by Janice Lynn
Bodie winked, surprising himself.
Her eyes widened. Then, smiling, she winked back, looking quite pleased as she turned toward a journalist from the local paper who was taking photos of the anxiously waiting kids.
At Sarah’s wink, Bodie’s chest did that fluttery thing that made him feel a little light-headed. He dug his fingernails into his palms.
Harry glanced up, whimpering as if he knew something weird had happened.
“Yeah, I know, boy.” He bent, petted the dog. “I know.”
The fluttery feeling in his chest wasn’t some missed medical ailment.
It was his reaction to Sarah. He’d never known anyone like her.
Holding up a battery-operated microphone, she got the attention of the crowd, and with the help of several volunteers, got the kids into age categories. Making sure each child had their ornament-collecting bag, Sarah opened the gate and let the two-year-old kids begin hunting.
Or more aptly, the two-year-old kids’ parents, as they encouraged and helped each toddler collect ornaments and drop them into their stocking.
Keeping an eye on her watch, Sarah let group after group into the playground. She laughed at something one of the parents said before turning her smile to an older man who’d come to talk to her.
“Pretty, isn’t she?”
Having heard her approach, Bodie continued to watch Sarah rather than turn to Maybelle.
“You don’t have to say anything for me to know your answer to my question,” the older woman pointed out, leaning against the fence and watching a smiling Sarah encourage the children.
“What is it you’d have me say?” Bodie asked.
“That you aren’t going to hurt my girl.”
Bodie shifted his gaze to Maybelle and fought wincing beneath her all-knowing blue eyes. “Why would I hurt Sarah?”
Maybelle was taking no quarter. “You tell me.”
“I’m her handyman. She’s my boss. Nothing more.” His mind flashed to when he’d held her hand earlier. Did all handymen get fluttery feelings in their chest when they held their boss’s hand? Did all handymen look into their boss’s eyes and get swept away by what shone in Sarah’s pretty brown eyes?
Maybelle snorted. “You trying to convince me or yourself?”
“There’s no need for me to convince myself. It’s true.” It was. He felt protective of Sarah. She’d done something nice for him and he wanted to do something nice for her. He’d attached so much emotion to his quilt that it was only natural he’d feel a connection to its maker. That was all that fluttery feeling was, all that his holding her hand had been.
Maybelle harrumphed. “If you believe that, then you’re not nearly as smart as I’ve given you credit for.”
Bodie ignored her jab, glanced around. “Where are the rest of your cronies? I thought you traveled as a pack.”
To his surprise, Maybelle’s painted lips curved upward. “Not always. The rest of the girls are working at the booth and I’m meeting Sarah’s father here to clean up after the hunt.”
Bodie crammed his hands into his jean pockets. “You need an extra set of hands?”
Obviously pleased with his offer, Maybelle chuckled. “Don’t let it be said that I ever turned down a willing volunteer.”
That her words were echoes of Sarah’s caused Bodie’s lips to twitch.
Sarah might not have had her birth mother to shape her into the woman she was today, but the Butterflies and her aunt had sure stepped up to the plate, influencing so much about her.
Except for maybe Rosie, as he didn’t see Sarah dying her hair in punk rock blue and chasing men around anytime soon.
Then he noticed an older gentleman spinning Sarah in a mini-dance to the Christmas music. She kissed his cheek, then burst out laughing. The corner of Bodie’s mouth hiked up. Maybe Rosie had influenced her more than he’d thought.
“You sure you won’t stay in Pine Hill?” Maybelle asked.
Bodie’s gaze cut to her. “Positive. I’m only here to help Sarah. As soon as I finish at Hamilton House, I’m gone.”
“Interesting wording for your reason for being in Pine Hill.”
Yes, he supposed to Maybelle, it was.
Rather than question him further, she leaned against the fence and watched the ornament hunt in silence except for a quietly spoken, “A shame you aren’t staying, though.”
