Smitten Book Club

by Colleen Coble

  “Sounds great.”

  He looked at her a moment. Then he took off his glove and brushed the hair away from her eyes. Their eyes met; he said nothing. But his gaze went so deep, she began to feel uncomfortable. She shifted. He blinked.

  “Um, I’ll be right back.”

  Lia watched him go, wondering what that was all about.

  Joey put his glove back on and headed for the concession stand. He pounded his fist into his other palm. Doggone his brother, putting thoughts in his head about Elliana. He couldn’t think like that. It would change their friendship and ruin everything.

  Spending time with her deepened their friendship, but it scared him that something more was brewing in his heart. Could Sam and Suzie be right . . . did Elliana have feelings for him? He shook off the notion. She would have said something, shown him in some way. He wasn’t that stupid.

  Was he?

  By the time he got back with two steaming cups of cocoa, he had calmed down and put the matter to rest. Elliana was his friend, and that was the way he wanted to keep things.

  “Here you are.” He passed her the cup and noticed how the cold had turned her cheeks a rosy red and put a sparkle in her eyes.

  “Thanks so much. This is awesome.” She took a careful sip. “The girls are over by the tree, still skating.”

  “Her legs are going to be sore in the morning,” Joey said, taking a careful sip from his cup.

  “I don’t know. Kids are so resilient. Uh-oh, here they come. Looks like you may be making another trip for cocoa.”

  Joey groaned.

  “Hey, there’s a young man who goes to our school,” Elliana said. She called to him. “Aaron, can you help me out?”

  The sixth grader glided up to her with ease. “Hi, Ms. Burton.”

  “If we give you the money, could you get us two hot cocoas?”

  “Sure.”

  Joey pulled out his wallet. “And get one for yourself too.”

  “Okay, thanks.” Aaron skated happily away.

  “Good thinking,” Joey said. “We make a great team.”

  Grace arrived then, skating into Joey and wrapping her arms around his waist. Dad, can we have cocoa now? she signed.

  “Already taken care of.”

  Once the drinks were delivered, Joey smiled, watching the girls as they enjoyed their warm cocoa. He was glad they had come.

  Just then an old jalopy of a truck trundled down the road, rattling and hissing. All at once it backfired with a loud boom.

  Grace screamed, dropped her cocoa, and threw her arms around Joey, her whole body quaking.

  “It’s all right, honey. It was just a truck.”

  Grace buried her face into her daddy’s coat and gripped him so tightly he couldn’t pry her lose.

  “What’s wrong?” Lia asked. “Is she all right?”

  “Her mother,” was all Joey had to say. “Sorry, but I need to get her home. Let’s go.”

  One thing was for sure: Grace’s hearing was fine. But their fun day was over.

  Differences of opinion can separate or strengthen. The wise woman can grow through adversity.

  PEARL CHAMBERS, The Gentlewoman’s Guide to Love and Courtship

  CHAPTER FIVE

  While Lia’s class worked on writing letters, she graded papers at her desk. She glanced up at Grace, who seemed to have recovered from her scare the day before. The little girl’s pain ran deep. Lia’s heart squeezed. If only she could help her.

  Stacking the students’ papers in a neat pile, she put them in a folder marked Numbers and placed it in her bottom drawer. Then she walked over to the blackboard, picked up an eraser, and started wiping down the board, ridding it of names, letters, and numbers. She sneezed for the umpteenth time today. She would like to have blamed it on the chalk dust, but she knew better. Her yearly cold had arrived. Normally it hit during Christmas break, but evidently she’d picked up a virus while ice skating.

  By the time the bell rang, she was more than ready to go home. The children gathered coats, hats, boots, book bags, and lunch boxes, then chattered and squealed their way to the buses. Once they were gone, Lia tidied her room for the evening. She turned to leave and spotted Joey in the doorway.

  “Joey. What brings you here? You know Grace is already on the bus, right?”

  “Right. I just wanted to talk to you. Do you have a minute?”

  All she wanted to do was go home, put on her pajamas, and drink hot cocoa. “Sure. Take a seat.” She pointed to the chair beside her desk.

