“YOU DON’T NEED to walk me to the entrance.” Josie held onto the passenger door of Theo’s car as if she intended to use it to block him.
Theo parked in the private alley behind Penny’s Place. The three-story house was a mismatch of styles, additions having been completed and redesigned in each new decade. Even the detached garage hadn’t been spared from the architectural chaos—it was now shrouded in contractor’s netting and caution tape, and looked to be undergoing another transformation.
“It’s the polite thing to do.” Theo cut the engine, opened his door and gestured at the backseat. “Do you want me to get your bag?”
Josie scrambled out of the car and grabbed her sewing bag like a doctor running to a medical emergency. “I’m sure you have things you need to be doing.”
He was sure he did, too. Only right now, the thing he wanted to do was stay beside Josie. He couldn’t quite figure her out. He wanted to know for certain who she was before talking to her about the opportunity to be featured on TV. “This is my chance to see inside Penny’s Place and learn how the house works. Perhaps meet some of the residents and learn their stories.”
Josie rushed along the gravel walkway leading to the front of the house. “Any reason you want to do that now?”
You. Theo lengthened his stride and opened the black iron gate for her. He spent his days surrounded by contracts, spreadsheets and employees paid to follow his instructions and his vision, down to the very last detail. Josie had her own vision—one he wanted to see through her eyes. Then maybe he’d understand her, even if he didn’t agree with her.
Warm light glowed from the twin porch sconces, layering a soft welcome across the etched-glass front door. A thick door swung open to reveal an even more welcoming petite woman with her arms spread wide as if to embrace the world. There was resilience in her dimples that hadn’t surrendered to time. And her sweet gaze only reflected acceptance. Theo had been fortunate to meet Penny Joyce at several charity events over the years and every time he encountered Penny, he liked her even more.
The security cameras above the entryway were only a portion of the system he’d paid to have installed around the perimeter of the house. Given Penny’s quick response to their arrival, he knew she was using the system.
Penny enclosed Josie’s hand between hers. “Could it be that you’ve finally brought a date to introduce to me?”
Finally? How long had Penny been waiting for this occasion? Josie was single. He liked that, but wanted to know why she wasn’t dating. And what it might take to change her mind. If he was interested in changing her mind, which he wasn’t. After all, distractions like Josie Beck weren’t good for business. And Theo lived for his business.
“Theo drove me here. That’s all.” Josie pulled her hand free and waved at Theo as if shooing him away.
“Then I escorted you to the door,” Theo added. Josie’s frown deepened and made his smile go wider. He nudged Josie aside enough to lean down and hug Penny.
Penny squeezed him and held on. “Theo, it’s wonderful to finally welcome you here.”
Josie stared at him. “You’ve been invited before?”
Theo shrugged.
“More than a dozen times, at least. Always claimed a lack of time was keeping him away.” Penny adjusted Theo’s collar and patted his arm. “I’ve been wanting to show Theo how his support has improved the house.”
“Then I’ll leave you to the tour.” Josie stepped into the wide entryway and glanced from the curved staircase to the hallway as if plotting her quickest escape route. From him. She said, “I’m trying to catch Shanna for a few measurements. She told me that she’d be here between work shifts.”
“Though Shanna moved out over a month ago, she still spends most of her free time here. Right now, she’s in the kitchen, teaching Tansy how to bake peppermint brownies.” Penny shut the door and linked her arm with Theo’s. “Just follow the scent.”
“It smells divine.” Josie turned left and headed through the dining room.
Penny shook her head. “That dear girl needs to sit down, put her feet up and enjoy life.”
Did Josie enjoy her life? No doubt a profitable business plan for her boutique would make her life more enjoyable. Would Josie agree?
“When was the last time you put your feet up, Penny?” Theo walked beside Penny down a long hallway. The deep scuffs and scratches in the hardwood floors were reminders that life wasn’t always gentle or kind, yet the resilient survived. And with the support of Penny and her home, they learned to thrive.
