The Heart of Christmas

by Kathryn Shay

  Stacey told the woman, “Two cars collided on Main Street. I’m getting to the scene now.”

  “We’ll send trucks. But stay on the line and tell us what’s happening so we can relay the information as they’re en route.”

  When she was at the crash site, she continued, “A Miata was rear-ended by a Bronco. The driver is out of the SUV, but I can’t see any movement inside the smaller car.”

  “Get close enough to determine the condition of the driver of the Miata. Don’t endanger yourself, and don’t try to help. Rescue should be there in minutes.”

  Stacey wended through the small group of onlookers, some of whom were shouting, some calling out to others, some on cell phones. A burning smell hovered in the air and one of the cars was smoking. When she got a good view, she said, “The driver is alone inside, slumped over the wheel. He isn’t moving.”

  Sirens sounded in the distance, then closer. Soon, two rigs pulled up to entwined cars. Nick’s truck. And a small one marked Medical. They’d just come to a halt when Nick bounded out. He rushed to the cars and caught sight of her. “Stacey?”

  “I called it in.”

  “They said a woman did. Stand back.”

  From being married to a firefighter, she knew crowds often hindered a rescue and the guys hated that. So she faced the onlookers. “All right, everybody, get back and let the firefighters do their work.”

  The crowd receded from the vehicles and Stacey joined them. Nick barked orders, then walked around the small car assessing the damage. He yanked on the door handle, but it was jammed. “Get the pry tools,” he told the men behind him.

  Another firefighter already had; he stepped in front of Nick and tried to pop the door. “It’s stuck, Cap.”

  “Check the other door.”

  It wouldn’t open.

  “Okay, let’s get him out through the front window.”

  Yet another firefighter climbed on the hood, taped up, then broke the glass; it fell backward in one piece. Once they removed it, Nick jumped on up and ducked his head inside. “We have to get rid of the wheel.” The same firefighter handed him another tool and he did something inside. She saw him hand the steering wheel out. Then he climbed in the passenger side and disappeared. “We need a backboard.”

  She was close enough to hear him talking to the man, who must have regained consciousness. A male firefighter and Lisa Beth Duncan brought the board, and Nick took a collar from them. Then she watched as they maneuvered and twisted, maneuvered and twisted, until half in, half out of the car, Nick helped slide the man on the board, facedown. The medics took them both to the ground.

  Lisa Beth said, “On three, we’ll turn him over.”

  Two other firefighters and Nick assisted. The man was gently flipped, then secured to the board. He was bloody but talking.

  The other medic said, “We’ll take him to the hospital, Cap.”

  “Roger that. Then go back to the house. The rest of us will meet you there.”

  The little truck, which had been idling, sped off. Stacey was so intent on the rescue that she didn’t notice the police had shown up and were directing traffic.

  Nick approached her. “Hey, thanks for the help and the heads-up.” He had smudges on his face and his eyes were bright with adrenaline. His helmet was pushed back. Could he possibly look any sexier?

  “No problem. How’s the guy?”

  “No way to tell. He’ll get good care on the way over to the hospital. Both of those firefighters are also paramedics.”

  “I know Lisa Beth.” Sweat beaded on his brow as he removed his headgear. His hair was damp and he ran a hand through it. She asked, “Can I get you something? Water?”

  “You guys want a drink?” he shouted to his men. The four members of his crew were taking a breather after the rescue. They all said yes to water.

  Nick turned to her and hesitated for about ten seconds. “I’ll go back with you to get it.”

  They fell into step and headed to the store.

  “You look like Cinderella,” he said teasingly.

  She touched the kerchief she wore with an old smock. She was a mess, damn it. “I was cleaning the windows when I heard the crash.”

  As they walked, she became acutely aware of his body, seeming bigger in the clunky boots, pants and turnout coat. Before they reached the store, he unbuttoned and yanked off the heavy coat. “It’s cool today, but I’m hot.”

  She almost giggled. “That you are, Captain.”

  He stopped. “Are you flirting with me, Stacey?”

  “Nah. I don’t know how.”

  “Don’t kid yourself. You just gotta look at a man; it’s enough.”

