Luke's Christmas Love (A Sweet Christmas Romance)

by Maya Stirling

  LUKE'S CHRISTMAS LOVE

  (A Sweet Christmas Romance)

  By

  MAYA STIRLING

  CHAPTER ONE

  Her car finally came to a juddering halt in the snow at the top of a ridge overlooking the town of Montana Falls. It had been threatening to grind to a halt ever since Erin had left the interstate. Now, what she'd assumed to be a decent quality rental car had given in to the forces of nature.

  Erin Scott groaned and slumped forward, resting her head on the steering wheel.

  Not now, she muttered to herself. Not here, in the middle of the heaviest snowfalls she'd ever seen. Erin lifted her head and gazed out into the night. It was small consolation that the the snow had stopped falling. For now. But a thick white blanket lay across the moonlit landscape. It looked beautiful, and deadly.

  She peered down into the valley at the brightly lit town in the distance. Her destination. She could see it down there, looking like something out of a Christmas card, a little piece of heaven which had been carefully placed on earth.

  Montana Falls. Population 10,564. The place to which she'd promised herself she'd one day return. Her visit earlier that summer had stayed with her all through the rest of the year, tugging at her mind every day back in LA. She couldn't help smiling as she looked at the small town. It looked like a bright jewel in the midst of a beautiful winter landscape. What a beautiful little town, she told herself. Perfect.

  Erin sighed and turned the ignition, but the car's engine spluttered ominously and refused to start. She tinkered with the heating controls, wondering how long it would be before she'd have to get out and walk the remaining distance to the town.

  She'd naively assumed the rental car would be up to the task. Maybe it was just too cold. According to her research, this part of Montana was unbelievably cold in the winter, especially for someone used to the winters of LA.

  She'd thought she'd understood what bad weather really meant before coming all the way out here. But it seemed that no amount of research made up for real-life experience. This town was really out in the middle of nowhere, she said to herself.

  Erin turned the heating up to the maximum and sat back, considering what would be the smart thing to do. Certainly, anything except sitting in this car and freezing to death, she told herself. She wound down the window and gasped as she felt the blast of cold wind. She hurriedly closed the window and shivered.

  She'd packed warm clothes in her suitcase before her flight from Los Angeles. The prospect of the long walk into town, hauling her suitcase behind her was as chilling as the night air outside the car.

  She tried to gauge the distance into town. It was maybe two miles. Far enough to be a difficult trek, she thought. Maybe she could get someone to come out and help her.

  Erin pulled out her cell phone. She grunted in frustration as she saw there was no signal.

  She narrowed her eyes. It looked like there was nothing else for it but to get out and walk.

  She turned the heating off, gathered her things, and got out of the car. She popped the trunk and lifted her suitcase out, groaning as she felt the weight. Maybe it hadn't been such a great idea to bring so much stuff, she thought. But, then again this wasn't supposed to be a long visit. She'd be gone before Christmas. Back to the warmth and comforts of Los Angeles.

  As she closed the trunk and heaved her case, Erin thought about another sunny Christmas in Los Angeles. Why did the thought of that make her feel so sad? So empty. She pushed the feelings away and pulled out the extension on her case and tested the wheels on the snow covered road. There were tracks of a car which must have passed earlier, so the case's small wheels could just about trundle along. With some coaxing from Erin.

  She locked her car, pulled the zipper of her heavy jacket all the way up to her neck and pulled the hood over her woolen hat. At least she was warm enough. For the moment.

  Then she was off, pulling her case behind her. The road was treacherous, and more than once she nearly fell over. The wind howled, and she lowered her head, determined to make it into town before the chill air brought her to a grinding halt.

  She gazed ahead at the town and, once again, felt something stir in her heart. What was it about this little town which had stuck in her mind these past few months? Was it the fact that everyone looked so unbelievably content with their life? Was it that she'd never seen a place before where people genuinely wanted to look after their neighbors? Was it the surprising peace she'd felt just being with the people of the town?

  Erin had spent the last few weeks preparing for this visit, talking with her boss, Bob. Her job, as production manager for a reality TV company, had brought her to Montana Falls a few months before. Then, it had seemed like a dream come true. She and her boss had been driving throughout the Northern states looking for a suitable setting for a new reality TV show. Bob's idea was that they could find somewhere that was a picture-perfect example of small-town America. Some place where he could bring his film crew and, with permissions duly signed, film the lives of the inhabitants of this small-town paradise on earth.

  Of course, what Bob really wanted was to show that this so-called perfect town merely hid a treasure trove of dark secrets. Treasure for the bored TV masses who wanted to see behind the scenes and find out what really went on when the doors were closed.

  Bob wanted gossip and real-life scandal. He was an experienced executive in the reality TV business. If there were scandals in Montana Falls, he would uncover them.

  So, he had sent Erin, his most valued assistant, to prepare the way for filming which would start soon after the New Year.

  Erin recalled her last conversation with her boss. He'd given her instructions about what to uncover, the kinds of places he wanted her to find. As she'd listened to him describing the people of Montana Falls, Erin hadn't been able to stop telling herself something over and over.

