Meet Me Under the Mistletoe Read online

Ah, right. Here we go. Dylan’s “concern” was borderline nagging, and it was beginning to annoy him. Jake crossed his arms over his chest and cringed, not bothering to hide the fact that tonight his twenty-eight years felt more like seventy. The relentless, freezing Iowa winter must be settling in his back.

  “Did my mother or Amanda pay you to make that speech? And for the record, this frown’s the back pain talking, not the reminder of abandonment. Nicole made her choice, and I’m not wallowing. Trust me on that one. I’m thankful she realized she didn’t want to marry me before I put a diamond on her finger and we pledged everlasting love.” Funny how the mention of Nicole didn’t bother him anymore.

  “Yeah, whatever,” Dylan said. “Listen, there’s a Christmas party down at Regency Hall. One of the local churches is handing out gifts and stuff for the kids. The chief called earlier and asked if we’d make an appearance. We’re taking the engine and doing the usual gig. In this case, since you’re the walking wounded, you get to play up the hero card. Not to sound insensitive.”

  “I don’t need a reminder, but clarification, please,” Jake said. “The chief asked or he commanded?” Big distinction.

  “Asked. Where you’ve got kids, ladies will be hovering nearby, if you catch my drift.” Dylan wiggled his brows and started to slap him on the arm before he caught Jake’s warning glance. “Sorry. Force of habit.”

  The corners of Jake’s mouth lifted as he nodded toward the box of toys still needing repairs. “One-eyed, one-armed Suzie over there can catch your drift, Dylan. Glad to know your priorities are in order.”

  “OK, then, since you’re forcing me to bring in the big dogs…”

  Jake snapped to attention and raised his hand. “Oh no, buddy. Don’t tell me you and Hannah are fixing me up. I thought you learned your lesson after the last time.”

  “Hey, Jasmine is a fine woman, has a solid relationship with the Lord, a good career—”

  “Who thinks the Eiffel Tower is in the Midwest. Kings Island or something. Not that she isn’t pretty and sweet as molasses, but she’s not for me.” Thank goodness Jasmine didn’t live in Starlight, or the situation could get awkward.

  Dylan shook his head. “So she might not be the best at geography, but who cares? Ever think maybe you’re too picky?”

  Jake stared him down. “No, as a matter of fact. Maybe I’m waiting on God’s timing and not yours, mine, or anyone else’s. Ever consider that? You will not—I repeat—not fix me up again. That’s final.” He stood without too much discomfort, and gained the advantage of a few more inches. “If I humor you and go tonight, it’s for the kids, and no other reason. Just so we’re clear on that point.” Dylan always knew how to play on his weakness.

  “Of course, there’s no other reason,” Dylan said. “Don’t worry. We didn’t arrange anything, but Hannah’s matchmaking efforts have shifted into overdrive these days. This nesting instinct of hers makes her want to pair up everyone.”

  Seemed Hannah wasn’t the only one playing matchmaker. “All right. Tell me I don’t have to put on the gear and all’s forgiven.” The full uniform with bunkers—boots, pants and suspenders, combined with the turnout coat and helmet—would add more than fifty pounds. Guaranteed to give him grief and slow the healing process. He headed to the front hall closet, each step a little easier. Moving around was good and helped alleviate the stiffness.

  “I think the chief will excuse you from wearing it,” Dylan said. “You’re one of our finest, but it’s a real shame you don’t have the same effect on women as you do with kids.”

  Jake pushed aside Dylan’s comment, no matter how true. He bent over to retrieve his boots from the hall closet and blew out a breath he hoped Dylan would interpret as physical pain. Not many women could understand the sacrifice of being on call, especially if it meant missing out on planned events. Through the years, his dad had missed a few football games, one of Amanda’s dance recitals, and a school program here and there. Sure, Jake had been disappointed, but he also admired his father’s commitment to the firefighter brotherhood.

  He carefully lowered himself to the steps, wincing with the effort. When Dylan reached out a hand to help, Jake waved him away. “I got it.”

  “Hannah was afraid you were turning into Scrooge. Or a hermit.”

  “Never,” Jake said. At least smiling didn’t hurt. “How’s she feeling?”

