A Dad for Christmas (Christmas Holiday Extravaganza) Read online

  “Hey, Em. How’s it going?” Reed’s deep voice accompanied heavy footsteps on the porch.

  Heat flooded her cheeks, although he couldn’t have known she was just thinking about him. “Do you have a sixth sense? You seem to show up at just the right time.” Emma turned to face him. His jeans fit perfectly, his sweater hugged his muscles, and his blue eyes sparkled. He was clean shaven today, looking good enough to melt her insides. Apparently, her crush for Reed wasn’t developing. It was already in full swing.

  “I don’t know about a sixth sense. I was loading dishes in my dishwasher and I happened to see you were out here through my kitchen window. Thought I’d say hi. What’s the problem?”

  “Brand new lights, and they don’t work.” She lifted the string of dead bulbs. “Unless it’s the breaker. I haven’t tried this outlet since I moved in.”

  “I’ll check your electrical panel. Where is it?”

  “In the utility room. Beside the kitchen.”

  Reed walked in as if he belonged in her house doing handyman things. Thirty seconds later the lights blinked on. It was a simple thing, really, but having help at that moment of frustration had a distinct impact; she missed having a man in her life. Having someone to rely on. Someone to share life’s ups and downs.

  Should she wait until Luke grew up to open her heart to a relationship again? Having a crush was one thing. Acting on it was another matter entirely. Then again, just because Reed had helped her around the house when she’d needed a hand, and held her when she’d needed a shoulder to lean on, didn’t mean he wanted anything beyond friendship.

  Reed stepped out a moment later. “All fixed?”

  “Yes, thank you.” Emma began winding the lights around and up a post. Reed watched until she couldn’t reach any higher.

  “I’ve got this.” Reed reached around her, grasped the lights and secured them to a hook high above. The movement pressed his chest to her back. His warmth seeped through her coat, and she had the urge to lean into him.

  Giving in to temptation she did lean back. But he stepped away at the same time and she met air where his body had just been. She took a step back to catch herself and her shoe caught on an uneven porch board. Flailing backwards, she tumbled off the steps. Reed lunged for her. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he twisted and they fell together. She landed on top of him in the flowerbed.

  Emma lost her breath. Whether from the fall or being slammed so intimately against Reed, she didn’t know. She’d seen this scenario play out in romance movies where the guy catches the girl and keeps her from harm. Then, they have a sizzling moment where they both realize they were made for each other. But real life wasn’t quite so romantic; real life involved pain receptors.

  She caught her breath.“Are you OK?”

  Reed didn’t answer. Didn’t move.

  “Oh, no. I’ve killed him.” Except, she hadn’t. His breath skimmed her cheek, and a deep rumble of laughter rose up inside his chest. She placed hands on either side of him and lifted in time to see his dimples appear with his smile.

  “You sure know how to make an impression on a guy. I can’t remember the last time a woman threw herself at me. Or rather, on me.”

  Emma scrambled off him. “That was not me flirting with you, just so you know.”

  He propped up on his elbows. “Good, because a guy could get hurt sweeping you off your feet.”

  A leaf had stuck in his hair and she plucked it out. “Keep that in mind if you ever decide to ask me out.”

  His gaze locked with hers and they both sobered. An electric pulse passed between them. Or at least on Emma’s side it did.

  “Emma?”

  Tingles went up her spine at the way he said her name, as if it meant something to him; as if she meant something to him.

  “Yes?”

  Reed swallowed. “Have you dated anyone since losing your husband?”

  She shook her head. “No.”

  “Have you considered dating again?”

  Maybe he had felt the spark. She gathered her courage and whispered, “Not until I met you.”

  9

  “Mommy what’s a date?” Luke asked as Emma pulled his coat over his shoulders and tugged up the zipper.

  “It’s when two people like each other and they spend time together to get to know each other better.” Emma’s stomach fluttered at the prospect of spending the evening with Reed. The day before, while they were still sitting in the flowerbed, he’d asked her if she and Luke would like to go to Oakburn’s Annual Christmas Parade with him. She’d accepted his offer and had been looking forward to it ever since.

