The fuzzy outfit was warm, okay? The man underneath had nothing to do with it.
Faith sang out into the wintery evening, “You know Dasher and Dancer, and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen. But do you recall? The most famous reindeer of all?”
Chip received affectionate pets from Faith, and the animal smiled right back at her. She belted out the lyrics for “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Jack put his arm around me, pressed the magic button and away we went down the street. Jack joined in with an offbeat melody. There wouldn’t be a single household in the neighborhood who wouldn’t hear us coming.
TWENTY-FIVE
Tense Temptation
Noelle
Ihad the day off work, but the phone still rang for me. Work never rested when I owned a business and employees needed help. Coffee in hand, with the phone at my ear was the plan while I got ready to run a few errands. I should have relaxed and taken it easy, but I was used to keeping busy.
“No, no. The Findley order can’t wait.” I shook my head and collected my keys from the table. “The shipment must go out right away.”
Did I have to do everything?
Yes. I did. Nothing would get done otherwise.
“The Findley address is in Chicago. It should be on file under orders,” I instructed, and my hot beverage spilled on my wrist. “Ah, shit!”
I put the mug down on the glass tabletop and flicked my wrist. “Just get the order out today. Not tomorrow.Today.”
I hung up. The hot liquid burned against my skin, but nothing frustrated me more than an employee who couldn’t follow simple directions. I appreciated my days off and hated it all at the same time because I had more work to deal with upon my return.
As soon as I took over my dad’s company, I realized I had no time for tardiness and no excuse for laziness. If someone couldn’t do their job properly, their ass was gone. I needed workers who dedicated themselves to their jobs and stroveto be the best. There was no time for weakness at Evergreen Toys. We were the number one toy brand, and I intended to stay on top.
My hand stung where the coffee had singed me, and I should’ve run it under cold water, but I flew out the door. The car needed to warm up before I left to drop off a package at the post office and picked up a few things without having to drag Faith along.
Logan had taken Faith for a couple of days because he ended up getting some time off work. The opportunity hadn’t come up much, and it would be good for her to spend quality time with her father—no matter how much I worried about her while she was in his care. Logan was far too careless, but Jack had proven he wasn’t.
My neighbor had taken advantage of opportunities and proven he wanted to spend time with my daughter. Jack was with Faith more than Logan had been in a month. He had shown his respect for me as a parent and how much he truly cared about Faith when I never thought he could tolerate children, but he doted on my kid. He loved her as if she were his and treated her with a kindness I had figured was inconceivable for someone as grumpy as him. Jack Timber went far beyond all my expectations, and I couldn’t stop thinking about him.
The way he had dressed up for my daughter to help her with her concert. The money he spent on that ridiculous sleigh to make her smile and help raise over a thousand dollars for charity, but Jack had doubled the amount. I had refused to accept his check, while he’d insisted I take it. He haddone enough for us, but he had won when Faith stated Mr. Timber only wanted to support a good cause.
I couldn’t deny Faith. Jack knew the weakness I had for my child. I gave in to her with those innocent puppy-dog eyes pleading with me while Jack shrugged his shoulders, and I had no choice. Besides, the money was for a wonderful fundraiser, and there would be fewer unfortunate children this Christmas season. All because of a grumpy man, a compassionate little girl who loved Christmas, and a lovable dog.
I got in the car, flustered by the thoughts I was having about Jack, and put the key in the ignition. I went to turn the engine on when I heard a sound and my hand stopped.Woof! Woof!
I got out of my car and turned toward the barking. Chip barreled toward me at full speed, and my eyes went wide in surprise with my hands out in front of me. There was no stopping him as he leaped up off the ground and collided with me. Chip’s front paws pounced against my chest, and the weight of him threw me off balance. I fell backward into the seat of my car, and my face got covered in wet doggie kisses. Vigorously, I petted him to distract him from his attack of slobbery love, but he wouldn’t stop. He was far too happy to see me.
“Okay, Chip! Cut it out!” I giggled as I turned my face sideways while he ran his tongue up my cheek. “I’m happy to see you too, but where’s your grumpy old owner?”
Chip barked at me. He stopped, tilted his head, and raised his ears. The dog wagged his tail and listened intently to me.
“Where is he, boy?” I asked.
Chip got off me and barked while he hopped over a pile of snow. He stood still but glanced at the side of Jack’s house with perked ears. My neighbor was nowhere to be found.
Chip was out front all by himself.
Odd. I’d never known Jack to leave Chip alone in the front yard. He had taken him out for walks, but never unattended. Something was wrong.
I pushed up off the driver’s seat and out of the car. I shut the door with a thud and headed toward Jack’s side of the property. A boundary I once would have never dared to cross, but we were far past the point of no return. Our lines had crossed, got all fucked up in the process and were broken beyond repair. Nothing would ever be the same again.
Chip whimpered.
“What is it, boy?” I asked as I petted him, and he brushed a kiss on the back of my hand.
