Island Christmas

by Kimberly Rose Johnson

  He chuckled, the truth of her words in his eyes. “For what it’s worth, Rachel, in spite of everything, I enjoyed myself. It was nice being here, and it brought back a lot of good memories. So thank you.”

  She looked into his eyes and nodded, wishing things were different. Her heart was already entangled with his, and she wanted him to be a part of their lives on a much deeper level than just as a good friend.

  He gently touched her cheek with the palm of his hand. Her eyes widened and her breath hitched.

  “You are a very special lady, Rachel. Rest well.” He dropped his hand and walked out the door.

  Disappointment washed over her as she watched him walk away, taking a piece of her heart with him. How had she fallen for him so fast, and what was she going to do about it?

  It took every ounce of willpower to walk out Rachel’s door without kissing her. She drew him like no other woman ever had. But the way things stood now, anything more than friendship was impossible. He prayed daily that she would come to a saving faith in the Lord.

  He ran a hand down his face as he sat behind the wheel of his car looking back at her little house. Rachel and Jason would make some man very happy one day. He started up the car and headed to the B&B.

  Jason was such a cute kid. He hoped to have a boy like him in the future, but would a woman even want him given his family history with heart disease and the men in his family dying so young?

  It’s not like he’d been required to disclose that information. His doctor said his heart, though not as healthy as it could be, looked pretty good all things considered. But Chris couldn’t help being a pessimist, considering his family history.

  He was lonely and wanted a family. If that was ever going to happen he must stop thinking about the condition of his heart and start looking for the right woman. One who was willing to take life as it came and accept the good with the bad. He already knew Rachel could do that, but he couldn’t put her through losing a spouse again. Nor could he consider dating her if they didn’t have the same beliefs. His faith was everything to him.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Rachel stood at the kitchen counter at the Wildflower Bed-and-Breakfast. She’d stopped in for a cup of coffee, but Zoe was busy making Christmas cut-out cookies, so Rachel decided to roll up her sleeves and help. Jason was downstairs with Nick and his nephew Aiden, who was visiting for the weekend.

  “We could use more star cookies, Rachel.” Zoe handed her the cookie cutter, then pulled a tray from the oven. “Perfect.” She grinned and set the tray on a wire rack. “How are you and Jason adjusting to life on the island?”

  “It’s been rough at times, but all things considered, the transition has gone well.”

  “Good.” She motioned toward a set of cookie cutters. “Those are for the nativity scene. I want to make a display in the entryway.”

  Rachel wanted to ask Zoe about her faith but didn’t know how to bring it up. Ever since Chris had stated he was a Christian and invited her to church, she hadn’t been able to get his faith from her mind. He was a good guy, better than most, and she admired Zoe and Nick. They all had their faith in common. Was she missing out on something special by not believing the way they did?

  It wasn’t like she had anything against God. She’d never given Him much thought—even when she was pregnant and trying to decide what to do. She never would have terminated her pregnancy, but she’d seriously considered giving her baby up for adoption. Considering everything else she’d put her parents through, she’d been so afraid of how they would respond when they found out she had not only been married, but was with child.

  As it turned out they were cool about it. They hadn’t been happy to learn she’d married and not told them, or that her husband had died, or that she’d only married him because she was pregnant, but they had insisted she move back in with them. They had even supported her and watched Jason while she went to culinary school. She couldn’t have asked for more.

  Rachel pressed the star into the last empty space on the dough. She wanted to be a good mom for Jason. Was she being neglectful by not taking him to church? “Do you and Nick go to a church here on the island?”

  “Yes. There are actually a couple of different ones, but we like Wildflower Community Church near the golf club.”

  “I’ve seen that place. It looks like a historic building with the spire.”

  Zoe grinned. “I imagine it is historic. The people there are nice, the preaching is good, and I especially like the worship. It’s a good mix of contemporary songs with hymns.”

  “So you sing there?” Rachel had heard her friend sing, and it wasn’t pretty.