  The folks of Montana Falls deserved better than what people like Bob had in mind for them. They were good people, a rarity in this world, Erin told herself. They hardly deserved to be the subject of something as sleazy as a small-town expose.

  So, why was she going along with it? The truth was, she'd just about had enough. A seed had been planted in her during her visit to the town in the summer. At first, it had been nothing more than a love for the little town and its people. That had been surprising enough. But, during these past few months, as the potential choices of small towns had been whittled down by her boss, Erin had come to realize that maybe she'd been called to do something much more important, something she'd felt growing inside her for a very long time.

  Erin slowed, tugging at the suitcase, feeling the wheels stick in the snow, becoming clogged. She halted, breathless for a moment. She felt the cold starting to ease its way into her. Her feet were already slightly numb, in spite of her heavy boots.

  She'd only been walking for fifteen minutes, but already she was feeling doubtful she'd make it to the town. She pulled out her phone again, checking to see if there was any signal now that she was closer to the town.

  Nothing. Didn't these folks use cell phones?

  Erin gritted her teeth and drew in a cold, sharp breath. She couldn't stop now. There was nothing else for it but to keep going. Just like she'd been doing all her life.

  She had just made it down from the top of the ridge, and was walking across a flat plain when she saw the headlights of a car coming toward her from the direction of town. Erin sighed with relief. She was in luck. Or was it something else? Maybe there was another reason why that car was coming toward her at this time of night, in the snow.

  She kept walking, all the whi
le watching the car make its way toward her. Then, she realized that it wasn't just any old car. It was a police vehicle.

  Erin felt her heart quicken slightly. Could it be him? It must be, she told herself. There was only one sheriff in Montana Falls. It had to be Luke.

  She wondered what she would say to him, once he'd recognized her. Would he even remember who she was? It had been five months since she'd last been to the town.

  Of course, he would remember her, she assured herself. After all, she was certain he'd liked her, even if there had been times when they hadn't seen eye to eye on every one of Bob's enthusiastic suggestions for his TV show.

  Erin recalled how she'd admired the way Luke had quietly and calmly stood up for the people of the town. She was sure Luke hadn't been fooled by Bob. She liked that about the tall, dark-haired, very handsome sheriff who was probably a few years Erin's senior. He seemed to have a way of seeing through anyone's fake sincerity. Maybe it came with the job.

  The police car slowed to a halt in front of Erin. She squinted into the lights, unable for a moment to see who was behind the wheel. Then, the door opened and out stepped the man she'd been thinking about. Luke MacAllan. Sheriff of Montana Falls. He was dressed in a heavy sheepskin jacket, grey uniform pants and had a wide brimmed hat on his head.

  He smiled at Erin. "Howdy there, ma'am. Looks like you need some help there," he said walking slowly toward her, his boots crunching snow beneath them.

  Erin realized he still hadn't recognized her. She slipped off the hood of her jacket. "Sheriff MacAllan," she said. "Am I glad to see you."

  Luke's eyes narrowed. "Erin? Miss Scott? Is that you?" he said hesitantly.

  "It sure is," she replied.

  Luke's brows rose. She was probably the last person he'd expected to see out here. "What are you doing here?"

  "I'm visiting Montana Falls," she said, aware that it must be obvious. Otherwise, why would she be stranded out here?

  Luke's eyes widened. "Really? You should have told us you were coming. We would have laid out a reception party for you," he said smiling at her. He always had liked to tease her. Apparently, some things hadn't changed.

  Erin shrugged and turned back in the direction of her car. "My car quit on me, back there. I figured I could walk into town."

  Luke lifted a hand to his hat and tipped back the brim. "You thought a little night walking might do you some good?" he asked quirking his brow. He smiled. "It's a bit dangerous to be out here at this time, don't you think?"

  Erin sighed. "It wasn't planned. I can assure you of that. There's no cell phone signal. Otherwise, I'd have called."

  Luke nodded. "Yeah. Technology and Montana Falls don't go well together. We do have a mobile service, but it's a bit unreliable. Especially in this kind of weather."

  "How did you know I was here?" she asked.

  "I didn't," he declared bluntly.

  Erin's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh," she couldn't help saying.

  "I was heading out to one of the ranches. My brother owns one of those spreads," he explained.

  "I remember your brother. Jed, isn't it?" she said. He nodded confirming her recollection of at least one part of Luke's family.

  "You do?" he replied with a hint of surprise in his voice. "I remember," Luke added. "You and your boss visited him. Are you still thinking of doing that TV show?"

  Erin shivered slightly, and Luke's eyes narrowed with concern. "Let me help you with that case," he said moving toward her. "We can talk some more in the car, once we get you warmed up."

  She let him take the handle of the case. Up close, he looked so handsome, confirming her memories of him, and his eyes were filled with confident good-humor. Just like she'd remembered, she told herself. She tried to smile at him, but for some reason, he tugged his gaze quickly away from her now that he was so close to her. Was he still being shy with her? That wasn't something she was accustomed to with the kind of men friends she was used to knowing back in Los Angeles. Not that she'd had many friends, at all. Back in the city, life was too hectic for genuine relationships. Especially for a busy twenty-six-year-old like Erin.

