He lifted his hands in exasperation. “Fine, I’ll talk to my grandparents!”
She blinked. Had she heard him right? “You will?”
“On one condition.”
She raised a brow, staring at the digit he pointed upward.
His gaze zeroed in on hers. “You come with me.”
She smiled now. “I’d be happy to.”
“You would?”
She nodded.
He reached over and squeezed her hand, but just for a second. “Good.”
“But we’d need to take someone else with us,” Holly said as they both stood from the table.
“I can go!”
Holly and Randy both jumped, their mouths agape, staring down at Jaycee, who had sprung up from under the table.
“Jaycee!” Randy frowned. “How long have you been under there?”
“A lo-o-o-ng time. You guys talk forever.” Randy’s young brother-in-law/nephew rolled his eyes.
Holly giggled.
“Jaycee!” Wesley rushed up to them. “There you are! We’ve been looking for you all over the place. Your sister wants to go home.”
“Shannon always wants to go home.” He sighed dramatically, then turning his attention to Randy, bounced up and down on his tiptoes. “Can I go? Can I go?”
Wesley frowned and glanced back and forth from Randy to Holly. “Go where?”
“It turns out Jaycee here has been hiding under our table during our conversation, probably eavesdropping the entire time.” Randy eyed him in disapproval, but Holly found him hilarious. Jaycee was one of the students in her Sunday school class and he never ceased to make her smile. Although, she would admit, he could be a little exasperating at times as well.
“It wasn’t my fault. Really, it wasn’t. I was hiding from Bright. How was I to know that Randy and his sweetheart would come and sit here and talk for-ev-er? And I wasn’t dropping no eaves, neither. Besides, all Randy wants to talk about is how cute his girlfriend is…blah.” Jaycee pointed his finger in his mouth as though to gag himself.
Holly had to press her lips together.
“And they talked about Santa and Mammi.” Jaycee scratched his head. “I didn’t know they was mean to you and Randy and Grandma and Grandpa Stoltz.”
Wesley frowned at Randy.
Randy sighed and shook his head. “I’m sorry. The conversation was meant for Holly’s ears, not mischievous little boys.” He ruffled Jaycee’s hair.
“I’m sorry.” Jaycee overdramatized his pouty lip, as he seemed to do with everything.
Wesley cocked his head, looking at Jaycee. “Are you really?”
“For sure and for certain.” His serious head bobbed up and down.
Wesley eyed Randy and Holly. “So, is he forgiven?”
Randy’s lips twitched as his gaze met Holly’s. “I don’t know…” Randy sighed loudly and dramatically shook his head. “He might have to volunteer for some chaperone time.”
“What’s trombone time mean?” Jaycee’s lips twisted.
Holly couldn’t hold in her laugh this time.
“Chaperone time, buddy,” Wesley said. “It means you might have to go somewhere with Uncle Randy and Miss Holly.”
“To Santa’s?” He jumped up and down. “For reals?”
“I don’t know…” Wesley raised a brow. “That might just be a reward.”
“You know, you’re probably right.” Randy shot his brother a mischievous wink. “We should have Brighton go along instead.”
“Aww…” Jaycee’s bottom lip stuck out at least half an inch. “I said I was sorry. I’ll never drop eaves again. Promise.” His pointing finger made a crossing motion over his heart.
Holly glanced at Randy. “Drop eaves?”
“It’s a reference to the movie Lord of the Rings. You haven’t seen it?”
She shook her head.
“It’s really scary,” Jaycee chimed in.
Her hand flew to her heart. “Oh. I don’t think I’d want to see it, then.”
“It’s super cool, though,” Jaycee added, his eyes wide.
Randy chuckled. “I’m not sure Holly enjoys those kinds of movies.”
Jaycee’s face scrunched up. “Do you like the kissing ones, like Shannon?”
Holly glanced at Wesley for clarification.
“Hallmark.” He shrugged.
