And yet, even while their invasiveness disturbed her, it also gave her a warm, fuzzy feeling. Whenever Sophie would complain about how her parents butted into her business and tried to give her advice, Kendall had been secretly jealous that she had people concerned enough to bother. Now that she was in the same situation, she understood how irritation and gratitude could coexist.
She also understood that she would not be living with them for longer than a vacation.
It might have been this state of mind that made her snatch up her phone without hesitation when Gabe’s name flashed on the screen. “Gabe! I was wondering if you’d gotten my message.”
“Hey, Kendall.” His voice, deep and familiar, poured over her like warm honey, sending a sensation through her body that was almost like an inward sigh. “I didn’t want to intrude on your vacation with Bill and Nancy.”
Kendall glanced around the living room, and though all signs pointed to them still being in the front yard adding lights to the Christmas landscaping, she stepped into the backyard instead. “Oh, trust me, I’m glad for the intrusion.”
His tone turned concerned. “Not going so well?”
Kendall laughed. “It’s going exactly as I imagine a typical visit home to the parents would go.”
“Ah. Yes. I understand. Well, in that case, I don’t suppose you would like a distraction? Tomorrow is our Christmas tree lighting and bonfire up here in Jasper Lake. I seem to remember us missing the other bonfire because of weather.”
Kendall flushed at the recollection. They’d been warming up all right, but it wasn’t stretching hands toward a bonfire. She hesitated before she answered. This was what she’d been waiting for, but was it really what she should do? What purpose could seeing Gabe in a social environment have if she was just going to get her heart broken?
“I don’t know,” she said slowly. “I flew out here, so I don’t have a car.”
“I’ll come down and get you. You’re not that far. Besides, I’d like to meet the foster parents.”
“No!” Kendall blurted, imagining what they would do once they got a look at Gabe. If they found out she was entertaining romantic thoughts toward the mayor of Jasper Lake, she would never hear the end of it. “I’ll borrow a car. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind. We need to discuss what we’re going to do with the houses anyway.”
“Yes,” he said. “We do.”
“So I’ll drive up there tomorrow afternoon then? That will give us enough time to discuss business matters before the bonfire.”
His voice turned warm again. “I can’t wait. I’ll see you then.”
“I’m looking forward to it. See you tomorrow.” Kendall clicked off the line and stood there for a moment, her stomach fluttering.
Stop reading into this. It doesn’t mean anything. Why would he suddenly contact you after two months if it wasn’t because you texted him saying you needed to talk?
“Looking forward to what?”
Kendall spun to see Nancy standing behind her, wearing work gloves and holding a huge spool of Christmas lights. She had a knowing look on her face.
“Oh, it was just Gabe, the guy I’m working with up in Jasper Lake on the houses.”
“Just the guy who hired a private investigator to find out your past for you?”
Kendall flushed again despite herself. “Gabe is the mayor of the town. It was—” She couldn’t think of any legitimate official reason for him to have done it for her, and from the look on Nancy’s face, she knew it. “I was going to head up there tomorrow. I might stay overnight or not. Would it be possible to borrow a car? I can always rent one if need be . . .”
Nancy waved her hand. “No, take the SUV.”
“Oh, I didn’t intend to take your new car—”
“It has four-wheel drive and winter tires. I’d feel better if you drove that, especially going into the high country in December. There’s no snow in the forecast, but you never know. Weather changes on a dime.”
“Yes, it does,” Kendall agreed faintly, knowing just how true that statement was and feeling slightly disappointed that she wouldn’t have the opportunity to be stranded up there again.
Stop it! If you have any chance of making it through this intact, you have to keep things strictly professional. Friendly, but not romantic. Because you won’t survive another rejection.
“Thanks,” she said finally. “I’ll be back for Christmas Eve, obviously.”
Nancy studied her for a long moment and then walked over to place a gloved hand on Kendall’s shoulder. “You know how much we’ve enjoyed having you here this week, don’t you?”
Kendall smiled. “Yes. And I’ve enjoyed being here.”
“We want you to always feel welcome here. We consider this your home. But, Kendall . . . if you find that you want to do something different . . . say, stay up in Jasper Lake for Christmas . . . we absolutely understand.”
“Why would I want to stay in Jasper Lake?”
Nancy shot her a knowing smile. “You forget that I raised you through your teenage years. And you’ve never been very good at hiding it when you’ve got an interest in some boy.” She chuckled. “Well, in this case, a man. Can you really tell me that this Gabe is just a friend or a business partner to you?”
Kendall chewed on her lip in response.
“That’s what I thought.” Nancy pressed her into a brief hug. “Don’t worry about us. All we’ve ever wanted is for you to be happy. And if it turns out that spending Christmas in Jasper Lake with Gabe makes you happy . . . well, who are we to interfere? Besides, your Christmas presents will keep.”
Kendall forced a smile, but the words had sent a new round of jitters into her stomach. She intended to say thank you, but instead she said, “And what if I’m misreading this whole situation? What if he really does just want to talk business like I told him?”
