Her Christmas Hero (Home To Dover 6) (8 page)

She could feel Linc’s eyes on her back as she left the room. What was he thinking? No doubt his estimation of her had changed. It didn’t matter. He was only the son of her landlord. He had no power over her at all.

Inside her car she buckled up and turned the ignition key. So why did she want him to have a good opinion of her? It made no sense. Though, he was a member of one of the most influential families in Dover. Having his support would be a blessing. But she had Francie behind her, which was more important. Linc was just an irritating gnat she’d have to deal with.

A gnat that refused to vacate her thoughts. He slipped in at the oddest moments. Her only hope was to stay so busy that she had no time to think of anything else. She had a lot to do if she was going to succeed.

Chapter Six

T
he stars were out and the temperatures dipping into the forties as Linc steered his truck toward the garage behind the main house. He’d been delayed by friends at the meeting who were all eager to express their delight over the new Christmas events. He’d tried to keep his personal opinions to himself, but it had been difficult. Gemma had made the whole upgrade of Christmas sound like a birthday party. He’d left feeling irritated and short-circuited as he always did when he was around her.

She stirred up unwelcome emotions and made observations that left him feeling exposed and vulnerable. Like when she’d called him on his need to be in control. It was true. With Dad gone, he felt he’d lost all control of his life. Gemma’s tampering with Dover’s Christmas celebrations was adding insult to injury.

However, her heartfelt explanation of the Christmas lights last night had moved him and forced him to look at the decorations from a new perspective. It had also cracked open a place in his heart he’d not visited for a long while. Since his last relationship had ended, he’d shut down all romantic feelings. Gemma was nudging them to life again. Even though he’d fought against it, he’d been attracted to her from the start. She wasn’t like any woman he’d met before. Gemma was creative, impulsive, changed things on the fly. He couldn’t pin her down.

But her comments about family, traditions, and now her statement about her marital situation made him wonder if they shared the same values.

In the garage, Linc pulled his Chevy truck to a stop beside his dad’s battered Ford pickup. His heart twisted with a bittersweet memory. Dad was a Ford man to the core and had jokingly complained about having Linc’s bow tie monster parked so close. Gil had threatened to buy a Dodge just to irk their dad even more. Now Linc looked at the silent vehicle and wondered what would happen to it. Mom had her own small car. She had no use for the old truck.

By the time Linc entered his kitchen a few moments later, his mood had soured further. Each day he awoke, he felt as if a large chunk of his heart had been ripped away. He’d moved back home to watch over his mother and he was glad he’d done so. Whether she realized it or not, she needed someone close by.

“How did the meeting go, sweetheart?”

His mother was seated at the breakfast table dressed in her bathrobe and slippers, a hot cup of tea and her e-reader in front of her. It was barely after nine in the evening. She never went to bed before eleven and never changed into her pajamas until she was ready to sleep. Maybe she was sick. The thought lanced through him like a knife. He couldn’t survive losing another parent. “Mom, are you all right?”

“Of course. Why do you ask?”

Easing into a chair, he searched his mother’s face for some clue as to what was bothering her. “You’re in your robe and drinking hot tea.”

She smiled as understanding dawned. “Oh. I see. There’s nothing wrong. I’m just tired and I thought I’d turn in early. Evan and I played games most of the evening.” She patted his hand. “So tell me about the meeting.”

Linc chewed the inside of his mouth as he tried to organize his thoughts. “It went okay, I guess. Just not the way I expected.”

“Oh?”

He leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. “Everyone is all fired up and I don’t get it.”

“You mean they didn’t like Gemma’s ideas?”

“No, they loved them. That’s what I don’t get. I figured everyone would see the damage these changes could do and refuse to go along with them.”

“And they didn’t?”

“No. They were all jumping for joy, like everything we’ve done in the past was meaningless.” He stood and went to the refrigerator, pulled out the pitcher of sweet tea and poured a glass. “How many times have we talked about the overcommercialization of Christmas? The loss of the spiritual meaning. Now all of a sudden the town wants to dump our traditions for all the glitz.”

“And this bothers you?”

“Of course. Traditions are important.”

“What exactly is Gemma proposing?”

He shook his head; once his mom heard some of Gemma’s weird ideas she’d be on his side. “First, she wants all the businesses around the square to decorate their windows as part of a contest she’s promoting on the Dover website to draw in visitors to see the winners. She even got Davis to offer free advertising in the
Dispatch
for the winners.”

