The Santa Express Read online

  “It’s cold outside and more snow isn’t far away. Sam and her sisters wouldn’t be standing anywhere that wasn’t close to a fire.”

  John saw a flash of red. Shelley was wearing a bright red, fluffy sweater. “I think I see them.” He maneuvered around the line of people and breathed a sigh of relief. “They’re over here.”

  Caleb no longer looked like the easy-going IT genius who spent more time behind a computer than in the gym. He looked like a man on a mission, ready to protect the woman he loved.

  He walked toward his wife with a huge scowl on his face. “Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick about you.”

  John winced. They weren’t the words he would have used, but Sam looked suitably contrite.

  “Bailey and I were warning Shelley about—”

  “Nothing important,” Shelley ended. She showed John and Caleb the coffee cups she was holding. “These are for Mom and Dad. After they’ve finished their coffee, we’ll leave for White Bay.”

  John studied Shelley’s face. Something wasn’t right. “Is there something you aren’t telling us?”

  Shelley glanced at her sisters. “I might have a little issue on my hands, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”

  Bailey and Sam nodded in solidarity. Their sister’s stubborn pride would get them all into trouble.

  John focused on Shelley. “I’d suggest sharing your issue. You never know—we might be able to help.”

  Bailey nudged Shelley’s arm. “Tell him.”

  “Not here,” she whispered.

  John glanced at Caleb and received an understanding nod in return. It was tricky enough dating a Jones sister. Being married to one would be an even bigger challenge.

  John held out his hand. “There’s a smaller meeting room not far from here. Shall we?”

  “Shall we what?” Shelley asked.

  “Go to the meeting room to discuss your issues.”

  “I don’t—”

  “Yes, you do,” Bailey insisted. “You can trust John.”

  Caleb cleared his throat.

  “Okay. We can trust you, too.”

  “It’s nice to be appreciated,” Caleb grumbled as they walked across the foyer.

  It was more than John felt at the moment. Shelley was hiding something from him and, whatever it was, wasn’t good.

  Shelley stood with her arms crossed in front of her chest, glaring at her two sisters. She really didn’t want to tell John and Caleb about Jarrod.

  Phoning and texting her wasn’t a crime. He was just grabbing hold of something that had ended a long time ago. Once he saw how happy she was in Sapphire Bay, he’d leave her alone. And maybe Bailey was right. Maybe all he wanted to do was apologize. In that case, this discussion was a waste of time.

  John tapped his watch. “We don’t have all day.”

  “I left Boston because of Jarrod.”

  “Your ex-fiancé?”

  Shelley nodded.

  “He was stalking her,” Bailey said unhelpfully.

  “It wasn’t stalking. There was no malicious intent. He was being a pest.”

  John’s eyebrows rose. “A pest who drove you out of Boston?”

  Shelley frowned. “When you put it like that, it sounds worse than it really was.”

  “Because of him, you worked long hours to finish a contract early. You can’t get much worse than that.”

  “That’s what I said, too,” Sam said. “He’s a loser with a capital L.”

  “A loser who’s coming here,” Bailey added.

  Caleb and John both turned to Bailey.

  “Why is he coming to Sapphire Bay?” Caleb asked.

  “That’s what I wanted to know,” Bailey said. “He said he wants to apologize for how he behaved.”

  John frowned. “I’m confused. If Jarrod was stalking Shelley, why did he talk to you?”

  “Because he couldn’t get hold of Shelley. She refused to answer any of his phone calls or texts.”

  Shelley needed to stand up for herself. Otherwise, her entire family would steamroll her into something she didn’t want to say or do. “That was your idea.”

  “No, my idea was to go to the police. But you said he wasn’t doing anything illegal.”

  Caleb stood taller. “Why didn’t you tell me? I would have sorted him out.”

  “That’s exactly why I didn’t tell anyone—except my two sisters who should have known better than to tell everyone else.”

  Sam gasped. “That’s so unfair. I only told Mom and Dad because I was worried about you.”

  “It doesn’t matter who knows,” John said. “What matters is what we’re going to do about it.”

