Merry Kisses (Riverbend Romance 5) (4 page)

“You have to learn a few in this competitive business.” Kelly chuckled as she removed the mugs of hot chocolate from the tray and set them in front of the girls. Then she wrapped her own hands around a steeped tea. “So what have you been up to? I haven’t seen you at church for a while.”

Sonya hesitated. “I’ll be there this Sunday.”

Kelly’s eyebrows rose above the steam of her cup. “Great, but sounds like there’s a deeper meaning.”

“Oh, I was working every weekend at Toy Treehouse, but now I’m looking for a new job.” No need to explain the details.

“Mom said she saw you in there the other day.”

“Yeah. My boss and I didn’t see eye to eye on a few things.” Sonya shrugged, hoping she looked casual. “I’m sure something will show up. What have you been up to?”

“Keeping busy.” She poked her chin toward the girls, now devouring their treat while discussing the mural on the window and all the things they would do once it snowed. “I’m sure you heard I married Ian Tomlinson and acquired a second daughter.”

“I did hear. Congratulations.”

“We’ve had some adjustments as you can imagine, but we are doing well. I’m so thankful to the Lord for bringing us together.”

Sonya nodded. “That’s great. Wonderful.”

“And now my mission is to help all my friends be as happy as I am.” She leaned forward on her elbows, eyes sparkling. “Seeing anyone?”

Now why did a tall, dark, and handsome Santa slide through her mind? “Nope, not these days.”

Kelly waggled her eyebrows. “I just happen to know someone awesome who’s available.”

Why had Sonya thought it would be fun to join Kelly and the girls? She took a bite of her doughnut to keep from having to reply.

“He goes to River of Life, so you might have met him already. If I weren’t happily married — and I am — I’d sure be looking twice. Do you know Heath Collins?”

Sonya inhaled a bite of doughnut, choking hard enough to get the attention of even the small girls. Kelly shoved a napkin into her hand, and Sonya coughed into it until her eyes swam. “Sorry,” she gasped when she could.

“It hurts when you swallow wrong.” Sophie patted Sonya’s back.

“Mr. Heath is Santa Claus,” announced Elena. “Mommy told me, and it’s true.”

“He’s only
this
Santa Claus.” Sophie pointed at Elena. “There are lots of Santas.”

Elena rolled her eyes. “I know that.”

“So tell me about Santa.” Sonya slid her arm across the back of Sophie’s chair. “What do you think of him?”

“He gives presents to kids at Christmas,” said Elena. “If they’ve been good.”

There. Didn’t that prove that parents lied to their children and perpetuated the myths? Sonya’s gut soured. Even Kelly and Ian.

“That’s not what Daddy told us. Remember?” said Sophie. “He said it’s play-acting to remember the real Saint Nicholas who gave presents to poor people.”

“I
know
it’s just pretend.” Elena crossed her arms and jammed her elbows to the table. “But I like pretending to be a princess and I like pretending to have a horse and I like pretending about Santa Claus.”

“It’s Daddy who buys us Christmas gifts.” Sophie wasn’t letting up.

“And Mommy.” Elena’s face brightened. “Maybe we’ll get twice as many presents this year now that we have both a mommy and a daddy.”

“Enough out of you two.” Kelly chuckled. “It’s Jesus who gave Mommy and Daddy jobs so that we can give you everything you need... and a few things you want.”

“That’s what Santa said.” Elena slurped some hot chocolate.

Sonya’s eyes narrowed. “Santa told you about Jesus?”

Elena glanced at her mother. “I asked Santa for a baby sister for Christmas, and he said that was God’s job, not his.”

“That’s because Santa is really Mr. Heath,” put in Sophie. “He can’t give away babies.”

Kelly laughed. “That was a wise thing to say. He’s right. Babies are not Santa’s jurisdiction.”

“What’s ju... juris...?”

Elena stared at her sister. “It means it’s not his job.” She looked at her mom. “But me and Sophie want a sister.”

“Or maybe twins?” Sophie’s eyes grew round.

Kelly shook her head, still grinning. “Eat your doughnut and drink your hot chocolate. We need to get home to Daddy soon.”

Sonya joined the girls in having a bite then found Kelly’s gaze on her.

“I don’t think you got a chance to answer. Have you met Heath Collins?”

They were back to this? “We’ve met.”

Kelly leaned closer. “Isn’t he cute? And so nice.”