“My feet are just fine. Haven’t worn holes in my socks yet.” Penny pointed at her shearling-lined boots. “Besides, what kind of example would I be to these women if I sat around all day?”
“If you won’t sit during the day, perhaps in the evening when no one is watching,” Theo suggested.
“Someone is always watching. Even if it’s just the world passing by outside our windows.” Penny leaned into Theo, not as if she required support, but as if to encourage him.
He rarely rested. Rarely sat to watch the world pass by. He preferred to be out in front.
Penny continued, “I tell the residents here that they can’t learn to live with their feet propped up. Have to touch the ground to take even the smallest step.”
“Good thing my feet are always on the ground.” That was the only way to stay in the lead. The only way to capture success. Success was all that mattered.
Penny looked up at him, concern on her face. “But are you living, Theo?”
He paused and his gaze landed on the framed paintings lining the hallway. Watercolors, fruit bowls, abstracts, animals. Every different skill level was represented. Every possible paint color and color combination illustrated. A collision of personalities and styles, yet Theo recognized the story. Felt the connection. Understood the hope in the tears of the weeping woman. The fear in the dark gaze of the tiger. The sadness in the bruised apple outside the fruit bowl. The women in Penny’s Place lived. Could Theo say the same? “I like to think so.”
He had no personal dream. Surely that wasn’t a requirement for living. Yet when he’d stood inside Josie’s boutique, her blue eyes inviting, her face fragile and honest, she could’ve been his dream.
“Working all the time isn’t living.” Penny squeezed his arm as she scolded him.
But there was nothing productive about dwelling in emotions—feelings only interfered. Weakened a person. “You work every day, Penny, from what I hear.”
“This house. These women.” Penny drew a deep breath and straightened one of the paintings, her fingers lingering on the frame as if she touched the painter’s cheek instead. “This isn’t work. Never that. This is my passion. The way I make a difference in my corner of the world. This is my calling.”
Theo had been called. Called by his father after his college graduation to take over the family business. Despite the job offers from international companies answering Theo’s dream to explore the world. As for passion, what did he know about that? Other than earning a profit was what fueled him. “Few people have that.”
“I’m blessed,” Penny said. “Josie has passion, too.”
But it took more than desire to build a profitable business. It took dedication and hard decisions. Sacrifice. It took withstanding accusations of being emotionally unavailable, indifferent, cold. It required detachment. Josie had warmth. Too much empathy. “She’s talented.”
Penny stopped in an open archway and met Theo’s gaze. “You don’t know what she’s done here, do you?”
“I know she’s designing a wedding gown for Shanna.” For free. Despite the negative impact to her bottom line. Ignoring the bottom line ruined businesses, bankrupted owners.
“That’s one dress among many.” Penny tapped her fingers, counting off Josie’s accomplishments. “Josie also tailors, hems and creates clothes for all the women in the house. Clothes for job interviews, for first days at work. For anything the women need.”
“How long has she been doing that?” No wonder the exterior of her shop was worn down and the interior dated. She’d invested in her charity work, not her business. He wanted to fault her. Wanted to save her.
“She started soon after she was married.” Penny stepped into a room and flipped on the light switch.
Theo stood in the hallway and blinked, letting his eyes adjust and thoughts clear. Josie had mentioned that her ex-husband and she had different styles. But she’d meant that her design style wasn’t worthy of boardrooms and partner lunches.
“After the divorce, Josie never stopped.” Penny walked farther into the large space and turned on more overhead lights. “Despite working two jobs and saving to open the boutique.”
Josie was certainly dedicated. He had to give her that much.
“Everyone here adores her,” Penny admitted. “I think the feeling is mutual. She’s like another mother to them—protective and nurturing.”
All the things he’d wanted his mother to be. Theo blinked again. Considered shielding his eyes, but it wasn’t the glare of the overheads that startled him. Josie never had a mother of her own to guide her. Still she was kindhearted. Compassionate.
