"Take a seat and I'll bring you some drinks," Nicole said.
Erin confirmed that she'd be happy to try one of the delicious looking muffins. When she tried to order a green tea, Nicole gave her a funny look and then insisted that Erin taste Nicole's special Christmas Cinnamon flavored coffee. How could she resist something that sounded so tempting?
Nicole had one assistant who Luke explained helped her through the busier lunchtimes. Erin looked around the coffee shop. "This is the busy time?" she asked incredulously.
Luke nodded, apparently unable to see that where Erin came from a coffee shop this empty wouldn't be in business much longer.
Nicole joined them, bringing the cinnamon coffee which did taste incredible. It was a taste that made Erin feel like Christmas had already arrived a few days early.
Mouth full of muffin, Erin asked Nicole how long she'd had the coffee shop. It turned out that Nicole's father was a baker, so that explained his daughter's obsession with cakes and everything sweet and tasty. Nicole babbled excitedly about the Christmas time and how much she was looking forward to it.
"You're going back to LA for Christmas?" Nicole asked.
Erin frowned, surprised that Nicole would know that. "I was planning on leaving this Friday," she replied.
"What if you can't leave?" Nicole said inexplicably.
"What do you mean?"
Nicole glanced at Luke. "Some winters we get snowed in. Don't we, Luke?"
Erin peered at Luke. Was that true? Why hadn't anyone told her that?
"I don't think it'll happen this year," he replied. "The snow isn't heavy enough."
"You're telling me this is light snow?" she asked.
He shrugged. "I've seen worse. But, you should be okay by Friday. The forecast is that it will be mild."
Had he said that with just a hint of regret? She couldn't be sure.
"I love Christmas, don't you, Erin?" Nicole asked breezily. It was impossible not to like someone as enthusiastic as Nicole, Erin thought. She just bubbled over with a zest for life she hadn't seen in someone of her age.
"I do like Christmas. Although I think it's a bit different where I come from," Erin admitted.
"All that sunshine," Nicole agreed. "It must be weird. Not having snow at Christmas."
Erin shrugged. "It's different. That's all I can say."
"Do you visit with your family?" Nicole asked.
"My mom and dad, sure," Erin replied. Christmas was always nice with her family. As the years went by, it seemed to Erin that it became even more important, even more meaningful.
Erin finished drinking her coffee and realized that Luke had been quiet the whole time she'd been talking with Nicole. What was he thinking? Had this been a good idea? Maybe he thought he had to leave.
Erin heard a sharp hissing noise and Luke's head jerked suddenly toward the top pocket of his jacket. He pulled out a small radio and spoke into it.
The reply came out of the radio. "Sheriff, it's Don."
Luke glanced at Erin and Nicole and twisted away from them, obviously eager they shouldn't hear what was being said on the radio. Erin understood police business needed to be confidential, even in this town.
She saw Luke walk away to the corner of the room for a few moments and saw him speaking into the radio. She couldn't hear what he was saying. But, when he turned around he looked grim-faced.
He came to the table and looked down at Erin. "We should go," he said firmly.
"We?" she asked suddenly confused. If it was police business what did it have to do with Erin?
"It's Mrs. Kennedy," Luke said.
Erin felt a stab of anxiety and sat up straight in her chair. "Mrs. Kennedy?"
Luke nodded. "There's been a flood at her house. Seems like some burst pipes. It sounds real serious."
Erin stood up, said goodbye hurriedly to Nicole and followed Luke out of the coffee shop.
"Why is the sheriff being called to a plumber's job?" Erin asked walking alongside him as they headed across the park in the middle of the square.
Luke was still frowning. He paused and she halted by his side. "Because it looks as if someone damaged Mrs. Kennedy's outside pipes deliberately."
CHAPTER FIVE
"Oh, no!" Luke heard Erin exclaim as he pulled the car to a stop in front of Mrs. Kennedy's house.
"That looks terrible," Erin said leaning forward and looking at the mess in front of the house. Luke could see that a huge amount of water had obviously spread out the front of the house. Some of it was still coming out of the open front door.
