Secretly Smitten

by Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Denise Hunter, Diann Hunt

  “You all right?” Michael assisted her over a fallen log.

  If only her fingers weren’t so numb from the cold. She nodded, bracing against the chill, praying the little sheep was all right and that they would find him. “Did you hear that?” She tipped her head and listened.

  “I hear it!” Michael said. “This way.”

  They found the sheep caught in a wild bush, and Anna watched as Michael released it from its entrapment.

  “Poor thing,” Anna said.

  They urged the sheep forward. Snowflakes filled the air, making it hard to see. Anna’s lungs ached from the piercing cold, and her legs couldn’t carry her fast enough. She was certain if someone bumped her, she would break into little frozen bits. Fortunately, they were soon within the warm confines of the barn. Once they got the sheep into their stalls, Michael turned to her.

  “You stay here. I’ll go start the truck and get it warm before we leave.” He went outside.

  Anna talked to the sheep, petting their bulky wool until Michael stepped back into the barn.

  “I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news,” he said. “The truck is dead. We’ll have to call someone to get us.”

  Anna took in a quick breath. “My cell phone is out of power. I meant to charge it last night but I forgot.”

  “No problem, I’ll use mine,” Michael said, his hands rummaging through his pants and coat pockets. A moment later he looked up. “I don’t have it. I’ll bet I left it at your house.”

  Panic fringed Anna’s insides. She couldn’t stay here. Alone. With Michael Conners.

  “What are we going to do?”

  “We’ve got the stove to keep us warm, so we’ll be all right until someone notices we’re missing. At least the kids heard us make plans to come out here.”

  “This is like being caught up in an episode of Little House on the Prairie,” Anna said.

  Michael laughed as he loaded up the woodstove with more kindling and logs. Warmth swept through the room, and Anna could feel her body and her attitude starting to thaw. Michael laid some heavy blankets on the floor for them to sit on near the stove.

  “Sitting on the floor isn’t all that comfortable, but maybe we’ll be all right till someone gets here,” Michael said.

  Anna held her cold fingers out to the fire. “I’m so glad you put in this stove or we’d freeze!”

  “I have to admit I kind of hoped we’d find ourselves out here like this.”

  “You mean you planned this? The dead truck and the missing cell phone?”

  “No.” He laughed. “But I’m not saying I’m above it either. There’s no one else I’d rather be trapped in a barn full of sheep with, Anna.”

  “I’m not sure that’s a compliment.”

  “It is. Hey, you still look cold.” Michael got up to load more wood into the fire. “I can’t get any more wood in there. Hopefully you’ll warm up soon.”

  “Is that another blanket over there?” Anna asked, pointing to the slip of red and yellow peeking from a wooden box near the back wall.

  “So it is!”

  She got up and went to retrieve the blanket. It was underneath a heavy toolbox, so she struggled to pull it out, then turned around and came nose to nose with Michael. A half step back was all she could manage because of the box behind her. Michael didn’t move.

  “I thought you might need help.” His eyes held hers.

  Without saying another word, Michael leaned his head toward Anna. For one blessed, glorious moment she forgot her reservations and gave herself fully to the kiss, lingering in the smell of wood on his clothes, the taste of peppermint on his soft lips, the strong embrace of his arms. When she pulled away, it took her a moment to focus, caught up as she was in a hazy mist of dreams.

  “Thank you,” Michael said, his eyes never leaving hers.

  “For what?”

  “For the kiss. I’ve wanted to kiss you for quite some time.”

  Though she didn’t realize it until right at that moment, Anna knew she had wanted that too. Emotions swirled within her. She didn’t know what to say or do. She went back and settled into her seat on the floor, wrapped in blankets—though she was warmer now.

  Much warmer.

  Had he been out of line to kiss her? Michael tossed the thought around in his mind while he and Anna sat in the silence, listening to the wood snap and crackle in the stove.

  “It’s been a great day, a great Christmas,” Michael said, studying her.

