It Really IS a Wonderful Life: The Snowflake Falls but Hearts in Love Keep a Home Warm All Year Long (18 page)

He should be whooping and hollering for joy. Why could he only think of Dorie? Hollywood—or Midville? Which one had his heart?

He should have told her why he had to leave for the weekend. Their date had gone well—so well he couldn’t bear the thought of being torn from her, so he withdrew when all he really wanted to do was take her in his arms. He knew when he walked her to the door that if he kissed her, then they’d be on a path to serious.

Could he expect her to uproot the kids again and follow him from place to place or manage alone for long periods of time? IIsn’t that what Devon had done? He’d followed his dream and left her a widow. Dorie deserved a husband who would be there to raise the children, not another absent one.

“You still there, Jamey? You want the part or no?”

“I’m sorry, Sid. Yes, of course, I want it. I’ve got loose ends to tie up in Midville, but I’ll be back in New York in time for Tuesday’s show.”

“Understood. Will you be able to get the lines down by then?”

The lines were the least of Jamey’s problems. “Don’t worry. I’ve read
Our Town
a zillion times.”

“Call me when you get back to New York.”

Jamey hit
end
. Why the nagging doubt? Didn’t this opportunity come from the Lord? Couldn’t he serve God on Broadway or in Hollywood as much as in Midville? Other Christians managed their faith and a career in the arts.

This see-sawing had to stop. He had Pop’s permission. And Junior Harwood still wanted the business. Jamey punched in the number and hit
send
. “Junior? Jamey Sullivan here.”

“Jamey. Your father told me where you were. I’ve been expecting your call.”

“Are you ready to deal?”

***

Dorie could feel her mother’s disappointment even through the phone. “I wish I didn’t have to miss the children’s church play tonight.”

“Josh and Emma understand why you can’t be there. They’ll be fine.”

Dorie hesitated to bring up the subject but knew she must. “So tell me about JJ’s anticipated move to Midville. What brought that on?”

“Natasha has no family other than shirttail cousins. She says she prayed that God would move JJ back to his family. And you’re father is going to hire JJ to run a bed and breakfast.”

JJ running a business seemed as improbable as a winter golf tournament at the Midville Country Club. “Clue me in here.”

“You remember the house on Park Street, the Victorian next to the school?”

Dorie remembered the house well and how her father couldn’t go past the house without mentioning what a great bed and breakfast it would make. “So Daddy finally bought it?”

“It’s in the works and a lot of red tape to go through yet. But JJ’s very excited about the whole idea.”

At least JJ’s life was on the fast track to someplace.

“I know things haven’t worked out well for you, sweetie. Trust the Lord for His timing. You’ll see. Your path is muddy now because you’re still in transition.”

How did Mom read her thoughts like that?

“How did your date with Jamey Sullivan go?”

“It wasn’t a romantic date. More like he wanted someone to go with him to the awards banquet. We had a good time, though.”

“Some romances are like orchids. They don’t bloom overnight. I’ve got a good feeling about you two.”

If Gillian’s report was true, Mom’s intuition had backfired. “Romance is the furthest thing from Jamey’s mind.”

“Don’t be so sure.”

When she’d hit
end
, Dorie called Josh and Emma to get ready to leave. “It’s show time.”

Josh bounded into the kitchen, dressed for an Arctic expedition. Emma came to the door with a scarf wrapped around her neck but no coat.

“Emma? Where’s your coat?”

“Don’t know.”

Josh stomped around the living room like a felon denied parole. “Oh, man! Now Emma’s gonna make us late.”

“You’ve made us late many times yourself. Emma, we don’t have time to look for it. You’ll have to wear one of Josh’s old coats tonight.” Dorie went upstairs and dug out Josh’s Redskins starter jacket.

“That’s a boy’s coat.” Emma plunked to the floor, crossed her legs, and howled to the moon.

Time did not allow for the succor of reason. “I’m not going to stand here and argue with you, young lady. Put on this coat—now.”

Emma obeyed and the wailing stopped.

“I’ll carry you to the car and back. Okay?”

“’Kay.”

Josh pulled his boots back on. “You’re too easy on her, Mom.”

