by Moody, Diane
“Hannah, I simply won’t take no for an answer. I’ll go wait in my car out front. You close up, do whatever you have to do, then come on out when you’re ready. We have lots of time. We can even stop by your place if you’d like to change or freshen up.” She rounded the end of the counter and gently looped her arm through Hannah’s. Her eyes were warm and sincere. “Please say you’ll come.”
In such close proximity, Hannah caught a familiar scent. It was the same cologne her mother always wore. That was all it took. Suddenly the fatigue and stress overwhelmed her. The thought of going home to her lonely apartment for what was left of Christmas Eve depressed her even more. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but yes—yes I’d love to come.”
“Wonderful! Now just take your time, and I’ll go pull my car right up by the front door. Oh, this is going to be just perfect!”
“Are you sure we have time to run by my apartment?”
“Absolutely. I’ll follow you, then wait in my car until you’re ready. No problem.”
Hannah couldn’t help smiling. As she pulled out her keys to lock up, a thought crossed her mind. “Wait! I don’t even know your name!
“Just call me Laura. We’ll make all the introductions later. Now go!”
The church engulfed Hannah in a wave of sentiment that overpowered her. Soft candlelight danced across garlands of pine and ribbons of deepest crimson. An endless sea of poinsettias covered the bank of stairs leading up to the platform at the front of the sanctuary, a brilliant contrast to the ivory robes of the choir members now filling the loft. The crowded auditorium fell silent as the choir sang with hushed anticipation.
O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Shall come to Thee, O Israel
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Shall come to Thee, O Israel.
Hannah closed her eyes, breathing in the peacefulness. A slight nudge on her arm interrupted her thoughts. Sneaking a sideways peek at Laura, she looked into what must surely be the kindest face on earth . . . eyes sparkling, reflecting the warm glow of candlelight, her brows raised high in childlike pleasure. She patted Hannah’s knee.
“I’m so glad you came,” she whispered. “We’re going to have such a good time.”
“Shh!” Laura’s husband pretended to scold them, making a valiant effort to act stern.
Frank had joined them at the church only moments before, arriving late from his own last-minute shopping. He put Hannah at ease immediately with a warm hug and genuine smile. She found his dashing good looks of no surprise—she would have easily paired him with Laura. His premature but striking white hair, cut short along with his neatly trimmed beard, offered a fatherly appearance that put her at ease the moment they met. Now, after his feigned attempt at the reprimand, he winked then looked back toward the front of the church.
The rest of the service melted into Hannah’s memory. It ended all too soon as candles were passed to everyone while the entire congregation and choir sang Silent Night a cappella.
“Where is that son of ours?” Frank asked, as he escorted Laura and Hannah back to their car. “I was hoping he’d show up in time for at least part of the service.”
Laura chuckled. “He’ll be here. He’s probably already home and raiding our dinner as we speak.” Laura chuckled.
Hannah felt her heart flutter, still apprehensive about spending the evening in the home of these strangers. No, they weren’t strangers. They were far too friendly for that. Still, it was Christmas Eve, and she wasn’t at all sure about meeting their son.
“Hannah, you’ll just love Jason,” Laura began. “But I have to warn you—he can be a heartbreaker.”
Hannah felt the flutter twist into a strangling knot. “Heartbreaker?”
“Oh, you know what I mean. He’s got his daddy’s charm—”
“—and his mother’s smile,” Frank finished. “But I’ll keep an eye on him for you, Hannah. Don’t worry. One wrong move and I’ll—”
“Oh, right, Frank,” Laura chided. “You never laid a hand on him his entire life. He never got a whoopin’ unless I gave it to him, thank you very much. But of course, that’s why he worships the ground I walk on.” A mischievous grin mimicked her playful eyes.
“That he does, I must admit.” Frank stepped between them as they walked across the parking lot. He draped his arm across his wife’s shoulders, then looped his other arm through Hannah’s. “But stop boring our friend here with all this chatter. Hannah? You just come on home with us and relax, all right?”
