She blinked back tears. Her sassy friend knew how to cut her to the bone, in the best way possible. She’d been avoiding thoughts about Lance for the past twenty-four hours, but the time hadn’t seemed to help relieve the pain. “I can’t. It hurts too much.”
“It’ll get better,” Laurie said with a sweet smile. Her eyes had filled with similar tears. “I promise. A year from now, you’ll look back on this moment and smile.”
She sincerely hoped her friends were right. This heartache was all consuming. She couldn’t even see past today, let alone a year from now. But her friends were wiser than their years and she trusted them.
“Beautiful ladies and handsome gents.” Ricardo’s presence on the grandstand captured their attention. He was wearing a men’s pink pea coat with a black scarf. From his wrist hung six leashes that were each attached to a different dog. He held a panting black Shih Tzu in his arms.
“What is he doing?” Gemma asked. When she’d last checked in with him, he was drowning his sorrows in a strong lemon lime margarita and mourning the loss of his shelter. “Is he crazy?”
“As you well know, our funding was unexpectedly cut short at the shelter,” he went on to say, stroking the Shih Tzu's fur. “With the impending doom of my dogs, I only asked Santa for one thing this year - to save our home.”
“We asked Santa for the same thing.” Brandon, with his black rimmed glasses, peered out from behind Ricardo. He had a mic in one hand and held the leash to a golden retriever in the other. With a shy smile, he stepped forward. “New Hope is our home. We didn’t want to leave.”
A dozen boys from the home began to climb the stairs to the bandstand, each of them leading one of Ricardo’s dogs. They lined up in neat rows behind Brandon, smiles lighting up their faces.
“What’s happening?” Gemma nudged her friends who returned her confused expression. “Who arranged this?”
This wasn’t a usual part of the Christmas morning program. Watching Ricardo and the boys on stage made a new sadness drench Gemma’s budding hope for the future. She couldn’t watch them say goodbye. She wouldn’t.
“Where are you going?” Chloe called as Gemma began to walk away.
“Wait!” Laurie yelled.
They were still talking on the bandstand. Gemma tried to close her ears from the noise, willing the pain to go away. She’d almost made it to the Blue Stem Bistro when a familiar voice made her stop. It called her name over the loudspeakers, willing her to turn around.
“Gemma, wait. I need you to listen.”
She turned around, one inch at a time. Her blood flushed to her face and warmed her cheeks. That couldn’t be who she thought it was. He was gone from her life, forever. She had to be dreaming.
“Gemma Rink, I need to apologize.” Lance was standing on the stage in a gray pea coat that popped at the collar. In his arms, he cradled Spartacus, the miniature poodle with the rhinestone leash. “I’m sorry that I was such a jerk when we met. I’m sorry that I lied to you and that I hurt you. I’m sorry I wasn’t honest with you.”
She could feel the whole town staring at her. Ducking her head, she thought about taking the two final steps into Jeanette’s coffee shop and hiding from all the attention.
“I’m sorry we closed the foundation,” Lance continued, holding the mic closer to his mouth. “And now, I’m sorry for putting you on the spot. But I had to tell you those things. I needed you to hear them.”
Gemma pursed her lips, biting back her angry reply. A thousand apologies weren’t going to mean much to a town that just lost so much. She couldn’t believe his nerve.
“You have every right to hate me,” he said, as if he could read her mind. She huffed and crossed her arms. “But, I’m here to try and make things right, even if you never forgive me. New Hope Foundation isn’t closing. Barkley & Barkley will continue to fund the wonderful work you do here. Ricardo’s dogs, the Children’s Home, and everything else you do will go on. We’re keeping the Foundation open.”
A whisper of disbelief went through the crowds. Gemma could feel the same sensation rolling over her. She still had a job with her two best friends? The home and the shelter could stay open? It was too much to hope for.
As she was processing the news, Lance had passed off Spartacus and was wading through the crowd toward the coffee shop. He spotted her in the doorway and slowed to a walk, keeping his hands glued to his sides.
