by Elena Aitken
"I trust you." Andi swiped at her face with a napkin and took a deep breath. "Holly sounds beautiful," she said. "That’s perfect. Why didn’t we think of that earlier?"
"I know. That’s exactly what I thought." Eva finished her coffee. "But I’ll need a whole lot more if I’m going to make it work, and I have no idea where to find them."
"You need Bo," Andi said. "Remember, I told you about him? He’s Morgan’s new boyfriend."
"I remember." How could she forget? Morgan had left their business Party Hearty, and come to the Lodge, where she, too, had found love. There seemed to be a running theme.
"Anyway," Andi continued, "he’s the activity director and he leads the treks into the woods. He’ll know exactly where to look. Have you met him yet?"
Eva shook her head and took another bite of a muffin. "The only outdoorsy guy I met was that cowboy you told me to go talk to."
"Jeff?" Andi’s face lit up in a smile and she tipped her head to examine Eva.
"That’s the guy. I still don’t understand why you want a horse. It would be so much easier if you just walked."
"Easier for who?"
Eva tossed the rest of the uneaten muffin on to the plate. "For me obviously." She wouldn’t bother telling Andi about the troubles she might have securing a horse for the ceremony. No need to stress her out even more. "Have you even met Jeff? He’s a total piece of work and— "
"Hot."
Eva glared at her friend, who, judging by the look on her face, was enjoying Eva’s discomfort.
"He’s not my type," Eva lied.
"But he is hot."
She couldn’t deny it. If you could look past his behavior and the whole horse thing, Jeff did have a certain appeal to him. A sexy cowboy in tight jeans appeal. An appeal that she couldn’t seem to stop thinking about. Not that she was about to admit it. Not even to Andi.
"He's totally full of himself, and he seems to take a certain pleasure in making me feel like an idiot. And I won't tolerate that in anyone, let alone some guy." Eva crossed her arms and looked away in what she knew was a pout.
"Please don't tell me you fought with him," Andi said.
"Fought with him?" Eva turned back to look at her friend, who had tears glistening in the corner of her eyes again. "I didn't fight with him. Well, unless you call a little stomping, and just a bit of arguing and…okay, I fought with him. But there's no reason to get upset. It was mostly good natured and… Andi, don't cry."
Her friend wiped at her face. "I'm not crying."
Eva knew better than to argue with her.
"I just really can't handle any more fighting. Not with anyone."
"He's the horse guy, Andi. And I promise, it’s not fighting fighting. It’s more like…" What? Eva thought. Flirting? She pushed the thought from her head. "Anyway, it's not like I'm arguing with your fiancé."
Andi blew her nose and focused on Eva. "I can't handle it with anyone, Eva. Not anyone. Jeff is part of the Lodge and with everything else that's going on…I just don't need one more stress, okay?"
"Andi, it's—"
Eva broke off when Andi started sniffling again.
"I don't know what's gotten into you," she said instead. "I've seen you cry more in the last few days than in the last few years combined. Maybe the stress of the wedding is too much."
"It really is a lot to get all the family together. I knew I should have eloped."
"Stop saying that." Eva reached out and squeezed Andi's arm. "It will be amazing, and I'll take care of everything. Don't worry about a thing."
"And you'll get along with Jeff? Because I really think it would help if you two got along…please."
Isn’t that what she was worried about? Getting along with Jeff? If she wasn’t careful, she’d want to get along with him too well. She stared into her coffee mug for a few more seconds to be sure her feelings weren’t showing on her face. When she looked up, she said, "Fine. I’ll do my best."
And just like that, a switch was flipped and Andi broke into a huge smile. "Oh, good," she said. "Because I really thought you might like him."
"Like him, like him? I thought you said I would like Troy?" Eva smiled at the inside knowledge she had on Troy but there was no point telling Andi that right away. "I'm beginning to think you're willing to set me up with any man as long as he has a pulse."
Andi waved away her protests. "Oh, come on," she said. "You know that's not it. Besides, you have to admit, Jeff’s hot."
"Who’s hot?"