  “That’s a nice thing to say.” They went inside The Book Nook and Stacey headed to the kitchenette. “I’ll get the water.”

  She hustled to the rear of the store, hoping Cora had restocked the fridge. She had, and Stacey grabbed a bag and put in five bottles. She also whipped off her smock and the kerchief, sending her hair everywhere. She noticed her hands shaking. “Geez.”

  Well, she couldn’t help it if Nick Evans bothered her. Actually, she liked what he made her feel. He looked so incredibly delicious all sweaty and rumpled, in the damp, navy T-shirt, bisected by the suspenders.

  Ordering herself to calm down, she returned to the main area. Nick stood before a display of a brand new romance novel by a wildly popular author. When she reached him, he picked a copy up. “So, how do romance novels sell?”

  “This one is making me gobs of money. You might like her Death series. They appeal to men.”

  “Are you saying, Ms. Sterling, that men aren’t romantic?”

  Her heart started to beat fast. “Are you, Captain?”

  He moved in closer. Tucked a tendril of hair behind her ear. “Am I what?” His voice was husky. Intimate.

  She didn’t move back. “Romantic?”

  “Would you like to find out, Stace?”

  “I—”

  The door opened and in walked one of his crew. “Hey, Cap, where’s the—” The guy stopped. “Oops, sorry, I don’t want to…interrupt.” The last was said with humor.

  Stacey blushed.

  Taking the bag from her, Nick handed it to the guy without looking at him. Or moving away. “Bring the water out, Maloney. I’ll be ready to go in a sec.”

  “Anything you say.” Maloney uttered under his breath, “Romeo.”

  When he left, she laughed gently. “You’ll get teased now.”

  “No one dares to tease me. I’m too old and too ugly. Besides I control the chores my groups gets assigned. They wanna stay on my good side.”

  The bell tinkled again. A customer walked in. Shit.

  He sighed, hopefully at the interruption, though the woman walked to the stacks. “Would you, um, would you want to go out sometime, maybe to dinner and a movie?”

  Yes! “I’d like that, Nick.” She kept her tone as even as she could, given she was bursting inside.

  “Today’s my last day shift. I’m off for a tour, starting tomorrow.”

  “I’m free tomorrow night.”

  “Great. Dinner at the Lakeside Restaurant?” She nodded. “Shall I pick you up or meet you there?”

  “I’m working till six. I can walk over after work. Say seven?”

  “Seven, it is.” Reaching up, he brushed his thumb over her lips, turned and left the store.

  Stacey wilted. She leaned against the counter and sighed. Then she caught sight of the romance novel on the table. “No need to answer my question, Cap. You are one romantic guy.”

  NICK SAT AT a table in the dining area of the Lakeside Restaurant, a tasteful, swank place with tables bearing maroon cloths and deep red, fall mums in a vase. He stared out the front window as he sipped a scotch. Man, he hoped this was a good move. Yesterday, he’d made the spontaneous offer to Stacey for a date, but tonight, he wasn’t so sure.

  Okay, so he admitted he was lonely and wanted someone in his life. Why couldn’t it be one of t
hose slick, glamorous women at the bar, who knew the score and wanted to play the game?

  But they didn’t appeal to him anymore.

  The sight of Stacey when she walked in exactly at seven calmed his doubts somewhat. From the reception desk, she could see the dining room, and Nick watched as she scanned the area. Her dress—he’d never seen her in one—was grass green and wrapped around her like a glove, tying in front. Though that made his body tighten, it was a better kind of tension than doubt and worry. He stood so she’d see him. She gave him a full-fledged smile that soothed his heart as she headed toward him. She wore heels—thank you, God—that made her legs look stellar. “Hi, there.”

  Leaning over, he kissed her cheek. “Hi. You look lovely in that dress.” He glanced down. “But I’m surprised you walked over in those shoes.”

  “They’re more comfortable than they look.” She gave him a frank perusal. She did seem innocent, but sometimes, she was a sexy siren. “You look fantastic.”

  He’d bought the doe-colored jacket today, and put it over a deeper brown, silk shirt and dress pants. “I’m not much for suits and ties.”

