Love at Christmas Inn Collection 2

by Tanya Stowe et al

  Britney’s oversized eyes were the reason he first noticed her. He’d often wondered if it was because they reminded him of Lauren. She looked more sophisticated…her dark brown hair was shorter, just above her shoulders, and sported the kind of wispy style that was popular…exactly what Livy had been asking to do with her hair.

  His gaze shot to Livy. If he let her have her way, would she be like Lauren and know exactly what suited her looks and style?

  He tried to give her free rein with her clothing and she’d done a great job. He just wasn’t ready to do that with her hair. He had too many memories of struggling to keep it brushed and braided and manageable. It was never an easy task with his big hands but he never wanted to let his daughter look like she didn’t have a mother…even though half the time she didn’t. Maintaining her hair had always been a priority for him. For her to chop it off now would hurt more than he could handle. Just one more reminder of how little time he had left with her and of how much time had been wasted.

  He took a deep breath and glanced at the menu. As he discussed what to order with the boys, Lauren and Livy talked non-stop. He only heard half of what they said, mostly about clothes and style. Lauren was kind, patient to a fault. His daughter hadn’t stopped smiling since they sat down. It was good to see her happy.

  The waitress took their order. Dale lifted his water glass. “Will you join me and lift our glasses in celebration of recent events?”

  Bryce smiled and Justin giggled. No one had ever asked them to join in a toast. Shane helped Todd lift his glass with two hands.

  Lauren pushed her glass next to Livy’s but said, “What are we celebrating exactly?”

  For once, Dale Bradford couldn’t seem to find the words…at least not the right ones to say out loud.

  Livy filled in for him. “We’re celebrating my dad getting full custody of us kids so that now we can have a normal life.”

  “Oh.” Lauren’s quiet word echoed over the table and her gaze jumped to Shane. The soft, tender look in those eyes caught him by the throat and made his eyes burn. He couldn’t face her. Instead, he looked at his children.

  Leave it to Livy to speak the unvarnished truth. Her features were determined. Defiant. She was glad to say it out loud. The boys were silent. Todd didn’t understand but Bryce and Justin looked at each other. They knew the truth but somehow saying it out loud made it more real, more definite.

  Lauren studied the boys. From the look on her face it seemed she was gauging their reactions and feelings. She had always been good with people. If anybody could understand and empathize it would be Lauren.

  Shane shook his head. He didn’t have to worry about how she would handle his children. She’d win them over. Like her dad, she had the knack of understanding. That’s what made it so difficult when she left. Life was less colorful.

  “So tell me about your business, Shane? I hear your graphics work is taking off.”

  Glad to finally get out of his own thoughts, Shane nodded at Dale. “Yes, I’ve picked up a couple of national contracts. It took a while to start out on my own but it’s going great now. It was a good choice. Working from home definitely was a benefit with all the…situations we had.” Hopefully that was behind him.

  “You and Lauren should talk. I’ve been telling her for months she needs a new catalog designer.”

  Work with Lauren? A lucrative contract with Bradford Shoes might be a good opportunity. He and Lauren had always been great creative partners. Maybe they’d make better business partners than the other kind.

  No, that wasn’t true. They were great partners in every way until Lauren’s world fell apart…and their relationship after that. He understood. He knew her mother’s last words had rocked Lauren to the core. Still, he had hoped…prayed that Lauren had more faith in him…in them. But he’d been wrong.

  He couldn’t afford to be wrong for a third time. His heart couldn’t take it.

  “Hey Lauren, you should set up an appointment with Shane to look at his work. He does great stuff. I’ve seen it. In fact, I’m a little shocked I didn’t think of it earlier.”

  Dale leaned closer to Shane. “You know her shoes are on the brink of going big. She has a deal in the makings to hit the major department stores.”

  “Wow. That’s good for her.”

  And means I definitely won’t work for her. Too much time with Lauren will only get my hopes going and I’ll get thrown over once the deal goes through.

  “Wait…” Livy’s startled word silenced the table. “Shoes. You are Lauren Bradford? The Lauren of Bradford Shoes?”

