Christmas In Silver Bell Falls (9 page)

“I don’t look at it that way,” he said.  “You and I have never been apart for Thanksgiving and besides, there’s a part of me that would really like to see the old cabin.  I haven’t been there since I was a kid.”  He paused.  “Unless…unless you have plans.”

Melanie couldn’t help but smile at the sudden uncertainty in her father’s voice.  “Actually, I had planned on making a scaled down Thanksgiving dinner for me and…a friend.”

“A friend, huh?” he asked, and she could hear the curiosity and excitement in his tone.

She groaned.  “Ugh…okay.  So I met someone when I got here.  He’s actually living on the property.”  She gave him the Reader’s Digest version of her first meeting with Josiah—minus the naked in the tub part—and how they’d been spending time together.

“I can’t believe you haven’t mentioned this,” he said and then sighed.  “Why is the father always the last to know?”

She knew he was teasing her so she laughed.  “Oh knock it off.  I’m not a kid anymore and it’s not like this is something serious.  Josiah knows I’m leaving at the end of the three months and I plan on selling the property to him.  He had tried to get your mother to sell it to him, but she never would.”

“Well, I’m sure she had her reasons.”

Melanie snorted with bit of annoyance.  “More like her just trying to control things like she always did.”

John sighed.  “Look, let’s not even think about it.  I’ve got some work to finish up before I go so I’ll just plan on seeing you Thursday morning, okay?”

“Absolutely.  And Dad?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m really glad we’re going to spend Thanksgiving together.”

“Me too, sweetheart.  Me too.”

Later that night, after she and Josiah had finished dinner, she shared the news with him. 

“I know we planned on just having a low-key dinner for the two of us, but…”

He reached over and squeezed her hand.  “Melanie, you never have to apologize to me for wanting to spend time with your family.  If I didn’t have to work Thanksgiving Day, I’d probably be driving to spend the day with my brothers,” he smiled at her.  “And I would have brought you with me.”

“I know…I just…it feels a little weird.”

“Why?”

She shrugged.  “He’s coming here because it’s a connection to his childhood.  You have a lifelong connection to this place and my grandmother.  And then there’s the whole you and me thing and…”

“Wait a minute…are you afraid to tell your dad about us?” he asked and Melanie could see the hurt he was trying to hide.

“No, that’s not it at all.  I already mentioned it to him and he’s excited to meet you.”

“Okay, then what’s the problem?”

She stood up and began clearing away the dinner dishes.  “It’s like there’s this weird connection between all of us and then there’s the fact that I’ve never had a boyfriend spend a holiday with us and…I can’t explain it,” she said with exasperation.  “So basically this is all new territory and I feel awkward and stupid, like I’m a kid again!”

He stood up and came into the kitchen and wrapped his arms around her.  “So I’m your boyfriend, huh?”

She playfully swatted him away and laughed.  “Cut it out!  I’m being serious here!”

He laughed and pulled her back against him when she moved away.  “I am being serious!” he said.  “It’s just been a long time since anyone called me their boyfriend, that’s all.”

“Are you kidding me?  I know you’ve dated.  We’ve talked about it.”

“Of course I’ve dated but…you know…I kind of feel a little old to be somebody’s boyfriend.”

That made Melanie laugh harder.  “So what am I supposed to call you?  My male friend?  My make-out buddy?  What are my options?”

He hugged her tightly and then released her.  “I don’t think I’m particularly fond of any of those.”

“Got any better ones?” she asked, but her back was to him.  She smiled when she felt him press up from behind her and begin to nuzzle her neck.

“I would say lover but we haven’t crossed that bridge yet,” he said softly between kisses.

“And whose fault is that?”

He chuckled and his breath tickled her skin.  “I want to make sure you don’t have any regrets.”

Turning off the water, Melanie turned in his arms.  “I think we’ve already covered that too.  No regrets.  Not with you.”  Leaning forward, she kissed him gently on the lips and felt her heart skip a beat when Josiah took control of it.  She loved that about him—his passion and the way he always made her feel.  She knew that should they ever move forward in this relationship and get physical, it would be incredible.

Josiah slowly broke the kiss and lifted his head.  “So what are you saying?” he teased.  “That maybe we should take this inside?”

She almost wept with relief. 
Finally!
  It was on the tip of her tongue to say it but when she met his gaze and saw all of the heat and need there, she was suddenly overwhelmed and humbled by it.  Rather than speak, she nodded and took him by the hand and led the way.  Melanie only made it a few feet when he stopped her. 

