Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

“You are a genius, Elinor McAlister.” Bernice slid her arm through Elle’s as they strolled down Water Street toward the city pier the following evening. “Who says lightning doesn’t strike twice? That little dog, Kringle, brought the national spotlight to our town last year. And he did it again tonight.”

“Give credit where credit is due, Bernice,” Paige chimed in from Elle’s other side. “Elle wrote the article. You have a gift, Elle. Who knew an interview with Santa’s dog would bring in so many people for the tree lighting tonight.”

“Just imagine what the turnout would be if the weather had cooperated. Brrr.” Bernice shivered.

Paige laughed. “This is spring in Chicago.”

Elle barely noticed the cold. She was basking in the glory of a job well done. Her “interview” with a dog might not be the weighty journalism she hoped to write in the future, but it did the trick of driving traffic to Chances Inlet’s website. The businesses in town were happy. And that made Elle happy.

She doubted tonight’s crowd was a direct result—the vlog had only appeared online two days ago. Still, the inn received three last minute reservations this afternoon, all for the upcoming weekend. That had to mean something.

“I was in Chicago last year when the story about Ryan rescuing Kringle hit. The video of that sweet pup jumping onto Santa’s lap during the parade is so precious. And then Santa gave him to Henry for Christmas.” Paige placed her gloved hand to her chest. “I don’t know how someone hasn’t made it into a movie.”

“Hmm,” Bernice mumbled.

Elle groaned. “Do not give this woman any more ideas, Paige.”

“You’re forgetting we don’t have any way of promoting the businesses in this town. We need to pursue every avenue we can find.” Bernice pulled her arm free. “Speaking of which, I see the perfect person to write Kringle’s biography.”

Bernice marched toward the table Elle’s mother had set up. It was ladened with hot toddies, popcorn balls and Lori’s famous cupcakes. West stood beside the buffet, chatting with Hayden’s aunt.

“Don’t hold your breath, Bernice,” Elle murmured. “The man can’t even finish his own autobiography.”

Paige shot her a funny look.

“You didn’t hear that.”

“I hope not,” Paige said. “Because I’ve already ordered a case of his books. I’m hoping he’ll come back and do a signing when it gets released.”

“It’s the least he should do since he’s writing it in your store.”

“Um, I don’t know about that. He has barely been in the shop all week.”

Elle closed her eyes. She would have stomped her foot, but she’d just regained full use of her ankle. “Of course he hasn’t.”

Tanner Gillette, Paige’s fiancé, chose that moment to join them.

“Evening, ladies.”

The pro golfer’s Australian accent never failed to make Elle’s stomach flutter. He handed them each a hot toddy. Paige snuggled beneath his arm while Elle took a hearty sip of the drink.

“You look a little frazzled, Elle. Anythin’ we can do to help?” Tanner asked.

She sighed. “Not unless you have an opening for a caddy. I have a sneaking suspicion I’ll be out of a job soon.”

“Don’t say that.” Paige squeezed Elle’s hand. “You’re so talented. Look at the impact your piece on Kringle has had. Vantage is lucky to have you. And if they don’t want you, well, I’ll take up a collection among the businesses in town, and we’ll hire you.” She glanced behind Elle. “Speaking of which, here is the dog of the hour now.”

The rest of Elle’s family descended, and suddenly, barking dogs, strollers and kids chasing one another filled the area around the table. Paige and Tanner wandered off to get a better spot closer to the tree. West and Kitty had disappeared. Hiding from Bernice, no doubt. The high school chorus was just beginning its rendition of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” when a hand landed on Elle’s shoulder.

“There you are.” Livi arrived in a swirl of cashmere and another pair of amazing boots. “We were looking for you.”

Elle didn’t have to look too far to see who the other half of Livi’s “we” was. Hayden stood on Livi’s other side, scrolling through his phone.

“Isn’t this sweet,” Livi gushed. “It’s so folksy and intimate. You don’t get this vibe in New York City.”

Elle was about to agree when Livi began to cough. Not a polite cough, either. Violent spasms wracked her whole body. Elle grabbed the other woman’s elbow to keep her from tumbling over.

Hayden handed her a bottle of water. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Livi waved her hand. “Just allergies. I always seem to trigger them when I’m on a plane.”