  “Better. This third kid’s taking more out of her. She’s convinced it’s a girl since she says this pregnancy ‘feels’ different. Can’t discount a woman’s intuition on these things. She was right about the other two.”

  Jake knew Dylan wanted a little girl to spoil this time around. Might soften him up, so it could only be a good thing. “Hannah’s coming tonight?”

  “Yeah. She’s meeting us there and bringing the boys.” Dylan returned his smile and angled his head toward the kitchen. “It’s safe to come out now, sis. Time to get Captain Jake all bundled up.”

  Within seconds, Julia rounded the corner of the staircase. Dropping to her knees, she tied the laces on his boots. Wow. If this angel of mercy wasn’t already spoken for, he might be interested. As pretty and nice as she was, she’d have guys lined up into the next town waiting to date her, given the opportunity. Plus, she’d seen those ridiculous Christmas boxer shorts. Even if Julia was available, she’d have that silly image forever burned in her brain.

  Once she finished her task, Jake thanked her. Clutching onto the stair railing, he rose to his feet, feeling like less of a man since he needed the support. He wasn’t used to helplessness, and he hated it.

  Retrieving Jake’s jacket from where he’d left it in the living room, Dylan tossed it to him. “Need help putting that on? No offense, but you seem a little feeble there, buddy.”

  “I’ll manage. You two go on, and I’ll be there in a second.” His right shoulder felt like it had a knife lodged in there. Jake ground his teeth in a concerted effort not to reveal his pain as he shrugged into the jacket.

  “We’ll get the car all warm and toasty for you. See you in a minute.” Dylan saluted and followed Julia outside.

  Jake grabbed his thermal gloves and stepped onto the front porch, closing the door behind him.

  “Still don’t lock your door, I see.”

  The woman’s voice—coming from the far corner of the porch—immobilized him. Nicole. Her timing was unfortunate as ever, and her tone didn’t sound the least bit nervous or apologetic considering the way she’d left him without so much as a personal good-bye. A few of the Christmas bulbs had gone out since Dylan and Julia’s arrival, leaving his former girlfriend in the shadows. Narrowing the distance between them, she stepped so close he caught a whiff of her familiar scent and felt the warmth radiating from her.

  Jake turned, the muscles in his jaws flexing. He forced a calm into his voice he didn’t feel. “Hey, Nicole. What brings you back to Starlight?”

  “You.” Her eyes focused on him. “Merry Christmas, Jake.”

  3

  Thirty minutes later, Julia shifted from one foot to the other as she waited outside Regency Hall. Burrowing her chin in the turtleneck, she stretched the fabric over her mouth and nose and then hugged her arms across her mid-section. Even for early December, the temperatures felt uncommonly cold tonight.

  “Aunt Julia!”

  She glanced up at the fire engine where her curly-haired, oldest nephew—the spitting image of Dylan at age seven—waved to her from the jump seat. His gap-toothed, infectious grin never failed to warm her heart.

  Jake clamped a big hand on Tyler’s shoulder, and Julia’s pulse hopscotched as he beckoned to her. “Come on up for the abbreviated tour. It’s balmy inside.”

  She smiled as she lowered the turtleneck. “OK, but only for a minute.” Accepting Jake’s hand, Julia hopped onto the steps and climbed aboard.

  “Watch this, Aunt Julia. It’s awesome.”

  Jake pulled on a full face mask and demonstrated how his voice sounded while wearing the apparatus. As T
yler asked him a few questions, Julia heard the door of Regency Hall open and glimpsed a small group of parents and children gathering by the door. Quickly removing the mask, Jake grinned. “That was a private performance for Tyler’s benefit,” he said. “It can frighten the girls.”

  “Scaredy cats,” Tyler mumbled, rolling his eyes.

  “Remember, girls grow up to be firefighters, too, Ty.” When Jake’s smile grew wider, it revealed a small dimple in his right cheek, adding to his growing appeal. “At least your Aunt Julia didn’t run away screaming.”

  “That’s ‘cause she’s a nurse. She’s brave, too, like you and Dad.”

  “You’re right,” Jake said. “It takes a very special person to be a nurse.”