  “Fine by me.”

  He held the chair out for her. “What would you like to drink?”

  “I’ll have white zinfandel wine.”

  After the waiter took her order, she smiled at him again. “This is nice. I’m glad you asked me.”

  He was. And he wasn’t.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.”

  Reaching out, she covered his hand on the table. “You don’t have to lie, Nick. Simply say you don’t want to discuss whatever put the frown on your face.”

  “Are you always this honest?”

  She seemed shocked. “Yes, of course. I have no reason to put up a front.”

  That was true—for her.

  “Did you ever hear about the man in the Miata?” She gave him a break by changing the subject.

  “Yeah, Lisa Beth and McCabe followed up. He’s going to be okay.”

  “I’m glad.” She eyed his chest and her eyes danced. “It was…fun watching you work. I think firefighters are so…masculine.”

  “That’s why you married one.”

  “Nah, I dated Jess before he joined the department. But there’s something about those blue T-shirts…”

  He grinned, again feeling better by her frank appreciation.

  They both ordered steak, baked potato and Caesar salad. Stacey ate hers with relish, much as she’d devoured the hamburger on their first meeting. She sipped her wine between bites. “This is so good. I don’t eat too much red meat, but I’m splurging.”

  “I’m glad you’re enjoying the meal.”

  When they’d finished eating, a piano player began to perform. “Oh, wow, I love it when they have music here.”

  “Yeah?”

  She cocked her head. “You don’t happen to like to dance, do you? Jess didn’t, and I always missed it.”

  He pushed away from the table and stood. Held out his hand. “Come on, girl. Let’s go for a twirl.”

  The first song was an excruciatingly slow one. Nick drew her to his chest and let his face nestle next to her head. Her hair tickled his nose; its scent like roses. He’d never been this close to her, and her curves were even more lush than he’d deduced. If only he deserved her more. Shaking off the glum thought, he closed his eyes and enjoyed her…for now, anyway.

  SHE’D LOVED THE evening. They’d danced, ate chocolate lava cake for dessert, and then strolled in the moonlight through the Indian summer night to his car. The ride to her house—she usually walked to work in good weather—was made in companionable silence. When they reached her little white two-story, the crickets were chirping loud as he escorted her to the front door. Once there, she looked up at him. His face was in shadows but she could see the strong cut of his jaw, and chiseled features. There was a pervasive somberness to him, and to give him credit, he’d tried to ditch the serious mode all night. Now, he seemed relaxed and not burdened. “Nick, sometime, will you tell me why you frequently look so sad?”

  Grasping on to her arms, he squeezed lightly. “I doubt it, Stace. It’s part of who I am. If you’d rather not see me because of it…”

  “You sound like you want me to do that.”

  He brushed his hand down her hair and left it there. Her skin tingled at the contact. “Half of me does.”

  “The other half?”

  “Wants to kiss you so bad, I might combust if I don’t.”

  “Do it. Kiss me, Nick.”

  His other hand tunneled its way through her red curls and he lowered his mouth. His kiss was gentle, softly brushing back and forth. Stacey let herself float in the warmth, in the expectation that kiss engendered. She went up on tiptoes and her chest came into contact with his.

  “Ahhh,” he whispered against her mouth. “You taste so good.”

  He did, too. Like wine and chocolate. “Hold me closer, Nick.”

  She felt him smile against her cheek as his arms banded around her. She’d waited three weeks, from that morning in the store when her body had reacted to just his presence, for him to embrace her like this. And it felt great. He deepened the kiss, one hand fisting in her hair. She sank into him; the hard planes of his body pressed against her curves. He accepted the embrace, held her as if he never wanted to let her go.

  He did, though. When the kiss became too hot, too exciting for the front stoop of her house, he drew back. In the light cast from the lamp on the grass, she could see his self-effacing smile. “I think we’d better stop.”

  Leaning her head into his chest, she let her breathing return to normal. His heart pounded near her ear. His spicy aftershave made her tremble. She was out of her depths here, navigating the dating waters for the first time since…ever, really. She didn’t know what to do. She thought about asking him to come inside, but she didn’t want to rush him if he wasn’t ready.

