Read Online Meet Me Under the Mistletoe by Joann Durgin - Free Book Online Page B

but he figured she could use the extra money since her stove was on the fritz.
    “Hey, Caroline?” he called.
    She paused while slathering Dan Johnson’s toast with too much artery-clogging butter. “Yeah, Jake?”
    “I’ll come over on Thursday morning about ten to take a look at your stove.”
    Caroline’s doting smile was reward enough. She raised the knife in her hand and waved it in Julia’s direction. “Honey, if I was you, I’d snap this man up in a heartbeat, for no reason other than he can fix anything. That and the fact he could melt the chocolate on your s’mores. You keep that in mind.”
    Jake coughed and turned aside but not before he noticed the flush spreading across Julia’s cheeks. He went over to Caroline and pushed a ten dollar bill into her hand, curling her fingers around it. “Tell her breakfast is on the house. Grand Reopening special or whatever.”
    “You’re a sweet boy, Jacob. Will do,” Caroline said, giving him a quick hug.
    Passing by Julia, he leaned close. “I’ll see you tomorrow night, Miss Sinclair, in case you need anything fixed.”
    Putting one hand over her chest, she moved her eyes upward to meet his. “I beg your pardon?”
    Jake darted a glance at Caroline. She’d turned her back, but her shoulders shook with unmistakable laughter. At least she was discreet and from what he knew, no one else with decent hearing sat close enough to hear. He scratched his head and tried not to roll his eyes. “I’ll see you at the soup kitchen at the church tomorrow night, if you’re helping out. I mean—”
    “I’ll see you then, Jake. Try to be good in the meantime, and go check on Bailey.”
    Julia’s smile was a lovely sight to behold, and at least it wasn’t mocking. Not much more he could say. Jake tugged on his hat and gloves before strolling out of Barney’s with as much dignity as he could muster. Well, it can’t get much worse. Good thing Dylan’s sister was already taken because after that totally inept blunder, she sure wouldn’t have any romantic interest in him.
    Tugging the collar of his jacket tighter around his neck, he burrowed the lower half of his face in it as a shield against the cold. He moved as fast as he could down the sidewalk and climbed into his truck. By summer, he’d have Bailey all trained, and she could sit on the front seat beside him. Bailey . Maybe he should take Julia’s advice and go check on the pup, see if she was safe and not wreaking havoc all over the house.
    As he drove the short distance, Jake made a mental list of all he needed to do at the firehouse—anything to keep his thoughts from wandering to Julia. No matter how hard he tried, the dark-haired beauty invaded his waking moments. He knew it was wrong to think so much about an engaged woman, and he needed to pray the Almighty would take away his fascination with her.
    Climbing the front steps of the house a few minutes later, Jake wondered how Julia might react to the promise he’d made to the Lord all those years ago. Yeah, he’d be doing some serious praying tonight. As he reached the threshold, he inhaled a deep breath, hoping he wouldn’t find a disaster behind the door.
     
     
     
     

10
     
    “Did you start a war in here?” Dylan stood in the middle of Jake’s living room early that evening. He raised his hands in the air, making a slow circle as he surveyed the mess. “You need a housekeeper something fierce, man. At least I know what to get you for Christmas.”
    A knock sounded on the front door. “Who could that be?” Jake mumbled.
    “It’s Jules.”
    A low growl escaped from between Jake’s clenched teeth. “It’s embarrassing enough to have you over here. Did you invite her?”
    Dylan shrugged. “You obviously need guidance, and I have a family to get home to. My sister loves to help the wounded and the clueless. Go open the door and don’t leave her waiting. It’s cold out there.”
    Jake scowled and rubbed a hand over the five o’clock