Debbie Macomber''s Cedar Cove Series, Volume 2

  “James would certainly be an improvement over her ex,” Rachel said.

  “A serial killer would be an improvement over her ex,” Teri joked. “Well, not really, but you know what I mean.”

  Rachel glanced out at the shop. Her client was waiting at her station; someone, most likely Jane, had already put a plastic cape around her shoulders and given her the current Vogue. “I need to get back to work.”

  “Thanks for listening, Rach.”

  They stood and hugged. “Keep December twentieth hush-hush, okay?” Rachel said.

  “You bet.”

  “We haven’t told anyone else yet, not even Jolene. Pastor Flemming offered to marry us in the church that afternoon. It’ll be a private ceremony.”

  “But I’m invited, right?”

  “Of course! I can’t get married without my matron of honor, can I? Not to mention her husband.”

  Teri gently squeezed her friend’s arm. “Bobby and I will be there,” she promised. “Thank you.”

  “No, thank you,” Rachel said. “Anyway, I should go. Some of us still work for a living.” Her good-natured laugh told Teri there was no jealousy in her words. Rachel was merely teasing, exercising her privilege as best friend.

  “Don’t be afraid to tell Bobby about the babies,” Rachel said as they left the break room. “And call me tonight. He’s going to be thrilled,” she insisted again.

  Teri wished she felt as confident as Rachel. She was the one who’d wanted to get pregnant. Bobby had been afraid for her physical safety and thought they should wait. The news that they were having a multiple birth was bound to send him into a panic.

  As soon as Teri left the mall, James brought the limousine toward her. Before she could open the door, he was out of the car and opening it for her. Once she was tucked inside, he took his position behind the wheel.

  “Is everything all right, Miss Teri?” he asked with a look of concern.

  “Yes, I think so. Why do you ask?”

  James started the engine. “Your doctor’s appointment was exceptionally lengthy and you seemed upset. Then you asked me to take you directly to the salon—to Miss Rachel, I presume.”

  “Rachel’s my closest friend. She’s— Oh, sorry.” Her cell phone interrupted her. She took it from her purse and saw at a glance that it was her sister.

  “Hi, Christie,” she said, flipping it open. She watched as James’s shoulders tightened.

  “Hi,” Christie returned. “I called the house and Bobby said you weren’t home from your appointment yet. Are you doing anything this afternoon?”

  “Ah…not really.”

  “Would you mind giving me a haircut?”

  “Sure. Can you come around four?” That should leave ample time to tell Bobby her news, with a few hours built in to let him adjust. She hoped.

  “I’ll be there at four.” Her sister hesitated. “Do you think James will be around?”

  Teri squelched a smile. “I imagine so.”

  “He fixed my car,” Christie said, speaking quickly. “So I bought him a little gift as a thank-you. Could you give it to him for me?”

  “You should do it yourself.”

  “I…don’t know about that.”

  “Play it by ear, then,” Teri said. “Let’s see how things go.”

  “Okay.”

  They hung up soon after that and Teri stuck her cell phone back inside her purse. “My sister’s stopping by later this afternoon,” she said blandly.

  “Is there still a problem with her vehicle?” he asked.

  “If there is, she didn’t mention it.”

  “Her car isn’t going to last much longer, I’m afraid.” James shook his head. “She needs new tires, too.”

  Teri was worried about Christie driving that old rattle-trap. But she’d worry about it another day.

  “My sister has something for you. A small token of appreciation for helping her with the car,” Teri said, studying his reaction.

  “There’s no need.”

  “You have a good heart, James.”

  In the rearview mirror she saw his face redden at her praise.

  “Thank you, Miss Teri.”

  By the time they arrived at the house on Seaside Avenue, Bobby was outside pacing. “What took so long?” he demanded, thrusting his head into the car as soon as James had opened her door.

  “Everything’s fine, Bobby,” Teri said calmly. “But I do have news.”

