Page 56 of Christmas for Keeps

“Yeah, yeah.” I stared at the car in front of us. “We need to go to Liz’s shop, Mr. Wells, so please recite the multiplication tables while I calm down.”

CHAPTER19

Connor

Liz welcomedus with warm hugs. She’d put out hot cider and cookies for the customers and insisted we have some before Zach and Kerry left. As soon as they were gone, Liz motioned me behind the counter. She was beaming. “You two got everything worked out?”

My cheeks tingled when I thought about the make-up sex. “Yes. We talked it all through, and we both learned some important lessons.”

“You’re staying, then?”

“Until I have to go back to Boston to teach.”

She put a hand on my arm. “Whatever happens, follow your heart. If you don’t take a risk, you can never enjoy the rewards.”

An older woman approached the counter. “Excuse me, can…”

Liz went to help her, leaving me incredibly happy that she cared so much about Zach—and apparently me. Fate had led me back to him, and I was following my heart to what I hoped was a brilliant happily-ever-after ending.Please, oh please, let there be a happy ending.

An hour went by, and I became comfortable greeting people, offering them refreshments, and finding Liz to answer their questions. Soft holiday jazz played over the sound system, and I relaxed into the comforting rhythm of a small-town Christmas Eve. The shoppers exuded cheer and excitement, adding to the cozy atmosphere. I was helping a customer decide between two stained glass mobiles for her grandson’s apartment when jingling bells and a rush of cold air announced a new arrival. Glancing at the door, I was shocked to see Emory there. His wide eyes and frozen posture mirrored my own surprise. He wordlessly made his way to the back of the store while Liz returned to ring up the elderly woman’s purchase.

After the customer left, Liz turned to me. Before I could tell her Emory was there, she said, “I think everyone’s gone to lunch. This afternoon will be busy, but—”

“Didn’t expect to see you here.” Emory had pulled his lips into a tight frown.

Battling the urge to slap his face and tell him what a horrible bastard he was, I settled for, “I could say the same.”

Liz placed a hand on my arm. “Emory, you should—”

“Don’t tell me you’re still at Zach’s. Not after all he’s done.”

My scoff sounded more like a growl. “Shut your filthy mouth. You don’t have the right to say his name, and I know everything you told me was a damn lie.” Remembering where I was, I glanced at Liz. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, because you’re right.” She glared at Emory. “Everything you said was a lie designed to split Connor and Zach. Get out. You’re no longer welcome here.”

He flicked his eyes to the window and then to me. “He’ll treat you as badly as he has everyone else. A good-looking man like you could find a decent boyfriend.” He paused while he angled his lips into a sneer. “Back in Boston.”

“That’s it.” Liz’s voice was hard and menacing. “Get out, or I’ll call the police. And I’ll call them if you ever come back.”

He still didn’t budge, and fury surged through me. I stepped from behind the counter and took Emory’s elbow. He didn’t resist when I walked him to the door and opened it. Fixing him in a harsh stare, I said, “If I ever see your revolting face again, you’ll be sorry. You haven’t had your ass kicked until it’s been done by a furious queen. You look ridiculous by the way, like a bad imitation of Paul Bunyan in cheap boots and a knock-off lumberjack coat. The dye’s so cheap the plaid’s running together. Now, like Liz said, Get. The. Hell. Out. And if you don’t stay away from us, I’ll snatch every hair out of your nasty beard.”

After another moment’s hesitation, he left, and I slammed the door shut. When I turned to apologize to Liz again, she was smiling. “Remind me not to get on your bad side.”

I grimaced. “Was I too much?”

“Not at all. I wouldn’t have blamed you if you’d hit him. He’d have been bald as an egg when he left if he’d pulled the same crap on me that he did you and Zach.”

“Liz?”

We turned toward the voice to find a middle-aged woman with a beautiful smile had joined us. Liz’s green eyes widened. “Margie, I didn’t realize you were still here.”

“I was back there looking at those beautiful floral prints by Stella Anderson. I couldn’t help but overhear.”

Liz sighed. “I am sorry if it upset you. Emory has—”

“Emory.” Margie practically spat his name. “He is a walking sack of pig excrement. A few years ago, he caused a lot of trouble for Jay not long after he came out.”

“Jay is Margie’s son,” Liz told me. “And while I’m at it, Margie Eaton, meet Connor…” She raised an eyebrow.

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