“Quinn, I promise you no one in this town would do anything like that. I know the teachers here and they’re so loving. And the town’s people would never turn against one of their own.”
He tilted his head back and scanned the tree canopy above them.
“I’m not really one of them.”
“You could be. You’ve been looking for a home and a new life and you can have that here. You can give that to Jax.”
“We’ll see.” He took a deep breath and wasted no time changing subjects. “I can’t believe that, apart from the night of the storm, you’ve been sleeping on a cot. I was so relieved about Jax having a roof over his head that I didn’t even ask about your arrangements. I’m sorry, I should have. I didn’t realize the overnight room you have here is so small. It’s not right that you haven’t unpacked the stuff you stored at the cabin because we’re there. Or that your cat is staying with us and you only get to see him when you come up. Any idea how guilty I’m feeling right now? Maybe we should switch places. Jax can sleep on the cot at Holly—”
“No, everything makes more sense the way it is now. Let Jax be comfortable. Storm loves being with him. And I’ve spent plenty of nights at Holly Haven, sometimes for long stretches in the spring and summer because of babies needing care. It’s why I’d rather camp out here right now than anywhere else. Cuts down on driving on icy roads too,” she said. She smiled and put her hand on his knee. “I’ll admit I haven’t slept as well as I did on the couch next to you that night, but you have to admit that your arm was numb for a good thirty minutes the next morning.”
“It was. How heavy is that head of yours?” he asked, rubbing his knuckles against her head.
“Ow, stop that!” she laughed, grabbing his hand. He grinned and reached over with his other but the motion brought his face within an inch of hers. Lia’s pulse ran wild and her cheeks felt like they were going to melt when his gaze shifted to her lips. Her breath swirled with his in puffs of white. She knew what she wanted for Christmas. He was going to kiss her. She wanted him to kiss her.
“Hey, Daddy and Miss Lia! Look what I’m making!” Jax called out.
They broke eye contact, sat straight and waved to Jax.
“Cool. Great job,” Quinn said, shooting his son a thumbs-up for his snowman artistry.
Needing a minute to find her voice and slow her breathing, Lia seconded the thumbs-up for his rather abstract rendition of Frosty. She wrapped her arms around her waist, suddenly picturing Jax building Frosty in that spot every year and imagining Quinn sharing this bench with her every season. She didn’t know where the notion had come from. All she knew was that she wanted them to stay and that she needed to tell Quinn the truth.
“Making a stable life for him in Christmas Town is a real possibility,” she said, mustering up the courage for confession. “I did something, but before you get mad, understand that I did it for you. For both of you.”
“What exactly did you do?”
“I took some of your gingerbird houses into town and sold them. Not at a retail price, mind you, but to several shop owners who loved them and were willing to add them to their inventory to see how they’d sell. Their response was great, Quinn.”
“You did what?” He stood abruptly. “Lia, why would you go and do that? I told you I can’t risk being found by my ex right now.”
“You won’t be,” she said, standing up next to him. “It was just a few houses and it wasn’t like I was advertising your name or anything. They were willing to do the sale as a trial and you didn’t have to sign anything. These folks know me. This could be huge. And by the time anyone finds you here—if they ever do—you could have your business up and running again.”
“You took a risk you had no right to take,” Quinn said.
“If you’re too afraid to take risks again, how are you ever going to move forward and give your kid the life you want to give him? Or is it your pride that’s getting in the way? God, I wish you would put the past behind you and move on with your life.”
He stared at her and she stared right back. She shouldn’t have said that, but she wasn’t about to apologize for helping or for doing something she knew without a doubt was the right thing to do. Maybe she was stubborn to a fault, but he was too.
“I don’t know,” Quinn said, rubbing his hand across his face.
Lia nodded. He couldn’t trust her. He couldn’t trust life. He couldn’t shake the fear that he was about to lose even more. It was a catch-22 and she’d done all she could to help him break the cycle. She needed to take a lesson from her sister’s work with kids who’d had traumatic experiences. She needed to give Quinn some space and maybe he’d come around on his own.
“I’m going to go help Jax build that snowman,” she said, then she walked away.
~*~
A man had a right to defend his pride, but Lia was wrong about one thing. Quinn had none left. He’d lost it all in the name of survival. He sat back down on the bench and watched her play with Jax as if their argument had never happened. Maybe she was right about him letting fear get in the way. He’d let his pride, confidence and dignity fall so low that fear had sunk its opportunistic teeth in deep and he no longer recognized it for what it was. It had taken over him like a stealthy virus. He needed to refocus on his ultimate goal. He needed to make money for Jax’s sake. She was probably right about those birdhouses too. Just because they sold, didn’t mean Elena would find him. He was being paranoid. Lia was only trying to help.
“Come on. We’re headed back to the cabin for a snack,” she called out.
He watched as she jogged up the trail to catch up with Jax. She glanced back and gave Quinn a smile that could have made spring arrive in the middle of a blizzard. No wonder Jax loved this place. It had a way of making even grown men believe in fairytales. Once he finished restoring the cabin and adding all the trims, Lia would come darn close to looking like a wood-sprite in a gingerbread house.
He was really losing his mind.
