by Cheryl Wyatt
Ian paused. Eyes went into assessment mode. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Christmas was Mom’s favorite holiday is all.”
“Hard.” He brushed his thumb and forearm on her shoulder. While it was meant to be a touch of comfort, it left her skin feeling tingly.
“Speaking of Christmas, I wanted to take you shopping today. I figured we could pick up some decorations and gifts. Grab a quick lunch here first and eat dinner while we’re out?”
The thought of having holiday decorations ignited joy. The thought of having dinner with Ian made Bri cautious. Yet a sliver of excitement she didn’t want to acknowledge grew within her. “I’d love that. Thank you, Ian.”
He scratched his jaw and shifted from foot to foot. “Also, I was wondering if you’d like to join a few of us at Lem’s for a Christmas Eve dinner tomorrow. Kate, Mitch and Lauren will be there, too. Plus Lem and Tia. We’d love to have you join us.”
She sighed. Despite feeling like a pity case, Bri’s former dread of spending Christmas alone and without Mom fled. “I heard Lem’s Southern cooking is superb. If you’re sure it’s all right and that I won’t be intruding, I’d love to go.”
His face flashed with some undetectable emotion when she’d agreed to go. Was Ian happy she’d be going, or disappointed? She still found it difficult to read men’s thoughts, because of her ex-boyfriend’s changeable personality.
“Good. I’ll pick you up at four since you can’t drive yet.” He walked over to the neatly stacked books. Then eyed the not-so-neat stack. “These for Lem’s library fund and run?”
“Read-n-run.” She giggled. “Yes.
“Need me to help you get them to Lem’s place?”
“No, I—”
“Can’t drive for six weeks. Let me rephrase—you hold open the door. I’ll load these books into those plastic bins and we’ll drop them off at the library on the way to the toy store.”
She ground her teeth together. Resisted the temptation to inform him he was bossier than Kate. “Okay.” While he loaded, she made pita sandwiches, which they ate before driving to town.
Partway through their excursion at Tinker’s Toy Store in downtown Eagle Point, Bri indicated a fairy costume Ian held up with a raised brow. “Yes. Tia will love that.”
“I hope so.” Ian set the boxed dress-up ensemble in the cart and sighed dauntingly at the rows of other toys. “Did she happen to mention to you anything she’d like for Christmas?” He stuffed hands in his pockets. “I asked her, but she said the only thing she wants for Christmas is her mom.” Ian’s voice pinched.
Bri put a camouflage monkey in the cart. “For Kate.”
Ian met Bri’s gaze, and grinned like a slow dawn. “I never would have guessed. She’s obsessed with those things.”
Bri cleared her throat and kept stride with Ian as he pushed the screechy cart. “Tia did mention a couple of things she wanted.”
The squeaking wheels silenced as Ian paused the cart.
“She mentioned wanting a pet. Specifically a yellow dog, but if she can’t have that, she’d settle for a fish named Jonah.”
Ian’s hands tightened around the cart. She tensed. “I’m frustrated she told you and not me.”
“So, you’d consider a dog?”
“No. We don’t have time to give it proper care and attention. The fish, however, is doable. If I can find a place to get one. I’ve been too busy to scout the town.”
“That’s partly my fault. And there’s a pet store down the road.” Bri pursed her lips. “I’ll show you after we leave here.”
Ian faced her. “Didn’t mean to make you feel like a burden. Sometimes I don’t think before I speak.”
Sometimes? Bri bit her tongue from saying it. She needed to cool her jets and keep the peace. “I’m gonna look around.”
Ian became subdued again “Fine. See you at checkout.”
Fine? Like she needed his permission to shop. Ian was seeming more like domineering Eric every day. It was going to be tough to work as his babysitter, but she’d do it for Tia’s sake, and for saving the lodge’s sake.
Bri found a set of fairy books for Tia for Christmas and a gift card for Caleb, so he could load apps and games into his phone. Despite her anger, Bri added a second digital card for Ian when he wasn’t at the checkout lanes. Where had he gone?
