The Christmas Catch

Chapter 6

Chapter SIX

JAY

We’re friends, right?

Bebe

That’s what we agreed to last night.

JAY

My mom is driving me crazy. Can I come over, friend? I promise not to bug you.

Bebe

If you come over, I’m putting you to work.

JAY

What are you working on?

Bebe

Baking Christmas cookies.

JAY

Bet. I’ll be right over.

Well, as soon as these crutches let me.

Bebe set her cell phone on the countertop. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she remembered the warmth of lying on Jay’s shoulder Tuesday night. She’d felt a chink in her armor at the closeness but had managed to remember forgiveness didn’t mean forgetting. Bebe was all too happy to have walked away unscathed by memories or the attraction that hadn’t been erased by time. Maybe it was a Christmas miracle.

“Jay’s going to come over and help us bake,” she told her daughter.

“Awesome.” Hope clapped her hands. “Do we have a football-shaped cookie cutter?” she asked, her eyes wide.

“I don’t know, sweetie. We are making Christmas ones, though.” Bebe pointed to the cutters in the shapes of a Christmas tree, stocking, candy cane, snowman, and gingerbread man.

“Yes, but football season still goes through Christmas. Plus, Mr. Walker is a football player.”

Bebe loved that Hope was respectful by calling him mister. She also loved how her daughter wanted to make cookies that meant something to Jay. God willing, he would take the olive branch and not be offended, considering the Desperados placed him on the injured list.

“Go see if we have one in the cookie cutter bin,” Bebe instructed.

“Yes, Mama.” Hope scurried off, quickly searching through the plastic container that held all the cookie cutters. “Found one.” She held up the offering, a big smile on her face.

“Great.”

The doorbell rang.

Bebe wiped her hands on a towel and went to the front door. She opened it and took in the sight before her. Jay had on a UT sweatshirt and black joggers. A weary look drew his mouth down.

“She’s hovering, huh?” Bebe asked quietly.

“Too much. Between her asking me if I need anything every five minutes and my dad grunting with disapproval...” He sighed. “I just needed some fresh air.” He sniffed. “And cookies smell a whole lot better than parental shame.”

Bebe chuckled. “Christmas cookies make everything better.”

“You’re determined to bring the Christmas spirit, aren’t you?”

She smiled. “Jahleel Walker, I know you once loved Christmas as much as I still do. Your current Scrooge state is because of the company you keep, not the holiday season. So come on in, listen to some holiday music, and make football-shaped cookies.”

“Football cookie cutters?” His eyes crinkled as his lips curved upward. “That Hope’s doing?”

“How’d you guess?” She stared at him curiously.

He tapped the side of his temple. “I knew.”

She wasn’t so sure if Jay really did know or if that was simply a lucky guess. Nevertheless, she led the way to her kitchen. Her gaze flitted left and right as she mentally tried to figure out just how Jay could perch on a barstool to help without aggravating his leg.

“I’m not so sure this will work,” she mused out loud.

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll see Ryan later, and he’ll work on my knee. An hour or so sitting here won’t kill me.”

She met his warm gaze. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah.” He sat down, then looked at Hope. “Good afternoon, Miss Hope.”

A demure expression filtered across her daughter’s face. “Good afternoon, Mr. Walker.” She held up the cookie cutter in his honor. “This is yours. You can cut out as many as you want, but make sure you get some good Christmas ones in too.” She nodded once as if to dot the end of her speech.

“I can do that.” He looked around Bebe’s house. “Where are the decorations? I thought you’d be all decked out, as much as you talk about the love of Christmas.”

Bebe sighed as she took a Christmas tree cutter and began to make cuts in the rolled-out dough. “It’s on my list to do this weekend.”

“We should decorate tonight,” Hope exclaimed. “We have help now. You do want to help, right?” She stared at Jay expectantly.

“I’d love to.” He smirked at Bebe. “Do you want my help, friend ?”

She knew exactly what he was doing. Yet seeing his friendly expression with that hint of teasing didn’t churn her stomach into knots. No, she actually felt like they were friends again. For some reason, Bebe had to battle against tears at the sweet thought. I missed this.

She turned away, clearing her throat. “Sure. That would be helpful ... friend .”

Nothing more was said as they listened to Toni Braxton sing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Bebe looked around the kitchen island, and her breath caught. Hope had a look of pure concentration as she switched out different cookie cutters. And Jay—well, Jay was staring right at Bebe.

Her cheeks warmed, and she averted her gaze to the cookies. “Guess I should get some of these in the oven.”

“Will you ice and decorate them when they’ve cooled off?” Jay asked.

