Hurry now, be fleet of feet
Find the tallest treat on all Main Street
She looked up at Gage in awe. “I know exactly where we need to go!”
Gage got to his feet and picked up Bea, tucking her under his arm. “Well, let's go then.” He cast a glance toward Vi and Kade, who smiled encouragingly.
“Go get it, you guys!” Vi said, lifting her fists in a little cheer.
Lena laughed. “You’re not going to try and follow us, are you?”
“Us?” Vi said, looking offended. “That would be cheating.”
“We’d never violate the sanctity of the Hunt.” Kade took a sip of his beer, still picking at the green in his hair.
Lena gave them a skeptical look. “Okay, then,” she said slowly.
“We'll see you in a bit,” Gage told them, leading her to the door.
“Good luck!” They both called out.
“This is a very strange day,” Lena said, but she was so excited about the final challenge that she grabbed Gage's hand and dragged him out of the Shamrock and down the street.
“The tallest treat on all Main Street,” she said to him as they jogged down the sidewalk. “It has to be the Blarney Cone!”
“That does make sense,” Gage agreed.
“We're going to win, Sheriff!” she all but squealed. “Take that, Old Mr. Fisher!”
“Who's Old Mr. Fisher?”
“It's not important, Gage. Focus!”
It only took a handful of minutes to make it the few blocks to the shop. Gage's hand was warm on hers and she couldn't even bring herself to feel bad for holding it. Friends held hands, right? Especially when they were about to win the Pot o' Gold Treasure Hunt.
Then Lena saw it and her hands flew to her mouth. She stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and looked up . . . and up . . . and up.
The Blarney Cone had grown.
Not only had the bite that Gage had cut into the cone been filled in—covering the street lamp once again—but an additional three giant scoops of ice cream in various shades of green had been piled on top, making the cone at least fifteen feet tall with a bright red cherry on top. In addition, the entire thing was now outlined by flashing lights, the Kiss the Blarney Cone sign blinking on and off. It towered over them, a painted plywood monstrosity. Lena was stunned.
“Wow,” she murmured.
“Kade and Vi helped,” Gage said, setting Bea on the sidewalk. He jammed his hands into his pockets. “It's not quite dry, so you'll have to be careful not to touch it.”
She blinked. “That's why Kade had paint in his hair.”
“Well, yeah.” He met her gaze, then looked away nervously. “The lights are battery operated, so you'll have to change them out. I couldn't run an extension cord across the sidewalk.”
“Right,” she said, nodding slowly. “That would be dangerous.”
“Yeah.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Someone could trip . . . or something.”
It took her a moment, but Lena finally caught up. “You . . . you did this.”
Gage swallowed and she watched his Adam's apple bob as he looked up at the structure. “Yeah, I did.”
“You made the Blarney Cone bigger. You made it huge!” She spotted something hanging on the cone at eye level. “You put a lucky horseshoe on it!”
He shrugged, and even in the fading light, she could see him flushing. “I thought you might like it.”
“I do!” She smiled. “I do. I love it.”
She looked up at the humongous ice cream cone and suddenly, she saw much more than plywood and paint and a few flashing lights. She saw a man who lived by the law, who found comfort in structure and rules, a man who set it all aside to see her smile. He'd listened when she said how much the cone meant to her—how much her family and this town meant to her—and he'd, well not really broken the law, but bent it a little—simply to make her happy.
In that moment she realized several things. One was that Gage obviously cared for her. She couldn't believe it, but the proof stood fifteen feet tall right in front of her. He also cared about what was important to her. He wasn't a man who would trivialize her opinions or quash her passions.
And she knew deep down inside that he'd never—ever—hurt her.
She heard Doctor Wendy's voice as clearly as if she was speaking right into her ear.
Trust your instincts.
With a rush of nerves and a quiet cry she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. “Thank you,” she whispered, tears clogging her throat.
Slowly, gently, he wrapped his arms around her waist, strong and sure. Faithful and true.
She pulled back and looked into his eyes. He watched her, waiting, and she knew he would never rush her. That he would wait forever . . . if he had to.
But Lena didn't want to wait. With a sharp intake of breath, she pressed her lips to his in the lightest of brushes. He made a small sound and she drew back to meet his gaze.
“Are you sure?” he asked. “I don't want—”
“I'm sure,” she replied quickly. “I'm really, really sure.”
He smiled, bright and dazzling, and he took her at her word.
The kiss was everything she'd been waiting for, and nothing she'd expected. It was give and take, and laughter and heat, and she tangled her fingers into his hair and he twisted his into the hem of her sweater.
When they broke apart, gasping for breath, all she wanted to do was kiss him again.
So she told him that, with no fear or apologies, and Gage was happy to oblige. And neither one minded—or even really noticed—as Bea yipped happily, dragging her leash around their legs and tying them together.
