The Christmas Catch

Chapter 17

Chapter SEVENTEEN

Bebe did a small twirl before stopping in front of her full-length mirror. The emerald-green dress was perfect for the Christmas party. The tulle bottom added a whimsical touch. It wasn’t something she’d normally pick out, but Hope wanted to match. The color added depth to the green of their eyes, and the twirling action of the skirt was plain fun. Anticipation rolled in her stomach. She couldn’t wait for tonight as they celebrated the reason for the season. She added red dangling earrings and red bangled bracelets to her right hand to complete the look.

“Hope,” she called out. “You ready?”

Since Jahleel had offered to pick up Bebe and Hope, her parents had already left for the ball. They hadn’t wanted to infringe upon the young couple , as her dad referred to them. They’d offered to bring Hope with them, but Bebe wanted to be near the birthday girl.

Her daughter came running into the room and stopped, covering her mouth. “You look like a princess, Mama.”

“No way. I’m pretty sure you’re the princess tonight.” She held out her arms, bending down to wrap her Christmas blessing in a hug. “Happy birthday, pumpkin.”

“You already said that, silly.”

“You know I can’t help myself.”

Hope smiled and kissed her cheek. “Let’s go. I want to dance.” She twirled around in her matching dress, giggling as the skirt billowed out.

Bebe grabbed their coats and headed for the front door. After putting them on, she opened the door and stopped. Santa was outside talking to Jahleel.

“Santa!” Hope shrieked. She looked in shock at the sleigh. “Reindeer! This is the best birthday ever!” She tugged on Bebe’s hand.

Bebe stared down at her pride and joy. “You like?”

“I love! He even looks real,” Hope whispered, pointing to Mr. Hammond.

“I thought so too.”

Hope skipped toward the sleigh. Santa wasn’t something they celebrated at home, but Hope loved the idea of him regardless. Her girl would probably squeal all the way to the town hall.

Jay helped Hope up into the sleigh, then turned toward Bebe. He looked breathtakingly handsome in his tuxedo. His broad shoulders seemed to be emphasized in the black jacket, and the cane at his side only made him look more dashing.

He made a circular motion with his finger. Bebe grinned and did a slow three-sixty.

“You look beautiful, Bebe.”

“So do you.”

He blushed. “Let me help you into the sleigh.”

“Thank you, but I thought the sleigh rides were starting at the church? Isn’t that what was discussed?”

“Originally, but since there was time between when service ended and when the ball starts, Mr. Hammond suggested we just stop at routes around the town to carry folks to town hall. His son started across town first.”

“Oh my goodness, this is great. Thank you.”

“Yes, thank you, Mr. Walker,” Hope gushed. “This is the best ever!”

Jay tapped her nose. “I have a special gift for you later.”

“For me?” Her eyes widened.

“Of course. Someone told me you were an old lady today. Eight years old.”

She giggled, eyes bright. “I’m younger than you.”

“We won’t talk about how young I am.” He gently nudged Hope. “I had to get my favorite player a gift for her birthday.”

Hope’s cheeks bloomed with excitement as Jay continued to tease her.

When they walked into the town hall, Bebe gasped. Snowflake angels hung from the ceiling in between red and green streamers. Each angel was different. Some with big wings, some with little ones, and others without. And they were all different colors. Not to mention there were three different Christmas trees displayed throughout the room. One all red, another all white, and the last pure gold.

“It’s so pretty,” Hope said in a hushed whisper.

Bebe nodded. “It is. May and the others did a great job.”

“Of course I did.”

Bebe whirled around to see May in a red dress. The chiffon material clung to her lithe frame. “You look gorgeous.” She hugged her friend. “And the place looks phenomenal.”

“We had fun making the angels.” May sent a smile Ryan’s way.

“I’ll bet. I’ve barely talked to you this week.” Bebe wanted to be sad, but she understood. Both of them had found love this Christmas. However, Bebe knew she and May would continue to be the best of friends.

“Likewise.” May winked and then turned to Hope. “Happy birthday!”

“Thank you, Ms. May!” Hope turned to Bebe. “Mama, can I go find my friends?”

“Sure.”

Hope walked away, doing a few twirls here and there.

Jahleel cleared his throat. “I’m going to go talk to Ryan. Save me a dance?”

“Of course.”

“Then I’ll be right back.” He kissed her forehead and walked away.

“Wow, y’all two are adorable.” May grinned.

Bebe waited until Jahleel was out of earshot. “Doesn’t he look perfect in that tux?” she sighed.

“Not as handsome as Ryan.” May hooked her arm through Bebe’s. “I’m going to miss you, friend.”

“Me too.” She bumped May’s hip. “You better visit.”

“Maybe after the honeymoon.” May smirked.

“Ha ha.” May would probably take a long time before she said I do to Ryan. Not because she was gun-shy like Bebe had been, but because May did most things slow and steady. It was one reason her decision to move to Nashville seemed so out of the blue. Only May hadn’t been able to find a job up there yet and refused to move until she did.

“Since you haven’t found a job yet, what will you and Ryan do?”

“We’ll visit every other weekend until the school year’s over. I’m hoping by then I’ll have a new job.”

“I’m so proud of you, May. I know I was really hesitant about your relationship at first, but you’re going after what you want. I admire that.”

May leaned her head against Bebe’s. “Thanks, girl. I’m proud of you too.”