“Should you be out in this cold?” he asked, his concern palpable.

“I’ve been looking forward to this all week,” she managed to say before she was overcome with another coughing fit.

By now, a crowd had formed around them, including Hayden’s partner and her wife, the PA Elle met in the ER last week. Gabby put a hand to Livi’s forehead.

“You’re burning up,” she said. “You need to be in bed.”

“But I don’t want to miss this.” There wasn’t much bite to Livi’s protest, however. Especially when she could barely stay on her feet.

“We do this every Christmas. You can come back next year,” Hayden reassured her.

His words brought a rapturous smile to Livi’s face.

And a jealous squeeze to the pit of Elle’s stomach.

“Come on. I’ll take you back to the inn.” He tucked Livi against his side.

Elle’s stomach clenched tighter.

“Our car is only a block away.” Gabby took hold of Livi’s arm. “We’ll take her back to the inn, and I can check her out.”

“Then I’ll ride with you,” Hayden insisted.

Livi wasn’t having it. “No. Absolutely not. You stay here, Hayden. I’ll be fine. I just need to take some antihistamines and sleep it off. I’ll be as good as new for the gingerbread house-making contest tomorrow.”

“I’ll go,” Elle offered. Livi wasn’t the enemy. In fact, she was freaking adorable. Even sick. It was the least Elle could do.

“We’ve got this.” Gabby’s tone didn’t allow for arguing.

Livi smiled at Elle. “You are too sweet. But I’d rather you keep Hayden company tonight. He is your best friend, after all.”

A strange sound emerged from the back of Simone’s throat. Gabby and Hayden both glared at her. Hayden and Elle were watching them go when the crowd surged forward. The mayor stepped up to the podium.

“Holy crap. Is that your brother Ryan?” Hayden asked.

“I can’t see.” Elle stood on her tiptoes, trying to peer over the crowd. A second later, Hayden’s hands were on her waist. He lifted her six inches in the air.

It was her brother on the stage. He was dressed in the old Santa suit their father used to wear every Christmas Eve. Ryan was saying something about the suit being magic and how it helped him find his destiny. Elle was only catching bits and pieces. She was too focused on the heat of Hayden’s touch.

“Oh my God! He’s proposing,” Ginger cried from somewhere beside them.

Jane, Henry, and Kringle ran forward. The crowd cheered. Elle slowly slid back down Hayden’s body.

“Wow,” she whispered.

He held her against his chest, his arms loosely draped around her waist.

“Yeah,” he murmured, his breath fanning her ear.

Seconds later the crowd let out a loud “aah” as the tree at the end of the pier was lit up in a kaleidoscope of colored lights against the night sky. Everyone around them seemed to be moving except Hayden and Elle.

“It’s snowing!” someone shouted, eliciting more cheers from the crowd.

Elle pressed her head back against Hayden’s shoulder as she gazed up at the flurries falling from the night sky. Her cheek accidentally brushed his. They both froze for a long minute before he dropped his arms and jerked away. Elle spun around, but he was already deep into the crowd. She moved to chase him when a hand tapped her shoulder.

Xander Fisk was standing beside her wearing an impish smile. “I hear you’re the girl I need to talk to about getting some social media advertising help.”

The line at the Java Jolt was longer than usual the following morning.

“Great. More tourists in town means more idiots doing things they shouldn’t,” Simone grumbled. “It’s going to be a long weekend.”

“More tourists mean more money in my pocket,” Lois replied as she set four mugs of coffee on the table. “We have Elle to thank for that.”

“The Christmas flotilla always attracts a big crowd.” Xander glanced around the coffee shop. “If I had to guess though, there are more folks here than in previous years, even with this cold snap.”

“Yup.” Lois stared down at Hayden. “We need to find a reason to keep Elinor McAlister in town.”

Hayden groaned. “Don’t you have customers to serve?”

Lois mumbled something under her breath as she returned to the counter. Hayden shook his head.

“I guess now is not the time to ask why you had your hands all over Elle last night?” Xander—Hayden’s now former friend—asked.

Both Simone and Gabby’s heads snapped around to gawk at Hayden.

“It wasn’t like that,” Hayden argued.

