Her Christmas Hero (Home To Dover 6) (13 page)

Standing with the Montgomerys gave her a warm, inclusive feeling, as if she were really part of the family. For a brief second she allowed herself to imagine sharing the family dinners, watching the guys play ball in the yard, slipping an arm around Linc’s waist. Heat infused her neck. She must be more tired than she’d thought.

She dipped her head to speak to Evan when “Joy to the World” suddenly blared from the speakers and the switch was thrown, bathing Dover in a flood of lights from all directions. Pressing her fingertips to her lips, she blinked away tears. It was more beautiful than she’d envisioned. The entire square was aglow, from the drapes over the streets and the store facades to the decorations in the park. The historic gazebo, Dover’s cherished landmark, sparkled with twinkling lights.

“Whoa. Mom, it’s awesome.”

Applause and cheers erupted as the visitors delighted in the joyful transformation.

Francie clapped in Gemma’s direction. “Well done. I knew you were the right person for this job.”

Evan revolved slowly, taking in the lights on all sides of the square. “Can we walk around now and look at the store windows?”

“Of course.” A rush of relief coursed through her, leaving her drained and feeling several years younger.

Francie and Evan started off. Linc stepped to her side. “Beautiful.”

“What?” She looked at him, her heart skipping at the intimate smile on his face. Was he talking about the Christmas lights or something more personal?

“The town looks beautiful.”

“Are you saying you were wrong?”

“Never. But I will admit to having a lack of imagination.”

“Sounds like an apology to me.”

Linc chuckled under his breath and fell into step beside her. He nodded toward the nativity as they passed by. “I’m glad you decided to put this back up.”

“I took a closer look and discovered all it really needed was a little love. Baby Jesus had a broken section, but then I thought about the reason He came in the first place, and it didn’t seem so unattractive then.”

Gemma liked having Linc beside her as they strolled along the sidewalk. She had to work hard to remember to take notes of small things that needed to be addressed for the next day, and not concentrate solely on the tall, vibrant man at her side who made her feel warm, protected and very feminine.

By the time they’d circled the square, stopped for a cup of hot chocolate and examined all the decorated lampposts, Evan was growing tired and so was she. Tomorrow would be a full day of activities and she needed to be rested.

Francie took Evan home and Gemma expected Linc to go with them, but he lingered.

“Care for one more stroll through the park? I’m not ready to leave yet.”

The crowds had thinned and only a few visitors filled the sidewalks. Gemma liked the idea of walking through the lights slowly. The crowds were a huge blessing, but made it difficult to fully appreciate the decorations. They’d dodged and weaved people every step of the way. Walking through the Christmas glory with Linc was an opportunity she didn’t want to pass up. “All right.”

Linc rested his hand on her lower back, steering her toward Church Street. But instead of crossing to the stores, he exited through the gates and stopped at the white carriage parked at the curb.

“How about we ride while we look? Enjoy a different view.”

She’d made all the arrangements for this service, but it had never occurred to her to take advantage of it. Now she wanted nothing more than to sit with Linc in the charming carriage and ride through the shower of lights. She nodded, then took the hand he offered to help her into the carriage. He chose the backseat and spread the small blanket there across her lap. He spoke to the driver, then settled back.

They rode in silence for a few minutes before Linc took her hand in his. “You did a great job, Gemma. I never expected it to be so amazing.”

“You didn’t think I could pull it off?”

“I never doubted that.” He made an expansive gesture with his hand. “But I wasn’t prepared for the scope of this thing.”

“You hung the lights. That should have given you some idea.”

“It should have. But I was too focused on putting them exactly where your little chart said. And from that I couldn’t tell what it was going to look like.”

“You don’t like following other people’s plans. It messes with your control issues.”

He shrugged. “Someone has to be in charge. Most people leave important things out, then it gets all screwed up. But you thought of everything. You are an amazing woman.”

Gemma’s heart pounded and a warm flush heated her skin. She looked into his eyes and saw affection. Did he see the same in hers? She’d been steadily losing her heart to him, in spite of her determination not to. “Does that mean you no longer think I’m ruining Dover’s holiday?”