Bebe was proud of herself. Once she laid her fears down before God, He’d given her the courage to move forward. He’d also provided her with wise counsel so she could see the areas she fell short and needed help to move forward.

“I’m so thankful for your friendship, May. You’ve been a huge blessing in my life.”

“Likewise. And remember, live. Don’t let Will take your joy.”

“I won’t.” She looked at her friend. “I signed the papers.”

“How do you feel about that?”

“It hurt, but I trust God. He has great things in store for Hope. Me trying to make Will be a father just because we had a child was only preventing me from healing and hurting Hope with the constant expectation. Now, maybe she can heal.”

“And maybe a new, better father is in her future.” May did a head nod toward Jahleel.

Bebe’s cheeks heated when she saw Ryan and Jahleel looking at them. “Are they talking about us?”

“Or inviting us to dance.”

They walked toward the men.

“May I have this dance?” Jahleel asked.

Bebe nodded.

Jahleel guided her to the dance floor, then slid his arms around Bebe’s waist. She rested a hand on his chest. “You look so dreamy in this tuxedo.”

“I’ve got nothing on you, baby. Green is definitely your color.”

He twirled her away, then brought her flush against him. Her body warmed from the move. “Where did you learn to do that?”

“Believe it or not, watching my parents.”

“Wow.”

“Shocking, right?” He chuckled.

“A bit. I don’t know what’s more shocking, you being able to do it after merely watching, or them dancing.”

“They took dance classes.”

Her mouth dropped open.

Jahleel threw his head back and laughed. “You look just like I did.” He nuzzled his nose into her hair. “Bebe Willabee, I love you.”

Her heart stopped, then started double-time. “I love you too, Jahleel.” A sigh of contentment left her lips.

“You do?”

“Completely.”

Jahleel kissed the edge of her jaw, slowly moving upward. When their lips brushed, Bebe sighed. He pressed his mouth firmly against hers, then drew back. “Don’t want my father upset if we go past a PG rating.”

She chuckled. “This has been the best Christmas ever.”

“It really has.”

Jahleel loved the feel of Bebe in his arms. He was so thankful that she loved him as much as he loved her, enough that she’d willingly move to San Antonio.

Since their talk, he’d been looking at storefronts to set up his shop. He might have found the perfect location, but it was something he wanted to talk to her about. If they were going to start a life together in Texas, he wanted to make sure Bebe was there with him every step of the way.

He’d already looked into a moving firm to get her stuff into San Antonio and called a realtor to find her a temporary place to stay. Because if he had anything to say about it, they would be married and living in his place sooner rather than later.

The music came to a stop, and they turned. His father stood on the stage with a microphone. His sermon earlier that day had many of the congregants reaching for a tissue to wipe the tears from their eyes. Jay wasn’t sure what his mother had started in his father, but he could honestly say that was the best preaching his father had ever done.

“Merry Christmas, Saints!” the Reverend boomed.

“Merry Christmas,” they chorused.

“I’d like to give thanks to some people.” He began listing all the people involved in putting the ball together. People cheered at each name. “Last, I’d like to thank my son. He kindly footed the bill so that any donation on your part would go to the recipients of the angel tree.”

Jahleel flushed. He’d had no idea his father would openly admit such a thing. Jahleel dipped his head in gratitude.

“You all ensured that every person on the tree received a Christmas gift this year. We have it on good authority that the presents have been delivered, and there will be many smiling faces tomorrow morning.”

The crowd cheered louder than ever.

“We also collected an extra two thousand dollars from the offering at today’s service, which will go to the local food pantry.”

Cheers and applause filled the room.

“May God remember your kindness to those in need. Let’s keep the spirit of giving alive and well throughout the rest of the year.” His father paused. “Now, let’s have fun.”

His father met Jahleel’s gaze and gave a simple nod. The work in their relationship was slow going, but Jay had seen it progress, and that was enough for him. Knowing he could return to Peachwood Bay and be welcomed by both of his parents had gone miles in healing hurt from the past. And knowing that his parents planned to visit him in the future was proof that his dad was working to bridge the gap between them.

Hope ran up to them. “I want to dance too.”

“Then let’s do this,” Jay said. He took Hope’s hand, and Bebe took the other, and they danced around in a circle as if it was always meant to be that way.

When it came time for the ball to end, Jahleel drove Bebe and Hope back home. Before the women got out of the car, he pulled an envelope from his inside coat pocket. He turned to look in the backseat.

“Ms. Hope, this is for you.”

She frowned at the envelope. “What’s this?”

“Your birthday gift.”

Interest piqued, she opened it and pulled out three tickets. “Tickets? What for?” She squinted, then screamed in delight.

He winced at the high-pitched sound.

“Hope Gordon!” Bebe scolded.

“Sorry, Mama, but he got me three tickets to the Super Bowl!”

Bebe gawked at him.

“Hope that’s okay?” he murmured.

“Are you serious? That’s amazing.”

He let out a breath.

“Thank you so much, Mr. Walker!” Hope threw her arms around him.

“Do you think you can call me Jay?”

She looked at Bebe, who gave a small nod. “Thanks, Jay.”

“My pleasure. I hope you’ll let me come with you.”

Her grin grew wider. “Definitely. Mama too.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Bebe said.

“Wait until I tell my friends.” Hope threw her arms in the air. “Best birthday ever!”