Love at Christmas Inn Collection 2

by Tanya Stowe et al

  When she held it up, Lauren clapped. “Awesome! That’s the best first piece of bedazzling I’ve ever seen.”

  “Really?”

  Lauren’s heart turned over as she heard the hopeful, insecure tone in the girl’s voice.

  “Yes, and I know what I’m talking about.”

  Livy bit her lip. “If I brought my jeans to class tomorrow would you help me again?”

  Lauren smiled. “I think I’d love to do that.” She was surprised by how true the words were.

  “Cool!” Impulsively the girl stretched up and hugged her.

  Lauren hugged her back, loving the energy and enthusiasm of the youngster. If she hung around a little longer, some of it might just wear off onto her.

  Lauren snatched up her bedazzled jean piece. “I can’t wait to show this to my dad. He should be picking me—oh, there he is now!”

  Lauren turned and her heart stopped. Shane McAllister, the boy she’d left behind, was walking toward her with the smooth, confident stride of a self-assured man.

  Her fickle heart fluttered, just as it had all those years ago.

  Shane McAllister spotted his daughter Livy the minute she exited the small craft room tucked into the corner of the lobby. How could he miss her? Even as a baby she filled a room with personality and verve. She’d always stood out and now that she was maturing, she attracted even more attention. One day, Livy would be beautiful…like her mother. Thank goodness she had none of her mother’s unhealthy tendencies. At least that’s what he hoped and prayed for all his children. Their mother’s mental health issues were hereditary and could be passed on. But if the signs did appear, he hoped good care and counseling would help his children avoid the pitfalls their mother had experienced.

  Maybe that’s why he fought so fiercely to keep Livy young. She was growing too fast and he dreaded the years ahead.

  Just a little more time, Lord. Please give me just a little more time. We have so much to make up for.

  After years of emotional upheaval with his ex-wife Britney’s instability and the subsequent court battles, he finally had full custody of his children. No more screaming matches at custody exchanges. No more maudlin drunken nights when Livy called, begging him to come and pick them up. For the first time in…ever…they were all free. And frankly, without the responsibility of four children, Britney seemed in better health as well. He had hoped to give his children a wonderful Christmas without all the drama. That’s why he’d brought them to Christmas Inn where he had so many happy memories.

  But Livy had seemed bored right from the start, and immune to all the special pleasures of the inn. She had passed the fifteen-foot Christmas tree without a glance, ignored the amazing Black Forest cuckoo clock that had fascinated her three brothers, and completely tuned out the multiple humorous snowmen in various poses that graced their perfectly decorated room. In fact he’d about given up any ideas of engaging Livy in their new adventure until she discovered the craft class. Then her eyes lit up.

  He’d been hesitant about letting her go to the class on her own. No way could he keep her rambunctious brothers—ages eight, six and four—busy while his firstborn learned the sit-down-method of bedazzling. He would have to leave Livy alone and even though she was old enough, he was reluctant…probably because of so many past threats to snatch her away.

  Britney had not been able to control her own dysfunction but she understood everyone else’s fears with a sixth sense that was unnerving…including Shane’s terror of losing his children. She often threatened to take them away forever, or at least make seeing them so complicated, he’d give up. Plus, Britney knew very well that the boys would follow Livy’s lead. The way to win over her sons was to convince their older sister that Mom really wasn’t so bad. That meant days of unabashed false admiration, compliments and gifts for Livy…followed by weeks and months of total abandonment. Fortunately, Livy was smart. She’d been mature enough to figure out her mother’s problems at a very early age. Which was why Shane often prayed for more time. Livy deserved to be a child for a little while.

  But try convincing Livy of that fact. She was ten going on sixteen and no amount of wishing or praying would push back time. In the last few months he’d noted the changes with trepidation. Once a skinny fawn, all elbows and knees, her features had begun to flesh out. Instead of her childish pointy chin, she gained a rounder softer, look. Full lips and dark, dark eyes. Every time he noticed those changes, he glimpsed the beautiful woman she would become. Those flashes filled him with incredible pride and terrified him at the same time. Like now. She marched out of the room so full of confidence and certainty. Then she saw him and her face lit up like it did when she was a little girl and would run into his arms.

