Chapter 24
TWENTY-FOUR
Sleigh Ride Melodies
Noelle
“Good evening, princess,” Jack said as soon as I opened the door and let him inside with Chip hurrying in behind him. “Is Faith ready for her makeup?”
The friendly dog leaped up with his front paws on my chest, all covered in snow. I giggled as Chip gave me a wet kiss and Jack scolded him. He instructed him to sit, but the dog wouldn’t obey because he was far too excited to see me.
“Okay! Okay!” I laughed and ruffled the fur on his scruffy head. “Down, boy.”
Chip listened. He sat down panting, with a goofy grin, and his tongue hung out of his mouth. He had reindeer antlers on and was all set in character.
“Is Chip going out for Christmas caroling too?” I asked.
“Yep,” Jack answered in his big green outfit. “Where’s Faith?”
“She’s still getting ready.” I rolled my eyes. “I swear she’s entering the tweenager stage already.”
Jack laughed.
We heard running footsteps. I spun around as Faith poked her head out from the top of the stairwell with rosy cheeks, as bright as could be. Her hair was a mess with tangles after getting dressed in her costume.
“Mr. Timber is here already?” Faith groaned as she disappeared out of sight, and there was more stomping above. “I can’t find my makeup!”
“She’s... Ah...” I scrunched up my face. “A little behind. Do you want a cup of coffee while you wait?”
“Thanks, but I shouldn’t...” Jack pointed to the cosmetics on his face. “Christ. I never thought I’d say this, but I don’t want to ruin my makeup.”
“Right. Good point.” I snapped my fingers with a nervous giggle.
Suddenly, I was nervous. Awkwardness took over me like a girl about to embark on her first date with her crush. Except this wasn’t a romantic evening out, and I shouldn’t find Jack attractive, but the way my heart pounded in my chest proved otherwise.
After I saw Jack with Faith in my living room singing at the top of his lungs all out of tune, I couldn’t get him off my mind.
I woke up this morning, and he was my first thought, confirming I had dreamed about him when I wanted him out of my head, until I remembered Faith had invited him out this evening.
There was an annual charity event at school for underprivileged children during Christmastime, and Faith wanted to help raise money for the foundation.
It was an absolute must for her. I wouldn’t deny her the opportunity because she wanted to give back to the community, but I had second thoughts after she informed me that she wanted Jack to tag along too.
Faith had sparked the idea of them dressing up for fun, and Jack went right along with it.
It was a thoughtful plan, but this festive activity wouldn’t help with the distance part.
I’d have no choice but to follow through with their arrangement of bringing smiles to families' faces.
Because the grump was around, I suspected there would be some upset children, and I intended to keep the party pooper in check.
“Faith!” I called up the stairs and glanced at the clock on the wall. “It’s almost time to go!”
Thumps sounded overhead.
“But Mommy...” Faith pouted when she came down the steps with her shoulders slumped. “I need makeup. Mr. Timber has his, and I can’t go without.”
Chip barked. We all glanced down at him. He sat with the makeup kit in his mouth.
“Good boy, Chip!” Faith exclaimed with a wide smile as she gave him a hug and took the kit. “You found my makeup!”
“Attaboy, Chip.” Jack petted his dog on the head. “I knew I brought you along for a reason.”
Jack and Faith headed for the bathroom, where he applied her makeup and got her into character. All we needed was a Christmas miracle to get me through this. That, along with enthusiasm, patience, and, hopefully, some in-tune voices.
Faith laughed at something Jack grumbled, and I could see their reflection in the bathroom mirror.
My daughter beamed as brightly as ever up at a man I never thought could make her this full of joy.
My heart swelled at the sight, and I couldn’t help smiling, but deep inside, I hoped everything would be alright.
Jack Timber better not break my little girl’s heart. I’d strangle him.
Chip rubbed his wet nose against my hand.
“You like how happy they are together, don’t you, boy?” I bent down in front of Chip and rubbed behind his ears.
Chip groaned. He licked the inside of my forearm, leaving me slobbery kisses. His fur tickled my skin.
I giggled. “I do too, Chip. Don’t tell Jack.”
“Don’t tell me what?” Jack asked.
Immediately, I froze on the spot. I hadn’t expected that doing Faith’s makeup would be so fast. My daughter giggled behind me, and she came over to pet Chip while I let go of him. I stood up and pretended to wipe dog fur off my pants.
“That I appreciate you wanting to join us this evening for some cheerful singing.” I smiled.
“Anything for Faith.” Jack stared at me intensely. “And you too, Elle.”
Even though Jack wore the grumpiest outfit the world had ever seen, his eyes shone with such light. The brightness made me turn away and blink several times. Usually he was cold, distant, and hard to read, but within that moment, he’d laid everything out for me.
Jack Timber was grateful, joyous, and overwhelming. It was too much for me—I couldn’t handle the truth. I wasn’t prepared to accept the changes he was displaying all because of me and my daughter.
Breathe, Noelle. Take a deep breath in.
I exhaled with a gigantic forced smile. “Okay! Let’s get going.”
“Wait.” Jack held up a hand. “I have a surprise waiting outside.”
