Her Christmas Hero (Home To Dover 6) (18 page)

For her, the play was the most important event of the whole month. She took another glance at the door, her heart sinking lower. Pushing aside her disappointment, she focused her attention on the stage and the little boy who would be the star of the evening.

Her eyes grew moist with a swell of pride. Evan was doing a wonderful job. But a part of her heart had gone cold, her hopes disintegrating like flash paper. Linc had proved he wasn’t any different than the rest of the men she’d encountered. They couldn’t be trusted. She’d been a fool to believe that he was different.

Francie leaned close. “Have you heard from Linc?”

“No.”

“He said he’d be here. I called, but it went to voice mail. That’s not like him.”

Gemma bit her tongue. Yes, it was. She’d counted on him being here for Evan. But she should have known better. She’d trusted her child’s heart to Linc and he’d treated it with callous disregard.

As the play drew to a close, Francie started to fidget. Gemma sensed her worry mounting with each passing moment. She understood a parent’s worry when they couldn’t get in touch with a child. Only Linc wasn’t a child. He was a full-grown man who had made a promise and had chosen not to keep it.

The play ended and as the audience stood to applaud, Francie touched her arm. “I’m going to go. I’m worried. Something isn’t right. Tell Evan I’m proud of him and I’ll see him back at the house. I made him some special cupcakes.”

A lance of fear temporarily pushed through Gemma’s anger. What if something
had
happened to Linc? An accident or injury of some kind? The thought left her twisted inside. No. The only thing wrong was that Linc had found something better to do. End of story.

Gemma found her son backstage standing alone. She couldn’t tell from his expression if he was hurt or angry. “Evan, you did a wonderful job. I’m so proud.”

A smile appeared on his face. “It was fun. Did Mr. Linc come?”

“No. But Miss Francie was here. She said to tell you she’s proud of you, too, and she has some cupcakes for you at her house.”

“Why didn’t Mr. Linc come? He promised.” He watched the other kids whose parents were all gathered around. His disappointment magnified her own. She knew he’d wanted to have his hero there tonight.

“I don’t know, sweetheart. Maybe he forgot. Or maybe he had something more important to do. It doesn’t matter. It’s time to celebrate. Christmas is only a few days away. Let’s go home and have some cupcakes.”

Gemma rested an arm on Evan’s shoulder as they left the church. Her anger seethed below the surface as she made a list of the things she intended to say to Linc when she saw him. She’d trusted him.

Her throat closed up.

When would she ever learn? How many times would she have to be knocked down before she accepted that the only one she could count on was the Lord? Everyone else would eventually let you down.

She stole a glance at Evan in the passenger seat. He sat quietly, staring out the window. She knew he was hurting and she ached to fix it somehow. Breaking her heart was one thing. She’d get over that. But breaking her son’s heart—breaking his trust—was something she would never excuse. “Are you okay, Evan?”

He nodded.

“I’m sorry Linc wasn’t there. It was unkind of him to let you down. I’ll make sure he knows how upset you were.”

“I was hoping everyone would think he was my dad.”

“What? Why?”

“’Cause I don’t have one. I just wanted a dad to be there like the other kids have.”

Gemma gripped the steering wheel until her fingers ached. If it was the last thing she did, she would make sure Linc Montgomery knew the full extent of his indifference. “Evan. I didn’t know you felt so strongly about Linc. But sometimes we make heroes out of people who don’t deserve it. And it hurts when they let us down and break promises.”

“Coach always keeps his promise. I think something bad happened.”

Francie had the same feeling. Was there something to it? “I’m sure he’s fine.” She couldn’t keep the harsh tone out of her voice.

“Mom, are you mad at Coach?”

“I’m upset, yes. He disappointed you. He broke a promise to you, and that’s not okay.”

“I know. But I still love him. Just like you did me.”

“What?”

“Remember when I was at my other school and I got in trouble about my spelling test? You said you were disappointed, but you still loved me.”

Gemma’s conscience pricked. “That was completely different.”

“How?”

Warmth infused her cheeks. How could she explain that failing a test and betraying someone’s trust were miles apart? “It just is.” She slowed her car as they neared the main house, relieved to find Linc’s truck wasn’t parked out front. She wasn’t ready to confront him yet. She needed to calm down before she lit into him. “Evan. You go on in and get your cupcakes. I need to go to the cottage. I’ll be over in a few minutes.”

She grasped his hand before he could open the door. “Are you sure you’re okay? You’re not upset?”

“Not really,” he said before running to the main house.

Inside the cottage she struggled with her emotions. Evan was right. And she hated that. Was she overreacting? Or did she have a good reason to be upset? When it came to Linc, she didn’t always think clearly. Digging her cell from her purse, she placed a call to Caroline. Her cheery voice when she answered scraped across Gemma’s raw nerves.