  Bobby looked perplexed—and fearful. “News from the doctor? What kind of news?” He helped Teri out of the car, then took her hand as they walked into the house.

  “You’d better sit down,” Teri suggested.

  His face went, if possible, even paler. He chose the sofa and Teri sat on his lap, looping her arms around his neck.

  “What would you say if I told you we’re having twins?” she asked, thinking she’d ease him into the idea of a multiple birth.

  “Twins!” He nearly unseated her. “Twins,” he repeated, as a slow grin slid into place. “Twins,” he said again.

  “Isn’t that exciting?”

  Bobby nodded.

  Teri cleared her throat, which immediately told Bobby there was something else. He looked at her warily.

  “Sweetheart, what’s one more?”

  He frowned as only Bobby could. “One more what?”

  “Baby.”

  “You want another baby?” He seemed completely confused.

  “No,” she said, “there already is another baby.”

  It took him a moment to catch on. His eyes met hers. “Are…are you t-telling me we’re having t-triplets?” he stammered.

  Teri nodded.

  “Triplets,” he said again, and he started to laugh. Sober, serious Bobby Polgar laughed, a rich, joyous sound that seemed to come from deep inside him. Then he was hugging and kissing her, proving in every possible way how much he loved his wife.

  And Teri loved Bobby right back.

  Twenty-Three

  Christie knocked politely at James’s apartment door. Drawing in a deep breath, she stepped back and squared her shoulders. As she waited she raised her hand to her hair. Teri had cut it shorter than it’d been in years. Christie had been wearing it shoulder-length, but this new style suited her and was easy to care for.

  James answered her knock.

  For a moment all they did was stare at each other.

  Then, remembering the reason for her visit, Christie thrust out a small wrapped package. “This is for you.”

  James glanced down at it, seemingly embarrassed.

  “I…I wanted to thank you for fixing my car,” she said quickly.

  “I was able to get the alternator working. But you’re going to need a new car. Soon.” With that he accepted the gift, still looking uncomfortable.

  “I can’t afford a new car,” she said. “I can’t even afford to have this one fixed on what I make.” Living alone, it was difficult enough to cover rent and pay off her ex-husband’s debts, plus meet all her other expenses, so overtime during the Christmas shopping season was a real bonus.

  “Thank you for the gift,” James murmured, “but it wasn’t necessary.”

  “It’s nothing big.” She hoped he liked Almond Roca candy, which was made locally. Wal-Mart had it on sale, and she’d bought some pretty silver wrap.

  “This was nice of you.”

  She began to turn around and walk back down the stairs.

  James stopped her. “You really shouldn’t be driving that car anymore,” he said.

  She lifted her shoulders in a shrug. “I’m sure you’re right.” She was on borrowed time with this vehicle and she knew it. In the next little while, something else would go wrong. The car would die, and that would be that. Then she’d have to investigate public transportation, and in a town the size of Cedar Cove, there weren’t a lot of options. In the meantime, James had made it possible for her to drive to work, at least for this week, and for that she was grateful.

  He continued
to hold the box of candy in both hands, as if he didn’t know what to do with it.

  “Could I ask you something?” Christie asked.

  “You cut your hair,” he said, apparently just noticing.

  “Teri did. Do you like it?” Her hand went to the back of her neck.

  “You look different.”

  His answer probably meant he didn’t approve of the change. Every man she’d ever dated had wanted her to keep her hair long. Not that she was exactly dating James, but that wasn’t the point. Christie didn’t understand men’s attitudes toward women’s hair, although Teri no doubt had some opinions on that subject.

  He’d evaded her question, but she wasn’t going to let him sidetrack her. So she asked another one. “Why’d you kiss me Monday night?”

  James’s mouth was a stern line. “Do you want me to apologize?”

  “No,” she said. “I just want to know why.” Naturally she hoped he’d admit he was attracted to her, that she’d driven him mad with longing. That was a bit melodramatic—perhaps, but it was nice to dream.

