by Emma Miller
“Thanks for the cookies, Lana,” Jack called as he headed toward the Mission’s locked office area.
“Consider it a bribe. Don’t forget the Christmas tree is being delivered this weekend. I want you all to be there to help us keep the kids under control.” The secretary grinned and pushed the button on the desk that unlocked the doors and Gavin waved Evie ahead.
He held the door and as she passed, the smell of fresh air and soap wafted her way. As if acting on instinct, Evie glanced at his hand to see if he wore a ring and then grimaced at her own blatant curiosity. Gavin was handsome, smart and smelled wonderful. He also seemed to have taken an instant dislike to her. She was here to help the Mission’s finance board, not find a date.
As she started down the hallway, Evie caught the toe of her glossy black pump on a wrinkle in the old brown carpet, pitching forward. Strong hands quickly gripped her elbow, rescuing her from the headfirst trajectory.
“Careful. The Mission definitely needs new carpeting.” His low voice in her ear held more than a hint of laughter.
Of course he would have to be a witness to that acrobatic turn. Jack was halfway down the hallway, oblivious. Evie blew out a breath, calming her pounding pulse. Nothing like a near miss with the floor to get your heart rate up. “Right. It’s practically unsafe to walk around in here.” She met his eyes, wishing it didn’t matter how ungraceful she seemed.
Fine lines marked the corners of his brown eyes. His hands felt warm and sure against her arm, lending her a support she hadn’t known she needed. Evie wanted to lean close, to soak in the strength, to let someone else make all the big decisions, just for a moment.
Instead, she drew her elbow back from his gentle grip. “We’d better get in there before they start without us.”
Gavin nodded, the ghost of a smile still playing around his mouth.
Turning back toward the conference rooms, she steeled herself against the feelings that swirled in her heart. Besides the fact she was here to focus on the Mission, she wasn’t the type of girl who spent much time on her social life. There were a lot of reasons, really. Potential candidates were meager, even in a city as large as Denver. Running a paper wasn’t a nine-to-five job, either.
But mostly, if she was truly honest, it was the knowledge that in every relationship there would be the moment where she would have to be honest. Honest about her past and the person she had once been. That was enough to give her second thoughts about any man, even one as handsome as Gavin Sawyer.
* * *
Gavin moved on autopilot down the hallway, Evie just steps ahead. So, the new member of the finance board runs the local paper. Okay. Nothing he couldn’t work around. He took a calming breath. They were here to help the Mission build a healthy financial cushion, not pry into each other’s ugly secrets.
Jack had mentioned her and something about The Chronicle, but he hadn’t realized she was the editor. And so beautiful. Her smile was infectious, with a quiet confidence that made him want to follow her anywhere. But with his sister on her way to Denver, that would be a recipe for certain disaster.
Besides, right now he had a lot more to worry about.
The old fear gripped him and he felt his heart grow cold. He’d promised to do everything he could to save lives, promised on the memory of his best friend. No child should ever die of a preventable disease. No family should ever have to suffer that kind of anguish. He fought back the remnants of old grief and focused on the moment ahead. Finance meeting, then back to work. Nothing else really mattered.
Evie stepped back in a hurry as Grant Monohan rushed out of the meeting room, cell phone in hand. The usually unflappable director looked a bit worse for wear.
“There you two are. Go ahead and get settled. I’m just going to call Calista and check on her.” His voice was warm, if just a little anxious.
“Is she in labor?” Gavin asked. Grant’s wife was due soon, maybe tomorrow.
“Three days overdue. She told me if she doesn’t have this baby by Monday, she’s going to stage a sit-in at the hospital until they induce her.” He didn’t crack a smile. Gavin didn’t know Calista very well, but he’d definitely gotten the impression the woman liked her schedule nice and tidy. Babies just didn’t work on schedules.
“Uh-oh. My cousin went overdue and we all tried to stay out of her way until that baby arrived,” Evie said, her tone light.
