Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter
Thirty-One
Amariah
Although my problems were far from over, Jacob’s trip to the wishing well renewed my spirit.
Even without knowing the outcome, I had faith that everything would pan out in our family’s favor.
Jacob had always been a guiding light in my life—an angel sent from the Most High.
I knew this because only he could pull me from the depths of despair.
Anyone who could instill hope in your heart had to be heaven-sent.
As we rode back to the store, we sang loudly and off-key to every Christmas carol crooning through the speakers.
We were carefree as if we had no worries in the world.
My heart thumped as I stole glances at Jacob as he drove and sang.
Happiness radiated off him, infecting me.
The way his thick lips curled at the corners, his long lashes fluttered as he belted out the lyrics to “The Twelve Days of Christmas” with gusto, and his rippling muscles slightly bulging, visible even beneath the thick winter coat, lit an inferno low in my belly.
I had to force my thoughts to keep the feeling from traveling any farther south.
The schoolgirl crush I’d once had on him was morphing into a grown woman’s desire.
And he was most definitely a grown man. My mind drifted back to our intimate moment in front of his fireplace, and a shiver raced up my spine.
“Are you cold? I can turn the heat up,” he said, reaching toward the button.
On the contrary, I was hot, and not from the thermostat inside the truck. “No, I’m fine. Just a light chill, but I’m good now.” I looked away, sweeping my hair behind my ear and avoiding eye contact with him so he wouldn’t pick up on my indiscreet thoughts.
I felt his hand pat my thigh and swallowed roughly.
The weight of his large hand reminded me of the way he’d held me that night at his house.
My pulse quickened, but this time, the sensation felt deeper than our previous rendezvous.
My heart stirred, thumping as if a bass drum were lodged in my chest. His touch felt protective…
passionate…and right. My gaze lifted to his face.
His eyes were focused straight ahead on the road, but his hand lingered on my thigh—a gentle reminder that no matter what else held his attention, his concern was always for me.
I swallowed the lump forming in my throat.
This was the Jacob I’d always known. The one I’d missed. The one I’d longed for. The one…
“We’re back,” Jacob announced, interrupting my thoughts.
I shook my head, clearing them. “I guess I’d better let you and Koby get back to work. I need to go home and prepare for this phone call tomorrow.”
He patted my hand reassuringly. “Remember, you’ve got this.”
Leaning back against the seat, I released a soft sigh. “Thank you.”
As we exited his truck, we spotted Koby nearly at full sprint, waving his arms to catch our attention.
Panic surged through me as he neared. Without thinking, I rushed toward him, fearful that something had happened while we were gone.
Jacob was right beside me, his expression mirroring my own concern.
“Koby, what’s wrong?” The words spilled out before I could fully reach him.
He stopped, bending over with his hands on his knees to catch his breath. “I wanted to stop you before you left,” he huffed. “You need to get inside the store. You have a visitor. It’s important.”
Jacob and I exchanged a glance before speed-walking toward the store.
My chest tightened as I struggled to catch my breath, both from the walk and anxiety.
I had no clue who was waiting, but given everything going on, I didn’t have high hopes for a friendly visit.
At the door, Jacob grabbed the handle, opening it and motioning for me to enter inside first.
“Mrs. Lovett,” Koby called out as an older woman who looked to be about in her fifties turned around.
She wore a cute pink cotton beanie with a matching scarf and overcoat, and the smile creasing the lines in her cheeks made her appear warm and endearing. Despite her appearance, I reserved my judgment until I knew why she was here.
“This is the owner I spoke of, Amariah Luke, and our store manager, Jacob Gold,” Koby introduced. “Mari, Jacob, this is Mrs. Lovett.”
Jacob offered her a polite nod while I extended my hand for a handshake, which she accepted. “Mrs. Lovett, how do you do?”
“I’m not sure,” she replied, “but hopefully, I’ll be better soon.”
Uncertainty passed between Jacob and me before Koby spoke again. “Ahem,” he said, gaining our attention. “I’ll give you all some privacy. I’m going to the diner down the street to grab some muffins and coffee.”
Once Koby left, I returned my attention to Mrs. Lovett. “I’m not sure how we can help you, but if we can, we surely will. You have my undivided attention.”
“I am the mayor pro tem and chairman of the board for Ridgeland’s Christmas committee. As you know, Skye Haven, Skye Springs, and our city, Ridgeland, were hit hard by the last snowstorm. In fact, we still haven’t fully recovered with another impending storm brewing.”
It was true. Ridgeland, along with the other neighboring cities she’d mentioned, had taken the brunt of the damage, but I didn’t understand yet how that involved us.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I said sympathetically. “Is there any way we could be of assistance?”
“I certainly hope so,” she continued. “The auditorium where we normally hold our annual Christmas nativity play and gala suffered pipe damage near the storage room from the storm. The water damage ruined everything—props, designs, and Christmas décor. Our hardware stores are overwhelmed with residential repairs, limiting resources and supplies. I was hoping you might have supplies on hand for a special order to be delivered to Ridgeland First Baptist Church. We’ve had to move the events to their Family Life Center, but we have absolutely nothing to make it happen. ”
Her words were like a melody to my ears and salvation for my soul, all wrapped into one incredibly timely opportunity, but I couldn’t fully register what she’d asked because it felt too unbelievable.
There was no way a Christmas miracle of this magnitude could be happening to my family in real life. No way.
I swallowed roughly and cleared my throat. “I don’t mean to make you repeat yourself, but just to clarify, you’re asking if this hardware store could fulfill the supply order for your town’s Christmas play and gala?”
