The Christmas Catch

Chapter 7

Chapter SEVEN

The sounds of “Blue Christmas” accompanied Bebe as she drove down the road toward His House Fellowship. The stress of the day drained away as her body relaxed against the driver’s seat, her head weaving to the music. The atmosphere in the car made her want to rush home and turn on the Hallmark Channel. Besides celebrating Jesus’s birth, she lived and breathed Christmas movies. Thank goodness she had the streaming app to watch all of them.

Her mind flitted to Jay. Decorating her house and icing the Christmas cookies with him and Hope had done something to her heart. It was like a part she hadn’t known about had received healing and felt the balm of a friendship. The joy of the time together had quenched places that had been far too dry in her heart. Now all she had to do was remind herself why engaging any romantic fancies was a very bad, no-good idea.

Her mind shifted as the white steeple of the church loomed in front of her. It reached for the heavens, and the point disappeared into an overcast sky.

Please don’t rain. She didn’t have an umbrella and especially hated driving in wet weather. The streets of Peachwood Bay quickly morphed into red sludge with the slightest hint of precipitation.

There were only a couple of cars sitting in the church parking lot when she turned into it. May’s red Honda sparkled in the front row, a few spots down from the Reverend’s vehicle. Who knew May would beat Bebe here? She chuckled softly. May was probably climbing the walls, wishing for someone to help keep her from having to talk to Reverend Walker.

Bebe grabbed her monogramed tote—a gift from a student the previous year—and headed inside. The warmth of the vestibule enveloped her as the double doors closed behind her. Strands of the “Hallelujah” chorus from Handel’s Messiah washed over her as she stood in the hall.

Reverend Walker loved classical music. He was convinced it was God’s music. Personally, she liked all music, but she had to admit, walking into the sanctuary with stringed instruments serenading her made her think of the pearly gates and angels singing to the Lord.

She turned and headed down the side corridor, toward the back of the building where the conference room was situated. She removed her gloves and kept walking, stuffing them into the tote. A nudge cautioned her, and she slowed, looking up at the same time.

Jay.

Nerves made her stomach dip up and down as if she rode a Ferris wheel at the state fair. He wore a tracksuit, his knee brace firmly supporting his leg while his arms clutched his crutches. Why did he have to look so good in something so basic?

So he’s handsome. Acknowledge the fact and move on.

“What are you doing here?” And why was she excited to see him? Had time spent with him yesterday turned her into a woman who felt a pitter-patter at just his presence?

No, Bebe. You’re friends. Be cool.

“Mom asked me to attend the committee meeting since I offered to foot the bill.”

Oh. “Makes sense.”

His pale pink lips curved upward. “Plus, I wanted to hang out with my friend.”

Friend. She blinked. “Do you need me to find you a chair to prop up that leg?” She slowly moved forward, disappointment tugging at her. But why? They were good at being friends. Wasn’t she just thanking God for that a moment before?

“Nah, Mom has that covered.”

“Okay.” She bit her lip. Now what?

Jahleel gestured toward the conference room. “Come meet my friend Ryan.”

“Who?”

“My physical therapist.”

Right. “You brought your therapist to the committee meeting?”

He shrugged. “He wants to make sure I don’t overdo it. Come on.”

She matched Jay’s pace. When she entered the conference room, she stopped short. May sat across from a tall, white gentleman, and she was ... giggling? Bebe’s mouth dropped open in shock. Never had her friend exhibited such a giddy fa?ade. It was a bit unnerving.

“I feel like I just walked into a horror film,” she whispered to Jay.

His chest shook with suppressed laughter. “I admit I didn’t expect to see those two connect. Ryan hasn’t cheesed this much since...” He shrugged.

“So, what, they just decided they like each other?” Life was not that easy.

“It’s easy for some people.” Jay met her gaze.

Stared.

Seared into her being.

“Jay,” she breathed out.

“I know, Bebe. We can’t go backward.”

But at the moment, she wanted to. She shook her head. “Why don’t you introduce me?”

“Right.” He rubbed the back of his neck and then grabbed his crutch.

She followed him while examining May. Her friend’s face flushed pink, and her freckles seemed to have deepened to a golden brown. Jay cleared his throat, and May and the therapist whirled around, surprise on both their faces. Had they forgotten they weren’t alone but in a room full of people?

“Hey, Ryan, this is Bebe. Bebe, my friend Ryan.”

“Nice to meet you.” He offered a hand.

“Likewise.” She shook it, glancing at May out of the corner of her eye. Her friend looked down and began picking at some tape on the table. Bebe slid into the seat next to May. “Your cheeks are flaming,” she murmured.

