Christmas on Main Street (26 page)

Except he couldn’t. Instead, he found himself staring across at the wood. Odd that one strip of color was almost the exact shade of Bridey’s gingerbread cupcakes. There was even a lighter streak that could be the icing. He rounded the corner of the table to stand squarely in front of the thick board, his pulse racing as it hadn’t in months. Maybe ever.

One by one, images superimposed themselves on the smooth surface of the wood in his mind’s eye. Rather than risk losing them, he ripped a sheet of white butcher paper off the roll hanging on the wall and laid it out beside the board, holding the corners down with whatever he could grab: a stapler, a hammer, his coffee cup, and a Slinky.

Taking a deep breath, he started sketching out all the elements that would make up the carving. When it was finished, he stepped back and studied the drawing. Perfect. Not only that, but the carved sign for Something’s Brewing would make a great Christmas gift for Bridey. Maybe being around her bustling productivity at the bakery had given his own creativity a boost. Whatever the source of his inspiration, he couldn’t wait to make that all-important first cut into the wood.

Bridey dialed Seth’s number again. Still no answer. If something had happened to prevent him from being able to join her for dinner, surely he would’ve called. Seth wasn’t the kind to blow off a friend like this. She’d give him another ten minutes and then give up.

After those ten slowly stretched into fifteen, she started to let herself out the front door of the shop when she spotted a group of Christmas carolers making their way down the street toward her shop. She closed her eyes to appreciate their sweet harmony. When they reached the front of her shop, they were just finishing the final chorus of “Joy to the World,” one of her favorite Christmas songs. Back when her parents were still alive, her mother would hum that song while she wrapped gifts and baked cookies.

Deciding the singers deserved a reward for sharing the gift of their music, she said, “Can you wait here a minute?”

When they nodded, she ducked back into the shop to bring out a tray of cream cheese spritz cookies decorated to look like miniature wreaths. The carolers made quick work of the goodies, clearly pleased with the treats she’d offered them. When they were finished eating, they rewarded her by launching into a cheerful chorus of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” As they sang, a strange car swerved to the curb right in front of where Bridey stood, startling her. As soon as the driver stepped out of the car, she relaxed.

Seth smiled at the carolers and started right for Bridey. He stood quietly at her side during the rest of the performance. As they launched into the next song, he pulled several bills out of his wallet and stuffed them into their donation can. Bridey didn’t know how much he gave them, but there was no mistaking the pleased surprise on the face of the man who was holding the can.

When he and the other singers finally moved on down the street, Seth said, “Sorry to have kept you waiting. Got caught up in something and lost track of time. I’ll understand if you’re angry.”

She offered him a reassuring smile. “No. It’s all right. I was more worried than angry. I was afraid something had happened.”

“I am s-sorry.”

He started to raise his arm as if to hold her hand but then let it drop back down to his side. Maybe he thought she wouldn’t welcome the gesture right now, and she didn’t know how to tell him she would without embarrassing herself. Did he feel as awkward as she did about where they were in their relationship? Did they even have one?

Rather than stand there and dither, she pointed toward the Creek Café. “Shall we head down to Frannie’s place?”

Seth stared at the neon sign down the way. “I was kind of hoping you’d like to go somewhere else tonight.” He hesitated before adding, “We’re likely to run into someone we know at the diner again. Although, if that’s what you’d prefer, that would be fine.”

Where was he going with this? “What would you prefer, Seth?”

This time he did reach out to brush the back of his fingers along her cheek. “To have you all to myself.”

The night was chilly, but his touch was delightfully warm. It made her want to snuggle close to soak up his heat. Did she really want to spend the evening at a crowded restaurant? No, she wanted Seth all to herself.

“So what are our options? I have to work tomorrow, so I can’t be out late.”

Seth stared down at her for several seconds. “We could pick up a pizza and go to my place.”

She liked his way of thinking. “To tell you the truth, I’ve been around enough people today. A pizza and just the two of us sounds like the perfect combination.”

He was already reaching for his cell. At the same time, he opened the passenger door of the car for her. “They make a wicked veggie pizza at that place down the street.”

“Perfect!” As she slid in to the front seat, she gave him a wink. “But make sure they hold the onions and go light on the garlic.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

•   •   •

Half an hour later, Seth pulled into his driveway and stopped. Ordinarily, he would have parked in the barn, but all too soon he’d have to get the car back out to take Bridey home. He wished like hell that she would spend the night in his bed, but he suspected it was too soon to suggest it.

“I like your place, Seth. Log homes might be rustic, but they always look cozy to me.”

He tried to see it through her eyes. “I was hooked the second I saw it. Like I’d finally come home.”