  A sweet, gentle smile brushed over Lauren’s lips. “Yes, Livy, that’s me.”

  “Oh, no.” She shook her head in horror. “You should have told me. You must think I’m some kind of idiot or something. My bedazzling was so lame.”

  “No, it wasn’t. In fact, I thought it was very advanced.” She grasped Livy’s hand and leaned forward. “I mean it. I was impressed.”

  Chapter 3

  LAUREN MADE SURE SHE ARRIVED early for the bedazzling class. She hadn’t missed the frowns and furrowed brows Shane directed her way for most of the evening last night. She understood. He probably had misgivings about exposing his children to another flighty female.

  She didn’t know the circumstances of his custody battle with his wife. She didn’t want to. The strain and mistrust in his sons’ gazes and the downright anger in Livy’s broke her heart. Maybe because she knew what a good father Shane would be or maybe it was just her own lonely past and loss of her mother reaching out to envelope her once again.

  Her father had said it was time to conquer those issues. Apparently that was God’s plan too because He’d sent her a lonely little girl to touch her heart and three precious little boys just aching for a safe harbor.

  Of course, she and Shane had no future. That ship sailed years ago. But he was one of the best friends she’d ever had and if she could help—even in the few short days they’d spend together at Christmas Inn—then she was all in. More than all in. She had a sneaky feeling this was the Lord’s whole plan for her presence here…and she was a willing participant.

  So if she had to arrive early to smooth the way for Livy and to make sure whatever Shane and his family had on their agenda for the day would be on hers as well…so be it. She had an unwitting partner in her dad who was taking special delight in spending time with Shane and his boys.

  When Lauren arrived there were a few older ladies sitting at the table, quietly chatting. They smiled their greeting then went back to visiting. She looked through the boxes already on the table, searching for the tools she and Livy would need. When the door opened, she turned, expecting Livy. Instead Miss Opal walked in.

  Lauren didn’t know why they called the lady Miss Opal. She was so far from the image her name created—one of a lady from a much older generation. And she was married. She was no “miss” at all. But she’d been called by that name for as long as Lauren could remember…and that was close to twenty years now.

  Miss Opal had the most gorgeous wavy hair, almost to her waist. Once it had probably been blond but now the most beautiful streaks of silver ran through it. Judging by her own age, Miss Opal must be well into her sixties, about the same age as Lauren’s dad, but her features barely showed it. A few attractive crow’s feet at her eyes but few wrinkles marred her otherwise smooth skin. She was one of those blessed people who never seemed to age. Maybe the smile lines at her eyes were a little deeper. Other than those silver streaks, the woman looked much like Lauren remembered. And if truth be told, Miss Opal’s fashion sense inspired Lauren when she was young.

  She hadn’t lost that fashion sense either. Today she wore a long beige cable knit sweater—more a dress than a sweater—trimmed with white lace at the bottom. Dark brown leggings covered her trim legs and she wore chic, tan, fur-lined ankle boots. A shimmery scarf in shades of brown, gold and beige, looped over her neck and dangled down her back. She looked beautiful and Lauren couldn
’t stop herself from hurrying forward.

  “Miss Opal…remember me?”

  “Why, Lauren Bradford! How nice to see you! It’s been years since you’ve been back to visit us here at Christmas Inn.”

  “I know. I can’t believe you’re still here after all this time. And you haven’t changed a bit.”

  The woman smiled. “Well, maybe not much on the outside but a lot’s happened. I’m a widow now.”

  Lauren’s smile faded. “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”

  Miss Opal still held Lauren’s hands and she squeezed her fingertips. “It’s been three years, so I’ve grown accustomed to who I am now. I just meant there’s been a lot of changes in my life.”

  “But you haven’t stopped teaching craft classes at Christmas Inn.”

  “No, that’s one habit I can’t seem to break.” She laughed.

  The door opened and Livy rushed in. Today she wore dark pants and a heavy sweater with distinctive pink threads woven in a pattern. A lovely choice with her dark hair. Once again Lauren was impressed with the child’s fashion sense.