  He put her case in his trunk and opened the front door for her. She got into the car, savoring the welcoming warmth. He got in beside her, started the engine and turned the vehicle, careful not to slide off the side of the road. She had no doubt whatsoever that he knew exactly how to deal with everything nature threw at him out here.

  Finally, they were heading along the road toward Montana Falls. She gazed ahead and wondered just what was awaiting her this time in the most wonderful town she'd ever known.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Holding the steering wheel, Luke glanced at Erin and saw that she was rubbing her hands. "You warm enough?" he asked.

  Erin nodded, but he knew she was only trying to be polite. He could see the chill color of her features. He reached down and pressed a button. Hot air filled the car, and she turned and smiled at him.

  "Thanks," she said.

  He'd forgotten how pretty she looked when she smiled. Was that true? Of course, it wasn't true, he chided himself as he peered ahead at the road. He hadn't forgotten one single thing about Erin. Memories of her had played on his mind since she and her boss had left all those months ago.

  He glanced across at her. What was he supposed to say to her? He figured he'd say nothing for a short while. Just give her a chance to warm up, he told himself.

  He did just that, but the need to ask her some questions soon became irresistible.

  "So, why are you here at Christmas, of all times?" he asked.

  Erin tilted her head and seemed suddenly thoughtful for a few moments. "My boss sent me back. You remember Bob, don't you?"

  Luke raised a brow. "How could I forget. He's quite a guy."

  Erin laughed. "He sure is," she replied nodding. "Bob is one in a million."

  "I guess he has to be like that. What with the kind of business he's involved in. Can't be easy being a TV executive," Luke said.

  Erin nodded. "It's a crazy business."

  "You never did tell me how you got involved," he said.

  Erin rolled her eyes. "It's a long story. Maybe some other time."

  Luke's eyes widened. "Is that a promise?" he asked eagerly.

  Erin smiled at him and didn't reply to that. What was he thinking of, asking a question like that? It had come out all wrong. It had almost sounded like he was asking for a date. It was just as well the only light inside the car was from the dashboard. Otherwise, she might have seen him frown at his own awkwardness.

  "He's chosen this town to make his TV reality show," Erin announced slowly.

  "Has he now?" Luke replied.

  "At least, that's the plan."

  "Can I ask why?" Luke said. He'd heard rumors. That conversation he'd had with Abe, the town mayor, a week ago had hinted that something big might be happening after the New Year. But, Luke had almost forgotten about the visit by the slightly pushy TV guy from LA, and his beautiful assistant during the summer. Now that she was sitting next to him he wondered how he could have forgotten about Erin.

  Erin sighed. "Bob believes that your little town is the perfect American small town," she stated bluntly.

  "Is that right?" Luke asked casually. Maybe Bob was right. Luke had spent his entire life in Montana Falls, and he had to agree. It was just about the only place in which Luke would ever want to live.

  Erin nodded. "We looked at lots of places on our very, very long scouting trip," she said rolling her eyes.

  "I remember you telling me you'd driven across five states."

  "Very big states," she replied, shaking her head.

  "I guess we're supposed to feel honored that your boss has chosen our town."

  Erin peered at him as if she'd noticed the slight edge in his voice. He'd tried to contain his disapproval of the whole idea, but he figured he'd failed miserably. Or maybe it was just that she could read Luke better than he'd thought she could.

  "
He still hasn't gotten approval," Erin said.

  "I know not everyone in town was enthusiastic," Luke replied.

  Erin looked at him sharply. "No. I meant, Bob. He hasn't gotten approval from the network. They liked the idea when he pitched it to them, but he's been told to get some confirmation that the town is on board with the whole idea."

  "And, that's why you're here?" he asked.

  Erin nodded. "I've to meet with the town council and get their permission to film. I'll need them to sign a waiver, too."

  Luke squinted at Erin. "Waiver?"

  "Part of the deal is that anyone who agrees to participate will get paid, of course. But, they'll also have to sign an agreement allowing Bob and his production company to do pretty much what he likes with the footage they get from the daily life in the town."

  Luke sighed. "That's a pretty heavy deal you're talking about there."

  "It's standard for this kind of TV show."

  Luke shook his head. "Yeah, but this little town is way more special than anywhere else. You admitted that, yourself."

  "I know," she said, and he noticed there was a sudden heaviness in her voice.

  "So, what's the problem?" he asked.

  She looked at him, as if she'd been taken aback by his honesty.

  "What do you mean?"

  Luke tilted his head while keeping his eyes on the road. "For someone who works for a TV company about to expose all the secrets of my town, you don't sound exactly enthusiastic about it."

  Erin sighed and shook her head. "I'm not," she admitted quietly.

  Luke squinted at her. "Really? Why?"

  She gazed ahead at the town. "I saw what this place was like. The goodness of the people." Erin's voice sounded distant as if she was thinking hard about what she was saying. "I felt so at home here, Luke. I loved the feeling of peace in the town. Everything just seems so perfect. Everyone seems so contented."

  Luke nodded. "That sounds like my hometown," he said with a smile. But, Erin didn't smile back at him, and that made him feel a tug of concern. What was troubling her?