Evie’s Awakening: Love in Holiday Junction, Book Three

by Franklin, Tami

Mandy waved a hand. “That’s the whole point,” she said. “I think she’s coming around already. She’s starting to see what we all see in Holiday Junction. It’s only a matter of time before she realizes that this project is a huge mistake.”

  “You really think she’s going to do that?” Vi asked doubtfully. “It’s her job. It’s what she does.”

  “For now,” Lou said again, a secretive smile on her face.

  “And how do you figure you’re going to change that?” Vi scoffed. “You think she’s going to fall for Liam Durant and leave it all behind?”

  “She’s halfway there already,” Anne said. “She only needs a little encouragement, combined with some opportunities.”

  “Opportunities for what?” Vi asked. “To fall in love with Liam?”

  “Not just Liam,” Lou said, holding up a finger. “You’re thinking too small. If we do our jobs right, that girl’s not only going to fall in love with Liam Durant.” She smiled conspiratorially at the other two women, who grinned back with glee.

  “She’s going to fall in love with all of us . . . the whole town,” Lou said. “Evie Hart is going to fall in love with Holiday Junction.”

  * * *

  Monday morning, Evie was up with the sun and riding with Liam to the Holiday Junction Bakery. Anne Patterson’s day started early—she said she was in by about four o’clock to start the day’s baking—but she’d told Evie to sleep in and show up at the bakery around seven.

  Lucky for Evie she was an early riser.

  She sipped coffee from a paper cup and couldn’t keep her gaze from drifting to Liam every few minutes. He looked rumpled and sleepy in faded blue jeans, boots, and a gray Henley with a little hole at the collar. That hole kept grabbing her attention, drawing her in, and she felt a little frisson of awareness deep in her gut whenever she looked at it.

  Liam seemed unaware of her strange compulsion as he drove, gulping down his own coffee. He put it down in the cup holder and scratched at his unshaven cheek. When he glanced at her, she blushed, quickly looking out the passenger window.

  “What do you think Anne will have us doing?” she asked in a desperate attempt to find something to say.

  Liam pulled around the back of the bakery and parked. “Guess we’re about to find out,” he said, grabbing his coffee.

  Anne set them up in the kitchen, cutting out yeast doughnuts, setting them to rise, then frying them in hot oil. The whole room smelled like sugar and yeast and fried dough. By the time the first batch was cooling on a rack, Evie’s stomach was growling.

  Liam arched a brow at the sound. “Don’t they feed you at the Inn?” he asked with a teasing smile. After a second cup of coffee, he seemed much more alert, and much more his smart-alecky self.

  “It was too early to eat,” she said, pulling up the fryer basket to examine another set of doughnuts, then, satisfied they were brown enough, tossing them onto the rack. “And you have to admit, these smell amazing.”

  “Work first. Eat later,” Anne said as she walked into the kitchen. “I’m about to open. You two stay back here.” She handed them each a pastry bag. “Fill the doughnuts, then toss them in the sugar bowl and put them on that tray.” Anne patted them both on the back. “Once you’re done, you can take a break and eat.”

  Evie’s stomach growled again, and Anne laughed. “Better get to it.” She disappeared through the doorway, then popped back in. “And thank you!”

  Evie and Liam stood side by side at the stainless steel table, filling doughnuts—Evie with raspberry jam, and Liam, with a creamy custard. Once again, Evie was painfully aware of him standing next to her—could almost feel the heat radiating off his arm. She had to finally admit to herself that she was attracted to Liam. It was hard not to be with his All-American good looks and snarky wit. But that was not why she was in Holiday Junction, and she had to keep that in mind. She needed to distract herself. Keep her mind busy with something other than thinking about how Liam’s arms filled out that Henley.

  “I was wondering,” she said, filling a doughnut with jam, then adding a little more, just to make sure. “Why did you decide to be a lawyer?”

  He set his own doughnut down and picked up another one. “I guess it’s the standard answer,” he said. “I wanted to help people and I’ve always been fascinated with the law.”

  “You never thought of working somewhere else?”