Two customers away from the cash register, Bri tried to open her wallet one handed. Couldn’t. A strong hand pressed it back into her purse. She looked up. Ian stood behind her. He crammed a fistful of bills into her handbag. “What’s that?”
“An advance on your paycheck.”
Anger flashed. “I don’t need your charity.” She didn’t want to make a scene, so she paid using his cash. Her fingers trembled, and her insides quivered as if they’d been set to broil. Someone as distinguished and well-off as Ian couldn’t possibly understand why accepting handouts was so hard.
But she was about to let him have it.
Chapter Four
Ian’s peripheral vision caught some motion happening at his car in the Tinker’s Toys lot.
He turned around to see Bri whirling at him.
“Why did you do that?” Angry hurt flashed from her eyes.
Mind blank, he blinked. “Do what?”
She slammed her shopping bags into his open trunk. “Make people think I’m poor! Everyone saw the horrible thing you did!”
Was she kidding? What woman in her right mind would call two hundred free bucks horrible?
Ian couldn’t help it. He burst out laughing.
That did not go over well. Fists balled and lips clenched, she got nose-to-chin with him. Few women could do that with his six-foot-four frame. She hissed through her teeth.
He partially turned, calmly dug the keys from his pocket and eyed her.
“I didn’t know you had anger issues.”
She shook her head. Threw the passenger door of his truck open and flung herself inside. “I don’t have anger issues.” She jabbed toward the street. “And the pet shop is that way.”
“I didn’t say you did. I’d like to know why you have a problem with people helping you. Had I known you’d be embarrassed, I’d have been more clandestine and considerate. I’m sorry.”
Her shoulders relaxed, face calmed. “Unless you’re up to your eyeballs in debt, I can see by the fact you have two new cars and a half-million-dollar home on the lake that money’s not an issue. So it would probably be hard for you to understand.”
No debt. Just good money management, disciplined spending habits, wise investing and savings. “Try me.” He followed the road she pointed to, where the pet shop must be.
“I have a tough time accepting help and handouts because it reminds me too much of Mom having to scrounge for food, clothes and shelter after Dad left us destitute.”
“Caleb mentioned your dad left you guys. I’m sorry, Bri.”
“Why? You’re not the woman who lured him away, then left him to rot in a nursing home alone. Never mind. End of subject.”
They drove several blocks in silence. Ian tried to forget her vanilla perfume infiltrating the car and concentrated on the quaint town’s bright and cozy Christmas village-style decor.
Green wreaths with regal red bows adorned the lampposts that lined both sidewalks. A pristine army of iridescent angel figurines blew trumpets along the median on Eagle’s Way, the main street running through the center of town.
Starlit decorations were tacked above every street sign. Strings of lights draped nearly every shop. Ian bet this was beautiful to drive through at night. He needed to bring Tia to see it.
“Still up for being my tour guide?” He eyed Bri’s arm in a doctorly fashion. But he was really assessing her mood. At this point, her fidgeting gave the impression she was more em
barrassed at her outburst than angry at him.
He bit back a smile when he realized she’d kept the change.
“Sure. We’ll get Tia’s fish on the way out of town. Go there.” Bri indicated the far end of Eagle’s Way. His car jostled over parts of it that were still cobblestoned, causing Bri to cradle her arm. He slowed.
She pointed to an eclectic-looking shop. A sleek purple building with black-light effects. “That’s On the Edge. It’s an art and florist shop, plus interior design. She’s in competition with the woman across the street whose business is sewing, home decor and custom drapes.” Bri pointed to the establishment named Fringe. He slowed the car, taking the town in.
“The women are archenemies and their brawls are just about the most excitement we have in town. The cops go there regularly, but I suspect it’s mostly because the coffee shop next to Fringe has better donuts than Dee-Dee’s Donuts beside the police station.”
Ian chuckled. Mitch had been right to tell him this town was a perfect place to raise a child. Yet the number of closed shops concerned him. He knew the town’s lifeblood could hinge on whether Bri’s lodge reopened and thrived, and whether they were able to expand the trauma center and thus provide local jobs.
