“Is that how you made the fireplace, with plaster?”
“Yes. All it takes is imagination to create a mold.” He thumbed his iPhone to check the security cameras, a habit he’d cultivated because there was no monitor in the bedroom where he now worked. Because of the small screen, he had to scroll sideways to see all the camera shots displayed on the large monitors, but in seconds, he’d checked every view of the house, inside and out. “Next I need to focus on the backyard landscaping. What do you think about a fishpond? It’d be easy to make a mold, and I can fill it with clear resin, tinted blue, to make it look like water.”
She laughed, the sound soft and musical. “I think Chloe is the luckiest girl in the world.”
* * *
As the days swept by, Jeb’s home became aromatic with the scents of Christmas baking. He often found money on his bedside table to pay him back for Amanda’s credit card purchases. Nearly every afternoon, a UPS driver delivered packages. Jeb took them upstairs and stashed them in the closet. He had no idea where Amanda hid hers.
As a bachelor, Jeb had enjoyed the holidays, but never so much as this year. In nearly every room, Amanda had added decorative touches and scented candles. His office became the gift-wrapping station, with paper and bows scattered everywhere. Beribboned presents were stacked beneath the tree in the living room, and he often found Chloe crouched near the spruce, shaking or feeling packages that had her name on them. Stockings were hung from the juniper mantel, and one of them bore Jeb’s name. Oops. He’d forgotten to order stocking stuffers.
Jeb helped Chloe go online to buy Mommy a present. It wasn’t quite as enjoyable as taking the child shopping in town, but he was reluctant to push his luck on that front.
“This is so fun!” Chloe exclaimed. “Mommy will love having new jammies.”
Jeb would have preferred sexy lingerie over flannel, but if and when Amanda slipped into his bed, he wouldn’t complain if she wore burlap.
* * *
That night when Amanda joined Jeb upstairs, she noticed that new dollhouse accessories had appeared. A tiny skillet sat on a stove burner. Miniature dishes filled the cupboard shelves. A rolling pin and a cookbook lay on the counter. Even a mailbox, mounted on a post, stood at the edge of the front lawn, and when Amanda lowered the flap, she found miniature envelopes inside.
“Oh, Jeb. How much have you spent on all this stuff? It must have cost a fortune.”
“I haven’t kept track, and I don’t plan to worry about it. This is Chloe’s Santa gift, and it’s her first Christmas without Mark the Scrooge spoiling it for her. If you want to help, you can make curtains.” He inclined his head at the interior of the dollhouse. “I installed the rods this afternoon.”
Amanda bent low to see. “Oh, how darling! Where did you find brass ones?”
He grinned. “Online, you can find just about anything.” His smile faded. “Have you ordered any Christmas gifts for your mom yet?”
“No.” Amanda’s stomach clenched. “Oh, Jeb, I never even thought of that. It’s been so many years since—”
“It’s not too late. Order her something, and after you get it wrapped, I’ll ask Barney to take it to Pack and Mail in the town center. They’ll overnight it to her.”
Amanda hurried downstairs to Jeb’s office. A gift for her mom. She wasn’t sure what size Emma wore now, so clothing was out. She remembered that her mom loved to drink her coffee from dainty teacups with matching saucers, so she searched for china. The pattern she loved was embellished with mauve roses and real gold trim. The cup and saucer cost nearly seventy dollars.
She jumped with a start when Jeb spoke from behind her. “That’s gorgeous.”
“I think she’d love it,” Amanda replied. “But it’s frightfully expensive.”
“Walk on the wild side. It’s Christmas.”
Amanda laughed and ordered the item.
* * *
Two days later, when the ornate china arrived, Amanda gift-wrapped it in the office before starting dinner. When the meal was over, she returned to box the package for mailing. But the present had vanished. She looked everywhere, questioning her sanity. She’d left it by Jeb’s computer monitor, hadn’t she? She retraced her steps to the kitchen, thinking she might have set the package somewhere else. Jeb saw her wandering around and asked what she was looking for.
“My mom’s Christmas gift. I thought sure I left it by your computer.”
“I’m sorry, honey. I saw that you had it wrapped, so I already handed it off to Barney so he can send it out for us tomorrow.”