  She fit an orange knit cap over Luke’s head. Gloves came next. Temperatures were supposed to drop into the low thirties, and Reed said the parade would last at least an hour.

  “Since the parade is a date does that mean you like Mr. Reed?” Luke asked.

  “Yes. I like him.”

  “And he likes you?”

  “I suppose he does.”

  Luke scrunched up his nose. “Does he like you in a kissy kind of way?”

  “Kissy?” She couldn’t help but to laugh. “I guess we’ll see tonight.” Emma looped a scarf around her neck and zipped up her coat.

  Luke chewed on his lower lip as if considering something he deemed very important. “Does Mr. Reed like puppies? Cuz if you’re gonna kiss him he needs to like puppies.”

  “Oh, really?” Emma pulled on her gloves. Luke had been asking for a puppy for a while now, but how did that relate to Reed? “Why is that?”

  “Cuz if he’s gonna be my—” The doorbell rang, interrupting Luke’s answer. He gasped and jumped up and down. “He’s here!”

  Emma’s heart skipped a beat, and her nerves kicked in. She hadn’t dated anyone but Ben. Ever. They’d started out as childhood friends, then became high school sweethearts and had married right after college graduation. She didn’t know much about dating protocols. Should she expect a kiss this evening? Was she ready for that?

  She smoothed hands over her white coat and adjusted her scarf. She patted her pockets to make sure she had gloves. As ready as she was going to be she asked Luke, “Do you want to let him in?”

  As if trusted with an important task, Luke straightened and nodded. “Sure.” He ran for the door and opened it wide.

  Reed stood on the porch holding a poinsettia plant in his hands and wearing a smile on his face.

  “Hi. Come on in.” Luke bubbled with enthusiasm.

  “Hey, buddy.” Reed stepped through the door and closed it behind him. He knelt before Luke, “Can you put these on the table for your mom?”

  “K.” Luke carefully took the plant, carrying it as if it was precious cargo.

  Still kneeling, Reed looked up at Emma. His appreciative gaze skimmed over her. “You look stunning.” His raspy tone of voice made her knees weak; his words made her feel special.

  “Thank you.” She couldn’t take her eyes off him. He looked magnificent in his dark jeans and black leather jacket. A day’s growth of whiskers shadowed his square jaw, and his masculine presence appealed to every fiber of her being.

  Reed stood, stepped close and held out a hand. “Ready?”

  If anyone could tempt her to chance a relationship, open her heart again it would be this man. Regardless of whether he liked puppies.

  Emma placed her hands in his. “Yes. I’m ready.”

  10

  Luke bombarded Reed with questions as Reed drove winding roads toward town. “What are we going to see at the parade? Will there be real reindeers there? Is Santa going to be on his sled? Will they have cotton candy?”

  Reed listened to Luke’s enthusiastic chatter, glad he’d chosen the Christmas parade as his first date with Emma. He understood Luke was part of the package, and he couldn’t be happier.

  “Each year the parade gets bigger and better. There are at least twenty decorated floats, a couple of reindeer, a sled and one jolly Santa. They have dancers and the high school marching
band, too,” Reed answered.

  “Do they have popcorn?”

  “They always have popcorn. With lots of butter.”

  “Can we get some, Mommy? Pleeeze?”

  “Yes, we can buy popcorn.” Emma looked at Reed, an apologetic smile on her face. “Sorry about all the questions. Luke’s a little excited this evening.”

  “Don’t worry about it. He’s fine.” Reed had a ton of questions, too. He would like to know more, much more, about Emma. About her past and her future hopes and dreams. Had they been shattered with the loss of her husband? Had she moved to Shenandoah to escape the pain?

  Luke quieted, leaving the Christmas music playing on the radio and hum of the tires on asphalt the only sounds in the truck’s cab. Reed took the opportunity to find out more about Emma. “Where did you and Luke move from?” he asked.

  “We lived in Greensboro, North Carolina. Ben and I grew up in a small town not too far away from there.”

