Smitten Book Club (25 page)

“We’ll miss you at the Christmas Eve service.” There was no hint of judgment in her voice, only caring.

“Don’t tell me you’re still going?”

She perked up. “Of course I’m going. The doctor says I’m no longer contagious, no fever. Wild horses couldn’t keep me away.” She laughed. “I look forward to this all year.”

“You really love Christmas, don’t you?”

“I really do. It’s a magical time of year for so many reasons. People are more charitable—”

“And desperate,” he said.

“I’m sorry, Joey. I know you’ve been through so much.”

“Thanks. But you’re right. I need to work past it. I just haven’t been able to do that yet. To forgive, you know?”

“I understand. It would definitely take the power of God to forgive someone for taking the life of a loved one. I can’t begin to understand how that must feel. I only know that God is able.”

“I know he is too. I’m just not sure I
want
to forgive the man who did this.”

“Holding on to it feels better?”

He ran his hand through his hair. “I don’t know. It just doesn’t seem right to let him off the hook.”

“But they caught him?” She coughed.

“Yes.”

“Then justice will be served. Whether you forgive him or not doesn’t affect the killer. It affects you. And Grace. Your peace of mind.”

Joey sighed. “I know you’re right, Elliana. Maybe I’ll get there one day. Just not right now.”

“You know, Joey, sometimes you just need to be willing to be made willing.”

He thought about that a minute. “That’s pretty deep, you know?” He smiled. “Thanks.”

They talked awhile longer, then when Grace’s movie was over they said their good-byes and went upstairs to their apartment—Elliana’s words on forgiveness following his every step.

Lia tossed and turned in her bed. She finally threw off the covers and sat up. She couldn’t get Joey off her mind. She loved him. That was nothing new. But tonight he’d seemed different toward her. Did she dare hope his feelings toward her were changing?

She worried about his unwillingness to forgive. Nothing could tear a man or woman down faster than allowing bitterness to take root and grow. But she’d said as much as she dared. She couldn’t make him forgive the man who had killed his wife.

Opening her Bible, she searched for words on forgiveness and prayed them over Joey. In her mind she pictured a sparkling brook, free of debris and clutter. That’s what she wanted for him, a clean heart. If they had any hope for a future, he had to be free of the poison.

And oh, how she hoped they had a future . . .

The next morning the doorbell rang. Mom opened the door, and from her place on the couch Lia could see Joey and Grace standing on the front porch wrapped in woolens, boots, and smiles.

“With three feet of snow dumped on Smitten through the night, it looks like we won’t be taking that flight today,” Joey announced.

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Mom said.

“We’ve changed our tickets to Christmas Eve in hopes the
weather will have cleared by then and the planes will be back to full service.”

“Well, why don’t you come in where it’s warm and visit a spell?”

Grace shook her head and tugged on her daddy’s coat.

“Thank you, Mrs. Burton, but Grace and I wondered if we could make a snowman in your front yard?”

“Well, you certainly may! Our yard needs a nice, friendly snowman. What can I get for you?”

Joey held up his hand. “Not a thing. We brought a bag full of supplies, in hopes that you’d say yes.” He looked over toward Lia. “And how are you this fine morning?”

“Much better, thanks. You’re in good spirits despite your flight being cancelled.”

He lifted his hands and dropped them. “What are you going to do? I just go with the flow. Besides, snow like this brings out the kid in me. I wish you could join us. We could have a good snowball fight.”

“I wouldn’t want to hurt you,” Lia said.

He let out a good laugh. “I’m worried. How about a rain check . . . or snow check?”

“You’re on.”

“Well, thanks, Mrs. Burton, for letting us do this. We’ll be out front for a while.”

“That’s fine. And once you’re finished, come inside for some hot cocoa and coffee.”

Grace nodded enthusiastically.

“You’ve made us an offer we can’t refuse.”

Joey and Grace turned and walked back outside. Lia moved herself farther down the sofa so she could watch their
progress through the window. Her mother brought in a tray of tea and sat down next to her.

“When are you going to tell him?” Mother asked.

“Tell him what?”

“How you feel about him.” Her mother methodically stirred her tea.

“Mom, if he doesn’t know by now, he’ll never know.”

“Men are clueless.” Her mother hesitated. “Listen, Lia, I know you’ve loved him for years. The kind of love you have for him—being willing to let him go when he went off to college, knowing how much it hurt you, and now allowing him to work through his grief when you’d like so much more between you . . . Well, that’s a once-in-a-lifetime kind of love, and I’m praying God’s best for you both.”