“Never mind finding fault with my parenting, Mr. Know-it-all. One of these days you’ll have kids, and you’ll wonder how I ever survived.”

Josh opened the door. “You sound like Grandma.”

Even her son noticed. Time to face the truth. Dorie Fitzgerald had become a younger Felicia Perkins. She should consider that a blessing, not a curse. Both she and JJ had turned out all right. Although he might have tempted the law a few times, he held down a job and would soon marry a nice girl—a Christian girl.

When they are old, they’ll not depart from it.

***

Josh nailed his part.

Dorie clapped until her palms stung. So what if he never became an Olympian or a doctor? Maybe he’d head to Broadway like Jamey. After the applause died down and the curtain closed, Josh and Emma ran to collect their due praises.

“You were fantastic! I’m proud of both of you.” Dorie led the children toward the fellowship room for treats. The hall teemed with attendees balancing cookie-laden napkins in one hand and coffee in the other.

Gushing with compliments, Gillian sprinted from one parent to another and rushed over when Dorie caught her eye. “My, these kids blew me away. Especially you, Josh. If you decide not to become a doctor, you might want to give acting a try.”

Jamey’s speech echoed like the peal of a church bell.
A child’s true passion may not be what we envision for them. We must guard against locking a child into an irreversible mold thrust upon them against God’s better judgment.

“Whatever he wants is fine with me.”

Josh fidgeted like an antsy toddler. “Mom, Kyle Townsend wants me to come over after you get done working tomorrow. Can I?”

“Yes, but not for long. Don’t forget we have practice tomorrow night. We’re moving rehearsals to the school auditorium, so we’ll have to leave early.”

Gillian put her arms around Josh and Emma. “I brought Reese’s Pieces cookies. Why don’t you two grab a handful? I’d like to talk to your mother for a minute.”

The kids didn’t need a second prompting.

Gillian leaned against the wall and spoke in low tones. “Jamey got the part. You still have to keep this a secret until he gets back.”

Why would she utter a word when she didn’t want it to be true? Jamey would leave Midville and she’d be left to her dreary life again. And what of her job at Sullivan Enterprises? “Thanks for letting me know. I promise to play dumb at rehearsal.”

“He’s excited. It’s what he’s always dreamed of.”

How could Dorie find the courage to be happy for him? Did Mary Hatch feel this conflicted when George couldn’t wait to get out of Bedford Falls?

Gillian turned her attention to the other side of the room. “Excuse me. I need to speak to the Millers. I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

Dorie glanced about the room filled with congregants, many she recognized. Funny how a few weeks ago these people were names in a directory or on the prayer chain. Now they seemed like family. She couldn’t imagine being anywhere else but at Midville Community Church on Sunday mornings.

Josh and Emma fell asleep on the ride home. Dorie snuggled them in bed, then fixed herself a cup of hot chocolate. She let her gaze roam the living room. She should buy the house from Daddy, make it truly hers, rather than rent it. Remodeling ideas took root. She’d take more responsibility for her life and not depend on Daddy or any other man to arrange it for her.

And if she lost her job? God had provided so far and He’d continue to do so. She also would soon have a sister-in-law to share new recipes with. Amazing how the whole family wound up together in this town, a town four years ago Dorie didn’t even know existed. A town she initially despised. Now, Midville owned her heart. A butterfly doesn’t know the moment it becomes a butterfly. One day, the cocoon breaks and it flies away, forever changed.

Her thoughts drifted to Jamey’s news. She wanted to be happy for him. Instead anger filled the place where she’d hoped love would bloom. How dare he desert Midville and the people who admired him? Mary Hatch knew the same simple truth that now welled within Dorie. Home is not an address. It’s where the heart lives.

Chapter Twenty-six

Dorie awoke ahead of the alarm, the air like icy fingers gripping her legs. If only she could stay under the covers for the rest of the day. She listened for footsteps. All was quiet on the home front, the children still sound asleep—she hoped. She opened her Bible and read from Romans chapter twelve:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will
.

How differently she viewed her circumstances than she had a month ago. Had God begun the process even before she realized she needed an overhaul?

“Mommy! My bed’s wet.”