She hoped her face didn’t mirror the uncertainty she felt, despite the lopsided grin she managed to fake. The sound of her accompanying laugh was lame even in her own ears.
What in the world have I gotten myself into?
Chapter 2
She wasn’t prepared for this. There was no way she could have prepared for this.
Laura’s car slowed as her husband’s shiny black Jaguar preceded them at an enormous security gate which opened regally before them. The long driveway stretched ahead under a canopy of barren winter branches covered with tiny white lights.
“Oh my . . .” Who are these people? Something flitted through her mind but she couldn’t put her finger on it. Like a thought just out of reach, it teased her with uncertainty. She chose to ignore it and instead, drink in the warm hospitality of her new friends.
“Oh now, don’t get too impressed,” Laura responded. “After all, it’s just wood and brick and mortar like any other house. And we’re just ordinary people like everyone else. This house was a gift to us, if you can believe it. And, well frankly, how in the world would you turn down a gift like that?”
“A gift?” She couldn’t help but laugh. “I feel like Little Orphan Annie going to Daddy Warbucks’ house for the first time. It’s like a dream or something. I’m beginning to think I must have scanned one too many turkeys on that register tonight.”
Whoa. As the house came into full view, she felt her jaw drop as she stared at the most magnificent home she’d ever seen. Decked for the holidays with thousands more of the miniature white lights, it seemed to stretch on forever. “It’s so beautiful.”
“Well thank you! I absolutely love Christmas, Hannah, and this house is so easy to dress up. I’ll take you on a tour once we get inside. Since the minute I saw the architect’s plans, I’ve felt like a kid in a candy store. Do you ever feel that way? Like you just want to pop, you’re having such a good time?”
“You mean like now?”
Laura laughed, her head falling back against the headrest. While Frank pulled around to the four-car garage, Laura parked her Lexus in the circular front drive. Heading toward the elegant front porch entry, she wrapped her arm around Hannah’s waist. “I’m so happy you decided to join us. I want you to just relax and make yourself at home. Okay?”
Hannah smiled in return. She couldn’t even think how to respond. Laura pulled off her glove to punch numbers on a pad, disengaging the security system, then threw open the front door. Hannah’s eyes opened wide to take it all in.
“First things first,” Laura offered, taking Hannah’s coat. “Why don’t you go have a seat in the family room here, and I’ll get us something to drink.”
Entranced by the festive surroundings, Hannah descended three wide steps into the oversized living area. The dying embers of a fire glowed from a huge stone fireplace, the focal point of a room filled with comfortable sofas and overstuffed chairs. In the corner stood a massive Christmas tree, loaded with ornaments and tinsel, bows and lights, the star on its highest branch almost touching the two-story beamed ceiling above. She breathed in the fresh pine scent as Laura lit several candles around the room, chattering about her fondness for all things Christmas.
Frank strolled into the room, his purpose clearly evident as he added more logs onto the fire, then s
toked it into a hearty blaze. “There, that’s more like it.” He turned his attention to the elaborate music system, pressing a couple of buttons. The room filled with an orchestral version of I’ll Be Home for Christmas. He tossed a wink toward her as he turned for the kitchen. “Now, what can I get you, Hannah? Coke? Coffee? Perrier? Eggnog?”
Eggnog? No eggnog! “Um, Perrier would be perfect. Thank you.”
“No problem. Sweetheart? How about you?” he asked, stealing a kiss on his wife’s cheek as she clicked off the portable lighter.
Looking around the room to make sure she’d lit all her candles, she followed him into the kitchen. “I think I’ll wait and have a cup of coffee. It’s all ready to brew if you’ll just flip the switch on the coffeemaker.”
“One Perrier, one coffee, coming up.”
Hannah looked around the room as she slowly lowered herself onto one of the sofas, finally giving in to the fatigue tugging at her. She missed her family. She missed Kylie. Her best friend would be so proud of her for being so . . . spontaneous. Kylie never met a stranger and never missed an opportunity for a new adventure. She’d always been the wilder one, often grabbing Hannah’s hand and dragging her into crazy situations. Hannah made a mental note to try to call her when she got home and tell her about these people and their outrageously gorgeous home. Maybe someday, she could introduce Kylie to Laura and Frank.
