Her Christmas Hero (Home To Dover 6)

by Lorraine Beatty

  “Looks as though Mr. Linc wasn’t ready for the party to end.”

  Gemma grimaced. “Don’t be ridiculous. He probably just forgot something.”

  “Uh-huh. Like more time with you.”

  Before she could respond, her friend chuckled and hurried to her car, waving at Linc on the way.

  Gemma swallowed past the lump in her throat. What was it about Linc that always tied her in knots? Watching him walk toward her, his broad shoulders arching side to side as he moved, the long legs eating up the ground, filled her with a confusing mixture of anticipation and dread. If she could put a name to these feelings then maybe she could start to master her reactions. Yes he was good-looking, but more than that he was compelling, and at times intimidating, but she found gentleness beyond the facade that she couldn’t ignore.

  She wrapped her arm around one of the porch posts. “I don’t have any more cake to give you.” He smiled, and the sudden weakness in her knees made her grateful for the wooden support.

  Linc placed a hand on his flat belly. “No, thanks. Two pieces has done enough damage. I have an invitation for you.”

  He stopped at the foot of the porch steps looking up at her, and for a moment she felt like Juliet on her balcony gazing down at Romeo. Okay, it was only four little porch steps, but the Romeo part was accurate. From this level she could see the waves in his dark hair, and the thick black lashes that any women would envy. She cleared her throat of the sudden dryness.

  “Mom would like you and Evan to join us for Thanksgiving dinner.”

  Not what she’d expected. “Oh. That’s very nice, but I wouldn’t dream of intruding on your family time.”

  “She thought you would say that, and she told me to tell you that as friends living in the cottage, that qualifies you as family.”

  A warm rush of affection made her smile. She could easily imagine Francie saying that. “Are you sure?”

  Linc nodded, his blue eyes looking deep into hers. “The truth is there won’t be much family this year. Tori is staying in California. Bethany starts rehearsals for a new show the week before Thanksgiving and Gil’s tied up in Mobile. That just leaves Seth, me and Mom. We’re used to having a full table, so you’d be doing us a favor.”

  “Sort of like standins for your siblings?” She stifled a grin at the chagrined look on his face.

  “No, I didn’t mean it that way.”

  Gemma chuckled at his discomfort. He was always so controlled it was fun to shake him up. “All right. We’d be happy to accept your invitation. Evan will love it. I expect him to move his belongings into the main house any day now so he can be closer to Francie. He loves her.”

  “The feeling is mutual. Evan has been a blessing to my mom. Having him around has given her something to focus on instead of Dad being gone.”

  “Well, Evan needs her, too. So what do I need to bring? And should we dress up or is it a casual dinner?”

  Linc came up the steps to stand beside her. “Church clothes are fine. But Mom usually goes all out. The good china, fancy tablecloth and silver. Flowers on the table, the whole nine yards.”

  Something in his attitude brought a sudden realization. “It’s your favorite holiday, isn’t it?”

  “I guess it is. I like having everyone together around the table. Christmas is great, but it’s hectic. Thanksgiving is family time.”

  “Well, thank your mother again for inviting us.”

  Linc looked at her, his gaze probing and searching, warming her blood and interrupting her heart rate.

  “I will. I’m glad you agreed to come.”

  Gemma sensed another meaning in his tone. A personal note. Was he glad that she would be there for his favorite holiday? What did that mean? Uncomfortable with his scrutiny, she lowered her eyes.

  He started down the steps, then looked back. “I told you everything would work out. With the party, I mean.”

  “Yes, you did. Thanks.”

  “Any time.”

  Gemma watched Linc until he disappeared into the main house. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t keep her original opinion of Linc firmly in place. She was coming to see he was a man of deep emotions, a man who loved his family and grieved the loss of his father. He also had a caring heart.

  The only aspect of Linc that she couldn’t dismiss was his obvious need to be in charge and control those around him. It might be because he was the eldest and he took his responsibility to work and family seriously. But it could also mean his controlling streak was a part of his inherent personality—and was something to beware of. Time would tell.

  Her cell phone rang as she was putting the last plate in the dishwasher. She glanced at the screen, bending forward and rubbing her temples. Her mother. Buoyed with the success of the party, she steeled herself and answered.

  “Gemma, I haven’t heard from you in months. Are you still working at that electrical business? I hate to see you wasting your talents in an insignificant business in Mississippi. You have so much more to offer,” her mother said without so much as a hello.

  Like touching a hot stove, old reactions kicked in. The sense of failure, the insecurities, the shame. She should never have answered the call. “No, Mother, I’m not working there anymore. I’ve taken a job with the local Chamber of Commerce. I’m in charge of their Christmas events.” Gemma braced for the scolding. The only thing worse than not being a successful accountant would be working events again. The long silence on the other end of the call pulled the knot in her stomach tighter.

  “I see. Well, obviously your recent failures haven’t shown you that you’re on the wrong path. I guess it’ll take an even bigger fiasco to convince you that throwing parties for children and adults who would rather have a good time than better themselves isn’t a valid profession.”

  Gemma fought back the tears. “I’m using the gifts God has given me, Mother. I’m sorry if that’s not good enough for you, but it’s good enough for me.”