  “Absolutely. That’s the best part to my way of thinking. You should come sometime. There’s a great children’s program. I imagine Jason would have fun being around other kids his age.”

  “Do a lot of kids go there?” One of the downfalls of moving to the island was the lack of playmates for her son. He’d already spent too much time around adults, but it was worse here.

  “Not really, maybe three or four at the most, but that’s better than none.”

  Rachel nodded. “Will you text me the details? I may check it out.”

  “Sure. If you decide to come, let me know, and I’ll save you a spot beside us.”

  “Thanks.”

  A commotion came from the direction of the downstairs apartment, and the kids burst into the kitchen. Aiden and Jason were laughing.

  “What’s so funny?” Rachel rolled out a new slab of dough.

  “Aiden tells funny jokes.” Her son stuck his nose up and sniffed. “Cookies!”

  Zoe chuckled. “That’s right. If your mom says it’s okay you may have one.”

  “Sure. Go wash your hands first.”

  The boys rushed to the sink. She couldn’t believe how much Aiden had grown in only three years. The last time she’d seen him he’d been five. It was hard to believe he was eight already.

  Rachel wondered at how different Zoe was from the summer when she stayed here. The woman was more relaxed now and seemed comfortable in her own skin. “I heard that we might have snow for Christmas this year.”

  Jason squealed. “Snow! I love snow.”

  Rachel laughed and handed each boy a cookie. Her son had never even seen snow in real life.

  Nick stepped into the kitchen from the downstairs apartment. “Now don’t get the kids all excited about something that may or may not happen. We haven’t seen one flake in the three years we’ve been here. Plus Christmas is several weeks away, and there’s no way to predict with accuracy that far out.”

  “Ha.” Zoe barked. “They get it wrong with a ten-hour lead-time. But I hope the prediction is right. It would be fun to have a white Christmas. Which reminds me, Rachel. The resort books sleigh rides Friday through Sunday. Well, pseudo sleigh rides. The sleigh has wheels that can be taken off in case it actually snows. You and Jason should go on a ride. The resort is really beautiful at night now, since Chase has all the lights up on the property. Come to think of it, you should check out all the activities the resort offers. It’s quite the lineup.”

  “Thanks. I’ll look into it. I’ve always been a fan of Christmas lights.”

  “Too bad you missed the tree lighting in the park connected to the hospital. It’s really something. Someone donated a gazebo to the town and had it placed there. It’s beautiful this time of year.”

  “It sounds like Wildflower Island is the place to be at Christmas time. I didn’t realize there was so much going on.”

  “You don’t know the half of it,” Nick said. “This place is sure to put almost anyone in the Christmas spirit. Now that Thanksgiving is past, wait and see.”

  Zoe pulled a pan of cookies from the oven and slid another one in. “He’s right. In fact, as we speak, Piper has a team decking out the restaurant. It’s quite the transformation.”

  “It sure seems like a lot of work for only a few weeks.”

  “The best few weeks ever,” Aide
n piped in.

  “Hello.” The kitchen door swung forward, and Chris poked his head in. “Sorry to interrupt, but it sounds like you’re having too much fun.”

  Rachel’s insides warmed at the sight of Chris. She hadn’t seen or heard from him since Thanksgiving, two days ago when she thought for sure he was going to kiss her.

  “Hey, Chris,” Nick said. “Come in and join us.”

  “Have a cookie and tell me what you think.” Zoe slid a platter of unfrosted cookies toward him.

  “Thanks.” He took a bite. “They’re good, but there’s something different about them.”

  “I use almond extract instead of vanilla. I like to surprise the senses.”

  He popped the rest of the star shaped cookie into his mouth.

  Jason tugged on Chris’s pant leg with his good arm. “Can you come and play at my house again?”

  Rachel’s heart was about to burst. The timer, the loudest noise in the room, sounded like a grandfather clock in the silence following her son’s question.

  Chris squatted to Jason’s level. “I don’t know, buddy. That’s up to your mom.” He looked up at Rachel, who had a perplexed look on her face. If only he could read her mind.