  “We aren’t doing anything about it,” Shelley reminded everyone. “This is my problem and I’ll sort it out.”

  Caleb made a scoffing sound.

  Shelley’s temper rose. “This is my life. I need to stand up for myself. If Jarrod doesn’t apologize within the first five minutes of meeting him, I’ll tell him to leave me alone.”

  John’s face was set in a frown. “It sounds as though you did that in Boston. How has that worked out for you?”

  “You’re a pastor,” Shelley reminded him. “Where’s your compassion for the underdog and your ability to judge the situation, not the person?”

  “I am judging the situation and it’s not something you should sort out on your own. You need someone with you when you talk to Jarrod. And as your boyfriend, I take my responsibilities very seriously.”

  Shelley’s eyes widened. “I don’t need a bodyguard. I can be assertive all by myself.”

  John followed her lead and crossed his arms in front of his chest. “If you’re so confident about standing up for yourself, why did you add it to your personal improvement plan?”

  Sam looked between her sisters and John. “Have I missed something?”

  Bailey took a sip from one of the cups of coffee that Shelley had left on the table. “Shelley recognized that she has certain…deficiencies that could be standing in the way of reaching her full potential.”

  Shelley’s mouth dropped open. “I don’t have deficiencies. I have a few minor areas that I want to work on. And I’d like to highlight the word minor.” She sent Bailey a pointed stare. “Everyone has things they could improve in their lives.”

  “Not me,” Caleb said confidently. “I’m pretty much perfect.”

  That earned him a swipe on the arm from his wife. “That’s not helpful.”

  Thankfully, Caleb didn’t respond.

  John turned to Shelley. “When will your ex-fiancé arrive in Sapphire Bay?”

  “Soon.”

  “Would you care to elaborate on that word?”

  Shelley sighed. “Soon as in sometime today.”

  “And you didn’t think to tell anyone before now?”

  “I’ve only just found out.” Shelley turned to Bailey. “My sister is the one who was speaking to Jarrod.”

  Bailey stuck her hands on her hips. “You were busy organizing The Santa Express. If I’d told you about Jarrod, it would have distracted you from what you were doing.”

  “I can think of more than one thing at once.”

  “Not where Jarrod’s concerned,” Bailey muttered. “He might look like a charmer on the outside, but beneath his city slicker exterior, he’s a warped and twisted Neanderthal.”

  “He’s not a Neanderthal,” Shelley said with a hiss in her voice.

  “Have you told your parents he’s coming here?” John asked.

  Shelley shook her head.

  Bailey sighed. “But they know he’s been harassing her. They were so glad Shelley didn’t marry him.”

  John made a satisfied grunting noise. “I told you it was better to talk about an issue in a group. You’ve just found the answer to your problem.”

  Shelley replayed the last few parts of the conversation and frowned. “What are you talking about?”

  “Getting married. I’m forty-two years old and you’re thirty. We don
’t have a lot of time left, so let’s get married. There’s nothing like a wedding ring to give another man something to think about.”

  “You’re crazy.”

  Sam frowned. “I don’t think you’re supposed to say that to a pastor.”

  “John’s mental health has nothing to do with his dubious moral character.” Shelley picked up the coffee cup Bailey hadn’t touched. “I’m not telling Jarrod I’m getting married, and that’s final. Now, if you’ll excuse me, Mom and Dad are waiting for their coffee and I’ve got a barn to clean.”

  “What are we going to do about Jarrod?” Bailey asked.

  “Nothing,” Shelley said forcefully. “Absolutely, positively, nothing. I’ll sort out my own problems.” And with those famous last words ringing in her ears, Shelley went in search of another cup of coffee.

  “What will we do about Jarrod?” John asked.

  “Run him out of town,” Caleb said. “Or better yet, I could develop some kind of coding that fries his phone the next time he calls or texts Shelley.”

  Sam looked impressed. “You didn’t tell me you could do that.”

