Page 10 of Take Me Home for Christmas

“It’s not like I’d ever come back to Chances Inlet. Besides, it’s hard to envision the future when you’re a kid,” she replied. “Neither of our lives turned out how we expected.”

She realized how insensitive her words were as soon as they left her mouth. Between the two of them, Hayden’s life was the furthest from anything either of them imagined. A stupid, thoughtless act changed the trajectory of his future in high school, sending him into the military and combat, where he’d lost not only his leg, but also a promising future as an athlete.

Elle slipped her hand into his and attempted a subject change. “Tell me about what you’ve been up to this past year. More importantly, how was your date with Livi tonight?”

He squeezed her hand. “It wasn’t a date. She bought the captain’s desk from Knotical today and wanted to see what else I have in stock.”

“Seriously? I love that piece. I’m not surprised Livi liked it. She has excellent taste. I am surprised your mom agreed to part with it, though. It’s the centerpiece of her store.”

They meandered up the long drive, still hand in hand.

“I’ve long since given up trying to figure out how my mother’s mind works.”

“Same. But I can tell you from a woman’s perspective, Livi seems very into you.”

He made a rumbling sound.

It was her turn to squeeze his hand. “I’m serious. You two look very cute together. You should definitely seek out some mistletoe while she’s in town.”

“That’s enough out of you, Belle.”

“Can I help it if I want to see you settled with someone who is not only nice, but has impeccable taste in shoes?”

When they reached the inn, he tugged his hand away. “I’m perfectly happy with my life just the way it is.”

It was difficult to make out his expression in the dark, but his tone seemed to hold a smidge of bitterness.

“Got it,” she said, not wanting to upset the truce she’d just negotiated. “No matchmaking my best friend with anyone while I’m here for Christmas.” She smiled broadly. “I’ll just be happy you’re still willing to have me in your life.”

Hayden mumbled something as he looked at the sky. “You were the one who misread the situation,” he said when he looked back at her again. “You were never out of my life. And you never will be. What happened last year didn’t mean anything. Let’s go on as we always have and forget about it.”

“Mmm,” she said, because really? Did he have to keep trivializing it by saying it didn’t mean anything? Was her kiss that bad? She decided to ignore her ego and embrace the happiness she felt at repairing their relationship.

“Will you be able to sleep?” he asked.

Elle nodded. Like he said earlier, she was safe here. And she and Hayden were going to be okay.

“Good.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’m glad you’re home. I’ll see you at the starting line of the Turkey Trot.”

She opened her mouth to object. She wasn’t in shape for a 5k. He put a finger to her lips.

“No excuses. It’s a holiday tradition.”

Everett trailedhis finger along the delicately carved wreath adorning the wooden Santa’s head.

“You would love this one, Keeley. He looks a lot like the Santa we picked up in Belarus that Christmas. He’s carrying the same ornate staff and has similar pearls embedded in his coat.”

He set the Santa back down on the desk in the dark office with a sigh. The bundle of Keeley’s journals resting in his messenger bag continued to taunt him. Two years later and he still couldn’t get up the nerve to read them. He reminded himself he needed to get over being chickenshit if he wanted to fulfill his contract.

Opening those journals would be like opening Pandora’s box, though. As it was, he was hanging on by a thread emotionally. A sound outside pulled him from the inner debate that plagued him day and night.

Everett moved to the window. He watched from behind the drapes as a man leaned down and kissed a woman on the forehead. It was the deputy but not the woman he’d left the inn with earlier.

“Well, well, Keeley. It seems there may be more to Gidget’s story than meets the eye.” He chuckled to himself. “Of course, you’d adore her. Another spunky redhead who wears her heart on her sleeve. She’s fierce, like you.” He wrapped his fingers around the back of his neck. “Perhaps her resemblance to you is what has me so off-kilter. Helen had to know how the young woman would rankle me, damn her.” He slumped down into one of the desk chairs. “I miss you, my love.”

Everett sipped his drink and watched the deputy walk away from the inn. He couldn’t help but notice the other man looked as lonely as he felt.

Hayden enjoyedhis coffee to the tune of more holiday music the following morning. This time it was Amy Grant singing “Tennessee Christmas.” Next to him, Simone was practically making love to a cranberry scone.

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