She was getting to him.
The chemistry between them was undeniable. She was giving him signals. He was pretty sure that, if Jax hadn’t interrupted them earlier, she’d have welcomed his kiss. Only whether she knew it or not, the last thing Lia needed right now was a man with no income. Another burden. Quinn simply wasn’t good enough for her. As much as he loved being around her, life wasn’t a fairytale. Even newly fallen, pristine snow eventually got muddied and melted. Quinn knew all about cold reality. The cold reality was that Lia didn’t really have feelings for him. Not that kind, anyway. Her drive to rescue was strong enough to cloud her heart the way fear had clouded his.
They made it to the cabin in good time and, between the three of them, had the kitchen floor in need of a good mopping. Jax ran over to greet Storm.
“Is pasta okay with you?” Quinn asked as he pulled a couple of boxes of macaroni out of the cabinet. They’d actually begun using the fridge after Lia had reassured him that if anything had been left to die in it, bears would have torn the place apart. After a good round of disinfection and letting it cool down, they’d been able to put it to good use.
The least he could do was make some food…then apologize for his earlier reaction.
“Pasta sounds great,” Lia said. She fished her ringing cell phone out of her pocket and took the call as she filled Storm’s food and water bowls.
“Oh, no. Is everyone okay?” Lia asked the caller. She looked at Quinn and frowned. “Of course. You can count on it.” She hung up and shook her head.
“I can’t believe it. One of the wedding chapels in town caught on fire. It’s under control now, but the town is rallying together to help with clean up and rebuilding. Over the next week or so, I’ll have to get my work done at the shelter, plus spend time helping out at the chapel. I’m not sure how much time I can spare, but I have to do something to help.”
“Was anyone hurt?” Quinn asked. “Do they know how it started?”
“No one was hurt. I
don’t have details, but I do know they could use your skills.”
“Lia. I would, but I can’t. What about Jax? What if local news reporters were there and my face ended up on TV. And where would he be while I worked?”
“You’ll be bundled up because of the cold and wearing eye protection while you work, no one would recognize you if that happened. And Jax can come too. I’m sure all the parents who are helping will have their children watched together. It’ll be good for him to see other kids here. I told you, this town is safe. Right now, it needs you. It needs us.”
Quinn lost his train of thought when Lia rubbed her hands up and down his arms. The comfort and tenderness of her touch seeped through his flannel sleeves. God help him if he was reading into the way she was looking at him. He gave his head a quick shake. No. Lia didn’t love him. He needed to keep reminding himself that she loved and cared for any living thing that needed help. She was an angel for the underdog. She rescued and sheltered those in need. That’s where her heart lay.
He cupped his hands over hers and brought them to his lips. He felt her tremble and drew in the fresh scent that was uniquely her. No perfume on her wrists…no jewels cluttering her fingers. She didn’t need any of that to lure him in and make him wish—which was exactly why he needed to distance himself. In the long run, she needed someone who could offer her more stability. He hadn’t been good enough to keep his customers and his business afloat in the past and there were no guarantees he’d be able to in the future. The threat of the bigger company…the guy with more money…would always be there. He wasn’t even sure he’d ever be enough for Jax. How could he expect to be enough for Lia?
But Quinn wanted to help the Christmas Town community and give back to others in need. He knew all too well what it felt like to have one’s sense of security—their future—ripped out from under them as fast as the spread of a flame. And maybe after getting to know a few folks, he’d find enough odd jobs doing carpentry to get back on his feet. Maybe he’d save up enough to move on…start over and break ties with Lia before she could break his heart or Jax’s.
He let go of her hands and took a step back. He wiped his hands down his shirt.
“Okay. I’ll help out,” he said, turning back to the stove.
Rescue, recover, then find them a home or set them free.
He’d save her the trouble.
Chapter 7
Introducing Quinn to people in town a week ago, when they went to help with the chapel, felt as if she was introducing him to her father. Her mom and Amy were quite taken by Jax. He was a charmer for sure. But it was Amy’s blatant wink regarding Quinn that had Lia’s cheeks flushing. In the end, between all she needed to do at the shelter and Quinn’s pileup of birdhouse orders, they weren’t able to spend as much time as planned with the chapel rebuild, but they were assured that everyone was busy, but every little bit of help added up. That was the whole point of people coming together.
They strolled down the sidewalk in town. They’d delivered a few more of the QW Gingerbird Houses Quinn had finished and were letting Jax enjoy the Christmas lights and festivities.
“I tried to warn you,” she told Quinn as they headed down Main Street. Jax walked in front of them, licking a red and green lollipop that one of Santa’s elves had given him.
“You did. But I had no idea how many orders I’d actually get. I’m exhausted. In a good way, but tired none-the-less. I didn’t have months to plan for the holiday rush,” he said.
“I know, I know, but it proves there’s demand, doesn’t it? If you begin by selling through a gift store, without overhead costs, you could save up and open your own place in no time. And if it takes longer than expected, you can still use the shed as a workshop and place to store inventory.”
“Why is it that you’re so good at showing me how I can earn a living, when you’ve admittedly been struggling with getting the kind of funds you need to keep your place afloat? All these ideas and all this energy, why aren’t you doing that for yourself?”