As on edge as I had been, I wanted to be sure I wasn’t hearing things and creating scenarios in my mind.
She smiled gently, the same way my mother did.
“Yes, dear. That’s exactly what I am asking.
I know it’s last-minute and a large order, but I am at the end of my rope.
If you can’t accommodate us, I’m afraid we’ll have to cancel it for the first time in fifty years, and I’d hate to ruin the tradition. ”
Our time at the wishing well flooded my memory as my whispered prayer replayed in my head. God, I may not be worthy of Your answered prayers, but my parents are. You know their needs. Please save my father’s store. Amen. And if you could do it quickly, that would be perfect.
Jacob and I turned to each other at the same time, surprise and excitement spilling between us.
I was so flabbergasted, I could barely speak to answer. “We…I…hmm…”
Jacob eased beside me, placing his hands on my shoulders. “I think what she’s trying to say is…yes.”
His focus fell to me, centering my thoughts and my response. “Yes,” I echoed, nodding giddily.
“Oh gracious, thank you!” she shrieked. “I have a list of everything we will need and the delivery company that can come and get it as soon as possible.”
She reached into her purse and handed me the order form, which I immediately handed over to Jacob. One glance was all it took. His smile widened as he tapped the paper.
“Let me call Koby back so we can gather everything on the list,” he said. “We can have it ready by noon tomorrow for pickup, if that works,” Jacob advised.
“That is perfect.” She beamed. “And it would be great if you also knew of some caterers for food and a sewing company for the costumes,” she said with a low yet hopeful tone.
In unison, Jacob and I said, “Sister Johnson’s and Lucille’s.”
Mrs. Lovett clasped my hands. “You are a godsend.”
The beam on my face felt brighter than a thousand suns as I returned the same affection.
“No, you are.” I guided her to a seat near the register.
“Give us just a moment. I can reach out to Sister Johnson’s restaurant about supplying food, and Jacob knows the owner of Lucille’s for the costumes.
If you need, we can also have our local coffee shop, Oak & Bean, provide a quote for coffee and pastries for the volunteers who’ll be setting up for the play and gala. ”
“That would be wonderful. You’re an absolute angel.”
I waved her off. “I assure you I am not, but I know someone who just might be.” Peeking over my shoulder, I winked at Jacob, who grinned as he continued going through the inventory system for items.
For the next hour, Jacob, Koby, and I worked tirelessly to secure the items for Ridgeland, even escorting Mrs. Lovett to meet with the restaurant owners and Ms. Lucille herself.
By the time we finished and returned to the store, Mrs. Lovett had secured Sister Johnson’s, Oak & Bean, and Lucille’s for the jobs and was ready to pay for the items from the hardware store.
The total came to a little more than we needed to bring Luke’s loan completely up to date.
Tears formed in my eyes as I stepped away and down an aisle to gather myself. I lifted a finger, pointing toward the ceiling. “Thank You, God. Thank You.”
Once I’d composed myself, I headed back to the front. As I rounded the corner, a giddy Mrs. Lovett met me. “There you are,” she stated happily, her cell phone in hand. “I have someone who wants to give you a personal thank you on the line”
She handed me her phone, and on the video call was the mayor of Ridgeland. “Are you Amariah Luke?” he asked.
“Mayor Nordham. Yes…yes, I am. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“On the contrary, the pleasure is all mine. Mrs. Lovett refused to cancel the annual play and gala, vowing to make it work. That’s her mantra.
And I must say, I’m a firm believer in it now.
I wanted to speak with you personally to thank you for all your help with this project.
Without Mrs. Lovett’s faith and your business, none of this would have been possible.
In addition to this order, I’ve already had the commission approve an honorarium to Luke’s, which we will have mailed to your store before the new year. ”
“Oh my goodness! You don’t know how much that means to my family and me. Thank you, Mayor Nordham.”
“No thanks needed. Consider it a cherry on top for all that you’ve done.”
The business side of me stirred, and I decided to take the chance. “Mayor Nordham, I know that your city and the two surrounding it are still recovering from the storm. If you need supplies for any rebuilding projects, please consider us. We’d love to help however we can.”
His brows lifted thoughtfully. “Hmm. I hadn’t considered that, but you are on to something with that idea. Tell you what, if you’re free tomorrow, I’d love for my recovery and revitalization team to meet with you tomorrow afternoon around 3 p.m. over Zoom.”
“Absolutely. It’ll be me and our store manager, Jacob Gold.”
“Perfect. Sounds like a plan. I’ll have my executive secretary send the meeting invite. Just give Mrs. Lovett your information, and she’ll text it to my secretary.”
“Will do. Thank you again for everything.”
“You’re welcome, but I’m fairly certain you’re the one who deserves all the thanks,” he said gleefully. “You saved our annual Christmas season, and quite possibly, my re-election,” he said, laughing. “We’ll talk soon. Have a good day.”
“Good day to you.”
Once we hung up, I did exactly as Mayor Nordham instructed.
Shortly after, Jacob sent Koby home for the rest of the day so he could be back bright and early to help prepare for the shipment.
As soon as both Koby and Mrs. Lovett left, I ran to Jacob, hopping up and down like a kid on their first trip to the amusement park.
He laughed loudly, watching me have my moment.
When I finally settled, I reached for his hands.
“You know none of this would have been possible without you. Your faith, your belief, your hard work, and your dedication to this store. You are one of one, Jacob Gold.”
He pulled me close, gazing down at me. “As are you, Amariah Luke. As are you.”