Chapter 4
CHAPTER 4
“ Y ou didn’t put up a tree?” Karlene had showered their camp-out off of her and was standing in Joey’s living room on Christmas Day. The vaulted ceiling stretched high above, and the triangular windows at the top were streaked with sunshine.
“I did.”
“Where? It doesn’t feel like Christmas in here at all!” She turned in the room again, on the lookout for evidence that today was, in fact, Christmas. Out in the hills, it could be anytime. But in here, it should feel like the holiday was here .
“I already celebrated with my parents before they went on their Christmas cruise. So it feels like the holiday’s come and gone. However…”
He hooked a finger through hers, gently pulling her along through the narrow hallway covered in watercolors painted by his mom. He pushed open the main bedroom door, the one he’d taken over from his parents when they’d retired to Florida, and there was the cutest tree, sitting on his dresser. It was only about three feet tall and the lights were plugged in, the ornaments shining as they waved in the room’s air currents.
“I do have my tree.”
“Why in here?” she asked, coming closer. The ornaments were all different. Some from cities, some from theme parks. It was like one giant memento—or scrapbook.
“Because.”
“Because why?”
He shrugged his broad shoulders in his vest. “I like it.”
“Are these all…are they special?” She was facing the tree again, touching ornaments, turning them for a better view.
“I got this one in the Atlanta airport when we went to Canada that Christmas.” He touched an airplane, then a snowman. “This is Bonhomme de Neige.”
“Who?”
“A snowman in Quebec.”
“Oh.” She saw a reindeer near the back of the tree. “What about this one?”
“I just liked it.”
“And this?” It was an old photo of a ranch from probably the 1940s, locked between two plates of glass and ringed with soldering lead to hold it together. It was ugly, but somehow still pulled at the romanticism inside her. The photo and style were so quintessentially a ranch it made her eyes moist with unshed tears for her own dream.
Joey tapped it further into the branches. “Just something from a flea market. I don’t know why I bought it.”
“It spoke to you?”
“That sounds corny.”
“I know.”
“It did though.”
She could feel his breath on her cheek as he took in his tree.
“You always knew this would be your ranch,” she whispered, thinking how secure he must have felt as a teen knowing where he’d end up. Here. The place that was his heart and soul. The land his parents and grandparents had lived on.
“Oh my gosh! Did I give you this one?” She lifted the pewter snowflake off the tree, studying the school photo inside. She laughed and groaned at her grade six image. “Braces. Ugh.” She rehung it on the tree, hiding it near the back.
Joey’s hand reached around, snagging it, placing it in the front.
“Can I update the photo at least?”
“Never.”
She’d saved up for months for that gift, wanting to get Joey something special. Why she’d ever decided to put her face on an ornament and give it to an eighteen-year-old she didn’t know.
“It’s what started the tree.”
“I had such a crush on you.”
“I know.”
“Is that why you were so nice to me?” Why he’d let her tag along, join in when she only slowed them down.
“You were a fun kid.”
“Yeah, whatever happened to her? She got the braces off and grew up and got boring.”
“You don’t see yourself, do you?” His hand gently rested on her shoulder, sliding down her arm, and she leaned against him. His hand snaked around her middle, then the other, holding her like she belonged in his arms and always had. “Nothing boring about Karlene Abigail Spragg.”
She tipped her head back, resting it against his shoulder. “Yeah? How’s that?”
“Not only can she outrun the town while riding bareback in high heels, but she gets paid to beat up on poor, defenceless NHL players.”
She laughed. “They’re far from defenceless.”
“You do things your own way. Always have.” There was a hint of admiration in his tone, heady and addicting.
“You make me sound stronger than I feel.”
She leaned against Joey, listening to the steady beat of his heart. She hadn’t done love or her wedding her own way. She’d started dating Thomas in high school because he was cute. They’d stayed together because it was easy and fun and everyone said how great they were together. There was nothing bad or wrong about their relationship. It just probably hadn’t meant to go beyond high school. And then her family had started talking about marriage and how if they collaborated, they could change the face of ranching and some such almighty, lofty things.
Really, there had been no turning back. Not when she didn’t have a reason beyond the fact that there was no big spark between herself and Tom, and that they were probably meant to be friends and not more.
The only thing she’d actually chosen in recent memory was her job as a physical therapist and her city apartment. Well, no. Thomas had selected her apartment from her narrowed down list because it was closer to the highway that ran out toward Sweetheart Creek. But her job she’d chosen, knowing she wanted to work with her hands, help people who felt like their dreams were being taken away from them due to an injury. Sort of like how she’d felt when her grandparents had sold their ranch, a place she’d always assumed she’d inherit or buy from them.
“Why athletes? Why not work on cowboys in town?” Joey asked, his voice low in her ear. “Lots of broken men around here to keep you busy.”
