In Love by Christmas

by Cari Lynn Webb

  “Sounds like more fortune-cookie references.” A low roll of humor swiveled around his words. But the admiration—that was there in his steady gaze.

  Her own smile spread through her, unrestrained. “Fortune cookies sound more like this—‘The lazy only ever accomplish one thing—nothing.’”

  “So, Josie Beck is dedicated and hardworking.” He reached up and tucked a curl behind her ear. “Anything else?”

  Her pulse accelerated, tripped her heart into the express lane. Josie focused on the wall clock, seeking something stable to regain her balance. She read the time and latched onto the detour. “I’m late for an appointment.”

  And much too late to start listening to her heart.

  Josie picked up her travel sewing bag and purse. Lights turned off, she stepped outside. Theo waited within confessing distance. She locked the door and bolted down her daydreamer of a heart.

  “Where’s your appointment?” he asked.

  “Penny’s Place.” Josie searched the street and frowned. No cabs waited in either direction. If she hadn’t been sidetracked by Theo, she’d have already ordered a ride on her phone app.

  “I can drive you,” he offered.

  “That’s kind, but not necessary.” Josie walked to the street corner. Surely she could find a cab. And a taxi driver who couldn’t see inside her. One who couldn’t reveal the painful things she wanted to hide.

  “My sister believes I owe you an apology for the other day at our offices,” he said.

  Josie turned toward him. “What do you believe?”

  “That I was merely expressing my opinion about my grandmother’s old dress.” He shrugged. “However unpopular it was.”

  Josie waited.

  Theo’s shoulders lowered and he added, “Apparently I should’ve used different wording.”

  Josie studied him. “What would you have said instead?”

  “I would have said, ‘I prefer my sister never finds my grandmother’s wedding dress.’”

  She shook her head. She’d been right. Theo wouldn’t understand Adriana’s connection to their grandmother’s gown. Such a shame. But it wasn’t Josie’s job to educate him. “You must not have liked your grandmother very much.”

  He stepped closer to her, blocking her view of the street. “I loved my grandmother. She passed when I was young, and I still miss her every single day.”

  Josie’s mouth dropped open. Sincerity echoed in his voice. There was pain, too—in his gaze and tense jaw—and that confused Josie. Theo Taylor was a complicated man—one she’d like to figure out. Mimi had taught Josie to sew and had introduced her to puzzles. Who knew that hobby would get her in trouble one day? “Why not celebrate your grandmother’s memory then?”

  “My sister’s wedding is the start of her new life. She should begin her journey unhampered by the past,” he said. “It’s the foundation for good memories to be built on.”

  How was Josie supposed to argue with that? She’d believed the same thing with her marriage, but it all proved to be false. Not that Adriana’s marriage would end like hers. It was clear why Josie wanted to avoid her past. But why did Theo?

  Yet she couldn’t start to like Theo, to connect with him—that would only make Sunday all the worse if she didn’t measure up. She stepped around him and her curiosity, then pointed. “Oh, look. There’s an available cab.”

  “My car is right across the street.” Theo hit the unlock button on his key fob. The brake lights on a four-door sedan flashed and the interior lights lit up the inside. “And besides, this ride is free.”

  Josie crossed the street next to Theo, wondering how much this one free ride would cost her.

  CHAPTER NINE

  “YOU DON’T NEED to walk me to the entrance.” Josie held onto the passenger door of Theo’s car as if she intended to use it to block him.

  Theo parked in the private alley behind Penny’s Place. The three-story house was a mismatch of styles, additions having been completed and redesigned in each new decade. Even the detached garage hadn’t been spared from the architectural chaos—it was now shrouded in contractor’s netting and caution tape, and looked to be undergoing another transformation.

  “It’s the polite thing to do.” Theo cut the engine, opened his door and gestured at the backseat. “Do you want me to get your bag?”

  Josie scrambled out of the car and grabbed her sewing bag like a doctor running to a medical emergency. “I’m sure you have things you need to be doing.”