“Well, in that case, he’s an idiot and you’re better off without him.” Nancy winked at her. “Now why don’t you come out and help us with the last string of lights? I’m afraid if you don’t tell Bill enough is enough, he’s going to go buy some more.”
Kendall followed her foster mother through the house into the front yard, where Bill had indeed turned a tasteful Christmas display into something similar to the Griswolds’ house, viewable from space. She surveyed it for a long moment, then slid an arm around both Bill’s and Nancy’s waists to pull them close. “Thank you, both of you. It’s perfect.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
EVERYTHING WAS READY for the tree-lighting ceremony and bonfire tonight, but Gabe still circled the square and walked up and down Main Street, making one last check. They traditionally held the tree lighting and bonfire the Saturday before Christmas, but the town had been slowly transforming into a holiday wonderland since the beginning of December. Garlands decorated the eaves on all the shops and buildings, and wreaths hung on nearly every door. Swags of fake greenery decorated the old-fashioned streetlights, and each street corner was punctuated with a covered fire bowl that put out heat for the shoppers and visitors that flocked to Jasper Lake during the holiday season. He paused in front of the one just down the street from the town municipal building and held his hands over the heat emanating from the wood fire. Even with his gloves, the daytime temperatures were chilly, as evidenced by the cloud of condensation that formed in front of his face every time he exhaled.
The sound of an engine turned his attention to an SUV coming up the street, and for a moment, his heart skipped a beat. Until Gabe realized that it belonged not to Kendall but to his father. Robert pulled up in front of the building and stepped out a moment later, bundled in a down jacket and boots. Gabe wandered in that direction and waited on the curb for his dad, who immediately pulled him into a tight embrace.
“Is she here yet?” he asked by way of greeting.
“Not yet.”
Robert bumped his shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’m sure she’ll respond favorably to your proposal.” When Gabe arched his eyebrows in
response, he grinned. “Our proposal. The business one. Of course.”
“Yeah, thanks.” Gabe shoved his hands into his pockets to keep himself from fidgeting. He had been as restless as a racehorse at the starting gate since he got Kendall’s text message, but it hadn’t been the right time to respond until yesterday. He’d always tried to be sensitive to God’s leading, but he’d never experienced such definitive communication until Kendall came along. Given her fledgling faith and how he’d left things with her, he wasn’t about to jump the gun.
And yet his feelings for Kendall hadn’t faded a bit. In fact, he’d gotten a fair amount of clarity in the last couple of months. They didn’t know each other well. They might not work out at all. But despite the flirtation of a few of the single women in town, which had become more pronounced since Kendall left, he had absolutely no interest in anyone else. He had no interest in having interest in anyone else.
Which he could only take to mean that he had to give this thing with Kendall a shot.
Of course, she still lived and worked in another state. And he couldn’t deny that no matter how gently he’d tried to do it, he’d hurt her when he said he wouldn’t pursue a relationship if she wasn’t a Christian.
Maybe God just wanted them to settle this once and for all.
“You look as nervous as a man on his wedding day,” Robert observed, and Gabe shot him a glare. He chuckled. “Sorry. Which are you more worried about? That Kendall will turn down the job offer or that she’ll turn down your offer?”
“Both,” Gabe said honestly. “Though I think she’ll be too intrigued by the job to turn it down. Or at least I’m hoping that’s the case.” He and Astrid had worked closely together for the past couple of months to come up with a workable preliminary town plan to submit to the grant committee. They wouldn’t know the results for months yet, but Robert had been impressed enough by their vision to pledge several million dollars to the cause.
“Seen Burton around much?” Robert asked with a wicked glint in his eye.
“Oddly enough, not so much.” Gabe grinned. “He’s still sore over the loss of all that property.”
Turned out that Kendall had been right. Without the acres of lakefront property she owned, Burton’s land hadn’t been as valuable as he thought—not to mention that he didn’t actually own some of it. Much of it had been contingent on him getting the entire waterfront. He’d been bluffing mightily to get her to give up without a fight. Gabe felt a surge of pride that she’d seen through his bluster. Now he just couldn’t wait to show her what they had in mind.
“Astrid isn’t coming?” Gabe asked, checking his watch. Kendall had texted saying she was on her way over an hour ago. She should be arriving any minute.
Robert didn’t miss the gesture, but at least he didn’t comment on it. “No, she flew home to Minnesota to be with her family for Christmas. She said she had confidence in your ability to present the plan, since you did more than half the work.”
“Hardly. I just—” The words trailed off when he caught a glimpse of an unfamiliar red Honda driving down the street toward them and held his breath. It could be anyone—they had a lot of visitors during the tree-lighting weekend. But then he caught a glimpse of a familiar face surrounded by waves of blonde hair, and his heart jolted into double time.
“Showtime,” Robert murmured under his breath. “Why don’t I go wait inside?”
“No, stay.” He reached out and stilled his father while Kendall parked and climbed out of the car.
How had he forgotten she was so beautiful? She had dressed more warmly than last time—she’d apparently prepared for the below-freezing temperatures—and the hit of cold air instantly put a tinge of pink in her pale cheeks. Her expression reflected his own uncertainty as she shut the door and shouldered her handbag.
