Christmas at Evergreen Inn (Jewell Cove 4)

She wanted to be stronger. She wanted to reach out and grab at a chance at happiness. It was just so hard. The wounds ran deep.

“Todd, it might have been easier if he’d just changed his mind. But he found someone else. He’d been seeing her for a few months before he broke off our engagement. It wasn’t just canceling the wedding, though that was a horrible experience and really humiliating. It was more … making me doubt everything about myself. What did she give him that I didn’t? What if I’m not the kind of woman who…” She frowned, unsure of how to word what she was feeling. “Not the kind to keep a man, I don’t mean that. But what if I’m never The One but always The One Before The One?”

“He’s an idiot,” Todd stated baldly, and she laughed a little despite herself.

“I know,” she admitted. “Deep down, I know I shouldn’t listen to that little voice. What I’m trying to say is that it’s hard to ignore it. And this morning, after waking up and your side of the bed was empty … after all my brave self-talk, I turned back into a coward again.”

To her surprise, he reached out and pulled her close into the circle of his arms. “You’re not a coward. Lainey, in my job I see all sorts of people. You know who you are?”

She shook her head.

“You’re the walking wounded. The difference is that despite what you may think, you pulled yourself up and kept going. Look at yourself. You’ve taken on the inn and it’s no small thing to run a business. And yet you do it, and do it well. Your guests love you. You make them feel like they’re at a home away from home. You make them feel like they’re family even for the night or two they’re with you. Your business is a huge success in this town. Yeah, you might struggle on a personal level, but who doesn’t? You just have to realize there is more to you than that. You’re kind, and caring, and nurturing. You know how to make people feel special. Maybe Jason wasn’t smart enough to see that, but don’t ever let him take it away from you.”

She blinked against the tears that gathered in her eyes, and burrowed closer against his jacket. “Thank you. I don’t want him to, you know. I want to be brave and fearless.”

He leaned back and put a finger beneath her chin. “Look,” he said, his face grave. “I can’t promise you that we’ll last forever. It’s too early for that. But I can make some promises, okay? Like I will never, ever cheat on you. I will always be honest and I will never be cruel. But I can only promise those things if you’ll meet me halfway, Lainey.”

He was giving her a second chance. All she had to do was reach out and take it. Meet him in the middle. And she knew one thing for sure: If she didn’t at least try, she’d regret it. She’d always wonder what might have been.

She had enough regrets. She didn’t want to add another.

“Maybe if you could add one more thing to that list?” she asked, loving the way he was looking at her right now. Like there was no one else in the world. Yes, part of it was the uniform. But mostly it was the man she knew was beneath the uniform. A man who could make her laugh. Could make her sigh with satisfaction. And who was far more honorable than she’d ever given him credit for.

“One thing?” He raised his eyebrows.

“Be patient with me? I can’t promise to get over my insecurities overnight, but I can promise to try. Because I don’t want this to be the end. I know there aren’t any guarantees, but I want to try. And I want to try with you, Todd.”

He leaned forward and touched his lips to hers, a light, whisper of a kiss that was far more devastating than any they’d shared before. It was new and deliberate and not just about the moment but about the future as well.

“I was miserable all day,” he admitted.

“Me too. I

wallowed and ate soup and went through a lot of tissues.”

“You did?”

She nodded. “Yes. But you can’t use that against me.”

He smiled. “I won’t. Come here.”

This kiss lasted longer, and by the time it ended Lainey couldn’t feel the cold in her hands or feet or on the tip of her nose; she was warm all over.

The radio crackled at his hip. He listened intently—Lainey couldn’t make out the words, but he seemed to understand.

“I probably need to go,” he said, looking disappointed. “But I’m done at midnight.”

“I’ll be at home. If you want to come over, that is.”

His eyes flared. “Just try to stop me.”

He walked her back to the doors of the church. “You’d better put that coat back. I don’t want to have to arrest you for theft.”

Happier than she could remember being in months, she turned around and looped her arms around his neck. “If you do, will you put me in cuffs?”

“Why, Miss Price,” he said softly. “You’re sassy tonight.”

“I’m happy,” she corrected.