  He was sure he did, too. Only right now, the thing he wanted to do was stay beside Josie. He couldn’t quite figure her out. He wanted to know for certain who she was before talking to her about the opportunity to be featured on TV. “This is my chance to see inside Penny’s Place and learn how the house works. Perhaps meet some of the residents and learn their stories.”

  Josie rushed along the gravel walkway leading to the front of the house. “Any reason you want to do that now?”

  You. Theo lengthened his stride and opened the black iron gate for her. He spent his days surrounded by contracts, spreadsheets and employees paid to follow his instructions and his vision, down to the very last detail. Josie had her own vision—one he wanted to see through her eyes. Then maybe he’d understand her, even if he didn’t agree with her.

  Warm light glowed from the twin porch sconces, layering a soft welcome across the etched-glass front door. A thick door swung open to reveal an even more welcoming petite woman with her arms spread wide as if to embrace the world. There was resilience in her dimples that hadn’t surrendered to time. And her sweet gaze only reflected acceptance. Theo had been fortunate to meet Penny Joyce at several charity events over the years and every time he encountered Penny, he liked her even more.

  The security cameras above the entryway were only a portion of the system he’d paid to have installed around the perimeter of the house. Given Penny’s quick response to their arrival, he knew she was using the system.

  Penny enclosed Josie’s hand between hers. “Could it be that you’ve finally brought a date to introduce to me?”

  Finally? How long had Penny been waiting for this occasion? Josie was single. He liked that, but wanted to know why she wasn’t dating. And what it might take to change her mind. If he was interested in changing her mind, which he wasn’t. After all, distractions like Josie Beck weren’t good for business. And Theo lived for his business.

  “Theo drove me here. That’s all.” Josie pulled her hand free and waved at Theo as if shooing him away.

  “Then I escorted you to the door,” Theo added. Josie’s frown deepened and made his smile go wider. He nudged Josie aside enough to lean down and hug Penny.

  Penny squeezed him and held on. “Theo, it’s wonderful to finally welcome you here.”

  Josie stared at him. “You’ve been invited before?”

  Theo shrugged.

  “More than a dozen times, at least. Always claimed a lack of time was keeping him away.” Penny adjusted Theo’s collar and patted his arm. “I’ve been wanting to show Theo how his support has improved the house.”

  “Then I’ll leave you to the tour.” Josie stepped into the wide entryway and glanced from the curved staircase to the hallway as if plotting her quickest escape route. From him. She said, “I’m trying to catch Shanna for a few measurements. She told me that she’d be here between work shifts.”

  “Though Shanna moved out over a month ago, she still spends most of her free time here. Right now, she’s in the kitchen, teaching Tansy how to bake peppermint brownies.” Penny shut the door and linked her arm with Theo’s. “Just follow the scent.”

  “It smells divine.” Josie turned left and headed through the dining room.

  Penny shook her head. “That dear girl needs to sit down, put her feet up and enjoy life.”

  Did Josie enjoy her life? No doubt a pr
ofitable business plan for her boutique would make her life more enjoyable. Would Josie agree?

  “When was the last time you put your feet up, Penny?” Theo walked beside Penny down a long hallway. The deep scuffs and scratches in the hardwood floors were reminders that life wasn’t always gentle or kind, yet the resilient survived. And with the support of Penny and her home, they learned to thrive.

  “My feet are just fine. Haven’t worn holes in my socks yet.” Penny pointed at her shearling-lined boots. “Besides, what kind of example would I be to these women if I sat around all day?”

  “If you won’t sit during the day, perhaps in the evening when no one is watching,” Theo suggested.

  “Someone is always watching. Even if it’s just the world passing by outside our windows.” Penny leaned into Theo, not as if she required support, but as if to encourage him.

  He rarely rested. Rarely sat to watch the world pass by. He preferred to be out in front.

