Santa Wore Combat Boots (6 page)

CHAPTER SEVEN

“I hope we don’t run out of time.” Emma stretched to hand Jake a wad of garland, and he wrapped it around the top of the tree. “People like to come early, you know, and get a good seat.”

“Don’t worry.” Jake expertly draped the golden garland, handing the end to her when he reached the middle. “Some of the guys from the station will be here any minute to help.”

“Why?” Emma couldn’t help but stare at Jake. He’d given her a day she would never forget, yet his kindness didn’t stop.

“It’s the season of giving, Emma. When I knew we’d spent too much time at the tree farm, I made a call.”

“And they agreed, just like that?” She didn’t try to hide her disbelief.

“Just like that, no questions.” The corners of his mouth turned up, transforming his face into a vision of truth. No matter what he did, Jake Nicklaus continued to be a man of his word.

True to that word, a group of six men walked through the door of the community hall and took to work, no instruction needed. While she and the kids decorated the tree, Jake and his friends hung the paper snowflakes, rolled out the table runners and set out the candle and poinsettia center pieces they’d purchased from The Treasure Box. Each center piece was set atop small beds of pine boughs. By the time they were finished, the community hall transformed into a room full of Christmas spirit.

Jake walked over and dimmed the overhead lights. Tiny white Christmas lights twinkled around the room. The glow of the center pieces added warmth to the already cheery atmosphere. To Emma’s surprise, Jake’s friends left before she could thank them, only to appear moments later with instruments in hand. One of them uncovered the piano in the corner and pulled out some chairs. They proceeded to play Christmas carols as people began to fill the room.

“Oh, my gosh,” she exclaimed, placing her hands to her gaping lips.

“What’s wrong, Mommy?” Sarah asked, immediately by her side.

“I’ve never seen anything so beautiful. This is almost...”

“Magical?” Jakes voice said next to her ear.

“Yes.”

“See, I told you Jake was magic. Thank you, Jake, thank you!” Sarah threw herself against him, wrapping her small arms around his hips.

“You’re welcome, peanut, but you had a hand in this, too.” He hugged her back, and Emma’s body swirled with the all-too-familiar feeling only Jake could provoke in her.

“I’m not talking about the dinner,” Sarah piped in.

Jake looked at Emma, and she didn’t know what to say. This was pure magic, indeed. The whole day had been, and she suddenly hated the thoughts of it ending with the Post 518 Group dinner. The way he looked at her sent a shiver of excitement through her as if he felt the same way. She cleared her throat, not sure of the feelings building inside.

“How did you manage all of this?” her voice was a whisper.

“I didn’t, Emma. We did.”

“But your friends-”

“Love to play and never get the chance because they are always working. This is their contribution. It was their idea.”

“Really?” Emma stared in shock at the musicians in the corner who were thoroughly enjoying themselves. They’d even donned red and white Santa hats.

“Why do you find that so hard to believe?” Jake’s voice broke through her thoughts.

“I,” she paused and stared once more at the room around her. She couldn’t voice what she was truly feeling for fear this would all vanish, like Larry. “I don’t know,” she managed, not happy with
her answer. “Christmas is so commercialized now, people are so busy and full of themselves and for the rest of us it’s just another day.”

“But it’s not. It only loses meaning if you let it.”

“Everything loses meaning when you’re all alone, Jake.” She fought back tears. This was a happy night. She didn’t want to spoil it with missing Larry. But he was there, front and center just as he always was this time of year.

“You’re not alone, why don’t you see that?”

“You’re not married, you wouldn’t’ understand.”

“You’d be surprised.” Jake moved away, and Emma felt a blast of cool air pass by her face. She looked to see if someone came through the door, but the crowd had died down for the moment.

“Why would I be surprised? Have you been married before?”

“No.” He looked down at her, and that familiar jolt worked its way through her body. “But I can feel, and I have faith in people, Emma. Not everyone is bad, and not everyone is going to leave you.”

“I know. I’ve tried to tell myself that for years now, but I can’t seem to hold onto it. I’m tired and I’m lonely and sometimes I just want someone to hold me.” She caught a breath at the sound of the words which spilled out. She’d never admitted them to anyone.

Jake didn’t flinch. Instead, he leaned forward and folded her in his arms. She immediately felt his strength, his faith, his love, all within the short moments of their embrace. “How was that?” he said when he finally broke away.

“Nice,” she replied, while trying to keep her knees from buckling.

“Good, because you deserve it,” he said, leaving her in a state of confusion as she watched him walk away.

For three years she had mourned Larry’s death. For three years she had shut herself off from the rest of the world. She’d stopped living for herself and only lived for her children. Each day she had been dying inside, and it took such a simple day with a caring man to make her see that. Her kids needed a home and stability, which she willingly supplied. But they also needed a mother who could be happy and enjoy the life she had. This is where she’d been lacking.

Not anymore. Starting tonight she was going to start living. Tonight she was going to open up her heart and her mind to the possibilities around her.

She was going to live.

The music started once more from the far corner, and Emma watched as Jake danced around with Sarah. Emma could hear her daughter’s laughter across the room. Yes, it was time.

The community hall continued to fill with people until there wasn’t an empty chair available. Emma thought she should check on the food. She didn’t order nearly enough for this crowd.

“Wonderful dinner, Emma,” Mrs. Marshall said when she walked by.

“Oh, yes,” Mr.
Plumbly
added from where he sat next to Ida Marshall. “You have outdone yourself, my dear. The mashed potatoes are delicious and the lemon pie is like a slice of heaven on a plate.”

“Why, thank you,” Emma replied and looked curiously toward the kitchen. She never put lemon pie on the menu.