Laura quietly slipped back into the room, a Christmas apron now wrapped around her. She set a plate of cheese and crackers on the coffee table, grabbing a bite as she turned to leave. “Now, don’t by shy, Hannah. Help yourself. It’ll be a few more minutes until I have everything on the table. You must be starving.”
“Now that you mention it, I guess I am. Thank you.” She reached for a cracker, then stopped. “Laura? I don’t know what to say. Meeting you, then meeting Frank, then that wonderful church service . . . and now all this . . . well, it feels a little like heaven right now. I’ve been so buried with finals and working so many hours . . . and now all of a sudden that’s all behind me and I’m here and—”
“And we’re thrilled to have you,” Laura answered, sitting on the arm of the sofa. “I’m awfully sentimental when it comes to holidays, and I meant it when I said no one should be alone for Christmas. We’re used to having a houseful around here, so you’re doing us a favor just by being here. Now, go on and kick off your shoes, if you’d like. Put your feet up, sweetie. We want you to feel perfectly at home while you’re—”
“MOM!”
Laura halted, her face lighting up like the twenty-foot tree in the corner. “He’s home!”
“Mom! Dad? I’ve got someone I want you to meet!”
The previous vision swept through Hannah’s mind. The son. The bimbo. The snide remark about Mom picking up another stray . . . Panic sucked the breath out of her. She dropped her head into her hands, moaning out loud. Oh no, God, please don’t let this happen. Just let the floor open up and swallow me before—
Suddenly, something furry and frantic and wiggling out of control accosted her. Hot breath panting anxiously against her nose then over to her ear sent a cruel shiver up her back just before a wet, slobbering tongue lathered the side of her face.
“What in the—”
“Baby! Come here! Down, girl!”
“Jason! What on earth is going on?” Laura’s voice sliced through the pandemonium.
Hannah’s arms shielded her face from the ongoing bath. Every time she tried to look out at the face behind the voice, she was met with a ridiculous black snout and pink tongue that seemed intent on licking her from one ear to the other.
“Baby! Now stop it! Bad girl!” But the commands got lost in the infectious laughter of Frank and Laura’s son. “Mom, this is Baby. She was a gift from some girl I met in Montana, and I fell in love with her the minute I laid eyes on her. Well, I mean Baby—not the girl, of course.” He dissolved in laughter at his own joke.
“But Jason, make her stop!” Laura scolded. “For heaven’s sake, can’t you make her mind?”
“BABY!”
The puppy seemed to snap to attention, going stiff on her lap. Suddenly, it was lifted away from her. Hannah attempted to untangle her hair from her face as she came up for air. Goose bumps raised on her skin as she rubbed her face, attempting to wipe away the doggy germs.
“Whoa—Mom!” The laughter beginning to subside. “Aren’t you going to introduce me? Who is this?”
“Yes, but first give me a hug, you big lug. It’s about time you got home!” Laura teased.
“Nice entrance, hotshot,” Frank bellowed. “Give your old man a hug while you’re at it.”
Hannah could hear the three of them as they shared a welcome-home embrace. Oh great, and now I’m intruding on a Norman Rockwell moment. She avoided looking at them, postponing the inevitable introduction as long as possible. Shaking off the last remnant of a shiver, she focused on wiping the dog hair off her slacks and tried to make herself presentable.
Laura made the introduction. “Hannah, I want you to meet our son, Jason. Jason, honey, this is Hannah—well, good grief. I never did ask you for your last name!”
Hannah started to say her name when she finally looked up, her eyes locking onto his face—a face so familiar she froze. She knew that face—the bridge of his nose, the sandy brows, the shaggy blond hair, the famous green eyes, the tiny smile lines edging them. She felt the heat crawling up her neck as she tried to answer. “Juh . . .”
His eyebrows arched. Just like his mother’s only moments ago. His eyes danced, just as Laura’s had danced. Those eyes I once adored such a long time ago . . .