  “You and Ben grew up together?”

  “Yes. We met in second grade. Started dating in high school. Stayed together until…he passed.”

  How did someone deal with such a loss? Reed squeezed her hand to convey his sympathy. “Must’ve been difficult for you and Luke.” As soon as Reed spoke the words he wished he could take them back. Difficult wouldn’t even begin to describe what they’d been through. “I’m sorry. I…it’s hard to know what to say.”

  “It’s all right.” She reassured him with a smile. “I’ve accepted the life we had with Ben is in the past. I’m ready to see what the future holds.”

  Warmth spread through Reed’s chest at the wistful look she gave him.

  “I’m glad we moved to Shenandoah Valley. Oakburn is quaint. The people are nice. We have a great neighbor, too.”

  “Is that so?” Reed grinned. “What makes him so great?”

  “Oh, let’s see. He’s kind. Caring. Helpful. And happens to be nice to look at, too.”

  “Is this you flirting with me?” He glanced her way for a moment. “I hope so because I like it.”

  She ducked her head and then looked up at him as if suddenly shy. “I’m just being honest.”

  “Mommy says people should always tell the truth,” Luke spoke up. “And she knows about people cuz she’s a psycho.”

  “Psychologist,” Emma corrected with a laugh. “Remember, Luke? I write books that help people deal with their problems.”

  “Yeah, I know. That’s how come we were able to move anywhere. Cuz you can write anywhere.”

  “That’s right,” Emma agreed.

  Reed glanced at her. “So as a professional psychologist, I guess you’ve got me all figured out?”

  “Actually, I don’t. I’m still wondering why you’ve taken it upon yourself to be so generous with your time and your talents.”

  He’d hoped she had gotten past that and would accept his help without questioning his motives. Perhaps it was time to tell her about the letter to God, the reason he’d been drawn to help her with the Christmas tree. But, as he thought of ways to explain he came up blank. Perhaps it would be better to show her. “I have something at home that will help me explain. Until I can show it to you, you’ll just have to trust me.”

  She lifted her brows as if intrigued. “I’ll be looking forward to seeing…whatever it is.”

  Luke leaned forward and asked, “Are we there yet?”

  “We’ll be there in about ten more minutes,” Reed assured. “So, Emma, what made you decide to become a psycho?” He held back a grin. Barely.

  She shook her head, but smiled. “I didn’t always want to be a psychologist. Growing up, I wanted to be a chef. But I developed an allergy to shellfish. Then I decided I wanted to be a nurse. Until I discovered the sight of blood made me queasy. I attempted to become a stewardess on a yacht, but I became seasick whenever we left the dock. So I aimed to become an architect, like Ben. But after just one drafting class, I found out I was better at reading people than reading blueprints.”

  “Yeah,” Luke said. “Mommy says she can always tell if I’m telling the truth. Says she can read it in my expwession.”

  Reed glanced into the rearview mirror at Luke. “You better always tell the truth then.”

  “I know. I don’t like time outs. Are we there yet?” Luke asked again.

  “Almost.” Reed would like to continue his conversation with Emma. He found her story fascinating. She’d been willing to try so many different things, but finally chose what suited her best. He admired her gumption and wanted to ask for more details, but he didn’t want to exclude Luke from the conversation. “Hey, buddy. What do you want the most for Christmas?”

  He hesitated. “Well, I would tell you but it’s a secwet. Cuz God knows what I want mostest for Christmas. I made sure of it.”

  “Is that so?” They arrived at the municipal parking lot and Reed found an empty spot, pulled in and shifted into park. He turned to face Luke. “You’re not gonna tell me and your mom what you want?”

  “If I did, then how would I know my present came from God?”

  “Good point. I like how you think.” Reed exited the truck, opened the back door and gave Luke a hand down before circling around and opening the door for Emma. “Luke’s a great kid. He’s blessed to have you as his mother.”

  “Thank you.” She accepted Reed’s outstretched hand and stepped from the truck. “And I’m blessed to have him and you in my life.”

