Chapter Twelve
Amariah
Guilt tugged at me when my mom asked me to join her for church service. It had been a while since I’d set foot in a sanctuary, but admittedly, it was exactly what the doctor ordered.
The cherry on top was seeing Jacob.
Mom and I were already seated in her favorite section when I heard the bellow of laughter that could only belong to him.
I turned to see Jacob escorting his mother in, greeting nearly every usher, deacon, and good sister of the church as they smiled and shook his hand.
Clearly, he was a regular. My greetings, on the other hand, were filled with surprise, as if folks half-expected me to set the church doors ablaze just by showing up.
As Jacob made his way down the aisle, I had to stop myself from gawking.
That man knew how to wear a suit. I realized I’d never seen him in one before.
Back when we were kids, he wore polo shirts and khakis.
But grown-man Jacob donned a cream turtleneck under a tailored dark-brown patterned suit with matching loafers, looking like a dream and temptation rolled into one.
I swear, if the man had passed the collection plate, I might’ve jumped right in it… no change needed. Lord, forgive me.
My heart nearly started palpitating when his mother stopped at our pew and asked if they could sit with us.
If my heart skipped a beat at that question, it nearly stopped pumping when Jacob greeted me by pulling me into an embrace that felt just like the one on Thanksgiving.
His scent nearly secured my seat in hell from the thoughts coursing through my mind in this sanctuary.
It should have been a homemade sin to smell that good.
He smelled better than before … felt better than before.
And I had to clench my thighs to keep my body from broadcasting my thoughts.
Of course, my mother happily rearranged our seating, so she and his mother were side by side, leaving Jacob and me sitting beside each other, shoulder-to-shoulder.
Throughout the service, I couldn’t help admiring his faith.
He knew every song, recited every Bible verse, and wasn’t ashamed to shout out praise when the sermon got good.
The man even brought a physical Bible. Its pages were worn and highlighted, proof that he used it more than just for Sunday service.
My own mother had switched to the Bible app years ago, so seeing his physical one felt… genuine.
Despite my absence from church life, I found myself swaying with the choir and eventually lifting my hands in worship.
The pastor’s sermon landed deep in my spirit, and before I knew it, tears were rolling down my cheeks.
Everything I’d been holding back—my father’s illness, the exhaustion, the fear—rose to the surface.
It was the first time I’d truly let myself feel.
Without a word, Jacob slid his tan pocket square into my hand and rested his palm gently on my thigh in comfort.
I wanted so badly to lean into him, to let myself fall apart in his arms, not out of attraction but because I knew peace lived there.
Instead, I gripped the pocket square, steadied my breath, and leaned on the Holy Ghost for strength.
After church, all I wanted was a glass of wine, soft Christmas music, and time with my daddy.
The house was already decorated. Mom and I had finished trimming the tree last night, and the store was closed today.
For once, I could finally just be. While Mom chatted with her church friends, I made my way toward my rental Jeep.
“Hey, Mari Mar, hold up a minute.”
That voice. His voice.
I turned to see Jacob walking toward me, his long camel peacoat adding another layer of sexy to his already unfair level of fineness. Was this man trying to melt me right here in Jesus’ parking lot? Father, cover me.
“Hey, Jacob. Oh, did you want this back?” I reached into my coat, pulling out his pocket square.
He shook his head, smiling. “Nah. I’ve got plenty.” He fell into step beside me. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
Leaning against my Jeep, I nodded. “Yeah. Just thinking about my daddy. It all kind of hit me at once, you know?”
His expression softened. “I get it. It’s a lot. And it’s okay not to be okay. We’re all here for you. Mr. Adam’s a fighter. He’s going to pull through.”
“That he is,” I said, pressing my key fob to unlock the door. “Thanks for checking on me.”
He opened the driver’s side door, then paused. “There is something I wanted to mention.” His tone turned serious.
Concern edged my voice. “What’s wrong?”
He folded his arms. “You put up all those beautiful decorations at the store, but we still don’t have a Christmas tree.”
I blinked, then fell into a fit of giggles, smacking his arm. “You’re wrong for that! I thought something was actually wrong.”
He held up his hands in surrender, grinning. “Hey, I was gonna put up one of the fake ones from the floor, but since decorations are your department, I figured I’d better ask first.”
I gasped. “You were going to put up a fake tree in my father’s store?”
He bit his lip and nodded sheepishly.
“Oh, no, you won’t. We only deal with live trees.”
He chuckled. “And that’s exactly why I asked. Mr. James’ tree farm is open today. You want to go with me to pick one out? I’ll even let you choose the decorations.”
I squealed. “James’ Jolly Christmas Trees? Are you kidding? You know every real holiday lover in Skye Ridge gets their tree from Mr. James. And yes, I’m coming. Somebody’s got to make sure you don’t turn the store into a Charlie Brown Christmas special.”
“Keep teasing me,” he said, laughing. “You forget I’m the one cutting and loading it. I’ll find the puniest tree on the lot.”
“And I’ll throw it right back where you found it,” I shot back, both of us laughing until my mom appeared beside him.
Jacob straightened, hand over his stomach. “Oh, hey, Mrs. Luke. Let me grab that door for you.” He hurried to open the passenger side and helped her in.
“Thank you, Jacob,” she said with a kind smile. “Didn’t mean to interrupt your conversation.”
“No interruption at all,” he said, flashing me a teasing grin. “Amariah was just scolding me over my tree-picking choices.”
“He was going to put up a fake tree, Mama,” I tattled.
She gasped. “Blasphemy!”
“Exactly!” I laughed, pointing at her.
“I’ve learned my lesson. No fake trees,” Jacob conceded, hands raised.
“Good,” I said smugly, then added, “We’re heading to Mr. James’ to pick one out.”