  She didn’t run today, but her smile brightened the whole lobby. It gave him pleasure just to see it. Then she turned and took the hand of the woman behind her.

  Shane’s heart stopped beating. Fear washed through him. His daughter was walking with Lauren Bradford, the other woman who had broken his heart and destroyed his world.

  What’s going on, Lord? Why now? How could You let this happen?

  This week was meant to be an escape, a time free from the pain and hurt Britney had caused. Now Lauren was walking back into his life. Was he in for more heartbreak? He cringed at the way Livy’s features lit when she looked at Lauren. Would the woman he once loved hurt his daughter the way she’d hurt him?

  Chapter 2

  LAUREN’S SMILE FADED AS SHE stared at Shane McAllister. Grown up. A dark beard and mustache shadowed his square jaw. Wider shoulders, trim waist but the same flashing blue eyes and cowlick that wanted to stand straight up in front. Only now it was nicely trimmed and lent a kind of controlled carelessness to his looks.

  Yep. Shane was all grown up. And then some.

  Her footsteps halted as her new little friend ran up to him and grabbed his arm. Wait! Shane was Livy’s dad? Of course. She was the right age, had the same dark hair. But her eyes were different, darker.

  Shane McAllister. Here. Right now. Lauren was at a loss for words as Livy dragged him forward.

  “Daddy, she showed me how to bedazzle and she said she’d help me do my jeans tomorrow. Can I come to the class again tomorrow?”

  Shane’s lips thinned but he didn’t answer his daughter. He leveled those wonderful baby-blues on Lauren and made her heart stop beating…just like it used to.

  “Hello, Lauren.”

  “Hello, Shane.” Two words. Just two words and they came out breathy like she’d just run a mile. Whatever. That’s how she felt. Breathy. Surprised…no shocked. What were the chances that this beautiful little girl was Shane’s? Or that for the first time in—how many years?—they’d run into each other here at Christmas Inn where they first met. It was the stuff of God’s grace…the kind that swirled around this inn.

  Livy watched them, her gaze darting back and forth, putting two and two together. It made perfect sense. Shane would have such a bright, imaginative, precocious child. Hadn’t Lauren always said he would make a great father? It was one of the reasons she left him. Family life was not her path, but it was a natural for Shane.

  Everything she’d ever felt about him had come true. What a blessing that she would meet him here, where they first met and see for herself how her hopeful thoughts for him had come true. That made her happy, so happy she could not stop the smile that spilled over face.

  “Of course, Livy is your daughter.” Laughter was low in her tone. “I always said you would be an amazing father.”

  He frowned and took a deep breath. Looking at his daughter, he ran his hand down the back of her long silky hair. “I can’t take credit for Livy. She’s pretty special on her own.

  Livy’s lips twisted into a wry sort of grimace. “You always say that, Daddy.”

  “And I always mean it.”

  “Yes, but you say that to Bryce, Justin and Dale too.”

  “Who are Bryce, Justin and Todd?”

  Livy tu
rned to Lauren. “My little brothers. Most of the time they are no way special…just annoying.” As she spoke, a squeal and the sound of running footsteps echoed across the sedate lobby inn. Livy closed her eyes in an exaggerated sign of impatience. “I bet that’s them right now.”

  Three young boys ran across the lobby making a noisy entrance. The oldest arrived first. “I told them to be quiet, Dad, but they didn’t listen.”

  The next in size shoved his brother’s back. “Then you said ‘I’ll beat you to dad.’”

  The very youngest who looked to be no more than three or four ran straight to Livy, wrapped both arms around his sister’s legs and stared up at Lauren from behind the safety of Livy’s legs. They all had Shane’s dark curly hair—except for the oldest. His was stick straight, sweeping across his forehead in a very stylish manner. They were beautiful children, graced by their father’s good genes…and by the looks of them, their mother’s too.