Linc rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand. “No. Not anymore. I’ve had a change of heart.”

“Really? Why?”

He squeezed her hand a little tighter. “I’ve had a few setbacks at work that made me realize bringing more people into town could help all the business owners, not only the ones on the square.”

“I hope it’s nothing serious, at work, I mean.”

“I’ll handle it.”

Gemma shivered at the look in his eyes. He was more troubled than he was letting on. Thinking she was chilled, he scooted closer and put an arm around her shoulder. She told herself to pull away, but she liked the feel of him close to her. He was warm and protective and too attractive for a weak woman like her to resist.

He tilted her chin upward, his blue gaze fixed on her mouth. Her lips parted and she leaned toward him. Her mind told her to stop this from happening, but her heart had other ideas. She’d wondered too long about his kiss.

His lips were cool, tender, and she melted against him, floating on the sweet sensation of his touch. He explored her mouth slowly, tenderly, yet with restrained passion. From deep inside, long-ignored emotion stirred, slipping past the thick wall she’d constructed around her heart. Feelings of belonging and connection. Things she’d searched for all her life, only to find betrayal instead. And pain.

She pushed away.

The surprise and confusion in Linc’s eyes made her want to cry. She couldn’t risk it. She called to the carriage driver to stop. Tossing the blanket aside, she stepped onto the sidewalk. Linc jumped down behind her, spinning her around to face him.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I’ve wanted to do that for a long time, Gemma. You know I’m attracted to you. I think you feel it, too.”

Gemma shoved her hands into the pockets of her sweater, kept her eyes on the ground, afraid to trust her voice. Every nerve in her body was alive and vibrating.

“I would never hurt you, Gemma.”

His soft, tender words only fueled the fears raging inside. “That’s what Evan’s father said, too.”

Memories churned the deep fear to life, constricting her airway. She backed up, pivoted and ran to her car. She didn’t doubt Linc meant what he’d said. He wouldn’t hurt her intentionally. He would protect her the way he did his family, but she wasn’t ready to trust anyone with her heart yet. Not until she could overcome the fear of the past and the man who had caused it. And that might be never.

* * *

The house was silent when Linc returned home after the lighting ceremony. He smiled when he saw a foil-covered plate in the middle of the table. Mom had baked cookies again.

Pulling the foil off, he found fresh sugar cookies with colored sprinkles on top. His second-favorite kind. His mom usually started baking Christmas cookies right after Thanksgiving and didn’t stop until Christmas Eve. He always loved the way the house smelled during the holidays. At least she was keeping that tradition alive. Linc opened the fridge and poured a glass of tea, then snagged a handful of cookies and headed to the family room. Settled in the leather recliner, he reached for the remote, then changed his mind. His thoughts were too muddled to focus on the television.

He picked up a cookie, the green sprinkles on the top reminding him of how Gemma’s eyes had sparkled with the glow of the lights. They had come on in a blaze of glory. The oohs and aahs from the crowd had filled the air and infused him with a swell of pride. Gemma had created an event that shouted the glory of the Lord.

He rubbed the bridge of his nose, aware of the crease in his brow. He was scowling again.

He hadn’t meant to kiss her. His only intention was to be together in the carriage and enjoy the lights. But with her at his side and bathed in the warm glow of thousands of Christmas lights, his resolve had crumbled. She’d looked so incredibly beautiful in the soft light, with the colors playing across her hair and reflecting in her pretty eyes.

He’d been powerless to stop himself. He’d spent too much time wanting to kiss her, wondering what it would be like. And he hadn’t been disappointed. She’d been sweet and warm in his arms. Holding her had touched a place deep in his core and released dreams he’d buried long ago.

He wouldn’t have been surprised if his impulsiveness had earned him a slap in the face, or verbal dressing-down. But he hadn’t expected to see fear in her eyes. One moment she was soft and willing under his kiss, the next rigid with fear. It didn’t make any sense. For a moment he’d thought maybe she didn’t welcome his attention. But he knew better. He knew she felt the electricity racing between them when they were together. The kiss, brief as it had been, had confirmed that. But she was either resisting or denying it, and he wanted to know why.

