As she stepped into the square, Luke dragged her back quickly to avoid being knocked over by some children on a sled who shot by, mere inches from Erin. She laughed as she watched the sled crash safely into a pile of snow which had been shoveled against a bush in the center of the park.
The sound of music was deafening. It came from a carousel which spun madly around, drawing frantic and delighted screams from the people hanging on for dear life.
Erin drew in a deep breath, inhaling the aroma of spices and all manner of smells, every one a memory of childhood.
Erin saw that Luke was watching her, obviously savoring her reaction.
"This is fabulous," she said gazing out across the square.
"I thought you'd be impressed," he replied.
"I am," she said, feeling herself tingle with anticipation.
"Let's go mingle," he said extending his arm. She nodded, hooking her arm inside his, feeling that there was absolutely nothing wrong with doing such a thing. They walked into the crowd and made their way slowly from stall to stall, taking in the sight of the food on offer. There was everything she could imagine eating, and for a moment she was glad she'd had dinner before coming out with Luke.
That thought took her by surprise. She glanced up at Luke and saw the easy grace with which he moved. There was a familiar brightness in his eyes as he looked at everything. Many people nodded to him as they passed by. Every time he acknowledged them, courteously. Not once did he ignore anyone who said hello to the town's sheriff. She could see from the way people looked at him, that he was respected.
Everything his parents had said about Luke was true. He was trusted. And she had decided to trust him tonight, a decision she knew she wouldn't regret for one moment.
She felt the strength in his arm, a firm connection that made her feel right at home by his side.
They wandered through the crowd. Erin had never seen so many happy looking kids, yelling with joy, chomping down on candy sticks, fighting for a place in the line to meet Santa who apparently had taken up residence in a large building that had been made to look as if it had been constructed out of ice.
For a long time, she and Luke simply walked around the square, taking in the sight of one of the happiest Christmas events Erin had ever witnessed.
They joined a small crowd in front of a makeshift stage and listened to beautifully sung carols. All of her favorite songs were performed. After a while, she realized she had settled her head against Luke's shoulder as she listened to the sweet voices.
When she caught herself doing that, she glanced up at him and saw that he was trying real hard to pretend not to notice what she was doing.
What was it about this sweet man who captivated her so much? Was it his easy sense of authority and good nature? Was it his devastatingly handsome looks? Or was it simply that she'd never met a man who was so comfortable in his skin, so at ease with his life?
She'd been drawn into his world, and into the world of his family and the town. It had all happened so quickly. But, wasn't that the way it always happened? Didn't they say that when you encountered the thing that was meant for you, that it would seem like the most natural and inevitable thing in the world?
The carol singers finished, and she and Luke continued their slow progress around the square.
They came to a stall selling mulled, spiced wine. He looked at what was on offer and then at Erin. "You fancy some of that wine?" he asked.
She inhaled the aroma. It smelled delicious, and it would help warm her up, even if she wasn't really feeling the cold. Not while she was hanging onto Luke.
Erin looked at him. "Aren't you working later?"
Luke shook his head. "I'll have some of the apple juice instead," he said. "In any case, my deputy's on duty tonight."
Luke gazed around the square. "You really think there's going to be trouble in town on a night like this?" he added, giving her an incredulous look.
Erin nodded. "I guess not. But, you're the expert."
"There's never any trouble on Christmas fair nights. Everyone's on their best behavior."
That sounded so sweet, so traditional, she told herself. It was like something out of an earlier time.
"Maybe I will try some," she said glancing at the wine stall.
Luke ordered two plastic cups one with the spiced wine, and the other with apple juice for himself. Luke handed the cup to Erin and she lifted it to her lips.
"Careful, it's hot," he warned her.
Erin took a careful sip and felt the heat of the wine trickle down inside her. It tasted fabulous, a riotous mixture of spices and sugar that made every one of her taste buds light up.
"Good?" he asked lifting a brow.
Erin nodded. "The best," she replied.
They walked on, nursing their cups, and trying to make sure that none of the kids racing toward the carousel bumped into them.
"You don't have anything like this back home?" he asked.
Erin gazed around at the bustle of activity, the hundreds of people. "Nothing quite like this," she said.
"People don't get together outside and have fun?" he asked.
"They do, but it's a different kind of fun," she said, rolling her eyes. "It's hard to do this kind of thing on the beach when it's warm and sunny."
He nodded. "I can see that might be a problem. Must feel kinda different from this," he said looking around the square.
"It sure does. Don't get me wrong. Everyone has a good time at Christmas. It's just that it isn't like something out of a picture postcard."
Luke tilted his head and peered at her. "Is that what you think? That we're some kind of quaint little fantasy."
Erin shrugged. "Before I came, I guess I did think that. But, now that I'm here I can see that it's all true. All real."
He frowned. "You think so?"
Erin nodded and sighed. She gazed around the square. "I've never seen anything more real in my entire life," realizing that her voice sounded suddenly wistful and even a little sad. "Everyone here is so lucky. It'll be a shame to go and ruin it."
Luke frowned. "How's that going to happen?"