  Shane stood in the doorway. Even from a distance he was more handsome than he had a right to be. His dark blue sweater gave his eyes a gorgeous violet hue. Lauren’s stomach did an unexpected flip.

  Her dad had talked Shane into taking the boys skating while Lauren and Livy attended the class. Shane waited at the door for her to acknowledge him. When she nodded, he smiled again, probably the first real smile he’d given her since their awkward meeting yesterday. Lauren’s heart did another weird gymnastic thing. It caught her off-guard, sparked feelings she didn’t expect. Livy waved bye and Lauren barely remembered to do the same.

  Miss Opal frowned. “Isn’t that your young boy—”

  Lauren spoke quickly. The last thing she wanted was for Miss Opal to remember exactly how close she and Shane had been. Much better and safer for them to stay in the “friend” zone.

  “Yes, that’s my good friend Shane McAllister. We just happened to meet up this year.” She placed her hands on Livy’s shoulders. “And this is his daughter Olivia. She’s here to bedazzle her jeans.”

  Miss Opal’s eyebrows rose. “Well, you’ve come to the right place, Olivia, and found the right person to help you. If I remember correctly, Lauren was quite the bedazzler.”

  Livy laughed and they chatted a bit more before the class began. The other ladies wanted to work on beadwork so Miss Opal left Lauren and Livy to their own devices.

  “I really don’t think you need my help.” The older lady winked at Lauren.

  They moved to the end of the table and started on the jeans. Livy drew a pattern on a piece of paper then laid it out on the jeans. With only one suggestions from Lauren, she attached snaps and rhinestones in an adorable, swirly, “L” shaped pattern of dazzling sparkles. She attached the last of the glitz just as Miss Opal called a halt to the class.

  “I’m sorry, ladies. Class is over for the day. We have another group coming in to work on wood-burning so we’ll have to clean up behind ourselves.”

  The hour had passed more quickly than Lauren could believe. How wonderful it was to spend time with Livy and her youthful energy and creativity! She insisted her young friend show her project to Miss Opal, who was just as impressed as Lauren.

  Livy grabbed Lauren in a quick hug. “Thank you so much! My girlfriends are going to love these jeans! They may even want me to do a pair for them now that I know how.”

  Lauren laughed and glanced at Miss Opal. “An entrepreneur already. Keep it up, young lady, and some day you’ll own you’re own company.”

  Livy smiled her pleasure at the compliment and folded the jeans. “Dad said I can skate. You’re coming aren’t you, Lauren?”

  “Of course. I’m sure my dad’s still with them. He wouldn’t miss a minute of the fun.”

  “Your father is with you for the holiday?” Miss Opal asked.

  “Yes. He said it was time we remembered the good things.”

  Opal nodded. “He’s right. After I clean up here I might drop by the rink to say hi. You spent so much time in my class when you were younger, your parents and I got to be good friends.”

  They said goodbye. Lauren and Livy raced up the stairs to put Livy’s jeans away and pick up their coats. Then they raced back down the stairs, garnering a few reproachful looks from the inn’s guests. But Lauren didn’t care. She hadn’t had this much fun in…she couldn’t remember the last time.

  “Is your dad coming back to pick you up?”

  “No, he said I could walk over with you.”

  Shane had not let any of his children far from his sight the night before. Yet he was allowing Livy to walk to the rink accompanied only by Lauren. That seemed important somehow. Did it mean he trusted her just a little? She hoped so. She wanted Shane to know he could count on her.

  No serious snow was predicted for this Tennessee holiday season but the temperatures were cold enough for the inn’s portable ice skating rink. The small rink sat on a flat space on the grounds just outside the swimming pool building. Surrounded by trees and reindeer, it was the perfect setting and a much-appreciated feature in this snowless season. A refrigeration system kept the plastic pool-type container frozen. First thing in the morning after the cold night was the best time to hit the rink, before warmer temperatures caused the ice to get mushy on the edges. Then the night returned and froze the water again for ice-skaters to enjoy the next morning. It worked just fine during these somewhat milder Tennessee winters.

