A Chance This Christmas(9)
Gavin had never made a big deal about it, but Rachel knew that he’d sought out friends in Yuletide specifically to spend less time at the boarding school where they left him almost year-round. He got sick of the same four walls. The same kids.
Yuletide—and Rachel’s father in particular—had welcomed him warmly. Her dad had attended more of Gavin’s early snowboard cross events than his own parents.
“Have you approached town about it?” The event sounded like a no-brainer, bringing more people to their community in a positive way.
Across the street, church bells chimed the time—eight o’clock. Kiersten would be leaving work any minute.
“Of course.” He leaned back into his seat, scowling. “Before I was even out the door, they were asking one another how they could ‘monetize’ the idea.”
Indignation simmered. “They can’t do that.”
“Steal my idea?”
“That either. But what I meant is, they can’t say no to your fundraiser.” She wanted to help him but failed to see how. “Look, Gavin, I need to intercept Kiersten before she leaves for the day.”
He glanced up the street. “She works at the Mirror Lake Inn, doesn’t she?”
Rachel nodded and he fired up the truck again.
“Text her that we’re on the way, and I’ll drop you off at the front door.”
She did as he asked while he pulled back onto the street.
“I can ride home with her.” She didn’t want Gavin to have to wait around for her. “I hope it wasn’t too out of your way coming here tonight.”
“Not at all. I meant it when I said I was happy to see you again, Rachel.” The way he lingered on her name—just a little—made her feel shivery all over again. “Let Kiersten know you’ll be attending the bridal party welcome dinner with me tomorrow.”
She knew that would be far too awkward. “About that—”
“I’ll pick you up at six.” He turned into the parking area for the historic inn. “And since we’re neighbors now, I’m going to know if you try to leave town before then.”
His teasing tone reminded her of long-ago confidences and happier conversations, back when they’d been friends and she’d wanted to be much more.
“Then I’ll have to be very subtle about my getaway.” She wasn’t going to ruin her friend’s wedding by crashing the pre-ceremony events.
Pocketing her phone, she levered open the truck door as soon as he stopped the vehicle.
“Rachel, wait.” He reached for her, a hand landing on her arm before she slipped away. “I understand if you don’t want to help me convince the council to approve my fundraiser. But it’s past time I helped you make peace with your hometown.”
She wasn’t sure if it was the electric hum of awareness she felt at his touch that was getting through to her, or if she really wanted to honor that pact she made with her girlfriends.
Having Gavin on her side would go a long way toward smoothing her path with the rest of Yuletide. And she couldn’t deny that she wanted her hometown to stop believing the worst of her. She wanted the healing that would come from making peace with her past.
“I’ll stay for the party,” she agreed, knowing she’d probably regret it. “No promise about the rest of the week.”
“Good.” His grin stole her breath it was so damn dazzling. After giving her arm a squeeze, he let her go. “It’s a Christmas Karaoke party. You can dress accordingly, if you like.”
And just like that, she felt her chest tighten again, a wheeze sure to follow.
“Christmas Karaoke?” Sliding out of the truck cab, she inhaled the cold night air, the scent of pine filling the air. “With costumes?”
“It’ll be fun,” he assured her. “You just need to find your holiday spirit.”
Chapter Three
An hour later, seated with Kiersten in matching wooden rocking chairs on the main floor of the Mirror Lake Inn, Rachel inhaled the rich aroma of nutmeg and cinnamon wafting under her nose from her hot buttered rum.
They’d chosen a spot half hidden from the rest of the inn behind a huge display of poinsettias built into the shape of a Christmas tree. There were lots of little nooks around the resort hotel since it had been built as an Adirondack great camp originally, and the main building maintained numerous porches and alcoves. Here they could look out a wide picture window down onto the lake where a few skaters still took advantage of the lights to spin around the ice.
Kiersten had been thrilled to see her, insisting they enjoy a drink by themselves before heading back to Yuletide. The bride-to-be glowed with happiness and good health even after her eight-hour shift in the spa. With no makeup and her blonde hair knotted in a messy bun, she resembled an advertisement for her facials, her skin pink-cheeked and flawless. She wore rose-colored scrubs from the spa and still managed to look as lovely as any woman in the place. Skiers, hotel guests and local visitors mingled in the nearby bar, the sounds a pleasant din in the background while Ella Fitzgerald crooned a seasonal tune over the sound system near them.
Gavin’s parting words chased around Rachel’s mind.
“I do have holiday spirit,” she grumbled mostly to herself before sipping carefully at the hot drink.