Erin peered at him, narrowing her eyes. "It'll happen if my boss gets his way and brings a TV crew here. Once that happens, this little town will never be the same again."
"You might be right," he said. He thought for a moment. "But, then again, maybe the folks here are too strong to be affected by all that. Maybe it'll do them good to realize the value of what they have here."
Erin shook her head. "I don't think you realize the power of TV to corrupt. Once the rest of the country gets to see something like this, Montana Falls will never be the same again."
"If that's the case, why are working in TV?" he asked suddenly. She was taken aback by his question.
"What do you mean?"
"You say it's corrupt. That it changes folks for the worse. So, why are you working in TV if it does that?"
The question was so bold and so obvious that Erin felt shocked. Of course, she'd asked herself that many times, but she'd always been able to avoid the truth, pretend that she was doing what she was supposed to do; that eventually, she would find a way to make a difference in peoples lives by making TV that was worthwhile.
But, every time she'd thought that, she'd told herself that she was fooling herself. That she just had to keep her job, so that meant doing what was needed for the next project. And the next. And so on.
Maybe Luke had seen through that. Was that possible even having known Erin for such a short time? His question burned into her mind. Why was she doing all of this? What was the purpose of her life?
"I guess I'll find out what your townsfolk think tomorrow."
Luke's brows furrowed. "Why's that?"
"I have a big meeting with the town council. The Mayor told me there are some straight talking people on that council. And some who think a bit more about their pocketbook than preserving what you see around you."
Luke nodded. "I know those
council members. They can be a little rough and plain spoken."
Erin squinted. "I'm used to plain speaking. You can't work in my line of business and not run into a few difficult characters from time to time."
He smiled. "So maybe working in TV has its uses, after all," he said.
She smiled back at him, surprised at his insight. "You might just be right there."
"I usually am," he said quirking a brow at her. He was joking with her again and, just like before she rose to the challenge instantly.
She tilted her head and grinned at him. "I never realized you were so modest," she joked.
"Modesty is my middle name," he said.
That cute smile creased the corner of his mouth again. Why was it, every time he did that, she felt something warm inside?
They both finished drinking their wine and discarded the cups safely in a bin. The wine had created a pleasing warmth in her, and Erin was more than happy to hook her arm inside Luke's when he offered his arm to her. They walked on, and she felt as if she could spend the whole night here, enjoying these simple pleasures, feeling completely at home in a way she'd never really felt before.
They dodged a young, happy, laughing couple who nearly collided with them. The pretty, red-cheeked woman halted and slid on the snow. Luke reached out and took her arm, stopping her from falling over.
The woman looked up at Erin and then at Luke. "Sheriff!" she exclaimed. "Sorry, I nearly ran you down there," she said looking at the young man she was with. Judging by the way the young man was looking at the girl, they were a couple. And in love.
"It's okay, Gretchen," Luke said to the girl. "Everyone's having fun," he added in his best sheriff voice.
Gretchen peered at Erin. "This your girl, Sheriff?" she asked suddenly.
Erin saw Luke's brows rise and he glanced at Erin. There was an awkward moment when neither Erin nor Luke said anything. The girl seemed to think for an instant and then giggled. She lifted her head up to her boyfriend's ear and whispered something to him behind a cupped hand. Then, she poked her boyfriend in the side. "Go on," she said, giggling again.
Luke and Erin looked at one another and frowned.
The boyfriend had his hand behind his back as if he was holding something. He looked inquiringly at Gretchen, and she nodded eagerly at him.
Then the boyfriend revealed what he was holding when he moved his hand out from behind his back and lifted it high above Erin and Luke.
It was a sprig of mistletoe.
"Kiss. Kiss," Gretchen cried with sudden high spirits.
Erin looked up at the mistletoe. It was hanging there, an unspoken demand, one that she knew she wasn't going to be able to avoid.
She saw Luke's eyes narrow. Would he kiss her? Should she let him?
"Come on, kiss. It's Christmas," Gretchen pleaded, her eyes wide with good-humored mischief.
Erin gazed into Luke's eyes and saw that he wanted to kiss her. Who was she to deny them both something like a Christmas kiss under the mistletoe?
Then Luke's head dipped slowly, and she felt his lips on her mouth, tender and warm. There was a hint of the taste of sweet apples, but what she really savored was the softness of the kiss. Erin's heart quickened, and she raised a hand to his shoulder, holding onto him for just a moment while she briefly closed her eyes. The sounds of the fair suddenly seemed to come from a very long distance away.
Then, he lifted his head, and she opened her eyes, seeing the tenderness in his gaze.
They'd kissed. The last thing Erin would have expected tonight.
Gretchen clapped her hands and squealed loudly.
Luke turned to Gretchen and smiled. "You happy now?"
"Of course," Gretchen said. Her boyfriend looked mildly embarrassed.
"You be getting along now. Have a nice time, tonight," Luke told her flicking his head for Gretchen and her boyfriend to be on their way.
Erin's heart was still racing as she watched Gretchen and her boyfriend head off into the crowd.
