Page 49 of Here Comes Santa Paws

Jim loved fishing. He had framed fly fishing lures and a rack for poles on his wall. There was a stack of tackle boxes against another wall and about a million tchotchkes with a fishing theme. I spotted new things each time I visited.

After knocking on the door, Jim opened it a minute later.

“Good afternoon, Jim.”

“Howdy, Roman. Come on in.” He took two careful steps to the side to make room for me.

“Smells good in here. What did you have for lunch?”

“Nancy made me a tater-tot casserole. Her casseroles are the best in the county.”

My eyebrow arched. “You’re sure lucky she’s been taking such good care of you. Sounds like you’ve been dining like a king.”

He rubbed his stomach as he walked back to his recliner. I watched his movements and noticed he seemed to be walking well.

“Don’t I know it.” Deep creases formed on his forehead.

“What’s that look for?”

“Look? Oh.” Jim let out a sigh. “She mentioned something about signing up with a matchmaking service. Can you believe that?”

I sat on the couch. “Christmas Falls has a matchmaking service?”

“Apparently, it’s been around for a bit, but it’s being expanded. It’s a good option for those who don’t want to mess with those fancy apps.”

My stomach soured. Would Elias sign up for it? I wouldn’t blame him. He was a wonderful man who deserved someone as good as him who wouldstay. Not an antisocial grouch who got itchy to move every year or two.

“What do you think of that?”

His eyes snapped to me. There was a fire in them. “She can do what she darn well pleases.”

I stared at him but said nothing.

His shoulders dropped. “I didn’t realize she was in the market for some old coot.”

This was way out of my job description, but I’d grown fond of the man. “Are you in the market for someone?”

Jim didn’t meet my eyes. He stared at a figurine of a gray-haired guy in overalls proudly holding a giant fish sitting next to the lamp on his side table.

After several long moments, he spoke. “My wife passed away when Elias was living with us. Between the debilitating grief and taking care of a hormonal teenager, I had far bigger worries than my love life. But time continued to pass, and I didn’t worry much about it. I’m not lonely. I have Elias and lots of friends.”

I understood what he wasn’t saying because I experienced it too. There was a difference between having relationships that curbed the descent into loneliness and feeling fulfilled. I hadn’t considered it in those terms before, but it was the same for me. I got enough interactions at work and with my patients, occasional conversations with the handful of friends I’d collected over the years, and catching up with my parents to tell myself I wasn’t lonely. But now that I’d spent time with Elias, shared meals with him, and talked about our days, I was beginning to understand the appeal of companionship.

“I get it, but it’s never too late.”

Jim’s knowing stare found mine. I inclined my head to acknowledge I understood what he was saying, then pulled my clipboard from my bag.

“Before you commence with the torture, I need your help with something.” At my silence, he continued. “If I’m going to compete with some Lothario from the matchmaking service, I need to court her.”

“Not a bad idea. What do you have in mind?” I regretted the question as soon as it came out of my mouth. The gleam in his eye told me I’d stepped right into his trap.

“There’s the Holiday House Light Tour. Nancy loves lights, and I want to take her.”

“Show her your grandson’s half of the duplex,” I mumbled. “I’m sure she’ll love that, but you need to be careful with your hip.”

Jim’s smile grew. “Which is exactly why you and Elias should accompany us.”

“Like chaperones? Just because you’re old enough to have been born in the Victorian times doesn’t mean we still live by those societal rules.”

---