  “Thanks. I wanted to apologize for ending things so abruptly after our skating on Saturday.”

  “It’s all right, Joey. I understand why Grace was upset.”

  He nodded. Silence hung between them as he studied his hands. “I’m going to take her away.”

  “What?”

  “Over Christmas.”

  “But why?”

  “To get her away from all the reminders.”

  “But, Joey, Christmas is everywhere.”

  “It looks a little different in Florida than it does in Chicago. Or Smitten.”

  “So you won’t celebrate Christmas?” The thought nearly took her breath away.

  “A day at Disney World would be a nice replacement, don’t you think?”

  “But what about the Christmas Eve service at church? The live nativity? Joey, children love that. That’s the true meaning of Christmas. Do you really want her to miss out on that?”

  Joey shrugged. “The fewer reminders of Christmas, the better.”

  “Is this for you or for her?”

  His eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched. “It’s for her. But can’t it be for me too? We’ve been through enough.”

  “So that’s the plan? You’ll just shun Christmas every year?”

  “I don’t know,” he snapped. “I haven’t thought that far ahead.”

  “You can’t protect her from everything, Joey,” Lia said as softly as she could.

  “We’re leaving on Saturday. Just wanted you to know when you didn’t see us around the apartment.” He stood and walked toward the door.

  Lia couldn’t help herself. She called out, “Merry Christmas.”

  He kept walking and didn’t turn back.

  “Do you believe this, Heather? No Christmas for that sweet little girl? I’m just beside myself.” Lia wrung the napkin between her fingers as they sat at a scrubbed table at the Country Cupboard Café. The room was bright and cheery with white walls and tables, cherry-colored seats, and a cherry-colored counter with glass bowls displaying the day’s fresh doughnuts. Hamburgers sizzled on the grill. Fresh coffee was brewing and steamed the air with its aroma. Just being there normally perked Lia’s spirits, but not today.

  Heather swallowed a bite of hamburger. “I don’t know what you can do about it, Lia. He’s probably just doing it this year. Once the grieving eases, he’ll see the importance of having Grace at home for Christmas.”

  “But she needs Christmas this year! It’s not her fault someone killed her mother. It’s horrible to even think about it. That’s why she needs to be surrounded with the joy of Christmas.”

  “I guess we know now why he didn’t go to the lighting of the evergreen.”

  “I guess.” Lia coughed and wiped her nose.

  “Well, going to Disney World isn’t exactly a bad deal either. That’s a pretty happy place.” Heather took a drink of her iced tea.

  Lia’s head drooped. “I know. I just wish he’d take her some other time.” Lia picked up the ketchup bottle and poured some over her french fries.

  “You were hoping to celebrate with them, weren’t you?”

  Lia’s head jerked up. “What? No.”

  “Lia Burton, I know you. I mean, it makes sense. This is the only guy you’ve ever cared about.” Heather smiled.

  “It’s not like that. Yes, I care about Joey . . . but I’ve given up on the idea of the two of us ever being anything but best of friends.” She coughed again.

  �
��You’re coming down with your yearly cold, aren’t you?”

  Lia nodded and wiped her nose on a tissue.

  “At least you can get better over break.” Heather studied her a moment. “Too bad about Joey, though. His return to Smitten seemed so full of possibilities.”

  “He’s just a friend, Heather.”

  Heather locked eyes with Lia. “Whatever you say.”

  Lia didn’t want to talk about it anymore. It wasn’t as though she could do anything to prevent Joey and Grace from leaving over Christmas. It was none of her business.

  She’d just have to let it go.

  Lia was tutoring Molly’s son, Noah. They were reading Llama Llama Red Pajama together.

  “Okay, time to get to work,” Mom announced, carrying in Christmas decoration boxes from the garage. They normally had everything in place way before now, but life had gotten so busy they just hadn’t gotten around to it. Now that winter break had begun, Lia was eager to put up the tree.

  “All right, Noah, guess we’re done for today. Want to help us decorate?”

  As they hauled the necessary boxes, Lia told her mother about Joey’s plans.

