The Christmas Catch

Chapter 10

Chapter TEN

Bebe reached for her cell as she shifted the grocery bags in her hand. “Hello?”

“Hey, baby girl. How are you?”

“Hi, Dad.” Her cheeks pushed upward. She loved talking with her father. “I’m just walking in the door with the groceries. Give me a sec.”

“Sure.”

“I’ll take it, Mama.”

“Thanks, Hope.”

Hope pressed the phone to her ear. “Hi, Grandpa.” The rest of the conversation became muted as Bebe headed for the kitchen counter.

It never failed—whenever she needed to put groceries away, someone always called. Not that she minded terribly. It helped the mundane task pass quickly. Except Hope had her phone, and she was forced to do the task alone. After stowing the last item in the fridge, Bebe beckoned to her daughter.

“Mama’s ready to talk now, Grandpa.” Hope looked away. “Love you too.” She handed Bebe the phone. “May I watch TV?”

“Sure, pumpkin.” She took her earring out of her right ear and slid the phone against it. “I’m back, Dad.”

“Grocery shopping, huh?”

“Yes. You know me. I can never seem to make it a full week.”

His deep belly laugh filtered through the phone. “Ain’t that the truth. But you have enough to make cookies, don’t you?”

Her cheeks heated as she remembered making sugar cookies with Jay. The football-shaped treats had been delicious, as had the Christmas tree–shaped one she’d grabbed before heading to the store.

“I hit it on the nail, didn’t I?” He chuckled.

“Sure did.”

“How are my girls doing?”

“Good. School goes on break soon. Oh, and the church is having a Christmas ball on Christmas Eve at the town hall.”

“Really? Obadiah approved that?”

Bebe held in her amusement. “I think Mrs. Walker persuaded him. Plus, it helped that Jahleel offered to pay all expenses.”

“Jay’s still in town? That knee really sidelined him, huh?”

“Yeah.” She sighed. Jay hadn’t mentioned anything further about his career, but last Sunday he was placed on the injured reserve list. That had to gnaw at him.

“How you doin’, seeing him again after all these years?”

Trust her dad to be concerned. The thought warmed her. “He asked me out.”

“Oh, re-al-ly?” Her dad drawled. “I think this is where I get off the phone and hand it over to your mother.”

“Bye, Dad,” she chuckled.

“Bye, baby girl. See you soon.”

“I will?”

“Hank,” her mother shouted in the background. “Way to let the surprise out.”

“Oops,” he whispered. “Say a prayer for me, Bebe. She’s got a hand on her hip.”

She loved her parents. They never stayed mad at each other for too long. Probably because her dad cracked a joke and earned a you’re forgiven smile from her mother.

“Bebe, dear, don’t pay your father any mind.”

“So you aren’t coming to visit?”

A groan greeted her ears. “Of course we’re coming. It was supposed to be a surprise. Now I’ll just have to think of another way to surprise you.”

“Come to the Christmas ball.”

“Who’s having a ball?”

“The church. On Christmas Eve.” Giddiness filled her. The thought of celebrating with the Peachwood Bay community and wearing a fancy dress had her counting down the days. This was the best idea ever, and she prayed Reverend Walker would love it enough for it to become a tradition.

“Is this where the date comes in?”

“Sort of. I’m working on the entertainment for the ball with Jahleel. We’re going out this Friday. Kind of a work date.” Because I turned it into one. Knowing Jay, that wouldn’t stop him from making his real intentions known.

“How long is he back in town for?”

“Until he’s healed, I imagine.” Her stomach dipped. She needed that reminder that he lived in Texas and she was in Georgia. Once again, the thought of something long-term seemed out of reach.

“So you’re not sure of the exact time frame?” Her mother’s voice sounded ... irritated?

“No, Mama.”

“Then do you think it’s wise to go out with him? Don’t you remember—”

“I remember, Mama.” She rubbed her forehead. “We’re just going to look at reindeer.”

“Bebe, I don’t have a problem with you dating him. I just want to make sure you’re healed from the last time. To make sure you’ve forgiven him, because in order to not fall apart at his leaving again, you need to come to terms with everything in the past.”