“A few more days and I might wish I had that option.” This time Grant laughed outright, his joy shadowing his words. “But for now a lot of foot rubbing seems to be keeping her happy.” He held the door open and motioned them in.
The drab conference room was nearly empty. Evie chose a seat next to Jack, who promptly slung an arm over the back of her chair.
Seconds later, the door opened and another board member walked through. Her curly brown hair was pulled back from her narrow face, high arched brows framing bright eyes. She smiled, reaching out a hand. “You must be Evelyn. I’m Nancy Winkoff. I think we’ve met once before.”
“I think we sat together at the fund-raising dinner for the Denver Children’s Symphony last year,” Evie agreed.
Nancy passed out papers. “I’m so glad you’ve joined the five of us. Well, four, now that Tom moved to Los Angeles with his company. And I guess we’re three at the moment, without Grant.” She looked up, meeting Gavin’s eyes. “I didn’t expect to see you. I know you’re fighting a real battle over there at the CDC.”
Gavin nodded, his face tight. “Pray that we can stem the rate of new cases. I’ve never seen numbers like this before.”
He could feel Evie’s gaze on him and turned to face her. She looked mystified. Could the editor of the biggest paper in town really not know what was happening in her own city?
“We will,” Nancy said, her brow creased in worry. “So, welcome to the new member. There’s no mystery why we’re having a hard time filling spots. It’s a thankless job. Nobody enjoys pinching pennies in a place where every program is a good one.” She put a few papers in front of Evie. “Some catch-up homework. We’ve already gone over these, but here are the ideas for next month’s fund-raising, a few grants we apply for every year and a list of new corporate donors who have committed to sponsoring the Mission.”
“I’ll look them over tonight and make sure I’m up to speed.” Evie was all business and Gavin had to smile at the contrast between Jack and his sister. A more laid-back guy would be hard to find, yet his twin was speed and efficiency.
After a half hour of acquiring signatures and making sure the papers were in order, Nancy laid her pen on the table. “Looks like this meeting has reached its natural conclusion. Next week, same time, same place. And I’m praying that Grant will be showing us some pictures of that new baby.” She stood up, gathering a thick gray sweater from the back of her chair.
Gavin hoped he would be there to see the pictures, because the way things were going, the CDC would be running night and day. His stomach clenched at the thought of what might be happening by then. More children in critical care, a city in the midst of an epidemic, the Mission Christmas parties canceled. He gathered up his papers and followed Jack’s conversation with half an ear.
“Here, you guys, have another cookie.” Lana was pushing the cookie platter along the top of the desk as they emerged. The Mission residents were filing out of the cafeteria at the other end of the lobby, and the smell of something delicious reminded Gavin he hadn’t eaten dinner.
“Oh, Lana, you’re tempting me.” Evie flashed a brilliant smile and did as she was told.
“How did the meeting go? I saw Grant go by a few minutes ago.”
“I think he said he needed to check on Calista, didn’t he, Gavin?” Evie asked.
He nodded, keeping his gaze on Lana. Thinking back to that moment reminded him of Evie’s near accident in the hallway and how warm she felt
to his hands. A friend’s sister was the very worst candidate for romance, even if he had the time, which he didn’t. Throw in her profession and she should come with a warning sign.
“He’s hovering over the poor woman.” Lana’s lips twitched. “At least Evie’s here to help out. I bet she’s got some great plans.”
Gavin cleared his throat. “Right. Feel free to bring any ideas to the table. Nancy would be the one to ask about specific projects, but the board is fairly informal.”
“Well, I figured, since Jack is part of it.” She gave her twin an ultra-innocent look. He responded in true Jack fashion by flicking his pen cap at her.
“Gavin, what sort of watch is that?” Evie asked.
He glanced down at his wrist, brows lifting in surprise. “My sister had it made for me.” He moved toward her, extending his arm. “She’s got a great sense of humor. See, every number is replaced by a different microbe. Instead of the number one it has Yersinia pestis or the black plague, two is ebola...” His voice trailed off. Every microbe actually looked like a number, wasn’t labeled, was brightly drawn. “Just geek humor, I guess.”