“You must be a mind reader. I was going to call you in a few minutes. I’ve got great news. Vince and I are getting married. Gemma, I’ve never been so happy in all my life.”

“That’s wonderful. I’m happy for you.”

“Uh-oh. What’s wrong?”

After some persuading, Gemma filled her in.

Caroline sighed into the phone. “I couldn’t come to the play. Was Evan mad at me?”

“No, but he knew you had someplace else to be.”

“Maybe Linc did, too.”

Did no one else grasp the situation here? “He
promised
my son.”

“I get that you’re upset, but shouldn’t you at least find out why first? If it were me, wouldn’t you talk to me and get an explanation?”

“Yes, but that’s different. I thought I could trust him.”

“Gemma, you can’t keep holding up your past to every guy you meet. There’s a big difference between being betrayed and letting someone down. People will always let you down, Gemma. We’re all human.” Caroline huffed out a breath. “You and Linc are quite a pair. You’re both trying so hard to control your lives, and all you’re doing is making things more complicated. Linc is determined to keep everything from changing, and you think by distrusting everyone you’ll keep your heart safe. I don’t think you even trust God.”

Gemma set her jaw. “This from a woman who tried to find a man from a list.”

“I’m sorry. But I learned my lesson. I woke up and it’s time you did, too. I want you to be happy. It’s time. Have a little faith.”

Gemma ended the call, but was unable to keep her friend’s advice from circling in her thoughts like an irritating bug. She hated it when logic and common sense disrupted her righteous emotions. Deep in her heart she knew Caroline was right. It was safer to think the worst, to shove others away and forestall any possibility of being disappointed or hurt. She’d become an expert over the years. But at what cost?

Gemma sank onto one of the dining room chairs, cradling her head in her hands. She would give Linc a chance to explain, and then she’d determine her next move. She owed him that much. She’d do it now and put an end to the emotional seesaw she’d been on. But when she stepped outside, Linc’s truck was still absent. She’d missed her chance. Maybe forever.

Chapter Thirteen

L
inc knew he was in for one of his mother’s lectures when he came into the kitchen Monday morning. He’d arrived home from Biloxi late last night after spending the weekend getting the Coast Line project back on track. With the sale of his property, he’d been able to ensure the completion of the project. He fixed a cup of coffee, then joined his mother at the table, bracing himself for a “talking-to.”

He glanced around the room. “Is Evan here? I’d like to talk to him.”

“He’s in the office wrapping presents,” she said, pinning him in place with her stern mommy glare—the one that said, “I know what you did, now explain yourself.”

“What you were thinking?”

Linc’s confidence shriveled as if he was ten years old again. “I made some mistakes. I had to fix them. I didn’t want to worry you.”

“That’s usually what people say when they know they should have done things differently, but didn’t want to face the consequences.”

“We lost a couple bids...”

“I know the situation. Gil called and told me everything. Why didn’t you come to me?”

Linc rubbed his thumb and forefinger together, searching for the words to make her understand. “I needed cash fast. Everything is tied up until probate.”

“Linc, I’m the owner of the company now. You’re not solely responsible. We could have found another way. You didn’t have to sell your land.” She reached over and took his hand. “This isn’t the first time the business has been on the verge of failure. You don’t remember the bad years, only the good. There are always options, son.”

“Gil shouldn’t have said anything.”

She scoffed and shook her head. “He always tells me things. You’re like your dad, keeping everything inside, trying to protect me. I’ve worried about you. You’re so busy trying to take over for your father you can’t see what’s happening in front of you. You said you felt left out of things. Well, it’s because you didn’t take the time to listen.”

“Someone has to keep family together.”

“No one needs to keep this family together.” She jabbed her finger on the tabletop to emphasize her point. “We
are
together and always will be. Just because your brothers and sisters are moving away doesn’t mean they’re taking their love, too. And speaking of love, have you talked to Gemma?”

He blinked, trying to shift gears. “No. I’m sure she’s furious because I missed Evan’s program.”

“I’m sure she is, but that doesn’t mean she’ll stay that way. Talk to her. Stop trying to control the situation and just tell her how you feel. You’ve been in love with her from the day she moved into the cottage.”

“I do love her, but I doubt she’ll even listen to me now.”

His mother smacked him soundly on the hand, then pointed at him with a no-nonsense expression he remembered from childhood. It was the same one she’d had when she’d ordered him to go repair the damage he’d caused on a neighbor’s property. “It’s Christmas Eve. You get up and go talk to her, and don’t come back until you’ve asked her to marry you and she’s said yes. Go!”