Sarah laughed so hard she had to pause to catch her breath at the almost eighty-year-old Clyde’s impromptu lesson of the Christmas boogie while his great-grandchildren hunted ornaments. Then she straightened, adjusted her scarf and hat, and glanced toward Bodie.
He wore a serious expression. No wonder, with Maybelle perched against the fence next to him and Harry. There was no telling what she’d said.
When Sarah’s gaze met his, she smiled and waved. Despite whatever had caused his solemn expression, he gave a half-grin and nodded his acknowledgement.
Sarah’s heart spluttered the way it always did at a Bodie smile.
“He’s cute.” Carrie came over to where Sarah was and flicked her gaze toward Bodie. “I thought it the day he came to the community room, asking if you were there, but he seems even more so now. I think it’s how his smile crinkles his eyes.”
Feeling self-conscious, Sarah nodded. Not that “cute” seemed like the right word to describe Bodie. Cute implied something cuddly, and Bodie wasn’t that. But she agreed—Bodie’s smiles were noteworthy. Her hand burned within her glove with memory of his touch and she wondered if it were possible for Bodie to cuddle.
“How’s the remodel going at Hamilton House?”
“Almost finished with the downstairs. We’re on schedule to open on Christmas Day.” Oh, how she loved saying that. “Bodie is doing a fantastic job. If you know anyone who needs some work done, let him know.”
Not that she was lining up work in hopes he’d stay in Pine Hill. Just…
“That’s great.” Carrie’s gaze went to the ornament hunt. “I think all the ornaments have been found, if you want to call time.”
Kids and families were still searching, but a few of the kids had already sat down on the cold ground and were opening their ornaments to ooh and aah over the contents. One of the two-year-olds had chocolate running down her chin and was giving her mother a toothy grin.
Sarah didn’t see anyone finding new ornaments; nor did she spot any that hadn’t been discovered. Using the microphone, she thanked everyone for participating, reminded them that photos with Santa were available at the photography business on the square and told them not to forget the parade at six.
With the children and their families clearing out, Sarah and the other volunteers walked around the playground, checking hiding places, and not finding any additional hidden ornaments.
Maybelle joined her. “Looks like you had more kids this year.”
“We did,” she agreed, excited by the event’s success. “Over a hundred. Did you see those happy little faces?”
Pride shone on Maybelle’s face. “You did good.”
Ecstatic that she’d made Maybelle proud, Sarah leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Thank you, Maybelle. That you think so makes my day.”
“Nothing you don’t deserve.” Pulling her coat tighter around her, Maybelle gestured to Sarah’s hands. “Now, give me that bag. I’ll clean up any stray bits of trash so you can get over there to that fellow waiting on you.”
Sarah glanced at where Bodie had untied Harry’s leash from the fence and was squatted down next to him. One of the families who’d hunted ornaments was talking to him, their kids petting Harry. Harry rolled over onto his back, obviously eating up the attention, and the kids gave him more rubs.
Bodie laughed at something and Sarah’s heart hiccupped.
“You like him.”
“Harry?” Sarah shrugged, purposely mi
sunderstanding Maybelle. She bent to pick up the plastic top to one of the ornaments and dropped it into the sack she hadn’t handed over to Maybelle. “What’s not to like?”
“Not the dog. The man.” Maybelle sighed. “You really don’t know much about him.”
“I know enough.”
“Then you’re admitting he’s more than your handyman?”
Watching Bodie with the children, with Harry, a mixture of pleasure and sadness filled her. She shook her head. “He’s not.”
“No?”
Sarah stooped to pick up a stray candy wrapper, then turned to her friend. “No.”
Maybelle laughed. “Girl, you are as transparent as glass.”
“Doesn’t matter,” she admitted, not looking toward Maybelle. The woman already saw too much. She didn’t need to see Sarah wishing things were different.
Things weren’t different.