Luke smiled at Erin. "Kids. What they get up to, sometimes, eh?"
He shifted awkwardly as if he'd just realized what they'd done.
"I know just how she feels," Erin said.
Luke's eyes narrowed seeking explanation.
Erin drew in a deep breath and sighed. "This has been such a wonderful evening. The best I've had in a long while."
"I'm glad," Luke said simply.
The way he was looking at her now, gave her goosebumps. Had that kiss meant as much to him as it had to her? Their first kiss. The first of many more to come?
He offered her his arm, and she smiled as she hooked hers inside. Then they were walking again. All she could think about for a long while was that kiss. It had been so tender, and so brief. But, even though it hadn't lasted long, and even though it had been spontaneous, underneath the mistletoe, Erin couldn't help asking herself what the next few days held for her and Luke MacAllan.
CHAPTER NINE
Luke walked Erin home. They didn't walk arm in arm this time, though. He didn't want to seem presumptuous, not after how well things had gone between them all night. He figured she might be uncomfortable walking like that away from the Fair. It might give folks the wrong idea and cast a shadow over the evening.
And, what a wonderful evening it had been, he told himself, as they made their way back along his parents' street. They didn't say much to each other as they walked along the street. In the distance, Luke could hear the sounds of the Fair. That would go on until almost midnight.
He could see from Erin's bright eyes and her flushed, red cheeks that she'd had a good time. He was pleased about that; satisfied that she'd seen the best of the town; proud that the place he called home could put on a show like that.
They'd ridden on the carousel, and she'd laughed like he'd never seen her laugh before. It was almost as if something had been let loose in Erin, something he figured she might have been holding back. There had been a plain and simple joy in her throughout the evening. They'd gone from one thing to the next, and she'd just seemed to love every minute.
And then there had been that kiss. At first, Luke hadn't been sure what to do when Gretchen had held up that mistletoe. But when he'd seen the look on Erin's face, he'd made his mind up in an instant. It had just seemed like the right thing to do when he'd leaned down and kissed her. And the way she'd reacted had simply swept away his doubts, replacing them with a wonderful feeling.
The kiss hadn't been long enough, but it had sure been sweet. And when it had ended, and he'd looked into her eyes, Luke had been sure it had touched her as much as it had affected him. Her eyes had had a beautiful, bright sparkle in them, and he'd told himself that he hadn't made a mistake, after all.
Maybe one day he'd have to thank Gretchen and her boyfriend for making that possible. They finally reached his parents' house. He paused on the snow-covered sidewalk.
Erin looked up at him. "I had a wonderful evening. Thank you, Luke," she said.
His heart warmed instantly. "You're welcome. I'm just glad you got to see the best of my town. Maybe, tomorrow, when you speak to the council, you can keep what you saw in mind."
"I'll try," she said smiling at him.
Luke glanced up at the house. Had he just seen a curtain move in an upstairs bedroom? Maybe Nicole had been keeping an eye out for them.
"You coming in to see your parents?" she asked.
Luke shook his head, thinking of the friendly grilling he'd be subjected to. "I don't think so. I think everyone might be in bed, sleeping. Don't want to disturb anyone."
Erin nodded. Then she did something that took him totally by surprise. She stood up on her tippy toes and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He looked at her, wide-eyed. "What was that for?" he asked.
"For being a true gentleman, this evening," she replied.
"No problem, ma'am," he joked, tilting his head.
Erin smiled at him, said goodnight, and then headed up the driveway toward the house.
He watched her open the door. She paused and waved to him. He waved a gloved hand back at her and then she quietly closed the door.
Luke blew out a long breath, watching it steam up in front of his face.
Time to go home, now that he'd seen Erin safely home, he told himself. He turned and started down the road feeling better than he'd felt in a very long time.
****
Erin tiptoed up the stairs, anxious not to wake anyone. She heard the stairs creak beneath her feet and she flinched, hoping that no-one had heard the sound.
The living room had been empty, and the house was quiet. Scoot had given her a look, as if to ask where she'd been all night. She reached the upstairs hallway and opened the door to her room. From behind her she heard a noise, and when she turned she saw Nicole, dressed in red pajamas. Nicole had an expectant, bright expression on her face. It looked like Erin might have to answer some probing questions, after all.
"Did you have a nice time?"Nicole asked quietly.
Erin lifted an upraised finger to her lips.
Nicole stared down the hallway and stepped across the distance between their room doors.
"What did you think?" she whispered to Erin.
"It was lovely," she said quietly.
Erin flicked her head, and Nicole followed her into the room. Erin closed the door behind her.
They sat down side by side on the bed.
"I thought you'd be sleeping," Erin said to Nicole, although she could see that she was wide awake. Had she been waiting for Erin and Luke to return home? More worryingly for Erin, what was Nicole going to ask her about her evening with Luke?
"I wasn't tired. I was up reading, and I heard you come in," Nicole said. She lifted a brow. "So?"
Erin knew she had to tell Nicole something. Otherwise, neither of them would sleep tonight.
Luke's Christmas Love (A Sweet Christmas Romance) Page 6