The only other time he’d had that same blow-to-the-gut feeling was the first time he’d seen Bridey, but he kept that fact to himself. “We’d better get moving before the pizza gets cold.”

Inside, he sent her to the living room while he grabbed plates and silverware from the kitchen. When he came back, Bridey was standing at the front window staring out into the night. She looked cold to him, so after setting the plates down on the coffee table, he put a pair of logs in the fireplace along with a few pieces of kindling and wadded-up newspaper. When he had it all arranged to his satisfaction, he struck a match and held it to the edge of the newspaper. He fanned the fire until it was well established and burning brightly.

Bridey joined him to watch the flames. “I envy your real fireplace. I have one of those little gas ones in my apartment, but it’s just not the same.”

He slipped his arm around her shoulders and held her close. It was hard to tell if the surge of warmth he felt was coming from the fire or the woman at his side.

Pizza sounded good, but at the moment he was far more interested in the delectable woman standing next to him.

He gave in to temptation and kissed her. She didn’t resist, but neither did she give herself over to the moment like she had earlier in the day. He took it down a couple of notches, still holding her but trying to give her some space.

At least Bridey didn’t pretend to not understand what he wanted from her. “Seth, I’ve been thinking about things since this morning, and I wanted to talk to you about it. Please don’t get me wrong. I love spending time with you, but it’s been a while since I’ve been involved with anyone. Can we take it slow and see where the evening takes us?”

As much as he wanted this woman in his bed, he valued her companionship and needed to make sure she was comfortable before things headed in that direction. Plus, his disappointment was diluted with relief because she wasn’t rejecting him completely. “No pressure, Bridey. We can eat pizza, watch television, talk, whatever makes you happy.”

Her smile brightened and she pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. “So let’s check out this veggie special you were raving about.”

They ended up on his couch making fast work of the pizza. As it turned out, he was hungrier for more than just Bridey. They washed it down with a couple of local microbrews and then settled back to watch the fire.

“Music or television?”

Bridey set her empty plate on the coffee table and then snuggled in closer to Seth on the oversized couch. “Music. Something soft and easy.”

He used the remote to turn on a soft-rock station and knocked the volume down until it provided a soothing background noise. He was glad Bridey didn’t mind his long silences. Right now he was content just simply sitting with her.

Two, maybe three, songs played without either of them speaking a single word. The peace wasn’t going to last long, though. There was a new tension in Bridey. Maybe she wanted to go home but was reluctant to say so.

“What’s wrong, Bridey?”

She gave him a startled look. “Nothing’s wrong at all. I was just wondering if maybe I slowed things down too much. You seem pretty content just sitting here together.”

“What have you got in mind? Because I can tell you right now, I’m definitely up for anything.”

She glanced down as if to verify the truth of that statement. When she realized what she’d done, she groaned and buried her face against his shoulder.

Cute. Rather than leaving her to wallow in embarrassment, he lifted her up onto his lap. Granted, now she could probably feel the effect she was having on him, but he couldn’t wait another minute to kiss her.

For the second time that day, he let her hair down so he could play with it. Her arms snaked around his neck and held on for dear life as their kiss rivaled the intensity of the roaring fire. Bridey broke away long enough to shift positions to straddle his thighs, bringing the heat of her core directly against his erection. Groaning with pleasure, he filled his hands with the soft curves of her ass.

Bridey made one of those sexy little noises and rocked against him, fanning the flames of his desire for her. He wanted to carry her to the bedroom, strip them both naked, and take this to its logical conclusion.

Unfortunately, he’d come equipped with a conscience. Bridey had made it clear that she wanted to take things slow, not to mention she had an early start in the morning. Cursing himself for a fool, he caught her wandering hands in his before the last vestiges of his control shattered completely.

“Bridey, we need to stop. Now.” He brushed her dark hair back from her face and traced the curve of her lips, which were swollen from his kisses. “Although once again, I can’t believe I’m actually saying that.”

She blinked at him, her eyes briefly unfocused, but then she nodded and sat back, giving them both some badly needed space. Her smile was rueful as she drew a ragged breath. “So much for going slow. Sorry about that.”

The moment could have been awkward, especially when it felt as if he’d lost all ability to speak, but it wasn’t that way at all. Bridey leaned in closer to kiss him again before scrambling off his lap to perch on the edge of the coffee table in front of the couch. It took every bit of restraint he could muster to stop himself from yanking her right back into his arms.

She pushed her hair back behind her ears and tugged her clothes into place. He refrained from saying out loud that he liked when she looked a bit rumpled.

“Should I take you home?” He’d forced himself to make the offer, although the last thing he wanted was for her to leave.

“Yes, I suppose so.” Once again, she tried to straighten her clothes, maybe using them as a shield between them. “Not that I want to leave, especially in the middle of . . . this. Us. You know.”

