Page 25 of Christmas in the Shadows

Chelsea met him at the bookshelf, and they pushed the furniture upright. Then they began to put the books and trinkets—the ones that weren’t broken—back in place.

“Any particular order you want to keep these in?” Tex asked.

She shook her head. “I can worry about that later. For now, I just want to get everything put away.”

“Very well then.”

They worked in silence for several moments.

Then Tex paused and held something up.

It was a dogwood flower that had been pressed between the pages of her favorite book.

Her cheeks heated.

“Is this . . . ?” he started.

She licked her lips, not liking the uncomfortable feeling in her chest. “If you’re asking if it’s the flower you gave me when we took that hike to the lake, it is.”

It had been a wonderful day. A perfect day, for that matter.

It had been the first time Tex had kissed her.

“You kept it.” He stared at her another moment.

She laughed it off, took it from his hands, and put it on the shelf.

Quickly, she said, “I forgot it was even there.”

He stared at her another moment before finally placing more books on the shelf.

Once they had everything back, Tex looked at her, and Chelsea knew there was something else on his mind. Hopefully not the flower.

She didn’t want to tell him it had been one of the best days of her life.

She totally knew the flower was there. She just couldn’t admit it.

“Do you want to tell me what’s going on?” Tex asked. “I’ve been sitting here playing dumb, acting like I believe every word you’re saying. But I know the story you’re telling me isn’t true. Whatever’s happening, I can’t help but think that you’re in over your head.”

Chelsea raked a hand through her hair as she considered her response. At this point, she was beyond the point of wondering if she could trust Tex or not. He was already deep in this with her. And she didn’t think he had anything to do with what had happened, although it had all started after he arrived in town.

Was that a coincidence?

She licked her lips before asking, “Can I trust you?”

“Of course, you can trust me.” Tex’s words came out fast, like the answer was a no-brainer.

She sighed. Raked her hand through her hair again. Then she leaned back on her legs and turned to him.

“I think Gilbert has been up to something,” she admitted. “I didn’t mean to spy on him. But hedoeslive next door. I’ve seen some things that have made me uncomfortable. But just like with DJ, I don’t want to accuse anyone of something illegal before I have some proof that they’re actually doing something wrong.”

“That’s why you were in Gilbert’s office today?”

She nodded, a wave of guilt hitting her. She’d never broken into someone’s home before. But it was the only way she could think of to find answers.

Tex’s jaw tightened as he nodded. “Why don’t you tell me what you think is going on? Or what you’ve seen. Maybe I can help you sort through it.”

CHAPTER 8

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