Lia didn’t answer. She wasn’t sure what to say. He was right. She’d always been better at helping others than at helping herself and when it came to Holly Haven, the difference was a fine, gray line because that place was her. It was her identity. She took off her knit hat and stuffed it into her coat pocket.
“Are you implying that I have a fear of success? That I haven’t really put all I can into the Haven? Because that’s so far off-base. I could say the same about you. You’re holding back from calling this town home and sharing your talent with everyone out there in the world, because you’re afraid to fall again,” she said. You’re afraid to trust and love again, too and I don’t know how else to get through to you. I don’t want you to leave, Quinn Weston. I think I’m falling in love with you. She rubbed at her chin to keep it from quivering.
“That’s not true,” he said, stopping in his tracks.
“Then we’re a lot alike,” she said. “Better at helping each other than ourselves.”
“Lia?” Esther, who owned a B&B just north of the town square, came bustling down the sidewalk with bags in each hand.
“Hi, Esther. You look like you’ve had a busy day,” Lia said, giving Quinn a look to let him know that their conversation wasn’t over.
“Oh, you mean all these bags?” Esther said. “Just some things to donate for children in need. Everyone deserves a little Christmas, right? You must be the incredible artist I’m hearing about,” she told Quinn. “I bought one of those Gingerbird Houses of yours—such a cute name for them—and it looks so perfect in the garden at my B&B. It would make my day if I could get a photo taken with you to add to my collection. I’ve had important people stay there, you know.”
“I, um—” Quinn shifted uncomfortably in his spot. Esther handed her cell phone to Lia, not giving him a chance to decline. Lia took the shot and looked at it. Oh, boy. Quinn wasn’t going to like it. They needed a different backdrop.
“Maybe we should try again, standing over—”
“It’s perfect, thank you!” Esther said, grabbing her phone and giving the photo a quick approval. “I’m in such a hurry today. I need to drop these things off and get going. It was such an honor to meet you, Mr. Weston.” Esther moved past them with a quick wave.
Lia squeezed her eyes shut, then pressed her fingers to her lips as she dared to look at Quinn.
“I’m sorry. I tried to delete it but she was running on one too many cups of coffee.”
“I don’t get it. I looked that bad?”
“Turn around and check out the background in the photo.”
Quinn turned and his jaw tightened visibly. He just had his picture taken outside Dockery’s Department store with their collection box for needy children to his right.
“Maybe it’s a sign,” Lia said. “That part of your life needs to be frozen in time, like a memory from a photo. It’s time to leave the past behind you.”
~*~
Quinn eyed the shelf in the shed that he’d managed to fill with orders from the last week alone. It was insane. He couldn’t help but wonder if the interest would die away soon. After all, it was holiday shopping season and that wasn’t something that lasted all year long. Christmas was only days away and that would end the frenzy. Unless the houses, whether doll or bird, had all-season appeal. There was no way of really knowing. But if he continued to be this busy, he was going to have to check into kindergarten for Jax and see if they’d take him mid-year. Jax couldn’t spend that many hours watching his dad work in a cold shed. That would make him an unfit parent. And he hated leaving him alone in the cabin while he napped, even if he was only yards away. It’s just that he couldn’t stop that nagging feeling that Elena wouldn’t give up looking for them.
But the fact was, there weren’t going to be any guarantees no matter where he lived. He’d seen teens back in the city shelters who’d run away from home and, as a result, were homeless. With him, homelessness had come first. He needed to stop running. No m
atter where he lived he’d be starting from the ground up. Building was always easier with a foundation in place. Growing was easier with established roots. He needed to think about the possibility of really making a life here in Christmas Town…a life that might include Lia.
The sound of her snowmobile approaching had him wrapping up. He’d left Jax napping with Storm and needed to check on him anyway. He swatted the sawdust off his shirt and headed over. Lia waved as she came to a stop.
What registered in that instant could only be explained by instinct. She was still on the snowmobile, but the cabin door was open. He’d closed it. He had no doubt. Half a second and the look on Lia’s face told him she’d gone on alert too.
“Jax!” Quinn made it inside first. The quilt on the bed was crumpled on the floor. The bathroom was empty and the rest of the place was small enough to know he wasn’t there. Neither was Storm.
“Jax? Hide-and-seek is over. Let’s play a game with prizes,” Lia said, running up behind him. Her bribe didn’t work. They ran outside, calling out and covering the immediate area.
“Damn it! This is my fault. Maybe if I had him in school this wouldn’t have happened,” Quinn said, grabbing fistfuls of his hair and cursing again. “Call the Sheriff. Issue an alert.”
“Wait, his tracks are here,” Lia said, running to the snowmobile. “Get on, it’ll be faster.”
Faster was relative when it came to panic. They were both aware that animals—from rabbits to bobcats and bears—filled the woods. Adrenaline burned through his veins. The tracks from the cabin were clear though and within a few minutes, they saw him crying in the snow by a small spruce with Storm in his lap. Quinn leapt off and ran to him.
A Heartwarming Christmas: A Boxed Set of Twelve Sweet Holiday Romances Page 78