“Thanks, Mom. I’m afraid Joey will always think of me as the skinny girl with red braids. A pal to fish, ski, and go hiking with.”

Mom looked into her teacup. “I think things are changing between you two.”

A faint stirring fluttered in Lia’s stomach. She had hoped the same thing, but didn’t dare vocalize it.

“I don’t want to be one of those women who always dreams of the guy while he goes off with someone else and miss my own life in the process. I just don’t know.”

“Do you have anyone else in mind?”

“Well, no, not at the present time.”

“Then there’s no harm in seeing where this relationship goes with you and Joey.” She sighed. “He’s a good man, Lia. He’s been through a lot, but I believe there is something between you. Give him time.”

“Thanks, Mom. I know you mean well.” She reached over and gave her mom a kiss on the cheek. “Whatever will be, will be.”

Her mother smiled and patted Lia’s hand.

“I think I’ll go get cleaned up. It looks like a beautiful day.” She got up and headed toward her bedroom, knowing full well her mother was smiling after her.

But the question remained . . . could she love a man whose heart was filled with unforgiveness?

Sometimes a gentlewoman must help a man when he cannot find his way.

P
EARL
C
HAMBERS
,
The Gentlewoman’s Guide to Love and Courtship

CHAPTER SEVEN

L
ia reached for the
Gentlewoman’s Guide to Love and Courtship
on her nightstand. She looked forward to reading a little in it each night. Probably a silly notion, but she couldn’t help thinking it was helping her gain insight into Joey’s world.

A gentlewoman longs for a kindly gentleman to sweep her into his arms and offer her the world. At the heart of it all, of course, is her innate desire to have a home and family. For true treasure is found in the heart of the home.

The last line was underlined. Lia reread it. Could it have a coded meaning? Her heart pounded hard against her chest. What if the gold was actually
in
Molly’s house? But where?
For true treasure is found in
the
heart of
the
home
. What was the heart of the home? The kitchen? The bedroom? Where?

Lia picked up her cell phone and clicked off some numbers. “Molly, are you busy?”

“Terribly. I’m watching
You’ve Got Mail
on cable.”

Lia laughed. “Again?”

“What? I love this movie! Are you feeling better?”

“Good as new. The meds finally did the trick. But listen, I think I’ve stumbled onto something with the book. Can you gather the girls to meet at Mountain Perks tomorrow evening. Say, seven o’clock?”

“Can’t make it then. How about
before
work? Say seven
a.m
.?”

“Sure. I’m a lady of leisure over break. But I have a zillion things to do tomorrow, so the earlier, the better for me.”

“Sounds good. I’ll call the others and let you know if they can meet.”

“By the way, do you want me to tutor Noah over Christmas break, or do you want to give him a rest?”

“We’ll let him enjoy his break, then get back at it after the holidays. Does that work for you?”

“That’s just fine. Thanks, Molly. See you soon.”

Lia got more excited by the minute. What if she had discovered the truth? Then panic set in. What if it meant nothing at all? Would the girls think she was ridiculous? Now she wished she hadn’t called Molly. It was probably nothing at all.

Joey couldn’t get to sleep. Elliana’s words kept running through his mind.
Sometimes you just
need
to be willing to
be
made willing
. He wasn’t sure he could ever forgive the guy who killed his
wife, but maybe, just maybe he could be willing to be made willing. The forgiveness would have to come from God working in him.

He punched his pillow for the hundredth time. “Well, Lord, it’s up to you. I’m not trying to be stiff-necked about this. It just hurts too much. I don’t want to let him off the hook after what he did.”

Let me deal with that. Forgiving him doesn’t free him from his consequences. It frees you
.

“I offer you the best that I have, Lord. I’m willing to be made willing. Please help me forgive.”

Having said that, Joey tried to sleep, but couldn’t. Elliana’s beautiful eyes seemed to look deep into his soul. His love for her was obvious to him now. And he was almost sure she had feelings for him. The question was where they would go from here . . .

The bell on the door jingled as Lia entered Mountain Perks. She stomped the snow from her boots at the door and walked over to secure a table. While she took off her coat, cloche woolen hat, and thick scarf and mittens, Molly and Abby walked in, with Heather not far behind. Lia’s heart did a little flip. She was excited to share her book find, and yet nervous too.