by Donna Alward
Lainey looked down at the doll wrapped in a blanket and set on top of thick yellow straw. “Last year Charlie and Dave found a baby here. It seems like yesterday.” The discovery of the mystery baby boy had been the talk of the town.
Todd nodded, a smile touching his lips. “He was a cute little thing. Barely a few weeks old. I answered the police call, you know.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“I kind of thought this Christmas Eve was going to be dull in comparison.” He looked over at her, his breath forming a puffy white cloud in front of his face. “But I don’t think so. I’m here with you. And that seems plenty complicated.”
She walked away, just a few steps to the empty bench. When she sat down, the cold seeped through her leggings. Todd came and sat beside her, his coat making a rustling sound as he settled on the bench.
“I’m sorry I’m such hard work,” she said, shoving her hands in the jacket. She found a pair of gloves inside and realized that in her hurry she’d grabbed the wrong coat. She started to laugh then. The whole week had been incredibly surreal. Taking the wrong coat seemed somehow perfect.
“What’s so funny?”
She looked over at him and couldn’t help but smile. “This isn’t my coat.”
He chuckled, a deep sound that rode deliciously along her nerve endings. “It’s been one of those days.”
“You’ve been distracted, too?”
“More than I should be. This morning I left because someone called in sick and we had an emergency. It was a rough call. I knew what you must be thinking but I barely had time to grab a sandwich and a coffee at lunch. By the time things settled down, it was nearly time for church.”
She paused. Thought about what she wanted to say. Thought about what she felt and what she wanted to do about it. In the end she resorted to thinking aloud. “You know, no one really knows what they’re doing. Everything’s a crap shoot. We make decisions and they could be wrong or they could be right and we have to live with them and sometimes that really sucks.”
He leaned against the back of the bench and crossed one ankle over his knee. “Are you talking about this morning or the last year?”
She was scared. Terrified. But she looked over at him and admitted, “Maybe both?”
“I’m not him, Lainey. I know you’re afraid of being hurt, but you can’t put that on me.”
“I know that. It’s just easier to say than to do. I’m so afraid of getting my heart broken.” If she were going to be honest, she should be honest all the way. “And you might have the ability to do that, Todd. What happened between us this week … it’s scared the shit out of me. When I got up this morning and you were gone…” Oh, she’d been an idiot and thought the worst and gotten all dramatic instead of waiting for an explanation. She believed him when he said he left a note. She’d tossed the bedspread and pillows around in such a fit, the note was probably underneath something in her bedroom right now. “I jumped to conclusions. I did that because … well, I think it’s become my default mode. It’s not my finest quality, is it?”
He turned on the bench and reached out for her hand, pulling it out of the pocket and cradling it between his own. “It wasn’t just sex for me, Lainey. You need to know that. I’m not seventeen anymore, or even twenty-one. I’m a grown man. I want something more. If you believe nothing else, believe that this was never me amusing myself.”
“I know that. And maybe that’s what scares me so much. Maybe that’s what hurt. I’d let myself believe in you.” His hands felt so good over hers. “It wasn’t just playing around for either of us. It could have been. The chemistry is certainly there.” Just admitting it made her insides curl. “But unless I’m mistaken, there was more, too.”
“Definitely more,” he agreed.
Lainey sighed. “I’m scared, Todd. Scared of letting myself really care for someone again only to be disappointed. Scared of not being able to bounce back a second time when I haven’t done very well the first.”
“You know there’s a chance that you wouldn’t have to bounce back, right?”
As thrilling as that sounded, a part of her found it impossible to believe. “The thing is, if there’s a chance it might work out, there’s a chance it might not. And I’m terrified of taking that risk.”
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.
He kissed the tip of her nose. “I gotta run. I’ll see you after my shift.”
He left her there at the doors, and once he drove away in the cruiser she went back inside. The congregation was at the point in the service where they all lit candles as they sang “Silent Night.” But Lainey hung up the coat and stayed in the vestibule, simply watching, and feeling a contentment she hadn’t felt in a long, long time.
She was going to be all right.
And she had to redo Christmas. In three hours.
Chapter Eight
Lainey thought she’d never escape the church.
First off, she met Ian Martin, the lawyer working on the Aquteg Island project. He said that Mr. Sewell had sung the inn’s praises and that it looked like the island was destined to become a historic site, which they both knew would please the majority of people in the town. The artifacts, too, were being restored thanks to Edward Jewell’s descendant, and the hope was that there’d be a visitor center on the island where the documents and bits of treasure would be securely showcased.