“I wasn’t pushing, you know that right?”

Something inside of her snapped.  Turning toward him, she angrily put her hands on her hips.  “Let me ask you something…do you want me?  I mean do you even
want
to have sex with me?”

Josiah looked at her with something akin to shock.  “Are you serious?  How can you even ask me that?”

“Because every time I think we’re going to move in this direction it’s like you try to talk me out of it.  I know you’re not rushing me.  I know you haven’t rushed me.  But you know what?  Right now?  I’m going to rush you!”  And with that she stood behind him and literally shoved him toward her bedroom door.

When they were both in the bedroom, she closed the door behind her and leaned against it.  Josiah turned to her and smiled.  “And here I was trying to be a gentleman…”

Slowly Melanie walked toward him until they were toe to toe.  “And I love that about you, but every night when you leave here I go a little more insane.  You kiss me and turn me inside out and then you’re just able to get up and go.”

He shook his head.  “It’s not that easy; believe me.”

“Then why?  If this isn’t what you want or if you’re having second thoughts, just tell me!”

Carefully, he put his arms around her waist.  “I really was trying not to rush you.  I guess I didn’t realize you were just as anxious as me.”

“Well I am,” she said with a pout. 

“What can I do to prove to you how much I want you?” he whispered huskily, his hands already beginning to roam from her waist to her shoulders and down her arms. 

“Hmm…” she purred.  “Maybe you could kiss me again.”

He did.  “And what else?”

Melanie pulled her shirt up and over her head.  “And maybe you can touch me…here.”  She placed her hands over her breasts.  “While you kiss me.”

He did.

And then Melanie didn’t have to say anything else. 

Josiah knew exactly how to prove to her how much he wanted her.  And he did.  All night long.

Chapter Five

“So there we were, marching down Main Street as part of the parade and the snow was falling down at such a rate that we couldn’t even see the people standing on the sidewalks!” John said, unable to control the laughter.  “And I don’t know which was worse—the fact that we were still out there marching or that people were standing there watching!”

Josiah and Melanie laughed with him.  They had just finished their Thanksgiving dinner and John was sharing some of his memories of his time in Silver Bell.

“We’ve had quite a few events like that,” Josiah said.  “The people here are die-hard fans of a parade and festival and we’re so used to the snowy weather that it doesn’t really stop us.”

Relaxing back in his seat, John smiled.  “We don’t get a whole heck of a lot of snow in Raleigh.  Back in 2000 we got two feet of it but that’s the worst I can remember.  Not that I miss it, but sometimes it was a lot of fun to just go outside and play in it.”

“Well then maybe you should come back next month,” Melanie said.  “If you can get the time off.”

John shrugged. “I don’t know.  Maybe.  I’d hate to make the trip and then not be able to get back home when I need to leave.”

Both Melanie and Josiah nodded.  “Okay, you two boys sit and relax while I clean up,” Melanie said as she stood.

“Nonsense,” John said.  “You cooked so we can certainly help you clean up.”

She held up a hand to stop him.  “The kitchen is too small for the three of us.  Besides, you were interested in seeing the inside of Josiah’s place.  Why don’t you go and do that?  I’ve got this covered.”

John looked over at Josiah.  “Would you mind?”

Actually, Josiah was thrilled at the prospect.  Ever since Melanie had mentioned how her father was coming to visit, he had been trying to come up with a way to get the man alone so he could talk to him about a couple of things.  “Not at all,” he finally answered and then turned to Melanie.  “Are you sure you don’t mind?  There’s kind of a big mess in there.”

She waved him off.  “And I have a system so I’d prefer to do it alone.  Go.  Dessert won’t be for quite a while so there’s no rush.”

Smiling, Josiah walked over and kissed her and felt her stiffen for a minute before she relaxed.  He guessed it was because her father was standing five feet away but he didn’t care.  They were adults and they were finally lovers.  Besides, he didn’t think John Harper had a problem with them showing a little bit of affection.

“Come on, John,” Josiah said as he stepped away from Melanie.  “But be warned, it really is tiny.”

“I’m so intrigued by the concept,” John said, pulling on his coat.  “I keep seeing these things on all the DIY shows and even at the local home shows but I’ve never gone in one.”  The two men walked to the front door and then out.  Out on the front porch, the cold air had them both hissing in a breath.  “I’ll tell you what, I really don’t miss this weather.”

Josiah chuckled.  “It’s not so bad.  I don’t know anything else but this.  But I can tell you, it certainly wakes you up as soon as you step outside.”

