Holly’s heartbeat quickened with every mile closer to church. If only Mom would drive faster. Or perhaps she should have driven her own car. She surmised that either way, the drive would have taken forever.
She couldn’t wait to see Randy. Ever since her father left home to go to his meeting with Randy, Holly had been on pins and needles. She wasn’t all that optimistic at the outcome because she was quite certain Dad’s response to Randy would be a big fat, “No!” Nevertheless, she’d been praying for God’s will in the matter.
Whatever the outcome, though, she was still excited to see Randy at church tonight. She’d miss him miserably when he returned to college after the new year. Hopefully, they could write letters back and forth to continue their friendship.
The moment Mom’s car rolled to a stop, Holly practically jumped out. Well, she tried to. She would have if she hadn’t forgotten that her seatbelt was securely fastened. Stupid thing.
She attempted nonchalance as she drew the door to the church open. Her eyes immediately searched out Randy, who was chatting with her father in the second pew. As if he could sense her presence, his head turned toward the foyer. A handsome smile danced across his features and he rose from the pew and headed in her direction.
“Will you walk outside with me?” His smile belied his serious tone.
“Of course.” She glanced back at her father, who was in the process of greeting Mom.
Randy held the door open for her and the two of them stepped outside into the brisk air. “Are you too cold? If so, we can go back inside.”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Let’s sit?” He gestured to the bench in front of the church.
She sat down next to him, anxiously waiting to hear how his meeting with her dad went. It took everything within her not to shake him into spilling every minute detail.
A huge smile spread across his face.
That could only be good, right?
“If I were allowed to touch you, I’d take you into my arms and spin you around in circles. And maybe even kiss you.” A lopsided grin formed.
She gasped. “He said yes?”
Randy nodded, his eyes sparkling. “He said yes.”
“Really? I can’t believe it.”
“Neither could I. But he’s giving me a chance, so I’m going to do my best not to blow it.”
“Wow.” She couldn’t keep herself from smiling.
“I don’t know how I’m going to do with this no-touching thing. I’m dying to lift my fingers to your face and caress your cheek.”
Her cheeks heated at his blatant forwardness.
“Is there such a thing as speed courting?”
A giggle tripped from her lips.
He squeezed his eyes closed. “You know, this has to be a form of cruel torture. I want to kiss you so badly.”
“You’re so dramatic. And cute.” What would it feel like to let him kiss her? She could only imagine.
“I am?”
She nodded.
“You’re pretty darn cute yourself.”
She needed to change the subject, focus their attention elsewhere. “I’m excited about caroling on Saturday. Are you?”
“I’m excited that I’ll get to be with you.”
“You don’t like caroling?” She felt her lips turn down at the sides.
“Ah.” He shrugged. “It’s okay. I’m not the best singer in the world.”
“That’s fine. You can always lip sync if it’s that bad.”
He chuckled.
“I pretty much love everything that has to do with Christmas. It’s definitely my favorite time of year.”
He lifted his hand toward her face, then must’ve thought better of it, and dropped it to his side. “Guess what?”
“What?”
“I’m coming to your house for dinner on Sunday.”
“You are? My dad invited you?” Excitement bubbled in her belly.
“Mm-hm.”
Music wafted outside from the auditorium. “Oh, it sounds like we better go inside. Church is starting.”
“I get to sit by you.” He grinned.
They stood from the bench and he held the door open for her.
“I think I’ll like that.”