Christmas at Evergreen Inn (Jewell Cove 4)

“And that is?”

She picked up the ornament and dangled it from her finger by the satin ribbon loop. “If I buy an ornament, I need a tree to put it on. And I might need some help putting up said tree.”

“Does this mean you’re actually getting some Christmas spirit?”

She raised an eyebrow. “I think what you’re asking is if your little ploy worked.”

His grin widened.

“Shut up,” she advised, winking at him. “Okay. You win. Hot chocolate, shortbread, and hand-painted ornaments. God, I’m so weak.”

“Not weak. You just needed some incentive.” He’d taken off his gloves and his hand rested on her jacket sleeve. “It’s going to get better from here on in, you know.”

Was it such a bad thing that she was starting to believe him? Getting involved with someone—trusting someone—was scary. She’d really been burned. And yet, for the first time in months, she had the desire to try. To take a risk, even one as small as putting up a Christmas tree and opening herself up to feeling again. Excitement and anticipation—two things she hadn’t thought she’d have this season—started to fizz through her veins.

“The fact that I believe you is kind of huge,” she said. “And I think I’d like to pick up a few more things, if you don’t mind.”

“By all means. I wouldn’t dream of standing in the way of holiday spirit.”

To her surprise, Todd left her alone to shop. He went to talk to Rick for a while, and she browsed the shelves, picking up small items but glancing over at him frequently. Their earlier proximity to each other had fanned the embers of attraction, but now he was giving her space and instead of cooling the fire, it only stoked it further. She couldn’t stop looking at him. Even as she chose some holiday candles and a table runner, she was aware of where he was, the twinkle that always seemed present in his dark eyes, the way his lips curved up in a smile, which was most of the time.

Damn. Todd Ricker was one of the most positive people she’d ever met. She needed more of that in her life.

Maybe what she needed was more of him.

When she’d finished her purchases, they both pulled on their mittens and headed back to her cottage behind the inn. Todd shut the door behind them and pulled off his hat, leaving his dark hair in cute little spikes. She pulled off hers and got the feeling it was standing up all over from static.

“You need a tree,” he observed as she put her shopping bag down on a chair.

“I have one. It’s a bit late to get a decent real one anyway. I have a pre-lit seven-footer in my storage closet.”

“Well, it’s better than no tree.” Todd grinned. “I mean, just getting you to put one up is a major thing.”

“You’re going to stay to help, aren’t you?”

He was still wearing his coat and boots. Lainey had taken hers off and hung them up, but it occurred to her that Todd wasn’t taking anything for granted. He was waiting for an invitation.

“If you want me to.”

She went over to him and peered up into his face. Oh, she wanted him to. Wanted him to do more than help decorate her tree. “You dragged me into this,” she teased. “You’re not getting out of it that easily.”

He grinned in response and unzipped his jacket. “Yes, ma’am,” he answered.

They spent the next hour putting up the tree, adding garland in big swoops, and then hanging ornaments, including the one they’d bought at Treasures. Time and again their fingers brushed and their gazes caught, but neither made a move. Not yet. Though Lainey was pretty sure they were both thinking about it.

When the tree was done, it was four o’clock and Lainey’s stomach was rumbling. She stood back and looked at their handiwork, and once again felt the fizz of excitement. On impulse, she dashed to the bedroom and grabbed the few presents she had from her folks. She put them under the tree and felt better. At least there’d be something for Christmas morning.

“Are you hungry?” she asked him. “I could fix us something. We really didn’t have lunch, other than cookies.”

“I have a better idea.” Todd’s gaze met hers. “Let’s go out to dinner. You can put on a dress and we’ll drive to Freeport and make it a date.”

A few days ago she would have said no. She’d told him that she wasn’t interested in dating or starting anything, and she’d believed it was true. But something had changed between then and now. Maybe it was that he’d known what she needed, even though she hadn’t. Or the easy way he’d teased her, or how simple it was to just be with him. Whatever it was, she didn’t want the day to end. And the idea of a real honest-t

o-goodness date with him sounded magical.

It had been a magical day, after all. Who was she to break the spell?

“Give me a few minutes to change?” she asked. “I won’t take long.”