  Caleb shrugged. “It’s only theoretical at this stage. I’ve never overwritten someone’s personal contacts, but—”

  Bailey cleared her throat. “As much as that might be helpful, it would have been better six months ago. Blocking Jarrod from calling Shelley won’t make any difference now. What we need is positive action.”

  John looked at Bailey with a healthy dose of respect. “You should have joined the army.”

  “I don’t think so. I would have missed my family too much.”

  Sam pulled a chair closer and sat down. “Don’t mind me. I just need to rest for a minute.”

  Caleb took one look at his wife, then knelt beside her. “You’re as white as a ghost. Do you want me to find Zac? I saw him at the service.”

  “Don’t be silly,” Sam said weakly. “It must be my blood sugar level. It’s probably a little low, that’s all.”

  “You’ve fainted a few times. Zac won’t mind seeing you.”

  Bailey walked toward the door. “I’ll find something sweet for Sam to eat.”

  Caleb held his wife’s wrist. “Your pulse is too fast. I’m getting Zac.”

  Sam grabbed his shirt. “Don’t bother him. I’ll be fine.”

  “You’re not fine.” He looked at John. “Look after Sam.” And before Sam could stop him, Caleb hurried out of the room.

  Sam sighed. “It looks as though it’s just the two of us. What will you do about Jarrod?”

  “I’ve got no idea. What do you think I should do?”

  A small smile settled on Sam’s face. “Follow your heart. And now, if you don’t mind, I think I’m going to…”

  John shot forward and caught Sam just as she fainted.

  With a pounding heart, he gently lay her on the floor and pulled out his cell phone. If Caleb didn’t find Zac in the next ten seconds, he was calling 9-1-1.

  Chapter 12

  Shelley handed her mom and dad a fresh cup of coffee, then turned to see what the commotion was behind her. Someone was calling Zac’s name. Someone who sounded remarkably like Caleb.

  Bailey rushed toward them. “Come quick. Sam’s feeling light-headed.”

  Leaving everything beside their seats, Elena, Ted, and Shelley hurried toward the meeting room.

  Shelley’s heart plummeted when she saw Sam lying on the floor.

  “I’ve got Zac,” Caleb said from the doorway.

  Zac handed Caleb a set of keys. “I parked my truck behind the sign welcoming people to the church. My bag is under a blanket on the back seat.”

  Caleb left as fast as he’d arrived.

  All Shelley could do was stare at her sister and worry.

  Elena knelt beside Sam’s head, gently stroking her daughter’s hair away from her face.

  Zac looked at everyone. “I saw Sam a couple of weeks ago and everything was normal. Has anything changed in the last fortnight?”

  “Not that she told me,” Shelley said before looking at Bailey.

  “Sam didn’t say anything to me, either. I’ve got a muffin for her.”

  After checking her pulse, Zac gently placed Sam’s hand on the floor. “Can someone wet a dishtowel with cold water and bring it back here?”

  “I’ll go,” Ted said quickly.

  Sam’s eyelids flickered open.

  “It’s okay, Sam.” Zac said. “You’re lying on the floor because you fainted. You’ll be okay.”

  “Where’s Caleb?” she whispered.

  “He’s gone to get my medical bag. He won’t be long.”

  Sam sighed and closed her eyes. “I felt sick this morning and didn’t have any breakfast.”

  “Bailey got you a muffin. You can eat that when you’re feeling better. But just stay where you are for now.” Zac looked at Shelley and John. “Would you find something sweet for Bailey to drink?”

  “I’ll go,” Shelley said to John. “You stay here with Zac in case he needs you.”

  She rushed into the corridor and met her dad on his way back.

  “How’s Sam?” Ted asked.

  “She’s awake. I’m getting her a drink.”

  Her dad gave Shelley a quick hug before hurrying into the meeting room.

  Shelley hoped their bickering hadn’t made her sister faint. She should have told John about Jarrod before now, but it didn’t seem important. Not after she’d decided to move to Sapphire Bay.

  Thankfully, no one was waiting by the kitchen. Shelley grabbed two glasses of orange juice. That should be enough to help—

  “Shelley?”