Ian squeezed her arm and to her surprise said, “This might sound odd, Lainey, but I think your great-great-grandparents would be proud of you. I think it’s wonderful how you’ve made the Evergreen Inn such a key part of the town.”
“Thanks, Ian,” she replied, flushing a little. “That’s high praise.”
“You earned it,” he said. “I’ll see you at the next chamber of commerce breakfast?”
She nodded. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
Once Ian had gone, she met up with her parents, who noted her rosy cheeks and bright eyes.
“I don’t know what had you so glum earlier, or why you skipped out on most of the service, but you look much better.” Her mom searched Lainey’s face as if looking for clues.
“If I tell you it’s a guy, will you let it go or grill me for hours?” she asked.
Her mom’s face lit up. “A man? Really?”
“Yes, really. But it’s early yet. We’re just taking it day by day.”
“Who?”
Lainey’s chest tightened. This would be the first time saying it out loud.
“Todd Ricker.”
Her mom’s expression turned knowing. “Girl. It’s about time! I always knew you had good taste.”
Lainey raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Really?”
“Well, everyone makes mistakes.”
Lainey knew she was referring to Jason and she laughed. “Just don’t make a big deal of it, okay?”
“Whatever you say. If you want to bring him along tomorrow, he’s welcome, but no pressure.”
“Thank you, Mom.” Lainey leaned in and hugged her mom, loving the feel of the warm arms around her.
“We just want to see you happy.”
Lainey turned to her father. “Merry Christmas, Dad.”
“You too, honey. Good to see you smile again.” He gave her a warm hug and Lainey realized something else. No matter how old you got, there was something about a father’s hug that you never outgrew.
Honestly, she was starting to feel as if she might burst from all the happiness.
“I’ll see you both tomorrow, yeah?”
“As soon as you like.”
Lainey nodded. “Love you both.”
A few more greetings prevented her leaving right away, and it was nine fifteen before she finally managed to walk home, wearing the correct coat this time. Once inside, though, she rushed to the storage closet and dug out the boxes—again. Racing against the clock, she replaced the mantel decorations and centerpieces, then set up the tree and decorated it, though the garland wasn’t quite as precise as before. She shoved the empty boxes away, dashed around and tidied the cottage, started a fire in the fireplace, redid her makeup, and took out a bottle of wine and uncorked it to breathe.
At eleven forty-five she fluffed her hair, took a breath, and went to the fridge to put together a plate of crackers, Brie, and red pepper jelly, as well as fresh, crisp grapes and strawberries.
At twelve sixteen he knocked on the door.
She opened it, stepped aside for him to come in, disappointed that he was out of uniform but so insanely happy to see him that she got over her disappointment in a flash.
“It’s after midnight,” he said softly, unwinding his scarf and taking off his jacket.
“Then I guess it’s the perfect time to say Merry Christmas,” she replied, moving into his arms where she belonged.
And it was.
More Christmas magic at Jewell Cove
By Donna Alward
Special Low Price Holiday Reads
from St. Martin’s Press!
Low Price Holiday Stories and Novellas
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About the Author
While bestselling author Donna Alward was busy studying Austen, Eliot, and Shakespeare, she was also losing herself in the breathtaking stories created by romance novelists like LaVyrle Spencer, Judith McNaught, and Nora Roberts. Several years after completing her degree she decided to write a romance of her own and it was true love! Five years and ten manuscripts later she sold her first book and launched a new career. While her heartwarming stories of love, hope, and homecoming have been translated into several languages, hit bestseller lists and won awards, her very favorite thing is when she hears from happy readers!
Donna lives on Canada’s east coast with her family which includes a husband, a couple of kids, a senior dog, and two crazy cats. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading (of course!), knitting, gardening, cooking … and is a Masterpiece Theatre addict. You can visit her on the Web at www.DonnaAlward.com and join her mailing list at www.DonnaAlward.com/newsletter. Or sign up for email updates here.
Also by Donna Alward
The House on Blackberry Hill
Treasure on Lilac Lane
Christmas at Seashell Cottage
Summer on Lovers’ Island
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Begin Reading
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
About the Author
Also by Donna Alward
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either
products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
“Christmas at Evergreen Inn” copyright © 2015 by Donna Alward.
All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
www.stmartins.com
Author photo © Marti Corn Photography
Cover art © shutterstock
Our eBooks may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at 1-800-221-7945, ext. 5442, or by e-mail at [email protected].
eISBN 9781250086945
First eBook Edition: October 2015
