Christmas at Evergreen Inn (Jewell Cove 4)

“Take all the time you need,” he replied, looking at her with an intensity that made her toes curl a little. “I’m not going anywhere.”

As she dashed into the bedroom to find the perfect dress, she realized that she believed him.

She came back carrying a clutch and a long coat draped over her arm. The look on his face when he saw her favorite little black dress did more for her feminine ego than anything else had in the last year. Wordlessly, he stepped forward and helped her slip her arms into the coat, resting his hands on her shoulders for a fleeting second. Then she reached back to take her hair out from beneath the collar and the quiet, intimate moment passed.

He took her elbow as they went down the walk, and he made sure she was inside his SUV safe and sound before shutting the door. Once inside, he checked to ensure the heat was blowing on her feet before setting out. It had been so long since she’d experienced such attention and gallantry. The day together had already been special. But this was different. This was taking it to another level. Earlier it had been about comfort and ease. Now it was …

She swallowed, pressed a hand to her stomach. It was romance, pure and simple. She knew deep down she should be afraid of too much involvement, but being wooed was too exciting to worry about the why-nots.

It was already dark. Only two days past the solstice, the days were short. He had satellite radio in the car, and in keeping with the day he pressed a button so that Christmas classics came over the speakers. The music filled the expectant silence as they headed through Jewell Cove and toward the highway.

Chapter Six

Lainey tried to relax against the back of the truck seat, but she could still feel the light pressure of Todd’s hands on her shoulders when he’d helped her on with her coat. The tension had been so thick back at her place she could have cut it with a knife, but it hadn’t been a bad sort of tension. Oh no. It had been the delicious, anticipatory kind. For a second she’d thought he was going to take a step forward and kiss her, but he hadn’t. She couldn’t decide if she was relieved or disappointed.

“When are you back at work?” she asked, trying to break up her thoughts, too, before she got carried away.

“Tomorrow night until Boxing Day. Tomorrow I’ll work four until midnight, and then Christmas Day until six. Bryce’ll be able to be home with Mary and the kids for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.”

“That’s really good of you.”

“It’s no big deal. My folks are waiting to have Christmas dinner around seven, so everyone is there.” He looked over at her briefly. “You know my sister, Emma? She’s home with her husband and their baby. Mom and Dad will be plenty busy on the day.”

He merged onto the highway, checking his blind spot. “What about you? What are your plans?”

Lonely, that’s what. She almost wished she had work to keep her busy. “Oh, I’ll probably go to the Christmas Eve service with my parents. Then Mom is having her dinner around one or two, I guess. It’s just the three of us this year.”

They talked during the rest of the drive, keeping to the light and harmless topic of family Christmas traditions and the odd memory, and before Lainey knew it they’d arrived at a little café right on Main Street. Todd helped her out of the car and once more took her elbow as they walked to the entrance, the warmth of his hand burning through her coat and making the nerves flutter through her stomach again. Once inside he helped her with her coat, which the hostess solicitously hung up for her, and Lainey caught Todd staring appreciatively at her dress.

She’d always liked this dress and didn’t have much occasion to wear it. But she liked how it fit, and how the silky black fabric looked against her skin. She’d left her hair down, too, letting the black curls tumble freely to her shoulders. She felt pretty tonight, and the way he was looking at her, it seemed he approved, too.

The hostess showed them to their table, a little table for two set with a trio of flickering tea lights set in the midst of real holly boughs. It wasn’t until they’d ordered drinks that Todd spoke again, making Lainey’s pulse leap.

“Damn,” he said quietly. “You’re beautiful, Lainey.” He shook his head. “Not that you weren’t before. That’s not what I mean. Dammit…”

She shyly met his gaze, couldn’t help chuckling a little since he seemed as nervous as she was. “You’re not so bad yourself,” she replied. He hadn’t changed, but wore the jeans and sweater he’d worn all day. He could pull it off, though, and she wasn’t the only one who’d noticed. Over his shoulder she could see the hostess and a waitress, their heads together, looking their way. Todd didn’t even have to try. He had an innate sexiness that women responded to. And tonight it was all hers. It was a heady thought.

The waitress came back with their drinks and listed the specials, her gaze flicking occasionally to Lainey—but mostly she spoke to Todd. Lainey smiled to herself a little. Todd gave the woman his full attention and she started to blush. She made it through the description of the lobster mac and cheese okay, but when she got to the veal marsala she began to stumble under his direct gaze. When she was gone again Lainey started to laugh.

“What’s so funny?”

“You. That poor girl had her tongue tied in knots by the end.”

“What did I do?” He adopted an innocent expression, which only made Lainey laugh more.

“You know very well, giving her your undivided attention and then rubbing your finger along your lower lip.” She shook her head.

“I did that?”

She nodded. “Yes, you did. And if you didn’t do it on purpose that’s even worse. I never pegged you as someone who’s unaware.”

He leaned forward. “Aren’t you just a little bit jealous, Lainey?” His dark eyes held hers, and she knew exactly how that waitress had been feeling. Flustered, nervous, excited.

She leaned forward a little, too. “Not a bit.”

He looked so disappointed she laughed out loud, then put her fingers to her lips, abashed at the sudden noise. His grin returned and she thought once more how much she actually enjoyed him. Todd Ricker was anything but dull. But then, he never had been.

“Not even just a little?” He lifted his hand and moved his thumb and forefinger only about half an inch apart.