  Hearing the excited voices of children approaching the engine, Julia scrambled down to the sidewalk. For the next few minutes, she exchanged small talk with one of the mothers and half listened as Jake explained firefighter basics. She smiled as the children—two girls and three boys—took turns sitting behind the wheel in Sergeant Sinclair’s seat as they pretended to steer the truck. Julia loved the pride on Tyler’s face at the mention of Dylan’s name, and she laughed when they made siren noises, none louder than Captain Marston.

  “What kind of gas mileage do you get with this engine?” one of the dads called to Jake.

  “Only about four miles to the gallon, but this baby packs a tank that holds more than five hundred gallons of water.” Humor infused Jake’s voice as he patted the side of the red engine. “Plus, Betsy can fly like the wind when called upon.”

  Amusing how men liked to name their vehicles—even a fire engine. Julia observed, through veiled lids, as the handsome firefighter lifted the smallest children and planted them safely on the sidewalk. Although they couldn’t weigh much, Jake obviously paid no mind to any pain caused by the pressure on his wounded shoulder and back. She watched as he led them around the truck, explaining where the other firefighters sat and their individual responsibilities when called out on a run.

  In kid-friendly terms, he showed them a few pieces of the equipment and gave examples of how and when they might be used. The children were wide-eyed and curious, and Jake obviously loved his job as a Starlight legacy firefighter, coming into the department when his father retired. With ease and skill, he redirected an older girl, who’d been bossing a younger boy, by having her try to hold and aim one of the fire hoses. Then he told her how heavy it was when filled with rushing water. One boy tried to impress the others with his working knowledge of the engine, and Jake praised him for being so smart. He paid close attention whenever any of them had a question and tried to draw out the shyest of the bunch, a girl with red curls who hung on Jake’s every word. Good thing they were all bundled up, but the kids seemed enthralled with the tour and oblivious to the cold night air.

  Another girl asked him where Sparky was, and Jake said the firehouse mascot was back at the station slumbering away and dreaming of Christmas treats. He explained how Dalmatians such as Sparky were ideal mascots in the days before gasoline-powered fire trucks. The breed was a natural friend to—and possessed a calming power—for the horses.

  “Can I ring that?” Tyler tugged on the sleeve of Jake’s jacket and pointed to the shiny, silver bell topped with an eagle anchored above the engine’s right front bumper.

  “I’m sure that can be arranged, Tyler James Sinclair,” Jake said.

  Tyler laughed. “Don’t forget the rest of my name. It’s very important.”

  Jake pretended to think about it. “The Tenth?”

  “Third. After my grandpa, Tyler James Sinclair, Jr. I don’t get that part, but it’s a family tra…” he hesitated and shrugged. “Whatever that word is.”

  “Tradition,” Jake said. “I like it. Your name sounds presidential.”

  “That’s what Aunt Julia says, too.” Tyler gave her the cute grin that captured her heart every time.

  “Your Aunt Julia sounds like a smart woman.”

  Julia turned her head when Jake glanced her way. His charming dimple could easily become addictive. Her thoughts wandered to the woman who’d waited for him outside his front door. She found it odd how the woman—his ex-girlfriend, Nicole, according to Dylan—waited in the shadows, not stepping forward until Jake came outside. They’d shared a few words before Jake joined them in the car. He’d been subdued, but whether from Dylan getting after him, his obvious physical pain, or the brief exchange with Nicole—or all of it—she couldn’t know. A terrific guy like Jake surely had several women vying for his affection. Then again, it made no difference since she was supposedly taken. What a mess I’ve made of everything. A pang of guilt pierced her conscience. She rarely told a fib, even as a child, but now the lie she’d told to escape her family’s relentless matchmaking was snowballing fast.

  Snapping to attention as the clear tones of the bell rang out in the stillness of the night, Julia listened as Jake told them how the bell was the forerunner of the modern siren, alerting others to move out of the street to allow them passage. Tyler’s endless fascination with the bell amazed Julia, especially since he visited the guys at the station at least once a week. When Tyler finished his clanging, Jake explained how fire bells across the country had taken on new significance since the events of 9/11. They’d become a symbol of freedom and the sacrifice of the brave New York City firefighters and others who’d lost their lives on that fateful day in America’s history.

  Tears welled in Julia’s eyes; she always got sentimental when thinking about 9/11. Her gaze locked with Jake’s. She turned away, but not before she glimpsed the compassion in his expression. As much as anything, it was a shared understanding of the heartache, but also the joys of helping and protecting others.