  “What are you thinking?” he asked, tipping her chin.

  “That I don’t really know what to do in this situation.”

  “This situation?”

  “I want what’s between us to go further, but I don’t want to rush things.”

  “It’s a good idea not to rush things, Stacey. Especially with me.”

  “Please don’t start on the jaded-old-man routine.”

  He burst out laughing, a husky sound coming deep from his chest. It was almost better than another kiss. Almost. “All right. But taking it slow is best.” He kissed her nose and stepped back. “I’ll wait till you get inside.”

  “Good night.” She opened the door, then pivoted back around. “I like you, Nick. I hope I get to know you better.”

  “I like you, too, Stace.” He squeezed her shoulder. “Sweet dreams.”

  He was inside his car before she realized he’d said nothing about getting to know her better. The thought made her sad.

  HALLOWEEN STARTED EARLY in Hidden Cove. Years ago, local businesses had begun the tradition of a community event in the downtown area a week before the holiday. The fire and police departments parked their vehicles in strategic spots to oversee the crowd. People milled around the town square, set up with food and drink appropriate for the time of year. Kids and some parents were in costume, though it was almost a week before the thirty-first.

  For the rest of his furlough, Nick had kept busy at the station house and with Kelly and her family. He tried not to think about Stacey and how good it felt to kiss her four days ago, and he’d avoided calling her. She’d emailed him about decisions that had to be made about the party, but he’d kept his responses short and to the point. He needed some distance from her. As if she sensed that, she didn’t press him to meet.

  He planned to see her tonight, in a busy setting, to gauge how he was doing. He’d made no decision about a relationship with her, but he didn’t want to alienate her completely. Or worse yet, hurt her with his remoteness. With half the town on the streets, this was a safe setting. “I’
m going for a walk,” he said to the members of the Rescue Squad, some of whom were sitting on the top of the truck, eating donuts and cider that people had brought them. Certain trucks were designated to go on runs, but his had guard duty.

  “Looking for a new book?” Maloney asked.

  “Shove it,” he said good-naturedly and started down the street.

  First, he passed a hair salon, decorated on the outside with hanging ghosts and goblins. Inside, the stylists wore Goth outfits. Briefly he wondered if Stacey got all those luscious locks trimmed here. The gift shop three doors down was bright with orange lights in scattered pumpkins inside. Finally, he reached The Book Nook. A display of Halloween children’s books graced the huge window, supplemented by black-and-orange streamers. He opened the door to partial darkness and the scent of hot chocolate.

  She was sitting in a far corner, with about a dozen small kids around her. Parents occupied chairs off to the side. Each child was dressed in a Halloween costume, as was she. All he could see from the entryway was a black spandex top—come on, God, gimme a break—and a witch’s hat. She didn’t look up, intent on the book. In a lilting voice she said, “The Berenstain Bears, Trick or Treat.”

  She told the tale of some bears (not the Goldilocks kind), named only Mama, Papa, Sister and Brother as they went out trick or treating. He was mesmerized by her voice.

  Until an angel approached him. “Can I help you…? Oh, Captain, Evans, hi.”

  “Cora, right?”

  “Uh-huh. Did you come to see Stacey?”

  He jammed his hands in the pockets of blue uniform pants, feeling like a teenager leering at a cheerleader. “I guess.”

  She chuckled, quietly. “You and half the male population tonight. She’s a witch every year.”

  “I don’t get the connection.”

  Cora said, “You will when she stands up.”

  Which was when she finished the tale. She rose, and before she was converged upon, he caught a glimpse of her. She’d matched the black top with a short, black skirt, black stockings and high heels. Statuesque and desirable came to mind. Four days wasn’t enough to inure him to her and he felt his body react. After the kids showered her with hugs, parents approached her. When most of them walked, one guy stayed behind. Nick knew him—he was a cop and single dad of a little girl. When his kid headed for the treats, he moved in. Stacey gave him a big grin. He smiled back. He pointed to the book and she gave it to him. His hand went out and touched her arm.