Amanda hadn’t heard the doorbell ring.
Jeb added, “You were busy cooking, and Barney didn’t have time to come in and say hello. He’s working the late shift tonight.”
“But the present isn’t boxed.”
“At Pack and Mail, the owner takes care of that. I gave Barney your mother’s address. Gerry will even make sure the bows don’t get smashed.” He started up the stairs. “I’m going to vanish for a while. I’ll enjoy your company if you join me later.”
Amanda frowned. “How did you get my mom’s address?”
He paused with a broad, sun-bronzed hand on the banister. “She gave it to me so I could send her the laptop.”
“What laptop?”
“The one she uses to Skype you. She had no computer, so I ordered her a cheap one.”
Amanda’s shoulders sank. “You shouldn’t have done that. I already owe you so much. I’m in debt up to my eyebrows.”
He winked at her. “Getting your mom set up with Skype is part of my Christmas gift to you and Chloe this year. The keyword in that sentence is gift. You don’t owe me a dime for the laptop.”
“But I—”
“And you have to admit it was a great gift,” he went on. “Traveling to see your mom would be unsafe right now, but this way, Chloe can get to know her grandmother. And you can reconnect with Emma. I think that’s special for all of you.”
Amanda’s throat went tight. “It’s very special. I didn’t know you made it happen by buying my mom a laptop.” She shoved her hands into the pockets of her jeans. “Thank you.”
* * *
Kate called Amanda the next morning to suggest that the family should celebrate Adriel’s and Chloe’s birthdays at the same time. “Adriel loves the idea, and she’s happy to have the party on Chloe’s birthday instead of her own.”
Amanda was caught off guard. She couldn’t recall mentioning to Kate that Chloe would turn seven on the twenty-second. Jeb must have said something. “I love the idea, Kate, but I’ve already invited Chloe’s friend Molly to attend a party here.”
Kate laughed. “That’s fine, as long as you don’t mind the entire Sterling family gathering at your house.”
Amanda almost said this wasn’t her house, but Kate moved ahead with plans. “I was thinking we could do the cake and open presents in the afternoon. Jeb says he’s already booked a clown, which the little girls should enjoy. Then when all the folderol is over, we can have a casual dinner. Maybe the guys could grill some hot dogs and burgers. Jeb has that nice overhang over his barbecue, so the weather won’t matter.”
“Chloe loves hot dogs,” Amanda replied. The child also loved Jeb’s family. For the first time in her short life, she had doting grandparents and aunts and uncles. “I think she would love sharing her party with Adriel. They hit it off on Thanksgiving.”
“It’s a deal then! We’ll keep it simple. I’ll bring the cake and ice cream. I’ll ring everyone else and tell them to bring chips and dip.”
“I could make a potato salad,” Amanda offered.
“Sounds good. What arrival time did you give Molly’s mother?”
“Two.” Amanda recalled Jeb’s mentioning that he would hire a clown, but she hadn’t known he’d actually made the arrangements. “I thought that would give the girls a couple of hours
to have a good time and Molly could still get home for dinner.”
“We’ll be there at two then.” Kate paused. “I might show up a little early to help you get set up. This will be so much fun. I haven’t gotten to do a kid’s birthday party in years.”
After ending the call, Amanda stared blindly at the granite countertop with a smile curving her lips.
* * *
Chloe’s birthday was upon them in no time. On the morning of the twenty-second, Amanda awakened feeling as excited as Chloe would be when her feet hit the floor. And Jeb had made it possible. Going over to the dresser, Amanda drew out her tablet to write him a note.
I’m standing on a boulder now instead of a cliff, and I know you’ll catch me in your arms when I jump. I’m not only ready, but I need you to make love to me.
After dressing, Amanda took the slip of paper downstairs with her and laid it in front of the coffee machine. Jeb was already having his first cup of coffee at the table, but she knew he would refill his mug. When he did, he would find her message. Her heart skittered when she turned to meet his gaze. He grinned and winked at her.
As promised, Kate came early to help Amanda set up. Under her breath, she told Amanda that there were three deputies standing guard outdoors.
