Page 14 of Maybe This Christmas
“Umm…I was just trying to help.”
It was then he noticed the shoes weren’t the orthopedic type favored by the biddies.They were those fancy sheepskin boots that Sabrina liked, too.
He jolted upright, finding Emma Dale standing beside him, her fiancé trailing at a distance, before he took a sharp turn to the left.
She looked beautiful in a dark blue coat and a matching hat, a scarf wound around her neck.
“Oh, hi, um…” He couldn’t say her name.That would be creepy, right?
“Emma,” she said.“Emma Dale.Sorry, it was instinct that had me taking off after you.My grandmother raised hunting dogs.”
“Oh, well, you didn’t have to do that.”Bashful, he brought his hand to his neck.Of course, the first woman to catch his eye since the divorce had a fiancé in tow.
Emma Dale was about five and a half feet tall, with dark hair and the kind of curvy that kept a man warm at night.
“Found her!”a voice called from the other side of the bridge.
Emma managed a smile before heading off toward the voice.Her fiancé came around the corner, his hand firmly on Daisy’s collar.
“Turns out she has a recall after all.”Something in the way he said it sounded smug.
Emma and this guy just didn’t fit.Caleb had barely spoken five words to her, and that was enough to know she was a warm person.The fiancé seemed like he was straight out of an icebox.One filled with finance bros.His vest and buttoned-up shirt gave it away.His older brother Sebastian wore that uniform for years.
“Oh, thank god!”Inez came barreling down the steps.“You found my Daisy!”
She hooked a leash onto her collar while Davis asked her questions about training the dog.Inez’s rapidly souring expression told him she did not care for his input.
“Thank you, but she’s just twelve weeks old.We’re starting obedience school next week.”
“Then maybe you should keep a better eye on her until then,” the fiancé snapped.
Inez opened her mouth to say something.Thankfully, Brandon appeared and put a hand on her shoulder.“Let’s get inside, everyone.We just refreshed the breakfast buffet!”
Inez shot Davis a nasty glare before taking off with Daisy.The other biddies circled her.Caleb knew well enough to know they were talking shit about Davis.
Emma cleared her throat.“Guess we should get back inside.Sorry, we couldn’t help more…” She trailed off, looking at him expectedly.
“Oh, sorry.I’m Caleb Ellis.My sister owns Sky House with her husband, Brandon.”
“He’s our new activities director!”Brandon called helpfully.“You should stop by later this morning to talk to him.We have all sorts of activities planned leading up to Christmas.”
Emma pulled a folded-up sheet of paper out of her coat pocket.“I know.I was looking forward to the lunch and learn tomorrow about Appalachian Christmas traditions.”
Brandon broke into a broad smile.“Well, we’re looking forward to having you!”
Davis muttered something under his breath.Emma shot him a glare, and he plastered on a fake smile.“I’m looking forward to it, too.Whatever I can do to make my girl happy.”He placed his hand on the small of her back and led her through the back doors.
Something about the way he saidmy girlirked Caleb.
“See you then, Emma,” Caleb called.
She turned, shot him a bashful smile, and ducked her head.
Once she was inside, Brandon ambled down the steps.“Sabrina’s theory is that this trip is a last-ditch effort to save their relationship.In case you were…I don’t know, curious?”
He glared at Brandon.“I would never mess with a woman who was spoken for.Especially not a guest.”
Brandon gestured toward the window.Emma and Davis had taken up residence at one of the tables closest to the window.They were obviously bickering.