  Penny continued, “I tell the residents here that they can’t learn to live with their feet propped up. Have to touch the ground to take even the smallest step.”

  “Good thing my feet are always on the ground.” That was the only way to stay in the lead. The only way to capture success. Success was all that mattered.

  Penny looked up at him, concern on her face. “But are you living, Theo?”

  He paused and his gaze landed on the framed paintings lining the hallway. Watercolors, fruit bowls, abstracts, animals. Every different skill level was represented. Every possible paint color and color combination illustrated. A collision of personalities and styles, yet Theo recognized the story. Felt the connection. Understood the hope in the tears of the weeping woman. The fear in the dark gaze of the tiger. The sadness in the bruised apple outside the fruit bowl. The women in Penny’s Place lived. Could Theo say the same? “I like to think so.”

  He had no personal dream. Surely that wasn’t a requirement for living. Yet when he’d stood inside Josie’s boutique, her blue eyes inviting, her face fragile and honest, she could’ve been his dream.

  “Working all the time isn’t living.” Penny squeezed his arm as she scolded him.

  But there was nothing productive about dwelling in emotions—feelings only interfered. Weakened a person. “You work every day, Penny, from what I hear.”

  “This house. These women.” Penny drew a deep breath and straightened one of the paintings, her fingers lingering on the frame as if she touched the painter’s cheek instead. “This isn’t work. Never that. This is my passion. The way I make a difference in my corner of the world. This is my calling.”

  Theo had been called. Called by his father after his college graduation to take over the family business. Despite the job offers from international companies answering Theo’s dream to explore the world. As for passion, what did he know about that? Other than earning a profit was what fueled him. “Few people have that.”

  “I’m blessed,” Penny said. “Josie has passion, too.”

  But it took more than desire to build a profitable business. It took dedication and hard decisions. Sacrifice. It took withstanding accusations of being emotionally unavailable, indifferent, cold. It required detachment. Josie had warmth. Too much empathy. “She’s talented.”

  Penny stopped in an open archway and met Theo’s gaze. “You don’t know what she’s done here, do you?”

  “I know she’s designing a wedding gown for Shanna.” For free. Despite the negative impact to her bottom line. Ignoring the bottom line ruined businesses, bankrupted owners.

  “That’s one dress among many.” Penny tapped her fingers, counting off Josie’s accomplishments. “Josie also tailors, hems and creates clothes for all the women in the house. Clothes for job interviews, for first days at work. For anything the women need.”

  “How long has she been doing that?” No wonder the exterior of her shop was worn down and the interior dated. She’d invested in her charity work, not her business. He wanted to fault her. Wanted to save her.

  “She started soon after she was married.” Penny stepped into a room and flipped on the light switch.

  Theo stood in the hallway and blinked, letting his eyes adjust and thoughts clear. Josie had mentioned that her ex-husband and she had different styles. But she’d meant that her design style wasn’t worthy of boardrooms and partner lunches.

  “After the divorce, Josie never stopped.” Penny walked farther into the large space and turned on more overhead lights. “Despite working two jobs and saving to open the boutique.”

  Josie was certainly dedicated. He had to give her that much.

  “Everyone here adores her,” Penny admitted. “I think the feeling is mutual. She’s like another mother to them—protective and nurturing.”

  All the things he’d wanted his mother to be. Theo blinked again. Considered shielding his eyes, but it wasn’t the glare of the overheads that startled him. Josie never had a mother of her own to guide her. Still she was kindhearted. Compassionate.

  “You’re a sly one, Theo. The quiet, attentive type who a woman can spill her secrets to.” Penny shook her finger at him. “But this lady has rambled on enough. You’ll get nothing more from me.”

  “Are you sure?” Theo persisted.

  “Quite.” Penny pulled two French doors closed, blocking the evening air from coming inside.

  “What if I wanted to help Josie?” Theo asked.

  “I don’t recall asking for help.” Josie stood behind Theo, a measuring tape around her neck, suspicion in her cool, direct gaze.