“Jeb arranged that,” Amanda replied. “He’s paying them to do it.”
“I doubt it. They’re all Barney’s friends and probably told Jeb to keep his money.”
Within seconds laughter filled the house. At two o’clock, Molly arrived, looking adorable in a light blue dress. For once, Amanda didn’t feel that Chloe was outclassed, because she had ordered her daughter a pink birthday frock and matching patent leather shoes. The dress, sporting a deep rose sash, had a silk cap-sleeve bodice with a tea-length skirt of ruffled organza. With her dark curls tumbling around her shoulders, Chloe looked like the princess Jeb often called her.
Adriel and Sarah arrived shortly after Molly, and then Jeb’s brothers and dad walked in. Jeb gave up on resetting the security system until the clown arrived. For some reason, Amanda had been expecting a man to fill the role, but Rocky Allen, a petite woman with wildly curly, bright red hair, turned out to be delightful. She wore billowing crimson pants, a garish polka-dot top, a conical hat, a bulbous red nose to complement her painted face, and floppy, oversize shoes. Apparently a gymnast who’d missed her calling, she utilized Jeb’s roomy home to do cartwheels and backflips, executing the moves with graceful precision until she deliberately bungled one and sprawled on the floor. The seams of her britches were held together with Velcro, allowing her to split them during her falls, whereupon she would gasp, try to cover herself, and finally enlist the aid of Molly and Chloe to help her.
Enchanted, the girls insisted Rocky join everyone at the large dining room table for birthday cake. When the candles were lighted, the clown yelled, “Fire!” and hurried over to extinguish them. Jeb, going along with the game, explained that after making a wish, the birthday girl had to blow out all the candles with only one breath.
Face aglow, Chloe knelt on a chair in front of her cake and gave both Jeb and Amanda a long, wistful look before squeezing her eyes closed to make her wish. Amanda felt heat pool in her cheeks. Every adult in the room had to know what the child yearned for—not just a pretend family but a real one. The clown made a great show of trying to maneuver her fork past her gigantic nose, making the girls giggle even as they ate.
Amanda had planned games as the next activity, hoping to burn off the sugar both girls had consumed. To her surprise, the Sterling family joined in. The men looked silly playing ballet freeze. The back-to-back balloon pop elicited hysterical laughter. Then they played Pin the Tail on the Donkey.
Chloe grew so excited she trembled as she sat with Adriel to open gifts. Jeremiah and Kate got the child a play kitchen. Jeb’s brothers gave Chloe fake foods and toy kitchen appliances. Adriel and Sarah went in together on a child-size table with two chairs and a tea set. Amanda’s gift for Adriel was a basket filled with scented soaps, bath salts, a wineglass, fine dark chocolate, and a bottle of Merlot. She got her daughter a life-size baby doll complete with a receiving blanket, diapers, outfits, and a feeding bottle.
After the party ended, everyone helped with cleanup, and Jeb fired up the gas barbecue. The family gathered once again at the dining room table to share the evening meal. As Amanda helped Chloe add relish to her hot dog, she heard Jeremiah murmur to Jeb, “She’s a keeper, son.”
Kate overheard the comment and didn’t bother to keep her voice down. “If he lets this one get away, he needs his head examined. Never have I seen two people more right for each other.”
Once again, Amanda’s cheeks went hot with embarrassment. Jeb noticed and winked at her.
* * *
That night after Chloe was tucked into bed with Frosty and Bozo, Amanda found Jeb waiting for her in the kitchen. The dollhouse was finished, and he’d recently resumed their nightly ritual of sharing a brandy. Two filled snifters sat on the round table, one on either side of a lighted candelabra. Startled by the formality, Amanda sought his gaze, and what she read in his eyes made her steps falter.
“What’s the occasion?” she asked.
He motioned for her to sit beside him instead of taking her usual place across from him. After sliding one of the snifters toward her, he took a sip from his own. Amanda noticed a slip of pink paper lying near her snifter. With a fingertip, she drew it toward her.
Jeb had written, I’ve made no secret of my feelings for you, Mandy, and at one point, you told me that you love me, too.