“Mm-hmm.” Why was it so hot in here all of a sudden?

It wasn’t like she’d never seen a man staring at her. In fact, she’d caught Jahleel looking at her many times before. Yeah, in the past. But y’all have moved on from that. You ’re here now, in the present, and that wasn’t a look you give a friend.

She swallowed. But they’d already agreed nothing would happen between them. They’d stay in their lanes—individual lanes, of course—and when he went back to Texas, that would be that. Her heart would be completely safe because there was no romance brewing. How could a person fall while making cookies?

You can’t. You’re just doing a festive activity to help him see the joy of Christmas once more.

Right. Feeling better, Bebe put the first batch into the oven and set the kitchen timer.

“Okay, should we decorate the house while the cookies bake?” she asked.

“Yes!” Hope squealed and jumped up. “I know where the bin is. I’ll bring it out.”

“It might be too heavy, Hope.”

“Then I’ll push it, Mama.” Hope rolled her eyes as if annoyed by Bebe’s obvious lack of common sense.

Instead of being offended, Bebe chuckled. She turned to Jay. “Want to sit on the couch and get that leg elevated?”

“How can I help decorate if I’m sitting?”

“You can hand out the ornaments. Make sure nothing looks crooked.”

He nodded. “Okay. I’ll be the DJ as well.”

“Hey, what’s wrong with Toni Braxton?” She placed her hands on her hips.

“‘This Christmas’ by Chris Brown is better. I mean, he even starred in a Christmas movie.”

“Okay, I like that song, but Toni is classic. Who doesn’t like her voice?”

“Maybe the rest of us know there are other artists besides her.” Jay gave her a mock-exasperated expression. “Besides, shouldn’t you be listening to the blues?”

“Not for Christmas,” she sing-songed. She sat on the couch next to him. “Actually I only listen to the blues when I miss my folks.”

“I can understand that. Will they visit for the holidays?”

She nodded. “Yeah, they wouldn’t miss their time with Hope.”

“I look forward to seeing them again.”

Her folks had always liked Jay. Her mom had been confused when he left for college and just stopped talking to Bebe. Eventually, she stopped asking if Bebe had heard from him. “They’ll like that. My dad’s been praying for your recovery.”

“I appreciate that.” His brow furrowed. “I’m not sure I’ll—”

“I’ve got them,” Hope yelled as she pushed the bin into the living room.

Bebe jumped up to help her. They could put the tree right in front of her picture window, which was catty-corner from the couch. The stockings would go on the faux mantel—no fireplace—and the nativity sets she owned would be strategically placed on the mantel.

“Where’s your tree?” Jay asked.

“Oh, yeah. I saw that. I’ll grab it,” Hope said.

“We have an artificial one.” Bebe shrugged. “I know it’s not as popular as cutting your own, but it saves on pine needle cleanup.”

Jay laughed. “I’ll say. I think a lot of people are moving to artificial trees now for various reasons.”

Why did his lack of censure warm her? Did she really think he’d judge her for going artificial versus the real thing? Will would have. Oh yes, her ex-husband always required a real tree when they’d been together.

Bebe shook off the gloomy thoughts. “Hmm. I never see a fake tree in a Hallmark movie. They’re always chopping down their own trees.”

“Yeah, when the big-city woman goes to a small town and meets a farmer who needs help? Of course he’s chopping down trees. How else can they throw in a plaid-wearing ax scene?” Jay smirked.

She laughed. “Make fun all you want, but I love those movies. Besides, it’s not always a small-town guy versus a big-city heroine. Sometimes it’s the other way around. Or sometimes they’re childhood nemeses who pair up to save Christmas.”

Bebe held in a gasp. Would that be her and Jay’s story this season? Two high school exes who had to work on the Christmas ball and bring joy to the people of Peachwood Bay?

She blinked, then snorted softly to herself. This was no Hallmark movie. Besides, she could think of only one holiday movie with a football star. Nothing in her situation matched that.

You’re good, girl. Push these romantic notions aside and remember what’s at stake. Your heart. Will trampled it, but before him was Jay. Forgiveness doesn’t necessarily equate forgetfulness.

If Bebe could remember that fact, then she would make it through the next few weeks just fine.

Jay could see the wheels turning in Bebe’s beautiful head. Something about their conversation had sent her into think mode. If she was anything like she’d been in high school, she’d either worry the subject to death or shake out of it and worry another time. Was it wrong for him to want to study her and figure out which choice she’d pick?

“Mama? Will you help me put the tree together?” Hope asked.

Bebe grinned, seemingly shaking off her thoughts. “Sure, sweetie.”