Both women startled at the voice and looked up to find the subject of their discussion looking down on them. Eva flushed what she knew would be an unflattering shade of pink and busied herself with her coffee cup to keep from looking at him.
"You must have some sort of radar," Andi said. "We were just talking about you." Traitor. Eva risked a glance in Andi’s direction so she could glare at her, but Andi was ignoring her. Likely on purpose.
"Well, when it comes to pretty ladies, I do try to make it my business to pay attention," Jeff said. He winked in Eva’s direction. Coming from anyone else, it would have looked creepy. Eva hated winkers. But there was something about the way Jeff did it that made it look easy and, even if she didn’t want to admit it, hot. Her pulse raced, and Eva had to look away to calm her traitorous body.
Eva cleared her throat and tried not to focus on the flutter of desire that Jeff’s presence had unwillingly stirred in her. "Don’t get too excited, cowboy. I was just telling Andi that you were looking for the perfect horse for her wedding." She stared at Jeff, hoping he’d pick up on her cue. She didn’t need Andi worked up again, especially over a horse.
Unaffected by her abruptness, Jeff slid into the empty seat at the table and casually crossed one leg over the other. "About the horse—"
"We’ll talk about it later," Eva cut him off and narrowed her eyes at him. Leave it to Jeff to not pick up on her signals.
He gave her a strange look in return and Eva watched as realization finally hit. "As a matter of fact," he said slowly. "I think I may have found a few horses that will work perfectly." He spoke to Andi, but his piercing gaze didn’t leave Eva. "I was hoping you would come down to the stables to choose. I usually recommend that you get a feel for the animal before making any big decisions about it."
What the hell did that mean? Did he change his mind about his stupid policy?
"I agree," Eva said, before she could stop herself. "It’s like judging someone based on first impressions. Sometimes you need to take a deeper look before making any decisions."
They locked eyes, Eva challenging him to look away first. His gaze didn’t waver and it wasn’t long before he was the only thing she was focused on. Her breaths deepened, and Jeff was matching her breath for breath. Neither of them would look away.
"What are you two talking about?" Andi interrupted. The spell broken, Eva sat back and fiddled with her coffee cup again.
"Nothing," she mumbled.
"Just that sometimes first impressions aren’t the only ones," Jeff said. "Which is why I think Eva should come check out the horses for herself."
"Sounds perfect," Andi said. "I totally trust Eva. And frankly, relaxing is going to be my priority right now. Didn’t somebody say something about a massage?"
Jeff laughed. "Sounds good," he said. "I think if a massage was an option for me, I’d gladly take it." He looked directly at Eva when he spoke, and she had to work hard to keep from turning red again.
Men didn’t have that type of effect on her. Not ever. She was in charge, in control and never had she let a man get the best of her before.
"Keep dreaming," Eva said.
He opened his mouth to say something, but closed it again.
"But I’m sure Eva can fit that in to her schedule," Andi said.
Both Eva and Jeff swung their heads around to look at Andi.
"Sounds like a great—"
"There’s no way—"
They both spoke at once.
Eva shook
her head and spoke again before Jeff had a chance. "I can’t. I’m way too busy."
"Too busy to come look at a horse or two?" Jeff challenged. "Because I have this policy…"
Damn him and his policy. "Fine," Eva said. "I’ll look. But I’m too busy today."
"Really?"
"Actually, yes." Eva straightened up in her chair and tossed her napkin over the mostly uneaten muffin. "I have to go find Bo so he can take me to gather holly for the centerpieces."
Jeff sat back and crossed his arms over his chest. "You won’t find him."
"And why not?"
"Bo just took off leading a snowshoe trek into the woods with some kids."
"Oh, that’s what the boys were going to do today," Andi said. "It sounds like they do some cool things with the kids club here."
Jeff smiled and easily helped himself to a muffin on the tray. "They do. Morgan and Bo have really—"
"Well, great," Eva interrupted. "I guess I’ll have to go find it on my own." She pushed up from the table, needing distance. "I should probably get going."
"Oh no." Jeff abandoned his muffin and stood, blocking her exit. "You can’t go out into the mountains on your own. You’ll kill yourself."
