Christmas at Evergreen Inn (Jewell Cove 4)

“Give me two minutes and I’ll shovel you a path.”

“Don’t be silly. I’ll do it.”

The shovel was still stuck in the snowbank beside the door, and he watched as she reached for it, trying not to touch the wall of snow and knock it indoors. She managed it, but when she stuck the shovel in the first time, the drift started to collapse on itself. Powdery snow fell back inside the doorway.

“Dammit.”

Todd was going to offer to help again, but he saw the determined set to her jaw and let her be. Instead, while she began clearing a path to the back door of the inn, he finished tidying his bedding and went to the bathroom to brush his teeth and clean up a bit. There was a lot of snow. She’d be sick of it by the time she reached the back, and he’d take the shovel and do the front walks down to the parking lot.

By the time he got outside, she was three-quarters of the way to the back door, clearing a two-foot-wide path that would need to be widened later. When he reached her, he took the shovel from her hands and started throwing snow in big scoops.

“You didn’t take long getting out here,” she said, stepping back.

“You’re going to be busy, and I figured I should earn my breakfast,” he replied, turning around and smiling for a moment, wanting to leave things on a friendlier note than this morning’s cool reception. “At least it’s not heavy, wet stuff.”

“There’s enough of it though that moving it will be an adventure. The plows are going to be busy for a day or two.”

He got to the back step and started clearing the entire width. “I’m sure the main highways will be open. You won’t have to worry about putting up with me for a second night.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

The fact that he wouldn’t have minded being stranded another night was probably bad news. From all the signs, he was pretty sure that she regretted what had happened between them. He was more sorry about that than he expected.

Todd started on the next step, but paused when Lainey put her hand on his arm. He looked down at the thick mitten and swallowed, tightly. She’d hardly looked at him since getting up, let alone touched him. He lifted his gaze and found her eyes steady on him, her cheeks bright pink. That could have been caused by the cold and the physical exertion of shoveling, though.

“Todd, I really don’t know what to say this morning. And I’m responsible for what happens for about a dozen people today, and maybe tomorrow, too, so my mind is running overtime, and I don’t want this to be awkward, you know?”

Maybe not regret then. Maybe Lainey was just overwhelmed. She was running this place single-handed, which normally would be okay in the off season, but she was full up right now. She didn’t have time to think about him or them or what had happened last night.

“It’s okay.” He smiled down at her. “You’ve got a lot on your plate this morning. Let’s tackle that first.”

“First?” She looked unsure, so he let go of the shovel and cupped her chin in his gloved hand, just lightly, but enough that it held her still as he dropped the lightest of kisses on her surprised lips.

“Yes, first,” he replied. Last night wasn’t the end of it, but today wasn’t the time to get into it. He let go of her chin and went back to throwing snow off the steps until a path was cleared to the door. “Go on in and warm up,” he ordered, “and I’ll be in as soon as I can.”

She nodded quickly, and passed him on her way to the door. He couldn’t resist. On her way by he gave her bum a tap with his hand, and she yelped and scooted forward. When she looked back at him, a scowl on her face, he laughed and winked at her. One of them needed to do something to lighten the atmosphere around here.

When her lips twitched just a little, he knew he’d succeeded. And when she shut the door, he started to whistle as he began working his way around the house to the front door.

* * *

Lainey stomped the snow from her boots and pulled off her gloves, lifting her cold hands to her flaming cheeks.

The last fifteen minutes had been excruciating.

It wasn’t bad enough that she’d had a terrible time trying to sleep, but she’d stood in her bedroom doorway for a good ten or fifteen seconds, watching Todd before he’d realized she was there. He was so sexy, so … wonderful. He was the total package, and guys like that never hung around for long. But she had last night to remember, and she’d indulged in a little daydreaming for a few seconds. Like what it might be like to crawl under that blanket with him and wake him up with a kiss.

Once she’d said good morning, though, she’d gotten so bashful. Last night she’d been sprawled on that sofa beneath him, half undressed, probably sounding like an idiot. The only way to keep her composure at all was to focus on getting over to the inn and looking after the guests.

And then he’d kissed her. And swatted her butt and winked at her and she’d gotten all giggly and flustered again. Stupid man.

“Good morning, Ms. Price,” Mr. Sewell said, entering the room.

“Good morning.” She banished her thoughts and smiled at him. “Sorry I’m a little late getting things started. I had to shovel the walk.”

“I think I’m the first one up, except for the pair in the living room. I heard voices there on my way past. I was just going to see if I could find some coffee.”

“Give me two minutes, and I’ll have it brewing.” She took off her boots and slipped on a pair of shoes she kept for indoors. “I hope you slept well.”