Yeah, he did.

Bridey paused as if she’d lost her train of thought, her cheeks flushed a little rosy. “It’s just that my alarm goes off so darn early.”

Unfolding himself from the couch, he said, “I’ll get my keys.”

She caught up with him before he’d made it halfway to the kitchen counter, where he’d tossed his keys and wallet. “I meant what I said, Seth. I don’t want to leave at all, but if I stay, we both know what’s going to happen.”

Where was she going with this? “I didn’t assume anything, Bridey, when we came here. And remember, I know exactly how early your day starts.”

“I know you didn’t assume anything, Seth. You’re not that kind of guy.” Bridey put her hand on his chest right over his heart. “But I’d rather it be when we have more than an hour, two tops, together. Slow and easy would be so much better than rushed. Okay?”

Oh man, that was a helluva image! “It’s definitely okay, but we’d better go while I still remember what good intentions are.”

She laughed as they headed out into the night. For her sake, he was glad that she lived fairly close because it was getting pretty late. She refused to let him walk her to the door, choosing to kiss him one last time in the front seat of his car before heading into her first-floor apartment by herself. Seth waited until she was safely in the door and the lights came on. She pulled aside the curtains in the front window and waved at him one last time. Out of excuses to linger, he drove away.

And because she’d said “when”
they took that next step, not “if
,
” he smiled all the way back home.

B
ridey stacked the last two dozen gingerbread cupcakes on the tray. They smelled heavenly, if she did say so herself. They were her donation to the potluck luncheon for everyone who was pitching in to decorate the town for the holidays, and Seth was going to deliver them to the church. She shouldered the heavy tray just as he came through the back door after taking the first load out to his van.

“Here, let me help you with that.”

She surrendered her burden under protest. “I carry trays like that all the time.”

He offered her one of his bad-boy grins. “But then you’d miss the chance to watch me showing off my muscles.”

When he held out his arm at a right angle to flex said muscles, she fanned her face and pretended to swoon. “Why, Mr. Kyser, how shall I ever express my gratitude for all your manly help this morning?”

His easy smile morphed into something more seductive. “I have some thoughts on that I’d love to share with you.”

She’d love that, too. “Did I happen to mention that I’m closing the shop on Monday? I have some business in Seattle to attend to that morning. I thought I’d sleep in, then drive up to meet with my attorney and maybe do some Christmas shopping afterward.”

Seth had been almost to the door. He spun back in her direction, nearly dropping the tray in the process. Only quick reflexes and a bit of luck kept all of her hard work from hitting the floor in a flurry of crumbs. With exaggerated care, he set the tray on the nearest counter and closed the distance between them in two steps.

“Did you say you could sleep in?”

Smart man. He knew exactly what she was saying. They’d had dinner together almost every evening, mostly carryout from one of the local restaurants. Separating at the end of the night was getting increasingly harder.

“Yep, that’s exactly what I said.”

To her surprise, he looked a bit hesitant. “Would you like some company?”

“I was hoping you might want to come along. My appointment shouldn’t take more than an hour, so we’d have the rest of the afternoon to do what we please.”

The smile was back in full force. Seth swept in to kiss her hard and fast. When they came up for air, he asked, “What do you think about driving up Sunday after closing time to spend the night someplace nice?” After another kiss that curled her toes, he added, “Someplace with room service.”

“Hey, Seth, didn’t you say there was one more tray to load? Whoops. Sorry.”

Neither of them had heard the door open again. Nick was already making a hasty retreat. “Look, no rush. I will, uh, I’ll be out here. No rush. I’m gone. Never mind me. You two just carry on.”

As the door slammed closed again, he was muttering, “Carry on? I can’t believe I just said that.”

Bridey rested her forehead against Seth’s chest, which shook with laughter. Okay, that was too funny. “That sounds lovely, Seth. I’ll pack a bag and be ready to go at five thirty.”

Then she gave him a soft shove. “You’d better get going. We both have work to do.”

“Fine, I’ll go.” Seth tugged her back into his arms for another kiss. “But I’m telling you, tomorrow night can’t get here fast enough.”

Then he grabbed the tray and disappeared out the back door. As she watched him leave, she smiled.

The past few holiday seasons had been lonely ones, but with Seth in her life, this one promised to be extra special in so many ways.

•   •   •

Six hours later, Seth plunked his lunch on the table and collapsed onto one of the metal folding chairs in the church basement. They’d been hard at work since early that morning, but unfortunately, they’d finished decorating only one side of the street.

It didn’t help that he was so distracted. The thought of having Bridey all to himself for the better part of twenty-four hours had him wanting to run down the street whooping and hollering. The last thing he wanted to do was climb another ladder.