So much for sitting down to worship. She sang a medley of choruses as she stripped the bed and threw the soiled linen into the washing machine. A quieting presence followed her through the morning rituals.
Who says praise has to be done on bended knee in a closet?

She helped Emma wash up, then woke Josh. While he dressed, she made scrambled eggs and packed his lunch. When she put money in his backpack, she gasped with delight. His books were stacked and folders neatly labeled, by a six-year-old’s standards at least.

“Breakfast is ready.”

Josh tumbled down first and then Emma without Mr. Bear.

“Sweetie, where’s Mr. Bear?”

“He doesn’t want to come to school with me today. I told him that would be okay.”

Fifteen minutes later, Dorie checked her watch as they headed for the car. How could they be early? She must have forgotten something. She ran a mental checklist. No, all systems were go. She’d even remembered to put Boomer in the cellar.

“Routine,” Jamey had said. Had she finally found that elusive, predictable existence?

***

Dorie arrived before Sherrie. That feat alone should find its way into the
Midville Record
. Dorie prepared the coffee, headed to her office, and booted up the computer. Soon the comforting scent of French vanilla wafted upstairs, inviting her back to the break room. She filled her cup without spilling a drop.

Sherrie bowled in.

The one person Dorie hoped to avoid today if she were to keep Jamey’s secret. “I’m going back up now. I expect a phone call from the point of sale tech team any minute.”

“They called after you left Wednesday. They want to install the new registers tomorrow. I left the message on your desk. I’m surprised you didn’t see it. By the way, Mr. Sullivan should be in late this afternoon. He got back from New York City late last night. He has meetings lined up all morning. He sounded real mysterious, he wouldn’t give any explanation, and he’s had a lot of conversations with his agent. Now Mr. Sullivan’s bringing Mr. Harwood by to look over the stores. Don’t like the sound of that. Branson Harwood’s been trying to buy out Sullivan Industries for years.”

“I met Brandy Harwood at the Boy Scout banquet. He didn’t seem like the greedy type.”

“You met Branson Harwood, Sr.? His son took over the business ten years ago. I’m telling you, the apple fell far from the tree when it came to young Branson. He’s nothing like his father. I would hate working for him.”

“I’m sure Jamey knows what’s best for the business.” Sherrie had the most to lose of anyone if Sullivan’s was bought out. “Water finds its own level, they say.”

“More like it sifts through the cracks and breaks up a good foundation. I like the old way better.”

Dorie trudged upstairs, her good mood obliterated.

The morning stole by like a thief on the prowl. At noon, Elton brought her a paper plate loaded with pepperoni pizza. As she wolfed it down, Jamey and another man approached her desk.

“Dorie, I’d like you to meet Branson Harwood.”

If Jamey didn’t sell out, she’d fix that too-quiet stairwell. She swiped a napkin across her mouth and then wiped her fingers. Jamey smiled at her, but she refused to smile back at a traitor. She extended her hand to Sherrie’s worst nightmare.

“A pleasure, I’m sure.” The younger Branson flashed the same polished smile as his father, a living portrait of the mayor at age forty. If Sherrie’s assessment was correct, their similarities ended with appearances.

“As you can see, the layout’s a little awkward. I have to intrude on Dorie’s space to get to my office.” Jamey gestured to his left. “Please make yourself comfortable in my cubicle. I need to go over a few things with Dorie.”

“My father mentioned Jamey’s good fortune in hiring you, Mrs. Fitzgerald.” Rather than taking a seat, Branson leaned against the wall like a panther ready to pounce.

Jamey spoke in low tones. “Gillian told me that you know about my moving to New York City. She never could keep a secret.”

“Congratulations, Jamey. I hope it’s what you want.

***

Dorie drove home, her carbonated emotions bubbling non-stop. Gabe entered her thoughts for the first time since they’d ended their relationship. It was too late for regrets. She shook her thoughts aside. No, marriage to Gabe could have brought only disaster for both of them.

Until Devon died, she never imagined being anything besides a wife and mother, roles she loved. But these past few weeks given her a taste of a career. She craved more.

How could Jamey do this to her—and to Sherrie and Elton? She gripped the steering wheel, wishing it were Jamey Sullivan’s neck.