“I remember.”

They walked across the yard and Josiah opened the door and motioned for John to go in first.  He remembered the first time he had shown Melanie his place and how nervous he’d been.  With John, however, he was feeling a sense of pride at showing off his little place.  And beyond that, he was a little nervous about the conversation he was about to start.

“Wow,” John said, stepping inside.  “This really is something.  I mean…it’s small, no doubt about it.  But everything’s functional.  There’s no spot that isn’t multi-functioning.”

“Everything has a purpose,” Josiah said.  “It does make you live a minimalist lifestyle and I’ll admit I do have a lot of stuff in storage, but this was a short-term solution to getting things in order.”

“So you really thought my mother was going to sell you the place, huh?”

Josiah shrugged.  “I had hoped.  I thought we were well on the way to doing that when she allowed me to put this place on the property.  I never expected…” He cleared his throat.  “I mean, her death was unexpected.”

John nodded but kept moving around the space.  “From what her lawyer was able to tell me, she wasn’t ill.  She died peacefully in her sleep.”

“I’m very sorry for your loss. Melanie explained to me that you had been estranged but…”

“She was still my mother,” John finished for him and turned to sit on the sofa.  “She had a stubborn streak and she thought she knew what was best for everyone.”  There was no bitterness in his voice, only sadness.  “I think if she had only listened once in a while rather than wanting to be heard, things could have been different.”  He sighed and then shook his head.  “Anyway, Mel tells me the people here in Silver Bell had a much better relationship with my mother.”

Nodding, Josiah pulled his lone barstool away from the breakfast nook and sat down. “Yeah, I think it was a bit of a shock for her the first few times she met people around here, but now she’s used to it.  Everyone in town loves her.”

John looked at him curiously. “My mother or Melanie?”

Josiah chuckled.  “Both, but I was referring to Melanie.  I think the first time we went into town and talked with people who knew Carol she was a little taken aback.”  He smiled at the memory.  “But she didn’t correct them or tell them they were wrong about Carol, she accepted their condolences gracefully.”

John gave a small smile.  “That’s my girl.  I always regretted the way things happened for her.  I did my best but…”

Here was the opening Josiah was hoping for.  “She’s shared a lot of her past with me,” he said carefully. 

John let out another sigh and wiped a weary hand down his face.  “Her life certainly hasn’t been easy and I take a lot of the blame for that.”

Josiah looked at him oddly.  “Why?  It seems to me you’re the only one who gave a damn.  You stuck it out and took care of her, like a good parent should.  Why would you even blame yourself?”

“It’s hard to explain but…her mom and I were just too young.  We never should have gotten married.”

“That wouldn’t have changed anything for Melanie.  And you were just as young as her mom and yet you stepped up to the plate and were responsible.  She’s lucky to have you.”

When John looked over at him, he had tears in his eyes.  “Thank you for saying that.  I just wish…I wish things could have been different for her.  She has so many bad memories of her time growing up and most of them are because I failed in some way.”

Josiah shook his head firmly.  “That’s not true.   You did the best you could.  It seems other people failed the both of you.”  He paused.  “Have you ever…” He stopped and thought about how to word his question.  “What I mean is, in all these years, has Melanie’s mother ever reached out to you?”

John shook his head sadly.  “I’m not sure if I’m happy or mad about it.  I hate that Mel grew up without a mom, but I think it could have been worse if she’d come back at some point and then left again.”

“I can understand that.”  He sighed and looked around and then decided to get to the heart of what he really wanted to talk about.  “So…about Christmas.”

John looked up at him and let out a mirthless laugh.  “Yeah.  Christmas,” he sighed.  “I’m sure you think it’s a little odd.”

There was no way he could honestly deny it so he didn’t even try.  “I have to admit, I was a little shocked when she first starting talking about it.  Then she explained why she felt the way she did and I could understand it.  Sort of.”

“I always hoped we could overcome it, but if something bad is going to happen, it happens at Christmas.”

“Surely there are some good memories?  Something, somewhere that was positive?  My family didn’t have a lot of money when we were growing up—there were six of us kids—but just because we didn’t get a lot of presents didn’t make it bad.  Did you have any traditions that Melanie enjoyed?”

John studied him carefully for a long moment—almost to the point of it feeling awkward—before he spoke.  “She probably would never admit it, but she loves sugar cookies.  We used to bake them when she was small – before her mom left.  I’m not much of a baker so when I tried making them with her it was with refrigerated cookie dough,” he chuckled.  “But even when we don’t celebrate Christmas, she always seems to have sugar cookies in the house.  And she loves having them with cocoa.”