  Anna kept her gaze on the flames in the stove. “It truly has.” She turned to him and smiled.

  “Haven’t seen a snowstorm like this in a while,” he said.

  Her cheeks were rosy, her eyes dreamy. “Despite the frustrations, I love the snow. It’s so beautiful.”

  This woman captivated him with her appreciation of the little things in life.

  “My wife hated the snow. After my retirement, she wanted to head for Florida.” He looked up. “Never happened.”

  “That must’ve been hard.”

  “It was hard. So sudden. No time to prepare, you know?”

  She nodded.

  “Then that thing with my son on top of it all. Well, it took me to my knees.”

  Anna didn’t say anything, and embarrassment flickered up Michael’s midsection. He’d said too much. “Oversharing,” he’d heard someone call it. Something he never did—until now.

  “My husband didn’t die, but despite how bad our marriage was, I hadn’t expected him to leave.”

  “Where is he now?”

  “Living in Arizona with his girlfriend-turned-wife.”

  “I’m sorry, Anna. I can’t imagine any man doing that to you.” He reached out and cupped her soft hand in his own.

  She looked up at him. “I’m scared, Michael.”

  “Me too.”

  “It’s hard to trust again.”

  “I know,” he said. “All I’m asking for is a chance.”

  The light from a vehicle in the driveway shone inside. Michael frowned. They were being rescued, and there was nothing he could do about it.

  After pulling her car into the parking lot of Mountain Perks, Anna parked and headed for the door. When she spotted Michael’s car, a blip of excitement ran through her. Last night in the barn their talk had ended too soon. Tess and Ryan had come for them, but she and Michael were having such a lovely talk she wished the rescue could have waited.

  Stepping into the shop, she took in the usual smells of rich, dark coffee with a hint of chocolate.

  Her eyes scanned the room and landed on Michael—and a young woman next to him.

  He beamed at her. “Anna, I’m so glad to see you. Of course, you know Heather from church.”

  “Yes. Heather, good to see you.”

  Heather smiled politely, then left the shop with a wave at them both.

  “Wish I could stay and have a coffee with you, but I’ve got to get to work this morning. They’re having a problem with one of the ski lifts. Talk to you soon?” Michael said.

  She nodded and he touched her arm, smiled, and left.

  Anna walked to the counter and ordered her mocha. What was he doing with Heather? Sitting at the table, she tried to make sense of it all. How odd that he didn’t offer any explanation. She supposed they could have been having a church meeting of some kind. She turned the napkin between her fingers, then straightened it. Not that he owed her an explanation, of course.

  Still, last night had meant something, hadn’t it? Besides, Heather was too young for him. Though that didn’t seem to stop men these days. She sipped her mocha. She didn’t know whether to be mad or confused.

  Confusion won over, but a tinge of jealousy was not far behind.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  The next evening, a cup of chamomile tea in her hand, Anna settled onto her sofa after a long day at the shop. A few returns on yarn, but mostly shoppers were there for after-Christmas clearance. After work she had checked on the sheep. They were fine. Sheep truly were low-ma
intenance farm animals. Their coats, thick and bulky, promised a harvest of wool in the spring.

  The phone rang.

  “I missed you today,” Michael said.

  “Oh?”

  “I went to Mountain Perks and you weren’t there.”

  She chuckled. “I like my mochas, but I don’t go there every day. Do you?”

  “Only when I think I might see you.”

  Her heart skipped. Did he really just say that? She wanted to mention Heather while he was in a good mood, but she didn’t want to sound like a jealous woman. Surely Michael and Heather were just two friends meeting for coffee.

  “Did you hear there’s going to be a Valentine’s Day dance at the Timber Lake Lodge?” he asked.

  “No. How did you find out?”

  “Natalie told me at the coffee shop. She’s helping organize the event.”

  “Oh, that must’ve been why she called and left a message that she needed to talk to me. They probably need help.”

  “I guess Sawyer Smitten and his wife will be there. He’ll emcee and sing for us.”

