Chapter Eight #2
Cait hesitated, remembering how she’d stuck her head out the window of Joe’s truck on their drive to the airport and shouted impatiently at the truck driver who was holding up traffic.
A conversation she’d had with Joe earlier returned to haunt her.
She’d argued that Christmas was a time filled with love and good cheer, the one holiday that brought out the very best in everyone.
And sometimes, Joe had insisted, the very worst.
“Since you already have your seat assignment, you may board the flight now.”
The urge to hurry nearly overwhelmed Cait, yet she hesitated once again.
“Excuse me,” Cait said, drawing a deep breath and making her decision.
She approached the soldier. He seemed impossibly young now that she had a good look at him.
No more than eighteen, maybe nineteen. He’d probably joined the service right out of high school.
His hair was cropped close to his head and his combat boots were so shiny Cait could see her reflection in them.
The marine glanced up at her, his face heavy with defeat. “Yes?”
“Did I hear you say you needed to be on this flight?”
“I have a ticket, ma’am. But it’s standby and there aren’t any seats.”
“Listen,” she said. “You can have mine.”
The way his face lit up was enough to blot out her own disappointment at missing Christmas with Martin and her sister-in-law. The kids. Her mother... “My family’s in Minneapolis, too, but I was there this summer.”
“Ma’am, I can’t let you do this.”
“Don’t cheat me out of the pleasure.”
They approached the counter to effect the exchange.
The marine stood, his eyes wide with disbelief.
“I insist,” Cait said. “Here.” She handed him the two bags full of gifts for her nephews and nieces.
“There’ll be a man waiting at the other end.
A tall minister—he’ll have a collar on. Give him these.
I’ll phone so he’ll know to look for you. ”
“Thank you for everything... I can’t believe you’re doing this.”
Cait smiled. Impulsively the marine hugged her, then swinging his duffel bag over his shoulder, he picked up the two bags of gifts and jogged over to Security.
Cait waited for a couple of minutes, then wiped the tears from her eyes. She wasn’t completely sure why she was crying. She’d never felt better in her life.
***
It was around six when she awoke. The apartment was dark and silent. Sighing, she picked up the phone, dragged it onto the bed with her and punched out Joe’s number.
He answered on the first ring, as if he’d been waiting for her call. “How was the flight?” he asked immediately.
“I wouldn’t know. I wasn’t on it.”
“You missed the plane!” he shouted incredulously. “But you were there in plenty of time.”
“I know. It’s a long story, but basically, I gave my seat to someone who needed it more than I did.” She smiled dreamily, remembering how the young marine’s face had lit up. “I’ll tell you about it later.”
“Where are you now?”
“Home.”
He exhaled sharply, then said, “I’ll be over in fifteen minutes.”
Actually it took him twelve. By then Cait had brewed a pot of coffee and made herself a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich. She hadn’t eaten all day and was starved. She’d just finished the sandwich when Joe arrived.
“What about your luggage?” Joe asked, looking concerned. He didn’t give her a chance to respond. “Exactly what do you mean, you gave your seat away?”
Cait explained as best she could. Even now she found herself surprised by her actions. Cait rarely behaved spontaneously. But something about that young soldier had reached deep within her heart and she’d reacted instinctively.
“The airline is sending my suitcase back to Seattle on the next available flight, so there’s no need to worry,” Cait said. “I talked to Martin, who was quick to tell me the Lord would reward my generosity.”
“Are you going to catch a later flight, then?” Joe asked. He helped himself to a cup of coffee and pulled out the chair across from hers.
“There aren’t any seats,” Cait said. She leaned back, yawning, and covered her mouth.
Why she should be so tired after sleeping away most of the afternoon was beyond her.
“Besides, the office is short-staffed. Lindy gave Paul her notice and a trainee is coming in, which makes everything even more difficult. They can use me.”
Joe frowned. “Giving up your vacation is one way to impress Paul.”
Words of explanation crowded her tongue. She realized Joe wasn’t insulting her; he was only stating a fact. What he didn’t understand was that Cait hadn’t thought of Paul once the entire day. Her staying or leaving had absolutely nothing to do with him.
If she’d been thinking of anyone, it was Joe.