  “You’re welcome any time, Chris.”

  “Okay.” He stood. “Thanks.” The warmth in her gaze almost sent him reeling. This was getting complicated. No, they were just friends.

  Nick cleared his throat breaking the tension in the room. “The resort is playing Elf tonight out on the green. Actually they play a movie every Saturday during the month of December. They do a bonfire and make s’mores. There’s plenty of hot chocolate to go around. Everyone brings blankets and sits on the grass.”

  “Brr,” Rachel said. “It’s freezing outside, even with a bonfire.”

  Perfect snuggling weather. Chris shook the thought away.

  “As long as it’s dry it’s pretty fun. Zoe and I went last year.” Nick broke a cookie and popped half into his mouth.

  “You actually had a weekend night off?” Rachel was surprised Zoe would allow anyone else to run her kitchen on a busy weekend.

  “Piper thought it was important that Nick and I enjoy the festivities. We went on a sleigh ride after the movie. It was cold, but fun.”

  “Sounds like it.” Rachel looked toward Jason. “Would you like to do that sometime?”

  His eyes widened. “Yes!”

  “You have next Saturday off, Rachel. You should plan to go.”

  Rachel’s gaze slammed into Chris’s. “Would you like to join us?”

  More than anything. But the more time they spent together the more he wanted to be with her, and that wasn’t fair to either of them. “Thanks, but I have plans.”

  Disappointment shone briefly in her eyes before it disappeared, and she plastered on a smile. “Okay. Looks like it’s me and you, Jasie.”

  He felt like a world class jerk for saying he couldn’t be there, but it was the truth—sort of. He’d tentatively volunteered to help at the missionary banquet the church he’d been attending was holding on Saturday night. He hadn’t said he’d be there for sure, but he would now. Being new there, he figured volunteering would be a good way to get to know people.

  Jason gave him a hangdog look that about broke his resolve to distance himself from the little family that drew him so strongly. He averted his eyes from the boy. “I guess I should be going.” He headed for the kitchen door that led to the dining room.

  “Hold up a minute.” Nick’s long stride easily caught up to him at the stairs. “What was that all about?”

  Chris glanced toward the room he’d fled and lowered his voice. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  Nick crossed his arms and gave him a look that tightened his gut. “Rachel is nice. What’s the deal with snubbing her like that?”

  “I wasn’t snubbing her. I really have something else going on.” Where did Nick get off challenging him?

  “But you like her.” Nick’s stance had relaxed, but suspicion still filled his eyes.

  “Yes. Very much, but it doesn’t matter because she is off limits.”

  Nick glanced toward the kitchen, grabbed his arm, and dragged him outside to the porch.

  “It’s freezing out here.”

  “Too bad. I think of Rachel like a kid sister, even if I haven’t seen or heard from her in over three years. Why is she off limits?”

  “She’s not a Christian. I feel strongly that for a relationship to work, both individuals must believe the same way. I don’t have any desire to be involved in a relationship that is doomed before it even begins, no matter how much I like her.”

  Nick’s shoulders sagged. “I hadn’t thought of that. But you’re right. Actually I think the Bible talks about that too.”

  “Yes. It’s found in 2 Corinthians 6:14.”

  “You know your Bible well.”

  Chris shrugged.

  Nick frowned. “I never gave Rachel’s spiritual life any thought. That’s about to change. Out of curiosity what are you doing Saturday?”

  “There’s a thing at church.”

  Nick nodded as if he knew exactly what Chris was talking about. “I’ll cover for you. That way you could see the movie with Rachel and Jason. I know she’d appreciate the company. Watching a movie together doesn’t mean you have to marry her.”

  Chris laughed. “You don’t get it. I like her—a lot. The more time I spend with her the harder it is not to fall for her.”

  Nick sighed. “When you put it like that, I see the problem.”

  Chris felt cold to his bones. His teeth chattered. “You think we could go inside now?”