  “I did for a while,” he said. “A couple of years as an associate at Perkins & Payne in Seattle. But it wasn’t really me, you know?” He put down the pastry bag and started covering the doughnuts in sugar. “My parents were retiring and going to sell their house to move to Arizona, so it was the perfect opportunity for me. I came home, bought the house, and set up my practice. I still have a few corporate clients that help pay the bills, but I like being a small town lawyer.”

  “You don’t get bored?” she asked. “Miss the excitement of corporate law?”

  He barked out a laugh. “The majority of my time at P&P was spent writing briefs and doing research. It was hardly Law & Order.” He handed her the sugar bowl to coat her own doughnuts. “How about you? Have you ever thought of doing something other than being the Executive V.P. at Hart Enterprises?”

  She gave him a saucy smile. “Sure,” she said. “Being the CEO at Hart Enterprises.”

  He snorted. They lined up doughnuts on the tray, and after a moment, he asked, “Seriously, though. Have you ever thought of doing something else?”

  Evie’s hand hesitated for a moment before she set the next doughnut down. “I guess I wonder sometimes if there’s something more,” she said quietly. “My job is all about numbers. Profits. Sometimes I wish . . .”

  Liam turned and leaned against the table, watching her. “Wish what?”

  She shrugged. “That I could do something that actually mattered, I guess. That made a difference in people’s lives?” Her face flushed. She’d never actually said this out loud to anyone before. “It’s stupid.”

  She fiddled with the doughnuts, and he reached out and touched her hand, stilling it. “It’s not stupid.”

  Evie looked up at him, then, his stormy blue eyes quiet and focused. Her breath hitched, and she could feel her hot cheeks, the pounding of her heart. She licked her lips, suddenly parched, and Liam’s gaze dipped, following the movement.

  His hand tightened on hers. “Evie—”

  “Are you two done yet?” Anne burst into the kitchen and they sprang apart. “Sorry,” she said, arching a brow. “Didn’t mean to interrupt, but I have people out here demanding doughnuts.”

  “Sure,” Evie said, flustered. She held out the tray and Anne took it with a look that was all-too-knowing, in Evie’s opinion.

  “You better take one before I put them out,” Anne said. “Otherwise they’ll be gone and you’ll never taste the fruit of your labors.”

  Evie grabbed a custard-filled, and took a big bite. The doughnut was soft and sweet, the filling creamy and delicious, and she let out a little groan of satisfaction. Liam took a jelly-filled and Anne left them to their breakfast, backing out the swinging door.

  What in the world had just happened?

  Evie chewed on her doughnut, her mind whirling. For a moment, she’d thought—she’d felt—

  She swallowed, trying not to look at Liam. Whatever she’d thought. Whatever she’d felt. It was impossible, and they both knew it.

  Evie finished the doughnut and licked the sugar off her fingers. “So, doughnuts. Check. What’s next on the list?” she asked.

  Liam, thankfully, let the subject change and didn’t bring up the moment of tension between them. “Well, I think the first thing is to clean up a bit.”

  “Clean up?”

  He grinned. “You have flour in your hair . . . and custard on your nose.”

  Evie gasped and wiped at her nose. Sure enough, a little smear of custard came away on her fingertips. She crossed to the sink to wash her hands.

  “After that, you’ll be happy to hear,
that we’re set up for the best thing to go with doughnuts,” he replied. “Coffee.”

  Evie smiled as she dried her hands. Coffee was easy. And coffee shops were crowded. There wouldn’t be any chance of them finding themselves in a repeat of . . . well, whatever almost happened between them.

  “All right, then, Counselor,” she said, hanging up the towel. “Lead the way.”

  Liam never imagined making coffee could be so much fun.

  Well, to be fair, he didn’t make much coffee. Turns out running an espresso machine is a bit more complicated than most people think, and with the long line at the Daily Grind, Mandy ended up assigning Liam and Evie to clean up duty.

  So, they spent the rest of the morning clearing and wiping tables, sweeping the floor, and washing dishes.

  Which really didn’t sound like it should be enjoyable, but somehow, working with Evie was. The woman was full of surprises. They exchanged stories and anecdotes from their careers, and more than once Mandy had chided them for laughing too loud.