  He liked the way that sounded. He wanted to be important to someone other than his family, friends and students. He wanted to be the number one spot on someone’s speed dial. The more time he spent with her, the more he wanted that someone to be Emma.

  11

  Emma hadn’t had so much fun in ages. Scents of popcorn, hot chocolate and cotton candy filled the air. People lined Main Street watching the parade with enthusiasm. Christmas music played as vehicles rolled past decked out in flowers, ribbons and various decorations. Luke couldn’t see over the crowd, so Reed put him on his shoulders. Occasionally, Reed’s hand would find the small of her back, warming her from the tips of her hat to her boot-covered toes.

  After the parade finished, Reed introduced her to members of the high school faculty, students and their families as they passed by. Seemed he knew at least half the population in Oakburn. His friends welcomed her with smiles, well wishes and invitations to visit their stores, bakeries and their homes. Even Mable, the post office clerk gave a friendly wave from across the street.

  They each ate a bag of popcorn, sipped hot apple cider and Emma indulged Luke with cotton candy for dessert. By time the evening wound down, Emma’s cheeks were stiff from the cold and from smiling. Her fingers and toes were numb, but her heart was warm. The night had been magical. Some time in the past few hours, she’d begun to fall for her new little town and her new life, and her new neighbor.

  “What did you think, Em? Did you have a good time?” Reed asked as they approached his truck.

  “I loved it.” Caught up in the excitement, Emma launched herself into his arms. He spun her around, laughing. When he finally set her down he leaned close. “This is when mistletoe would come in handy.” His breath touched her cheek sending delicious goose bumps along her skin, and a hefty dose of anxiety surged. She’d moved to Shenandoah Valley to start over, which meant trying new things. But she hadn’t prepared herself for this type of new adventure.

  A small hand gripped hers. “Mommy, I remember you saying mistletoe is for kissing. Is this the kissy part of a date? Cuz if it is, I don’t wanna see it. It’s gross.”

  Reed laughed and ruffled Luke’s hair. “You won’t always think so, buddy. You just wait and see.”

  12

  Luke fell asleep on the ride home and Reed carried him inside Emma’s house and set him on his bed. “Do you need to wake him up?”

  “Yes, I don’t want cotton candy sugar coating his teeth all night. You’re welcome to make a pot of coffee while I get him settled.”

  Reed
should’ve gone home and let Emma get some rest, but he didn’t want the evening to end. The thought of going back to his empty house held no appeal. He hoped her invitation for coffee meant she wasn’t ready for him to leave either. “Do you have decaf?”

  “Yes. It’s in a container next to the coffee maker.” She pulled off Luke’s shoes.

  “OK. I’ll be in the kitchen.” Reed stepped to the threshold of Luke’s room and looked back. Emma murmured soothing words to Luke as she gently woke him.

  Reed hadn’t known them long, yet given the rate his heart was opening to these two, he’d be head-over heels in no time. His sister would probably caution him not to rush into things—and maybe he was jumping into this full speed ahead—but he couldn’t deny the magnetic pull Emma and Luke had on him. Could they be the family God had planned for him? Reed could imagine having them close each night; being included in their daily routines.

  With a seed of hope springing to life inside, Reed eased from the room. After hanging his coat in the foyer, he strode to the kitchen. He found the coffee and brewed a pot, absently looking around as he waited. Since he’d been here last Emma had added Christmas decorations to the kitchen. She’d placed a basket full of round glass ornaments on the counter, had run a string of red and green lights over the doorframe, and hung Christmas themed dish towels on the oven and refrigerator handles. His gaze strayed to the hand-drawn pictures attached to the fridge with magnetic clips. One in particular caught his eye; three smiling stick figures stood holding hands next to a giant snowman with the names Luke, Mommy, and Mr. Reed written beneath.

  Reed’s breath caught. The little boy had made a strong impact on his life in a short period of time. Perhaps Reed had made an impact on Luke as well. But, there was something else that struck him about the picture. It looked familiar. But he would’ve remembered seeing this drawing before.