* * *
They didn't win the Hunt.
Not because they hadn't completed the challenges, but because they spent so much time kissing beneath the Blarney Cone that Old Mr. Fisher and Doctor Carlson the vet beat them to the Shamrock and claimed the prize. It grated on Lena a little, and she knew she'd fight back a little surge of jealousy every time she went by the vet's office and saw the trophy and pot of gold sitting on the counter.
But she really didn't mind that much.
She walked into the bar on Gage's arm, Bea cuddled securely on his other side, and she couldn't keep from smiling. They sat at a table with Kade and Vi, and as Gage went up to the bar to get another round of drinks, she spotted her mother sitting with Lou Chalmers and her friends.
“I'll be right back,” she told Vi before she got up and crossed to them.
“Hi, Lena,” Lou said with a smug grin. “You're looking awful cheerful this evening.”
Mandy Harris smirked into her beer as Anne Patterson nudged Lena's mom with a knowing look.
“You all look like the cats that got the cream,” Lena said, hands on her hips with mock severity. “I take it I was right when I suspected your meddling in the Hunt.”
“Us?” Lou looked aghast, but Lena saw right through it.
“Yes, you.” She arched a brow. “You arranged for Gage and me to be on the same team, just admit it.”
“I'm shocked you would say such a thing,” Mandy said, lips quirking. “The Hunt is a sacred Holiday Junction tradition.”
“For you to accuse us.” Anne pressed a palm to her chest. “We are upstanding members of the community—”
“Members of the Chamber of Commerce,” Lou added.
Anne nodded. “I am highly offended, I must say.” She shook her head and took a sip of her beer.
“I suppose you had nothing to do with our final clue, either.” Lena turned her skeptical look on her mother. “And you, Mom? Are you going to plead innocent, too?”
“Me?” Chelsea blinked at her, wide-eyed. “Well, how would I ever do such a thing? I wasn't even involved in the Hunt. Not at all.”
“Right,” Lena said slowly. She glanced toward the bar where Gage and Braden were laughing over something. Gage's head was thrown back, and Bea took the opportunity to nip at his ear. She smiled.
/> “Well, I just wanted to say thanks,” she said, turning back to the ladies.
Lou gave her a fond smile. “You're welcome, sweetie.”
And as she walked back to her table, she heard them laughing merrily, and couldn't keep from giggling a little to herself.
* * *
Gage sat sprawled in his seat, Bea curled up beneath his chair, watching Lena and her family perform a few quick-paced Irish tunes. The crowd clapped and sang along, pounding on tables and stomping their feet, and Gage couldn't stop smiling. Lena's face glistened with sweat as she played the guitar and sang, swaying a little and grinning as Braden joined in on the harmonies.
She was absolutely gorgeous.
Every now and then she'd glance his way and blush, her smile lifting a little bit more, and the warmth Gage felt in his chest—
Well, it was something he'd never felt before, to be perfectly honest.
He'd thought he'd been in love with Tia, all those years ago. But in this brief time getting to know Lena, he'd realized that what he'd had wasn't love. He'd chased after Tia, sat waiting for her, been her scapegoat when she needed someone—anyone—to blame. He'd taken what she could give, and he didn't really blame her, not anymore. She'd given what she could, at the time.
He now simply realized that it wasn't enough.
It was too soon to talk about love, when it came to Lena. Gage knew that. But he could also tell that the potential was there. They'd come together, a bit bruised and broken, but as equals. Ready to explore new possibilities and new challenges together.
He smirked, thinking about that kiss—those kisses . . . many, many kisses—outside the Creamery.
That was definitely a possibility he was eager to explore.
Sure, they'd argue, he was certain about that. They were both pigheaded and opinionated. But he believed they'd learn to listen to each other, too. And he felt confident that Lena would never run away from a fight. It just wasn't in her.
She wouldn't leave him wondering what he did to drive her away. And he would never leave her feeling like what she thought didn't matter.
That was a vow he took, right then. And Gage Turner never broke a vow.
Lena smiled at him and he grinned right back, his palms going sweaty and his stomach flipping jittery somersaults.
Maybe it wasn't too soon to talk about love, after all, he thought.
* * *
Later—not long, but in a few weeks, maybe a month—Lena would tell him everything about her past, and she'd see anger in the tense set of his jaw and the white clench of his knuckles. Then, he'd take a deep breath and tell her she's brave and strong and amazing. And when he leaned in to kiss her gently, she would actually believe it.
But until then, they held each other under the golden lamplight at the Shamrock, swaying to the rhythmic beat of a song from the Emerald Isle, a crooning tune about love and loss and home and peace.
They danced and laughed and kissed, celebrating life with their friends and family. They made toasts and told stories, joked and teased, and for a moment, Lena thought, this must be what it feels like to fall in love.
And as she looked into Gage's warm, green eyes, she realized the thought didn't scare her.