They both got out of the car and Luke followed behind Erin as she dashed across the snow-covered lawn.
Luke paused and tipped his hat back on his head, gazing at the sodden carpets he could see inside the open door. Snow in front of the door had been melted by the running water. That would freeze into dangerous ice, he thought.
Luke saw that the damage was pretty severe. Rivulets of water were running out of the open door, and he saw Mrs. Kennedy standing inside in the hallway, looking real shaken up. Luke wondered how this had happened. He saw Erin hug Mrs. Kennedy who looked close to tears. Luke couldn't hear what Erin was saying to Mrs. Kennedy, but he saw the elderly woman nodding her head patiently as if soothed by Erin's words. Maybe Erin had that natural ability to calm people in a crisis, he thought.
His deputy, Don came out of the house. He came up to Luke and shook his head.
"How bad is it?" Luke asked, although he could see for himself that the inside of the house was probably flooded top to bottom.
"Water tank bust open. The whole thing overflowed. Went through pretty much every room in the house. " Don said. Luke could see that Don was upset by what he'd seen.
"You said you think it was deliberate," Luke said.
Don sighed. "I don't know for sure. It's just a thought. If you go to the back of the house, there's an overflow pipe that's supposed to prevent something like this." Don ran a hand along the back of his neck. "I dunno for sure, but it looks like something was jammed into the pipe, causing the tank to fill up. All that water had nowhere else to go except down into the house."
Luke sighed and shook his head. "It's a pity. Things were going well for her bed and breakfast."
Don glanced back at the house. "Once the insurance pays up, she'll soon be back on her feet."
"I guess you're right, Don," Luke said. "It's just such a shame. She's a good woman."
Everyone knew Mrs. Kennedy was proud of her home, and that the bed and breakfast was her only means of income. He wondered what she would do to make ends meet while the place was repaired. It might take until after the New Year before it was up and running again.
Two people emerged from inside the house, and Luke recognized Mrs. Kennedy's son, Bill and his wife, Louise. They were in their thirties and lived in another part of town. They both stood on the front step and spoke to Mrs. Kennedy who looked like she wasn't going to leave the house, not even if it was flooded.
"You'll just have to come and stay with us, mom," Luke heard Bill tell his mother.
"But, I can't do that," Mrs. Kennedy objected. "I know how busy you two are, at the best of times. I can't impose on you. Not at this time of the year."
Louise shook her head and laid a gentle hand on her mother-in-law's arm. "You're not going to be an imposition. Not at all."
Mrs. Kennedy shook her head, and Luke could tell it was going to take a bit more persuasion to get her to come around to the idea. He walked up to the door.
"Mrs. Kennedy, I'm real sorry," Luke said.
Mrs. Kennedy tried to smile at Luke, but he could see that it was just too difficult. He didn't blame her, but at least she was beginning to come to terms with it. "Thank you for stopping by, sheriff."
"When Don told me what had happened, I had to come," Luke replied.
He glanced at Bill and raised a brow, prompting Bill to speak. "Mom's coming over to our place," Bill said. He looked at his mother. "Isn't that right, mom?" he
added.
Mrs. Kennedy frowned, saying nothing. Maybe she needed more time, Luke thought. "Is Erin upstairs?" he asked.
Mrs. Kennedy nodded. "I'm afraid all her things are ruined. It's all my fault."
Luke rested a hand on her arm. "That's not true. None of this is your fault. It just the kind of thing that happens."
Mrs. Kennedy didn't look too convinced. Luke figured it might be a good idea to go upstairs and see how Erin was doing.
He made his way upstairs, stepping carefully on the soaked carpet, feeling the wet softness underfoot as he climbed the stairs.
In her room, he found Erin standing in the middle of the room just looking in disbelief at the mess. Water was running down the walls, and the bedroom carpet was sodden. No-one could stay for long in a place like this.