Nick joined him. He looked as tired as Seth felt. “I can’t believe we still have that much left to do.”

Seth didn’t bother to answer. Instead, he poked at the food on his plate with a fork. It looked kind of like beef stew but with a mashed potato topping. Nick evidently had no reservations about the food, judging by the way he was packing it away. He happened to glance up and caught Seth watching him.

He grinned and picked up another forkful of food. “Soldiers never pass up the chance for a hot meal. Oddly enough, no one has ever figured out how to schedule combat around mealtimes.”

He took another bite. “Besides, I like shepherd’s pie.”

Seth couldn’t fault the man’s logic. He took a bite of the casserole and was pleasantly surprised. The two of them finished off their meal in short order, but neither one was in a particular hurry to get back to work.

Nick topped off his coffee. “Don’t tell Callie, but for all my bitching about having to do this today, I’m actually enjoying myself. Snowberry Creek is a little smaller than the town I grew up in, but we had days like this where everyone pitched in to help on a project.”

Seth had nothing to compare it to. “I grew up in the city, so we didn’t have that connection with our neighbors. Here in Snowberry Creek, everyone has been really friendly, but not in your face about it, if that makes sense.”

The other man laughed. “Except when someone shows up on your front porch uninvited to ask how you feel about hanging Christmas lights.”

“Yeah, except for that.”

He noticed that the rest of the crew they’d been working with were already making their way to the door. “Looks like it’s time to get back to work.”

Nick grumbled, “Yeah, those lights won’t hang themselves.”

They carried their trays over to the cleanup squad and headed back to the business district. When they got there, Seth realized the next storefront due to be decorated was Something’s Brewing. Deciding it wouldn’t hurt for Bridey to see him at work, he picked up the pace.

“Come on, Nick. Hustle your ass. I want to stake out the coffee shop before anyone else does. You got me into this, so the least you can do is help me impress Bridey.”

The former soldier dutifully kicked it into high gear. “Considering what I walked in on this morning, I don’t think you need any help impressing the woman. However, I will do my best to make you look good.”

Before they’d even gotten their ladders set up, Bridey came outside with tall cups of her latest concoction, peppermint mocha hot chocolate, along with a couple of pastries for each of them. Nick lit up like one of the strings of lights they’d been hanging.

“Woman, you keep feeding us like this, Seth and I are going to have to buy bigger jeans.”

Seth noticed that didn’t keep Nick from accepting her offering. “Don’t worry. We’ll work it off. Plenty left to do.”

She stood close to him as the three of them checked the progress being made. “Think it will all get finished today?”

He nodded. “The lights are the slow part. The people filling the planters are almost done. Once they finish, some of them will pitch in, too.”

“That’s good.” Bridey gave him a hesitant look and dropped her voice. “I hope you don’t mind postponing leaving for Seattle for an extra hour tomorrow night. The mayor wants everyone to show up when she throws the switch on the lights at six o’clock.”

He hated any delay, but he understood that she was part of the business community here in town and needed to show her support. “That will be fine as long as we can leave right after the lights come on.”

“Sounds good to me.” She gave him a quick hug, the promise in her eyes hot enough to drive away the damp chill in the air.

Seth fought the urge to blow off working so he could drag her off to someplace more private. Unfortunately, Nick had already started up the ladder. “Hey, Seth, can you hand me the first string?”

“Sure thing.” But before doling out the lights, Seth leaned down close to Bridey’s ear to whisper, “Sunday evening can’t get here fast enough.”

She whispered back, “I feel that way, too.” Then she kissed his cheek and added, “By the way, I’m packing something black and lacy that only you will get to see.”

He groaned and closed his eyes. “If that was meant to help me get through the day, it won’t. How am I supposed to get any work done with my imagination running wild?”

She sashayed toward the door. “Not my problem, big guy. Deal with it.”

He stared after her, plotting his revenge. Unfortunately, he had other obligations right now.

“Seth? The lights? I know they’re not as interesting as whatever Bridey just told you, but I’d really like to get done sometime this century.”

He definitely needed to get his head back in the game if they were ever going to finish stringing the lights. It took all of Seth’s strength to drag his attention back to the job at hand. “Sorry, Nick. I’ll get them.”

As he opened the next box of lights, he glanced at his watch. Twenty-seven hours and counting. He wasn’t sure he’d survive.

While he waited to hand Nick the next string of lights, Seth studied the picture of a certain jolly old elf that Bridey had just hung in her shop window. It had been years since Seth had put together a wish list, but maybe it wouldn’t hurt to drop a hint or two.

Hey, Santa. I know just what I want for Christmas. I promise to be good.

Although come to think of it, his idea of good and Santa’s thoughts on the subject might not be at all the same. Laughing, he opened another box of lights and started doling them out to Nick.