  “I’m trying to run a business here,” she scolded, but her lips quirked, and Liam didn’t think she minded too much.

  After a few hours helping out at the coffee shop, they went next door to Lou’s bookstore, Chalmers Chapters, connected to the Grind by a large, arched doorway. Lou set them up behind the counter with boxes of books, newly delivered, and they unloaded them, organizing them by topic, then by author, in neat piles on the back desk.

  Lou had brought lunch for all of them—turkey sandwiches piled with avocado, tomatoes and lettuce—and after lunch, she left them alone so she could run some errands.

  “It should be pretty quiet, but if anyone comes in and wants to buy something, just write it down and I’ll settle up with them later,” she told them before ducking out the front door.

  The two of them sat on stools behind the counter, playing a game Liam invented called The Best and Worst.

  “Best and worst thing you’ve ever eaten,” he asked Evie.

  She thought for a moment. “Best is the crème brûlée at Boucherie in the West Village—”

  “Ooo la la,” he said, putting on a thick French accent.

  She stuck out her tongue. “Worst . . .” She tapped her lips, thinking. “Oh! Pate. It’s seriously disgusting.”

  Liam’s brow furrowed. “Isn’t that a gourmet delicacy?”

  Evie made a face. “I don’t care. It’s gross.” She gave a little shudder, then sat up straighter. “Okay, my turn. Best and worst relationships you’ve ever been in.” She wiggled her eyebrows gleefully.

  “Eh, that’s easy,” he said. “Vi Chalmers. For both.”

  Evie’s eyes widened, her mouth a little o for a few seconds. “Vi Chalmers? As in Lou’s daughter? You and . . . Vi?”

  “Yep.”

  “I’m—” She shook her head, a strand of brown hair falling out of the twist on the back of her head. “That was not the response I was expecting,” she admitted. “But best and worst? Explain, please.” She held out her hands, palm up.

  To his surprise, talking about Vi didn’t hurt as much as he thought it would. It was more of a fond recollection . . . almost nostalgia. “Well, best because she was my first girlfriend back in high school. First kiss—well, first real kiss. I don’t think second grade counts. First love. All the firsts.” He shrugged. “And worst because she dumped me.”

  “Oh.”

  “Twice.”

  “Twice?” Evie covered her mouth with her hand. “Ouch.”

  “Yeah, she pretty much broke my heart,” he said with a heavy sigh. “Well, the first time, at least. The second time wasn’t really a surprise. She and Kade are meant for each other. Anyone can see that.”

  “Well, that cold-hearted—” Evie shook her head. “Should I hate her? Because I could hate her.” She pounded a fist into her palm.

  Liam laughed. “Thanks for the show of support, but no,” he said. “It’s fine. I’m fine. It all worked out for the best.”

  “Thank goodness,” she said, finally smiling. “Because I really don’t think I could hate her.”

  “No one could hate Vi.” He straightened, narrowing his eyes. “My turn. Let’s hear your best and worst relationship.”

  The bell dinged over the door and Abby Harper walked in, saving Evie from answering.

  “This isn’t over,” Liam whispered as they both got to their feet, but she only grinned in response.

  “Can I help you with something?” Evie asked the woman. Abby was petite with long, curly red hair and a smattering of freckles across her nose. She wore jeans and ankle boots, a loose sweater hanging nearly to her knees. When she got nearer, Evie tilted her head, studying her.

  “Hi,” she said. “You must be Evie Hart.”

  “Do you know me?”

  The woman rolled her eyes. “Everybody knows who you are.” Her gaze shifted to the side. “Hey, Liam.”

  “Abby.” He nodded at her, then leaned against the counter. “Evie, this is Abby Harper. Joey’s mom?”

  “Ohh.” Evie nodded. “I kept thinking you look familiar.”

  Abby smiled. “Yes, well, the ginger apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

  “Joey’s great,” Evie said. “She really helped me out with my tent on the campout.”

  “Oh yeah, she mentioned that.” Abby shoved back a pile of curly hair, which immediately fell forward again. “Also told me an interesting story about a raccoon?”

