Page 62 of Take Me Home for Christmas

Livi nodded while avoiding his eyes. “I’ve been looking all over town for her today. I had a tip on a shoe sale I wanted to share with her.” Her smile was a little forlorn when she finally did look back up. “If you see her, tell her I’ll catch up with her next week.”

With a stilted wave, she hurried out the door. Hayden blew out a breath. He spied the shoebox of Elle’s letters and quickly returned them to the file cabinet drawer. When he went to close Elle’s computer, his finger brushed the mouse pad, and the screen lit up. A website titled Lovell Woodworking filled the screen.

What the . . .?

Hayden slumped down onto the sofa and pulled the computer onto his lap. He scrolled through the site. There were photos of his workshop and several pieces of furniture he’d made for friends and family. A picture of the captain’s desk, front and center in his mother’s shop, served as the banner. There was even a testimonial from “a very satisfied customer, interior designer, Olivia Turner.”

“Was that Livi?”

Elle’s question startled him. He’d been so transfixed by whatever this was on her computer that he hadn’t heard her come in.

“What is this?” He turned the computer so she could see the screen.

Her cheeks went immediately pink. She rushed over to where he sat, trying to grab her laptop. Hayden held it out of reach.

“You’re not supposed to see that yet,” she insisted. “It’s your Christmas present.”

“What gave you the idea I wanted a website for Christmas?”

She plopped down beside him. “Actually, it was Livi’s idea.”

Was she serious right now? “Livi is doing just fine bringing me clients without a website. She just showed up with two furniture requests.”

Elle’s face lit up with delight. “She did? That’s fantastic.” She scooched up next to him. “With a bit of good promotion, this doesn’t have to be something you do in your spare time. You can become a full-time artisan and make your living crafting furniture. You can grow it over time. Maybe expand to a bigger workshop somewhere else.”

So that’s where this was going.

His heart sank. “Somewhere else?”

Elle squirmed a little. “Well, yeah. I mean, you don’t have to necessarily stay here in Chances Inlet . . .”

Hayden sighed heavily. He closed the computer and placed it on a cabinet beside them before taking both her hands in his.

“Belle,” he said gently, “I don’t want to live anywhere else. I’m satisfied with my life here in Chances Inlet. It’s what I know. And I don’t need to become a famous artisan to prove to anyone that I’m worthy. And for the record, neither do you.”

He could see the disappointment settle in her eyes before she snuffed it out and adopted a too-cheery, fake smile. “Of course I don’t. Furniture making is notmypassion.”

Hayden resisted rolling his eyes at her clever attempt to deflect the discussion away from her hang-ups. Her ridiculous need to prove herself to her family.

“I don’t know. You were pretty passionateonthe furniture a little while ago,” he teased.

Elle draped her arms around his neck. “Maybe I should add something to the website alluding to your thorough testing of the furniture before it’s delivered.”

He laughed, thankful they navigated the conversation away from the emotional landmines. She kissed him then. It was enthusiastic and sensuous. But he could taste the hint of disappointment that lingered.

Hayden laid her down on the sofa, desperate to erase any dejection she might be feeling. He ignored the insistent voice in the back of his head telling him he was out of his mind. Convincing Elle to stay in Chances Inlet was a fool’s errand. Believing he could live without her was even more foolish.

ChapterSixteen

“Can we get some popcorn,Aunt Elle?” Emily pointed at the old-fashioned popcorn cart in front of the Foghorn Deli.

“Why not?” The words had barely left Elle’s lips before her niece was tugging them across the town square.

Opening day of the Christmas Bazaar had dawned bright and sunny, with a promised high of a balmy sixty degrees. Perfect weather to attract a throng of tourists to downtown Chances Inlet. The merchants throughout the town greeted Elle with a warm smile and a wave. They’d been showering her with gratitude all week as though she’d somehow single-handedly lured customers into their shops.

“Don’t be surprised if they give you the key to the city next,” Hayden joked as he kept pace next to her.

“I didn’t do anything other than post a few videos and blogs,” she argued.

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