She turned to Jaycee and smiled. “Yes, I do enjoy those once in a while.”
“Take notes, brother.” Wesley squeezed Randy’s shoulder. He then tousled Jaycee’s hair. “Time to scoot, young man. Shannon’s probably waiting in the car with the little ones.”
After saying their goodbyes to Wesley and Jaycee, Holly and Randy moved toward the main auditorium.
“Your family is probably wanting to leave too,” Randy said.
“You’re likely right.”
“Will your parents be cool with Jaycee going along or would they prefer another adult?”
“I think Jaycee will be fine, but maybe we should take Brighton along too so they can keep each other occupied. That way, we can have a chance to speak openly with your grandparents.” She surveyed Randy’s countenance, guessing there were gritted teeth behind his forced smile.
“Yeah.” He blew out a breath.
“I’m free tomorrow. Maybe after the kids get out of school?”
“Tomorrow?”
She heard the hesitancy in his tone. He held the door open for her to exit.
“Better to get it over with, right?” She attempted a reassuring smile. They were in this together.
“I guess so. I’ll talk to Wesley to see if the kids will be able to go then.” He smiled. “Wow. It seems like I’ve gotten to see you every day this week. How lucky can a man get?” He winked, sending her heart aflutter.
TWELVE
Randy checked his phone again, just to make sure Holly hadn’t called to cancel. The fresh powdering of snow they’d received overnight, and then again this afternoon, would have been a good excuse. If he were going with anyone but Holly, he would have taken the opportunity to jump ship. If he were going with anyone but Holly, he would have said no. If he were going with anyone but Holly, the burst of confidence he felt would be non-existent.
Confidence aside, he still didn’t want to do this. But he would. For Holly.
At least the road crews were great at keeping the snow off the streets, he mused before turning into Wesley’s driveway.
The boys had been ready to go and sprinted to his vehicle the moment he pulled up. His lips twisted as he surveyed their bosoms, overflowing with snow toys.
Randy frowned. “What’s this all about?”
“Wesley said we could,” Jaycee insisted, setting a plastic sled down at his feet.
“They have a pretty sweet hill on their property. It’s perfect for tubing.” Brighton held up a black inner tube with one arm, a snowboard was in his other.
“And they have a pond. I brought my ice skates!” Jaycee beamed.
Randy couldn’t blame him for being excited about ice skating.
“Okay. I’ll pop the trunk.” Randy shook his head. Just how long did these boys think they’d be staying? His idea had been to get in, say what needed to be said, then get out. As soon as possible.
Wesley and Shannon both waved from the porch, as the kids entered his vehicle. “Have fun!” Wesley called out.
“Yeah. Fun.” Randy mumbled under his breath, then turned the engine over.
“We always have lots of fun at Mammi and Santa’s.” Jaycee bounced on the backseat.
That boy had more energy than anyone Randy had ever seen.
“Wow! Look at all the snow!” Jaycee exclaimed as they headed toward the Remington residence.
Apparently, Jaycee and Brighton hadn’t been the only ones with fun in mind today. Near several houses they’d passed, children of all ages had been outside taking full advantage of the powdery white stuff.
“Did you two bring your hat and gloves?”
�
�Of course.” Brighton rolled his eyes. “Shannon won’t let us step a foot outside without them. She acts like we’re three.”
Randy grinned. “That’s what mothers do.”
“Yeah, but she’s our sister.”
Randy glanced into the rearview mirror. “Maybe so. But she’s also a mom to you now, or at least your authority. When your parents passed away, the courts gave her guardianship. That means you should honor and respect her because she’s the adult in charge.”
“You sound just like Wesley,” Jaycee mumbled.
“I do?” Randy smiled to himself. Good.
He pulled up to a lovely white Victorian two-story home. Pine bunting, with bright red bows at each interval, lined the spacious porch. The classic wicker furniture on one side of the porch and cozy wooden swing on the other invited him to come, sit, and enjoy a glass of sweet tea. Well, it would in summertime, anyway. Right now, wassail or hot cocoa would be in order.