“Broken by animals and tough living.” She’d much rather heal hockey players.
“Broken is broken, is it not?”
“Not always.”
“How so?”
“I know it makes no sense.” She’d gone blue in the face trying to explain it to her family. Why want a ranch here but drive all the way to the city to work on athletes? “The attitude is different. Cowboys are all rub some dirt in it. I feel more like I’m part of the team and the healing process with a hockey player. They’re more likely to stick with the program.”
“That makes sense.”
She laughed. “No, it doesn’t.”
“Maybe not,” he insisted. “But I get it.”
“Well, you’re probably the first.” She shifted so she could see him better, fearing that he was going to unlock his embrace and let her go.
But instead of releasing her, he tightened his arms, his lips drifting downward until they were on hers.
This was the moment she’d waited for almost all of her life. Their first kiss.
His arms felt so right around her, and she was protected and safe in his embrace, his lips dancing over her own in a way that made her sigh with happiness. His kiss was perfect. Firm, yet giving, teasing and testing, and for a beat or two she forgot to breathe at the perfectness of it all.
This moment, locked in Joey’s arms, was the best Christmas gift of all.
Karlene, still giddy from their kiss, whisked the eggs, sugar, vanilla and milk together in Joey’s kitchen. “Okay, add the cinnamon.”
Joey carefully sprinkled in the teaspoon of spice and she mixed it in. She handed him the bowl. “Now poor it over the bread and raisins.”
“It can’t be this easy.” He stared at the filled casserole dish a moment before putting it in the oven.
“Bread pudding isn’t difficult.”
“I could sit and eat this whole thing when it’s done.”
“Just another reason why my brother chose you as his best friend.”
“Another reason, huh?” Joey was standing close, a part of him always brushing against her, but she sensed a tensing in his shoulders.
“Yes, and you’re the bestest friend anyone could ever ask for.” She took a step toward him, leaning forward, leaving herself open for a kiss.
He gave a curt nod, sliding to the right as though he’d been in her way.
“Joey?” She squeezed between him and the counter.
“Yeah?” He stepped back, but she grabbed his shirt, pulling him close.
“I’m very lucky he found you.” She leaned in, giving him a quick kiss that relaxed his shoulders. He returned her kiss with a firmness that had her wrapping her arms around him and wishing he’d let go and lift her onto the counter and kiss her with whatever they had pent up between them.
He broke the kiss, whispering, “I should check on the chicken.”
Joey had a chicken on the grill’s rotisserie, part of their Christmas dinner.
Trying not to act disappointed that Joey didn’t want to assault her mouth with more kisses, she handed him the foil wrapped pack of buttered and spiced potatoes. “You want to add the potatoes?”
He took them to the grill while Karlene wiped down the counter, studiously fighting her urge to go jump into Joey’s arms and kiss him until New Year’s Day. She admired that he was taking it slow when she wanted to do nothing more than hit the accelerator, but a part of her feared that he was holding back out of secret doubts. And there were likely a few such as the age gap and her being his best friend’s sister. There was also the small fact that she was supposed to be on her honeymoon with someone else…
Karlene shook out her hands, trying to cool her thoughts as she checked the clock. Her extended family would soon be gathering around the dining room table to celebrate Christmas.
She sucked in a breath and looked for a chore to take care of and turned abruptly, almost bumping into Joey.
“Try this.” He’d come inside, unnoticed, and had a fork extended to her.
She opened her mouth, and he gave her a morsel of chicken. Her eyes widened as she chewed. “So good!”
“Right?” He smiled with pride and tossed the fork in the dishwasher. He began running hot water for the pots they’d dirtied and she grabbed the tea towel, falling into the cleanup routine, glad for something to do.
The radio played in the background, a mix of country and western Christmas songs keeping them company.
“Either or,” she said, announcing an old game they’d play out under the stars as teenagers. “Bread pudding or Christmas cake.”
Joey’s face scrunched in disgust. “Bread pudding all the way. Turkey or ham?”
“Turkey. Gravy or cranberries?”
“On the turkey?”
“Yes.”
She opened the package of chocolate-covered raisins he always seemed to keep in the cupboard by his fridge. She popped a few into her mouth.
Joey was still considering his answer, and he leaned her way, mouth open. She dropped a few treats into his mouth as well. “Gravy,” he said, crunching on the chocolate. “No. Cranberries. No, gravy.”
“You have to choose!” She leaned against the counter beside him at the sink and he flicked soap bubbles at her. She laughed, wondering if this was what it felt like when you found the right person. Every day was a holiday, even if you were doing your own quiet thing. It was like hanging out with a best friend in your favorite place on earth.
“I can’t choose.”
“You have to!” She scooped a handful of soap bubbles and smeared it across his chin. “Santa!”
“Come sit on my lap,” he growled, his wet hands leaving the sink, reaching for her.
