Chapter 7
seven
GEORGIE
Butterflies swarm in my belly and I have to press a hand against it to make them settle.
I’ve never been this excited about a date.
I enjoyed lunch yesterday so much that after Drew left, I struggled to keep a smile on my face for the rest of the day because I missed him.
Missed him.
And we barely talked!
The man doesn’t just come off as broody. He’s the perfect representation of the term.
But none of the prolonged silences were uncomfortable. I thoroughly enjoyed having the quiet man in my office for an hour while we ate our lunch.
I’m an extrovert, have to be with the job I have, or at least it helps, but I’m not a fan of small talk. And Drew barely talks, although he isn’t rude or non-communicative.
We might not have talked much but what we did say was informative. I now know he was married for almost ten years before he got divorced, he worked with the Chicago PD for twelve years when he decided he wanted a quieter, less frantic, life.
Obviously he doesn’t have children although he did once think he would. When he mentioned he was too old and that ship had sailed I was quick to squash those thoughts.
My dad was forty-five when I was born and I never thought of him as old. Looking back, he was just as involved in my childhood as my friends much younger fathers were—sometimes more so.
That conversation took us down the path of the possibilities of where us dating might go.
I made it very clear that if we were serious, I am not opposed to marriage and children. In fact I’d welcome either or both.
And for the first time in my adult life, getting married and having a family is at the forefront of my mind.
Serious thinking for a woman who hasn’t even been on a date with the man she’s contemplating doing that with. And no matter what Drew says, yesterday’s lunch—at my desk—does not count as a date.
Tonight though?
Yeah. Tonight is definitely a date.
The chime on my phone pings, reminding me if I don’t hurry up I’ll be late for the date I’m so excited about.
I can’t be a second late. Drew only gets a half-hour break and I want to make the most of it, plus I want to scope out what’s on offer at the festival so I know exactly what I want to eat and we’re not wasting time deciding.
Picking up my keys and phone, I shove them in the pockets of my coat before wrapping my scarf around my neck and pulling my gloves and beanie on.
It’s cold out tonight which is why I’ve got my thermals on beneath my thickest jeans and sweater. There’s nothing worse than being cold and if it wasn’t for the fact I love snow, love the white winter wonderland Evergreen Lake turns into every year, I’d move somewhere warmer.
Lies, lies, lies.
Yeah, that’s not happening even if I didn’t like the white stuff.
I won’t move out of Granny’s house unless I’m forced to. My father grew up here. I spent so much of my childhood here and this was my sanctuary when, first my brother, then my parents, passed away.
And again, three years ago, when Granny died peacefully in her sleep. The walls and roof of this house gave me comfort.
No. I’d never abandon the last tangible link to my family.
Opening the front door I suck in a cold breath and shudder.
“Gosh, that’s cold!”
I’m going to miss the warmth of the house when I’m staying in the room behind the garage but it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make to hold onto Granny’s house.
I shut and lock the door before I make my way down the path toward the street. I’m two steps down the sidewalk when I see a familiar figure coming toward me.
He’s in his uniform, his thick coat hanging open over the top. I can’t believe he’s not buttoned up in this weather, but then I guess it gives him easy access to his utility belt.
“I thought we were meeting at the festival,” I yell so he can hear me over the wind and distance between us.
Drew isn’t the type to scream down the street and waits until we meet on the sidewalk a few houses up from Granny’s to answer me.
“Yes, we are, but I’m doing a walk around town as part of my shift and thought I’d head this way to see if you wanted company on your way to town.”
It’s a lot of words for him. And they are a hell of a lot less stilted than they used to be. I smile at the thought he’s getting more comfortable—more relaxed—around me.
“Of course. Which way are you going?”
“Straight back the way I came.”
“Oh, you don’t need to go the other way?” I indicate the street behind me that loops up and around before heading back toward town.
It might be cold out here but I’m happy to take a longer walk. The movement will keep me warm and the distance will give me more time with Drew—which the butterflies in my stomach seem to like.
“No. I’ve been that way already. It’s time to head back to the town square. It’s where everyone is gathering now.”
“Okay.” I slip my arm through his and turn us in the direction we need to go. “Let’s get going. We don’t want to miss anything.”
He stalls for a moment, his body stiff against mine, and I wonder if I’ve overstepped and should let go. Before I can, he places his opposite hand on my forearm and pats it twice.
“Are you warm enough? We can get you a cup of hot chocolate when we get to town if you aren’t.”
“Oh, I’ll be grabbing one of those whether I’m cold or not, but to answer your question, yes, I’m warm enough.” His concern has those butterflies fluttering around faster.
“Good. Good.” He pats my arm again and tugs me forward.
We fall into an easy rhythm in spite of my legs being shorter than his, and neither of us breaks the silence we slide into.
It’s a beautiful evening, and I can’t remember the last time I walked just for the sake of walking. I’m usually in a rush to get to work or home, and while I have somewhere to be tonight, I’m not in a rush.
Especially when I’m already where I’m supposed to be.
With Drew.
On our date.
I should try to do more of this. Get out and see what’s around me. Enjoy everything Evergreen Lake has to offer. Maybe I can convince the man next to me to come along.
