Page 34 of Take Me Home for Christmas

“I’m guessing that if I said ‘that’s what makes it fun,’ it wouldn’t help.”

Elle shot him a look. Lamar chuckled as he sat down in the chair West had vacated.

“West giving you trouble?” he asked.

“What was your first clue?”

“He was stomping down the driveway as if he were trying to make wine from the gravel. My guess is he doesn’t appreciate your doggedness at keeping him on task.” He reached over and patted her hand. “Don’t let him get to you. And try not to take it personally. You’re simply doing the job that was asked of you.”

She sighed. “Except I think I might have become a little too sharp of a thorn in his side.” A thought popped into her head. “Does your veteran’s group take walk-ins?”

Lamar leaned back in his chair. “Hold on there, Elle. West hasn’t made many friends among veterans with some of the things he’s written in his book.”

“Yeah. Hayden mentioned that. But I think he’s hurting, too. I suspect the things he saw have affected him the same way it has you all. Maybe talking about it would help. I know I’m grasping at straws here. Anything to get him to finish the book. Except if it is trauma holding him back . . .” She shrugged.

Lamar studied her for a long moment. His smile was filled with wonder as he shook his head. “You are your mother’s daughter. There’s not an injured creature out there that you two don’t want to rescue.”

He was referring to a young teen in town her mom had fostered. Cassidy was in Scotland for the year, studying literature at St. Andrews, thanks to a generous grant from the good people of Chances Inlet. Elle’s sister-in-law, Lori had also spent some time under her mom’s protective wing. Until Miles stepped in to take over the job.

She toyed with her mug. “Of course, there’s no guarantee West even wants any help.”

“Mmm.” Lamar got to his feet. “That’s possible. But for you, I’ll make the effort.” He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. “It’s not what you become in life. It’s who you are at your core. And you, Elinor McAlister, are one of the all-time good ones. Don’t you ever forget it.”

“My dad used to say something like that,” she said around the boulder in her throat.

“Your dad was a wise man.”

Lamar was nearly out the door when she called after him.

“Is Hayden on duty today?”

She wasn’t sure why she asked. It wasn’t like she had the emotional bandwidth to face him today.Or ever.Except he’d disappeared again last night without a word to anyone. It was the second time he’d done that this week. She couldn’t help but worry about him.

“Nope. He came by earlier to pick up some of Livi’s things. The ferry is back up, and they are spending the day on Bald Head.”

Well.

Elle tried to ignore the sinking feeling in her belly. Was that what Hayden meant? They couldn’t “do this anymore” because he was with Livi? She groaned softly as she buried her face in her hands. Was he kissing Livi with the same ruthless passion he’d shown her last night? Her stomach seemed to close in on itself at the very idea.

She had no one to blame but herself. The heartache she was feeling was all her fault. After all, she’d pushed him toward Livi, believing they would be a good match. Only she wasn’t feeling so magnanimous now. And it sucked.

ChapterNine

The Whaleof a Tale bookstore was blessedly quiet several mornings later. The shop’s owner, Paige, didn’t seem to mind her lack of customers. She offered Everett a wide smile from where she sat at the counter writing Christmas cards. He nodded his greeting as he made his way to the back of the store.

He pulled up short when he saw Kitty sitting in his usual chair. A couple of to-go cups from the Java Jolt sat on the table in front of her. Guilt licked at his gut. He’d been ignoring the woman since the party the other night. It wasn’t because he hadn’t enjoyed their date immensely. He had. And he was pretty sure she did, too. But his argument with Gidget had dredged up the memories of the last days of his late wife’s life. It was insane, but he felt unfaithful to Keeley when even looking at Kitty.

Except looking at Kitty made him feel lighter. More in the moment.Whole.

“I brought you a coffee. Lois claimed she fixed it just the way you like it,” she said.

No interrogation about why he hadn’t contacted her. No tantrum. No artifice at all. The woman was a gem. Not only that but, she’d also brought coffee.

He let his messenger bag slide down his arm before placing it on an empty chair. Then he walked over to where she sat and stood over her. Kitty had to crane her neck to look at him. Without bothering to ask permission, he leaned down and gently pressed his lips to hers.

“What was that for?” she murmured.

“For the coffee.” He kissed her again. “For being kind.” His lips touched hers once more. “Most of all, for being patient with me.”

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