by Hebby Roman
When he saw her, his face fell. “Melody?” His eyes slid briefly toward to Faith. “What a surprise.”
“Did I forget to mention to you that Melody would be here?”
“Apparently, you did forget to mention that detail.”
Melody squirmed. “I hope I’m not intruding….”
“Of course, not!” Both siblings cried at once.
Faith hooked her arm through Leland’s elbow and smiled a fixed smile so large half her teeth showed. “We couldn’t be happier you’re here!”
Leland grimaced at Faith. “Say, where’s that husband of yours?”
“Seth is out manning the grill.”
“In winter?”
“A little thing like seasons or the weather isn’t going stop that man.” She started to sit down in a chair.
Leland hoisted her up by her elbow before she managed to take possession of the seat. “Well, you better go check on him, don’t you think?”
“Oh, he’ll be—” She met his eyes and a knowing look dawned on her face. “Why, yes. I should go and check on him. Come on kids. Uncle Leland’s going to put the lights on the tree so we can decorate it after dinner.”
Melody swayed back and forth, uncertain whether to follow Faith out of the room.
Leland’s eyes crinkled with a warmth that made her heart flutter. “The lights are a two-man job. Will you hold the spool for me while I string them around the tree?”
When he stood in front of her, so close she could see each individual stubble in his five o’clock shadow, with that hopeful look on his face, Melody felt a shiver of excitement run down her spine. She stepped forward to take the spool of lights out of his hands, and he took another step toward her, hand out as if they were going to dance. He studied her with his bottom lip caught in his teeth for what felt like an eternity, eyes searching into hers.
At last, she couldn’t take it any longer and broke the spell. “Did you get your tree up?”
“Yes, ma’am. I let it harden overnight on the porch like you suggested, and then I brought it inside the next afternoon.”
“Did you decorate it?”
He gave a sheepish grin. “I don’t own any decorations. Or lights.”
“Oh, but you must! Promise me.”
“All right. Although I think it looks fine as it is. Like a tree should. A natural beauty. Not needing any ornamentation. Smells good too.” He took in a breath through flared nostrils in a way that told Melody he wasn’t talking about a Christmas tree anymore.
When she took the lights from him, she tried to control the tremor she seemed to have developed in her hands. “I got both my trees up and decorated.”
He winked at her. “After you properly hardened them off.”
“Why, yes, I….” She trailed off, the heat rising in her cheeks. Was he teasing her about her obvious lie?
“So, here’s the plan. I’m going to start walking around the tree with the lights and you follow behind me unrolling the cord.” He looked at the top of the tree. “Looks like I need something to stand on to start with. Can you pass over that chair behind you?”
She scooched the pressed back oak chair over to him and watched as he stood up on it. She moved in close to him to admire the view. He spiraled the lights around the tree top and stepped down to the floor again, almost tripping on her.
“Excuse me!” he said, grabbing her upper arms to keep her from toppling over. They now stood face to face. She could feel his breath on her cheek.
Melody couldn’t meet his gaze, but looked down at the coil of lights in her hands and batted her lashes. “I hope...I hope you don’t mind that I honed in on your family get together. You looked surprised to see me.”
“Gosh, no! It’s nice to have you here. I was surprised, that’s all. I got off work late and didn’t have time to freshen up. If I’d known you were going to be here...well, I’d, you know.” He rubbed the stubble of five o’clock shadow on his face, which she thought looked just fine. “You look nice, by the way. Do you always dress according to the holidays?”
“Only for Christmas.” She fanned out her skirt.
“Very pretty. But, I am annoyed with my sister over this.” He began walking around the tree now and nodded to her to follow him.
Melody blinked hard. “I’m sorry to hear that. Why?”
“Because, I think she has designs on match-making. Have you noticed she’s cornered the market on mistletoe? It’s hard to find a kiss-free zone to stand in around here.” He waved one arm around and gave a soft laugh. He stopped walking and turned to face her, a smolder starting in his sapphire blue eyes.
She noticed for the first time that every door frame, every light fixture was dripping with mistletoe, including the hanging light over her head. “Now that you mention it….”
This time she was able to meet his gaze. He moved in closer and she tilted her face up and softened her mouth in anticipation. A warm tingling took over below her belly.
A thud on the floor near them caused them both to jump. “Uncle Leland! Mom told me to start bringing in the ornaments. Whew! That was heavy.” Caleb stood there, wiping his brow dramatically.
Leland laughed. “Okay, buster, let me help you with those.” He brushed her arm with his hand. “Excuse me, Melody.” With that he finished with the last of the lights and left the room with Caleb.
Melody stood still, her heart beating loudly in her ears, still feeling the warmth on her skin from his brief touch. So lost in thought was she, she didn’t even notice Faith had entered the room until she spoke.
“Wow! Doesn’t that look festive with the lights on! Hey, while we got a moment here, do you want to run outside? I want to show you something.”
“What is it?”
“Our very own one-horse open sleigh!”
* * *
Faith flicked a light switch and the interior of the barn lit up, revealing a series of stalls on one side. Two horses whickered in greeting. Melody headed for them and stroked the nearest one’s muzzle.
