Page 10 of Christmas Hearts

"It's a mixed bag of emotions. I mean, how many more times can I go through something like that? Something painful inside and outside."

"You want a family."

"Which is why a ready-made one like yours seems so appealing. I know it won't be easy, but I'm friends with Daisy, which should make the transition from friend to stepmother easier. I'd prefer to remain her friend, though. It's more fun that way."

"You might have to be the disciplinarian some of the time. I think you'll do great. You are an amazing person."

I watch his face to see if he really means it. He seems happy and relaxed and totally into our conversation. I've never had a man so concentrated on me and my words before. When the server from the restaurant puts a huge piece of apple crumble pie a la mode between us with two spoons, I feel like I could just melt right here.

"This is my favorite dessert!"

"I know, I asked around. You like the red velvet cupcakes I give you, but this takes first place."

"Flora won't make it for me, though."

"She made this one."

"Really? Oh, I'm going to hug her so tight when I see her."

"Please don't. She made me swear I wouldn't tell you she made it. She's got some trauma about it. At least that's what her daughter Dinah told me."

"Apple pie trauma?"

"Apparently, it's a thing."

We eat our dessert in silence, giving each other heated looks. Will I be able to keep myself from catching feelings for this man? The more time we spend together, the more amazing I find he is. We seem to be in a little trance when one of the servers comes to our table, a worried look on his face.

"I'm sorry to bother you. A nasty storm has come upon us, and we're closing early so that the staff can get home safely. You might have to stay at the bed and breakfast that's on the next street over. I don't think the roads are in any state to drive right now.”

“Wow,” Justin says as we both look out the window, surprised at how quickly the storm hit.

Justin pays the bill, and we get out to the car. He calls his brother Ben. Things are bad back in our town as well, so we decide to stay in Green Brooks. The lady at the front desk of the B&B is a little mean-tempered, but she gets us a room with one bed, of course.

"This seems like out of a cheesy romance novel," I say when we enter the room.

"What do you mean?"

"Stuck together in a hotel room with no escape and only one bed."

"I can sleep on the floor."

I roll my eyes. Clearly this man has never read a romance novel in his life. I don't know what I was expecting. We're both cold, so I'm eager to get in between those bedsheets.

"Do you think they have hot water? I'm chilled to the bone." I say.

"Want me to run you a bath?"

"Would you? That'd be great."

I remove my coat and shoes and am suddenly shy around Justin. I sit on the edge of the bed and wait for him to come out of the bathroom.

"You can go in. It's nice and hot."

I'm unsure about going in now, and it probably shows all over my face.

"There are clean towels in there, and you can put my t-shirt on after."

He hands me a cotton t-shirt with the logo of his business, Hoffer Handyman Services, on the front. I take it from him and duck into the bathroom, barefoot. I take my dress off and then my underwear. I wipe the condensation from the mirror and look at my face.

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