Did she? Was there some requirement that you had to know what you were doing before you did it? That was how she’d been approaching this whole situation with Jay. If she didn’t know there was a happy-ever-after waiting for her, Bebe didn’t want to go after the dream.

And maybe that was something she needed to work on with the Lord. Surely God didn’t want her to live like that, scared of pain and sorrow. He’d promised to be with her no matter what and had promised that trials would come. So how did Bebe guard her heart but live an abundant life at the same time? Were the two contrary?

“All right, Mama.”

“Good. Now make sure you have fun. I can’t remember the last time you did so.”

Did everyone think of her as a fuddy-duddy? “I will.” She kept the long-suffering sigh inside. No need to incur her mother’s lecture on being disrespectful.

“Good. Then my job here is done. Put my grandbaby on the phone.”

Bebe called for Hope and handed her the cell. Sitting on a barstool, she sighed. Part of her was looking forward to her outing with Jay. They’d go look at some reindeer, hopefully secure them for the ball, and enjoy each other’s company in the process. And all the while, thoughts of Jahleel returning to Texas would be stuffed out of reach. She didn’t want to walk that path again. It was too reminiscent of her high school days.

Maybe her mama was right. She just needed to let it go, give it to God, and press forward. But could she? Lord, please help me forgive the past and heal so I can enjoy the present.

She watched as Hope giggled and chatted happily with her grandmother. If something did develop between her and Jay, would moving to Texas be a given? Could she take Hope away from all she knew? Peachwood Bay was the only home her little girl remembered. And was she absolutely out of her mind to even think of moving to another state before going on a date with the man? You’re getting ahead of yourself. Slow down.

“Yes,” she whispered. “Don’t fall first and fast. That’s where failure is. Just take it one day at a time.”

Just because Jay flirted with a boyish grin or offered to go to Hope’s football game didn’t mean Bebe had to fall at his feet. She’d save the swooning for her mental gymnastics.

A groan tore from her lips, and she dropped her head onto the kitchen counter. Going to Hope’s football game was a biggie.

He was going to need a job.

Jahleel leaned against his forearms as they rested on the kitchen table. “What am I going to do, Ryan?”

The Desperados’ general manager had informed his agent that they were not renegotiating his contract. His agent had immediately passed on the message. Jahleel could either retire or become a free agent at the end of his contract. Since Ryan had already snuffed out Jay’s chances of playing again, being a free agent obviously wasn’t an option. His therapy was progressing well, but at this point, Jay wasn’t even sure he should push himself to try to prove Ryan’s diagnosis wrong. If the Desperados weren’t going to re-sign him and essentially felt his career was over, Jahleel should simply aim for walking without a limp. But to actually say he’d retire...

“What do you want to do?” His friend stretched his feet out in front of him. “You have a business degree and years of experience in the NFL. Looks like you have two pathways.”

“I’m not sure I want to switch to broadcasting or to the analysis side of the NFL. Talking about it isn’t the same as playing.” Jahleel shifted his leg, noting the odd way his knee felt without his brace. Ryan had him going through range-of-motion exercises, and the relief of not being constrained kept him from focusing on the pain of the movements. “I have no idea what I’d even do with my business degree.”

“Why did you get it?”

Good question. “Actually, I wanted to own my own business.” He sat back. How had he forgotten that?

“Selling what?”

“Sports memorabilia.” His grin stretched wide. He was in a perfect position to start. But where?

“That’s a great idea. Except where would you open it? You are thinking brick-and-mortar versus online, right?”

“I was just wondering which direction to go.” Jay couldn’t imagine staying in Peachwood Bay, even if he somehow managed to get on good terms with his father. The town was just too small for a sports memorabilia store to actually rake in income.

But if he had an online store, he could potentially store items in an office space in his home or rent out a storage unit.

Ryan rubbed his beard, his gaze direct. “So what’s happening with you and Bebe?”