“Shh. Like yours don’t around Jay.”

Touché. Before she could finish her retort, Mrs. Walker and the Reverend walked in. The rest of the committee quickly followed, and introductions were made.

They sat down, and the Reverend folded his hands across his stomach. “I’ve decided not to continue on the committee.” He looked at his wife. “Mrs. Walker pointed out that my time is needed to reflect on this year’s message.”

Thank You, Lord. Bebe didn’t mean it maliciously, but the meetings would be less tense if he didn’t participate. She sent a small smile of gratitude toward Mrs. Walker. The older woman winked in understanding.

“All I ask is that you remember why we’re celebrating. No need to be outrageous.” His last words seemed to be directed toward Jay.

Bebe wanted to lay a hand on Jahleel’s arm, but he sat across from her. His face remained impassive, not a hint of his thoughts showing. Did the subtext the Reverend hinted at bother him? Of course it does. Bebe had to remember to be gracious toward Obadiah Walker. Despite his bluster, she’d learned many things from him that had helped her faith. He wasn’t all bad, more like a curmudgeon in those Christmas movies who needed his heart to grow.

“I’ll take over from here, Obadiah.” Mrs. Walker kissed her husband on the cheek and then sat down at the end of the conference table.

For a moment, the Reverend looked lost before finally walking out of the room.

“Okay, gang.” Mrs. Walker clasped her hands together. “I think we should assign projects to everyone to make this more manageable. Hopefully then we won’t have to have weekly meetings unless something important comes up.”

“Makes sense,” May said.

“Good. Barbara Ann, Peyton, and I would like to handle the food. Any objections?”

A chorus of no s sounded. Who would object to the best cooks preparing refreshments? Bebe hoped Mrs. Walker made more bread pudding.

“Great.” Mrs. Walker beamed. “We need to decorate the town hall. May, are you still good with that?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I can help with that,” Sam offered.

“I don’t mind either,” Ryan said. He smiled at May, who glowed.

Good grief, Lord! What’s gotten into her? Her friend had never behaved this way. And why would Jay’s friend jump in to help? Wasn’t he supposed to be watching over his patient?

“Thank you, Ryan. What about a theme?” Mrs. Walker looked around the table. “Last year we focused on the stars.”

The focus had to be something that wouldn’t cause the Reverend to have a stroke. “Since we’re doing an angel tree beforehand, what about angels?” Jay asked. “Even though the gifts will be distributed before the ball, our decorations can reflect the theme. It’ll be a reminder that we never know when we’ll entertain the angels.”

Bebe thought of the verse from Hebrews that said, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.” Jay had a good point. She could picture the décor already.

“Great idea, son.”

They ironed out more details, and Bebe relaxed as everything began to fall in place. This could work. They could celebrate Jesus and have fun. She wished the Reverend would loosen up. Sometimes he made it difficult to enjoy church. Peachwood Bay was small, and the only other church was a Catholic one. Since she wasn’t Catholic, His House Fellowship was her only choice.

And she hated feeling that way about coming together to worship.

Trying to turn a lemon into lemonade was one of the reasons she volunteered. She’d hoped getting involved would make church attendance more bearable and less rigid-feeling.

“What about entertainment?”

Mrs. Walker’s question yanked Bebe back into the discussion.

“I’ll do it,” she said.

“I’ll help.”

She glanced at Jay, her cheeks burning at their simultaneous offer.

“Oh, that would be just perfect, you two. Keep in mind it needs to be entertaining for adults and kids. ’Kay?”

Bebe nodded. More time with Jay? What had she gotten herself into?

Entertainment.

Jahleel had volunteered to help because he could do the job. But being thrown together with Bebe was probably more than he could handle. Something about being back in Peachwood Bay had him questioning past decisions. Hanging out with her yesterday reminded him how much he’d enjoyed their friendship ... and her kisses. Could he plan the entertainment portion and keep his heart intact?

You have to! You’re not staying in Peachwood.

He stared at the empty conference table. Ryan had left with May, probably going to dinner so they could moon over each other some more. The rest of the committee had left as soon as they received their assignments. Now he and Bebe sat trying to ignore the feelings flowing back and forth between them.

Or at least he was. His heart had been racing from the moment she walked into the church, green eyes glowing. “What should we do for fun?” he asked.

“Games?” Her gaze barely touched upon his face.

“What kind?”

“Um...”