“I have one more apology to make,” he said quietly.
Gemma looked up, shocked to see him suddenly in front of her. She took a small step backwards and frowned. “What else could you possibly have to say to me?”
The left side of his mouth pulled up into a reluctant grin. She stared at his lips, wishing she didn’t want them pressed against hers. The blaring white snow behind him made him look like an angel, sent from God to deliver the good news. She tugged at her scarf and huffed again, desperate to keep her body from responding to the sight in front of her.
“I need to say one last thing.” His voice was low and full of emotion. Taking a small step forward, he licked his lips and let out a trembling breath. “I love you, Gemma. I’ve loved you since you first spilled coffee on me in that shop. I loved you when you forced me to wear pink and walk that puny little dog. I loved you when you tortured me every day in the office with your smart remarks and sass. I loved you even when you hated me. And I love you now.”
She took in a harsh breath of cold air, feeling it chill her lungs deep within her chest. It was the last thing she’d expected on this Christmas morning. She couldn’t understand the mix of emotions welling up from deep within her heart, spilling out into the tears lining her lashes.
“You’re wrong, Lance Barkley.” She marched toward him, her pointer finger bared. She stabbed him in the chest with it and growled. “You’re still wrong. You spilled that coffee yourself. And I never hated you.”
A small laugh left his lips. “We’ll have to agree to disagree.”
“Fine.” She crossed her arms, struck by the sensation of touching him for less than a second. “But you’re going to have to do better than that.”
He smiled, revealing his straight white teeth. The crowd had begun to circle around them. He could see Chloe and Laurie, their eyes twinkling with delight. Katherine stood to their right. A sweet smile lit up her lips as she met his gaze.
He dug his hand into his pocket and pulled out a gnarled old mass of leaves and berries, holding it up by the frayed string over her head. “Will this do? I might have borrowed this from a friendly coffee shop owner.”
Gemma looked over her shoulder to see Jeannette standing in the open doorway of her shop. The old woman was laughing, pointing to her mistletoe in Lance’s hand. This was where it had all began - a fateful accident in a little shop. Full circle.
“I suppose that’ll do.” She grabbed him by the collar of his coat and pulled him down to her level. Biting her lower lip, she sighed nervously and laughed. “I love you too, Lance Barkley.”
Their lips met in a flurry of applause as the people of New Hope watched with delight. She breathed in his warm scent, melting into his arms like an ice sculpture in July. He cradled her head in his hands and pulled her closer. For a long moment, it was as if the world had vanished and they were all that remained. Nothing mattered, except for that kiss. They would stay there forever, suspended in time.
Finally, they parted and smiled. White flakes drifted between them, swirling and dancing on the soft breeze. It was then that they looked up at the sky and saw that it had begun to snow.
Chapter Fifteen
Eleven Months Later
Adam drummed his fingers on his thigh and looked out the window of the town car for the hundredth time in the past five minutes. They’d been stalling in a no parking zone, waiting for their missing passenger. Any minute now, and a cop was going to roll by and tell them to move it or get a ticket. But, he couldn’t move. Their timing needed to be perfect.
“Do you think she’s still coming?” Frankie pe
ered at him through the rear view mirror.
Sometime in the last year, he’d finally traded in his orange beanie and learned how to mousse his hair into a slick trendy style. Lance had yet to get used to his friend’s new look. The orange hadn’t gone far, though. He now sported an orange colored silk bow tie, tucked under his clean shaven face. That had been a gift from Lance to him last Christmas.
“She’ll be coming. We just have to wait for the messenger to deliver the goods.” He leaned against the door and watched as the snowflakes began to fall on the streets of New Hope. It was already a chilly winter, but he couldn’t feel the cold. He hadn’t felt cold since last December, since he’d taken Gemma into his arms under that mistletoe. The weather couldn’t touch him.
