Page 23 of Love, Lies and Sleigh Rides
It took only a few steps outside for her to realize how tense she’d been inside the barn with Kade. Surely it was only because she didn’t know him very well. That was the only excuse she’d let herself entertain.
Beside her, Kade kept pace with her even though his legs were much longer and he’d come outside without a coat. There was something hanging in the air between them now as they crossed the gravel driveway, made their way onto the porch and entered the mudroom. It was as tangible as the hat she’d bought from Elaine’s shop and now pulled from her head to stuff into her coat sleeve before she hung it on a peg behind the door.
Fallon almost laughed at her next thought.
Thank goodness for the distraction of this rowdy party.
ChapterEight
When he and Fallon returned to the commotion of the party, his uncle Mason spotted him and ambled over to clap him on the shoulder.
“’Bout time you found your way back to Hendricks, son. Are you ready to take the reins from your old man so he can finally retire?” Uncle Mason always cut straight to the point.
“I’m keeping my options open, but I plan on sticking around for the foreseeable future at least.”
Next to him, Fallon wandered toward the dining room table, where Tim’s girls still worked on their gingerbread houses. Her near-fall in the barn and the electric sensation of holding on to her lingered. Something passed between them; it was in her eyes. Felt it in his bones too. He wasn’t the most observant guy, but the connection was as real as Uncle Mason harping in his ear at the moment.
“Did he tell you about those new folks west of here trying to talk him out of fifty acres?” Uncle Mason hooked his thumbs through the straps of his suspenders and pushed his belly out, a sign that he was about to launch into all the juicy details.
“He didn’t. What’s that about?”
Kade took the can of soda his mother offered as she passed by and gave his hand a reassuring pat. His mother knew firsthand the mental fortitude needed when her brother found an audience. Across the room, Fallon laughed along with Kade’s two little nieces. Her merriment was in sharp contrast to the quiet, self-conscious woman who sat at the breakfast table earlier in the day. Now, her fingertips coated with frosting, she’d joined in building a gingerbread house too. He had to turn away to concentrate on what Uncle Mason was saying.
“They want to start up some organic farm. I have half a mind to tell them myself we already have one of those in the area. They’ll be stealing business from the Arbuckles.”
His brothers let out a whoop at a football game playing on the television, silencing Uncle Mason for all of a second.
“I wouldn’t worry about Pops selling anything.” Fred Behar took pride in what he’d built here. The land had been in the family for four generations. He wasn’t about to hand it away piece by piece.
“I don’t know,” his uncle said. “I’ve noticed him slowing down a little.”
This was the second time since yesterday someone had mentioned a change in his father. He’d get Pops alone soon and ask about this himself.
A short time later, Elaine whistled through her fingers.
“It’s awards time,” she said, calling attention to the twelve gingerbread houses lined up on the kitchen island.
There was always a competition. Voting with cinnamon candies, marshmallows, or whatever Elaine had on hand, was the culmination of an afternoon of construction and decorating. It was a very democratic affair. Categories were created on the spot depending on the number of entries. “Most Decorations Used” and “Tallest Structure” were perpetual categories. “Best Landscaping” and “Chimney Most Accommodating for Santa Claus” were new ones this year. Kade hadn’t been able to make it home for the December First party for four years at least, but it was great to see the contest still going strong.
When Fallon inched up alongside Kade, surprising him, the soda can in his hand almost slipped from his grasp.
“It looked like Kyah and Della were keeping you pretty entertained.”
Fallon pressed a hand against her chest. “They’re just adorable,” she whispered, obviously smitten. “And quite the accomplished gingerbread builders. I’m afraid their house has put mine to shame.”
He laughed. “You don’t understand. Everyone wins here.”
“Kind of like participation trophies?”
“Exactly.”
She nodded as she held her mug of steaming cider underneath her chin but didn’t take a sip. That little smile appeared again, but she was quiet. He was struck by the smooth skin of her cheek, the silky curl resting on her shoulder.
“I’m going to grab one of those amazing chocolate cherry truffle bars your sister-in-law brought,” Fallon said, turning her hazel eyes toward him again. “Want anything?”
He shook his head because he didn’t trust his voice not to croak an answer.
It was a strange predicament, having an attractive female in the house. He’d never brought girls home before he enlisted. It wasn’t cool. What socializing he did was spent driving around town, sometimes parking in the D & G parking lot on weekend nights, sometimes heading out to Clearwater Lighthouse on dark, moonless nights to listen to music and talk about their plans after high school. It had been a directionless time for him. He had no idea what he wanted, except that he wouldn’t be sticking around Hendricks, much to his parents’ disappointment. He wandered aimlessly, picking up bad habits, breaking rules, and not contributing much to anything. He managed to stay on the football team only because the coaches overlooked his grades and the trouble he caused in favor of his size. Then a Marines recruiter spoke at school during a career day in the fall of his senior year and suddenly the path was clear.
