by JoAnn Ross
He swept his hand up and down in front of his tailored jacket. “This isn’t me. Not really.”
She was already shaking her head, but before she launched her next refusal, someone called his name—his real name.
“Geoffrey Kyser, there you are! I’m so pleased you made it. I wanted to thank you personally on behalf of Snowberry Creek for your generous donation to our auction.”
Seth shoved his pain deep down inside and pulled his public persona around him like a cloak before facing the mayor and her entourage. “Mayor McKay, I’m sorry I couldn’t get here sooner.”
“Not a problem. If you don’t mind, the press would like to take pictures and do a short interview before the auction gets started.”
She paused to look at Bridey and then back at Seth. “Ms. Roke, I hope you don’t mind if I borrow Mr. Kyser for a few minutes.”
Bridey’s smile was so damned sad. “No, Mayor, not at all. I know how much it means to everyone to have an artist of his caliber here tonight. Besides, I’m supposed to be helping in the kitchen.”
The mayor waved the reporters forward, and just that quickly, the two of them were surrounded by flashing cameras and a staccato rush of questions. Seth hoped his answers were at least marginally coherent because watching Bridey walking away, leaving everything between them unresolved, just about killed him.
12
Two hours later, Bridey let herself back into the shop. She should’ve gone home, but she wasn’t up to it. Not yet. The thought of facing her empty bed, where she and Seth had spent so many happy hours, made her physically ill.
At the auction, she’d made a token effort to help, but she hadn’t been able to stand watching everyone fawning over Seth. Then there were all the questions from her well-meaning friends. How long had she known Seth was famous? And why hadn’t she told anybody?
Finally, claiming a bad headache, she’d made her excuses and left, catching a ride with the police chief and his daughter. Inside, she left the lights off in the front of the shop and headed for the back. When she stepped into the kitchen, only part of her tension drained away because everywhere she looked, there was something to remind her of Seth: the shelves he’d built, the stool where he normally sat when they shared a cup of coffee, the decorations they’d hung together, and the special plum tarts she’d made for him for Christmas.
The man had definitely left his mark not only on her heart, but in her sanctuary as well. She’d just have to ignore all of those things, because baking was the only thing that brought her any kind of peace. Right now, it seemed unlikely she’d feel like attending the Christmas Eve party at Callie’s house tomorrow night, especially without Seth. Unfortunately, she had promised to bring the dessert, so she’d make a double batch of Nick’s favorite brownies and call it good.
Maybe if she worked long enough, late enough, she’d be able to fall asleep without dreaming about Seth and what might have been. She could only be grateful that she hadn’t actually told him that she loved him.
It wasn’t until she went to preheat the oven that she noticed the small Christmas tree on the back counter along with a large Christmas package all tied up with a huge red bow sitting on the floor beneath it. Off to the side, a couple of hangers and a garment bag had been tossed on the back counter. Where had all of that come from? There was only one logical answer—Seth.
She’d been wondering how he happened to arrive at exactly the right moment to help her deal with Russell. He must have come in the back door and overheard their conversation. Great, he’d heard her ex refer to him as a low-rent handyman. And white knight that he was, Seth had still rushed to Bridey’s defense.
That might not excuse him for not telling her who he was, but she was pretty sure she owed him an apology. She wandered closer to the package. Lying right next to the package was a small envelope with her name on it. She opened it and pulled out a small gift card, which read To Bridey, with all my love. Merry Christmas—Seth.
Although she tried not to read too much into that bit about his love, it was clear the package was for her. What could it be? There was a tear along the top edge of the paper. It wouldn’t hurt to peek, but she couldn’t see much. The hole wasn’t big enough to reveal anything except it was made from wood.
Her hands reached out of their own accord to untie the ribbon and then gave the torn paper a tug to extend the rip a little farther. Now she could make out a couple of letters—an S and then an O. Was that next letter an M?
Ignoring the inner voice that chastised her to leave it alone, she gave in to temptation and grabbed the paper with both hands and let it rip. When she’d stripped the rest of the wrapping out of the way, her heart about stopped.
It was a hand-carved sign for her shop.
It was signed by the artist: Geoffrey Seth Kyser.
It was stunning.
Seth had carved a picture of her holding a basket that was overflowing with muffins and cupcakes. Both she and the pastries looked almost real, as if someone could pluck one of her creations right out of the basket. She took three steps back to get a better perspective on the amazing piece of artwork.
Did Seth really see her as that beautiful?
“Yes, I do.”
She hadn’t realized that she’d asked the question out loud, nor had she heard him come in.
Turning to face him, she blinked back her tears and managed a bit of a smile. “Seth, it’s amazing. Simply amazing.”
“G-glad you think so.”
He hovered near the door with his hands in his pockets as if unsure of his welcome. With his tie loosened and his jacket draped over his arm, he looked more like the Seth she knew—and loved.
“Meant to surprise you with it before we went to the auction and explain everything, but you called to say you’d meet me there. Then I was going to hang it and then find you before things got started. Couldn’t do that because Russell was here hassling you.”
