Jane's Gift (Lone Pine Lake 1)

“Are you two getting serious? You and Jane?” Eric asked.

How to answer this without sounding like a complete sap or, worse, completely whipped? “We’re taking it one day at a time.”

“Right on, man. She’s nice. I went to school with her, though she was a year ahead of me. We didn’t really hang in the same social circles if you get what I’m saying.”

“What? Was she a snob and you were a nerd?” Chris laughed when Eric threw a fake punch at his arm.

A knock sounded on the office door and Chris sat up straight, offering a “come in” in his most commanding voice. The door opened and there stood the very woman they’d been talking about. Looking soft, and warm, and oh, so pretty, her cheeks pink from the cold outside and bundled up in a heavy dark brown coat, a cream colored scarf tied around her neck.

“Hi.” She sounded breathless, and she aimed those green eyes right at him, slaying him with the sparkle and joy he saw there. “I hope you don’t mind my stopping by. I brought lunch.” She lifted the brown paper bag in her hand.

“I’ll never turn away lunch.” He’d never turn away her, but he didn’t want to get too lovey-dovey in front of Eric. He needed to have some dignity around his coworker.

“Hi, Eric. I didn’t know you’d be here today or I would’ve brought you a sandwich, too.” She looked worried, as if she’d slighted his coworker, and Chris loved that about her. How she always wanted to take care of everyone.

How well she took care of him.

“Hey, I was just leaving. I needed to pick up my check, is all. No worries, Jane.” Eric sent Chris a knowing look and moved toward the door. “I’ll see you two later.”

The second Eric shut the door, Chris sprang out of the chair and had Jane wrapped in his arms, kissing her until the both of them were panting. She finally shoved at his chest, the bag still clutched in her hand, and he released her reluctantly.

“Sorry,” he said, not feeling sorry whatsoever. “I couldn’t resist.”

“I appreciate that, trust me.” She smiled and set the bag on the desk. “I picked you up a sandwich at the deli.”

“Sounds great.” He opened the door. “Want to eat in the kitchen?”

“Yeah, let’s eat there.”

She followed him through the barracks and into the giant kitchen. He flicked on the overhead light and went to the refrigerator, pulling out a Coke for him and a bottle of water for her. His crew of two was outside in the garage, having just eaten an early lunch, so he and Jane were alone, free to talk, free to stare at each other over the table if they so chose. And, well, Chris so chose. At least for a little while.

“Why’d you stop by?” She never really had before. They usually kept their rendezvous behind closed doors, always at her house, though he’d like her to come to his place. It was hard, though, with the kids.

“I was over at Mindy’s this morning. She invited me for breakfast and then offered to watch Sophia while I brought you a surprise lunch.” She smiled, her expression shy. Was it him or did she grow more beautiful every time he saw her? “I hope you don’t mind.”

“I never mind. You can stop by and see me anytime you want.” He meant that, too. Unwrapping his sandwich, he took a bite, savored the delicious homemade bread and thick cut turkey that came from the local deli.

“Is it good?”

“It’s great,” he answered after he swallowed, then tore open the small bag of chips that accompanied his sandwich.

“Good. Great.” She shifted in her seat and he wondered if she was nervous. And why. “I have a question to ask you.”

“Go for it.”

“Um.” She nibbled on her lower lip, kept her gaze downcast. “What exactly are you doing for Christmas?”

Warmth suffused him. He hoped she was asking him over. “I usually work.”

“Are you working this Christmas?”

“Actually,” he said, considering, “no. Poor Eric’s on duty.” They’d tossed a coin and Eric lost, even though Chris could’ve pulled rank. He liked to play fair. Still, he’d learned long ago to not really like Christmas. It was all about family togetherness, gift-giving and good will toward men. He didn’t mind the good will part, but everything else had never really applied to him.

“Would you like to spend Christmas with me—with us? Maybe stay overnight on Christmas Eve so you could be at my house on Christmas morning? Then we’d go over to my parents’ later and have dinner. The entire family will be there.” She looked hopeful, her pretty green eyes soft, finally staring right at him.

“I would love to,” he said with a smile, and she sent him a relieved one in return. “Are you sure you want me to stay the night?”

Jane nodded. “You’ll enjoy it, I promise.”