Not one little bit.
One Week Later
“But I don't want to take it down!” Lena knew she sounded like a petulant child, but she didn't care.
“St. Patrick's Day is over,” Gage said calmly. “It's time to change the decorations and get ready for Easter, you know this.”
She batted her eyes up at him and slipped her arms around his neck. “Couldn't I have a little more time, Sheriff?”
Gage rolled his eyes, but a flush creeped up his neck, and Lena smiled. She had to admit, she kind of liked the power she had over Gage. The way he'd get embarrassed at her teasing, and the way his own wicked grin would grow before he kissed her.
“Don't try to manipulate me with your feminine wiles,” he said, but his fingers tightened ever-so-slightly on her waist, and she popped up on her toes to whisper in his ear.
“I thought you liked my wiles.” A little shudder ran down Gage's back, and Lena smirked, victorious.
Bea yipped, drawing their attention to the back seat of the patrol car, parked in front of McKenna's. She'd awakened from her nap, and was apparently raring to go, her little paws draped over the half-open window as her tongue lolled out. Gage extricated himself from Lena's embrace—more than a little reluctantly, she was pleased to notice—and retrieved the pup, clipping on her leash so she could explore the little tree on the corner, and leave her mark.
The two of them stood, holding hands and looking up at the gargantuan Blarney Cone. “It really has to come down, doesn't it,” Lena said sadly.
“Yeah. But only until next year.” Gage squeezed her hand. “I tell you what. How about I make you something new for Easter?”
“Really?” Lena perked up. “Like what?”
Gage bent over to scratch Bea between the ears. “I don't know. Maybe a big chocolate bunny? Or a stack of Easter eggs?”
“You'd do that for me?” she asked, smiling at him. Lena couldn't believe how Gage kept surprising her with his kindness and generosity. It was something she was still getting used to. Probably would be for a long time, still. She'd even given up on her parking space in the alley. Mayor Kendricks was apoplectic, but Lena found she didn't mind parking a block away so much. Especially when Gage showed up every morning, eager to help her carry whatever burden she may have.
It was actually kind of nice.
As for the textile factory, the demolition was still in the works, and Lena was still looking for ways to fight it. They were raising money to hire Liam Durant to see if they could challenge the project in court. Liam didn't make any promises, but he thought they might have a chance.
And it was legal, which meant Gage wouldn't fight her on it. In fact, he said he'd help out in any way he could.
“I'd do pretty much anything for you,” Gage said, pulling her close. “I'll make you a big, obnoxious, plywood sculpture for every holiday.”
“Aww, sweet talker,” Lena said, sliding her hands under his coat and snuggling into his warmth. “That's a big commitment. You do realize we celebrate a lot of holidays around here, don't you?”
Gage grinned, and it made her shiver all the way to her toes.
“I'm aware,” he said. “But I think I'm up for the challenge.”
And as he leaned down to kiss her, Lena had to agree.
* * *
Ready for more from Holiday Junction?
Check out Evie’s Easter Dream, and find out when happens when our favorite HJ lawyer, Liam Durant, finally meets his match!
My editor, Kathie Spitz
My proofreader, Amy Gamache at Rose David Editing
My formatter, Tammy Clarke at Formatting by Tammy
The T.M. Franklin Book Club and T.M. Franklin ARC Team
Michele Macleod, for naming our hero, Gage.
…and of course, to my amazing family for their never ending support.
Love in Holiday Junction
Violet’s Valentine
Lena’s Lucky Charm
Evie’s Easter Dream
A Fun and Quirky YA Romance
How to Get Ainsley Bishop to Fall in Love with You
A Magical Holiday Romance
Second Chances
Visions of Sugar Plums
Adventure and Romance on the High Seas
Cutlass
Short stories
A Piece of Cake
Fantasy Adventures, Written as T.M. Franklin
The MORE Trilogy
“Reminiscent of the Mortal Instruments series... only better!” – Penny Dreadful Reviews
MORE
The Guardians
TWELVE
The New Super Humans
Super Humans
Super Powers
Super Natural
Super Heroes
Short St
ories
Unscheduled Departure
Tami Franklin writes clean and wholesome romance that will sweep you away. A former TV news producer and freelance writer, she now enjoys sharing stories about people destined to be together... they just might need a little help getting there.
Franklin lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family, and a crazy dog named Bond (James Bond.)
She also writes contemporary and YA fantasy under the penname T.M. Franklin.
Find out more at www.TMFranklin.com
And to be the first notified about upcoming releases, sales, and giveaways, subscribe to Tami Franklin’s mailing list especially for sweet romance at https://tmfranklin.com/SweetSubscriber. All new subscribers get a FREE copy of her lighthearted, opposites-attract romance, Drive Me Crazy!
Lena’s Lucky Charm: Love in Holiday Junction, Book 2 Page 16