  “That’s the trouble, Gemma. You always had poor judgment.”

  “Obviously we see things differently, Mother. I have to go.”

  Gemma quickly ended the call. But her mother’s words lay like a shroud over her mood the rest of the evening, churning up a storm of doubt and recriminations. She hated that she couldn’t shake it off and let it go, but once the uncertainties bubbled up, it took a lot of prayer and self-determination to conquer them. One thing she was sure of was she was doing what she was called to do. She also knew the Montgomerys were a blessing she desperately needed. They were giving her a foundation on which to build her new life. Giving her hope that with the Lord’s help she could be the kind of parent Evan needed. She didn’t want her son to ever think he’d disappointed her or that something he did wasn’t up to her standards.

  *

  Linc closed the hymnal and slid it back into the holder as he sat down in the pew. He’d looked forward to being in church this morning. He needed clarity and strength to get through the week ahead. He’d been struggling since the call had come in late Friday afternoon. The Coleman project had been won by their largest competitor. He couldn’t remember the last time Montgomery Electrical had lost a job this size. What the loss of this job might mean to the business financially had tied a knot in his gut that he couldn’t shake and raised doubts about his abilities to run the company.

  He knew he needed to turn the pain and grief over to the Lord, but that was one area where he struggled. Each morning he looked to the scriptures and symbolically handed his life over to the Lord. But by the time he cranked his truck to go to work, he’d taken it all back.

  He darted a quick glance at Gemma, thankful she was sitting at the other end of the pew next to his mother this morning. He had enough on his mind without being distracted by her heady jasmine scent and the shimmer of her red-gold hair. The delicate lace blouse she wore set off her green eyes and added to her femininity.

  Reverend Barrett began his sermon, and Linc listened intently for a word that
would soothe his troubled spirit. His concentration wavered as his problems pushed to the forefront again. He loved this church and the town he’d grown up in, but he could no longer ignore the problems Dover faced. It needed more money to flow into its economy. They were trying to regroup after the Southways closure by expanding the Christmas celebrations.

  He still didn’t like the changes being made, but he could acknowledge that the owners need to find ways to increase business. Though he doubted luring visitors to Dover would help his construction company much, he was now in a similar position. He’d have to beat the bushes for new projects, work around the clock if necessary. Montgomery Electrical had been in business three generations, and he wasn’t about to let it end with him at the controls. He had to tell Gil, but he would hold off telling his mom for the time being until he saw how the loss would affect the bottom line.

  He gave up trying to concentrate on the sermon. He’d drive out to his property later and spend some time alone with the Lord. It was easier to think there.

  Linc exited the church behind his mother, Gemma and Evan. He smiled as Gemma stopped to greet several members. Her work with the Chamber had connected her with many residents beyond the store owners. Everyone liked her. He could understand why. She was warm, caring, like a sweet spring breeze.

  Seth tapped his shoulder. “Can I ride home with you? We need to talk.”

  Linc studied his younger brother. It was obvious something was bothering him. He’d been restless all through the service. “Sure.”

  Inside the cab of his truck, Seth remained silent. Linc gave him time to sort out what he wanted to say. But when they neared home Linc glanced over at him. “Should I keep going?” Seth nodded. They’d driven nearly half an hour before Seth finally opened up.

  “I’m leaving.”

  Linc gripped the steering wheel, hoping he’d heard wrong. “Where are you going?”

  “Houston. I’ve been accepted to the police academy there. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I just didn’t know how to tell Dad. Or Mom.”

  Linc fought to keep his tone calm and understanding, even as his heart cried out in protest. Another sibling was pulling away, cutting ties with the family business and striking out in a new direction. “I thought you were happy at the shop. You always seemed to like the work.”

  “I do. I did. But since Dad died I’ve been thinking about how short life is, and I don’t want to wake up one day and regret that I didn’t follow my dream. You know?”

  Linc nodded, even though he didn’t understand. He’d followed his dream. The only one he’d ever had—to run Montgomery Electrical alongside his dad. He’d lived his dream for the past decade, but now he was running things alone—without either of his brothers to shore him up.

  “When?” The tightness in his throat made it hard to speak.

  “The Saturday after Thanksgiving.”

  “Mom’s going to be upset.”

  “A little, but I have been hinting to her a lot lately. She’s always known what I really wanted to do.”

  “Does this have anything to do with that year you moved away? When you and Dad were fighting?”

  “No. Nothing.”

  Blindsided again. Linc resisted the urge to pound the steering wheel with a fist. He’d had no idea Seth wanted another career. He’d foolishly assumed that everyone loved the family business as much as he did. His sisters, he could understand. But Seth? He prayed Gil wouldn’t suddenly resign, as well.

  “Are you mad?”

  Linc stole a glance at his younger brother. Hurt. Wounded. Shocked. “No. Surprised.”

  “I know the timing stinks, but I think this is what the Lord wants me to do, Linc.”

  How could he argue with that? “Okay. But you hear me. You’d better be the best cop they’ve ever had or I’ll come to Texas and ream you a good one.”

  Seth laughed. “You sound just like Dad.”