Next Bri indicated a brick-style brownstone turned into a storefront. “That’s MeadowLark Laundry, owned by twin siblings, Meadow and Lark. They’re two of the few people our age in town. But Meadow’s away at college right now and Lark’s in some kind of skip-tracer school. He’s a P.I. on the side.”
“Hey, that’s my neighbor’s shop.” Ian indicated the LOLZ sign. Ellie told him she had an internet coffee shop catering to young people but he hadn’t seen it yet. “She mentioned part of her business proceeds go toward cancer research and anti-text-and-drive ads.”
“I remember the conversation you had with her about chemo when Tia wandered to her home. I hope Ellie’s going to be okay.”
“Me, too. She’s raising a granddaughter named Mara.” He cleared his throat. “She was in a tragic accident earlier this year while trying to save a classmate. Long story, but that’s why Ellie moved here.”
“Beside Fringe is Gulpie’s Gas. Only station in town. Used to be called Not Your Mother’s Guzzler. At the other end of town is EMS, police, city hall and the fire department. Lem’s library is there, too. I’d like to take Tia once I can drive again.”
“Tia loves to read. Much like you,” Ian said.
She brushed a stray hair behind her ear and nodded ahead to the town square, really a circle. “You know Sully’s, obviously, since we went there the other night.”
He remembered. Unfortunately he also remembered the ache that gripped him to see Tia interacting with a mother figure.
“Next to that is Dulce Jo’s Nook, a Victorian coffee shop and bookstore. Then, above the bank is an upscale restaurant called Golden Terrace.”
He’d heard they had great dinner food. “Ever been there?”
“No, I haven’t. Believe it or not, despite this being a small town, a world-class chef owns the place. It’s upscale and pricey. Out of my budget, but I’ve heard the food’s amazing.”
Since she’d never eaten there, that’s where he’d take her. Her stylish white skirt, vibrant red top and sparkly gunmetal boots would be fine at an upscale place.
Not that he cared what she wore, but she’d care. He didn’t want her to feel underdressed or out of place. Of course, Bri could wear a potato sack and look classy. He chided himself for noticing her attractiveness. Hard not to, though. He refocused on the town and her tour. He’d missed the last thing she’d said.
“Most eateries are on the square. That brings the town together, because people get their food and sit out on patio furniture or mingle. Load’Em has great Chicago-style hot dogs. The owner also sells paintballs and airsoft ammo, so his shop name has duplicate meaning. He’s new in town. I hear he’s a hard-core war veteran. I don’t doubt it, because he’s even more dark and brooding than you.”
Ouch. Ian stared at Bri. Didn’t know whether to laugh or seethe. He decided to land somewhere in between. “News flash, Bri. Deployment didn’t harden me. Divorce did,” he snapped.
Bri eyed him nervously, then continued pointing out buildings. “Baldies is a barber shop. Ruffled Feathers is a kid-centric beauty salon. The business next to it is Reruns. They sell secondhand clothes and family-friendly DVD rentals. Run by a couple of friends. Back there’s a drive-in.”
“Wow. You don’t see many of those nowadays. We’ll have to take Tia sometime. Uh, I mean, I will.”
She shrugged. “I’d tag along. I missed it a lot when I moved away. I’m glad I’m back, even though it took Mom’s illness and death to bring me to my senses and back to my roots.”
Ian figured she meant her ex-boyfriend. The one Caleb warned might try to harass Bri. Not gonna happen. Not on Ian’s watch. He’d failed Caleb once. He wouldn’t make the same mistake twice. Like getting married again. Not happening. Which is why he’d cringed inside when Bri agreed to go to the drive-in. The way people in this small town talked, they’d assume things about the two of them.
He didn’t want things to ever seem too cozy. People could get hurt, including Tia. He’d simply invite Brock along.
After touring the main business part of town, then gorgeous residential antebellum architecture that survived the period, Ian eyed his watch. “I should check on Tia.” He pulled over and texted Kate. She texted back that Tia was fine but they wouldn’t be done shopping for a few more hours. Ian filled Bri in, then resumed driving. “She said she tried texting you, but you didn’t respond”
Bri’s body jolted upward. “My phone! I left it at home. Not that anyone other than Caleb, Kate and Eric ever call it.”