“The decorations are spectacular. This must have taken you all day.” Mrs. Roberts beamed as she turned in a circle in front of Emma. “Much better than the old washed-up decorations from the past, this is so traditional. Brings back my own childhood.”

“Yes. Thank you, Mrs. Roberts. I’m so glad you like it.” Emma continued toward the kitchen, a little more than worried the food would disappear and everyone’s holiday spirit would soon follow. She didn’t want to let everyone down, but didn’t know who was available to make a grocery store run.

“Emma! Can you believe this?” Joyce Templeton grabbed Emma’s arm when she passed through the kitchen doors.

“What are you talking about?” Emma looked around the bustling kitchen. There was food everywhere. “Where did all of this come from?”

“You mean you don’t know? I thought you’d arranged it?” Joyce now looked as perplexed as Emma.

“Mary Flynn dropped the groceries and donated items off earlier.” Again, Emma scanned the surrounding counters. They were a sea of decoratively-wrapped baked goods, aluminum tins piled high with macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and carved roast beef. “You didn’t see who dropped all of this off?”

“No, it was here when we came to start cooking. As a matter of fact, we had to use the key to unlock the door. Maybe it was a secret Santa?” Joyce laughed and Emma shot a knowing look toward the door.

“Or a certain other Mr. Nicklaus.”

***

“I want to thank you for all of your help,” Emma said as she shifted a sleeping Ben to her other hip and slid the key into the lock.

“Here, let me get that.” Jake reached around her to turn the knob while balancing Sarah, who snuggled tight against his shoulder. They passed through the door, brushing against each other; Emma to turn on lights and Jake to close the door behind them. “Really, you don’t need to thank me.”

“Oh, I think I do.” Emma slowly unzipped Sarah’s jacket and carefully slipped it off her daughter’s relaxed arms, then adjusted Ben’s position so Jake could do the same. Coming home with Jake felt so right, his presence brought a sense of peace she hadn’t experienced in three years. They went about removing coats and boots as if they had done this all of their lives.

“There’s no need. I enjoyed myself today.”

“Me, too,” Emma said, and meant it. Motioning toward the stairs, she whispered, “Sarah’s room is the first one on the right. Just lay her on the bed and I’ll be right in once I get Ben settled.” The smile remained on her face all the way to the second floor as the feeling of his embrace returned. He’d been so tender when he’d held her, like a friend...but different somehow.

“I’ll meet you downstairs,” Jake whispered after laying Sarah on the bed and brushing a wayward hair off her face. Emma’s heart swelled over the genuine concern she saw play across his features. It was as if he were dealing with his own child.

On her way to Ben’s room, she chewed her cheek as she allowed visions of them as a family to fill her head. Had Traci been right all along? Could a man like Jake want an instant family? After finding them snuggled together on the couch, there was no doubt in her mind they were all comfortable with each other.

When the children were tucked in, she made a quick stop in the bathroom to brush the hat-head from her hair and check her appearance. She thought she should pinch some color into her cheeks, but the anticipation of Jake waiting downstairs had colored them just fine. She studied herself in the mirror, and noticed a sparkle in her eyes she hadn’t seen since before she and Larry were married.

Guilt tried to overpower her, but she gripped the edge of the sink and willed it away. Not this time, not anymore. Traci was right again. Emma was a young, beautiful woman and waiting for her was a handsome man. She should feel excited and hopeful. There was no room for guilt anymore. Emma would feel Larry soon, and everything would be all right. Jake had said so, and he would help her.

Emma bounced down the stairs, composing herself at the bottom before entering the living room. Jake had turned on the television, but stood when she rounded the corner.

“Everything all right?” he asked.

“Yes. They are sound asleep and didn’t even move when I put them in their pajamas. It’s amazing what a busy day and all that fresh air will do.”

“That’s true.” Jake laughed. “I hope they had a fun day. I know I sure did.”

“Me, too,” Emma gushed, then caught herself as they stared in awkward silence. She cleared her throat. “Coffee?”

“At this hour? I’ll be up all night.”

“Oh, right.” It was her turn to laugh. “What about some tea? Hot cocoa, or maybe a glass of wine?”

“Well, I’m not really a tea drinker and I’m a little cocoa-
ed
out after today.” Jake stepped toward her and her heart skipped a beat. “A glass of wine sounds like a perfect way to end our day. While you’re getting it, I’ll bring the tree inside.”

“That’s right! I forgot about the tree. Let me move the chair, and we can set it in the far corner.” Emma pushed the chair farther down the wall, and when she turned Jake was already gone. She rushed into the kitchen to pour two glasses of red wine.

“What do you think?” Jake displayed his arms proudly next to the pine tree standing tall in the corner.

“Oh, my, it just fits.”

“Thank goodness I sawed all those lower branches and trimmed the trunk.”

“It’s beautiful.” Emma handed him a glass and took a sip from her own. This was the first real tree they’d had since before Larry was sent overseas. The scent of pine already started to fill her small house and she could imagine the kids’ faces waking up on Christmas morning to presents under the tree. “All we need are decorations,” she said, not realizing she’d spoken aloud.

“Where do you keep them? Can I help you bring them down?” Jake’s eager voice brought her back.

“Heavens no, you have done quite enough today. I can certainly manage a few boxes from the basement.” Emma sat on the couch and invited Jake to join her. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, looking around the room as if someone else were there to object.

“Are you sure? I don’t mind.”

“I’m sure, come and sit down.” Emma stared straight at the tree and took in a deep breath. “I forgot how much I loved the smell of pine. If you close your eyes, you can almost imagine yourself in a log cabin somewhere.” When she opened her eyes, Jake was smiling at her. “What?” she felt the heat rush to her face, and looked away.

“You’re like a child at Christmas.”

“Well, Mr. Nicklaus, it is Christmas after all.” She shot him a playful look.