded. “Yes. It’s the neighborly thing to do. Understood?”

  He groaned. “Yes.”

  “Hugh, do you need me to get my tow truck and pull you out of the bank?” she asked, dropping the conversation about her dining partner choice.

  Hugh shook his head. “Nah. I can get her unstuck.”

  The wolf-shifter walked to his truck, glanced around to see who might be watching, and then went to the back end. He had the truck out of the bank in seconds, never breaking a sweat. “Let’s not tell my wife about this. She’ll think I tried to kill her grandpa. She’ll never believe it was his doing, and I’ll never hear the end of it.”

  “Oh, I’ll tell her just who was at fault,” said Jolene.

  The phone in the office rang loudly.

  She made her way slowly into the office. She didn’t want to admit out loud just how sore her ankle was. She didn’t need anyone fretting over her. All she needed was life to get back to normal.

  The phone kept ringing, and she went toward it as quickly as she could.

  Wil brushed past her gently and answered the phone. “Jo’s shop.”

  He was quiet a second.

  “Yes, it’s Wil. And yes, I’m answering your aunt’s phone. The why isn’t important, Sigmund. No. We’re not a couple—yet.”

  Yet?

  Wil looked up at her. “Sigmund’s on the line.”