  “Florida? Over Christmas?” Mom’s voice rose an octave. “He can’t do that!”

  “That’s kind of what I thought,” Lia huffed as she dragged the Christmas tree box across the living room floor.

  “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

  “You’ve been at church every night getting ready for the Christmas program, and I’ve been in bed by the time you got home.”

  “Oh, that’s right.” Her mother pulled some candlesticks from a box. “Are you feeling any better?”

  “I took some cold medicine. Feeling a little light-headed, but okay.” She sneezed, and her mother frowned. “I’ll be fine.” Lia turned to Noah. “You can watch The Santa Clause movie till we get to the ornaments if you want.”

  Noah seemed to like that idea, so she turned the TV on for him, then went back to helping her mom unpack the boxes.

  “That poor child. Oh, Lia, I’m just sick.” Mom held her hand to her chest the way she did when things didn’t go her way.

  The front doorbell rang, and Lia went to answer it.

  Suzie Oliver stood at the door, looking frazzled. Grace stood beside her, bundled in woolens and boots. “I’m so sorry to bother you.”

  “What is it? Is something wrong?”

  “Joey went hunting with Sam, so I’ve been watching Grace, but my mom was just taken to the hospital. They think it’s her heart. Could you watch Grace for us?”

  “Oh, we would be happy to.” Lia opened the door wider. “You go to your mom. Grace will be fine here. We’re just starting to decorate the house for Christmas. Noah is helping us.”

  If Suzie knew about Joey’s wishes, Lia figured she’d speak up. But it was their home, after all, and they were planning to decorate before Grace arrived.

  Suzie let out a breath. “Oh, thank you so much. Call me if you need anything.” She gave Lia her cell number and hurried down the porch steps to her car.

  Lia ushered Grace into the house, where she took off her coat, hat, mittens, and boots and settled into the warmth of the house.

  “I think she and Noah had better have some hot cocoa before we get started, so they’ll have the energy to help us.” Mom winked at Lia, then promptly prepared the cocoa and placed two cups on the oak table.

  “Extra marshmallows, right, Grace?” Lia asked, dropping miniature marshmallows into her cup.

  Grace nodded and grinned as the marshmallows bobbed to the surface.

  My dad says we can’t have a Christmas tree this year ’cause we won’t be home for Christmas, Grace signed. She took a careful sip.

  “She says she won’t be home for Christmas,” Lia said, for her mom’s and Noah’s sakes.

  “Where you going?” Noah asked.

  Though he didn’t use sign language, Grace could obviously hear him.

  Disney World, she signed.

  “Huh?”

  “She said ‘Disney World,’” Lia said.

  “Wow, that’s cool.”

  I guess. Grace didn’t look convinced.

  “Don’t you want to go, Grace?” Mom asked.

  I want to go sometime, but I just want to be home for Christmas.

  “Did you tell your daddy that?”

  Yeah. But he says it’s better if we go. Grace looked across the family room at all the decorations, and her eyes brightened. Do I get to help put up ornaments? I helped Mommy last year. Her hands fell to her lap.

  Yes, you most certainly do get to help. We need you and Noah. We can’t do it all ourselves, Lia’s mom signed and gave a broad grin.

  Lia was impressed by how quickly her mom had picked up some sign language from being with Grace. Her signs were sometimes off, but since Grace could hear, she understood her just the same. It seemed to please the little girl that others used her mother’s language.

  Grace’s feet swung back and forth under her chair while she and Noah tried to communicate. Mother and Lia went to work, placing wreaths, candles, snowmen, greenery, and ornaments in cozy arrangements around the room. They saved their ceramic nativity scene for the fireplace mantel.

  “Well, if you two are finished with your cocoa, how about we put up the tree?”

  The kids jumped off their seats and ran to her side.

  Mom put on some lively Christmas music and they set to work, putting up the tree stand, adding the skirt, then shaping the limbs. With that done, they placed the boxes of ornaments in rows and let the children put them where they wanted them.

  This is the best day ever! Grace signed. She picked up an angel ornament and headed for the tree.