  Slowly, she turned around and faced the man who’d caused her more than one sleepless night over the past couple of years. “I can’t talk now, Jarrod. Sam isn’t well.”

  Jarrod frowned. “Can we talk later?”

  “I don’t know. It depends on how Sam—”

  “Please. It won’t take long.”

  She’d just spent the last ten minutes telling everyone she could look after herself. Now, here she was, using any excuse to keep away from Jarrod. “Okay. I’ll text you when Sam’s feeling better.”

  Without looking back, she hurried toward the meeting room and away from the man whose heart she’d broken.

  John sat with Shelley and her dad as Zac kept a careful eye on Sam.

  As the color returned to her face, Sam began to feel better. “I’m sure I fainted because I didn’t have any breakfast.”

  “That’s one explanation,” Zac said with a smile. “But just to make sure, I’d like you to come back to the clinic with me.”

  “Is our baby all right?” Caleb asked.

  “The heartbeat is nice and strong but, just to be extra certain, I’d like to do an ultrasound.”

  “We will come with you.” Elena said as Ted helped his wife to her feet. “A woman needs her mama at times like this.”

  Sam looked across the room at John and Shelley. “Thank you for waiting with us. I know you have other things you need to do.”

  “I’d sooner be here. Nothing’s more important than family,” John told her.

  Elena gave Shelley a hug, then held her arms open for John. “You are a good man.”

  He stepped into her embrace.

  “Ted said he saw Jarrod,” she whispered. “Do not let him near Shelley. He is a man who does not understand what family means.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll keep her safe.”

  Elena touched John’s cheek. “Your mama would be proud of you.”

  A knot of emotion blocked John’s throat. He’d called his foster parents two nights ago to make sure everyone was okay. Apart from their normal aches and pains, they were in good health. His mom was looking forward to having Christmas together in Los Angeles and she couldn’t wait to give him a hug.

  Spending time with Shelley’s family, even if it wasn’t in the best circumstances, reminded him of his own family and how long it had been since he’d seen them.


  “We should go,” Ted said to Elena.

  “Do you need a ride to the medical clinic?” John asked.

  “I’ll be all right to drive,” Ted said as he shook John’s hand. “Hopefully, we’ll see you before we go home.”

  Caleb and Zac helped Sam to her feet. When she was feeling steady, she smiled at Shelley. “I’ll call you when I arrive home.”

  Shelley gave her sister a hug. “Take care.”

  “I will.” Sam held onto Caleb’s arm as they walked out of the room. After grabbing his medical bag, Zac joined them, followed closely behind by Elena and Ted.

  Shelley took a deep breath. “I hope everything’s okay.”

  “Zac knows what he’s doing. He won’t let Sam go home until he’s certain that she and the baby are okay. Do you want to go to the Colemans’ ranch or stay in town?”

  “I’d prefer to stay close to Sam, but Mr. Coleman insisted we clean the barn today.”

  John didn’t think that would be a problem. “If you don’t need me, I’ll go to the ranch with Steven and the other volunteers. I’ll make sure it’s left how we found it.”

  “That would be great. Remember the tree. Ben wants to pick it up from the barn this afternoon. But the decorations and lights need to be removed before it goes anywhere.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll remember.”

  Bailey came into the meeting room with Steven and Mila. “I said goodbye to Sam as she was leaving. I hope she’s okay.”

  “So do we,” Shelley said sadly.

  John looked at the worried faces around him. “We still have an hour before Steven and I need to leave for the Colemans’ ranch. Why doesn’t everyone come to my house for lunch?”

  Bailey looked at Steven and nodded. “That sounds wonderful. We’ll go to the supermarket and buy lunch for everyone at the clinic. Is there anything you want us to bring to your house?”

  “I’ll visit the supermarket, too, so don’t buy anything extra. All I need to do is make sure the church is tidy and lock the doors after everyone’s gone home.”

  “And I need to talk to someone.” Shelley sighed. “I shouldn’t be more than five minutes.”

  “That’s okay,” John said. “I’ll be here if you need me.”