The Christmas Catch

Chapter 8

Chapter EIGHT

“Come on, Mama.” Hope pulled Bebe through the crowd, trying to get a good spot to watch the Peachwood Bay Christmas Parade.

The thing about the parade that Bebe loved the most was that it was a waterway event. Those who owned boats went all out in decorating their ships with Christmas lights or even adding inflatables.

“Can we get some hot chocolate?” Hope asked. She pointed to a stand that had a few people in line.

“Of course. Is it even the boat parade without hot chocolate to keep us warm?” Bebe smiled into her daughter’s face.

“Not at all,” a deep voice said behind them.

Bebe whirled around and met Jay’s happy face. His lips curved in a half smile that could have been a smirk or just him trying to be cute. Cute, definitely cute.

“Hey, I didn’t expect to see you here.”

His brows rose. “You did say I should bring Ryan to the parade.” He pointed to his friend.

She glanced at the man beside Jay. She’d almost— almost— missed his presence. “Yep. I did.” She swallowed. “You should try the hot chocolate. It’s the best.” Thank goodness the darkness hid her blush. She felt so foolish right now.

“You still sticking peppermint sticks in your hot chocolate, Bebe?” Jay’s eyes seemed to dance with merriment.

Was he truly happy recalling that, or was it the hope of Christmas that made her heart flutter since he remembered such a minor detail?

“She does!” Hope chimed in. “I like it too. Do you?”

“I sure do.” Jay gave her a wink.

“Then your friend has to get a peppermint stick too,” Hope said.

“Sounds good to me!” Ryan said, smiling.

Somehow, Bebe found herself next to Jay as they got in line for hot chocolate. She couldn’t help but recall his plea to be more than friends. Now she felt awkward. Life would be so much easier moving forward as friends. She wouldn’t have to wonder if he was making a play for her heart since he couldn’t play on the field. She didn’t want to be second choice to a sport or even a fallback plan since he was sidelined right now. Only that seemed like too much word vomit to spew out in public when they were here for Christmas cheer.

“What else is the same about you, Bebe Willabee?” Jay’s smooth tenor sent goose bumps of awareness up her arms.

“I haven’t changed much,” she responded.

He studied her. “I’m sure that’s true but also not. We all change in some ways. I look forward to learning the current Bebe.”

Her throat constricted. Did that mean he’d be here long enough to learn more about her current quirks, her likes and dislikes? Somehow, she couldn’t imagine Jay in Peachwood long-term.

“Jay...”

“Hmm?”

“What are you hoping to prove? If you want to be my friend and catch up and be present now, fine. We can be friends. We spent a childhood doing so.” She paused, gathering courage to defend her heart. “But if it’s something more you’re looking for, then I would caution you to stop right here.”

“Why?”

She stepped forward, noticing the gap between them and the people in front of them. “Because I’m not the same girl you liked in high school. I’m a mom, and I just can’t jump into a relationship, especially one that has no future.”

He stared at her, but his face remained impassive. Had she hurt his feelings, or was he merely thinking over her words?

“How do you know we have no future?”

“I mean, it’s pretty obvious. I live in Peachwood, and you’ll return to Texas after the holidays.” She shrugged. “That’s not a recipe for a relationship.”

“People do long-distance and get stronger for it.”

“But in the end, someone always moves.”

“I just think you shouldn’t discount us because of our mailing addresses. You’re not God, Bebe. You can’t see the future.”

Her mouth dropped. She wanted to argue, but he had a point.

“Do you have to know the end before you can start at the beginning?” he asked.

“No,” she mumbled.

He smirked. “Sure, you don’t. But that’s okay.” He motioned her forward. “Let me pay for y’all’s hot chocolate. While you’re sipping your drink, think about us. We’re good as friends, but you and I both know we’re much better in a romantic relationship.”

Bebe could argue, but Hope turned around at that moment and spoke. “They have marshmallows, Mama. Can I have those in my drink too?”

“Of course.”

They got their drinks, and Bebe thanked Jay.

“Do you want to sit with us?” Hope asked.

Jay smiled softly at her. “Thank you for the invitation, but Ryan is saving a spot for us. I hope you enjoy the parade.”

“You too, Mr. Walker.”

Bebe let Hope guide her to a good spot along the harbor. Soon, Peachwood Bay’s Santa would ring his sleigh bells, and the boats would begin to float down the canal, showcasing their decorations. There would be a town vote on the best boat décor, and the owner would get a check from the mayor. It was usually a couple of hundred dollars, certainly not the kind of check Jahleel got for playing football, but one that meant the world to the townspeople during the holiday season.

Bebe sat on a concrete bench and scooted Hope close to her. “Warm?”

“Yes.”

“Remember to blow on your hot chocolate.” Usually, the vendor made kids’ cups less hot than the adults’ so they wouldn’t burn their mouths. Still, Bebe couldn’t keep from cautioning her daughter.

“I will, Mama.”

Just then, sleigh bells rang. The crowd gasped as a “Ho, ho, ho” reverberated through the crowd.

Hope stood, attempting to peek around the crowd.

“Give him a sec, Hope. You know his boat will sail right past us.”

“I know, but I want to see him now. Why couldn’t we sit at the beginning of the parade?”