“He’ll be leaving soon, and I won’t ever see him again.” Ouch. That hurt to say out loud. But it was true and she needed to not forget.
As if she could.
“There is that,” Maybelle agreed, studying her far too closely. “Just so long as you’re sure.”
Sarah was sure. But that wasn’t going to stop her from enjoying the rest of the day or her time with Bodie.
He was still in Pine Hill, was still her handyman and friend, and that was enough.
It had to be.
Chapter Eleven
Although Maybelle had offered to take over the clean-up, Sarah stayed until the church playground and the community room was restored to normal operating order. Bodie had stuck around and helped break down the registration table and carry it inside the church, Harry at his side.
“Walk me back to our booth?” Sarah asked. “After that, you can grab something to eat. I recommend Lou’s booth or the Rescue Squad’s. You can check out the other venues, and maybe by then, it’ll be close to time for the tree lighting.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Take a shift at the booth,” she reminded him. “If there’s plenty of help, I’ll check out the other vendors at the end of my scheduled time. If not, I’ll help for as long as I’m needed and the ornaments hold out.”
“Harry and I will walk you there.”
He didn’t promise more than that, but Sarah hoped he would stay for the parade. There was something magical about the floats different organizations put together, the high school band playing Christmas tunes, the fire trucks and rescue vehicles, seeing Santa’s float as he waved at the kids. Surely, if Bodie saw the parade, he’d want to experience more of this wonderful event and would stay for the tree lighting later, too.
“I heard the ornament hunt was a huge success,” Claudia praised when Sarah and Bodie arrived back at the church’s booth. “I’ve seen quite a few kiddos running around with stockings full of goodies and smiles on their sweet faces.”
“It went even better than last year.” Sarah paused in front of the table serving as the checkout area. Warm air from the heater hit her pants legs, rising up her body, and she relished the warmth. It wasn’t crazy cold outside, but the heat still felt good after being out of the much warmer tent. Sarah wasn’t ready to loosen her hat or jacket, but she did peel off her scarf and gloves so she’d be able to handle the ornaments more easily. “How are we doing here?”
Claudia gave a thumbs-up. “Already sold lots. We’ve already dug out some of the reserves to restock and the sale has barely started.”
“Yay!”
Bodie stood to the opposite side of the booth, one hand tucked inside his jeans pocket and the other holding Harry’s leash. Harry looked bored at the calmness of the booth after the chaos of the ornament hunt. Bodie looked unsure as to his next move.
Was he planning to leave? Or just lingering for a few minutes before taking her suggestion to get something to eat?
Smiling, she couldn’t resist deepening her voice and asking, “You here for an ornament, sir?”
He snorted. “To put on my nonexistent tree?”
“You could hang it from your truck mirror.”
His brow lifted. “You want me to decorate my truck with Christmas ornaments? I know you love Christmas, but that’s taking things too far.”
“Have you seen some of the vehicles around town? They’re decked out with lights and wreaths. I don’t think one little ornament is going to de-masculinize your truck.”
“I’ve seen some of them. That’s why I’m leery. I give you an inch and you’re going to have my truck wrapped in garlands, lights, and a giant red bow before you’re through.”
At his description, Sarah laughed.
“You have a point, but we do have some lovely snowflakes.” She did a game show hostess move, using her hands to point to the ornaments on the tree and on the peg board behind her. “It would be a shame not to have one as a keepsake of your time in Pine Hill.”
“I need a keepsake?”
“Of course.” No way could he look at a snowflake bought here and not think of her. Selfish, perhaps, but she didn’t want Bodie to drive away and never think of her and Pine Hill again.
The thought of him forgetting…hurt.
His mouth twisted a little, then he surprised her by asking, “Any particular ornament I need?”
Surprised he was actually considering it, she glanced behind her, then over at the tree. She took in each ornament, contemplating it, then moving on. When her gaze fell on the snowflake they’d been adjusting when he’d held her hand earlier, she walked over and took it off the tree.