Randy smiled at the thought of cuddling with Holly on the porch—hot cocoa in their hands, a cozy blanket wrapped around the two of them, while their lips meshed together in sweet bliss. He shook himself from his daydream. That was something that would likely never happen, at least, not this side of the marriage altar.
The marriage altar? Yeah, that was still a long way off. It would be better to lock those thoughts away, lest he act on them and be banished from the Remington home permanently.
“Wow! That looks like those houses in some of the movies Shannon likes to watch!”
Indeed.
Holly scurried down the steps, looking gorgeous as ever. Her brown curls peeked out from the sides of the beanie she wore, her cheeks alive with color, making her even more irresistible. How on earth was he ever going to refrain from touching her? Especially when all he wanted to do was take her into his arms and hold her close. It seemed like she became more attractive to him every time he saw her. How was that possible?
He jumped out and opened the door for her. Her smile warmed him from the inside out.
“You ready to do this?” Her eyes sparkled.
He grunted. “No. But I have a feeling it will be worth it, just because I get to spend time with you.”
Her cheeks flushed at his words.
He hurried back to his side of the car and hopped in.
“Can we go on the roller coaster road?” Jaycee leaned forward, poking his head between Randy and Holly.
“Roller coaster road?” Holly’s brow rose.
“The eight hundred.” Randy shook his head. “Sorry, buddy. It’s out of the way.”
“Please. Please. Please.” Jaycee urged.
Randy looked at Holly. “Do you mind? I don’t think we can dissuade him.”
“It sounds like fun to me.” She shrugged.
“Okay, the roller coaster road it is.”
“Yes!” Jaycee pumped a fist into the air.
~
As Randy turned onto the “roller coaster road” as Jaycee called it, she immediately noticed the road signs indicating there were Amish buggies in the area.
“I didn’t realize there were Amish down this road.”
“Have you ever been this way?” Randy glanced at her.
She nodded. “I have, but not in forever.”
“We come on this road all the time!” Jaycee leaned forward joining in the conversation.
“Not all the time, Jaycee,” Brighton added his two cents.
“Let’s stop at Millers’ and bring Mammi and Santa a pot pie!” Jaycee’s grin widened.
“You just want Uncle Randy to buy you a cinnamon roll,” Brighton challenged.
“Do not.” Jaycee gave an exaggerated shake of his head. “Mammi will have cookies for us. Shan said I couldn’t eat too many.”
Holly chuckled.
“Do you want to stop?” Randy eyed her as he slowed down in front of the small store.
She shrugged. “Sure.” But she wondered if Randy wasn’t indulging Jaycee’s every whim in order to stall their visit to his grandparents’ house.
Snow crunched under the tires as Randy pulled into the long driveway and stopped next to a small building that was Millers’ Country Store and Bakery. He hurried around to open the door for her.
“Thank you.” She smiled up at him as he offered his hand to help her out of the car. He held it longer than necessary, but she didn’t mind one bit. Being with Randy made her want to break all the rules. And that was not a good thing.
She felt his hand on the small of her back as they walked into the little store. Randy didn’t seem to comprehend her father’s idea of “no touching.” Her father’s idea? No, it was something she’d assented to as well. She just never thought it would be this hard to keep her boundaries in place. Not when she dreamt of Randy’s kisses the moment her head hit the pillow at night. And often in her daydreams as well, in spite of herself.
A war definitely waged within.
Holly had to remind herself that physical attraction was one thing and love was another. She couldn’t get the two confused. She refused to settle for a relationship built on physical attraction alone. She’d already seen too much of that in her friends’ marriages, which were now in shambles. She wanted something genuine and lasting. She wanted a man to love her for who she was, not for her looks. She wanted what Shannon and Wesley had. What her parents had.
“Should we get one or two?” Randy’s words forced her mind to snap back to reality.