  “You don’t have to tell me if you’d rather not,” she said when it was obvious he didn’t plan to answer her question. Maybe he didn’t know how.

  “I was relieved that you were willing to listen to reason that night,” he finally told her. “You seemed so angry at first.”

  “I was.”

  “And irrational.”

  She had to agree. But she’d been desperate. He would’ve felt the same way if it’d been his car and he didn’t have the money to fix it, especially if he needed to get to work at six the next morning.

  “Okay, the first kiss was about you feeling relieved,” she said. “What about the second kiss?” She’d felt his longing and his need, and it’d matched her own.

  He blinked hard. “That was pure selfishness.”

  “Oh.” Her hand reached for the stair railing.

  “Did it shock you?” he asked.

  “No.” James apparently didn’t know much about her past. One hungry kiss wasn’t likely to offend her. There’d been a sweetness in it, an appreciation. She would hardly have called it “selfish.”

  When he didn’t stop her, she started reluctantly down the stairs. With each step she prayed James would say something to delay her departure. There was nothing else she could come up with; as it was, she’d already asked every question she could think of. It was dark now, time to head home. The December sky was clear and bright with stars.

  “Christie?”

  At the sound of his voice, she whirled around with such speed she nearly slid off the step. “Yes?” she asked anxiously.

  “Be careful driving, understand?”

  Her disappointment was like a weight that made her shoulders droop and her feet drag. But she didn’t know why she should care if James invited her into his apartment. Why did it matter whether or not he wanted to see her again? There were plenty of men who’d welcome her company. So what if he wasn’t one of them.

  “Your tires are nearly bald.”

  She pretended not to hear him. Her ego had endured as much of a battering as it could take. What did it matter, anyway? Besides, she didn’t even like him with his fussy manners and his formal speech. Fine. She wouldn’t go out of her way for him again.

  Driving home, she went past The Pink Poodle and was tempted to stop in. Beer cost money, though; she might be in the mood to drown her sorrows, but there were more productive ways to while away an evening. Instead, she drove down to the waterfront park, which was gaily decorated for Christmas. There’d been a notice in the Wal-Mart employee lounge indicating that the high school band was giving a Christmas concert that evening. She could use a bit of holiday cheer.

  She was fortunate to find a parking space. As she walked toward the gazebo and the public seating, she recognized several customers—people she’d seen in her cash register line. Sheriff Davis was there with a young couple, obviously his daughter, judging by the family resemblance, and his son-in-law.

  Charlotte and Ben Rhodes were seated in the front row. Everyone in town knew them. Charlotte had gone shopping that afternoon, picking up supplies for her cruise. She’d been high-spirited, excited about the trip, and they’d chatted away as if they were old friends.

  Next she saw Grace Harding from the library. She and her husband stood on the outskirts of the crowd. He’d slipped his arm around her waist, and her head rested against his shoulder. There was something touching about the pose, something that bespoke tenderness and trust. Beside Grace were two young women and their husbands and families. Each held a baby in her arms. Christie knew they were Grace’s daughters, but she couldn’t remember their names.

  The high school band began to play Christmas music, starting with a lively “Jingle Bells,” accompanied by actual sleigh bells. By the time they got to “O, Little Town of Bethlehem,” Christie felt the overwhelming urge to cry. All these people around her had someone who cared about them. Someone to whom they were special. Everyone except her. She could vanish off the face of the earth and no one would notice. Well, Teri and maybe their brother, Johnny, but not for days or even weeks.

  Tears stung her eyes and she dashed them away with her bare hand. Being alone at Christmas was the worst. Teri had invited her for Christmas dinner, but it was a pity invite. Johnny already had plans to spend the day with his new girlfriend’s family, so there’d only be Christie. She hadn’t given Teri an answer yet. She figured she’d just be in the way. Bobby and Teri didn’t need her intruding on their home and their lives, especially now that Teri was pregnant with triplets. She didn’t need the extra bother of guests at her Christmas celebration.