Recognizing the ornament, his surprised gaze met hers. “That one?”
He knew why she’d picked the snowflake, why it was special. Perhaps she should be embarrassed she’d made such a telling choice, but now that she’d chosen it, no other would do.
“Absolutely this ornament. Check out the fancy white sequins and the glistening faux pearl beads and how the lights reflect off them.” She did another showy saleswoman hand gesture, trying to make light of how much she wanted him to have it. “This snowflake is a work of art.”
He chuckled. “For the low price of?”
She told him, reminded him it was a fundraiser for a good cause, and waited to see what he’d do.
He met her gaze, and something softened in his blue eyes. “Be hard to pass up a once-in-a-lifetime deal like that.”
“Exactly.” Wanting to fall into his gorgeous eyes and soak in whatever was shining there, she smiled. “Shall I wrap your snowflake in tissue paper?”
“On one condition.”
Her hand halfway to the tissue paper, she paused. “What’s that?”
“It doesn’t hang in my truck.”
Sarah laughed. “Deal, but where are you going to hang it?”
“On your tree.” He shrugged. “If that’s okay.”
Her cheeks heated to the point where she loosened the top button of her jacket. “Yes, of course.”
“Consider it an early Christmas present.”
Sarah’s knees wobbled. “From someone who doesn’t believe in Christmas?”
“I never said I didn’t believe in Christmas,” he corrected. “Just that it’s only another day in my world.”
“Not this year,” she pointed out, wrapping the ornament in the piece of white tissue paper, then placing it inside a small paper bag.
He snorted. “Christmas couldn’t be just another day to a complete Scrooge with you around, Sarah.”
Pleased he thought so, she handed him the bag. “Thank you for your purchase, sir. We appreciate your business and hope you’ll be back next year.”
The words came out automatically, as something she would have said to any customer. With Bodie, she found them to be desperately true. She did hope he’d be back next year.
They both knew he wouldn’t be.
“Did you sell Bodie an ornament?” Claudia asked, coming over from where she’d been helping another customer to see what Sarah was doing.
“She did, and if she can sell an ornament to the likes of me, your booth will sell out tonight.”
“Oh, I hope so!” Claudia said, clasping her gloved hands in glee. “That would be wonderful. The money helps fund so many wonderful projects throughout the year.”
Bodie nodded, then put the paper sack inside his jacket’s pocket.
“You off to Lou’s booth?” she asked, wondering if how much she wanted him to stay showed on her face.
“You can’t go,” Ruby told him as she joined them in the booth. “You haven’t gotten to say hi to my Charlie yet. He’s dropping by in a few minutes. Being around that man of mine is a privilege not to be missed.”
Claudia rolled her eyes. Sarah stifled a smile. Bodie looked hesitant.
“The tree lighting is at seven. You could stay until then,” Sarah suggested.
“I planned to go back to the house and put the hardware on the bathroom vanities.”
“That’s one of the finishing touches, isn’t it? You’re that close to having the bathrooms completed?” Claudia asked, sounding impressed.
Sarah nodded. “He’s done a great job making sure we’re ready by Christmas.”
“Sarah!” Ruby scolded, clicking her tongue. “I know you want to get Hamilton House open, but give the man a break and let him enjoy the festival.”
Sarah opened her mouth, set to defend herself, but, eyes twinkling, Bodie spoke first.
“Yeah, Sarah, don’t be such a Scrooge. Let me enjoy the Christmas festival.”
Shocked at his public teasing, her jaw dropped a little.
“You stay here and enjoy the festival, Bodie. Sarah will get over you taking one night off to enjoy the second-best night of the year,” Ruby assured him, giving Bodie’s arm a motherly pat. “Just you wait until the sun sets and all the booths and businesses have their Christmas lights going. And then, when they light the tree,” Ruby sounded almost as enthusiastic as Sarah as she spoke of the event, “it’s pure magic.”