* * *

Gemma sat in her office on the square, tying up a few loose ends from the monthlong events. It could have waited until after the holiday, but she’d been restless and irritable and needed something to keep her busy. Evan was helping Francie with last-minute preparations for Christmas even though it would be a very small gathering. Francie had invited them to spend Christmas Day with them. Gemma had tried to find a reason to refuse, but Evan was too excited. Being near Linc would be torture. He’d been out of town all weekend, forestalling any confrontation. She’d drifted between anger at him for letting Evan down and longing for things to go back to the way they’d been.

Leatha hurried into the office with a conspiratorial smile on her face, bursting with excitement. “You’ll never guess what I just found out.”

Gemma chuckled. Leatha was Dover’s personal Wikipedia. She knew everything. “You’d better tell me before you pop.”

The older woman tapped her fingertips together. “I know who paid for all the lights you ordered. I know who saved Dover’s Christmas. None other than Linc Montgomery himself.”

Her mind skittered to a halt. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, ma’am. My cousin works with the delivery service and he saw the receipt. Apparently, Linc went over the morning after you held that meeting and paid for them. But he didn’t want anyone to know.”

Gemma blinked and touched her temple, trying to process the information. “Why would he do that? He was against my changes from the first. I don’t understand.”

“You don’t? Well, I do. It’s as clear as the nose on your face.” Leatha leaned toward her and grinned. “He wanted you to succeed. He cares about you.”

Was that true? Was it really because of her? Or had he realized the whole town would suffer if the events failed? No. He
had
cared. She knew that, but also knew her sordid past had proved too much for him to handle. She looked at Leatha and forced a smile. She needed time to think. Alone.

“Leatha, I’ve changed my mind. Let’s call it a day. We can finish up here after Christmas.”

“Wonderful idea. I have some shopping still to do.” She walked from the office, stopping in the doorway and turning back. “Oh, when you see Linc, tell him I’m sorry to hear about his loss. I know it must have been painful to let it go.”

“Let what go?”

“Oh, I thought you knew, you two being so close and all. Apparently Montgomery Electrical was in a financial bind and Linc had to sell his property to save it. Such a shame. That was the first piece of land his great-great-granddaddy bought.”

Blood drained from Gemma’s cheeks; her chest contracted with such force she couldn’t draw breath. No. Linc loved that property. “Are you sure? How do you know?”

“Because my husband’s best friend bought it. They signed the papers Friday night.”

The night of Evan’s play. During the program. He’d remembered, but he’d had to save his family business. “I had no idea. I’m stunned.”

“Well, I’m not. That man is honorable to the core. He’d sacrifice anything for his family.” Leatha hurried back to her, wrapping her in a warm hug. “Merry Christmas, dear. You’ve done a wonderful job here. Dover has new hope for the future. I’ll pray your future is equally as bright.”

“Thank you, Leatha. You’ve been a blessing to me.”

Gemma held back the tears until she heard Leatha close the front door. A sob, hot and bitter, burned its way up through her chest and into her throat. Helpless against the tears, Gemma laid her head on her desk and cried. Caroline had been right about her—she was afraid to trust anyone, even God. She’d taken matters into her own hands, keeping people at bay, suspicious of every gesture, protecting her heart from any threat of pain. And it had cost her the man she loved.

Tears soaked the papers on her desk. She didn’t care. Weak and broken, she turned her spirit upward and prayed.
Forgive me, Father, for not trusting You with all of me
—
the broken parts, too. Soften my heart. Remove the wall around it. Lord, help me release all my fears and doubts into Your hands. I’m scared to trust my feelings. I love Linc so very much, but I’m afraid I’m not strong enough to survive another heartbreak.

But I am. And I can be trusted.

Raising her head, she wiped her face with a tissue, a new sense of lightness in her chest. And Linc could be trusted. She’d known it from the start, but the prison of fear she’d locked herself into had been too strong to escape alone. But she was free now and she had the courage to face her future.

Picking up her cell phone, she selected a picture she’d taken Thanksgiving afternoon of Linc and Evan playing ball. Linc had looked at her and smiled. She’d wanted to capture that moment, and the look of warmth and caring reflected in his deep blue eyes. She lightly touched the image with her finger, remembering the feel of his lightly stubbled jaw against her hand. She loved him, and she wanted him in her life. But she’d put so many roadblocks between them, it might be too late.

Today was Christmas Eve. She’d close up things here, then call him and see if they could talk. It was time to step out in faith. Trust the Lord and see how things unfolded.

She’d been a fool. A scared, pitiful fool afraid to trust her heart when everything Linc did and said had proved to her he could be trusted. He would always make sure those he loved were taken care of. At any cost.

