Unlikely Santa Read online

  She hurried toward the door, but turned to Brighton before stepping out. “I’m going to talk to Wesley for just a little bit. Will you make sure no one gets into mischief, please?”

  He held up his hands. “I’m not making any promises.”

  Shannon shot her best “you’d better do what I asked” look at Brighton.

  “Fine.” He shook his head. “Go outside and smooch with your boyfriend.”

  “Brighton.” Her tone held warning. “You know Wesley is not my boyfriend.” Yet.

  “Uh huh.”

  Shannon ignored her brother and stepped out the door, determined not to make Wesley wait any longer than necessary. “Sorry about that.”

  “It’s no problem.”

  She sat on one of the lawn chairs opposite Wesley.

  “I don’t want to keep you long, but…” His gaze met hers and a soft smile lifted his lips. “I’m hoping you’ll say yes to what I’m about to ask.”

  She twisted her hands in her lap and swallowed.

  “If I can get a sitter one night next week, would you go out to dinner with me?” The timidity in his voice was so sweet. Did he actually think she’d say no?

  “A sitter?”

  “My grandparents.”

  She nodded slightly. “I think we can arrange that.”

  He blew out a breath and wiped his hands on his jeans. She saw visible relief in his expression. “Great. Is there any place special you’d like to go? Or anything in particular you’d like to eat?”

  “I love fish, but it tends to be expensive so I don’t buy it as much as I’d like to.” She shook her head. “Not that I would order something really expensive.”

  He reached over and lightly touched the top of her hand. “I’d want you to order whatever you’d like.”

  Oh, but he was so sweet. He’d genuinely meant every word.

  She nodded in appreciation, not trusting her voice.

  “Would you rather go to Harry’s Stone Grill or Key West Shrimp House? Have you been to either of those places?”

  “I’ve been to Harry’s once. It was good.” It was with Mom, on Shannon’s sixteenth birthday. But she wouldn’t think about that now. “Whatever you think.”

  “Since you’ve got a hankering for fish, let’s visit the Shrimp House this time.”

  She liked that he’d said this time. As though he was already making plans for the two of them to go out again. “That sounds good.”

  “Is there any day in particular you’d like to go?”

  “Not really. Any day would work.”

  “I’ll see if my grandparents can watch them on Thursday, if that’s okay with you. I would say Friday, but I’m thinking it might be a little crowded on the weekend.”

  “Thursday sounds good.” Although she hoped she didn’t have to wait that long to see him. It would be pure torture. Especially after spending this morning with him, and most of the day tomorrow. She seemed to be developing an addiction to him. He had to be, like, the sweetest guy ever.

  “Okay, then.” He stood from his chair.

  She did likewise.

  “I should go now.” He said the words, but stared at her instead of leaving.

  She knew the feeling. She didn’t want him to go either.

  “Um, yeah.” He glanced down at his hands. He reached up to touch her shoulder, then seemed to think better of it. Did he have in mind to hug her? Kiss her?

  She smiled, enjoying what she suspected. “Bye, Wesley.”

  He nodded. “Goodbye.”

  She watched as he turned and walked toward his truck. His t-shirt fit him just right, to her thinking, straining slightly against his back and arm muscles. Wow.

  No wonder it felt so good when he’d held her on Christopher and Judy’s porch swing. It had ended way too soon. She could spend an eternity in those arms. She sighed in contentment.

  He stepped up into his truck and waved.

  She threw her hand in the air and a smile played on her lips. She was already looking forward to seeing Wesley again tomorrow.

  Even if it was at church.

  ELEVEN

  Before Wesley even had a chance to knock on the door, it flew open. Jaycee stood on the other side, and a grin as wide as the Grand Canyon lit up his face.

  Wesley smiled. “Are you ready to go?”

  “Yeah, I’m ready. Do we get to ride in your truck?” His eyes zeroed in on Wesley’s pickup.

  “Sure do.”

  Jaycee jumped up and pumped his fist in the air.

  Oh, to possess the enthusiasm of a five-year-old.

