Christmas at Evergreen Inn (Jewell Cove 4)
“Phew,” Christine said. “A man like that would make a girl want to commit a crime just so he could put her in handcuffs.”
Lainey burst out laughing, horrified and amused all at once. There was no sense in denying anything, not with that farewell kiss in plain view. “He’s something, all right.” She fanned her hot face. “And he’s also a heartbreaker.”
“A good man and a heartbreaker? That’s a lethal combination.”
“Which is why I’ve stayed away.”
“Until now.”
She laughed. “Oh, nothing’s going to come of it. I’m sure of that.” Todd might have shown some interest in the last twenty-four hours, but he’d avoided her plenty in the decade or so they’d been of dating age. This was probably nothing more than a game to him. A flirtation, to use an old-fashioned term. “Now let’s get dinner on the table. Gino’s cooking is amazing.”
The evening passed quickly, and by eleven Lainey retired to her quarters again. But this time it was different. Tonight she could see Todd there, sitting on her sofa, kissing her by the fire, the light of the flames flickering in the amber whiskey in his glass.
She let out a sigh. The stupid thing was that one night was all it took for him to invade her thoughts and fantasies.
He was right about one thing, though. All through dinner tonight she’d heard the guests talking about their holiday plans, and then they’d gathered in the parlor next to the Christmas tree and watched It’s a Wonderful Life on TV. She’d thought about her little house, naked of all Christmas decorations and cheer. It was lonely. But she still couldn’t get herself in the mood to celebrate. What was the point? She was alone anyway. And while Todd had said he’d call, he hadn’t reissued his invitation to dinner. He’d kissed her cheek, not her lips—and walked away.
She’d be foolish to get her hopes up. She’d leave the decorations right where they were—in her storage closet. There was no sense setting herself up for another disappointment.
Chapter Five
Todd skirted around the inn and went to the back, his hands clutched tightly around the waxy paper covering the poinsettia he’d bought. After witnessing the lack of Christmas cheer in Lainey’s cottage the other day, he’d realized that what she needed was a good old injection of holiday spirit. Today was his last day off until after Christmas, and he’d decided to spend it with her.
If she said yes, of course.
It was cold out, and had been since the storm front had cleared. The wind off the sea was bitter and harsh, and Todd’s breath made big puffs in the air as he paused in front of her door. Swallowing hard, he lifted his hand and knocked, then took a step back. Maybe if he took a deep breath he’d find his confidence again. The last thing he wanted was for Lainey to know how nervous he was. He still couldn’t believe how honest he’d been with her over breakfast the other day. But that was Lainey. She was kind and nurturing and easy to be with, and before you knew it you were sharing things.
She opened the door and his breath caught. She looked beautiful, in a simple pair of dark-wash jeans and a slouchy sweater that somehow made her seem feminine, comfortable, and still incredibly sexy.
“Todd,” she said, her breath forming a cloud in the air. “This is a surprise.”
“May I come in? I brought you something.” He held out his hands.
“A poinsettia?” She reached for it and stood back, making room for him to enter the cottage.
Right. Poinsettias. That’s what they were called. “Do you like it?”
“Of course I do. Thank you.” She took it to her small table and began peeling off the florist paper. Bright red blooms appeared, and she placed the pot in the center of the table.
“Are all your guests gone until after the holiday?” he asked. He hoped the answer was yes. She’d said that she was done with bookings on the twenty-t
hird. That was today. Nerves threatened again, and he shoved his hands in his jacket pockets.
“The last one checked out about thirty minutes ago. A good thing, too. My pantry needs replenishing.” She folded the paper and fussed with it a bit, keeping her hands occupied. “Was there something you wanted?”
You, he thought, but he smiled instead. “Well, seeing as it’s almost Christmas, and there’s not a lick of holiday cheer around here, I came to kidnap you for a day of merrymaking.”
She frowned. Damn. Maybe that had been too much.
“Todd, about Christmas…”
Refusal tainted her voice, but he pushed forward. “Yeah, I know. What’s-his-name wrecked it for you. I’m here to help you get it back.”
“What if I don’t want it back?” She stood back, put her hands on her hips. A little wrinkle formed between her brows. It was adorable.
“Of course you want it back. No one really wants to feel grouchy and Scroogy. You just don’t know how to move past it.” He held out his hands. “That’s where I come in.”
“You,” she said, and he heard the doubt in her voice.