“That’s the way we’re heading, Jack,” I snapped and lowered my voice. “Outside.”
Jack held open the door. “After you.” Faith walked through while she thanked him.
Chip followed behind, while I tried to take the door out of Jack’s hand, but he wouldn’t let go.
“I don’t need your help, Jack. I never did.” I glared.
“Why the bitterness, little Elle?” Jack leaned in close and whispered in my ear. “Did I get your panties in a twist?”
More like undeniably slick. Much too wet while being near my dad’s best friend. I should hate his guts, but here I was, getting aroused as fuck.
Who knew a grumpy man in a butt-ugly green costume would turn me on?
“Screw you, Timber,” I said.
“All in good time, princess,” Jack stated.
I blushed, flustered by Jack’s promise, and stepped out into the bitter chill of the evening.
The wintertime breeze caught in my ponytail that was swinging freely out from the woolly knitted headband I had worn.
Its red fabric complemented my caramel-colored hair.
The warm white parka hugged me tightly, and my knee-high boots with insulated leggings kept me toasty.
I pulled mittens out of my coat pocket and put them on to keep my fingers safe from frostbite.
I had everything prepared, even a tin can to collect money, and we were ready to embark on our journey through the neighborhood for a good cause.
“What the...” Faith halted in the snow with a giant smile and rosy cheeks all aglow. “Mr. Timber! Is this what I think it is?”
“Yep,” Jack answered while he wandered past me and glanced over his shoulder with a huge grin. “This is our ride for the night.”
“No way!” Faith exclaimed with a bewildered expression. “Can I get in?”
“You sure can,” Jack answered as he patted the seat beside him, and Chip jumped in. “Hop in.”
No fucking way. My mouth hung open, and I was speechless. Jack had bought the red sleigh. A replica straight out of the movies. The sleigh ride had a control panel and everything.
I’ll be damned.
“You can’t be serious?” I voiced when I found the words. “This must’ve cost you a fortune.”
“Nah. Money means nothing when it comes to this...” Jack peered down at my daughter, who pushed every button on the sleigh’s panel. “This is priceless.”
My heartbeat palpitated something awful. To the point I thought the organ might explode. Instead, the throbbing leaped up into my throat.
Calm down, Noelle. This was only a gift to your daughter from the most insufferable man you’ve encountered. No big fucking deal. Close your goddamn mouth and be excited for Faith.
Faith beamed. “It’s cool! Isn’t it, Mommy?”
“Yes, sweetheart. The surprise is extremely thoughtful.”
Too damn nice indeed. Christ. I wish I smoked cigarettes.
I’d be a goddamn chain smoker by now with Jack Timber around.
He was always dropping bombshells in such a miserably sweet fashion I had no idea what he was up to next.
The way his eyes twinkled at me while he laughed at my daughter’s glee made my head spin, and I yearned to find out what this man had planned for me. For us.
Us? What the hell am I thinking?
There was no us, only me. My daughter and me. The only us there’d ever be. Not for one second in time would Jack be any part of us, but, Jesus, there he was.
Jack showed Faith how to work the controls for the gigantic sleigh we’d operate on the roadway. She followed his every instruction, even the no-touch button. Only Jack could start the engine, and he’d have to lend a hand while Faith steered with the control wheel.
“Safety first.” Jack told her with a playful wink at me. “We don’t want to get horribly mangled because there’ll be no sad faces this holiday season.”
Jack was back in true imitation fashion.
“As morbid as Mr. Timber might be, he’s right. We don’t need anyone to get hurt around Christmastime,” I expressed with a raised eyebrow and tried my best to remain serious. “Or ever.”
Jack had put Faith’s safety above all else, and I was grateful to him. He had displayed more respect for me than Logan ever had.
“Are you going to get in or continue standing there staring at me like I have four eyes and a huge forehead?” Jack joked and made room for me beside him. “Come on. I saved you a seat.”
Chip barked as he sat on his back legs with paws up on the front of the sleigh. His lovable brown eyes peered at me as he panted, and his slobber froze on the control panel. Faith made a disgusted face, and I giggled.
An eventful evening was ahead, one I didn’t want to miss even if I had to be near the only man who ever made my blood boil with fury and my heart pound in happiness.
“Okay, fine. I’m coming.” I hopped in beside Jack and pointed at him. “But you better behave.”
“Now, where’s the fun in that?” Jack leaned over and whispered in my ear, “You like it when I get naughty. Don’t you, little Elle?”
Jack grazed my inner thigh. I blushed bright red and pushed his hand away.
My glare cautioned him to keep his green, hairy hands off.
This wasn’t the time, and it never would be, but the snow fell with the temperature dropping.
I snuggled in closer to him and even caught him smirking at me, but I didn’t move away.
The fuzzy outfit was warm, okay? The man underneath had nothing to do with it.
Faith sang out into the wintery evening, “You know Dasher and Dancer, and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen. But do you recall? The most famous reindeer of all?”
Chip received affectionate pets from Faith, and the animal smiled right back at her.
She belted out the lyrics for “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Jack put his arm around me, pressed the magic button and away we went down the street.
Jack joined in with an offbeat melody. There wouldn’t be a single household in the neighborhood who wouldn’t hear us coming.