When the house was finished, sparkling with gold and silver decorations, Jen set about shopping. She started with gifts for Tony and Ida. Then she shopped for her parents-never an easy chore as both were very particular. Yet all the while as she browsed the stores, Jen caught herself pausing to inspect an item she just knew would be perfect for Marsh.
So much for putting him out of her mind.
The most fun Jen had shopping was when she was buying gifts for her gang. They had a rule about price-no expensive gifts allowed. The idea was to find tokens of affection, not ostentatious things to impress or display.
The week before Christmas the six of them got together for lunch, and to exchange the presents. There were a lot of oohs and aahs. But as soon as the gift giving was over, and the wineglasses refilled, the interrogation began.
"What made you quit your job with Marshall Grainger?"
Jen sat quietly a moment, wondering what to say, what excuse to make up. Glancing around the table and seeing concern in each one of their faces, Jen knew only the truth would do.
"I love him," she whispered, tears welling in her eyes.
There was a collective gasp, and then her friends all reached out to her at once. The love and support she felt from them was overwhelming.
"What's the problem?" Kathie asked.
"He doesn't love me."
Everyone started to protest at once.
"Please." Jen held up a palm, blinking away the tears. "I really don't want to talk about it." Up until her blurted confession the atmosphere had been festive, happy. "This isn't the time or place."
"You never want to talk about it when you have strong feelings," Mary said.
"Which is fine," Karen insisted. "But just know that you deserve happiness, and you deserve love, and if you think Marsh is the one for you, then you have to get over your fear and tell him."
Jen was stunned into silence by her friend's speech. As a favor to her, they agreed to change the subject. But when they parted company a short time later, exchanging good wishes for the holidays and thanks for the gifts, they reminded her of what they had said.
More than a bit depressed, and feeling guilty for putting a damper on their holiday lunch, Jen drove straight home. Pulling into the driveway, she was startled to see Marsh's black Lincoln in front of the house. She could see he was in the car and felt a thrill when he turned to look at her.
She drove past him to the garage at the back of the house. She heard the purr of the Lincoln pull up next to where she'd stopped.
She got out of the car, turning to face him when he came to a halt beside her car. He was holding a plastic grocery bag in one hand and he held it aloft.
"I brought you something."
Considering the season, she naturally assumed it was a gift. "I wish you wouldn't have," she said. "I have nothing to give you-"
"It's not a Christmas gift," he said, setting her mind at ease. "It belongs to you."
"Oh."
"You might invite me inside."
Jen hesitated.
"For a few minutes?" His voice held a strange note. Was it a hint of pleading? Jen dismissed the very idea.
"All right, come in." Her key card at the ready, Jen slid it along the slot. The elevator glided open and she stepped inside the car, Marsh at her heels.
"Convenient," he said, teasing her. She couldn't help but smile at his use of the very word she'd used to describe the entrance to his apartment after the gala that night. She loved how Marsh remembered everything she said, down to the last detail.
"It goes to my late grandmother's apartment." The door slid open and Jen stepped inside, Marsh beside her.
"Yours now?" he asked, glancing around the room.
"Yes." Seeing him, being so close to him, made Jen feel teary again. The last thing she wanted was to have him see her crying. "You have something of mine?"
"Yes." He handed her the bag.
Frowning, Jen reached inside and withdrew a tissue-wrapped bundle. She unwrapped it to find the shawl she had worn to the Halloween ball. She hadn't even missed it.
"Thank you," she said, unconsciously stroking the soft material.
"You left it in my car after the gala."
Reminded of the night they had spent together, she suddenly wanted him to leave as she could feel her composure crumbling. Being around Marsh was nearly impossible.
Her friends' words rang in her ears. Should she-could she-tell him the truth?
He hesitated, drew a breath as if unsure of himself, then quickly said, "I do have a gift for you, if you'll accept it."
Jen didn't understand. He held nothing in his hands. "What is it?"
He took a hesitant step toward her. "It's my heart. And it's wrapped in my love for you, if you'll have it." He took another step and then another until he was mere inches from her seemingly frozen body.
Jen stared at him, unable to believe he had said what she had heard. "Marsh..."
"I know you don't love me." He swallowed as if it caused him pain. "And I know I declared years ago that I didn't believe in love." Raising his hands, he cradled her face with his palms. "I've been such an ass. I knew from the beginning that I wanted you." To her amazement, his eyes grew misty, only this time it wasn't her imagination. There were real tears there. "I just didn't realize why I wanted you so very much."
Tears now flowing from her eyes, Jen could barely speak. "Marsh, wait-"
"No." He cut her off with a shake of his head. "Let me finish. The simple truth of the answer hit me like a fist. I am so much in love with you and I don't know how to tell you. I wanted it to be romantic for you, hoping you'd begin to return my love. But I've been emotionally dead for so long, I don't know how-"
This time Jen cut him off. "Marshall Grainger, where on earth did you get the idea that I don't love you?"
He looked at her hard for a few moments. His mouth opened, but no words came out at first. "You...you do love me?"
Jen nodded, tears spilling down her cheeks. "If you don't kiss me right now, I won't be responsible for my actions."
His intense, silvery stare turned soft and warm. "What actions?" His voice was low, almost desperate with the sound of hope.
Jen smiled. "I was thinking about showing you how very much I love you. I love you, Marsh. I have for a while now."
Claiming her mouth with his, he swept her up into his arms. When they finally came up for air, he whispered, "Which way to the bedroom?"
* * *
Several hours later, Marsh stowed Jen's suitcase in his car, slid behind the wheel and started the motor. Glancing at her, he asked, "Ready to go home?"
Jen smiled. "I'm ready to go anywhere with you."
He set the car into motion, satisfied that they would soon be putting his ideas for their future into motion.
Settling into the warmed butter-soft leather seat, Jen pondered the past several hours. She still could barely believe Marsh had come to her, baring his soul while confessing his love for her.
She wanted to kick herself for all the time she had wasted being miserable away from him. All that misery could have been avoided had she just told him the truth the last time she had been to the house.
Well, the misery was now over. Marsh loved her, and Jen luxuriated in the very thought of his love.
Even so, she had remembered to take care of business, so to speak. Buzzing the kitchen phone, she had told Tony not to fuss for dinner as she would be leaving for Marsh's house within a few hours.
"I figured," the unflappable Tony replied. "I saw his car in the driveway. What about your parents?" he asked. "You remember they'll be home on the twenty-second for the holidays?"
"Yes, I remember," Jen said. "I'll be calling them with the news."
"News?" Ida, obviously listening in on one of the other extensions, asked. "There will be news?"
"Wonderful news," Jen said. "And that's all I'm saying at this time."
It was late when they arrived at Marsh's place. Stepping from the car, Jen gazed at the house, emotion tightening her throat. Home. Her glance at the tall man lifting her case from the car sent a wave of sheer contentment through her. No, she thought, as much as she loved the house, Marsh was home to her.
Not aware of him watching her, Jen started when he asked, "What are you thinking about?"
"How very much I love you," she answered without hesitation. A teasing smile feathered her lips. "And that I'd happily live in an empty refrigerator box under a bridge somewhere as long as you were there with me."