  Pride pulled her shoulders back. And Theo knew—Josie would never ask for help. In fact, she’d probably resent his help—claim that he only felt sorry for her. “What if you needed it?”

  “I run a decent business that I love. I solve my own problems. I may not earn the same money or run in the same lucrative circles as you, but I’m not weak and defenseless. Don’t think you can treat me like that.”

  Theo held up his hands and backed away. Yet he really wanted to pull her into his arms and reassure her that he didn’t think of her like that. “Accepting help doesn’t make you weak.”

  She adjusted her sewing bag in front of her, deflecting his words and returning his judgment. “Have you ever asked anyone for help?”

  No one. He’d been relying on himself since his school days. This wasn’t about him. He had a very good plan for her boutique. She needed him. He just had to prove it to her. “I could help you with your business.”

  “I’m not asking,” she repeated.

  Her blue eyes were fixed on him, fiercely unwavering, just as they’d been earlier when he was at her shop. He held up his hands. “I guess I’m not offering.”

  “You might not be asking, dear, but I certainly am.” Penny patted an outdated desktop computer on an oak desk in the far corner. The behemoth desk looked sturdy enough to survive any natural disaster or the wrath of a woman determined to make it on her own. “Theo, I need to get these details posted on our website before our art class. It starts in an hour. Can you help me?”

  “When did you start teaching art, Penny?” Why didn’t he know about this?

  Josie stepped around Theo in a wide arc and set her sewing bag on the first of several folding tables.

  “I haven’t.” Penny grimaced. “Iris went to Florida to paint and redecorate her parents’ new home in time for the holidays. They’ve retired down there.”

  “Iris Quinn teaches art to the residents.” Josie pointed at the collection of framed paintings covering one wall. Her tone was pleasant, but her irritation at him still churned in her blue eyes.

  She hadn’t forgiven him quite yet. But he could be patient when required. He’d respect her boundaries and wait her out.

  Josie continued, “Iris teaches everything from painting to ceramics to jewelry making.”

  “And anythin
g else she considers art.” Penny laughed, but then interrupted her cheer with a firm slap against the ancient computer monitor.

  Theo dropped into the chair behind the desk. He wasn’t as tech-savvy as his IT team at Coast to Coast. Fortunately, his same IT team had taught him a few things over the years. Because he’d asked to learn. He’d asked for help. Josie was wrong about him. He could ask for help when he wanted to.

  An hour later, the computer refused to boot past its blank screen and blinking cursor. Theo made a note on his phone app to order Penny a new computer setup and have her DSL service updated.

  Meanwhile, Josie guided a group of four women in a basic sewing lesson. The women wanted to surprise Shanna with wedding favors on her big day. Josie explained how to create and decorate the lavender-filled sachets for Shanna’s wedding. She’d given the women scrap pieces of fabric to learn on, then promised to bring the real materials the following day. The lavender filling was added to Penny’s to-do list after she claimed to know the perfect place to find it.

  Laughter and several ouches from needle pricks in the finger infused Josie’s hands-on lesson. Along with her encouragement and praise—that never stopped. Contentment curled through Theo. He rose, rapped his shin on the hardwood desk and paced toward the French doors, breaking his connection with the moment. Severing his awareness of Josie. Whatever he felt was completely wrong. Contentment had never been his calling. Or his objective. He knew better than to fall into contentment’s trap.

  Finally, the details of the surprise endeavor were worked out and Josie concluded the practice lesson. The women headed to the kitchen to sample Tansy’s brownies. Theo and Josie returned to his car.

  Josie buckled her seat belt. “Could you take me to the Silver Monarch Hotel?”

  “You’re not going home?”

  “Not yet.” She settled into the seat and glanced out her window as if watching the traffic. Except there wasn’t any traffic, cars or pedestrians on the quiet street.

  “Meeting a date in the hotel bar?” he teased and pulled out of the parking space.