Page 6 of Tying the Knot with her Sweet Scrooge

She was busy, handing another stack of Danish Knot cookies that were wrapped in red and green tulle, tied with a ribbon, to a child. They were her favorite cookies and had been forever. She loved the blue tin, and her mother, grandmother, and everyone she knew used those tins as sewing containers.

Yet, nothing fazed Dasher.

“For me and my buddy,” he began. He grabbed two packs of cookies and nodded before that sly smile appeared again. His cool gray eyes danced as he handed her a sealed envelope. “And that’s for you.”

“What’s this?” Her eyes shot up to his.

“Happiness, if you give your new pen pal a chance to say ‘hello,’” he smiled, nodded, and started to walk away from the table, backward, into the crowd. “Write my buddy, and you won’t regret it!” he called out, waving and biting into a cookie, before disappearing.

Curious, Jill didn’t hesitate and ripped open the letter.

I don’t know your name, but I spotted you the moment I walked into the room. I’m a nobody,scared to introduce myself, but you are a vision to behold, like staring at an angel on earth.

I would be the luckiest man in the world if you gave me a chance. Write to me when you can – and maybe I can gather the courage to write you back.

~ Houghton

P.S. Blue is your color, and it brings out your eyes.

Her eyes shot upward from the letter, tucking it immediately into her pocket as she scanned the room, landing onhim.

She remembered crossing the floor where people were mingling, seeing his eyes widen in surprise and the way Dasher patted him on the arm. Her friend said something to the stranger, who stood ramrod still as she approached him.

“What’s your name?” she asked openly, her eyes drinking in his features. He was slightly taller than Dasher, and his shoulders broader, but there was an intensity to him that she immediately recognized. Those hazel eyes were full of longing and hope, like just seeing her was granting his every wish, and that was crazy. She was a nobody.

“Houghton.”

“No, yourfirstname,” she reprimanded gently, seeing his name stitched above the pocket of his uniform, grabbing the letter from her pocket and holding it up between them. “I’m Jill Warren – and I’m assuming this is you?”

“Yours,” he said hoarsely, swallowing as he stared at her.

“No,” she chuckled, pointing at the envelope. “Isthisyour letter?”

“Yes,” he replied, and a faint smile touched his lips. “You asked what my name was, and I was telling you that I’m yours…”

And Jill melted.

She had stood there, moved by the sweetness in his letter, the way Houghton just seemed to be completely overwhelmed by just looking at her. That first meeting had been a doozy, completely bowling her over. She would never forget those moments when she fell in love with her sweet Babe – and couldn’t understand what was wrong now.

“I think he’s avoiding me, Lena,” Jill whispered painfully, looking at the other woman. “Please don’t say anything. I don’t like to gossip, but I’m just devastated and don’t know what to do.”

“Why would he be avoiding you?” Lena replied tenderly, putting an arm around her shoulders. “Maybe he is just overwhelmed by the changes. I mean, Panic is here – and utterly weird. His buddies from his Army days are flying in today. You are going to have a full house, and I’m sure he wants to make a good impression, you know – show you off?”

“He’s never been proud like that,” Jill hesitated. “He’s a very humble person at heart and would give anyone the shirt off his back.”

“I have no doubt, which is why we are all here… but maybe he’s nervous that there aren’t enough ‘shirts’ to give out with so many coming at once. I’m sure it’s a simple explanation, and all sorts of people get weird around Christmastime.”

“Maybe…”

“Did something happen?”

“No,” Jill fibbed, looking away. She couldn’t bring herself to think that maybe it was because she was pregnant with their child. The idea of actually being lucky enough to have her dream home, her beloved husband, and finally having a child all coming together seemed like such a Christmas miracle – that she couldn’t accept that part of it wasn’t true. That would be likea broken stool functioning on two legs instead of the three it was designed for.

“Then I would give him a little time and space,” Lena said softly, hugging her again as Jill wiped her eyes, nodding. “Breathe. Jake and Houghton should be back soon with a Christmas tree for us to decorate this evening once everyone arrives and settles in.”

Hours later, Jill watched as their large van pulled up, and friendly faces began to pour out of it easily. These were her husband’s friends, and she only knew of them from his telephone conversations or stories he’d shared. Except Logan, they all still chatted occasionally, and sometimes he would come by to say ‘hello’ or dabble in his matchmaking.

Am I his dirty secret that he’s kept hidden away?

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