Page 24 of Healing Hearts at the Christmas Inn
"Logan, I'd like you to meet one of our guests who just arrived," Julie said, and there was a definite twinkle in her eyes, which gave him pause and a moment of wondering what she was up to. "This is Charlie Burke. Charlie, this is Logan Miller. He's like a second son to me."
Logan stepped forward and held out his hand. "Pleased to meet you."
Charlie hesitated for half a second, then took his hand.
The moment their palms touched, something sparked. Sharp and electric, like static but warmer. Logan felt it shoot up his arm, and judging by the way Charlie's eyes widened, she felt it too.
She pulled her hand back quickly, her expression guarded.
"Hello," she said, her voice softer than he expected.
Logan cleared his throat, trying to ignore the lingering warmth in his palm. "I'm sorry about the parking lot. I didn't see your bag there."
Charlie's mouth opened, then closed. She nodded, then turned back to Julie, clearly eager to escape.
"Logan!" Julie tutted, though her smile didn't fade. "You weren't on your phone, were you?"
"No." Logan gave a nervous laugh.
"Sorry. Uh. Julie?" Charlie caught their attention.
"Oh goodness, where are my manners?" Julie turned back towards the desk. "I'm Julie Christmas. Welcome to my inn."
Logan hid a smile as he watched Charlie's reaction to Julie’s last name. Everyone who didn’t know the family was intrigued by it.
"Christmas? That's really your name?" Charlie asked, looking at Julie in disbelief.
Julie laughed and nodded. "Really and truly. It's my late husband’s family name."
Logan couldn’t resist the amazing Charlie move by adding, “Julie’s family name is Tincell.”
“You’re joking!” Charlie said, stunned, her beautiful eyes growing even wider.
“I’m afraid not,” Julie laughed.
Before anyone could utter another word, a young voice called from behind Charlie.
"Aunt Charlie!"
Charlie turned as the girl, no older than about eleven or twelve, hurtled toward her. Charlie stepped away to greet the girl and exchange words with her. Logan was so taken with how Charlie’swhole expression had changed when she’d heard the girl’s voice that he didn’t hear most of what was being said.
"I will. Let me just get my key and take my bag up,” Charlie’s words snapped him back to the present.
“I can do that for you," Logan said, darting from behind the desk and grabbing her suitcase as Charlie turned back toward him, her eyes colliding with his and doing strange things to the speed of his heart.
"Oh, would you, sweetheart?" Julie asked, and caught his eyes, making him frown at the look that flashed through them and…Was that a knowing smile?Before he could ponder on it Charlie drew his attention toward her.
"No, it's okay. I can do it," she protested.
"Please." Logan lifted her bag a little too eagerly and felt like he was snatching it away.Good grief, Miller, what is wrong with you?Then he blurted: "It's the least I can do to make up for nearly squashing your luggage."
Julie, bless her, pursed her lips, and Logan knew then that she could see him fumbling around like a schoolboy with a crush, and seemed to be enjoying this far too much.
“Go have something to eat, dear. We'll take care of your luggage,” Julie told Charlie.
Logan saw Charlie hesitate for a second and give him a hooded glance before nodding. "Thank you."
Julie handed Charlie her key and sent her off to the dining room with her niece, then turned back to Logan without bothering to hide her knowing smile this time.