  “Boys, this is my friend Lauren. We…went to school together. I haven’t seen her in a long time and you are embarrassing me so I’d appreciate it if you could tone it down a bit.”

  He said it in a teasing manner and it was all Lauren could do not to giggle. All four children fixed expectant gazes on Lauren and gave her a very serious examination. She hoped she measured up but it was hard to tell from their wide-eyed silence. Unlike Livy, the boys seemed more somber, maybe even a little afraid. Was it just her or all women? She remembered Livy’s attitude when she mentioned that her mother was not around. What had happened? Maybe Shane’s fairy tale life hadn’t been so perfect after all.

  Shane put a hand on his oldest son’s shoulder. “This is Bryce. He’s eight.”

  Lauren dipped her head. “Hello, Bryce. It’s nice to meet you.”

  Stepping up, he extended his hand. “Nice to meet you too, ma’am.”

  Surprise filtered through her, but only for half an instant. Always a stickler for manners, Shane had naturally handed down those manners to his children.

  “And this is Justin. He’ll be eight next month.” Justin had a sweet round face and wore a perpetual half smile on his lips. Nevertheless, he glanced at his father for assurance before stepping forward to shake Lauren’s hand.

  “Last but not least, this is Todd, my youngest.”

  Obviously little more than a baby, Todd had a shock of curly hair that stood straight up on the top of his head. He stared at her with the biggest, darkest brown eyes she’d ever seen. She suspected Livy’s were as big as his but she hid them behind those very attractive dark frames. Livy gave her little brother a push to say something but he shook his head and ducked further behind her.

  “Todd is very bashful,” Shane offered.

  “That’s all right. I understand.” She crouched down to the child’s level. “When you’re ready, Todd, I’d like to be your friend. When we were younger, I was your daddy’s best friend and I’d like to know you, too.”

  Todd gave her a very shy nod but never took his gaze off her…like he heard the words but didn’t know if he quite believed them. Smiling, she rose.

  “If you and my dad were very good friends, how come we’ve never heard about you?”

  Perceptive Livy. Naturally she would ask the obvious question. Shane’s lips parted but he hesitated.

  Suddenly it seemed very important to Lauren that Livy…and her father…knew exactly what happened. “When we were seniors, Livy, my mother died. It was a very hard time for me. Your dad was a good friend but losing my mother changed everything for me. Everything.” She looked up at Shane, hoping to see some sort of understanding, some acknowledgement of what she meant. All she saw was pain…the pain she had caused him. Or at least that’s what she thought. For the first time since their meeting, his features seemed to close and Lauren regretted her hasty decision to speak up.

  “Really? You lost your mother too?”

  Livy’s gaze was wide and she stared at Lauren. Her features were such a mixture of anger, resentment and hope, Lauren didn’t know what to think.

  “Too? Did you lose your mother?”

  The girl gave a shake of her head and her long hair rippled. “No. But she was never really there. Sometimes I wish she was gone.”

  Shane winced and his features tightened. Lauren caught her breath and held it. How had they gotten into such deep waters so quickly? Should she disagree with Livy or let the comment slide? She didn’t really know the circumstances and she didn’t want to criticize Livy or correct her. At the same time, she knew those words were born of pain and the young girl would regret them some day.

  In the end, the truth was always best. “You probably have every right to feel that way. But at least you’ve had the opportunity to find that out for yourself. My mother was gone so quick…there were so many unanswered questions. So much I wanted to know for myself. “

  Her words sounded haunted even to herself and all four children stared up at her, their gazes wide, their fears and hearts plainly etched into every torn feature of their faces. Tears burned her eyes and she wanted to wrap her arms around all four and hold them close. She didn’t dare look at their father.

  “Shane!” Her father’s voice came from across the lobby. Lauren looked up to see him crossing quickly, a happy smile wreathing his features. “How nice to see you here!”

  “Mr. Bradford.” Shane grasped her father’s hand and both men moved into a hug with much slapping of the back and shoulder. He and her father had always gotten along wonderfully. Lauren always suspected she broke a little of her father’s heart as well when she said goodbye to Shane.