Because that was where she and Jay had always sat. Bebe blinked. Was that right? Had her subconscious been keeping her from memories of Jay all this time? She gulped. What did it say that being back in Peachwood Bay constantly reminded her of her first love? And was Jay right, insinuating that they could be great together?

No, that’s not the plan. You stay friends , and when he leaves for Texas, you might keep in touch. Though she wouldn’t bank on that. She’d been foolish to believe that before. No way she wanted to make the same mistakes once more.

Bebe pushed the thoughts aside and watched her daughter as glee covered her face when the Santa’s sleigh–themed boat floated right in front of them. Bebe grabbed her cell and took a picture of Hope, then the boat, before pocketing the phone.

She wanted to remember this time with her daughter. With Will being an absent parent, Bebe was more cognizant of how fast time went and how important it was to show up.

Jay wants to show up.

She stuffed down a scoff. Jahleel had caught the love of Christmas and nostalgia wrapped in one. She couldn’t trust his feelings were real because she’d done that before and had the burn marks to prove it wasn’t what she’d hoped.

Never again.

But another part of her heart said, Never say never.

“You’ve got it bad,” Ryan said.

Jahleel snorted. “I’m not the one who turns beet red and can’t take my eyes off a certain woman whose name is the same as a month of the year.”

“May’s awesome, but that’s beside the point. We’re talking about you and Bebe. She’s the one, right?”

“The one what?” Jay asked just to hear what Ryan would say.

“The one who got away? You have that lovesick longing expression on your face.”

Jay shook his head. “More like I’m the idiot who let her get away and now I’d like another chance.”

Ryan blew out a breath. “I don’t know what to tell you, bro.” He stopped, staring out at the canal as the Santa sleigh sailed by. Then he turned to Jahleel. “What’s the story? Is she the woman you dated in high school?”

Jay nodded.

“Ohhh,” Ryan drew out. “Yeah, I have no tips except maybe grovel. You left her without a backward glance. That had to have stung.”

“And now she’s divorced, so kind of a double whammy, right?”

Ryan shook his head. “You need a Christmas miracle to get back in her good graces.”

“She said we could be friends.”

“I guess the friend zone is the only end zone you’ll be getting in this season.”

Ouch. Jahleel rubbed his chest to take away the sting from the imaginary dart Ryan threw his way.

“Too soon?” Ryan asked quietly.

“You’re not wrong.”

“Still, that was probably a little insensitive.”

Jay sighed and leaned back in the lawn chair Ryan had set up. “Forgetting about my bum leg for a moment, do you honestly think it’ll take a Christmas miracle to win Bebe back?”

“Without a doubt. You probably hurt her in ways you’ll never understand by severing ties. Then her husband did the same—at least, I’m assuming.”

“You assume right.” Jahleel’s jaw clenched just thinking about that man.

“Then you waltz back into town wanting her back? How does she know it’s not because you have no other opportunities before you?” Ryan asked.

“Man, are you playing devil’s advocate?”

“Nah, just trying to get you to see the mountain you’re facing.”

Jay nodded slowly. “So you’re saying I’m facing Super Bowl champs, and I’m the underdog?”

“Worse, you’re the team no one likes and hopes to see fail.”

He winced. “I can’t be that bad, can I?” But as soon as the words left his mouth, he realized it was true. He was like the Patriots going to the Super Bowl. Everyone loved to cheer for the other team, and the only ones rooting for a Pats win were the New England states.

“How can I show her I’m not a bad man? That my intentions are serious?” Because the more he thought about Bebe, the more he wanted a second chance.

He didn’t know the future, didn’t know what would happen to them beyond today, but that didn’t scare him. If anything, Jahleel wanted to lean on God’s wisdom and pray that He had a second chance lined up for them. One that would go the distance and overcome any potential conflict.

“Start by showing up. Invite her out to do something fun. Show her you’re listening to her and to God’s leading. Show her you’re not the Jahleel of the past who hurt her but that you’ve matured in the areas you needed growth.”

“Man, how did you get so wise?”

“You’re not the first person to hurt a woman’s heart, and you won’t be the last.”

They quieted as boat after boat sailed by. There was a boat that looked like it had been transformed into a floating gingerbread house, one with a snowman family on it, and one with reindeer. Ryan enjoyed himself, so Jay felt he’d done well in showing a little bit of Peachwood Bay to his friend. Even though he was paying the physical therapist’s rate, he was fully aware Ryan didn’t have to fly out here just to help him.

Jay looked at Ryan. “Now that we’re done talking about me, what’s going on with you and May?”

Ryan’s face turned red. “Not much to tell right now.”

“That’s not what your face is saying.”

Ryan huffed out a strained laugh. “I like her.” He shrugged. “It’s as simple as that.”

“But you don’t live here, and she doesn’t live in Tennessee.”

“We’re not worried about distance. Right now, we just want to see how much we like each other, then go from there.”

Was it that easy? Then again, they had no shared history like he and Bebe did. “You take her out yet?”

“We’re going out tomorrow night. She’s with her folks today, otherwise she would’ve come with us to the parade.”

Jay couldn’t say much because part of him was jealous. Ryan had it easy. He liked May, asked her out, and she was willing. As simple as that. But that wasn’t his path. Jahleel’s was filled with boulders, lava, and other treacherous obstacles. Yet he knew in his heart that Bebe was worth it.

It was time to work out a game plan to win Bebe Gordon’s heart.