“That’s Leland’s horse. The other one belongs to Ma. Used to be a time when all the stalls were full. Times change.” Faith shook her head. “Anyway, come over here. This is what I wanted to show you.” With a flourish, Faith pulled a tarp off the object.
Melody gasped. “It’s beautiful!” She crossed the floor to examine the sleigh close up. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen one like it. Has it always been this shade of green? Sort of a mint green. And look at the ornate metal work.”
“Been that color as long as I knew it. It’s really a two horse sleigh, by the way. Leland’s been working hard to get it back in shape.”
Melody’s hand flew to her chest. Even the mention of his name gave her the flutters. Good, lord, had they really almost kissed back there?
The cold air trapped in the barn seeped beneath her hastily grabbed coat. Melody hugged herself but the cold didn’t dampen her delight. “When do you take it out?”
“Only at Christmas.”
“That’s a shame. Something this special is made to be enjoyed.” Her mind went back to Leland in the house. What was going on between them? Time to pull in those hormones and let caution take the reins. She planned to hold back more the rest of the evening and not put it all out there.
Faith shrugged. “Realistically, when else are you going to use it? It’s not like you’re going to pick up a gallon of milk at the grocery store in a horse drawn sleigh.”
A sudden inspiration took hold of Melody. “I know exactly how you can use this sleigh more often and—”
The sound of an engine starting up outside made them both look up. Wheels screeched out of the drive. They got to the open door in time to see Leland’s van roaring out onto the road. Melody’s heart sank.
Faith met her gaze. “Where in the world is he going in such a dang hurry. Come on.”
She threw the tarp back over the sleigh and they hurried out of the barn and across
the frozen yard to the house.
Alma was in the kitchen putting together a salad when they came in. She looked up a frown on her face. “Leland had an emergency call.”
“Should we wait to decorate the tree until he gets back?” asked Faith.
“He’s not going to be back. He said he’s sorry but to go ahead without him.”
“Ugh!” cried Faith. She grabbed Melody’s hand and pulled her out to the mudroom. “Give me your phone.”
“Why?”
“Just give it to me. I’m tired of this messing around….” She ripped the phone out of Melody’s hand and started punching away at it with her thumbs. “I’m going to be grey-haired by the time one of you makes a move.” She handed back the phone. “There!”
“What did you do?”
“I put Leland’s number in your phone. Look, he likes you. You appear to like him. You may have to call him.”
Melody hitched up her shoulders ready to protest.
Faith put up a hand. “He’s not lacking in motivation or incurably shy. It’s just that brother of mine will put everything and everybody before his own needs. He works too hard. Call him.”
Chapter Twelve
December 7
Leland maneuvered the large cow trying to pin him to the fence. His heart skipped a beat when his boot slipped on the ice, but he managed to gain purchase again and shoved the cow back enough that he was able to move comfortably, able to draw a blood sample. He stood back and patted the flank of the animal.
“There you go girl. Go on back to doing your cow-thing.” He put the vial of blood in his bag and nodded to the ranch-hand helping him hold 1,600 pounds of cow steady with a rope.
He’d just stepped out of the corral when the phone buzzed in his pocket. It wasn’t a number he recognized.
He knitted his brow. What now? “Leland Jennings.”
There was a pause as dead air filled his ear. He wondered if it was one of those annoying robocalls when…
“Hi, it’s me. Melody.”
He let himself collapse against the side of his truck. The woman who he couldn’t get off his mind, now talking to him. “Hi, how are you?”
“I’m fine but my cat is doing poorly.”
“Oh, well, you know, I only treat large animals. But, I can recommend a colleague—”
“Leland, I don’t own a cat.”
He smiled to himself at the tease in her voice. “I see. You don’t have to come up with imaginary pets with imaginary illnesses to talk to me.”
Her laughter tinkled in his ear. “I know. It’s just awkward.”
“Nothing to be awkward about. I was going to get your number and call you. That was next on my list. I’m sorry I had to run out like that last night.”
“You missed a ton of fun. Your mother has quite a collection of ornaments, and a tale to go with each and every one of them.”
“That she does! I’ve heard them all before. I hope you weren’t bored.”
“Not at all! You can tell a lot about a family by what they choose to put on their tree. Their whole history. I like your family.”
“They like you too. You fit right in.” He hit his forehead with the heel of his hand. What a thing to say! She’s going to think I’m already leading her down the aisle.
“So, what did you call me about?”
He looked upward, grinning so wide it hurt his cheeks. “You called me.”
“Yeah, but you just said you were going to call me, so I wondered what you were going to say?”
The grin widened even further, spreading across his face. “I hadn’t really thought it through. I’d guess my call would’ve involved trying to procure a date of some kind. But, it might’ve gone in a different direction. Maybe I’d ask you for more Christmas tree advice.”
“Hmmm, is that how you would have phrased it? ‘Trying to procure a date?’”
“No, I’d have used my special flowery language known to make the ladies swoon. You know, my good language.”
“That would be something to hear. I’d have said yes, by the way. Now, if you wanted advice about your Christmas tree, I’d say, decorate it, for heaven’s sake.”
