Dear Santa(29)

“You sure about that? I saw him watching you at dinner, and sis, I have to tell you, he had the look.”

“The look?” Chad had to be joking. Sure, she’d spent time with Billy, more with him than anyone else—well, other than her parents and Peggy. She’d been home less than a week, and that was far too soon for “the look.”

“Be careful,” Chad advised, his eyes growing serious.

“I think you’re imagining things, little brother. Billy is far too preoccupied with his restaurant. He knows I’m in town only until the first of the year.”

“I’m not worried about Billy,” her brother said. “My concern is for you.”

“Me?” she asked with a slight laugh, finding his observation just short of hilarious.

“Yes, you. I saw how Billy looked at you, but I also noticed the way you looked at him, and it was telling. I know how upset you were over Brian and Celeste. I never said anything, but I was never keen on Brian. I figured in time he’d show his true colors, and he did. I will say this, though, I like Billy. I don’t think you’d be wrong to consider a more permanent relationship with him.”

    Her brother’s words gave Lindy pause. Perhaps he was right and she was setting herself up for more heartache. She assumed she’d learned her lesson. This thing with Billy had started out as…what? She couldn’t be sure. It went all the way back to her letter to Santa all those years ago.

Something powerful had happened the day they’d spent in Leavenworth. The sleigh ride, sitting on Santa’s lap…the kisses.

Oh yes, those kisses.

“Hey,” Chad said, interrupting her musings. “I didn’t upset you, did I?”

“No, you gave me something to think about. The thing is, I have no intention of getting seriously involved with Billy. It wouldn’t work, for all the reasons I’ve already mentioned.”

“That’s too bad, because the two of you are good together.”

Ashley came to stand beside Chad, with one hand rubbing the slight mound of her tummy. “It’s time we head out,” she said. “I hate to go, but Peter needs his sleep, and for that matter, so do I. We’ve got two busy days ahead of us.”

    Chad stood and gently lifted his son from the chair. Ashley, careful not to wake the sleeping boy, placed his arms in his winter coat. Lindy’s parents helped usher them out the door while confirming the time they planned to arrive on Christmas Day.

Her mother had spent the afternoon cooking, and yawned as she returned to the house.

“Sit down, Mom,” Lindy urged. “Relax. Let me get you a cup of peppermint tea.”

“Thank you, sweetie.” Ellen didn’t argue as she sat in her favorite chair in the family room and reached for her knitting.

All too soon her parents were both settled in front of the television, and Lindy knew this was the best time for her to leave to see Billy.

“I’m going to head out for a little bit,” she said.

Her father nodded, as if it was what he expected. “We like Billy,” he said, letting her know without saying it that he knew where she was headed.

Dressed in her coat and gloves, she felt she needed to clarify the situation. “We aren’t serious.”

Both her parents looked away from the television at the same time and focused their eyes directly on her. Neither said anything. No need, their expressions said it all. It felt like the two of them, along with Chad, had insider information she had yet to receive.

    With all the verbal and nonverbal warnings given to her this evening, Lindy should probably avoid Billy. She toyed with sending a text and making an excuse. That seemed wrong, after she’d already agreed. Once in her car and on her way to the Wine Press, Lindy admitted she wanted to be with Billy, and to tell herself otherwise would be a lie.

The parking lot was full when she arrived. That likely meant Billy would be unable to sneak away even for a limited amount of time. Which should be enough to discourage her, only it wasn’t.

Entering the lounge, she found him behind the bar with another bartender, filling orders with an expert hand. When he saw her, he smiled and said something to the other bartender.

Lindy found an empty seat and sat while she patiently waited for Billy. Within a few minutes one of the servers stepped behind the bar and Billy made his way to her.

“Busy night,” she said, stating the obvious.

“Very. It’ll slow down after the first of the year, when the credit-card statements hit the mail and reality sets in.”

So true. Lindy remembered last Christmas when she saw the balance on her own credit card. It was ramen noodles for dinner for the entire month.

    “You should take care of business,” she said, looking at the crowded room and how busy the bar section was. “We can connect tomorrow.”

Billy intertwined their fingers and shook his head. “I don’t care how busy we are. I don’t want you to leave.”

His words made a direct hit to her heart—bull’s-eye. Right away her brother’s warning took root. It was time she owned up to the fact that she was seriously in danger of falling for Billy Kincade.

“What are your plans for tomorrow?” he asked.

Her mind was mush. It took her a long moment before she was able to respond. “Peggy phoned before dinner with some crazy scheme she wouldn’t tell me over the phone. I’m meeting her for coffee. Then there’s the Christmas Eve church service with Mom and Dad.”