  “This is just great! I assume you’re here celebrating. Your dad told me the great news.”

  Great news? Lauren was at a loss. Obviously her father had kept up with Shane but hadn’t bothered to pass the info on to her. What was he celebrating?

  In his usual rapid-fire manner, her father left her no time for questions. Looking around at the children he said, “And who are these fine young people looking at me like I’m a little off my rocker?”

  Justin giggled. Lauren suspected that was just the reaction her dad was hoping for. Dale Bradford had missed his calling as a comedian with his razor sharp wit. Moments ago everything had been so somber. Now the kids were on the verge of laughter. That was her dad’s gift and right now, she was more than thankful he had showed up. He was just in time to lighten the mood.

  Livy stepped forward.” I’m Livy.”

  Her dad bowed his head and grasped her fingertips in a very old-fashioned manner. “Miss Olivia. I would have known you anywhere from your grandfather’s descriptions.” He pointed to her pink belt. “Nice touch. Reminds me of someone else’s style.”

  Lauren could barely stop herself from laughing. Leave it to her father to notice and comment. At least she knew it wasn’t just her. Dad noticed the similarities between her and Livy, too.

  He released the young girls hand and faced her brother. “And this must be Justin.” He grasped the young man’s hand firmly. “Your grandfather tells me you are quite a hand with tools. He says you help around his tool shop on a regular basis.”

  It was just the right thing to say. The somber young man’s lips split into a wide smile. “Yes, sir. I do help him a lot.”

  “That’s great. Just great.” Dad turned to Justin and gave him a bit of a sideways smile. Justin tucked his chin, lifted his shoulder in a shy manner and giggled again. Her father laughed and pointed his finger. “You and I are going to get along just great.”

  Justin giggled again. Her dad looked at Todd. A little overwhelmed by her father’s exuberance, the boy stepped farther behind his sister’s legs. Her dad winked so quickly Lauren almost missed it. Todd was so surprised he blinked several time. Without another word, Dad turned to Shane.

  “How about joining us for dinner? Lauren and I have reservations in the dining room and we’d love to have you. I’ll ask them to add a table to ours.”

  Shane’s lips parted and he looked around. Livy and Just
in nodded silently. Justin giggled again. “Well, we don’t have other plans…”

  “Awesome. I’ll take that as a yes.” Turning to the kids he rubbed his hands together. “Who wants to go with me to talk to the reception folks?”

  Livy and Justin jumped ahead, leaving Shane and Lauren to follow. He picked up Todd, who seemed at a loss without Livy, shifted him to one arm then grasped Justin’s hand. “Your dad hasn’t changed a bit has he?”

  Relieved that her dad had come at just the right time with just the right words and thoughts, she shook her head. “Not a bit…thankfully.”

  She smiled and Shane grinned back in agreement before they headed to the dining room.

  It took a while for the dinner crew to pull together two tables for the group…long enough for Shane to wonder what in the world he was doing. Hadn’t he suffered enough? Why in the world did he say yes to Dale’s invitation?

  Because he’d always cared for Dale Bradford. Witty, charming—and a sense of humor that never quit. Even in the midst of losing his wife, Dale had tried to make Lauren smile…to look at the blessings in her life. It was a blessing her mother gained an extra month with that new cancer drug. It was blessing she felt well enough to make a video. It was a blessing they lived so close to the hospital. On and on, he added positive thoughts to each day. Shane remembered that well, and when his bouts with Britney began, he’d tried to do the same for his children. He wasn’t sure he was so successful. Their strain had turned into years not months. But he tried.

  He wanted to spend time with Dale because the older man had always been an example to him. Not to mention the fact that Shane simply enjoyed his company. He wanted his kids to have that time with him, too.

  And what about Lauren? She took the seat across from him. Of course Livy jostled her brothers around until she was seated next to his ex-flame.

  The years had been good to Lauren. She looked almost as fresh and young as when they left high school. She still had those big, round eyes, darkened now with make-up her mother would never have allowed her to wear. But now, it matched her dark, dark brows. He had to admit, the look suited her.