“Interesting. Is that all?”

“No. There’s a lamppost-decorating contest, too, that anyone can enter.” Linc leaned back in his chair. “Screwy idea if you ask me.”

“How did folks respond?”

He thought back to the moment when Gemma had finished her discussion and the owners had applauded. Loudly. They’d crowded around her afterward with questions and smiles “As if she’d just offered them each a free trip to Disney World.”

Francie took a sip of her tea before answering. “I think her ideas are right on target.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“She’s doing what she was hired to do, and it sounds as if the owners are all eager to participate. I knew she would charm them. She’s so full of enthusiasm, don’t you think?”

Linc didn’t want to discuss his reactions to Gemma. He still hadn’t figured out why he became all edgy and irritable when she was around.

“I enjoy helping her out by watching Evan after school. It gives her more time to concentrate on her new job.”

“Are you sure he’s not too much for you? I mean, he’s an energetic little kid.”

“I look forward to having him here each day. You know how much I’ve longed for grandchildren, and I haven’t had Abby around since she was small. Besides, he needs a grandma and I need a little childishness in my life. Will it bother you having Evan around the house?”

“No. He’s a great kid. It’s just...we’re getting pretty tangled up with our tenants. I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”

“We get tangled up in all of our friends. Or is there something different about Gemma and Evan? Like perhaps she’s very attractive and very single?”

Linc held up a hand to ward off further conversation. “No. She is not my type. She’s one of these women that want to do everything on their own. Job. Career. Even kids. They don’t need the messy complications of falling in love, getting married and then starting a family. Just jump to the end.”

“I don’t understand.”

“She told me tonight she has never been married.”

“I see. And so you jumped to the conclusion that she’s antimarriage and family?”

“That, and from some of the other things she’s said about family and traditions.” He carried his glass to the sink.

“Well, I’m sure there’s some logical explanation. I know her fairly well and I can’t see her being a die-hard feminist the way that one girlfriend of yours was.” Her eyes narrowed. “Is that why you broke up with Kelsey last year? Was she too new-century for you?”

Linc set his jaw. “That was only part of it. We didn’t want the same things. I wanted a family and she wanted her career.”

“And how about Tina? What was wrong with her?”

He was in no mood to analyze his past relationships with his mother. Linc winked and kissed his mother on the cheek. “She wasn’t you.” He stopped at the kitchen door when she called his name.

“That’s not the first time you’ve said that to me. Do you mean that? Are you looking for a woman like me?”

“Of course. You’re beautiful, strong, smart and funny. The perfect combination.”

“Linc. I’m flattered. But you shouldn’t be looking for a clone of me.” She stood and came to him. “You should be looking for the woman God has chosen for
your
life.”

“You and Dad had the perfect marriage. That’s what I want, and I’m not going to settle for anything less.”

His mother touched his arm lightly. “Your father and I had a wonderful life together, but you’re only seeing the last twenty years. You didn’t see the years when we struggled, when he worked late and I never saw him, when we fought over money and how to discipline you kids. We worked at making our marriage strong. It didn’t start out that way and it bothers me that you think so.”

“I know marriage takes work. But I’m not settling for someone who isn’t right.” Linc saw sadness fill his mother’s eyes. “I’m sorry if I upset you, Mom. I just want lasting love like you and Dad had. He was a lucky man to have someone like you who made him happy every day.”

His mother’s eyes clouded over and her shoulders sagged. “Did I make him happy every day?”

“Of course. You made each other happy.” The sadness and doubt in his mother’s eyes tugged at his heart.

“I hope so.” She picked up her e-reader and clutched it to her chest. “I’m turning in. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Linc watched his mom walk away with a heavy heart. He wasn’t sure what he’d said to disturb her, but since his father’s death, she reacted oddly to many things. As deeply as he grieved, he couldn’t begin to imagine the pain of losing a spouse of thirty-nine years.

He turned out the lights in the kitchen and made his way to his room. The silence in the house pressed in on him. Dad had been a night owl, staying up late to either work or watch
SportsCenter
and get caught up on his favorite teams. The lack of noise emphasized the giant hole inside him that his father had once filled.

Climbing into bed, he stared at the ceiling. He missed his dad’s wise council now. His dad would know how to keep the family together and the company running. He’d probably have some sound advice on what to do about Gemma, too.