An aching sensation spread through her chest. Looking up at him, she whispered, “It’s true. I’ve come to love you with all my heart.”
He looked deeply into her eyes and slid another note toward her that read, Why are we stuck in this holding pattern? I know you’re still legally bound to Mark, but I’m confident you’ll be granted a dissolution of the marriage on January eleventh. There may be a brief waiting period for the divorce to be final, but then you’ll be totally free.
Amanda locked gazes with him. “Where are you going with this, Jeb? And why are you slipping me notes instead of just talking to me?”
He shrugged. “It’s become a tradition.”
She held his gaze. “I’m assuming you read my most recent message then?”
He smiled that wonderful smile that always made her feel as if the sun had broken through a cloud. “Yes. It was the invitation I’ve been waiting for, a sign from you that you’re ready. But if I’m going to ask you to stay in my life, it seems to me I should hold with the tradition that brought us together in the first place, asking you in a message.” Another pink slip rested beneath his fingertips. “There’s no law against a woman being engaged to another man before the dissolution of her marriage is final, right?”
He slid the last piece of paper toward her. With trembling fingers, Amanda took it and read through a blur of tears, Will you, Mandy Marie Lang, do me the great honor of becoming my wife?
She blinked. Stared at the words. She was about to say, “Oh, yes,” when he cut her off with, “You heard my parents today. We’re perfect together. I don’t want to push you into anything or make you feel trapped. But leaving so many words between us unspoken is—well, it makes me feel as if there’s nothing solid that I can hang on to. You’ve said nothing to indicate that you plan to stay with me. You never speak of the future or say the word forever. And because you don’t, I’m constantly curbing my tongue, afraid I’ll scare you off if I say something wrong.”
The last thing Amanda wanted was to make this wonderful man feel insecure.
He slid off the chair and went down on one knee beside her. Another rush of tears burned in Amanda’s eyes as she swiveled to face him. Grasping both her hands, he said, “Mandy Lang, will you marry me?”
Amanda appreciated that he used her maiden name. It gave her a sense of identity
that had been stripped from her.
She trailed her gaze over Jeb’s sun-burnished countenance and said, “Under my clothing, I have scars all over me, Jeb. Wouldn’t it be wiser on your part to see what you’re getting before making a lifetime commitment to me?”
He released her hands to cup her face between his palms. “I know you have scars, Mandy. I saw all those photographs.”
“So why—”
He cut her off. “I love you,” he whispered. “All of you, every inch of you, scars included. So I’ll ask you again. Will you marry me?”
“Yes,” she pushed out.
Jeb drew a small velvet box from his shirt pocket. Inside was the most gorgeous wedding set Amanda had ever seen. He slipped the engagement ring onto her left hand. A large center diamond surrounded by petal-shaped sapphires created a dazzling flower. “Oh, Jeb, this is so beautiful. It fits perfectly.”
“Not nearly as beautiful as you are. And your mom told me your size. I ordered it from a fine-jewelry site online.”
He set the closed box aside, cupped her face again, and kissed her, gentle and inquiring at first, his warm, silken mouth cajoling hers to open for him. Then he took, every caress of his lips and thrust of his tongue hungrier and more demanding than the last.
Grabbing for breath, Amanda drew back. “I’ve never really made love, Jeb. It wasn’t this way with Mark. What if I—well, make a mess of it and disappoint you?”
He pushed to his feet and swept her up into his arms. As he carried her toward his bedroom, he said, “Nothing about you could ever disappoint me. You’re the most perfect and beautiful woman I’ve ever known.”
Chapter Eighteen
Over the last many months, Amanda had read numerous love stories featuring men who were tender, passionate, and romantic in bed, but she never believed she might find that with anyone. Jeb toed the door closed after they entered his bedroom and stood Amanda by his king-size bed. She tensed and closed her eyes when he began undressing her, for she truly did have scars, so many that she could no longer remember how she had received some of them. Her blouse slipped off her shoulders and down her arms. With the ease of long practice, Jeb unfastened the front clasp of her dingy bra, making her wish she’d thought to order herself at least one set of pretty underwear. Next, her jeans fell in a puddle around her ankles.
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