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“Maybe the rest of us know there are other artists besides her.” Jay gave her a mock-exasperated expression. “Besides, shouldn’t you be listening to the blues?”
“Not for Christmas,” she sing-songed. She sat on the couch next to him. “Actually I only listen to the blues when I miss my folks.”
“I can understand that. Will they visit for the holidays?”
She nodded. “Yeah, they wouldn’t miss their time with Hope.”
“I look forward to seeing them again.”
Her folks had always liked Jay. Her mom had been confused when he left for college and just stopped talking to Bebe. Eventually, she stopped asking if Bebe had heard from him. “They’ll like that. My dad’s been praying for your recovery.”
“I appreciate that.” His brow furrowed. “I’m not sure I’ll—”
“I’ve got them,” Hope yelled as she pushed the bin into the living room.
Bebe jumped up to help her. They could put the tree right in front of her picture window, which was catty-corner from the couch. The stockings would go on the faux mantel—no fireplace—and the nativity sets she owned would be strategically placed on the mantel.
“Where’s your tree?” Jay asked.
“Oh, yeah. I saw that. I’ll grab it,” Hope said.
“We have an artificial one.” Bebe shrugged. “I know it’s not as popular as cutting your own, but it saves on pine needle cleanup.”
Jay laughed. “I’ll say. I think a lot of people are moving to artificial trees now for various reasons.”
Why did his lack of censure warm her? Did she really think he’d judge her for going artificial versus the real thing?Will would have.Oh yes, her ex-husband always required a real tree when they’d been together.
Bebe shook off the gloomy thoughts. “Hmm. I never see a fake tree in a Hallmark movie. They’re always chopping down their own trees.”
“Yeah, when the big-city woman goes to a small town and meets a farmer who needs help? Of course he’s chopping down trees. How else can they throw in a plaid-wearing ax scene?” Jay smirked.
She laughed. “Make fun all you want, but I love those movies. Besides, it’s not always a small-town guy versus a big-cityheroine. Sometimes it’s the other way around. Or sometimes they’re childhood nemeses who pair up to save Christmas.”
Bebe held in a gasp. Would that be her and Jay’s story this season? Two high school exes who had to work on the Christmas ball and bring joy to the people of Peachwood Bay?
She blinked, then snorted softly to herself. This was no Hallmark movie. Besides, she could think of only one holiday movie with a football star. Nothing in her situation matched that.
You’re good, girl. Push these romantic notions aside and remember what’s atstake. Your heart. Will trampled it, but before him wasJay. Forgiveness doesn’t necessarily equate forgetfulness.
If Bebe could remember that fact, then she would make it through the next few weeks just fine.
Jay could see the wheels turning in Bebe’s beautiful head. Something about their conversation had sent her into think mode. If she was anything like she’d been in high school, she’d either worry the subject to death or shake out of it and worry another time. Was it wrong for him to want to study her and figure out which choice she’d pick?
“Mama? Will you help me put the tree together?” Hope asked.
Bebe grinned, seemingly shaking off her thoughts. “Sure, sweetie.”
Jay grimaced. Surely he could put a tree together without making anything worse for his bum knee. “Bebe, why don’t you bring the parts over here? I’ll put it together.”
“I don’t know,” she said skeptically.
“Trust me. I got this.” He hadnoidea if he did, but he wouldn’t admit that to her.
“Let him help, Mama.”
Bebe nodded and slid the tree pouch over to him. Jay pickedanother Christmas song, then started connecting the pieces together. Hope giggled as she followed her mother’s instructions to hang up four stockings. He could read the names of Hope, Bebe, and Bebe’s folks. Once more, his thoughts turned to Hope’s missing father. How could he leave someone like Bebe and someone as adorable as Hope?
Didn’t you leave Bebe?