Erin turned to Luke and shrugged. "What can you do?" she asked obviously not expecting him to answer. But, he knew that she probably expected him to be at least sympathetic to her plight. "What a mess," she added. She went to a closet and looked inside. Luke saw that the clothes hanging there had been well and truly soaked. Erin picked up a dress and held it up. Water dripped off the dress as she squeezed it between her fingers.
Erin turned to Luke again and lifted a brow.
"Did the water get everything?" he asked.
Erin shook her head and went to a chest of drawers and opened the top drawer, thrusting a hand inside. "Everything here is still dry. But, that's about all," she said looking around the room again.
Luke wondered what she could do. It was clear she wouldn't be able to stay here. No-one would.
"Any thoughts on what you're going to do?" he asked.
Erin sighed and shook her head. "I don't know. There's only one hotel in the town. And I didn't want to stay there, anyway."
"Why not?" he asked.
"Would you believe they're full up. It must be because of Christmas."
Luke smiled at her. "You're not the only outsider who wanted to come here for Christmas."
Erin gazed around the room and smiled wanly. "The main reason I came here, though, was because it was cozy. It's like a home from home," she said.
Luke had to admit the room was cozy. It was reassuringly decorated in comforting colors, floral wallpaper and softly colored bedspreads that now looked like they'd need a whole lot of loving care. The entire house would need a makeover.
"Maybe Mrs. Kennedy can redo the place," he said. "Give it a makeover."
Erin frowned and shook her head. "No. It was perfect to begin with." She became suddenly thoughtful. "It reminded me of a place my parents and I went to on a vacation when I was a kid," she said. He raised a brow, prompting her to continue. "It was on the coast in Oregon. A summer vacation. Just like this place. It was so comfortable, and there was so much peace and quiet." She sighed, and he could see how the memory was affecting her. The color of her cheeks had returned, and she was smiling softly.
"It must have been nice," he said quietly.
"It was," she replied dragging her attention back to the room. "I hope she gets the place repaired quickly."
Luke nodded. "Once the paperwork's done, there are plenty of folks who'll fix this place up in no time."
"Where is she going to live?" Erin asked quickly.
"Her son and his wife are trying to persuade her, even as we speak." He smiled at Erin. "It's not proving too easy," he added.
Erin laughed. Luke liked the sound of her laughter, and he was glad she was beginning to come to terms with what had happened.
He had a sudden thought. A crazy, impulsive thought that made him feel a surge of excitement. He thought for a moment, weighing the idea over in his mind and then decided that he'd make the suggestion. The worst thing she could do would be to refuse.
"I've had thought," he said.
Erin raised her brows. "That's a dangerous habit," she teased.
He laughed nervously. "You're probably right." He shifted nervously and continued. "There is one place where I know for sure there's an empty room you could have."
He saw her face color slightly. Embarrassment swept through him, and he rushed to correct himself.
"No. It's not what you think." Had she thought he was suggesting she stay at his place? He definitely should have worded that better, he told himself. "What I was meaning was, there's room at my parents' place."
"Your parents?" she asked. He could see she'd been taken aback.
Luke nodded. "I'm sure they'd be pleased to have you stay there a while."
Erin shook her head. "Oh no. I couldn't ask them to do that. I don't even know them."
"You met my sister. She still lives at home."
Erin's eyes narrowed slightly. "And you don't?"
Luke shook his head. "I have my own place nearer to the sheriff's office."
She looked relieved at that statement. "My sister will be sure pleased if you visit for a while. You saw how much she liked you today," he said.
"Nicole is so sweet," Erin said. Her eyes were suddenly thoughtful, and he saw careful deliberation in them.
Finally, she nodded. "I accept."
Luke realized he hadn't even asked his parents if it would be okay. After the conversation, he'd had with his mother and sister the night before he didn't have any doubt that they would be more than pleased to have Erin as a guest.
"Great!" he exclaimed, trying not to sound too excited, although by the expression on her face he could tell he hadn't disguised his delight well enough.
Erin gazed around the room. "I guess I should try and put my things into bags and get them cleaned and dried."
"Maybe you can do that at my parents' place."