  Shannon appeared behind Jaycee, holding Melanie in her arms. “Hi.”

  Wow. She was gorgeous.

  Just her sweet perfume alone was enough to almost knock him off his feet. She smelled good enough to kiss then and there. But he wouldn’t. Instead, he drank in the sight before him. Her dress was flattering yet form fitting enough to encourage his mind to go places if he allowed it to. He wouldn’t. He refused to think of Shannon as an object. He needed to train his eyes on her lovely face instead.

  He could stand there and gaze at her all day. But he should probably greet her. “Hi, beautiful.”

  Oh, no. He’d said that out loud.

  Her gaze dropped and her cheeks blossomed with color.

  A sweet smile danced on her lips, but she glanced around him. “Should we…we’ll need to put Melanie’s car seat in your truck.”

  “Yeah.” He blinked out of his trance. “Of course.”

  “I can get it!” Jaycee bounced out the door.

  “Brighton, go with him and get Jaycee’s booster and fasten them in place, please.”

  Brighton did as asked, leaving the two of them alone. Well, with little Melanie.

  “Someone’s excited.” Wesley smiled.

  She rolled her eyes. “You have no idea. He’s been bouncing off the walls.”

  “Did you give him sugar?”

  “You’d think so.”

  He looked over her shoulder. “Do you need anything else out of the house?”

  “Just my purse.” She turned and retrieved her purse from the table near the entry, then quickly closed the door. “All ready.”

  “Okay, let’s do this.” Excitement surged in his gut.

  ~

  Shannon’s palms perspired as they neared the entrance to the church. She was glad to be holding Melanie in her arms. Especially when she noticed a pretty brunette staring at her Wesley. Her Wesley? Where did that come from?

  Wesley’s warm hand lightly rested on the small of her back as they entered the foyer. Was he letting the brunette girl know they were together?

  “Hi, Wesley,” the pretty brunette said as she hurried past them. Did she purposely brush against Wesley’s arm?

  “Hi, Holly.” An unreadable expression briefly flashed across his face as he watched her walk off. He guided Shannon and her siblings to a pew near the back. “Just in case you need to take Melanie to the cry room.”

  She looked to where he pointed, then nodded. “Thank you.” Ever the considerate one.

  “Is it okay if the boys go to Sunday school? They’ll probably enjoy it more than being out here with us.”

  “Uh, yeah, it’s fine with me.” She turned to the boys. “Brighton, Jaycee, would you like to go with the other kids?”

  Wesley leaned over. “I hear they have popcorn today.”

  Both boys agreed with a smile.

  “I can take them back,” Wesley offered.

  “Thank you.” Shannon sat there awkwardly as Wesley and the boys walked out. She was trying not to notice the brunette and her group of friends staring and whispering about her. Didn’t they know they were being rude? She felt like shooting a dirty look in their direction. Instead, she focused on little Melanie. “How long do you think Wesley will be?” She murmured to the little one.

  Melanie smiled and Shannon brought her close and kissed her cheek. “You’re a good baby.”

  “Good baby.” Melani
e threw her arms around Shannon and kissed her cheek in return.

  “Oh, you think I’m a good baby too? You little stinker.” She tickled Melanie’s tummy and she giggled.

  Wesley returned and planted himself next to her in the pew. He held out his arms to Melanie and she surprisingly went to him. “I can’t believe she’s letting me hold her.” His voice held pleasure.

  “Sometimes she takes a while to warm up to people.”

  Melanie smacked a kiss on Wesley’s cheek. “Good baby.”

  He chuckled. “I guess that means she likes me?”

  Shannon’s gaze meandered toward the group of girls still gawking at her and Wesley. She wished they’d just stop. She tried to ignore them and enjoy Wesley’s company.

  The man standing at the pulpit announced a hymn number and the congregation stood. As the music played, Shannon reached for the hymnal in front of her and turned to the page the song leader had mentioned. She tried to follow along quietly since she didn’t exactly know how the tune went. Wesley, on the other hand, seemed to know the song by heart.

