“It’s too soon.”
“We can’t always pick the time when someone comes into our life and we start caring about them. Sometimes it just happens. Maybe not at the perfect time… but in its own time.”
“I know. I just…” She sighed and turned away from him and crossed over to look out the front window. “I wasn’t expecting this. I came here to avoid Christmas, to hang out and just make it through the holidays. Things aren’t going as I planned. This isn’t what I wanted.”
“But it’s there, isn’t it? You have feelings, too.”
“I feel… something. I admit.”
“Holly, look at me. Please.”
She slowly turned around to face him, a cautious look on her face.
He moved a step closer to her. “I do have feelings for you. I know it happened quickly. I wasn’t expecting it either, but it’s the truth. I’d like to get to know you better. See where things go. Will you give it a chance?” Steve stood there, waiting for an answer, hoping she would be willing to give them some time, to see where things were headed with them.
She stood there for the longest time. He was sure she was going to shoot him down. His heart pounded in his chest, waiting for her answer.
“I’ll try. I don’t make any promises though. I still don’t feel very steady on my feet. My life has been such a roller coaster. I was hoping for dull and boring these holidays.”
“It’s been anything but that, hasn’t it?” He grinned at her.
She smiled then. That gorgeous, sexy smile that lit up her eyes to the shade of emeralds. “It’s not been boring, I’ll give you that.”
“Josh is nuts about you, too. You’re all he talks about. Miss Holly said this. Louie loves Miss Holly. Can we have Miss Holly over for dinner?”
“I’m kind of nuts about him, too. He’s great.”
“So, it’s settled then. No more running away.” He nailed her with his gaze.
“I’ll try. That’s all I can give you.”
“I’ll take it.”
* * * * *
After a busy morning at the veterinary clinic Holly was glad for a break for lunch. She grabbed her jacket and cell phone and decided to go walk to the city park. She needed to call her best friend, Lynn, and talk. Boy did she need to talk.
She walked to the park and sat on one of the benches. She dialed her friend’s cell phone number, hoping Lynn had time to talk now, too.
Lynn picked up on the second ring. “Holly! So glad to hear from you. How’s it going on the great escape?”
Her friend’s voice was full of warmth and familiarity. She’d missed Lynn. She was used to seeing her almost every day at work. “Well, the whole escape thing? Not so much.”
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s not so much wrong as…” How did she explain this? “It’s not working out like I planned. First I met Louie, he’s the most gorgeous merle Aussie dog. Then I met his owner, Josh. He’s an eight-year-old boy. Then I met his dad, Steve.”
“Well, this is a story I want to hear.”
“It’s been Christmas this, and Christmas that. Oh, and the cottage I’m staying at? Yep, all decorated for Christmas. Lights. Red bows. You name it. It’s like it’s the official Christmas cottage.”
“I’m sorry. You doing okay?”
“I’m getting used to it.”
“So, get back to the boy, the dog, and the dad.”
“I’m getting there. Steve is a builder. He does great work. I went with him to see one of the homes he’s building. It was the most fabulous house. And his son is such a great kid. So cute. Well-behaved in an all-boy kind of way. He’s a force to be reckoned with. I’m defenseless to say no to anything he asks.”
“More on the dad.”
Holly smiled. Her friend wanted to get down to the real reason for the call. “He’s nice.”
“Nice? That’s all you’re going to give me? You can do better than that. What’s he look like?”
“He’s tall. Dark brown hair and eyes. The most mesmerizing smile. His voice is, oh, I can’t even describe it. Deep. Sexy. Kind. And, Lynn—he kissed me.”
“Ah, so that’s what this is about.”
“It was a good kiss. A great kiss. But then I ran.”
“That’s okay. Just go run back.”
“But I feel guilty. Like I’m cheating on Dave. I even feel like I’m cheating on Tucker because I’m really crazy about Josh’s dog, Louie.”
“Holly, it’s been a year. You’ve hidden away every darn day of it. You have every right to be happy. Dave would have wanted that. Heck, Tucker would have wanted that. You don’t have to live in the past.”