Christmas at Evergreen Inn (Jewell Cove 4)

“I’m just glad it’s too cold for you to run my underwear up the flagpole.”

He nearly choked on his laugh and she raised an eyebrow. How the boys from the baseball team had gotten the principal’s underwear, no one knew. But they’d run it up the school flagpole on a Saturday and it had stayed there until the custodian had taken the rather large-sized panties down on Monday morning. It had never been proven who did it, but Lainey had known. It had Todd written all over it.

“Go on,” she said. “I’m not paying to heat the outdoors.”

With a mock salute he pulled the door closed and she watched him make his way to the guesthouse. Moments later the outside light came on over there, too, and she knew he was inside.

In her private space.

Despite her words, she

actually did trust him not to snoop. Because Todd had kept his sense of humor, but she knew one thing for sure. He’d grown up and acquired a sense of honor and duty, too.

It made for one hell of a potent combination.

Chapter Two

Lainey finally turned off the lights and headed out the back door to the small cottage. She loved her little space. It was close enough for her to get on-site if she was needed, but it gave her some privacy, too. She’d had Tom do the heavy renovations, but she’d decorated it herself last summer, choosing the colors and painting the walls and purchasing some new furniture.

The snow stung her cheeks as she hustled along the shoveled path. It wasn’t far, but even so she was covered with white when she turned the knob and opened the door. She closed it quickly, not wanting to let out the heat or let the snow blow in.

Todd was kneeling before her fireplace, jabbing at the flaming wood with a poker, and this time Lainey was guilty of checking out his ass.

Mercy, he was hot. Always had been. He was tall, a good six feet, with dark hair and brown eyes that were warm as melted chocolate and twice as sinful. Being a cop in a place as small as Jewell Cove wasn’t all that physically demanding, but it was obvious he kept himself in good shape. Today, off duty, he wore jeans and a plain black hoodie. Even so, the slim line of his hips and the width of his shoulders were evident.

“I thought I’d build a fire,” he said, picking up a small log and placing it on the flames that were licking along the smaller bits of kindling he’d arranged.

Lainey finally moved instead of staring, and took off her coat and boots. After they were stowed away, she shivered. “I forgot I’d left the heat down,” she apologized. “Sorry about that.” She’d turned the heat down during the day and hadn’t been back over since the storm started and people had begun arriving.

“No problem. This gave me something to do, anyway.” He hadn’t turned on the TV or anything. The room was completely quiet other than the odd snap from the fire.

“Do you want something to drink?” She smiled, reminded herself to relax. She’d known Todd for years. And yes, she’d had a big crush on him back in the day but nothing had ever happened between them and it wouldn’t now either, right?

“I wouldn’t say no.” Todd brushed off his hands and stood, sending her a smile. “It’s been a long day. For both of us, I expect.”

She went to the kitchen—really just a working area off the main room—and opened a cupboard. “I don’t have an extensive liquor cabinet,” she said, rooting around. “There’s some vodka here, I think. And something pink … God, I think Cindy brought this over in the summer.” She found a square-ish bottle and took it out. “Aha. And whiskey. That might do the trick on a cold night like tonight.”

“Works for me.”

She took down two short glasses. “Ice?”

“Please.”

“Mix?”

Lainey nearly laughed when he looked horrified at the idea. “Okay then.” She poured a couple of fingers’ worth in each glass and went back to the living room, then handed him a glass before sitting down on the sofa.

He sank down beside her, not too close, but not at the opposite corner, either. Her pulse throbbed at her wrist at the simple nearness of him. She lifted her glass for a sip, hoping her fingers weren’t shaking. It wasn’t like her to be nervous like this.

“Don’t you want to toast?” he asked.

“Oh.” Heat rushed to her face. “Well, go ahead.” She smiled brightly.

He thought for a minute, his brow puckering in the middle, while Lainey wondered what the heck he was thinking. Then his face brightened and he smiled at her and lifted his glass.

“Here’s to the girl who lives up the hill. If she won’t, her sister will. Here’s to her sister.”

He winked, saluted with his glass, and took a healthy drink while she burst out laughing.