  She glanced across the room. Apparently, the brunette did too. Ugh.

  Wesley leaned over and whispered. “I think she might need a change.”

  She nodded and took Melanie from his arms. Her sister was potty trained for the most part, but Shannon diapered her when they planned to be out for any length of time. Better to be safe than sorry. She pulled a diaper from her purse and took Melanie to the cry room Wesley had pointed out earlier.

  Halfway through the diaper change, Holly walked in. “Hi.”

  Shannon frowned. “Hi.” She would have ignored her but she didn’t want to be rude.

  “I just wanted you to know that Wesley and I…well, we used to have a thing.” Why was she telling her this?

  Shannon felt like saying, “So?” Instead, she disregarded her comment. No wonder she’d kept staring at Wesley. She clearly wasn’t over him yet and she wanted Shannon to know. She should have suspected something when the girl brushed up against him when they’d arrived. What nerve.

  Shannon gritted her teeth and hurried. She needed to vacate the room as quickly as possible.

  “Is she your baby?” Why was this girl so nosy? Was it any of her business? She was likely implying that she was loose. Whatever the case, she was stepping on her last nerve.

  She felt like saying, “Mind your own business.” But didn’t.

  “Yes.” Shannon instead smiled sweetly. “Mine and Wesley’s.” She turned and sauntered out of the room, but not before hearing the girl gasp. Shannon smirked. Hopefully, that would shut her up. It would either do that or give her and her friends something to really gossip about.

  She calmly walked back to the pew. A wave of satisfaction surged through her as Wesley slipped his arm around her waist and smiled down at her.

  No doubt, they had an audience.

  Shannon leaned close and whispered in his ear. “Thank you.”

  He nodded and took Melanie from her arms. He leaned toward her and briefly glanced toward Holly’s group. “It appears we have admirers.”

  “You have admirers,” she whispered back.

  He moved close and whispered in her ear. “I only want one.” His gaze was intent as he spoke and she nearly melted right there on the church pew.

  She caught his meaning loud and clear. He held zero interest in Holly. She did her best to ignore the girls for the remainder of the service. It seemed he might just be her Wesley after all.

  TWELVE

  “What did you think of the service?” Mom asked Shannon from across the restaurant lunch table. Wesley was pleased she had gotten along so well with his parents. She was a perfect fit for his family, to his thinking.

  “It was interesting.” Shannon smiled and shared a smirk with Wesley.

  He explained to his mother. “Holly and her friends kept looking over at us.” He shook his head. “It was pretty distracting.” Although he wanted to say annoying, he didn’t want to be rude.

  “We tried to ignore them,” Shannon said.

  “She’s jealous, no doubt.” Mom looked at him. “Did you tell her?”

  He glanced at Shannon. “I think she already suspected. Holly was kind of obvious.” He felt he should explain. “We went on a few dates, but I wasn’t really interested.”

  “She certainly seems interested in you.”

  “Yeah, well, I’ve got my eye on someone else.” He winked at Shannon.

  “What did you boys think of Sunday school?” Dad looked to Brighton and Jaycee.

  Jaycee was the first to speak. “It was super cool! Shannon, did you know that Jesus walked on the water? Like for reals? I’m not even kidding.”

  “I’ve heard that,” Shannon said, nodding. “What about you, Brighton? How was your class?”

  “I made a new friend. His name is Malachi. I’d never heard that name before,” Brighton said.

  “It’s from the Bible,” Wesley told him. “It’s actually the last book in the Old Testament.”

  The waitress came and dropped off the food they’d ordered. After Dad offered a brief prayer, they all dug into their meals. Shannon cut her sandwich into quarters and offered one to Melanie, along with some of her french fries.

  “She’s a doll,” Mom commented.

  “I know. She’s always been a really good baby.” Shannon smiled at Melanie. “It’s hard to believe she’s my responsibility now. She’ll likely grow up thinking I’m her mother.”