"I most certainly will not," she said. Eva crossed her arms and glared at him, her chest heaving.
"Right," he said with a grin. "You’d get maybe twenty minutes out before you froze to death in those little boots and I’d have to come rescue you. Besides, you don’t know where to go."
"And you do, I suppose."
"As a matter of fact—"
"Perfect," Andi said. "Jeff, you take her. That way Eva can get everything she needs for the centerpieces."
Eva shot her friend a look, but Andi was already gathering her things. "Eva, don’t worry about arranging the massage with Carmen. I’ll take care of it. You go and have a good day."
"But, I don’t—"
"I’ll talk to you later, okay? Bye, Jeff."
Eva considered grabbing her friend and physically stopping her from leaving or at the very least, smacking her upside the head to knock some sense into her, since she was obviously not thinking straight. But in the end, she stood by and watched Andi walk away, leaving her alone with Jeff.
"Well," he said. "Looks like it’s just you and me." He offered her his arm. "Shall we?"
~ ~
After changing back into her parka and boots, Eva met up with Jeff in the main room of the Lodge. She’d used the few minutes alone to calm herself and refocus on the task of collecting holly. She had to stay focused if she was going to get everything finished in time. And she couldn’t afford to have Jeff, or anyone for that matter, derail her from that task. Andi was counting on her.
"It looks like you found some reasonable clothes," Jeff said when he saw her.
"I told you when I met you I hadn’t planned on having to tromp through the snow."
"I know, I know. I should have shoveled. You told me."
Eva bit back a sharp retort on the tip of her tongue, remembering her promise to Andi. She wouldn’t argue with him, even if it was fun. Eva took a deep breath. "Look," she said. "I have a lot to do. Can we get started?"
Jeff held open the door that led out to the courtyard behind the Lodge. "After you, madam."
He really was going to test every one of her nerves. She grabbed her basket and pushed out the door into the cold winter air. Being in such close proximity to Jeff would be challenging, in more ways than one, but she'd been in worse positions before, and handled them with grace. She could certainly handle a man.
"Thank you," Eva said, putting on her sweetest smile.
Jeff let out a low whistle and followed her outside. "Well, you are most certainly welcome, madam. I’m not sure what has caused the shift in your demeanor today, but I like it."
Eva spun around and almost smacked directly into his chest. He was standing so close, she could smell him. A heady mixture of pine, campfire and an earthy maleness that she assumed must come from spending time outside with horses. Involuntarily, she took a deep breath and the heady scent filled her, making her dizzy. She had to take a step back.
Of course, she would have to step on a rock and lose her footing. Jeff reached out and steadied her. "Whoa," he said. "I guess it doesn't matter what type of boot you're wearing. You're just not used to the woods."
Eva yanked her arm away and straightened her coat. "It's not the woods I need to get used to," she said.
"It's me, then." She could tell by the grin on his face he was only joking, but he didn't realize just how close his words hit home. And he didn't need to either.
"You think far too much of yourself," she said. "It’s not you I need to get used to. In fact, I could do with a lot less of you."
She turned and started stalking down the path, towards what she hoped was the parking lot.
It was only a moment before he fell into step beside her. "I hope you don’t mean that.”
"Look." Eva spun and stared at him. "I promised Andi we wouldn’t argue."
"But arguing with you is fun."
She tipped her head. "Look, I mean it, okay? I promised her and—"
The cocky smile fell from his face and he pursed his lips together. "Okay," he said. "I didn't realize I was making it so difficult."
"Well, you are." Eva dropped the edge from her voice and when she saw the hurt look in his eyes, she tried to smile. "But this should be fun," she lied. "I've never been out in the woods in the winter." Or really, any time, she stopped herself from adding.
The light in his eyes returned when he said, "You'll love it. There’s nothing more beautiful than snow-covered pines and the stillness of the forest. You really can't understand until you experience it for yourself, but there's nothing else like it."
"I'm sure it's magical." Eva smiled and surprised herself that she didn't even have to force herself to sound genuine.
"You'll love the peacefulness," Jeff said. "Just step right up."