The more he knew about Gemma the more questions he collected. Now he wanted to know what caused the fear in her eyes. And he had no idea what to make of her comment about Evan’s father. What had happened between them that made her barely acknowledge his existence?

The questions plagued him all night and still circled in the back of his mind the next morning when he pulled up at the cottage. He’d texted Gemma first thing this morning to confirm his breakfast with Evan. He was a great kid. He hated that the ball season had come to an end. He missed having practice to go to. But he looked forward to sharing breakfast together.

Linc reached for the door handle to exit the truck, but Evan was already bursting through the front door of the cottage. He pulled open the passenger door and scooted in, a big smile on his face.

“Hi.”

“Hi, yourself. Buckle up.”

Evan nodded, fastened the seat belt, his feet bobbing up and down as they dangled over the edge of the seat. “I’m hungry.”

“Me, too. I’m going to order a stack of pancakes a mile high with eggs, bacon and maybe some biscuits. How’s that sound?”

“Good.” His toothy grin revealed his excitement.

Some of Linc’s enthusiasm faded. He’d hope to have a word with Gemma this morning, but since Evan had been the one to greet him, he assumed she was avoiding him.

The Magnolia Diner was busy but not full. Shirley, the owner for as long as he could remember, seated them at a booth along the front window. Not the same one he and his father had used, but close enough. Linc focused his attention on the last booth, his throat aching at the sight. But the longer he looked, the more memories he brought to mind and the less it hurt. Gemma’s suggestion might have been the best advice he’d gotten in a while. It would be easier to come here the next time.

His gaze drifted to the activity outside the window. The city was lit by sunlight now, but traces of last night’s grand lighting were still evident. The food vendors’ small trailers were closed, but they would open at noon. The horse-drawn carriage passed by with early risers taking in the charm of Dover. Gemma had done a fantastic job and he was so proud of her.

He directed his attention to his little companion. They placed their order, then settled in. They talked about football and school and the Christmas season, and about the “superamazingfantastico” light display his mother had designed. But as they headed home, Evan grew silent and thoughtful, staring out the window. Linc considered prodding him to talk, but decided against it. If the boy wanted to open up, he would.

Linc pulled the truck to a stop at the main house. Mom had texted him that she was home from judging the lamppost contest and to drop Evan off there. They were going to make Christmas cookies for the upcoming community dinner. He’d been invited to help, but he needed to be at the office staying on top of things. Problems were sprouting like mushrooms and he needed to get things under control.

Linc shut off the engine and glanced at Evan. “I had a good time. We should do this every Saturday.”

Evan nodded and smiled. “Like you and your dad did?”

“Just like it.”

“Was your dad a good guy?”

Linc studied the boy a moment. Where was this heading? “Yes. A very good guy. He was my hero.”

Evan lowered his head. “I think my dad was a bad man.”

Caught off guard, Linc kept his tone calm and even. “Why do you say that?”

The boy shrugged. “’Cause my mom never talks about him. I don’t even know his name.”

The urge to pull the boy close was overwhelming, but he resisted. “That doesn’t mean he was bad, Evan. Sometimes when parents separate they get angry at each other, and it’s easier to forget and just move on.”

Evan cast a sideways glance at him. “You think so?”

“Sure. Your mom is a special lady and a great mom. I’m sure she has a good reason for not talking about your dad. She’s probably waiting until you’re older so you’ll better understand.”

“I’d understand now.”

“Yeah, but you know moms. They like to protect us and stuff.” Linc gave the boy an affectionate rub on the back of his neck.

“Okay. Thanks for breakfast. Can we really do it again next week?”

“Sure thing.”

Linc watched the boy run to the house and disappear inside. He wasn’t sure who was looking forward more to next week’s breakfast—Evan or him. But now he also had another question to add to his growing list about Gemma. She was so open and giving. Why would she withhold information on Evan’s father from him? Didn’t she know it was creating stress for the little guy? Maybe he should talk to Gemma about it. Maybe she didn’t realize how upset the kid was.