“That’s the advice about the tree taken care of, so it seems the only thing left to discuss is a date.” He shoved his free hand deep in his pocket.
She sighed dramatically. “Oh, all right. What do you want to do?’
“How about I take you out to dinner tomorrow night?”
“I happen to be free. What time?”
“I thought I’d fit in Christmas shopping after work, which I do poorly but quickly, so I should be done and ready by seven. Is that good?”
“I was going to do some shopping tomorrow too. How about we meet someplace in town?”
“Hey, I have a thought. I don’t want to impose, but what if we combined forces and did a bit of shopping together and then have dinner? Before you say no, consider I’m a known bad-gift giver. I could probably use help.”
“A bad gift-giver, huh? I’ll have to remember that about you. I would love to help steer you in the right direction and join you.”
Long after they hung up, he played her words back, luxuriating in the soft tinkle of her voice as he studied the sky above him, the blueish gray color hinting at snow to come. He became aware how tense he’d been as he struggled to sound like they were having a normal conversation when all the while the excitement coursed through his body. He let out a deep breath now and felt the blood in his body drain down to his toes. I really like you, Melody Evans.
Chapter Thirteen
December 8
His hand on the small of her back as he led her off the boardwalk into the shop felt just right. Melody glowed with an inner warmth. She took off her gloves and touched the tip of her nose which felt ice cold. They maneuvered through the door with their shopping bags.
“I only have to get something for Faith then I’m done,” Leland said. “She’s a hard one because she actually cares what I get her, and I have no idea.”
“What did you get her last year?”
“A space heater.”
She punched his arm. “Oh, you! Such a tease. What did you really get her?”
“No, really, I got her a space heater. You can see why I need help.”
“Well, I don’t know Faith that well, but I’d say a busy mother of two young children, I bet she’d like something pretty and frivolous. Something just for her. Not Faith the mother or Faith the wife. Something fun!”
Leland frowned in concentration as he scanned the contents of the shop. His face lit up. “Look! Christmas capes! Now that’s fun and frivolous. I bet she’d like that. She could wear it to church on Christmas day.”
Melody took one look at the display he pointed to and burst out laughing.
“What’s so funny? I think they’re cute.” He pulled one off the rack.
She doubled over with laughter, barely able to speak through the laughter. “Leland. Those are Christmas tree skirts!”
“What, you mean those things you put under the tree to put the presents on? No, it’s not. Look.” He dropped his packages and put the red tree skirt with felt snowflakes and candy canes around his shoulders. “It looks like something you’d wear. And by something you’d wear, I do mean you specifically.”
She roared with laughter, her stomach aching. “It’s not a cape, oh, lord….” Tears rolled down her cheeks.
His eyes crinkled with mischief. “I know what it is. I’m just teasing you. But, what about these leggings.” He held up a couple of embroidered Christmas stockings.
She was laughing so hard; she couldn’t catch her breath.
Then it happened. He opened his arms at the same moment she moved toward him with her arms out. They locked in an embrace in the middle of the shop, everyone watching them. She felt such a sense of oneness, she was stunned for a moment. Every other thing surrounding them faded out as his essence took on a magnifie
d quality: His musky scent under citrusy aftershave, the feel of his warm body as it fit into hers, the sound of his heartbeat against her ear, and when she arched her neck to look up, the scar on his chin. It was a tiny scar, shaped like a comma, pink against the dark whiskers shadowing the cleft of his chin.
He looked down with those amazing sapphire blue eyes searching hers as if he was looking for the answer to a question.
Kiss me, Leland. Kiss me.
Just when she wondered if they’d be standing, facing each other for eternity and locked in a kiss-less embrace, his chest rocked with renewed laughter against hers. She took a deep breath, filling her lungs, realizing she’d been holding her breath.
“I bet if I gave Faith the tree skirt and told her it was a cape, she’d wear it around just to be polite. It might be worth it. Come to think of it, I need a tree skirt. I don’t think this one is really me though. What do you think?”
He still had the item draped over his shoulders. She fingered the jingle bells running around the edge. “You’re right. Let’s find you something more manly.”
After one quick squeeze of her arms, he stood back, looking away from her, blinking rapidly. She smoothed down the lapel on her coat and took a step back.
“I still have to find something for Faith. Maybe one of those scarves. Do you think she’d like that? Maybe that and a pair of leather gloves. People are always losing gloves.”
“I think she’d like that. Want me to pick out the scarf for you?”
“That would be great. Then let’s go find someplace to eat. Want to know what I discovered today?”
“What?”
“Christmas shopping can be fun. Thank you for helping me out today.” He nodded and set off to another section of the shop.
Her legs moved of their own accord as she crossed the floor, accompanied by a buzzing in her ears. Melody made her way to the scarf display and leaned against the table to steady herself.
What’s come over me?
Chapter Fourteen
He studied her hands as she carefully separated the pasta on her plate with her fork into two portions. He liked the pale pink polish on her nails, each one a perfect oval shape. As she concentrated on sliding half the noodles onto his plate, she sucked in her lower lip.