Erin nodded and smiled at Luke. He really liked it when she smiled at him like that. "You're right. That makes perfect sense."
Yes, Luke told himself. It was funny how things kept on taking a turn for the better, at least when it came to him and Erin.
"I'm going to check on Mrs. Kennedy," he said. "See if her son has managed to persuade her," he added with a smile.
"I'll get some bags and pack what's left."
"I'll see you downstairs," he said.
When he went downstairs, he saw that Mrs. Kennedy's son had eventually won the day. They were getting her things together. She'd soon be settled in comfortably at her son's place.
Things were working out.
As he made his way outside and gazed back up at the exterior of the house, Luke thought about how good it would also be once Erin was settled into his parents' place.
CHAPTER SIX
"And this is where you'll sleep," Nicole said to Erin leading her into the room immediately opposite Nicole's own bedroom.
Erin stood at the open door, looked inside and smiled. The room had a double bed, a closet, and chest of drawers. It didn't have the homely feel of Mrs. Kennedy's place. But, Luke's mother had said that if Erin needed anything special in her room, they'd be more than happy to get it.
"This is lovely," Erin said stepping into the bedroom. She put her small bag down on the floral-patterned rug. The bag contained what she'd managed to salvage of her things which hadn't been soaked by the flood water.
Erin turned to Nicole. "You're sure I'm not putting anyone to any trouble."
Nicole squinted. "Mom was so excited when Luke called and asked her if you could stay over. I know it's a terrible thing that happened with flood and all." Nicole frowned. "Poor Mrs. Kennedy. She must be so upset."
"She is," Erin agreed. "But, she'll get back on her feet soon enough." Erin smiled. "Mrs. Kennedy's made of strong stuff."
Nicole smiled. "It's that Montana grit and determination."
Erin nodded. "I think you're right."
Nicole looked around the bedroom. "This room used to be mine. But I always wanted Luke's room across the hall. His room had a better view of the back garden." Nicole pouted. "I used to be so jealous. Then he moved out, and I got the room."
Erin nodded. Nicole clapped her hands together.
> "Anyway," Nicole drawled. "Dinner will be in about a half hour." Nicole wagged a finger at Erin. "And don't try saying you're not hungry." She smiled. "Mom's making her special meatloaf tonight."
Erin's reaction to the news that meatloaf would be on the menu tonight obviously hadn't convinced Nicole. "It's her own, special recipe," she explained. "It's nice. Promise."
Nicole left Erin, and she sat down on the bed, wondering just what she'd gotten herself into. When Luke had driven Erin over to his parents' house, he'd talked briefly to her about his family. It was obvious to Erin that the MacAllan family were close-knit.
Jed was the ranch owner and, according to Luke, he was the exception to the rule as far as being happy to live in Montana Falls. Jed loved the outdoors, and raising cattle was just about the perfect profession for him.
Nicole had always held close to the family, and it was no surprise that she was the one who was still living at home. When Nicole had shown Erin her own room, the one word which had come to Erin's mind when she saw the place was "books". Erin had never seen so many books crammed into a bedroom. Shelves bent beneath the weight of the hundreds of books which lined the walls. Nicole was a smart girl. Erin had gathered that, earlier in the day when she'd spoken with her at the coffee shop. She liked Nicole, and was sure that over the next few days she was going to get to know Luke's sister really well.
Erin hadn't been surprised that Luke had left after dropping her off at his parents' home. There'd been work to do at the sheriff's office, he'd told her. She wondered exactly what kind of work that involved. It was clear that Luke's duties in Montana Falls couldn't really be described as onerous. He wasn't the busiest sheriff she'd ever known.
No. Scratch that.
Luke was the only sheriff she had ever known, intimately.
Definitely, scratch that thought, she told herself. There was nothing intimate about her relationship with Sheriff Luke MacAllan. They were just friends. Weren't they?
Erin lay back on the bed and let her mind drift to the events of the last twenty-four hours.
Luke's Christmas Love (A Sweet Christmas Romance) Page 4