“You’re a sly one, Theo. The quiet, attentive type who a woman can spill her secrets to.” Penny shook her finger at him. “But this lady has rambled on enough. You’ll get nothing more from me.”
“Are you sure?” Theo persisted.
“Quite.” Penny pulled two French doors closed, blocking the evening air from coming inside.
“What if I wanted to help Josie?” Theo asked.
“I don’t recall asking for help.” Josie stood behind Theo, a measuring tape around her neck, suspicion in her cool, direct gaze.
Pride pulled her shoulders back. And Theo knew—Josie would never ask for help. In fact, she’d probably resent his help—claim that he only felt sorry for her. “What if you needed it?”
“I run a decent business that I love. I solve my own problems. I may not earn the same money or run in the same lucrative circles as you, but I’m not weak and defenseless. Don’t think you can treat me like that.”
Theo held up his hands and backed away. Yet he really wanted to pull her into his arms and reassure her that he didn’t think of her like that. “Accepting help doesn’t make you weak.”
She adjusted her sewing bag in front of her, deflecting his words and returning his judgment. “Have you ever asked anyone for help?”
No one. He’d been relying on himself since his school days. This wasn’t about him. He had a very good plan for her boutique. She needed him. He just had to prove it to her. “I could help you with your business.”
“I’m not asking,” she repeated.
Her blue eyes were fixed on him, fiercely unwavering, just as they’d been earlier when he was at her shop. He held up his hands. “I guess I’m not offering.”
“You might not be asking, dear, but I certainly am.” Penny patted an outdated desktop computer on an oak desk in the far corner. The behemoth desk looked sturdy enough to survive any natural disaster or the wrath of a woman determined to make it on her own. “Theo, I need to get these details posted on our website before our art class. It starts in an hour. Can you help me?”
“When did you start teaching art, Penny?” Why didn’t he know about this?
Josie stepped around Theo in a wide arc and set her sewing bag on the first of several folding tables.
“I haven’t.” Penny grimaced. “Iris went to Florida to paint and redecorate her parents’ new home in time for the holidays. They’ve retired down there.”
“Iris Quinn teaches art to the residents.” Josie pointed at the collection of framed paintings covering one wall. Her tone was pleasant, but her irritation at him still churned in her blue eyes.
She hadn’t forgiven him quite yet. But he could be patient when required. He’d respect her boundaries and wait her out.
Josie continued, “Iris teaches everything from painting to ceramics to jewelry making.”
“And anything else she considers art.” Penny laughed, but then interrupted her cheer with a firm slap against the ancient computer monitor.
Theo dropped into the chair behind the desk. He wasn’t as tech-savvy as his IT team at Coast to Coast. Fortunately, his same IT team had taught him a few things over the years. Because he’d asked to learn. He’d asked for help. Josie was wrong about him. He could ask for help when he wanted to.
An hour later, the computer refused to boot past its blank screen and blinking cursor. Theo made a note on his phone app to order Penny a new computer setup and have her DSL service updated.
Meanwhile, Josie guided a group of four women in a basic sewing lesson. The women wanted to surprise Shanna with wedding favors on her big day. Josie explained how to create and decorate the lavender-filled sachets for Shanna’s wedding. She’d given the women scrap pieces of fabric to learn on, then promised to bring the real materials the following day. The lavender filling was added to Penny’s to-do list after she claimed to know the perfect place to find it.
Laughter and several ouches from needle pricks in the finger infused Josie’s hands-on lesson. Along with her encouragement and praise—that never stopped. Contentment curled through Theo. He rose, rapped his shin on the hardwood desk and paced toward the French doors, breaking his connection with the moment. Severing his awareness of Josie. Whatever he felt was completely wrong. Contentment had never been his calling. Or his objective. He knew better than to fall into contentment’s trap.