  “Ugh.” Evie covered her face with both hands. “I don’t think I’ll ever live that down.”

  “Not if I can help it.” Liam huffed out a laugh and nudged her with his elbow. “Anyway, Abby. Lou ran out for a bit, but can we help you with something?”

  “I hope so,” she replied. “Lou ordered a book for me called Green & Gorgeous. Do you know if it’s come in?”

  “Actually, yes,” Evie said turning to look through the piles they’d put on the back table earlier. “I remember seeing that one. Let me see . . .” She ran a finger down the stacks. “Here it is.” She carefully extracted the large, hardcover book and held it up victoriously.

  “Doing research?” Liam asked.

  “Always,” Abby replied. At Evie’s confused look, she explained. “I’m an architect specializing in integrated and green design.”

  “Abby’s really talented,” Liam said. “She has these amazing tree houses. You have to see them.” He thumbed through his phone, looking for Abby’s website.

  “Liam, she doesn’t want to see that,” Abby protested.

  “Yes, she does,” Evie said quickly. “I’m really interested in integrated architecture, actually. I took a few classes in college.”

  “You’re an architect?” Abby asked.

  “No, I’m an MBA,” she replied. “But the family business is real estate development, so I tried to get as much practical knowledge as I could during my undergrad.”

  “Here, look,” Liam said, holding out his phone and scrolling through Abby’s portfolio. Evie grabbed his hand to hold the phone steady, and he tried not to show his reaction to the touch. He was distracted by the feel of her fingertips, the scent of her hair as she bent over the screen, a fruity scent that reminded him of spring.

  “These are amazing,” Evie said, mesmerized by the images on the screen. Liam knew what she meant. Abby designed elaborate tree houses that married nature with modern design. Living rooms wrapped around tree trunks, branches twisted through walls, and windows and skylights made the spaces bright and inviting. Being inside one of her homes was like living outside.

  “Thanks,” Abby replied, her pale skin pinking with embarrassment. “I love what I do, you know? Finding ways to incorporate the outdoors and using recycled materials? It’s a challenge, but it’s so rewarding.” She blushed even darker and waved a hand. “Sorry, I get a little carried away talking about my work.”

  “I don’t blame you,” Evie said, finally releasing Liam’s hand. He missed the touch immediately.

  “You kn
ow, it kind of reminds me of the Holliday Inn,” she said. “The way that huge rock comes right through the wall to become the hearth for the fireplace?”

  Abby’s face lit up. “Yes! That’s part of what inspired me in the first place to get into this kind of architecture. I saw that and thought, ‘I want to do that,’ you know?” She tapped a finger on Green & Gorgeous. “The architect actually wrote this book.”

  “Wow, really?” Evie let out a little laugh. “Well, that’s fascinating. I’d love to talk to you more about your work sometime.”

  “That’d be great,” Abby replied. “I have to go pick up Joey for a dentist’s appointment, but give me a call and we’ll grab coffee or something.”

  The two exchanged numbers, and Evie watched her go with a thoughtful expression on her face.

  “You okay?” Liam asked.

  She startled a little, then smiled. “Sure. Just zoning out a little.”

  Liam’s lips curled in a teasing smirk. “Well, don’t think that little interruption has distracted me,” he said. “Best and worst relationship, Ms. Hart. I’m waiting.”

  “Well, I’m afraid it’s not as interesting as your story,” she said, climbing back onto her stool and leaning her elbows on the counter. “But let me tell you about the boy who broke my heart in sixth grade, Buddy Pearson.”

  “Should I hate him?” Liam asked. “Because I could hate him.”

  Evie tipped her head back and laughed, and the sound made him smile, sent a warmth rushing through his body that he tried not to think about too much.

  Because if he did, Liam feared he would realize he was quickly falling for Evie Hart.

  And that would bring him nothing but trouble.

  * * *

  That afternoon, Evie reported to the performance hall at the high school, still wondering if volunteering was such a good idea. She didn’t have a lot of experience with teenagers—with any children, actually, but little ones were a bit less . . . frightening.

  Teenagers had hormones and angst and drama. Evie could remember enough of her own high school years to remember that, at least.