Pressure began to build deep in his gut, moving upward, pressing against his ribs with tremendous force. Covering his eyes with his forearm, Linc gave in to his grief.

* * *

Crisp Saturday-morning air blew strands of hair across Gemma’s cheek. She ignored it. Fingers pressed against her mouth, she held her breath, her heart stilled as Evan cut sharply to the right, avoiding the grasping hands of another player, and charged toward the goal line, scoring a touchdown that won the game. Evan slammed the ball to the ground and jumped up and down, a huge smile on his face.

A shout of triumph from Linc distracted her. His usual scowl was gone, replaced with a heart-melting smile that softened his sharp features and raised his handsome quotient several notches. It increased her pulse rate, too. She watched as Linc jogged across the field, gathering his players like little chicks and handing out high fives and hugs. When he got to Evan, he scooped him up in a bear hug before setting him down and ruffling his hair.

Gemma didn’t know which sight pleased her more: her son’s happy smile or the pride reflected in Linc’s deep blue eyes. Both were a sight to behold, and both were images she thought she’d never see. This was Evan’s third ball game, and the second they’d won. Evan was consumed with playing flag football. Being part of the team had accomplished more than she’d ever dreamed.

Francie Montgomery came to her side. “What a great game. Evan is thoroughly enjoying himself.”

Unable to speak around the lump in her throat, she nodded, fighting back tears. Who would have thought that Evan would blossom under someone like Linc? A man she thought she’d never want to know.

“And I think my boy is enjoying himself, too. It’s good to see him having fun. Linc is far too serious. Your son is good for him.”

Gemma glanced at her friend. It was odd to hear her speak of Linc as her boy. There was nothing boyish about him. But she supposed when Evan was full grown she’d still think of him as her boy, too, no matter how masculine he was. “He’s very good with the kids. Very patient. I hadn’t expected him to be.” She clamped her mouth shut. Francie was such a good friend that she’d forgotten she was also Linc’s mother.

Francie chuckled softly. “You expected him to be stern and disapproving?”

“I guess.”

“Linc can be a hard man to get to know. He keeps his emotions buried deep. People often think he’s cold and distant, but he’s not really. He’s always been reserved. Unfortunately, losing his dad has made him more withdrawn. Coaching this team has helped him ease up a bit.”

“Evan adores him. You, too.”

“Well, the feeling is mutual. You’ve raised a special boy. Not easy when you’re a single parent.”

“No. Sometimes I feel as if I’ve failed him completely.” Logically she knew many single mothers raised fine, upstanding children all alone. But she wanted more for Evan. A traditional home with a traditional family. But she didn’t believe it would ever happen.

Linc and the team of happy children spilled out over the edge of the field, meeting up with parents and receiving hugs and congratulations. Evan took the sports drink she offered him and downed half. His face was red from running, his cheeks streaked with dirt, but it was the happiest she’d seen him in nearly a year. She reached out and hugged him, only to have him pull away.

“Aw, Mom. I’m too big for that stuff.”

Gemma didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Francie shared a high five with Evan before he trotted off to talk to a friend. “Don’t be too upset. He’ll still let you hug him, just not in public. Don’t tell anyone, but I still hug Linc each morning. He hates it, but he endures it.”

Gemma glanced at Linc. She remembered the solid feel of those strong arms around her that day when she’d nearly tumbled off the porch. The warmth and security she’d experienced in his embrace. Linc suddenly turned and looked directly at her, a smile reflected in his eyes. Heat flushed into her neck. He raised his head and winked. Arrogant man. Gathering up Evan’s belongings, she said goodbye to the parents she’d come to know, eager to get to the car and put distance between herself and the far too compelling coach.

She’d been so busy this week she hadn’t seen Linc until he walked out on the field this morning. The sight of him had made her heart jump. The same way it had just now when he’d caught her staring. Embarrassed, she ducked her head, keeping her attention on Evan.

Settled in the car, Gemma wrinkled her nose. “Evan. You stink.”

“Gee, thanks, Mom.”

A rainstorm had passed through yesterday and the combination of muddy playing field and little-boy sweat permeated the car. She started to remind him to shower as soon as they got home, but then she looked at his still-shining eyes. “I’m so proud of you. That was amazing the way you dodged that other boy and scored.”