“Are you supposed to notice things like that? You’re married.”

“He’s not as cute as Ian, of course. I’m loyal, but I’m not blind.” Kelly watched her expectantly.

“He seems nice enough.”

Kelly spread her hands on the table. “I hear a
but
in your voice. But what? You must know something about him that I don’t.”

“But he’s Santa.” Sonya glanced at the two girls and lowered her voice. “Some hurdles are just too high to get over.” For Dad, at least, if not for her.

CHAPTER 4

Heath stood at the back of River of Life Church and scanned the people as they prepared for the Sunday morning worship service. Technically he was waiting for his buddy, Corbin, and Corbin’s fiancée, Sarah, but, in reality, he was looking for Sonya.

He’d been attracted to this congregation when he’d first come to Riverbend. Its vibe was as close to a large city church as he’d found in a small town. The worshipers came in a healthy mix of ages, including a lot of teens, older singles, and young families. Today it seemed there were fewer gray heads than usual, and more women with long brown hair who might or might not be Sonya, at least from the back.

His heart jumped a beat. There she was on the far side, chatting with Kelly and Ian. The little girls bounced beside Reed Daniels, his guitar slung across his back, and gazed adoringly up at him as the three made their way to the children’s wing.

Sonya tilted her head back and laughed, though Heath couldn’t hear above the murmur of many conversations. Then her gaze slid past Kelly’s and latched onto his. Her face sobered.

Kelly turned to see what had caused the change in Sonya’s demeanor and beckoned to Heath with a big grin.

He could pretend he hadn’t seen the invitation. He didn’t want Sonya uncomfortable. But... why not? She made
him
uncomfortable — although he rather liked the sensation — so they might as well be even.

Just do it.

Heath’s feet obeyed before his brain caught up. He hadn’t seen her since Friday at the mall, and hadn’t realized how empty his eyes had been. Now the vision of her filled his senses. The soft green sweater hugged her curves in a way the giraffe uniform never had. Her long brown hair flowed over her shoulders.
 

He nearly stumbled as unknown, but not entirely unwelcome, emotions slammed into him. He couldn’t just walk up to her, gather her in his arms, and kiss her. Not in church. Not without permission.

Permission she was unlikely to give by the look on her face. Her brown eyes looked guarded, and those pink lips were definitely not lifted in invitation.

In one instant, Heath knew he could give up being Santa if that’s what it took to win this woman. There were other ways to make children smile, and he’d find them.

“Good to see you, Heath.” Ian’s voice.

Heath blinked the dream away, and the world widened to include the Tomlinsons and the sanctuary of River of Life Church. “Hi. How are things going?” He smiled at Kelly. “Hi, Kelly. Hi, Sonya.”

He pulled his gaze back to Ian as quickly as he could manage and caught the knowing grin on the other man’s face.

The worship team began the musical prelude, reminding folks to find a seat.

“Why don’t you join us?” Kelly linked an arm through his. “Unless you were waiting for someone else.”

“I’d love to.” This sounded like a better idea than Corbin and Sarah, whom he hadn’t even seen. Heath turned to Sonya, but she stared past his head. “If you don’t mind?”
 

Twin pink spots rode high on her cheeks when she looked at him. “Whatever you like.”

If Kelly was matchmaking, she was efficient at it. She already followed Ian into a row near the back, leaving barely enough room for two more.
 

Heath bit back his grin. If Sonya had hoped the Tomlinsons would sit between them, the hope was dashed. “After you.” He rested his hand on the small of Sonya’s back as she passed him, then settled into the seat next to her.

He could get used to sitting pressed against her, hip to hip, shoulder to shoulder. He closed his eyes and breathed in the lilac essence she wore.
Lord? I don’t remember ever feeling this way before. Is Sonya the one?
 

* * *

Sonya tried to relax. She hadn’t been in church for months and had been really looking forward to lifting her heart in worship, soaking in Pastor Davis’s teaching, and joining in corporate prayer.

She hadn’t counted on being wedged between Heath, of all people, and Kelly. Her friend hadn’t taken Sonya’s protests to heart the other day. The matchmaking was obviously in full swing, with Heath a willing participant like an adoring but overgrown puppy.

If only he weren’t Santa.
 

If she’d met him in January, this might not have come up until she had a ring on her finger. Her heart jolted at the thought. Did she really like Heath enough to think things might’ve gone that far? That was silly. They’d just met.