  Tyler ran over to Julia and threw his arms around her middle, hugging her tight. “Don’t cry, Aunt Julia. Wanna go get a cookie? That’ll make you feel better.”

  Dylan and Hannah were doing a wonderful job raising her nephews, and what a blessing they were in her life. Julia sniffled and returned Tyler’s embrace. “That sounds like a delicious idea.”

  “Sure does.” Jake thanked the kids and told them it was time to go inside with their parents for hot chocolate or cider and homemade cookies.

  Julia turned to go. “Coming, Ty?” He huddled together with Jake by the bell, their voices lowered. Wonder what that’s about?

  “So, do you think my son’s gonna follow in his old man’s footsteps?” Dylan stopped beside her on the sidewalk, jogging in place to keep warm.

  She hooked her arm through Dylan’s and leaned her head on his shoulder. “I think he might. And that’s a very good thing.”

  ****

  “Jake,” Tyler said, his face scrunched into a frown, “I got a big favor to ask you.”

  “What’s that? Need another Junior Firefighter badge?” Tyler had a tendency to give them away to the other boys in his Boy Scout troop or at school. Jake found it difficult to resist when any kid asked for a special favor, but especially this kid.

  “Nah, nothin’ like that.” Big brown eyes, bright in the moonlight, searched his.

  “Name it,” Jake said. “Then we’re going inside to get something hot to drink and Martha’s cookies.”

  Tyler leaned close to whisper in his ear. “Will you kiss my Aunt Julia under the mistletoe?”

  That was the last thing he’d expected to hear. Jake sucked in his cheeks and turned his head. It was either that or choke. “Oh, I’m sure she already has a boyfriend—or whatever—to do that back home, Ty the Third.”

  The boy’s mouth downturned. “Then why does she seem so sad?” Smoothing his gloved hand over the bell, he appeared lost in thought but brightened a few seconds later. “If you kiss her, she’ll probably be happy. Don’t you think she’s pretty?”

  “Yeah, I do, but that’s not the point, kiddo.” Jake searched his muddled mind for an appropriate response but came up empty.

  Tyler waited with a puzzled frown. “I’ll visit the firehouse ev
ery day—even in the snow—and walk Sparky. Promise.”

  “Never fear. Your relief is here,” Dylan called from where he stood talking with Julia. “You’ve paid your dues, buddy.” He winked at his son. “I’ll take over here. Go on inside and get warm.”

  Great timing. “That’s the most profound thing you’ve said all night.” Jake slapped Dylan’s shoulder as he passed by him.

  “You’re just in time to finish decorating the tree, and then we’ll hand out the packages,” Dylan said. When Tyler protested, saying he wanted another tour of the engine, Dylan shook his head. “Your mom needs you inside to help. Now scoot.”

  As he watched Julia take Tyler’s hand to go inside, Jake paused on the sidewalk. He hadn’t thought of the message in a few months, but meeting her brought it back full-force. The guys at the firehouse would think him certifiable if they knew how many times he’d listened to the voicemail she’d left for Dylan a few months before. Since no one else was around, he’d replayed it numerous times before writing her name and number on the blackboard. Then he’d erased the message, knowing he’d never forget it.

  In the voicemail, Julia told her brother about a six-year-old boy named Brandon who’d been fighting leukemia. Jake thought Hannah had mentioned Julia was a nurse, but at the time, he couldn’t be sure. She said she hated leaving the message on the machine at the station, but she’d misplaced his new cell phone number. “I felt the overpowering need to call right now.” She’d hesitated, and he’d heard a small sob that socked him right in the gut. Jake had been riveted by her words, not sure what to expect.

  “Brandon had a bone marrow transplant, and wouldn’t you know the donor was a firefighter. Now that sweet boy’s in full remission. God is so good, isn’t He? This is a boy the doctors said would never leave the hospital. I don’t really know why I felt the need to call and tell you right now, but maybe it’s because the donor…could easily have been you, Dylan.” She hesitated for a long moment. “Even though I have faith the Lord can heal—like with Brandon—when it actually happens, I realize what a miracle life really is, you know?” She sniffled. “Maybe I’m not making any sense, but I wanted you to know I’m very proud of you, and I love you. Call me soon and give me your new cell number again, please.”