It’d been a busy season at Barkley & Barkley. Ad sales were up for this holiday season. He’d brought in a whole new team of clientele and managed to hit the highest sales numbers the company had seen in years. Uncle Matthias couldn’t be more proud. Nowadays, he walked around the office with a smile on his wrinkled faced. His secretaries couldn’t be more confused. Lance appreciated the change. He’d finally stepped into the role his father and his uncle always wanted for him. Business couldn’t be better.
Of course, commuting back and forth to New Hope had presented it’s own set of challenges. It was a measly three-hour drive, but seemed to take forever when he needed to see his girl. He couldn’t wait to tell Gemma of his plans to open up a satellite office in New Hope.
Uncle Matthias had agreed right away. It was prime real estate. Nearly halfway between the twin cities and the windy city, they could do business in both. Barkley & Barkley was expanding. There was no telling what the next year might hold.
Lance looked up again at the graying stone building they sat outside. A young man in a suit and tie came rambling down the stairs. He ran up to Lance’s window and knocked three times, looking over his shoulder for any followers.
He rolled down the window. “Did you deliver the goods?”
“Yes, sir.” Brandon grinned and pushed his glasses further up his nose. He’d grown nearly four inches over the summer. Lance hardly recognized him as the same little boy who’d taken his hand so willingly at the home. “She was so surprised. They’re coming out in a minute.”
Lance nodded and his heartbeat picked up. This was it. Go time.
“Thanks, Brandon,” he said, reaching out to shake the boy’s hand.
Brandon took it with a strong hand and grinned. “Good luck. Don’t forget my goodbye party tomorrow. Mom comes to pick me up on Monday.”
He shook his head in agreement and sighed as Brandon skipped away to the Children’s Home van waiting for him just down the block. As happy as he was to see Brandon reunited with his mother, he couldn’t help but feel a little sad.
She was taking him to live with her aging folks in Arkansas. He might never see the kid again. Of course, the tablet with built in video chatting software that Lance had bought him as a surprise would help. They could talk anytime.
“Ready, boy?” He turned to the puny little miniature poodle that he’d adopted last year. Spartacus lay on the seat next to him, his ears perking at the sound of his owner’s voice. “I need you on your best behavior. Everything must be perfect tonight.” The dog ran a tongue over his teeth and sighed his agreement.
Lance began to fiddle with the handle to his door, locking and unlocking it with a flick of his thumb. Anything to keep his mind off the nerves bouncing around in his stomach like fireflies in a jar. He looked up at the office building and suddenly, there she was, Chloe and Laurie on either side of her.
Descending the steps of her office building like the Venus de Milo come to life, Gemma shook her long blonde hair and threw her head back in a laugh Lance couldn’t hear. She wore a wine red dress with black leggings and boots that hugged her calves. In her arms, she hugged a bouquet of a dozen red roses.
“It’s go time,” he announced to his fellow passengers.
Pushing his door open, he jumped out of the town car and stepped to the side. It took another ten seconds for Gemma to spot him and when she did, she squealed and ran toward him.
“You weren’t supposed to get here until tomorrow,” she said, hitting him playfully on the shoulder.
He pulled her into a kiss that lingered on his lips even after they parted. “I couldn’t wait that long.”
“I got your special delivery.” She held out the roses and shook her head. “You really didn’t have to do that. Having Brandon deliver them was a nice touch, by the way. You really have them wrapped around your finger at that Children’s Home, don’t you?”
He shrugged, grinning. “What can I say? I’m a charming guy.”
“No kidding.” She grabbed him by the lapel and kissed him again. This time, a little bit of heat flashed between their lips. “Thank you.”
Chloe and Laurie finally joined them. They oohed and ahhed over the flowers, sighing at the romantic life of their best friend.
“No man has ever bought me a dozen roses,” Laurie said in a desolate tone, stroking the soft blooms.
“Me, neither.” Chloe stomped her foot and pursed her lips. “The only kind of surprises I seem to get from men are impromptu audits. Yay, me. I’ll bet this guy is incredibly stuffy and boring.”
“Be careful,” Lance warned. He put his arm around Gemma and a grin stretched across his face. “That’s what I thought you guys were going to be. Boy, was I wrong. And thank God.”