In a millisecond she was swept back in time.
She was sixteen in a huge arena filled with thousands of screaming fans. The stage exploded in pyrotechnic wonders, backlighting the five singers as they finished their final encore. Out of the Blue, the hottest singing group to crash the music culture, was on its latest world tour. Their ground-breaking stage performances had energized sold-out crowds around the world for over ten years. Whether seated on stools singing ballads in perfect five-part harmony or spread across the stage like wild men tearing through one hit after another, Blue always delivered. Thrilling young and old alike, they consistently offered a diverse range of musical styles, catapulting them to the top of the charts year after year.
On that night so long ago, Hannah saw her idols live in concert for the first time—a moment she would never forget as long as she lived. She had edged her way closer to the stage desperately hoping to get a closer look at Jason, Gevin, JT, Jackson, and Sergio before they disappeared from sight. Earlier she’d worried that her white down jacket made her look like the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man. Now, lost in a sea of hysterical fans, she was glad she’d worn it. Because even as she waved eagerly at lead singer Jason McKenzie praying to get his attention, her jacket must have caught his eye. He pointed straight at her, his face breaking into that huge, to-die-for smile as he waved back at her. His hands slid back over his heart in a gallant gesture of genuine star-to-fan appreciation. She waved back, forever changed.
Jason McKenzie knows I’m alive!
Then, just as quickly, the memory vanished. Six years had passed since that night. And even though she’d lost track of her favorite singers as the demands of college and work dominated her life, now it all made sense. The pieces of the puzzle fell into place in a frenzied blur.
Laura and Frank. THE Laura and Frank McKenzie, parents of her childhood idol, Jason McKenzie. How could she have missed the connection? The palatial estate. Even the peanut M&M’s—every devoted Blue fan knew it was Jason’s favorite candy.
Now, here she was—in the home of Jason McKenzie and his parents as their personal guest on Christmas Eve.
With a face washed in dog slobber.
Chapter 3
Jason watched her struggle. Her mouth worked the letters but failed. He took in the sparkle of her eyes and didn’t miss—what was it?—innocence? Something fresh and since
re in those soft hazel eyes. She tucked a strand of her silky brown hair behind her ear as a shy smile tugged at her mouth. Tiny dimples accented a face he found altogether enchanting. Yes, that’s what she is—enchanting. He’d heard the term used in a movie he watched on the tour bus just last week. Now he knew exactly what it meant. He noticed the navy wool slacks and the cream turtleneck sweater that draped her slim figure perfectly. He didn’t miss the highlights in her hair, like fine strands of gold reflecting the candlelight around them.
She tried again. “Ja . . .”
“Your last name is James? Jacobs? Gentry?” he asked, scratching his head.
She fell back onto the sofa. “Ja . . .”
This was too much fun. The long road trip had exhausted him, but the quest of this mystery girl in their home somehow reenergized him. He handed the squirming puppy to his mother. “Mom, this is Baby. Pretend she’s your granddaughter and get acquainted.”
“Oh Jason, why on earth you decided to bring home a puppy I will never know,” she grumbled with just a hint of humor on the edge.
He sat down beside their guest, draping a brotherly arm around her shoulder in a gesture he hoped would relax her. “Look—Hannah, is it?” She nodded, her eyes glued to his. “This happens all the time. No big deal. It still embarrasses me but—”
“Embarrasses you?” she croaked.
“Progress! She speaks!”
“I can’t . . . I mean . . . but you’re . . .” Hannah gasped. “Oh, this is just too embarrassing. I . . . I’m so sorry. Of course I know who you are. You must think I’m like one of your groupies—” she stopped, realizing what she’d said. “No, no I didn’t mean that. I’m sorry! I mean, your fans. Of course. Fans. Groupies are just so lame. Silly, really, don’t you think?”
Her nervous laughter cracked him up, along with that face turning deeper shades of red. She closed her eyes, raising her hands in surrender and shaking her head in obvious, utter embarrassment. He pressed his lips together trying not to laugh.