  “Yeah, sorry. It feels like it’s going to snow.” Nick opened the door and warm air gushed out.

  “Thanks. Don’t say the S word.”

  Nick laughed. “Not a fan of snow?”

  “Not a fan of the mess it makes on the roads. It’s nice to look at while sitting by a fire.”

  Nick nodded. “True enough.”

  Chris jogged up the stairs to his room. Maybe he was approaching this Rachel thing all wrong. After all, there was no harm in being friends with her. He simply wouldn’t fall in love with her. No harm no foul as they say. But he already said he couldn’t do the movie, so he’d better call the church and let them know he would be there.

  He reached for his cell phone to call his contact at church. “Is this Ray?”

  “Yes.”

  Chris introduced himself. “I wanted you to know that I’m free to help at the banquet on Saturday.”

  “Thanks, but I wasn’t sure you’d be able to since you hadn’t gotten back to me, so I found someone else. Maybe next time.”

  “There’s nothing you need help with?”

  “Nada. Everyone really stepped up. Our church is very missions-oriented.”

  “Okay. Sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner. Take it easy.” He disconnected the call. He’d never heard of a church turning down a volunteer, but there was a first time for everything. Now what?

  His conscience ate at him. He paced to the window that looked onto the Sound and suddenly knew what he would do. Before he could talk himself out of it, he yanked open his bedroom door and trotted down the stairs.

  Jason’s voice rose loudly from the kitchen. It sounded like the kid was having a meltdown. Maybe now wasn’t such a good time. He hesitated at the bottom step. Then again he might be able to help with Jason. The boy liked him, and other than the mishap in the kitchen and subsequent trip to the hospital on Thanksgiving, they’d had a decent time together.

  He squared his shoulders and marched into the kitchen, once again ignoring the do-not-enter sign. “What’s this I hear?” He sought out Jason, who sprawled on the floor, with tears streaming down the sides of his face.

  “Mommy said we had to leave.”

  “Well, buddy. If that’s what your mom said, what are you doing lying on the floor?” He offered the boy a hand up, and to his relief Jason grasped it and stood. “Would
you like a ride on my shoulders to your car?”

  “Put your coat on, Jasie.” Rachel stepped forward with his jacket.

  The boy quickly complied then turned around so Chris could hoist him onto his shoulders. “Duck on the way out the door.”

  “I know. Come on, Mommy,” he said excitedly.

  Rachel slipped into her jacket and walked beside him. “What are you up to?”

  “Nothing. But as it turns out I’m free on Saturday after all. If the offer still stands, I’d like to join you and Jason for the movie Saturday.”

  “And the sleigh ride?”

  The excitement in Jason’s voice made him chuckle. “Yes, buddy. The sleigh ride too, but make sure you both bundle up.”

  “No kidding.” Rachel opened the passenger door on the driver’s side. “It’s really cold during the day, so I can only imagine how cold it will be after dark. So you really had plans?” She eyed him skeptically.

  “Tentative, but they fell through. I’m glad I caught the two of you before you left.”

  “It’s not like we live far.” She pointed to her house, which could barely be seen through a stand of trees.

  “True enough.” It was weird how she could see the B&B from her place, but the view from the B&B to her place wasn’t great. He swung Jason down.

  “That was fun. Thanks, Chris.” Jason hugged his leg, then climbed into the backseat.

  Chris’s heart melted a little. He was in big trouble when it came to Jason and his mom. Staying only friends would not be easy with the boy tugging at his heartstrings without even trying. At least Rachel seemed oblivious to the effect she and her son had on him. He prayed it stayed that way, and that his heart would behave as well.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Rachel sipped tea while curled up on the sofa in her living room. Jason finally napped in his bedroom. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, hoping it would relieve the tension in her shoulders.

  Jason had been crabby and difficult all day. It was days like today she hated being a single mom and missed living with her parents, even though the entire time she was there, she couldn’t wait to move out. It’s funny how the things you think you want the most, end up being the things you like the least. Being independent with absolutely no support system in place was difficult.