A sideways glance showed Kelly’s hand curved inside Ian’s, her wedding band nestled against her engagement ring, which sported a diamond between two emeralds, representing the little girls. Had Kelly and Ian had deep discussions about whether or not Santa would play a part in family Christmases before they got married or even engaged?

Enough. She rose to join the congregation in
Joy to the World
as the opening song. Now that was what Christmas was all about: celebrating the Lord’s coming.

“We’ve got one quick announcement before we resume worship. If you’ve got children ages four through eight, please sign them up for the Christmas party. It will be in the fireside room on the afternoon of Monday the twenty-first. Pastor Nick still needs two volunteers who are not parents. We are trying to offer a time when parents can finish up preparations or, better yet, take some quiet time to reflect on the birth of our Savior. Our own Santa Claus, Heath Collins, has a special time planned for the children. Check your bulletin for details.”

Really, Pastor Davis? Even church isn’t a safe zone?
Sonya scrunched her eyes shut, but that didn’t help get away from being pressed against Heath’s side. She should’ve looked harder for a church like the one she’d grown up in after her move. Dad had had some suggestions, but she’d been attracted to the bigger congregation with so many young people.

Woodenly, she stood with the others as the next carol was announced.
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
. Why couldn’t everything be about the birth of Jesus and the peace offered by His sacrifice?

Peace that was eluding her now.
Please, Lord. Help me stay focused on You
. She joined the carol on the second verse. Kelly’s sweet soprano meshed with Ian’s tenor on her right and, on the other side, Heath belted out a solid baritone.

The words to the carols familiar, Sonya kept her eyes closed and surrounded herself with the words and music.
 

* * *

After the closing prayer, Ian leaned forward to see past Kelly, looking from Sonya to Heath. “Kelly’s got chili in the slow cooker. You want to join us for lunch, Sonya? Heath?”

Heath felt the tense vibration from Sonya’s arm through both their sleeves. He shook his head as he glanced at his watch. “I’m due down at the mall in less than an hour. I’m Santa from two to four.”

He felt more than heard Sonya’s exhale. Irritation washed over him. Was he really that evil for bringing joy and hope to children? Why did he even bother trying to impress her in a positive way?

“Oh, too bad. We should have planned this for suppertime instead.” Ian’s hand slid around Kelly’s shoulder, his shiny new wedding band gleaming.

“I’d change it, but I’ve already invited Sarah and Corbin and Carly and Reed.” Kelly glanced at Heath then back at Sonya. “Can
you
come?”

Sonya hesitated. “Sounds fun, sure.”

Would she have said that if he’d been going? Heath doubted it. “Maybe another time.” He pulled to his feet. “I need to scoot so I have time to down the sandwich in my fridge before getting the red suit on. Try to have fun without me.”

Kelly laughed. “Not sure if it is possible, but we’ll try. Go make some little kids smile, you hear me? And don’t promise baby siblings to any of them.”

Ian, still rubbing his wife’s shoulder, smirked.

“I don’t make promises I can’t keep, whether as Santa or just me.” The words were more for Sonya than for Kelly, but she didn’t look up. “See you all later.”

He hated walking away with this unresolved between him and Sonya, but the jingle bells were tolling the time. He had to trust this one to God, at least for now. His conscience bit. What, he’d only leave it in God’s hands until he had time and opportunity to do it himself?
Not the way trust works, Collins. Not at all.
 

* * *

Kelly and Ian’s basement suite smelled like chili and was packed with vintage Christmas decorations. A narrow tree stood in front of the wide window set high in the wall, but evergreen garlands spread the decor out like angel’s wings on either side.

“Come on in, everyone. May I take your jackets?” Ian reached for Sonya’s coat as she shrugged out of it. “Carly? Sarah?”

Sonya had missed out on friendships by being unable to attend church for so long. She didn’t even know Carly, who sported a dainty diamond and had one hundred percent of shy Reed Daniels’s attention. When had that happened? And when had Sarah met someone? Another diamond on that finger.

Well, Heath had foiled Kelly’s matchmaking by having to work. And if he hadn’t, Sonya would have come up with an excuse to head home herself. She tried to imagine Heath here, in this tiny apartment already packed with seven adults. Elena and Sophie had disappeared down the hall to their bedroom upon arrival.