Page 20 of Maybe This Christmas
Unfortunately, the message didn’t quite reach from her brain to her limbs.Because as she opened the door, she tripped on the threshold and ended up ass over teakettle on the brightly patterned carpet.
Chapter Seven
Caleb was far from the only one who’d noticed Emma’s ungraceful tumble.He managed to shield Emma from the gaze of other guests as she righted herself.
“Can I give you a hand?”Caleb extended a hand to her before he could change his mind.
Her hand shot up toward him.He took it without a second thought.He brought his hand to the crook of her elbow and helped guide her to her feet.She winced her eyes shut as he helped her.
“Did everyone see?”
He took the opportunity to notice the smattering of freckles across her nose and cheeks before answering.“No, just me, I think.Everyone else is too preoccupied with the dessert table.”
He gestured to where coffee and snacks had been laid out along the bar.The few remaining guests were piling up their plates.
Her eyes snapped open.“I’m not sure if that’s better or worse.”
He released her hand, unsure of what to make of her comment.“Are you okay?No twisted ankles or fractured wrists?”
Emma snorted.“The carpet has sufficient padding.The only thing hurt is my pride.This seems to be this week’s trend, so…I’ll live.”
He found himself at a loss for words.He wasn’t exactly the nurturing type, except when it came to his kids.He was chief boo-boo healer, tantrum calmer…god, he missed his kids.
He exhaled and took a step back.She didn’t need to know his life story.“I installed the carpet, so I’ll take that as a compliment that it was easy to fall on.”
She cocked her head.“I thought you were the activities director.You’re a jack of all trades, too?”
It was his turn to laugh.“The activities director job is a temporary gig over the holidays.I help run my family’s construction and renovation business.I helped renovate this place.You should’ve seen what it looked like before.”He paused.“Well, I can show you.”He motioned for Emma to follow him.They exited the hallway and entered the lobby.Off to one side was a collection of photos documenting the renovation.
Emma leaned forward to look.Caleb realized seconds too late that one of the photos featured him and Brandon shirtless on the roof, shoveling off old shingles.
She cleared her throat.“Um, yes, I can see that now.”She looked back at him over her shoulder.“Well, since you are the temporary activities director, would you mind showing me what’s available for tomorrow and beyond?Since my plans have erm…changed?”
Caleb clasped his hands together.“Oh, you’re planning on staying, then?”
She crossed her arms over her chest.“You mean since my fiancé’s…ex-fiancé’s unceremonious exit?Yeah, I’m staying.”She gnawed on her bottom lip.“I don’t have anywhere else to go.”
Before he could interject, Emma told him that not only had she lost her fiancé, but also her job and place to live.
Toward the end of her tale, she seemed to realize she’d overshared and sputtered to a stop.“I’m so sorry.You didn’t need to know all the ins and outs of my personal life.You have your own worries.”
Normally, Caleb would’ve agreed with her.He wasn’t the type to show interest in strangers’ lives.But he found himself engaged with Emma’s plight.
“No, I’m sorry you’re having such a shitty holiday season.I kind of am, too, if I’m to be honest.”
Emma tilted her head to the side.“You work in a holiday wonderland.”
He chuckled.“Not by choice.I was…” He paused.She’d overshared.He might as well.“This is the first Christmas since my divorce has been official.Last year, we were separated, but still together as a family at the holidays.This year, my daughters are with their mom and her fiancée out of state.”
Emma’s eyes widened.“Oh, that must be so hard.I’m sorry.How old are your kids?”
“Five and two and a half.Poppy and Emerson.”
Her face lit up.“Oh, what lovely names!You must really be missing them.I don’t know.It makes me feel a little less lonely amongst all the holiday cheer to know I’m not the only one having a crappy Christmas.”
Their eyes met.God, she was adorable.But also sexy, with her dark brown curls, brown eyes, and dimples in each cheek.
Oh, crap.He was staring.He cleared his throat.“If you’re really going to stay with us through the holidays, we’ll work on making your stay the best possible.Starting with dinner tonight.”
