Page 104 of Shelter from the Storm

“I love you too, kitten.”

Chapter Eighteen

Gretchen stepped off the ladder and spun around, surveying her work. The barn had been transformed into a winter wonderland of twinkle lights, white tulle, and red ribbon. She finished sprinkling fake snow on the large pine tree Theo and Sam had bought at a local nursery. The tree would be planted on the farm following the big event.

The town’s annual Christmas party was going to be held at the event barn tomorrow night. Ordinarily, the festivities happened in Gracemont’s community center—same as the Harvest Dance—but a leaky roof required the place be closed for repairs.

When Edith told her the ladies auxiliary was afraid it would have to cancel, Gretchen suggested they hold the social at the barn. Edith and her fellow party planners had jumped at the chance, and Nora and Theo had been thrilled by the opportunity to show off the barn to so many community members. With any luck, this event would go off without a hitch and increase the number of future rentals. It was a win-win for both the ladies auxiliary and the farm’s new business venture.

Gretchen had spent the better part of the day working with the ladies to decorate for the party, all of the other women leaving over an hour ago. Gretchen had hung around wanting to put a few more finishing touches on everything, determined to show the space off in the best possible light. That was when she’d decided the pine tree needed more snow. She was probably being overly critical, but she really wanted the party to be a success. This felt like her first true test as event coordinator. Sure, she’d helped host Sam’s election celebration, and she’d made some tweaks and changes to Octoberfest. But this was the first major event to be held at the barn, and she wanted to prove to Nora, Theo, and the entire Storm family that their faith in her abilities wasn’t misplaced.

Christmas was five days away and for the first time in too many years, Gretchen was looking forward to it because she had places to go and good, kind, wonderful people to celebrate with.

The Storms had invited her to join them for Christmas Eve as they went caroling along Main Street. Apparently, as tradition dictated, they always ended their holiday singing at Edith’s house, where she invited them in for hot chocolate and fresh-baked cookies, warm from the oven.

Then Theo planned to spend the night with her at Edith’s, so that they could open gifts together—along with Manny—early on Christmas morning. Edith had changed the menu for her Christmas breakfast at least half a dozen times already, excited that Theo and Gretchen had chosen to spend the morning with her and Manny, whose idea of gift giving—according to Edith—was gift cards. Just gift cards.

Gretchen was determined that the dear woman would have real presents to open this year. She’d bought, wrapped, and hidden half a dozen gifts for Edith in her room, including a pretty cardigan, a couple of new books for their “book club,” some perfume, a box of her favorite chocolates, and a new muffin pan, as hers had definitely seen better days.

After the gift exchange and breakfast, the four of them were spending Christmas Day with the Storms, joining them for a midday feast and then games.

Shaw had also been invited, but he couldn’t take leave again so soon after Thanksgiving. The two of them had made plans to FaceTime at some point during the day, and she’d already mailed his gift so that he would have it to open while they chatted. His gift to her had arrived the day before yesterday, and she felt a bit like a kid, so tempted to peek to see what he got her.

To be honest, this was already the best Christmas she’d ever had, and it hadn’t even happened yet!

She plugged in the lights on the tree, humming “Here Comes Santa Claus.” She turned when she heard a side door open, expecting to find Theo, who’d already reassured her countless times today that the place looked great.

She frowned when she found Briggs there, instead.

Destiny said he’d let himself go, but she thought the other woman might have underplayed the situation.

Gone was the uniform Briggs liked to strut around in, walking around Harrisburg like he was freaking Superman, his cape flying. In its place was a ripped pair of jeans, a dirty T-shirt, and a faded zip-up hoodie. His hair was longer than she’d ever seen it—greasy and shaggy—and it looked as if he hadn’t shaved since the last time she saw him.

“What are you doing here?” She slowly reached behind her, praying her phone was in her back pocket. She sighed, her eyes sliding to one of the tables they’d set up by the wall for the refreshments. Sure enough, her cell was there, much closer to Briggs than her.

“No. That’s my question,” Briggs barked. “What the fuck are you doing here, Gretchen?”

She looked around the barn. “Decorating.”

He scowled. “No, you stupid bitch. What are you doing here? In this fucking town? With that fucking guy?”

“Briggs, I?—”

“You promised you’d never leave me!” he shouted, cutting her off, and it occurred to her that he wasn’t too steady on his feet.

Taking a closer look at his face, she realized his eyes were bloodshot and framed by dark circles.

“You promised,” he repeated.

She had made that vow…right after he dragged her away from the bus station. She’d been lying on the floor at the time, crying, ready to say anything if he would stop kicking her with those boots of his.

Gretchen forced herself to take several deep breaths, because giving in to the panic skirting around the edges of her consciousness wouldn’t help her get out of this barn unscathed. She had to keep her wits about her, find a way to talk Briggs down.

Internally, she scoffed. She’d never once talked her way out of a beating, not when he was angry. And right now, he was miles beyond any fury she’d ever seen from him.

“I did make that promise,” she admitted. “But, Briggs?—”

“No!” He slammed his fist down on one of the tables closest to the door, knocking over the centerpiece. He was moving closer. “No buts. You made a fucking promise to me, Gretchen, and you broke it.”

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