  Lia hadn’t seen the child this happy before. Her face just glowed.

  Just then the doorbell rang.

  Lia hoped it wasn’t Suzie yet. They were having such fun.

  She opened the door, and Joey stepped into the house.

  “Sorry you ended up babysitting.” He stepped inside the house and looked around. He turned to Lia with a frown. “You know how I feel about Christmas and not wanting Grace around it.”

  Lia pulled him aside so the children wouldn’t hear. “We were already decorating with Noah when Suzie and Grace showed up. What did you expect me to do, drop everything and throw sheets over the decorations? You can’t hide it from her, Joey. Christmas is everywhere. I’m sorry something so tragic happened for you during this season, but it’s not fair to take it away from Grace. It’s a joyous holiday.”

  “You know nothing of what she’s been through. I just want to spare her—”

  “Spare her or spare you?”

  “Why do you keep saying that?”

  “Are you sure you’re not just trying to run away yourself?”

  His jaw muscle twitched. “I don’t run away from anything. I’m just trying to not subject my daughter to more painful memories.”

  “Then make some new memories. In the Christmas season. Make it a happy time for her again.”

  He stared at Lia until she thought he’d bore a hole through her head. Then he walked over to Grace and signed that they had to go.

  Please, Daddy, can I finish the tree?

  “No, Grace. We have to go. Now.”

  Lia’s head started to pound with a headache.

  Grace’s lower lip jutted out, and she quietly pulled on her outer wraps and followed her dad out the door.

  Neither said a word of good-bye.

  When the eyes of love are opened, courtship takes upon the fairest of qualities.

  PEARL CHAMBERS, The Gentlewoman’s Guide to Love and Courtship

  CHAPTER SIX

  So glad you and Grace could have dinner with us before you leave for Florida,” Mrs. Burton said. “We had hoped to spend more time with her over Christmas vacation. We’ll miss her while you’re gone.” She placed the piping hot pan of lasagna on the pad on the table, then added the serving platter of warm garlic bread.


  Grace rubbed her tummy and smiled.

  “Somebody’s hungry,” Joey said with a laugh. “She doesn’t get this kind of cooking from me.” Before settling in his seat he asked, “Is Elliana going to join us?”

  Mrs. Burton sighed. “I don’t know. Her pneumonia is getting better . . . the antibiotics seem to be working.”

  “With her fear of doctors, I’m just glad she agreed to go in.” Joey smiled. “If you think she’s decent, could I go see her?”

  “Sure. Her room is the third door on the right. Just knock on the door and let her know it’s you.”

  Joey made his way down the hall to her room and knocked. “Elliana, it’s Joey. May I come in?”

  After a moment a hoarse voice said, “Come in.”

  He stepped inside to find her bundled beneath a mountain of covers, her body propped up on fluffy pillows.

  She offered a slight smile. “Hello.”

  Though she looked better than the last time he had seen her, it frightened him to see her looking so vulnerable. He stepped closer.

  “You feeling any better?”

  “A little stronger every day. Just don’t tell Mom. I’m enjoying the life of luxury with her taking care of me.” She coughed. “Joey, you’re not mad? When you left with Grace the other night—”

  “No, I’m not mad at you.” He knew he owed her more of an explanation than that, but she seemed so tired. They’d have to talk about it another time.

  “So you’re leaving tomorrow afternoon?”

  “Yeah.” He stared at the floor, suddenly feeling self-conscious. “We’re supposed to get a snowstorm tomorrow, but I think we’ll be out of here before it hits.” He winked at her. “We’ll be soaking up sun on the beach while you’re digging out of the drifts.”

  “If I had the strength, I’d throw something at you.”

  He laughed. “I thought you might.” He paused. “Any chance you can join us for dinner?”

  “I’m not hungry, but maybe I can come out and sit on the sofa.”

  “I’d like that,” he said.

  Something about her eyes. So sincere, warm. Even in her current condition, she was beautiful. How had he missed that in the past? He had always loved her zest for life, the history they shared . . . but romance? It had never occurred to him.