  “Oh, that sounds wonderful,” Anna said.

  “Will you be my date?” His voice was low and uncertain.

  A schoolgirl shiver ran through her. “Well, let me see, I’ll have to check my calendar,” she teased.

  “Oh, I see how it is. Playing hard to get. Well, let me know in time so I can get another date if you reject me.”

  She loved listening to his low laugh. “I’d be happy to be your date,” she said quickly, wanting to make sure he heard her and wouldn’t run off and ask Heather.

  “Great. It’s settled then.”

  Anna heard Michael’s doorbell.

  “Someone’s at the door. Guess I’d better go. I’ll call you later.”

  Michael was still smiling as he hung up. Their relationship was developing nicely, and he liked where it was headed. With his mind on Anna, he opened the front door, and all thoughts came to a screeching halt.

  “Hi, Dad.”

  Michael’s heart leapt at the sight of his son, tall, rugged, good-looking, dark eyes and hair, strong jaw. His body discipline–strong. “Christopher?” His throat clogged.

  “Can I come in?” Christopher asked.

  “Of course. What’s the matter with me?” Michael stepped aside, clearing the way for his son’s entrance.

  Christopher walked inside, dragging a small suitcase behind him. He dropped the handle and turned to his dad.

  “Let me take your jacket.”

  Christopher shrugged off his coat, and Michael hung it over a chair.

  “So, how have you been?”

  “Been fine.” Christopher stared down at the floor.

  Michael wasn’t sure what to say next. “Would you like something to drink?”

  “No thanks. I just ate.”

  “Where are my manners? Let’s go sit down.” Michael took three steps, but Christopher wasn’t following.

  “I’m sorry, Dad.”

  Michael turned around slowly as though he didn’t want to break the miracle that stirred in the room.

  “I’m sorry,” Christopher said again, his eyes searching for forgiveness.

  Two miraculous words that swirled in the air and landed deep in Michael’s chest, never to leave. How he had longed for his son to come home. Now here he was. His son was home! Thank you, Jesus. Unbidden tears slipped down Michael’s face. “I’m sorry too, son.”

  Michael immediately lapped up the distance between them and pulled his son into an enormous hug. “I’m sorry that I didn’t know how to handle things after Mom’s death. I should’ve done something to stop you from leaving.” Michael’s words were choppy as he spoke through his emotion.

  Christopher pulled away and looked at him, his own face flooded with tears. “It’s not like you had a parenting book for that sort of thing. It just happened. I was a stupid kid. I know I hurt you. Will you forgive me?”

  Michael patted his son on the arm and laughed with relief. “I’ll forgive you, and you can forgive me, and we’ll call it even. How’s that?”

  “Works for me.”

  They stood there for a moment, then Michael said, “Come sit down and tell me what’s been going on in your life.”

  Staring at his calloused hands, Christopher said, “I followed your footsteps and joined the marines.”

  “No wonder I couldn’t find you.”

  “I’m not retiring there, though,” Christopher said. “I served four years and did a stint in Afghanistan. That was enough for me.”

  “I understand,” Michael said. “So what brings you here?”

  “After being there, seeing . . . well, war, I realized the importance of life—of family. I’m out of the service now, and I want to make amends.” He stopped looking at his hands and lifted tear-filled eyes to his dad. “I missed you, Dad.”

  “I’ve missed you too.”

  Both started talking at once, catching up on one another’s lives.

  “You’ll have to come see Grandma. She’s missed you terribly.”

  “It’ll be great to see her again.” He paused. “Is Grandma the reason you moved to Smitten?”

  Michael nodded. “She’s not doing so well.”

  Christopher gave a solemn nod.

  “So what are your plans?” Michael asked.

  “I wondered if I could move in with you and try to get established here in Smitten. I remember visiting Grandma here, and I’ve always liked this town. Since I just got out of the service, I decided to make a fresh start of things.”

