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He winced. Though she’d forgiven him, Jay couldn’t help but feel like he had to make it up to her somehow. But how?
Maybe enjoy Christmas like she’s been urging you to.After all, it was his favorite time of year. If he was in Texas, he’d have no qualms about celebrating it as much as possible, party after party. But seeing his dad and how quickly disapproval rolled off him made Jay pause. As if he was afraid celebrating the holiday would incur more censure. Experience had taught him the only way Obadiah Walker observed Christmas was by reading his Bible and reminding folks that this was a made-up holiday based off of paganism. No matter how many times Jay tried to show redemption in the way people focused on the Lord more, his father refused to see a different perspective.
Maybe that was one reason he suggested the ball, just to see how his father would react. Seeing the rest of the church committee back him hadn’t been something he thought would happen. But it felt good knowing they wanted the ball just as much as he did. Could God somehow work a miracle and change his father’s heart?
“You done with that?” Bebe asked.
“Yeah. I fluffed the branches as much as possible.” He winced as she tried to right the assembled tree. “You need help?”
“No. Stay seated.”
He held back a sigh. He’d wanted to escape his mom’s hovering, but now he’d put himself in a position of feeling useless.
Bebe got the tree into the stand, then stood back and smiled. “This is going to be great once it’s lit.”
“You got one with colored lights?” he asked.
Her eyes widened. “How did you know?”
“Come on, Bebe. You always loved the houses that decorated with multicolored lights versus plain ol’ white ones. You haven’t changedthatmuch, have you?” He held his breath, waiting for her answer.
For some reason, he needed to know Bebe was still the same. Still full of light, kindness, and love for her neighbor. Being around her had always brought him comfort. Was that what he was seeking now?
“I’ve changed but not in that area.” She tilted her head. “What about you? Do you still go for all-white lights at Christmas?”
His neck heated. “Maybe,” he replied slowly. In fact, his mom had started that tradition. He guessed he’d kept something of Peachwood Bay after all.
She tilted her head back, laughing.
“What’s so funny?” Hope asked, looking back and forth between them.
“Your mama has horrible taste in Christmas décor.” Jay smirked.
Hope feigned a gasp, clutching invisible pearls. “But the colored lights are the best!”
“They’re not horrendous,” he conceded.
Hope squinted. “And what are your feelings on nativity scenes?”
“Is it really Christmas without one?”
“Good answer,” she mumbled, sounding like a woman a lot older than seven.
Jay stifled his laughter and glanced toward Bebe, who looked like she was doing the same.
The timer beeped, and Bebe went into the kitchen, exchangingone cookie sheet for the next. She hummed to herself as she placed the fresh cookies onto a cooling rack. Would this have been what their life looked like if he hadn’t cut ties before college? Would he and Bebe have gone the distance and lived a life celebrating the Lord all year long, not just for the holiday season?
He looked at Hope, looked at Bebe’s cozy home, and felt nothing but regret. Maybe his father was right. Jay had chased football, forsaking all others. He didn’t think playing football was a sin, not at all.But did you make it an idol?
Jay cleared his throat. “Those cookies ready to ice yet?”
“Of course not.” Bebe shook her head, amusement dancing in her eyes. “They’ve got to cool.”
“Maybe I should taste one to make sure they’re worthy of icing.”
“Oh, me too, Mama. We wouldn’t want to frost bad sugar cookies,” Hope chimed in.
Jay held out a fist for a bump. The little girl immediately crossed the room to give him dap. “My kind of kid.”