“Pick you up from your house in an hour?” he asked.
“Absolutely.”
He nodded, closing the door and giving it a pat. “All right. Have a good day, Mrs. Luke. See you in a bit, Mari.” With that, he strode off toward his truck.
As I pulled out of the lot, my mother cleared her throat. “I thought you were planning to relax and spend time with your father today.”
I winced because I’d honestly forgotten my previous plans the moment Jacob invited me to come with him. “Oh, we won’t be long.”
“Mm-hmm,” she said, unconvinced, her tone laced with that motherly I see you energy. “No worries, baby. I’ll spend some quality time with your father. You go enjoy your tree shopping.”
Exactly an hour later, Jacob was at my parents’ house.
One thing I admired about him was his manners.
He could’ve easily honked the horn or called to say he was outside, but instead, he came to the door and spoke to my daddy before we left.
I might have had my share of differences with him about many things, but respect was never one of them.
When we pulled up to the Christmas tree farm, my eyes lit up as if I were a little girl again.
There were so many fond memories here. Every year, Daddy would cut down our tree, and I’d go along until I left for college.
I remember eating popcorn during the hayride, giggling at the bumps in the road, and later, sipping hot chocolate by the fire pit while roasting s’mores.
Christmas tree shopping wasn’t just a task; it was an experience.
It broke my heart that Daddy was too sick to make the trip this year.
Mr. James’ son delivered our tree, and while it was beautiful, it wasn’t the same.
So being here now with Jacob, of all people, was a welcome delight.
I hopped out of the truck, rubbing my gloved hands together before tugging my scarf tighter around my neck. The air was crisp and biting, but the heat from the fire pits and scent of pine made it feel like the perfect winter day.
“Hot chocolate,” Jacob and I said in unison, smiling at our like-minded thinking.
“You already know that’s a must.” I grinned. “I can’t pick the perfect tree until I’ve had that first sip of chocolatey warmth running through my veins.”
Jacob smirked. “It’s good, but I don’t remember it being that good. What was Mr. James putting in your cup?”
“Don’t even!” I giggled. “His wife usually made mine. She just added a little extra love, that’s all.”
“Maybe it was their son,” Jacob teased. “I always thought he had a crush on you.”
“I think those vibes were for you,” I whispered, leaning closer. “Janelle told me he has a boyfriend.”
Jacob’s eyebrows shot up. “Now that you mention it, I don’t remember him ever having a girlfriend.”
We shared a knowing look, and when he came around the corner with a man known to be out of the closet and appearing too intimate for friendship, our suspicions were confirmed.
“See,” Jacob muttered, shaking his head. “You and Janelle love stirring the pot. She really needs to stop telling everybody’s business.”
“Maybe she would if you all stopped giving her business to tell,” I teased.
“She doesn’t even need sources.” I shook my head.
“She is the source!” I bellowed.
“Her mouth moves faster than Google, and her algorithm never misses.” He chuckled. “She’s in the right profession—always ready to serve the tea.”
I laughed, waving politely as we passed by Mr. James’ son and his friend, pretending we hadn’t just been talking about them. After grabbing our hot chocolates, we set out to find the perfect tree.
“So,” Jacob said, taking a sip, “do you decorate your place in D.C.?”
“Absolutely,” I replied, letting the sweet warmth coat my throat. “I didn’t go all out this year for obvious reasons, but I did manage to hang a wreath on the front door. What about you? Have you decorated?”
A sheepish look crossed his face. “Uhh…no.”
“No?” I gasped.
“Well, I’m usually at my mom’s for the holidays, and she does all the decorating.”
I stopped walking and grabbed his arm. “But you at least put up a tree, right? Please tell me you did that much.”
He rubbed the back of his neck, guilt written all over his face. “Actually…no. I haven’t put up any decorations.”
“Jacob!” I screeched, taken aback by his lackluster spirit. “Absolutely not. We’re fixing that today. After we get the store’s tree, we’re getting one for your house along with decorations, and don’t bother arguing.”
He sighed reluctantly, but the corner of his mouth lifted into a conceding grin. “Fine. What the hell? Let’s do it.”
“Yay!” I bounced on my toes. “Let’s get it!”
For the next hour, we scoured the lot until we found the perfect trees: one for the hardware store and one for his home.
Watching Jacob cut them down was its own kind of salacious entertainment.
There was something about the way he moved, so focused and strong, which made it hard not to fantasize.
I kept my lustful thoughts to myself, though, masking them with playful banter.
After a break for s’mores by the fire pit, we ducked into the farm’s little retail shop for ornaments and décor.
I picked burgundy and gold for his home, different from the traditional colors I’d chosen for the store.
Back at Luke’s, we wasted no time setting up the store tree.
I kept it simple with crimson and green bows trimmed with gold, strands of pearls, and a large gold bow for the topper.
The red tree skirt had tiny wrenches and ratchets imprinted on it.
It was the perfect nod that represented Luke’s Hardware.
“Now, it’s your turn,” I declared as Jacob climbed down from the ladder after placing the topper.
“We can wait—”
“Oh no, you don’t,” I cut in, wagging a finger. “You’re not escaping this. I know I’ll find that tree on the curb if I allow you to get out of decorating tonight.”
He laughed, shaking his head. “Okay, bossy.”
I grinned, swaggering up to him and bopping his nose with my finger. “That’s Ms. Bossy to you.” Turning toward the exit, I clapped my hands. “Now put that ladder away and let’s go. Chop, chop.”
“I hope you know the takedown’s all you,” he called out.
“Nope! That’s not my ministry, sir!”
I caught a glimpse of myself in the store window with bright eyes and a wide smile and realized this was the most fun I’d had since coming home. For the first time in a long while, it felt like old times with Jacob Gold.