Jay grimaced. Surely he could put a tree together without making anything worse for his bum knee. “Bebe, why don’t you bring the parts over here? I’ll put it together.”

“I don’t know,” she said skeptically.

“Trust me. I got this.” He had no idea if he did, but he wouldn’t admit that to her.

“Let him help, Mama.”

Bebe nodded and slid the tree pouch over to him. Jay picked another Christmas song, then started connecting the pieces together. Hope giggled as she followed her mother’s instructions to hang up four stockings. He could read the names of Hope, Bebe, and Bebe’s folks. Once more, his thoughts turned to Hope’s missing father. How could he leave someone like Bebe and someone as adorable as Hope?

Didn’t you leave Bebe?

He winced. Though she’d forgiven him, Jay couldn’t help but feel like he had to make it up to her somehow. But how?

Maybe enjoy Christmas like she’s been urging you to. After all, it was his favorite time of year. If he was in Texas, he’d have no qualms about celebrating it as much as possible, party after party. But seeing his dad and how quickly disapproval rolled off him made Jay pause. As if he was afraid celebrating the holiday would incur more censure. Experience had taught him the only way Obadiah Walker observed Christmas was by reading his Bible and reminding folks that this was a made-up holiday based off of paganism. No matter how many times Jay tried to show redemption in the way people focused on the Lord more, his father refused to see a different perspective.

Maybe that was one reason he suggested the ball, just to see how his father would react. Seeing the rest of the church committee back him hadn’t been something he thought would happen. But it felt good knowing they wanted the ball just as much as he did. Could God somehow work a miracle and change his father’s heart?

“You done with that?” Bebe asked.

“Yeah. I fluffed the branches as much as possible.” He winced as she tried to right the assembled tree. “You need help?”

“No. Stay seated.”

He held back a sigh. He’d wanted to escape his mom’s hovering, but now he’d put himself in a position of feeling useless.

Bebe got the tree into the stand, then stood back and smiled. “This is going to be great once it’s lit.”

“You got one with colored lights?” he asked.

Her eyes widened. “How did you know?”

“Come on, Bebe. You always loved the houses that decorated with multicolored lights versus plain ol’ white ones. You haven’t changed that much, have you?” He held his breath, waiting for her answer.

For some reason, he needed to know Bebe was still the same. Still full of light, kindness, and love for her neighbor. Being around her had always brought him comfort. Was that what he was seeking now?

“I’ve changed but not in that area.” She tilted her head. “What about you? Do you still go for all-white lights at Christmas?”

His neck heated. “Maybe,” he replied slowly. In fact, his mom had started that tradition. He guessed he’d kept something of Peachwood Bay after all.

She tilted her head back, laughing.

“What’s so funny?” Hope asked, looking back and forth between them.

“Your mama has horrible taste in Christmas décor.” Jay smirked.

Hope feigned a gasp, clutching invisible pearls. “But the colored lights are the best!”

“They’re not horrendous,” he conceded.

Hope squinted. “And what are your feelings on nativity scenes?”

“Is it really Christmas without one?”

“Good answer,” she mumbled, sounding like a woman a lot older than seven.

Jay stifled his laughter and glanced toward Bebe, who looked like she was doing the same.

The timer beeped, and Bebe went into the kitchen, ex changing one cookie sheet for the next. She hummed to herself as she placed the fresh cookies onto a cooling rack. Would this have been what their life looked like if he hadn’t cut ties before college? Would he and Bebe have gone the distance and lived a life celebrating the Lord all year long, not just for the holiday season?

He looked at Hope, looked at Bebe’s cozy home, and felt nothing but regret. Maybe his father was right. Jay had chased football, forsaking all others. He didn’t think playing football was a sin, not at all. But did you make it an idol?

Jay cleared his throat. “Those cookies ready to ice yet?”

“Of course not.” Bebe shook her head, amusement dancing in her eyes. “They’ve got to cool.”

“Maybe I should taste one to make sure they’re worthy of icing.”

“Oh, me too, Mama. We wouldn’t want to frost bad sugar cookies,” Hope chimed in.

Jay held out a fist for a bump. The little girl immediately crossed the room to give him dap. “My kind of kid.”

Hope beamed, showing off her missing front teeth. Yeah, Hope Gordon was an adorable kid, and her father was definitely missing out. Maybe Jay would make sure to come over and hang out with the two Gordon women so they weren’t lonely this Christmas season.

Yeah, I’m sure you’re thinking that out of the kindness of your heart.

Obviously it had nothing to do with the fact that Bebe lightened his burdens and made him feel peace. And maybe, just maybe, she could help him enjoy this Christmas.