She squealed and ducked around the kitchen island. With a grin, he went back to washing. She edged closer, unsure if the implied truce would be honored, or even if that was what she wanted.
Joey flinched as though he was about to move and she jumped away.
“Ha!” she crowed. “You can’t get me!”
“Wanna bet?”
She squealed again, giggling as they tore through the house. This was more like it!
She lunged out the front door and down the steps in her stocking feet as his wet fingers touched her. She came to an abrupt halt in the driveway, Joey piling into her, hands going to her waist. When he saw they had company, he dropped his hands and stepped back, one hand going to his hair.
Casually, he said, “Hey, man. Merry Christmas.”
Well, this was awkward. His best friend was glaring at Joey liked he’d murdered someone. All he’d done was lay his hands on the guy’s sister’s very shapely waist. Well, that was all Blake knew, anyway.
“What’s going on?” Blake stared at Joey, then Karlene, his brows more bent out of shape than the time the two of them had found her swinging from the top of her grandparent’s barn’s loft on a frayed old rope. It was that same you’ll-get-yourself-killed look.
Except now it was because his sister was with him. Or at least it sure looked like she was.
What was Joey doing? He knew better. Kar hadn’t resolved things with Thomas and here he was, in there already, without even allowing her time to breathe.
Sure, Thomas wasn’t the man Joey would have chosen for her—but, as it turned out, he was a little biased about who should be Karlene’s boyfriend—but he wasn’t a bad person. Joey should be giving her the room to decide what and who she truly wanted, not taking advantage of her vulnerability.
And that’s exactly what Blake saw. A guy taking advantage of his sister. Moving in while she was feeling hurt and confused.
Even if she seemed mostly okay despite running off without marrying her fiancé forty-eight hours ago.
Joey cleared his throat, cutting a quick look at Karlene.
“You want to know what’s going on?” she asked her brother, crossing her arms. “We’re goofing around, Blake.”
Yup. There wasn’t a speck of vulnerability in the sharp jut of her chin and wide, angry stance.
Blake’s brows worked their way lower.
“Nothing is going on,” Joey added, his tone level, hoping for Karlene’s sake that this didn’t turn into a giant fight. She’d been let down enough by her family already, and it was Christmas. Everyone should cool it, let it go and move on. “You know we’re just friends.”
Karlene sucked in a sharp breath, and Joey mentally kicked himself. Now she’d be doubting herself. But maybe they did need a little space—the kind of space that the reminder of friendship might bring. He’d been trying to take it slow today, but one taste of her lips and he was addicted, all thoughts of giving her time to ease into something all but obliterated.
Blake opened his mouth, hesitated, then said to Karlene, “I came to see if you wanted to talk to Thomas. Maybe patch things up before dinner?” His gaze darted to Joey, as though expecting him to jump in and interfere.
Joey took a step back so he wouldn’t give into temptation or that possessive roaring fire inside him and do just that—interfere and lose Karlene. She needed the freedom to choose, and she needed the space to do so. Even if it was the last thing he wanted to give her.
Karlene jerked the hem of her shirt into place. “I’m not—we’re not.”
“You’re still engaged.”
Karlene twisted the ring on her finger, removing it, her voice wobbling. “Then I need to give this back to him.”
Her brother took a step away from her, hands raised. “You do that yourself. I just came because I thought…”
“Where is he? Does he want to talk?”
The vulnerability in her voice gutted Joey.
Blake gave a slight shake of his head. “I don’t know.”
“Then why are you here?” Karlene’s anger was back.
“Because it’s not right.”
“What isn’t?”
“All of it.” He cut a glare at Joey. “You’ve run away! There’s tons of family at home and it’s Christmas and it’s all a big mess and everyone’s upset. You need to come home and fix this.”
Joey shuffled a few steps to the porch, anything to ease off the urge to jump in and set his friend straight. This wasn’t about them .
Karlene jammed her hands on her hips, glaring at her brother. “So you’re not here because you care. Because you realized that what Tom and I have is more a friendship than true love and that I just saved us both years of quiet agony and pretending?”
Joey worked to bite back a smile. There were so many things to love about his beautiful Karlene Spragg.
“That’s really sweet, Blake,” she continued. “And especially sweet that you’re worried that I might be hurt or humiliated. And that you’re worried that I feel rejected instead of supported by our family, and that nobody cares to understand why I left that church.”
Joey’s smile had faded, and his heart ached for Karlene.
“Maybe it hurts that Tom never came to see how I am. To fight for me. So why are you here to fight for him when he’s not? And you know what? Maybe that’s the proof that everyone needs in order to understand that I did the very best thing for both of us by running out of that church.”
Her brother inhaled slowly while Joey exhaled. Then Blake got back in his truck muttering “Okay, okay, okay. Merry Christmas little sis.”