Eva started when she saw where Jeff had led her. They'd gone past the Lodge utility Jeep and were stopped in front of a sleigh. A sleigh with a horse attached to it.
Instinctively, Eva took a step back. "Oh no."
"No to the horse? Or the sleigh?" Jeff took her arm to keep her from running, which she probably would have if he wasn't holding on.
"Both," she said. "There's no way. I told you, I don't like horses."
"But I'm not asking you to ride one," he said. He slowly moved her towards the animal. "I'm asking you to sit in a sleigh. Surely you can’t be opposed to that?"
She shook her head, but realized how stupid she would sound if she objected to something so benign as a sleigh ride. After all, she reasoned with herself, there's an entire Christmas jingle dedicated to sleigh rides. Besides, if she couldn’t even handle a sleigh ride, he’d never agree to giving Andi a horse for the wedding. "Okay," she said, still shaking her head. "How bad could it be?"
Jeff's face lit up with the smile she was beginning to get used to, and he hopped up into the sleigh with one big step. He extended his hand to her and against her better judgment, she accepted, letting his big, warm hand envelope hers and pull her aboard.
CHAPTER SIX
He tried not to notice how cute she was, but every time Eva made a squeal or squeezed her hands around the railing of the sleigh, Jeff noticed. Oh, did he notice. It was refreshing to see this hard-edged woman, who always had a quick retort, let down her guard. Even if it was only for a few seconds at a time.
He barely needed to guide Clover down the snowy track, but he kept a loose grip on the reins just in case she spooked, and also to show Eva he was totally in control of the horse and there really was nothing to be concerned about. "See," he said, after a few moments. "I told you there was nothing to worry about. Horses are absolutely safe. In fact, horses and humans go together like—"
"The ride isn’t over yet," she interrupted. "There’s still plenty of time for something to go wrong." Eva squeezed her ey
es shut and tucked her face down into the collar of her parka. "How much farther?"
Jeff didn’t even try to hide his smile. Instead, he carefully lifted her left hand from the death grip it had on the rail and squeezed it in his own. "Look around," he said gently. "It’s beautiful out here. I promise Clover knows what she’s doing and you’ll hate yourself if you miss the amazing scenery."
She didn’t immediately pull her hand away, which Jeff took as a small victory. His first impression of Eva had been wrong. The more time he spent with her, the more he was beginning to think there was more to her and the crusty tough girl act was just that, an act.
"Honestly," he said, when she didn’t open her eyes right away. "It’s totally safe. I swear."
First one eye opened, and then the other, and Eva lifted her head and looked at him. "You swear?"
"Scouts’ honor." Jeff let go of her hand to hold up two fingers in a Scouts promise, and then instantly regretted losing the contact.
Eva slowly looked around. "It is pretty," she said.
Jeff followed her gaze and took in the snow-dusted pines, the blue sky overhead and the track ahead. "I think it’s the most magical time of year in the woods," he said. His voice was only slightly more than a whisper. It happened every time he went deep into the forest; a sense of peace overtook him and it didn’t take long before he felt completely calm and relaxed. It was the only place he could still his thoughts long enough to really think. And he was willing to leave it for a job in show business? The thought of his impending decision slammed into him. How could he leave? It was a great opportunity, but for what?
A blur of motion out of the corner of his eye grabbed his attention at the same time Clover noticed. A deer, and Clover snorted and flipped her head in greeting to the wild animal.
"What was that?" Eva gripped Jeff’s leg and shrunk down next to him.
"Just a deer." He secretly smiled at the contact. "Clover was just saying hi. Nothing to get worked up about," he said.
"Maybe you should tell the horse that," Eva said. "You shouldn’t snort when you’re saying hi." A bit of the edge he’d experienced with her earlier had snuck back into her voice, but when he glanced down to look at her, her eyes were sparkling with humor. She’d obviously relaxed enough to trust him, at least for the moment. And Jeff couldn’t be sure if it was that acknowledgment, or that she still had a grip on his thigh, that was causing his mind to run wild. Whatever it was, he was definitely enjoying himself.