“Hi, Kendall,” Gabe said warmly, waiting for her on the sidewalk. He debated for a second and then went for it and enfolded her in a hug. After a brief hesitation, she wrapped her arms around his midsection and hugged him back tightly. It felt right. It felt like she should have never left. He inhaled the scent of her perfume, jasmine and vanilla, and then released her reluctantly.
Kendall’s eyes were wide and confused, and she seemed unable to figure out what to do next. Gabe stood aside. “I’d like you to meet Robert Miller, my father.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Kendall.” Robert went for the hug as well, and Gabe could have kissed him for making his own greeting a little less awkward by comparison.
Kendall disentangled herself and laughed breathlessly. “Well, that was a welcome. Nice to meet you, Robert.”
“We’re a family of huggers,” Robert said with a shrug, and Gabe wondered if that was actually true. His mom was, but now he realized how little he actually knew about his dad, even after working with him for the last couple of months.
“It’s cold out here. Why don’t we go inside?” Gabe gestured toward the front door of the town hall and held it open for them. Once inside, he scooted ahead to divert them to a conference room rather than his office.
“Why are we going in here?” Kendall asked.
“More room,” Gabe said. “We have something to show you.”
He hung back while Robert and Kendall entered, gratified by her sharp intake of breath. On the conference room’s fabric-paneled walls, they’d clipped the renderings that he and Astrid had finished of the new developments in town.
“What is all this?” she asked, moving from one to another.
“This is our submission for the National Society of Sustainable Planning and Architecture,” Gabe explained. “A mouthful, I know. The buildings were designed by Astrid Elison, one of my dad’s architects. The city plan was done by yours truly.”
A smile was forming on Kendall’s face. “Bike paths? Coworking spaces? And what’s this? Green Village?”
Gabe moved up beside her. “I admit this was my idea. This right here is your plot of houses.” He indicated with his finger. “The rest are a mix of condominiums, apartment buildings, and single-family homes. All designed in Jasper Green’s signature style using sustainable materials and built around community green space.” He grinned. “Your last name lends itself to all sorts of useful puns.”
Kendall laughed, but wonder still laced her expression. “It’s incredible. I never expected . . . And what’s this?” She moved to the last board, which showed several pieces of marketing material.
“This is an advertising campaign that a local agency worked up for us. Do you recognize the slogan?”
“‘Work virtually in the most beautiful town in Colorado,’” she breathed. “That was my idea.”
“And it was a brilliant one. We want to maintain the community feel, but we recognize that we need young singles, couples, and families if we’re going to continue to exist and grow. We’ve already got a couple of companies that use virtual workers who are considering sponsoring our efforts here.” He nudged her with his arm. “This is all you, Kendall.”
She turned in a circle, taking in all the plans at once. “This is amazing, Gabe. I love it. You and Astrid and, I assume, you, Robert, have done a wonderful job here.”
“We’re just missing one component,” Robert said, stepping closer. “It didn’t seem right to go forward with this project, especially Green Village, without the remaining Green descendant working on it. I’ve looked over your work, Kendall. You have an impeccable eye for preservation, but you also have a deep understanding of how modern spaces need to function. We could use a designer with your eye to join us.”
Kendall’s mouth dropped open. Gabe could see this was the last thing she’d expected. “You’re offering me a job?” She looked between the two of them.
“I am,” Robert said. “You’d be a full employee of Miller Property Group. Compensation package to be negotiated, of course. I imagine we’d want you to be full-time in Jasper Lake, however.”
“For how long?”
“Well, we’re expecting t
he first phase of the project to take about five years. It may be ten before we’re completely finished.”
“Five to ten years?” she asked faintly.
“Think about it,” Robert said. “We can talk about the details later. I know this is a lot to take in.” He gave her a nod and a smile before discreetly slipping from the room.
Kendall did one more wide-eyed spin. “This is amazing.” She smiled. “And it preserves my homes.”
Gabe lifted a shoulder. “It doesn’t get you your $1.7 million, I’m afraid to say.”
Kendall gave him a sheepish smile. “I let the Pasadena house go.”
“What?”
“I let the house go. Sophie went to another company, and I realized there was just no reason to hold on to it.” She shrugged. “I thought owning something would make the difference, but no matter how much I wanted it to be, it wasn’t home.”
“It seems like a lot has happened since we last talked. Want to take a walk around town and tell me about it?”
Kendall smiled at him. “I’d love to.”
Chapter Forty
THE AIR WAS FRIGID, but Kendall felt flushed enough with the afternoon’s revelations and Gabe’s nearness that she didn’t even feel it. All she noticed was the warmth of his body soaking into her arm through his coat as they walked together down the street.
“Your poor hands,” he commented, looking down at her fingers, which were turning bright red in the cold. She’d forgotten her gloves in the car. He tugged his glove off and interlaced her fingers with his, then pushed both of their hands into his pocket. “Better?”
“Better,” she said breathlessly. She might have been able to tell herself that she could do without him, that she could get through this day without any feelings, but the mere touch of bare skin showed that lie for exactly what it was.
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