Except it was. For all his blustering about keeping Elle firmly in the friend zone and moving on, he was having a heck of a time keeping his hands off her. It was second nature to lift her so she could see over the crowd last night. He’d been doing it for years. Except touching her felt different now. Hell, just being near her stoked a fire inside him that made him want to throw the woman over his shoulder and carry her off to the nearest bed.

“If you say so,” Xander said into his coffee cup.

Simone gave Hayden the stink eye. “You said you were going to give Livi a chance.”

“I am. It’s not my fault the gods keep spoiling our dates. We’ll get some one-on-one time today at the gingerbread house contest. Afterward, I have dinner plans for us at the marina. And a private viewing spot for the flotilla.” He arched an eyebrow at his partner. “Even you have to agree I’m putting myself out there.”

Gabby shook her head. “Livi has the flu, Hayden. As Bachelor worthy as your day sounds, you’ll be flying solo.”

“Are you kidding?” He dragged his fingers through his hair. “She said it was allergies.”

Simone tsked. “Even a TV doctor would know allergies are not what took that poor woman down. We’ll take your reservations at the marina, though. We’ve been meaning to go there for months now.”

“We have.” Gabby nodded.

“Fine. But you’re taking our spot in the gingerbread house-making contest, too. I’ve already paid the entry fee. And it’s for a good cause.”

“No!” Aunt Kitty cried. She stopped by their table, juggling two to-go cups of coffee. “I’ll take Livi’s place. Please, Hayden. I’m an accomplished artist. We’ll win for sure.” She fluttered her eyelids.

He grinned in surprise at his aunt. She was an amazing textiles artist. One who hadn’t really practiced her craft since losing her husband. In fact, Hayden couldn’t recall seeing her this animated about anything since his uncle’s death. He glanced at the coffee cups in her hands.

“You sure that isn’t the caffeine talking?”

She rolled her eyes. “It’s for a friend.”

Damn, was she blushing?

“Come on, Hay,” she pleaded. “West thinks he’s got the contest locked up. I know you and I can beat him.”

West.

“Spicing up your relationship with a little healthy competition. I like it.” Simone gave her two thumbs-up. “Show your man who’s boss.”

“West isn’t her man,” Hayden argued.

The expressions on the three women’s faces said otherwise.

Hayden swore under his breath.

“Please,” his aunt pleaded. “You’ll be my favorite nephew.”

“I’m your only nephew,” he muttered. “Fine.”

Aunt Kitty actually squealed before she bent down to kiss his cheek. The pleasure he felt at giving her a morsel of joy after years of sorrow made his chest tight.

“I need to grab some supplies,” she called as she dashed out of the coffee shop. “I’ll see you this afternoon.”

“Well, this just got interesting,” Xander mused.

“Going head-to-head with West over gingerbread?” Hayden scoffed. “Puh-leaze.”

“I meant that Elle is coming this way. And it doesn’t look like she has coffee on her mind.”

Hayden glanced out the window. Sure enough, Elle was marching across the town square with fierce determination in every step. She hadn’t bothered to pull her hair back and the ocean breeze was having a field day. It was almost comical how much she looked like a cartoon princess storming into battle. Once she grew closer, however, Hayden could see the dark shadows beneath her eyes. There was nothing funny about them.

She’s not sleeping.

Something was up. He shot up from his seat and strode toward the door.

“There he goes again,” Xander declared.

Hayden ignored him as he hustled outside. He intercepted her near the town’s Civil War cannon. Someone had put a wreath around its muzzle. Not that he noticed. His only concern was for the woman standing in front of him, battling the strands of her hair as the wind blew them onto her face.

“What’s wrong?” he demanded.

She huffed out a breath. “You’re not answering your phone.”

He patted his pockets down. “Shit. It’s still in my gym bag. I’m sorry.”

“Apologize to Livi. She’s the one who needed to speak with you. She wanted you to know she’s too sick to make the contest.”

“I heard.”

Elle slapped her hands against her thighs. “Great. My job here is done.” She spun on her heel and headed back the way she came.

Hayden should have let her go. He should have returned to the warmth of the Java Jolt and the camaraderie of his friends. His cappuccino was calling his name. And for the life of him, he couldn’t figure out why he didn’t.

“Belle, wait.”