Evie stared, transfixed. “Okay, your sister should get an award for that.”
“She should. For a singer, she sure knows her science. I don’t deserve her at all.”
Reaching out to touch his wrist, she turned his hand to see the watch better. Her fingers were warm, almost hot to the touch. She leaned closer, dark hair falling forward. She smelled wonderful, like Christmas.
“Gavin’s out to rid the world of disease. If he had his way, no one would ever get sick.” Jack leaned against the desk, his mouth lifted in a grin.
She brushed back her dark hair and met Gavin’s gaze with those bright blue eyes. “That’s wonderful. Like a modern-day superhero.”
He felt a tug in his chest, right under his ribs. He’d always found his drive in the memory of Patrick, his best friend. He worked and studied and fought hardest when he thought of children suffering like Patrick had, of families grieving the loss of a child. But right now, more than he ever had before, he wished he had the power to wipe out the viruses that cut children down in the prime of their young lives. All because of one sweet smile.
He shrugged off the compliment with a good-natured laugh, but inside Gavin was waging a full-on war. He couldn’t afford to be distracted right now. Especially if the distraction came in the form of a beautiful woman who just happened to run her own paper. He had a walking, talking family secret on the way to Denver and right now, a journalist was the very last sort of woman he needed.
The shrill sound of a cell phone stopped the conversation and Gavin searched his pockets until he grabbed hold of his work phone. Flipping it open, he already knew who would be on the other end.
“Gavin? It’s Frank Ray. I think we’re going to have to go to a twenty-four-hour schedule. The labs are swamped with all the samples the hospitals are sending.” His coworker’s voice sounded rough with exhaustion.
“You’re probably right. I’m still downtown. Give me five minutes and I’ll be over.” Gavin snapped the phone closed and faced his friends.
“Trouble?” Lana’s expression said it all. Concern, fear, worry. Evie’s brows were drawn together, and she opened her mouth to speak but seemed to think better of it.
“You could say that.” He straightened his shoulders and tried to look confident. Part of his job was to keep the public informed, but not panicked. “Thanks for the cookies.”
He made as quick an exit as possible, buttoning his coat with one hand and searching for his keys with the other. The main hospitals would be full to the brim with cases, and their labs weren’t equipped to handle all the pertussis samples.
As the frigid night air hit him, Gavin felt the warmth of the Mission being stripped away. He pushed aside all the feelings that had swelled in him when Evie was near, the regrets of being too busy for a romantic life, the wishful thinking that did no one any good.
He hunched farther into his coat, walking into the biting wind. He couldn’t let his focus slip, not for a day. He had made a promise to Patrick and lives depended on him.
Chapter Two
“Over here!” Evie waved at Jack above the crowd of kids, but she wasn’t sure he heard her over the noise. The Downtown Mission’s children were gathered in groups on the sidewalk, eagerly awaiting the delivery of the annual Christmas tree. Grant wandered the sidewalk, crouching down every few feet to chat with some small child or another. The Mission workers passed cups of hot chocolate and took turns peering down the road for any sign of the tree.
Evie huddled inside her wool coat and tried to stamp some feeling back into her feet as her twin made his way over. The paper had been put to bed for the day, so there was nothing left but to jump back into the fray. It could be a 24/7 job, if she let it. She’d been down that road before, back in Aspen. A fast crowd of photographers, chasing a faster crowd of celebrities, made for a perfect storm of selfishness. She could feel her perspective slipping, just like old times. Her brain needed a little time away from the drama, and this was the perfect way to get a grip on her priorities.
Snowflakes drifted gently down over the crowd of excited kids, and Evie whispered a silent prayer of thanks. Christmas was her favorite season, all about hope, new beginnings and fresh starts. She was living proof of second chances.