She surveyed the pot pies behind the glass enclosure in front of them. “Just in case they want us to stay and share it with them, we’d better get two.”
Randy’s lips pursed together. Probably because she’d mentioned staying and sharing a meal with his Amish grandparents.
“You’ve got this,” she gently reminded him.
He blew out a breath. “Yeah. Sure.” The anxiety written on Randy’s face made her ponder whether people could experience emotional PTSD from childhood memories. She’d have to look it up later.
“We’ll take two of the pot pies,” he told the Amish woman behind the counter.
“Anything else?” the woman asked.
Randy’s gaze flitted to the two boys, who looked longingly at the cinnamon rolls. “We’ll take four cinnamon rolls as well.”
The woman rang up the total and Randy paid for their items. She handed them two bags. “Thank you.”
As they walked out and made their way back to the vehicle, Jaycee insisted on sounding every single windchime hanging from the porch.
“Let’s go, Jaycee,” Randy called.
“Do we get to eat our cinnamon rolls right now?” Jaycee’s smile widened as he slid into the car and buckled himself in.
“Who said one of those is for you?” Randy teased.
“’Cause you always get us one when we drive by here.”
Randy glanced into the rearview mirror, putting a finger to his lips. “Just don’t tell Wesley that or he’ll have me contributing to your dental bill.”
“He already knows,” Jaycee divulged.
“In that case, maybe I’ll get you a toothbrush and toothpaste for Christmas.” Randy grinned.
“Nah. Grandma and Grandpa already get us those in our stocking every year.”
Randy chuckled. “That doesn’t surprise me.”
About ten minutes later, they pulled into the driveway of an Amish farm. Holly’s eyes immediately went to the black Amish buggy, then moved to the plain white two-story house. Did his grandparents live in this large house all alone?
She noticed laundry hanging on the line, flapping in what little frigid wind they had. Did clothing still dry in freezing cold temperatures? Another thing she’d have to look up online.
“Wesley always parks in back,” Brighton informed them.
“Well, I’m not Wesley,” Randy growled.
“It’s so the church people don’t know he’s visiting,” Jaycee shared.
“We’ll park here,” Randy insisted defiantly. He closed his eyes.
“Yeah, thanks.” He drew in a deep breath.
Before they knew it, Jaycee and Brighton had hopped out of Randy’s car and raced to the front door.
The door opened, and “Santa” as Jaycee had called him, ushered the two boys inside. The older Amish man stood sentry just outside the door, his gaze focused on their vehicle.
“Should we go in?” Holly suggested.
“I guess.” He swallowed. “This is harder than I thought.”
“I know.” She squeezed his hand. “But God is with you, and He’ll help you.”
She glanced at the floorboard. “Do you want me to carry in the pot pies?”
“No. I think it’s better if I have something in my hands.”
She passed the bag to him.
“We’ll leave the cinnamon rolls here. I might need a consolation prize when our visit is over,” he mumbled.
Please show me how I can help Randy, Lord. And please let this visit go well.
THIRTEEN
You can do this. Randy attempted to give himself a pep talk, but with each laden step closer to his Amish grandfather, his anxiety seemed to escalate. It wasn’t until Holly reached for his hand that he realized he’d stopped walking all together.
Holly moved to stand directly in front of him and met him with a steady gaze. “Randy…” She dared to touch his cheek, something he was certain was not in her courtship rule book. “Let’s just get this over with, okay? We don’t have to stay long if you don’t want to.” She’d kept her voice low.
“I don’t know what to say,” he quietly admitted.
“Then don’t say anything. Just nod a greeting and we’ll go inside,” she whispered.
“Alright.” He expelled a frosty breath, and they continued toward the porch.
“I never thought I’d see the day my youngest gross sohn would enter my home,” his grandfather said, holding the door open for him and Holly.
Unlikely Sweethearts (An Amish Christmas Story) Page 8