“Surely you’ve been to a Christmas party before.” Why was this so awkward when they’d had so much fun yesterday? Seeing her home come alive with the Christmas décor had loosened something inside him. He’d felt like he could breathe and remember why this season was so joyous. Now he felt awkward, thinking of how much more he’d have to fight from remembering their romantic past.

“Actually, it’s been a while. Will preferred an upscale party with no games.”

Ugh, he had no kind words to say about this guy. Jahleel wanted to make the entertainment work for everyone. “What do you like about parties?”

“The music.”

“Write that down.” He pointed toward her notebook. He still couldn’t believe Bebe Willabee—no, Gordon—was a schoolteacher. Then again, being a teacher wasn’t so far removed from being a counselor. He was sure she was impacting students with that softness and inner glow that made kids gravitate toward her. She was like a gorgeous Mary Poppins.

“We should have a mix of songs. Include classical, contemporary, et cetera,” Bebe suggested.

“Yes. Throw in some kid ones too. Like that hippo one.”

She chuckled. “How do you know about that one?”

“The team does charity events for kids during the holiday season. I’ve heard quite a few hilarious ones.”

“We should add something special. Magical, even?”

His father would not like that word, but he understood what she meant. “Mistletoe?”

Her cheeks flushed, and he bit back a grin.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Okay, what, then?” He leaned back in his chair, lacing his fingers. Someway, somehow, he would sneak mistletoe into town hall. Maybe he could convince Ryan that it was a needed decoration.

“Reindeer?” She tilted her head in that way she did when concentrating.

But all Jay could concentrate on was the cascading hair that made him want to reach out and feel its softness. Get it together, Walker. What did she just say? “Wait, reindeer in Georgia?”

“Yes! There’s a guy who owns a reindeer farm a county or two over. We could maybe do sleigh rides from the church to town hall. Charge a fee, which could cover the farmer’s bill or go to another charity if we make enough.”

“That’s actually a fantastic idea, Bebe.”

“I have them every now and again.” A smug grin covered her adorable face.

“Ha.” She was a riot. And gorgeous. So very gorgeous. He smothered a sigh. “What else?”

“I think we should have craft stations. The kids really liked those last year.”

“Sounds good.”

He listened, lobbing ideas back and forth as they ironed out more details. All the while he wanted to take her in his arms and ask if they could start over. Wasn’t that the point of second chances? Sure, he’d asked for friendship, but why couldn’t it lead to something more? It had their senior year. Couldn’t that be an option again?

He sighed. Lord, what do I do? There’s no point wishing for something I can’t have. I’m not staying here. I can’t stay here. There was nothing for him in Georgia. His father had made that abundantly clear. Not to mention that Jay would never step on the field as a football player again. Though that didn’t mean his career in football was necessarily over. He could always make the transition to broadcasting, like so many others had. But he’d have to be in Texas for that, right? Do you even want to be a broadcaster?

The allure of a romantic relationship with Bebe called to him. Beckoned in the way she said his name.

“Jahleel?”

He blinked. Wait, she really was saying his name. “Sorry. I may have zoned out a bit.”

“You think?” She chuckled. “Do you need some pain pills or something?”

“No, just a little distracted.”

“By what?”

“You!” He groaned. “Sorry, didn’t mean to shout.”

A look of surprise widened her gaze. “How am I distracting you? I’m only taking notes.”

“Bebe,” he sighed. “You’re you, and that has always distracted me. Well, once my hormones kicked in.” He grinned, hoping to lighten the mood and erase his embarrassment.

“Jay, we can’t go down that path again. We’ve already agreed friendship is best.” She bit her lip, her brow furrowing with worry.

“Says who?” You, you idiot. Hadn’t he just asked God to get his priorities right?

Her eyes widened. “We both did.”

“I know, I know.” He held up his hands. “But right now, I don’t know if I want to.”

“Are you even going to stay here in Peachwood Bay?”

He winced.

“I didn’t think so.” Her mouth flattened.

“Bebe, I don’t know what my future holds, but I know I don’t want to let go of you as easily as I did the last time.”

“We can’t always have what we want.” She looked away, lost in thought.

Was she thinking of her ex? Was that why she was so hesitant to give him a chance? Or was it worse ... was she still in love with what’s-his-face? Jay paused for a moment, searching for the right words. He took a breath.

“If the other one is willing to take a chance, then I think we can have what we want.”

Her lips pursed. “Then I guess I’m not willing.” She grabbed her notebook and stuffed it into her humongous tote bag. “I’ll get started on these. Bye, Jay.”

“Bebe...”

She continued walking until he could no longer hear her footfalls. What could he do to get her to stop saying good-bye?