  Linc’s heart tightened. No, he could never sound like Dad. Pulling into the next driveway, he turned the truck around and headed back home. Wondering if the bad news would ever stop rolling into his life.

  *

  Gemma stepped onto the front porch, inhaling the earthy fall air deep into her lungs. The Sunday-afternoon sun was bright and warm. The chill of the past few days had been replaced with balmy weather, inviting her outside to enjoy the beautiful day the Lord had created. Francie had taken Evan to the movies right after church, leaving Gemma with an afternoon all to herself. Finally she had time to start the book she’d bought weeks ago.

  She glanced up when she heard Linc’s truck coming down the driveway. Church had ended an hour ago. Curious, she watched the brothers emerge from the red Chevy. Seth went directly inside. Linc lagged behind, one hand resting on the truck roof, the other set on his hip. She knew the pose. Something was bothering him.

  Predictably, he glanced over at her. The crease in his forehead revealed his troubled mood. She waved and he headed in her direction. He walked like a man with a burden. His usually squared shoulders were curved forward, and his stride was slow and reluctant. She hoped nothing bad had happened. The Montgomerys had been through enough.

  “Is everything all right? Did you and your brother have a disagreement?”

  Linc stepped onto the porch, leaning one shoulder against the post, slipping a hand into the front pocket of his dress slacks. “No. Not exactly.” He shook his head slowly, as if struggling to grasp what had happened. “He’s leaving. He’s going to the police academy in Houston.”

  No wonder Linc was stunned. “That’s a big life change. Has he always wanted to go into law enforcement?”

  “Apparently. I know he’s always admired cops, but I never figured he’d leave the company.”

  “Are you angry?”

  “No.” He rubbed his forehead. “I’m shocked. Confused. Another sibling is walking away from the family when we need each other most.”

  “He’s not walking away, Linc. He just wants to live his life his way.”

  “But why now? We just lost our dad. We should be drawing closer, standing together.”

  Gemma resisted the urge to give him a hug. “I can’t imagine how you must feel or what your family is going through, but everyone has to follow their own dreams. I don’t think that means they are rejecting you or your family.”

  “We’re coming into the most important family time of the year. Do you have any idea how many traditions our family has? They’ll mean even more this year. But not if no one is here to share them.”

  “Maybe it’s time to start new traditions.”

  Linc set his jaw. “What do you have against tradition, Gemma? Why are you so determined to change everything?”

  “I don’t have anything against tradition. I just never had any.”

  His expression shifted from puzzlement to one of determination. “I’d like to show you something. Will you take a ride with me?”

  “All right.”

  Linc was silent as they rode. He steered the vehicle past the garage behind the main house and along a dirt road that led into the pines. She stole a glance at him, but his rigid jaw and stiff shoulders suggested he wasn’t ready to talk. She’d wanted to be understanding about Seth leaving, and about his concerns regarding his family, but she had no reference points to draw from. Family and traditions had no significance in her world.

  Someone had once asked her why she liked planning events. She’d had no answer at the time, but she’d come to understand that she liked making events special and memorable for others because she had none of her own to cherish.

  Linc made a slow turn onto another dirt road that wound beneath massive live oaks and down a gentle slope. As they broke through the trees a lovely stream came into view and off to one side, an old boarded-up farmhouse. The scene was so picturesque she wished she’d brought her pad and pencil so she could sketch it to enjoy later. She’d have to settle for a few pictures on her cell phone.

  Pulling to a stop, L
inc stared straight ahead for a long moment, before getting out and coming to open her door. “Where are we?”

  “My land.”

  “It’s beautiful.” The air was thick with the scent of pine and autumn.

  Linc strolled slowly toward the stream bank. “This was the first piece of land my great-grandfather purchased when he came south. He built the old farmhouse and lived here most of his life. He started buying up more land around it, and eventually owned a couple thousand acres. But when my grandfather grew up he didn’t want to farm. He’d learned electrical work in the service and decided to start his own company.”

  “Did you inherit the land?”

  “Dad gave us each acreage when we turned twenty-one. I chose this piece because of the tradition. It’s been passed down to the eldest son for generations.”

  Gemma saw the pride in his blue eyes and heard the reverence in his tone. She resisted the urge to reach out and take his hand. “What do you plan to do with it?”

  “Build a home for my family. Right here.” He gestured to the spot on which they were standing. “Beside the stream under these old oaks.”

  “And the old house. Can it be restored?”

  “I’d always hoped so. I’ve tried to keep it sealed up against the elements, but a friend of mine looked at it and said it’s not worth saving. I guess I’ll try to salvage what I can to use in a new house someday.”

  She stared at his strong profile. Sensing his deep love for the place on which he stood. His vulnerability touched her heart. Never would she have expected him to have a deep sentimental streak or such devotion to his heritage. Linc had roots, purpose and a past that defined him. What would it be like to belong to a family with ties stretching back generations? Her own grandparents were gone, and she’d barely known them. Family gatherings and holiday celebrations weren’t things the Butlers gave more than a passing nod to.

  “I think I’m beginning to understand your definition of tradition. I’m glad you brought me here.”