Finally, the details of the surprise endeavor were worked out and Josie concluded the practice lesson. The women headed to the kitchen to sample Tansy’s brownies. Theo and Josie returned to his car.
Josie buckled her seat belt. “Could you take me to the Silver Monarch Hotel?”
“You’re not going home?”
“Not yet.” She settled into the seat and glanced out her window as if watching the traffic. Except there wasn’t any traffic, cars or pedestrians on the quiet street.
“Meeting a date in the hotel bar?” he teased and pulled out of the parking space.
She shook her head. “Definitely not that.”
“You don’t like to date?” he pressed. Not because he wanted to ask her. He rolled his eyes.
“I don’t have the time,” she said.
But if she was inclined to date, would she make the time? Not that it mattered. Theo had neither the time nor inclination. And knew even if he was inclined, he wouldn’t make the time. There’s no satisfaction in contentment, Theo. You can always be more. Be better, Theo. “Then what’s at the hotel?”
“It’s silly.” She kept her attention on the window.
“It’s also several miles from your apartment.” He kept the car idling in the alleyway.
“It’s the first night of the Christmas Town gingerbread-house reveal.” She shifted and faced him, sounding full of earnest enthusiasm. “I go every year on opening night. I haven’t missed one since high school.”
He noticed the warmth and vulnerability in her eyes. She expected him to make fun of her.
“There are over a hundred unique gingerbread houses on display at the Silver Monarch,” she said slowly, as if her eagerness had blurred her words.
He’d heard her fine both times. Excitement infused every part of her face. Her single-sided smile hovered just shy of a squeal. He wanted to touch her cheek, capture the feeling for himself.
“You’ve never heard of it, have you?” Surprise filtered through her delight.
He rubbed his chin and shrugged. “Gingerbread houses aren’t really my thing.”
“You sell custom gingerbread kits in your stores.” She set her hands on the center console and leaned toward him. “From single houses to small gingerbread villages. New this year is Santa’s workshop and sleigh.”
He concentrated on keeping his hands at a ten-and-two position on the steering wheel rather than grasping her hand and her charm. “So you shop in our store?”
“Everyone does.”
But he was interested in only one person. Josie liked his stores. Shopped there. His send of pride soared. “Have you purchased one of our gingerbread kits?”
“I’ve never built my own gingerbread house.” The indifference in her tone dimmed her happiness.
Yet she went to see one of the largest gingerbread-house displays in the city every year. Theo wanted to know why—what drew her to the hotel? What kept her returning every Christmas?
The series of green lights on the one-way street leading to the hotel seemed like a sign. As was the lack of traffic. He pressed on the gas, catching every light, then discovered a parking space at the corner across from the hotel. If that wasn’t a sign he was meant to visit the gingerbread houses, too, Theo didn’t know what was. He parallel-parked, guiding the car into the space, and turned off the engine.
Josie never moved in her seat. “What are you doing?”
“Joining you for the reveal of this gingerbread house community.” He released his seat belt, then unfastened hers.
“Why?” She touched his arm, a simple brush of her fingers.
Nothing that lingered. Nothing that demanded. But something about her simple touch generated a warm glow inside him.
She added, “Don’t make fun of it.”
He wondered if she’d meant to say “don’t make fun of me.” “Why would I do that?”
“It’s… Never mind.” Her voice cracked, her gaze slid away.
A crease dented the skin between her eyebrows. The pain on her face, like she’d stared into a bad memory, splintered through Theo, fragmenting his thoughts. He reached toward her, wanting to comfort her. She turned away, opened her door. His fingers brushed against the seat, supporting nothing more than the air.
She’d climbed out of the car.
Theo met Josie on the sidewalk and escorted her to the hotel. Just as he recognized shifting market trends and fading social fads, he knew that for Josie this visit was bigger than a gingerbread-house display. More important to her than a simple gingerbread kit. That kept him at her side.
Yet his sudden urge to protect her—that kept him within hand-holding distance.