  Brisk cold air hit them in the face when they stepped outside. It dampened their giggles a bit, but not much. They ran across the grounds and up the sloped bridge, their shoes clattering on the wood.

  Lauren’s mind stayed busy all the way. Why was Shane’s trust so important to her? She could never make up for the way she dumped him all those years ago. She’d turned her back on him without a word or explanation. Just refused to see him. At the time, it had seemed like the only way. She had to leave everything she knew and loved behind. It was like she read “the end” of a book and had to turn the page to a new, blank space.

  Her father had talked to Shane. She’d heard him on the phone, explaining, trying to ease Shane’s pain. Dad had said “give her time” over and over again. But time hadn’t change Lauren’s mind. She had walked away and the hole Shane had once filled in her heart never quite mended.

  Not that she expected that to happen now. She’d hurt him too much. She didn’t expect him to forgive and forget. They’d both come too far, changed too much. But she wanted him to know leaving had hurt her too. If she had talked to him, she would never have been able to leave and she had to go. Even now her mother’s dying words rang in her ears, “No regrets, Lauren. Never give up your dreams and hopes. Not for anything. Have no regrets.”

  She’d followed her mother’s advice but it hadn’t stopped her from having regrets.

  One was waiting for her at the end of this path through the wooded Christmas Inn grounds. She wanted…needed him to know how difficult it had been. How sorry she was and how proud she was of everything he had accomplished.

  His family was amazing. She wanted to help the children feel safe and accepted. Overnight that had become very important to her and she wasn’t going to let anything stand in her way…except maybe Shane himself. He didn’t seem too keen on allowing her to help. That might be a problem but not one she couldn’t overcome.

  She and Livy turned the corner and the rink came into view. Dad sat on the sidelines unlacing his skates. Shane stood in the middle of the rink with three boys wrapped around his legs so tightly he couldn’t move. He wobbled and wavered, trying to keep his balance. He looked bemused and befuddled but still, he took her breath away. So ruggedly handsome. So sure of himself—and yet so hopelessly in love with his children. He was such a pushover for them. The very sight tugged at her heart in ways she never imagined.

  Shane might prove to be a bigger problem than she anticipated.

  T
odd’s feet slid out from beneath him. He slid down into the splits. Shane caught him by one arm, tried to lift him and almost toppled over on top of him as Justin clung to his waist. Bryce was trying hard to stand on his own but every few seconds he’d slip and grab Shane’s arm, pulling him downward. One more time and all four of them were going to end up in a heap in the middle of the rink.

  Out of nowhere, Lauren skimmed up on skates with a swishy spray of ice that almost sent them all sprawling. “This won’t do at all. “

  She pried Bryce’s hands from Shane’s arm and wrapped them around hers. “Haven’t you ever slid across the floor in your stocking feet?”

  “’Course I have!” Bryce sounded a little defensive.

  “Well, then this is just like that. Come on. Slide with me. Left. Right. Left. Right.”

  She moved Bryce down the length of the rink. “Bend at the knees. Don’t be so stiff.”

  The two of them made a loop around the rink while Todd desperately clung to his dad’s leg and Justin giggled. Shane struggled to stay on his feet and called out. “Where did you learn to skate?”

  “In Central Park.” Lauren looked back over her shoulder as she took Bryce around the small loop one more time. “I discovered that my favorite pastime of people watching worked even better on the ice.”

  Shane laughed. “If they skate like us, I’m sure it was more than interesting.”

  She swept Justin off his feet and away from Shane’s leg so quickly, he didn’t even have time to giggle. As she passed, she winked. “It was.”

  Chuckling, Shane struggled to keep his balance with Todd still clinging to him. But now with only one little monkey on his leg, he began to work with his son. “Look. Slide your feet like Daddy.” Like the other boys, Todd was fairly agile and within a very short time, he was hobbling along the rink in short, stuttered steps.

  Bryce skimmed past. “Look at us, Dad.” He and Livy had linked arms and were making turns around the rink, looking like experienced skaters.