“Well, thanks to this guy, I’m stuck going through every piece of our financials this weekend.” She held up a heavy leather briefcase that looked like it might have been fashionable once in the eighties. “Say goodbye to my life. I already hate him.”
“I’m sorry.” Gemma frowned and placed a hand on her friend’s arm. “Let me know if you need help.”
“It’s my cross to bear.” Chloe threw her arm across her forehead and sighed. “Besides, it looks like you’re going to be busy.” She winked at Lance and then linked her arm with Laurie’s. The two of them waved goodbye and then set off in the direction of the Blue Stem Bistro.
“Ready to go? I’ve got a few surprises up my sleeve for you tonight,” Lance asked as he held the door open for her.
She smiled and tilted her head to one side. “There’s more? I don’t know if I can handle any more surprises.”
“Trust me.” He put a hand on the small of her back and led her into the back seat of the town car. “This is going to be fun.”
He went to shut the door, but she held out her hand and ducked under the frame to smile up at him. “I love you, Lance Barkley.”
His heart jumped up to his throat. Clearing it with a cough, he smiled. “I love you, too, Gemma Rink.”
Shutting the door, he practically sprinted around the front of the car and headed for his door. He passed Frankie’s open window, where his assistant was leaning out.
“Are you sure you want to do this, boss?” he whispered, raising one eyebrow. There was an ornery flicker in his eyes. “There’s still time to escape back to the cities.”
“Absolutely.”
Lance dug into his pocket and felt for the small velvet box he’d stashed there only hours before now. Inside was a small piece of circular jewelry that could change his life forever. He’d spoken to Katherine about it months ago and had the ring specially designed. Now, all that was left was to ask the girl the big four word question.
It was crazy to think that just a year ago they didn’t even know that each other existed. All it took was one dreaded business trip to set him on this path. He wouldn’t change a thing.
New Hope had exceeded his every expectation.
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Lacy
EXCERPT
Keep reading to check out an exclusive excerpt from Caroling in the Snow - Book 2 in the New
Hope Sweet Romance series!
Chapter One
Jordan Davis paused his belting of You Give Love a Bad Name and tapped on the fuel gauge of his silver 2000 Pontiac Grand Am. The little red arrow flickered back and forth and then settled resolutely on empty. He swore and tossed the empty soda can into his passenger seat where a collection of fast food containers and his briefcase sat.
“Come on, baby.” He stroked the rippled dashboard with the tips of his long fingers. The last few chords of Bon Jovi’s ballad crackled through the speakers, momentarily leaving the car silent. “Just ten more miles to New Hope. Don’t fail me now.”
He should have filled up on gas at that little dive of a town outside of La Crosse, but he couldn’t bring himself to step on the break. It had been years since he’d stepped foot in Junction. His mom and step-dad still lived there, according to the measly one card he got from them each year before Christmas.
This year’s card was laying in the back seat of his messy car, the envelope ripped in two and then abandoned. On the front of the card was a silhouette of a manger scene. Inside, three measly words: Love, Mom and James.
There was no way he was going to risk running into someone he knew from Junction. So instead of filling up his tank, he sailed on past with the hope of making it to the motel before his gas ran out of fuel. It hadn’t been his idea to make this trip, after all.
If he had his way, he would’ve quit working for the State of Minnesota months ago. Right when his boss old boss retired and the new one took the helm. Mary was a pain in Jordan’s rear - the kind of boss who liked to check in every few minutes and track his every move. Jordan couldn’t breath at work anymore. He used to like numbers and accounting and the peaceful quiet that came with them, but not anymore. Now, it just meant another day with Mary breathing down his neck.
“Right on cue,” Jordan moaned as his phone began to ring. Sure enough, Mary’s number came across the screen. If he didn’t answer, Mary would just keep calling and bog down his already dying phone. “Hello?”
Mistletoe in the Snow: A New Hope Sweet Christmas Romance - Book 1 Page 8