“We’re going out on Friday.” He couldn’t stop the grin on his face. “She wants it to be a working date. Only I kind of made some other arrangements that make it a date date.” She was going to love it ... he hoped. The Bebe he knew in the past would love his plans. He hoped it was also the right move for the Bebe of now.

“Does that mean Peachwood Bay is a prospect?” Ryan raised a brow.

“I don’t know if there’s a market for something like that here. Atlanta, yes. But people down here like seafood, boats, and football. Probably in that order too.”

“Yeah, but football and the South go hand in hand. I’m sure people own plenty of sports memorabilia down here. Don’t overlook the potential.”

Was he? He’d never thought much of his hometown. Sure, he loved the water and the views the Atlantic had to offer. Even enjoyed the Spanish moss that hung from the oak trees. Then again, he always pictured Bebe leaning against one, her hair cascading over her shoulders, green eyes bright with laughter. No, when he thought of Peachwood Bay, Bebe remained front and center. Not the locale or things to do.

But could he go back to Texas without her? Maybe if he could leave with a promise, it wouldn’t be so bad. After all, long-distance relationships could work. All he needed was a promise they could work toward something more. Something involving a ring and green-eyed children.

“Walker!”

His head jerked toward Ryan. “Sorry, what?”

“I was asking what you had planned,” Ryan laughed. “But apparently you were living it out.”

“Yeah, I kind of zoned out.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “We’re going to a reindeer farm, so I made a date close by.”

“A reindeer farm in Georgia?” Ryan’s brow furrowed.

“Yep. We want them for the ball. Bebe thought it would be great to have sleigh rides from the church to the town hall.”

“That is pretty ingenious.”

“That’s my girl.” At least in his mind. Now to make his dreams reality.

Ryan stood, clapping a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll be praying God guides you.”

“Thanks, man.” He slowly rose to his feet, thankful for the aid of a crutch. “What about you and May?”

“That’s easier. The difference between Tennessee and Georgia isn’t so vast. Plus, we’re still taking it one day at a time.”

But the grin on his face told Jahleel they were moving in the right direction.

“True.” Should he consider moving back to Georgia? Enjoy a slower pace of life with Bebe and Hope?

“Remember, brace off at home. Let your knee remember its job. Brace on outside the house. And do not forget to do your exercises.”

“Got it, O’Neal. Get on out of here.”

“Don’t have to tell me twice.” Ryan grinned and headed for the front door. “I’ll see myself out.”

As he reached the front door, it opened, and in walked Jahleel’s father.

Great.

He’d lost count what round they were in. Jahleel had stopped holding his tongue. If he wasn’t careful, a repeat of his college graduation was bound to happen. And he wasn’t quite ready to head back to Texas. He planned to stay at least through Christmas Day.

“Have a good day, Reverend.” Ryan tossed a wave over his shoulder.

“So spoiled you have to get house visits.” His father grunted, placing his house keys on the hook by the door. “I never would have infringed on a friend like that in my day.”

“You had friends?” Jay turned away to regain his composure. Smart-aleck comments won’t help the situation.

“Plenty. Ones I didn’t desert, and ones who didn’t desert me.”

Jahleel’s head shot up, and his eyes locked onto those of Obadiah Walker. “Is that what you think? That I abandoned you? No, sir. You did that a long time ago.”

“‘Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.’”

“‘Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged,’” he shot back.

His father’s jaw clenched, bulging near his ears.

“All my life, all I ever wanted was your approval,” Jahleel said. “A kind word. But no, you couldn’t give an inch of compassion where I was concerned. I’m not even sure if you give your congregants the mercy they need. What’s it like, seeing sin in every corner and ignoring it in your own life?”

“You will not speak to me in that manner.”

“That’s just fine because I have nothing more to say.” Jahleel headed for his bedroom. His scalp prickled. His muscles twitched from the death grip he had on his crutch.

“Don’t walk away from me when I’m talking to you, boy.”

Jahleel paused, head down. “I’m not a child.” He lifted his head and stared right back at his father. “I’m a man who deserves just as much respect as you demand. And right now, I need to leave before I say something I’ll regret.”

And with that, he continued toward his sanctuary.