It Really IS a Wonderful Life: The Snowflake Falls but Hearts in Love Keep a Home Warm All Year Long by Linda Wood Rondeau Page A

application, your business degree included computer programming and basic accounting. I’m a pretty good judge of character. I can tell you’re intelligent, dependable, and honest. Anything else can be learned.”
    Jamey leaned over her shoulder and clicked the start menu. She caught a whiff of pine-scented aftershave, the kind Devon wore. The grief counselor had warned her that a scent or image might evoke an uninvited memory, possibly at inconvenient times. This couldn’t be more inconvenient. Dorie grabbed a tissue from her purse and dabbed her eyes.
    “Did I say something wrong?”
    “Not at all. I get a little teary-eyed at times.” She sniffed back her tears. Jamey might think he’d hired an emotional wreck.
    “You’ll have the office to yourself quite a bit, since I’m in and out every day. Sherrie does occasional bookwork up here too. Maybe someday we’ll have corporate headquarters like Harwood Industries. For now, we’re a cozy family up here.”
    Jamey returned his attention to the computer screen. “This is my old computer from home. I brought it in last year thinking I could find the time to do up a spreadsheet or two. The only use it gets is when Elton plays Freecell during his breaks. I’ve already ordered a new computer for you. Should be in and installed before Friday. It’ll have networking capabilities, so you can communicate with all the stores. Tech support will contact you as soon as you’re on board about the upgrades.”
    “You seem to know a lot about what’s involved. Did you study business in college?”
    “No, I studied theater. I thought I’d be a movie star by now.”
    Like George Bailey—a small-town boy with big dreams trapped in Nowheresville. Dorie curbed her curiosity, saving her how-come-you-ended-up-back-here question for another day.
    Jamey stood as if to leave. Had she touched a sore spot? “Do you still want the job, or have I scared you away?”
    “I want it.”
    Jamey leaned against the doorsill and reset his glasses. She’d seen Daddy do that when he wanted to be careful not to say the wrong thing. “The salary is sixty thousand a year, full benefits, and vacation package. Will that do? I wish we could afford to pay more.”
    “That’s fine.” Much better than the eight dollars an hour she’d anticipated.
    “Sherrie will give you a key and show you where to park. Can you start next Monday?”
    “I think so. I need to arrange day care for Emma. My mother will help out for a little while.”
    “There’s always the Little Red Hen Preschool.”
    “On my list of considerations.”
    “Glad to have you on board.” The warmth of his sparkling eyes and the firmness in his handshake a signaled that she’d found a friend. Something she needed much more than a job.
    ***
     
    Jamey held his breath as Dorie left.
    It took all his acting skills to maintain a boss persona, or at least what he thought a boss should be like. He didn’t have to pretend with the other employees. Had he carried himself convincingly? When she cried, he wanted to hold her, let her put her head on his shoulder and have a good squall. How could he be near her day after day and keep his feelings repressed—to be within a breath of her, yet knowing he could be no more than a friend? Gabe didn’t deserve her. Truth was, neither did he.
    ***
     
    With the children tucked into bed for the night, Dorie leaned back in the recliner and sipped her hot chocolate. As she replayed her good fortune, annoyance at Daddy’s interference faded. In his eyes, she’d always be the stubborn seven-year-old he’d saved from drowning.
    Thoughts of that day splashed through her mind like the big waves that had pounded the shore. While on a family vacation to Virginia Beach, Daddy told her not to go into the water without him. As usual, she didn’t listen. Soon intermittent waves crashed over her head. Frightened, she called out to Daddy. He rushed to her rescue, lifted her into his strong arms, and carried