  Mom reached over and touched Shannon’s hand. “From what I’ve seen, you’re doing a wonderful job.”

  “Thank you for saying that. I never imagined I’d be a mother to three at eighteen.”

  “Shannon, if you need anything—anything—you just let us know, okay?” Mom squeezed her hand then let go.

  “Thank you.” She blew out a breath and Wesley could tell she was fighting back tears. “That’s very kind.”

  “I mean it,” Mom insisted.

  Wesley briefly wondered how Shannon’s family would be impacted with the Christmas holiday coming up. Grandpa had mentioned something privately about them struggling, and with the comment she’d made at the restaurant, he guessed finances weren’t all that great. He couldn’t imagine a waitressing salary would be enough to support a family, but what did he know?

  Would Shannon be offended if he suggested the gift program at church? He didn’t think she’d refuse help, but maybe it would be better to just surprise them. Then again, if she knew the children would get gifts, it might relieve her of a burden. He’d love to lift a burden from her shoulders if he could. Besides, he’d have no idea what kind of gifts to request. If he remembered, he would mention it to her later on when the children weren’t within earshot.

  “Shannon and I have plans today, so I won’t be at church tonight.” Better to inform his parents now so they didn’t worry when he didn’t show for the service.

  Mom and Dad shared a surprised look, and Dad’s brow rose, then he nodded. It wasn’t like him to skip out on church.

  “Wesley said he’s going to play basketball with us!” Jaycee grinned.

  “Really?” Dad said, looking like he was enjoying the boy’s enthusiasm.

  “Uh huh, for reals. Even Brighton’s happy about it.” He looked at his brother. “Huh, Bright?”

  Brighton nodded but kept quiet.

  Wesley got the feeling Brighton was holding himself back emotionally, and he wondered why. Was he afraid of becoming attached? Wesley could certainly understand that, in light of the loss of their parents.

  “Aiden used to play basketball with us,” Jaycee volunteered.

  Wesley’s gaze shot to Shannon. “Aiden?”

  “My ex,” she explained.

  Oh.

  “Jaycee.” Shannon’s tone held a warning. She shook her head and signaled for him to zip his lips.

  He’d have to ask her about Aiden later.

  ~

  Shannon smiled as she prepared the popcorn they’d
be enjoying with their movie tonight. She’d never seen a particular movie Wesley had mentioned, so they’d swung by his house and picked up the DVD after lunch.

  He’d changed into basketball shorts and an athletic t-shirt, and also grabbed clothes to change into later.

  She now glanced out her kitchen window to see Wesley squatting down next to Jaycee, apparently demonstrating how to shoot a free throw.

  Having Wesley playing basketball outside with the boys was such a treat for them. It had been months since they’d had a true male role model in their lives, and she felt they desperately needed one. Meeting Wesley had been nothing short of a miracle. Unlike Aiden, Wesley seemed to be thrilled with children.

  She looked outside again to see the three high-fiving each other. They appeared to be making their way inside now. Fortunately, the popcorn was ready. Everyone had been too full for supper, after lunch at the restaurant, so they’d all agreed on just a snack. Melanie should be waking up from her nap before too long.

  “Mind if I take a shower?” Wesley peeled his shirt away from his chest with his thumb and forefinger. “I’m a little sweaty.”

  She tried not to notice how attractive he’d looked with it plastered to his skin. But then again, he’d be attractive just about any way.

  “A little?” She laughed. “I didn’t know you could work up a sweat like that in winter.”

  “Technically, it’s still fall.” His voice was teasing.

  She shook her head. “Go ahead. The first door on the right once you step into the hallway. There should be towels in the cabinet. And you might want to keep an eye out for spiders.”

  “Yeah, we have those too. It seems like as soon as the weather turns cold, they run inside.”

  “I hate that. I don’t like to kill them, but if I have the boys relocate them outdoors it seems like they just come right back in. And I certainly don’t want them sleeping with me.” She shuttered.

  “Ah, so you don’t like being tickled?” He chuckled.

  “No. And definitely not by a spider.”