  Michael’s plans to leave Smitten one day began to fade. “I’m glad you did. I can’t begin to tell you how I’ve missed you, son. So thankful the Lord brought you back.”

  Christopher coughed. “Yeah, well, it’s good to be here.”

  The doorbell rang again.

  “Oh, that will be Heather. I forgot I told her I’d meet with her this evening,” he said, heading for the door. “She’s a nice gal. You’ll want to meet her.”

  “Oh, a love interest, eh?”

  “No, no, nothing like that.” Michael opened the door. “Heather, come on in.”

  Michael introduced Christopher and Heather, then went to the kitchen to fill some glasses with iced tea. By the time he returned, Christopher and Heather were deep in conversation and barely noticed his arrival.

  Michael decided this new friendship had definite possibilities. He smiled to himself and thanked Jesus for bringing his son home.

  Anna finished the woolen scarf she’d made for a friend at church. She tucked it into her knitting bag, cleaned off her registry station, and clicked off the lights in her shop.

  On her drive home she spotted quite a few ice skaters in the town square. Graceful skaters waltzed across the pond while some not-so-graceful skaters struggled to stay upright.

  Michael would love to get out there and skate, she knew that much. It seemed hard for him to sit still for very long. Though he loved to stay active, she knew skiing was his passion. Sadness ran through her that she couldn’t share this passion with him. Maybe she should push herself. Try to do it, for his sake. At the very least it would show him how much he meant to her.

  Her cell phone rang. The number on the screen made her catch her breath. Michael.

  “Got a minute?” he asked.

  “I do. I’m just driving home from work.”

  “I was hoping to catch you, since I haven’t been able to talk to you for a couple of days.”

  “I’m sorry about that. It’s been so busy at the shop.”

  “That’s a good thing, right?” Michael said.

  “Yes, very good. The word is out about the sheep, and women are getting excited about the spinning classes. I guess it’s a good thing I told Mr. McCreedy I’d keep the sheep.”

  “I guess so. By the way, do you want to go check on them after dinner? Or better still, we could go out to dinner and then go? I have something to tell you.”

  Alarm shot thro
ugh her. Normally a positive person by nature, she wasn’t sure why she would automatically think there was a problem. But usually when someone couldn’t say something over the phone . . .

  “Sounds good. But let’s save dinner for another time. I’m not all that hungry.”

  “You okay?”

  Anna could hear faint music and people talking in the background. It sounded as though he was shopping somewhere. “Sure. It’s just that I’ve been snacking on leftover Christmas goodies all day.”

  He chuckled low and soft in her ear. “Okay, Mountain Perks then. I’ll pick you up around seven. Does that work?”

  “See you then.” Anna clicked off her cell phone and spotted Tess’s car in the toy store parking lot. Maybe she’d get a chance to visit with her and Sophia, Ryan’s daughter. That little girl would be her granddaughter if Tess and Ryan got married—that was something to think about.

  Anna pulled her car into a parking space. Once out of her car, she walked to the door, and the person coming out the door practically ran into her.

  It was Michael carrying a toy trike. A young man was with him.

  “I’m so sorry. I wasn’t watch—Anna! How great to run into you here. No pun intended.”

  She smiled. “Looks like your hands are full.”

  “Can you walk with us out to my car?”

  “Aren’t you a little big for that?” Anna meant it to sound teasing, but she had to swallow down her questions. Heather’s little boy would be about the right size for the trike.

  “I never got one as a toddler, so I decided it was time. Better late than never.” He grinned. “Actually, this is for Heather DeMeritt’s little boy, Charlie. We’ve sort of bonded, so I wanted to get him something.”

  Bonded. “That’s nice,” Anna said, not meaning a word of it. Trying to ignore the growing jealousy in her belly, she turned to the young man. “Hello.”

  “Hi.” He extended his hand.

  “I want to make the introductions,” Michael interrupted. “Let me dump this trike first.” He opened the trunk of his car, placed the trike inside, then turned to Anna. “Anna, I would like you to meet Christopher Conners . . . my son.”