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“The church. On Christmas Eve.” Giddiness filled her. The thought of celebrating with the Peachwood Bay community and wearing a fancy dress had her counting down the days. This was the best idea ever, and she prayed Reverend Walker would love it enough for it to become a tradition.
“Is this where the date comes in?”
“Sort of. I’m working on the entertainment for the ball with Jahleel. We’re going out this Friday. Kind of a work date.”Because I turned it into one.Knowing Jay, that wouldn’t stop him from making his real intentions known.
“How long is he back in town for?”
“Until he’s healed, I imagine.” Her stomach dipped. She needed that reminder that he lived in Texas and she was in Georgia. Once again, the thought of something long-term seemed out of reach.
“So you’re not sure of the exact time frame?” Her mother’s voice sounded ... irritated?
“No, Mama.”
“Then do you think it’s wise to go out with him? Don’t you remember—”
“I remember, Mama.” She rubbed her forehead. “We’re just going to look at reindeer.”
“Bebe, I don’t have a problem with you dating him. I just want to make sure you’re healed from the last time. To make sure you’ve forgiven him, because in order to not fall apart at his leaving again, you need to come to terms with everything in the past.”
Did she? Was there some requirement that you had to know what you were doing before you did it? That was how she’d been approaching this whole situation with Jay. If she didn’t know there was a happy-ever-after waiting for her, Bebe didn’t want to go after the dream.
And maybe that was something she needed to work on with the Lord. Surely God didn’t want her to live like that, scared of pain and sorrow. He’d promised to be with her no matter what and had promised that trials would come. So how did Bebe guard her heart but live an abundant life at the same time? Were the two contrary?
“All right, Mama.”
“Good. Now make sure you have fun. I can’t remember the last time you did so.”
Did everyone think of her as a fuddy-duddy? “I will.” She kept the long-suffering sigh inside. No need to incur her mother’s lecture on being disrespectful.
“Good. Then my job here is done. Put my grandbaby on the phone.”
Bebe called for Hope and handed her the cell. Sitting on a barstool, she sighed. Part of her was looking forward to her outing with Jay. They’d go look at some reindeer, hopefully secure them for the ball, and enjoy each other’s company in the process. And all the while, thoughts of Jahleel returning to Texas would be stuffed out of reach. She didn’t want to walk that path again. It was too reminiscent of her high school days.
Maybe her mama was right. She just needed to let it go, give it to God, and press forward. But could she?Lord, please help me forgive the past and heal so I can enjoy the present.
She watched as Hope giggled and chatted happily with her grandmother. If something did develop between her and Jay, would moving to Texas be a given? Could she take Hope away from all she knew? Peachwood Bay was the only home her little girl remembered. And was she absolutely out of her mind to even think of moving to another state before going on a date with the man?You’re getting ahead of yourself. Slow down.
“Yes,” she whispered. “Don’t fall first and fast. That’s where failure is. Just take it one day at a time.”
Just because Jay flirted with a boyish grin or offered to go to Hope’s football game didn’t mean Bebe had to fall at his feet. She’d save the swooning for her mental gymnastics.
A groan tore from her lips, and she dropped her head onto the kitchen counter. Going to Hope’s football game was a biggie.
He was going to need a job.
Jahleel leaned against his forearms as they rested on the kitchen table. “What am I going to do, Ryan?”
The Desperados’ general manager had informed his agent that they were not renegotiating his contract. His agent had immediately passed on the message. Jahleel could either retire or become a free agent at the end of his contract. Since Ryan had already snuffed out Jay’s chances of playing again, being a free agent obviously wasn’t an option. His therapy was progressing well, but at this point, Jay wasn’t even sure he should push himself to try to prove Ryan’s diagnosis wrong. If the Desperados weren’t going to re-sign him and essentially felt his career was over, Jahleel should simply aim for walking without a limp. But to actually say he’d retire...
“What do you want to do?” His friend stretched his feet out in front of him. “You have a business degree and years of experience in the NFL. Looks like you have two pathways.”
“I’m not sure I want to switch to broadcasting or to the analysis side of the NFL. Talking about it isn’t the same as playing.” Jahleel shifted his leg, noting the odd way his knee felt without his brace. Ryan had him going through range-of-motion exercises, and the relief of not being constrained kept him from focusing on the pain of the movements. “I have no idea what I’d even do with my business degree.”
“Why did you get it?”
Good question.“Actually, I wanted to own my own business.” He sat back. How had he forgotten that?
“Selling what?”