Gemma heard the outside door open and quickly gathered herself. “Leatha, did you forget something?” Glancing up, she saw Linc step into her office. Her heart leaped into her throat. “Linc. What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to see if you were okay.”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

He shrugged. “You know, the storm and all the damage.” He looked like a scared little kid who had to tell the neighbor he’d broken their window.

Her intuition flared again. “Your mother sent you, didn’t she?”

He blushed slightly and nodded, slipping his hands into his pockets. “Yes. With very strict instructions.”

“Oh?”

He must have seen her love reflected in her eyes because his manner changed. He raised his chin, squared his shoulders and came toward her, confident and self-assured.

He moved closer and perched on the edge of her desk. “First she wanted to make sure you and Evan will be spending Christmas Day with us.”

She nodded, heart pounding. He was so close, she could sense the warmth of him, see the tiny silver flecks in his eyes and the shadows of his lashes on his cheeks. His blue gaze held her captive, making it hard to breathe or even think clearly. All that mattered was that he was here and she had hope. “Yes. We will be happy to fill in for your family again.” She couldn’t keep the smile from her face.

He leaned closer, stroking her hair tenderly with his large hand. “You and Evan are family. You have been from the first day.”

Her mouth went dry from the intensity of his gaze. She stood and moved to stand in front of him, the love in his eyes giving her courage. “Then, why didn’t you tell me you bought the lights, and that you had to sell your land?” She laid a hand on his chest. “I’m so sorry. I know how much that property meant to you.”

“How did you know?”

“Leatha.”

“Right. She’s related to everyone in the county.”

“Wasn’t there some other way? You were saving that for your own family someday.”

“I was, but I discovered that holding on to anything too tightly isn’t a good thing.” He stood and pulled her into his arms. “Something important happened in the moment after I signed my name to those documents. I realized there was something I cherished more.”

“What?”

“You. Evan. A future together. Gemma, I love you. I think I fell for you the moment you put me in my place at the cottage that first day. You changed me, changed my ideas of what my life should be about.”

“You’ve changed me, too. I have a new appreciation for family and tradition.”

Linc brushed his fingers over her cheek. “I’ve been looking at tradition as events, things to do. But I realized the only traditions I want to carry forward are the ones my dad gave us. Faith, hard work and being a loving husband and dad. I want to be the man you can trust with everything. I want to be a father to Evan and raise him in the family tradition of unconditional love and understanding.”

Gemma slipped her arms around his back, soaking in his warmth and strength. “You are an amazing man.” She lifted her face and placed a kiss on his lips, light and tender. She felt his heart beat rapidly inside his chest. “You said there was something else your mom told you to do?”

He smiled, turning her knees to jelly, and she took advantage of the sensation to hold on to him more tightly.

“Yes, but I’ll have to show you.”

He stepped back and took hold of her hand, guiding her outside and down the block.

He gestured toward the park. “You’ve done an amazing job. I’m so proud of you. Your events have put Dover on the map. Next year people will come from all over to see them.”

“A convert?”

“Yes. You had me pegged a long time ago. The changes— It was too much. Losing Dad, Mom’s changes to the family traditions. I never meant to complicate your job.”

He stopped in front of one of the empty storefronts at the corner. The local fire department had decorated it with spray snow and painted a winter scene on the glass pane. “I know your plans for the future are up in the air right now. Waiting to see if Dover will offer you a permanent job or if a job will open up someplace else but... I thought this space might work if you wanted to start a business here. Mom told me there aren’t any event or wedding planners in town. Apparently there’s a bigger market for that kind of thing than I realized.”

Linc held her hand, his thumb sliding back and forth over her skin. “I know the real estate broker. She’ll get you a good deal.”

Gemma looked at the window. It was not what she’d expected him to say, but the idea of staying here in Dover, near him, was appealing. And she was warmed by his thoughtful gesture. “It’s a good size. But why would I stay here?”

She saw him search her face, his blue eyes filled with hope and a hint of doubt. “Because I don’t want you to go.” He pulled her around to face him, cradling her face in his palms. “I want you to stay and give us a chance to see where our relationship goes. I know you’ve been through a lot and we don’t know each other very well and I’ve behaved like a jerk at times.”

“Yes, you have.” That brought a smile to his face.

Gemma bit her lip, glancing at the window again. Francie’s real estate sign was in the window. Beneath her picture was her business slogan. Come Home to Dover
.
She belonged with the Montgomerys. She belonged with Linc.

She faced him, sliding her arms around his neck. “I think you’re right. This would be the perfect place to start a new business. I even have a name. Gem’s Weddings and Events. But I have one condition.” She saw the fear flash through his eyes. She shouldn’t be so ornery, but she did enjoy keeping him off balance. “The first wedding I plan will be ours.”

Realization slowly dawned. A happy smile lit his eyes and melted her insides.