“I heard the wagon got stuck on Lincoln Street.” Jack tugged his ski hat down over his ears and gave Evie a hug.
“Traffic at this hour?” She frowned up at the sky. Drivers in Denver were used to the weather.
“Something about a frayed rope. I didn’t catch the whole story.” Jack broke off as a cheer went up through the group.
Around the corner came a pickup truck pulling an old-fashioned wooden wagon. The large spoke wheels were caked with clumps of snow. On the cart was strapped an enormous, bushy fir tree. The truck stopped and Gavin jumped from the passenger’s side. His coat was unbuttoned and he wore no hat, but he had a length of rope over one shoulder. He waved to the kids and flashed a thumbs-up, which resulted in another round of cheers.
Evie sucked in a breath at the sight of his smile. Last week he’d seemed so preoccupied. Of course, she didn’t expect a finance meeting to be a barrel of laughs, but this was a different side completely.
“I’ll see if he needs help with the tree.” Jack loped off toward the wagon, joining Grant and a few other Mission workers in the job of wrangling the tree into the lobby.
“Will you help me hand out the cookies?” Evie turned to see a young woman holding a tray of brightly colored treats. Her name tag was sporting a blob of snow, but it was still legible.
“Sure, Simone. My pleasure.” She took the tray and started toward the swirling group of preschoolers.
From the corner of the group, Lana sang out the first lines of “Jingle Bells” in a sweet, clear voice. Evie joined in, moving through the crowd of waist-high kids, distributing cookies into mittened hands. The snow fell faster, large clumps landing on brightly colored hats. She couldn’t help grinning, although it was hard to sing and smile at the same time. To think she could have missed this moment by spending another evening at the office.
Her tray was almost empty when the song changed to “Deck The Halls.” She felt a small hand slip into hers and looked down into the face of a little girl.
“I love Christmas,” the girl said. Her lisp was so pronounced, her large eyes such a deep brown, that Evie almost laughed. So much sweetness in one little person shouldn’t be allowed.
“I do, too.” They both stood watching Gavin and Jack help carry the tree into the lobby. The children sang with gusto, if not perfectly in tune, and Evie blinked back tears.
Five years ago she was the very worst kind of person, without a real friend in the world. She’d turned her back on everyone who loved he
r. Chasing money and fame was all that mattered. Evie sucked in a shaky breath.
Thank You, Lord, for second chances. I won’t let You down again.
* * *
Gavin stood back to admire the tree. The Mission kids had decorated every inch as far as they could reach, then handed ornaments to Jack as he stood on a ladder. He really should be at the lab, but Frank had told him to take the evening off. Something about not being any use if he worked himself into the ground.
“You guys picked a great tree.” Evie stood by his side, shy smile on her face. She smelled lightly of something flowery, maybe roses.
“Gerry picked it out. I just tied it down.” He pretended to think it through. “But I should definitely get points for standing in the middle of Lincoln St. replacing the broken rope. I never want to stand in traffic again.”
She snorted. “Let’s hope that’s your once-in-a-lifetime moment.”
A short Hispanic woman bustled out of the double doors that led from the kitchen. Her black hair was pulled back into a bun, black eyes snapping with energy. “Gavin, is Grant in the office?”
Evie answered for him. “Marisol, I think he went to call Calista. She wasn’t feeling up to the party so she stayed home. He’ll be right back. Would you like a cookie? We have a few left.”
Lana held out the cookie plate with a smile.
“Uh-oh. Lana is making Grant cookies now. He won’t want any of my enchiladas. I made them especial.” Her words were a rebuke but she was smiling.
“Lana, why you not married? You cook like this and the men gather round.” Marisol gestured at Jack and Gavin, who froze like a pair of deer caught in headlights.
Covering her mouth with her hand, Evie looked like she was working to get her expression under control.
Lana snorted. “I’m not averse to marrying a younger man, but I’m pushing fifty. I don’t think good cookies will make up for a wheelchair and grandma status.”