“He still harassing you? And yes, I know about it.”
“Occasionally. But I can handle him.”
He cut her a glance. “Yeah, but never hurts to have help.”
“Except your and Caleb’s idea of ‘help’ equates to pulverizing the guy.”
Ian grinned. “Hey, whatever works. Seriously, tell me if he’s bothering you. Or if his threats escalate. I mean it, Bri.”
“I will. Eric doesn’t know Caleb’s deployed. Since he thinks Caleb’s here with me, I’m sure he’ll leave me alone.”
“I’m not convinced. According to Caleb, he’s a real creep.”
“Which probably makes you wonder why I was stupid enough to date him. Or stay with him for a year.”
Ian shrugged. “Hey, I have no stones to throw. I was a doctor with a drug-addicted wife and didn’t even know it.”
“Think that’s why Ava and your marriage didn’t last?”
He flinched “I don’t know. Could’ve been the war. Or maybe it was just me.”
“I’m not convinced,” Bri said.
He shrugged off the fuzzy feelings as they went to the lawn-and-hardware store for small renovation supplies. Grabbed a few landscape items for Bri’s place, though she protested. “People are more apt to rent places with attractive yards. Since you’re turning your seven lakeside cabins into permanent rentals for income, it’s prudent.” He knew she’d planned to use the remaining retreat center cabins for seasonal and vacation campers and rentals.
She nodded but trod stiffly to another aisle. A whimsical winged garden gnome caught his eye. He snuck it into the cart and set his jacket over it. It would make a fitting Christmas gift from him and Tia. He picked out five large, festive outdoor wreaths for himself, Mitch, Lem, Bri and his neighbor Ellie.
He selected a monkey-faced planter for Kate and a tiny tractor replica for Lauren. He and Mitch were going in together on Fruit-of-the-Month Club gifts for their trauma center employees, but Ian grabbed a slew of culinary herb-and-spice seeds plus tiny pod planters, anyway, to add a personal touch.
He felt lame getting everyone
garden stuff for Christmas, but time had gotten away from him. They’d appreciate the gifts nonetheless. Everyone understood his current life chaos.
Yet it was far better than two months ago, thanks to Bri.
He eyed her from across the aisle, knowing that if he were a praying man, he’d say a heartfelt thank-you. The words wouldn’t release from his mouth, though. Teeth clenched, Ian pressed on.
* * *
Excitement welled in Bri when she noticed Ian’s cart piled high with wreaths, tinsel, bows, garland and bulbs. One package was vivid silver-sapphire bulbs, the other swirly gold scrolls on bright neon-pink. One stamped with the year was in the shape of a multitoned glitter fairy wearing a tiny purple organza tutu. “Aww! You’re decorating with Tia, after all. Yay, Ian!”
“Yeah, even though tomorrow’s Christmas Eve.”
“Hey, better late than not at all.”
“No decorations is part of Tia’s rift with me. I can easily remedy that by picking up some lights and a tree, but confess I have no idea where I’m going wrong with those icky eggs.” They laughed together.
The sound swept through and curled around her heart. Good to see Ian jovial. “I’ll do some snooping. You’re a good dad, Ian.” She grew thoughtful. “You know, I think it would help if they were green.”
“The lights?” They checked out and headed to the car.
“No. The eggs. Tia is very creative. Get her the Dr. Seuss book. Read it, then feed her some green eggs and ham.”
Ian’s face blanked for ten beats, then pinched. “In my line of work, green protein means people take unpleasant trips to my E.R.”
She giggled. “You dye them, silly. I’ll help.”
Ian drove them to the grocery store to get ham, eggs and food coloring. Bri smiled when Ian slipped packages of Christmas cookie dough and a star-shaped cutter, decorative icing and colorful sprinkles in his cart. “For cookie trees?”
“Yeah. Although I don’t want Tia to think I’m indulging her to gain her affection.”
At the car, Ian put their purchased groceries into a battery-operated cooler. Bri then set into his roomy cooler the few staples she’d picked up, too. “Did you think to get ant killer?”