The sound of people and activity gets louder the closer we get to the center of town and it’s not long before I can see a crowd of people filling the square, no doubt waiting for the moment the lights on the huge Christmas tree come to life.
There’s been no chatter about Jingle Balls this week but most locals won’t be looking for a new addition to the decorations until after tonight. I can’t wait to see everyone’s reactions to this year’s Christmas balls.
As we near Santa’s Closet, I slip my arm free and receive a growl and scowl for my efforts—his displeasure of me pulling away obvious—which pleases me but I hurry to explain my actions.
“Sorry. You’re on duty. I didn’t think it was appropriate to cling to you like a leech.”
“You’d never be a leech.”
His words don’t bring comfort because he’s still looking at me like I’ve slapped his face or something.
“If you don’t want to be seen with?—”
I throw both hands up. “Whoa, whoa, whoa! I never said that. That’s not why I”—I shake my head—“never mind. I have no qualms about being with you in public but you are an on-duty deputy responsible for the safety of the people here right now and you should be focused on that. Not me.”
He huffs a breath, like an angry bull; it steams from his nostrils. “I can focus on both. And even when you’re not near, you’re on my mind.”
“Oh.” Some people might think his words don’t reveal much but when the man keeps everything locked down the way Drew does, every word is a clue to the inner workings of his mind.
“Do you want me to escort you the rest of the way to the festival or meet you near Hanson’s like we planned when my break starts?”
“Whatever works for you. I don’t need to be escorted but I’d enjoy your company regardless and would be?—”
The squark of Drew’s radio cuts me off.
I try not to eavesdrop but it’s hard not to when we’re only a few feet apart. He’s frowning as he listens and I have to admit I’m doing the same.
I know before he says a word that he’ll be leaving me here and I can’t help the lump of disappointment that sinks my stomach. Those poor butterflies smashed to oblivion.
“I have to go?—”
“I know.” I put my hand on his arm, press up to my toes, and lean forward to drop a kiss on his cheek. Of course he’s so much taller than me that my lips land on the ridge of his jaw.
Dropping back to my heels I smile and say, “See you later,” before I turn and walk away.
And I have to say I’m extremely proud of myself because I don’t look back once. Nope. Not at all.
Well, not until I reach Nadine’s Nursery and find myself the subject of several sets of eyes.
But that glance back is quick, more to gauge whether I’m being stared at because of that kiss or something else.
“Don’t you look lovely tonight,” Bernice says as I get within hearing distance of the group of women gathered outside Nadine’s.
I look down and wonder how she can determine that when my coat covers me from neck to shin. I say, “Thank you,” anyway because it’s the polite thing to do.
“Is that a new coat?” Mildred asks.
“Oh!” I laugh. “Yes. I ordered it during the end-of-winter sales last year. This is the first time I’ve worn it.”
I’m not a fashionista. I don’t need to be with my job, and while I like to look nice, I don’t need to be up with the latest trends. My clothes are bought for practicality and comfort as well as how they make me look and feel.
The midnight blue—almost black—coat was a splurge, although I did need a new one. I had a budget and I didn’t break it, but the style isn’t one I would normally look at.
It’s got more of a city flare than small-town, and definitely on trend. Well, for last winter anyway. But I do love it. Just one more thing I was excited about when getting ready for tonight.
Having dinner with Drew and getting to wear my new coat for the first time makes it an extra special night.
“Planning to meet up with anyone or are you just wandering around?” Nadine asks, bringing me back to the here and now.
“Oh, both.” I grin.
“Oo, do tell,” Bethany, Nadine’s niece prompts.
Except I’m not about to reveal my plans. Not with Mildred, Bernice, and Sheila—the queens of Evergreen Lake gossip—all looking at me like I’m a juicy piece of meat for them to devour.
I might not be worried about being seen in public with Drew but I don’t want to be the focus of everyone’s attention before we’re together. There will be enough staring later tonight, I’m sure.
Clapping my hands together, I say, “Well, I’m off to find myself some hot chocolate. Have a great night.”
I walk away quickly to discourage any further conversation and head straight for the festival.
I plan to grab a hot chocolate and wander around to see what’s on offer for my dinner date with Drew.
I have no idea what he might like but the fact he ate the same as me for lunch yesterday suggests we have similar tastes.
And if we do, and he’s game, we can get one of everything and share. Then I don’t have to go without trying something.
As I head in the direction of the festival, there are more unfamiliar faces than familiar, but I smile and nod regardless as I weave my way through the crowd.
The rumors I’ve been hearing all week are true. There are more people here than I’ve ever seen.
Drew didn’t appear concerned about the influx or having to police them, and I guess after his years working in a big city, he wouldn’t be.
The biggest city I’ve lived in is only an hour or so away and nothing on the scale of Chicago.
Eagle Ridge has a population under a hundred thousand. Big city compared to Evergreen Lake but tiny when put against Chicago.
I know Drew has been here seven years and he’s shown no indication of leaving, but a stab of fear hits my chest anyway.
What if we get closer and he decides he doesn’t want to live in Evergreen Lake anymore?