She knew now that giving up her seat to the marine hadn’t been entirely unselfish.
When Joe kissed her goodbye, her heart had started telegraphing messages she had yet to fully decode.
The plain and honest truth was that she hadn’t wanted to leave him.
It was as if she really did belong with him. ...
That perception had been with her from the moment they’d parted at the airport. It had followed her in the taxi on the ride back to the apartment. Joe was the last person she’d thought of when she’d fallen asleep, and the first person she’d remembered when she awoke.
It was the most unbelievable thing.
“What are you going to do for Christmas?” Joe asked, still frowning into his coffee cup. For someone who’d seemed downright regretful that she was flying halfway across the country, he didn’t seem all that pleased to be sharing her company now.
“I... haven’t decided yet. I suppose I’ll spend a quiet day by myself.
” She’d wake up late, indulge in a lazy scented bath, find something sinful for breakfast. Ice cream, maybe.
Then she’d paint her toenails and settle down with a good book.
The day would be lonely, true, but certainly not wasted.
“It’ll be anything but quiet,” Joe challenged.
“Oh?”
“You’ll be spending it with me and my family.”
***
“This is the first time Joe has ever brought a girl to join us for Christmas,” Virginia Rockwell said as she set a large tray of freshly baked cinnamon rolls in the center of the huge kitchen table. She wiped her hands clean on the apron that was secured around her thick waist.
Cait felt she should explain. She was a little uncomfortable arriving unannounced with Joe like this. “Joe and I are just friends.”
Mrs. Rockwell shook her head, which set the white curls bobbing.
“I saw my son’s eyes when he brought you into the house.
” She grinned knowingly. “I remember you from the old neighborhood, with your starched dresses and the pigtails with those bright pink ribbons. You were a pretty girl then and you’re even prettier now. ”
“The starched dresses were me, all right,” Cait confirmed. She’d been the only girl for blocks around who always wore dresses to school.
Joe’s mother chuckled again. “I remember the sensation you caused in the neighborhood when you said Joe had kissed you.” She chuckled, her eyes shining. “His father and I got quite a kick out of that. I still remember how furious Joe was when he learned his secret was out.”
“I only told one person,” Cait protested. But Betsy had told plenty of others, and the news had spread with alarming speed. However, Cait figured she’d since paid for her sins tenfold. Joe had made sure of that in the past few weeks.
“It’s so good to see you again, Caitlin. When we’ve got a minute I want you to sit down and tell me all about your mother. We lost contact years ago, but I always thought she was a darling.”
“I think so, too,” Cait agreed, carrying a platter of scrambled eggs to the table.
She did miss being with her family, but Joe’s mother made it almost as good as being home.
“I know that’s how Mom feels about you, too.
She’ll want to thank you for being kind enough to invite me into your home for Christmas. ”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“I know.” She glanced into the other room where Joe was sitting with his brother and sister-in-law.
Her heart throbbed at the sight of him with his family.
But these newfound feelings for Joe left her at a complete loss.
What she’d told Mrs. Rockwell was true. Joe was her friend.
The very best friend she’d ever had. She was grateful for everything he’d done for her since they’d chanced upon each other, just weeks ago, really.
But their friendship was developing into something much stronger.
If only she didn’t feel so... so ardent about Paul. If only she didn’t feel so confused!
Joe laughed at something one of his nephews said and Cait couldn’t help smiling. She loved the sound of his laughter. It was vigorous and robust and lively—just like his personality.
“Joe says you’re working as a stockbroker right here in Seattle.”
“Yes. I’ve been with Webster, Rodale and Missen for over a year now. My degree was in accounting but—”
“Accounting?” Mrs. Rockwell nodded approvingly. “My Joe has his own accountant now. Good thing, too. His books were in a terrible mess. He’s a builder, not a pencil pusher, that boy.”
“Are you telling tales on me, Mom?” Joe asked as he sauntered into the kitchen. He picked up a piece of bacon and bit off the end. “When are we going to open the gifts? The kids are getting restless.”
“The kids, nothing. You’re the one who’s eager to tear into those packages,” his mother admonished. “We’ll open them after breakfast, the way we do every Christmas.”
Joe winked at Cait and disappeared into the living room once more.