Seth wandered closer and tossed his jacket aside. He paused in front of the carving and reached out to trace one of the letters. “I m-moved here to get away from the stress of my family and all the d-demands on my time. Not to mention, my stuttering can make speaking in p-public excruciating.”
His expressive eyes looked so sad. “What I said earlier about not w-working in months was true. It wasn’t until I realized how m-much I loved living here . . . and especially how much I loved you, that it all came back to me. It’s been hell, but for the first time in months, the wood is speaking to me again. I’d stared at this blank piece of cherry for weeks when all of sudden I saw your gingerbread cupcakes and your pretty face hidden there in the wood. I not only finished this for you, but the two pieces for the auction.”
He paused to glance back at her with a look of wonder on his handsome face. “And now there’s this huge chunk of walnut in my shop that’s clamoring for my attention.”
Her heart ached for him even as her breath caught in her throat. She knew what it was like to lose the joy of creation. Living with Russell had done the same thing to her. It wasn’t until she came home to Snowberry Creek that she’d found it again. Did he realize what he’d let slip? That he loved her? The last of her anger and confusion drained away. He’d shared his truth with her; it was time she did the same.
She closed the small distance between them and held out her hand. “Hi, I’m Bridey Roke. It’s nice to meet you, Geoffrey Seth Kyser.”
His smile turned up to full wattage as he shook her hand. “Please call me Seth. Geoffrey is who I pretend to be when I have to wear a tux and impress someone. Much to my mother’s dismay, I spend most of my time in flannel shirts and faded jeans.”
She grinned back at him. “Me, I love a man in a flannel shirt, at least if that man is you.”
Seth’s eyes widened. “You love me?”
She nodded. “Very much.”
With a whoop, he picked her up and twirled her around. “That’s the best Christmas present anyone has ever given me.”
He
followed that up with a deep kiss that curled her toes and left both of them gasping for breath. When he finally set her back down, she pointed toward his favorite stool. “And with that in mind, why don’t you have a seat? Since we’d planned to exchange gifts tonight, I have something for you, too.”
He settled himself in his usual spot while she set out two plates, forks, and napkins. Seth followed her every move as if he were afraid she’d disappear if he didn’t keep an eye on her. When she carried the tray of tarts out of the storeroom, his eyes lit up. “Plum tarts?”
She set one in front of each of them. “Merry Christmas, Seth. I think I have figured out your grandmother’s recipe.”
He took one bite and then a second. “That’s it! The perfect blend of sweet and tart with just a bit of a bite! You couldn’t have thought of a more perfect gift for me.”
She watched as he devoured the rest of his tart and reached for a second. Before he started on that one, he asked, “What was the secret ingredient?”
“A touch of ground ginger.” She paused to take a deep breath. “And this recipe and the one for my gingerbread cupcakes will be the first ones in my own cookbook.”
Seth stopped midmotion to stare at her. Then he set his fork aside and stood up to tug her back into his arms. “I’m so proud of you.”
He kissed her again, holding her with such care, as if she were the most precious thing in the world to him. “I love you so much, Bridey. You complete me.”
“Oh, Seth—”
• • •
Seth put his finger across Bridey’s lips to keep her from speaking. When he was sure she’d remain quiet, he lifted her up on the counter. As she watched, he walked over to the tabletop tree and pulled a small box from inside its branches. “This was the other present I wanted to give you for Christmas, Bridey.”
He opened the box to reveal a ring with a square-cut emerald flanked by two small diamonds. “Bridey Roke, will you do me the honor of marrying me, even knowing that the famous artist and I are a package deal?”
Her eyes filled with tears as she reached out to hold his face with both hands. Her touch banished the last bit of the evening’s uncertainty. “Yes, I’ll marry you, Geoffrey Seth Kyser.”
Seth slipped the ring on Bridey’s finger. “We need to celebrate, but not here. How about we drive out to my place, light a fire, and see where the night takes us?”
Bridey held out her hand to admire her ring. “I love the way you think, and I love you. Let’s go!”
Seth immediately lifted her down off the counter. “Good, because I’ve already got a bottle of champagne chilling.”
“Perfect!”
As they walked outside, all the twinkling lights up and down Main Street took on a whole new beauty. This was the most special Christmas in his life, but there was one more thing he had to tell Bridey.
When they were in his car, his smile faltered a bit. “You should know that I’ve already told my mother I’d be bringing my fiancée with me to the family gathering on Christmas Day. She can’t wait to meet you.”
Bridey swallowed hard. “Are you sure?”
“You’ll be the best Christmas present I’ve ever given her.” When he looked at the woman who held his heart, he couldn’t help but grin. “But just in case, we should save some of the tarts for her. She loves them, too.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alexis Morgan is the author of the Snowberry Creek series. She and her husband make their home in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Alexis shares her office with two parakeets, who rock out to her favorite music and keep her company while she’s writing. A lifelong avid reader, Alexis loves spending her days creating worlds filled with sexy warriors and the strong women who love them. She has been nominated for numerous industry awards, including the RITA from the Romance Writers of America, the top award in the romance genre.
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