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Her heart stopped, then started double-time. “I love you too, Jahleel.” A sigh of contentment left her lips.
“You do?”
“Completely.”
Jahleel kissed the edge of her jaw, slowly moving upward. When their lips brushed, Bebe sighed. He pressed his mouth firmly against hers, then drew back. “Don’t want my father upset if we go past a PG rating.”
She chuckled. “This has been the best Christmas ever.”
“It really has.”
Jahleel loved the feel of Bebe in his arms. He was so thankful that she loved him as much as he loved her, enough that she’d willingly move to San Antonio.
Since their talk, he’d been looking at storefronts to set up his shop. He might have found the perfect location, but it was something he wanted to talk to her about. If they were going to start a life together in Texas, he wanted to make sure Bebe was there with him every step of the way.
He’d already looked into a moving firm to get her stuff into San Antonio and called a realtor to find her a temporary place to stay. Because if he had anything to say about it, they would be married and living in his place sooner rather than later.
The music came to a stop, and they turned. His father stood on the stage with a microphone. His sermon earlier that day had many of the congregants reaching for a tissue to wipe the tears from their eyes. Jay wasn’t sure what his mother hadstarted in his father, but he could honestly say that was the best preaching his father had ever done.
“Merry Christmas, Saints!” the Reverend boomed.
“Merry Christmas,” they chorused.
“I’d like to give thanks to some people.” He began listing all the people involved in putting the ball together. People cheered at each name. “Last, I’d like to thank my son. He kindly footed the bill so that any donation on your part would go to the recipients of the angel tree.”
Jahleel flushed. He’d had no idea his father would openly admit such a thing. Jahleel dipped his head in gratitude.
“You all ensured that every person on the tree received a Christmas gift this year. We have it on good authority that the presents have been delivered, and there will be many smiling faces tomorrow morning.”
The crowd cheered louder than ever.
“We also collected an extra two thousand dollars from the offering at today’s service, which will go to the local food pantry.”
Cheers and applause filled the room.
“May God remember your kindness to those in need. Let’s keep the spirit of giving alive and well throughout the rest of the year.” His father paused. “Now, let’s have fun.”
His father met Jahleel’s gaze and gave a simple nod. The work in their relationship was slow going, but Jay had seen it progress, and that was enough for him. Knowing he could return to Peachwood Bay and be welcomed by both of his parents had gone miles in healing hurt from the past. And knowing that his parents planned to visit him in the future was proof that his dad was working to bridge the gap between them.
Hope ran up to them. “I want to dance too.”
“Then let’s do this,” Jay said. He took Hope’s hand, and Bebe took the other, and they danced around in a circle as if it was always meant to be that way.
When it came time for the ball to end, Jahleel drove Bebe and Hope back home. Before the women got out of the car, he pulled an envelope from his inside coat pocket. He turned to look in the backseat.
“Ms. Hope, this is for you.”
She frowned at the envelope. “What’s this?”
“Your birthday gift.”
Interest piqued, she opened it and pulled out three tickets. “Tickets? What for?” She squinted, then screamed in delight.
He winced at the high-pitched sound.
“Hope Gordon!” Bebe scolded.
“Sorry, Mama, but he got me three tickets to the Super Bowl!”