  Feeling morose and sorry for herself, Christie left the park and strolled along the waterfront. She could still hear the music as she paused in front of the marina and watched the sailboats. Many of them had Christmas lights strung on their masts, and a few had Christmas trees on their decks.

  As she turned away, ready to go back to her car, she saw that the library had set up a huge barrel to collect new toys for disadvantaged children. Growing up, she’d been one of those children.

  That was when she knew exactly how she wanted to spend Christmas. She’d volunteer to deliver food baskets and gifts. Instead of moping around, filled with self-pity, she’d do something positive. More than one person had generously reached out to her when she was a hurting little girl, and now it was her turn to help others.

  Yes, that was what she’d do. And if she couldn’t deliver gifts, perhaps she could serve dinner at a nursing home Christmas Day.

  Feeling better, Christie hurried back to her car and drove home. When she got there, she was astonished to see James parked outside her apartment.

  He climbed out of his car when she stepped out of hers.

  Her heart pounded furiously as he came toward her.

  “I’m going to be a volunteer,” she said excitedly, needing to tell someone about her momentous decision.

  He blinked as though she’d spoken in a foreign language.

  “If I can, I’m going to deliver charity baskets and gifts to underprivileged children on Christmas Eve.” She laughed at his puzzled expression. “I was feeling sorry for myself, and then it occurred to me that what I need to do is reach out to someone else.” All at once she realized that she didn’t know why he was there.

  She stopped and waited for him to tell her.

  James never seemed to find it easy to explain himself.

  When he didn’t say anything, she asked, “Do you want to volunteer with me?”

  He nodded. “Okay.”

  “Would you like…” She almost said a beer. “Tea,” she offered instead.

  “Yes, please,” he said with a grin.

  She led him into her apartment, which was clean for a change. It wasn’t the Ritz, by any means, but at least it was comfortable. In a burst of holiday enthusiasm she’d strung a tinsel garland across her drapery rod and stuck a ceramic snowman in the middle of her coffee
table.

  James folded his coat neatly and laid it on the back of her sofa.

  “Did you, um, have a reason for coming?” she asked as she filled her teakettle.

  “Where did you go?” he asked, which seemed to be a habit of his—answering a question with a question.

  “Down to the waterfront. The high school band is putting on a Christmas concert. I listened to the music for a while and that’s when I decided to be a volunteer.”

  “Why at Christmas, though?”

  She didn’t want to tell him she didn’t have anywhere to go. It was too personal, too…embarrassing. Too sad. “Payback,” she told him. “Someone was kind to me when I was a little girl without a gift at Christmas. Now I’m returning that kindness.”

  “It’s a very thoughtful thing to do.”

  Rather than discuss the worthiness of her idea, she said, “You didn’t answer my question. Why are you here?”

  “I wanted to see you. I thought you’d go to The Pink Poodle.”

  She almost had. “You wanted to see me. That’s sweet.”

  He nodded rather sheepishly.

  “I like you, James.”

  There it was—without a lot of fancy words to dress it up—just the plain truth. He could accept it or reject it and frankly, she wasn’t sure which he’d do.

  His gaze held hers for a moment, and then the most enchanting smile fell into place. “I like you, too.”

  That was as big an admission as he’d ever made in their decidedly odd relationship. Fearing he’d see the joy it gave her, she busied herself getting tea bags and sugar from the cupboard.

  As soon as their tea was ready, she carried the two mugs to the small coffee table and set them on her Christmas coasters. There was only the one sofa, so she had no choice but to sit next to James.

  He waited until she’d sipped from her tea before he picked up his own mug.

  “I’m glad you came,” she said, not looking at him.

  “I am, too.” He paused, then added, “I like your hair.”

  She’d almost forgotten she’d had it cut. “Thank you.”

  “You’re very pretty.”

  Christie was accustomed to flattery. Most men seemed to know exactly what to say in order to get what they wanted from her. She listened to their lies because she so badly needed to believe they were true. James’s three words meant more to her than any compliment she’d ever received.