“That’s a nice memory,” he said.  “I’d like to help her make some new ones.”

John’s eyes narrowed slightly.  “You know she’s only here for the three months, right?”

Josiah nodded.  “It doesn’t matter how long she’s here for.  She’ll be here for Christmas this year and I want to do something to make it special for her.”

“What about you?  Don’t you have family of your own to spend it with?”

“Normally I do.  But this is something really important to me, John.  If I only get to have one Christmas with your daughter, I want it to be the kind where, years from now, she’ll look back and have a good memory of it.”

And then John seemed to relax and the look he gave Josiah told him he completely understood exactly how strongly he felt for Melanie.  “I like the fact that if I’m not here to spend Christmas with her, you are.”

That made Josiah smile.  “I thought the two of you don’t spend Christmas together?”

“We spend the day together, we just don’t celebrate.”

With a nod, Josiah stood and walked over to the refrigerator to grab them something to drink.  “You’re welcome to celebrate it with us this year,” he said.  “I’m hoping to make it the best one yet for her.”

“Son, if you can do that, I’m here to help in any way I can.”

****

Melanie was still a little teary-eyed the following week when she thought about her dad.  She had thought she was okay with temporarily living so far away from him, but after his short Thanksgiving visit, she realized just how much she missed him.  Josiah must have noticed because he took her out on a proper date—out to dinner, a movie and dessert. 

When they got back to the cabin, he didn’t even ask if he could stay.  They walked in the door and he helped her take her coat off before shedding his own and then took her by the hand and led her to the bedroom.

It scared her a little at how well Josiah seemed to know her and could so easily read her wants, her needs, her moods, but right now in this very moment, she was grateful for it.  He kissed her as he undressed her and when they crawled into bed together, Melanie closed her eyes and sighed at how perfect it felt.  Every touch, every kiss, every movement not only showed her how much Josiah cared for her, but it was making it hard to ignore how much he was coming to mean to her as well.

And much later, when they both should have been asleep, she wrapped herself around him and placed her head on his shoulder, her hand over his heart—it was still beating rapidly after all they had shared. 

“Thank you,” she whispered.

He kissed the top of her head.  “For what?”

“For the perfect night.”

She could feel him smiling.  “I aim to please,” he said lightly.

With a chuckle, Melanie lifted her head and looked at him.  “I wasn’t just talking about what we just did in here.”

He gave her a lopsided grin.  “Neither was I.”

“Somehow I doubt that,” she teased and then relaxed back against him.  “I feel like I’ve been in a funk for the last few days and it was nice to get out of the house and have such a good night.  That restaurant was fantastic.  We’ll have to go there again.”

“Any time you want,” he said and hugged her a little closer.  “I hate that I have to work tomorrow.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m enjoying this—holding you in my arms, both of us a little sleepy and relaxed after making love and just talking about our day.”

She frowned.  “And that’s going to make going to work bad?”

He nodded.  “I could stay like this all night with you, Melanie.  But I know I’ve got to get some sleep if I’m going to be at all useful in the morning.”

“You work too hard, Sheriff Stone,” she said, placing a kiss on his chest.  “Do you ever get vacation time?”

“Oh yeah,” he said and then yawned.  “A couple of weeks throughout the year.  Why?  Want to go someplace tropical with me?”

She chuckled.  “I was just thinking it might be nice for you to come to Raleigh and see where I live.”  As soon as the words were out of her mouth she felt him stiffen slightly.  “It’s not as festive as Silver Bell,” she added quickly, “but there are a lot of great places to see and some wonderful restaurants.”

Josiah stayed silent until Melanie lifted her head again to look at him.  “What?” she asked softly.  “What’s the matter?”

Reaching out, he cupped her cheek in his hand.  “I don’t want to think about a time when you’re back there and I’m still here.”

Everything in her softened against him.  “Oh…”

Slowly, as if giving her time to stop him, Josiah rolled them over until she was nestled beneath him.  Then he kissed her, slowly.  Thoroughly.  Melanie knew it was partially a distraction method, but she didn’t care.  She loved kissing him and poured everything she had into kissing him back.

Her heart began to race as his hand roamed from her shoulder down to her knee and back again.  She couldn’t help but arch into him.  And as he loved her slowly for the second time that evening, she had to wonder how she was going to survive the time when he was here and she was back at home.  Because no matter how hard she tried to convince herself she was okay with this being a short-term relationship, her heart was getting more and more involved.