Chapter 8
eight
DREW
Tonight has been cold and, other than a couple of minor scuffles, peaceful. The tree lighting went off without a hitch and the last of the festival vendors are packing up their stalls for the night.
Everyone will be back at it again tomorrow morning. The first official day of the festival will be busy if tonight is anything to go by.
But that’s tomorrow and I don’t have to worry about that until then. Right now my only concern is getting Georgie home safely and whether or not I should attempt the goodnight kiss I’ve been thinking about since the moment I saw her come out of her house.
She’s been driving me mad all night. Even though we only had half an hour together to eat she seemed to be everywhere I was.
Her laughter floating down the aisle between stands at the festival.
Her smile shining at me from the other side of the town tree when the lights blazed to life.
Her gaze catching mine from across the street.
I can’t decide if she’s been following me or if I’m so aware of her now that even when I’m not looking for her, I see her.
Like now. Half the town square separates us and yet I feel her. It’s the craziest thing. I’ve never been this in-tune with anyone.
Or this turned on.
She shouldn’t be sexy. The coat she has on covers her from chin to shin. Except in between those two points is a sleek sweep of curves. It’s not tight either, but it shadows her body in a way that showcases every rise, every valley.
She’s the silhouette of womanly perfection.
One I struggle to keep my eyes off.
Even from this distance I can’t bring myself to look away.
She’s near the tree, the twinkling lights sparkling off the rosy flush of her cheeks, talking with the gossip queens and Dan.
As I get closer, I hear snippets of the conversation echoing in the night air and realize they’re talking about the latest Christmas ball addition from Jingle Balls.
My steps slow. This is the first time I’ve heard anyone mention the ball I found at the beginning of the week and I want to listen to what they say.
“I don’t understand how no one saw him?—”
“Could be a her,” Bernice interrupts Dan.
“Yes, yes, probably is. I can’t see a man handling these delicate balls without breaking them.” Dan frowns and shakes his head. “Still don’t see how no one ever sees Jingle Balls put one on the tree.”
“I think whoever it is does it in the middle of the night. We should set up surveillance, a camera or something. See if we can catch him or her in the act,” Mildred says.
“Isn’t it part of the charm that we don’t know who’s putting them up?” Georgie asks.
There’s a chorused hum as they contemplate her question.
Dan breaks the silence with, “I think this is the best one yet.”
“Do you think Frank and Ethel will fight over who gets credit for the inspiration for this one?” Sheila asks.
“Why would they get the credit? I’m the one wearing a pizza!” Dan argues. “ I’m the inspiration, which means I get to keep the ball when the tree comes down.”
“You’re not going to let them pack it away so it can go back up next year?” Bernice inquires.
“Why would I do that?” Dan shakes his head again. “Nope. That’s mine after Christmas. The way I see it, Jingle Balls puts them up for whoever is on them. Like a gift.”
“In that case, maybe we should change his— or her —name to Secret Santa?” Mildred suggests.
Dan’s gaze moves past the woman and lands on me. “Evening, Deputy.”
Everyone turns in the direction Dan is looking and I take the last few steps to join the group. “Evening.”
“Well, it’s getting late. We should be heading home,” Mildred grabs Sheila’s and Bernice’s hands.
“You ladies need a ride?” Dan offers before I can.
“No. We’re all spending the night at Bernice’s. It’s not a long walk.”
“Barely five minutes,” Bernice agrees.
“I’d still prefer it if you ladies had company. If Dan doesn’t walk with you, Georgie and I will.”
It’s the first time I’ve voiced that we’re together—not that I really have, it’s more implied than outright said. I’m not sure what I expected but the blank stares from the town’s three gossip queens isn’t it.
“Yes. Of course we will. It’s on our way home.” Georgie slips her arms around one of mine and snuggles in close to my side with a big smile on her face.
“Good. I’m exhausted.” Dan holds out a hand for me to shake. “If you’ve got these lovely ladies I’m going to head home and get some sleep. I expect to be run off my feet again tomorrow.”
Placing my hand in his, I give him a firm shake and nod. “You’ve been going non-stop all week, you aren’t taking the weekend off?”
“I have. And hell no. I don’t expect to stop until the New Year, when this place settles back down to normal life. I’ll take time off then.” With a wave and a, “Goodnight,” over his shoulder, Dan disappears into the darkness.
The gossip queens are still staring at me and I have to stifle the urge to laugh but there’s no stopping the twitch of my lips. I don’t think I’ve ever seen these women go this long without speaking.
With a pat to Georgie’s clasped hands where they rest on my arm I say, “All right. It’s too cold to keep hanging around outside, let’s get you ladies tucked in for the night. Lead the way.”
No one says a word. They just turn, link arms, and head in the direction of Bernice’s house. A quick glance at Georgie tells me she’s just as perplexed by their behavior as I am.
We shrug at exactly the same time and while another smile tugs at my lips, a snicker of laughter leaves hers.
Following behind the three elderly town residents I keep my pace slow, not to match my stride with Georgie’s, but to keep from overtaking our gossiping trio.
And they are gossiping. They keep bending their heads together and whispering behind their hands while tossing the occasional look our way.
They needn’t worry. I don’t care what they’re saying.
I don’t care about anything right now.
Because I’ve got Georgie Bookman on my arm after a successful second date.
And yes, I’m counting both tonight and yesterday’s lunch as dates no matter what she says. It seems we’re only able to manage minutes together but the key word is together .
Bending my neck, I lean toward Georgie’s ear. “You doing all right? It’s colder than earlier.”
“I’m fine. And I don’t get how you can be so warm with your coat undone but you radiate heat like a bonfire.” She grins up at me and I have to grit my teeth to keep from bending further and pressing my mouth to hers.
“Once we get them safe at Bernice’s we can walk faster, get you home quicker,” I say.
“Oh, don’t rush on my account.”
“I’d rather get you out of the cold even if you’re warm enough. Plus it’s getting late. I didn’t expect you to be out this long.”
“What did you expect?”
“I figured after the tree lighting and festival opening, we’d grab something to eat and I’d walk you home.”
“You are walking me home.”
“By way of Bernice’s, but yes, I am.” I glance down at her. Find her eyes on me. “I thought I’d take you home after dinner.”
“Why would I want to do that? It’s opening night of the festival. I wouldn’t dare leave before everyone closed down. What kind of Evergreen Lake resident would I be if I bailed during one of the most important nights of the year?”
I hadn’t thought of it that way. But then I should have realized Georgie planned to stay until the festival closed. She’s done it every other year I’ve been here. “What I said might not sound like it, but I’m glad you stayed.”
“Me too.” She gives my arm a squeeze with hers and tips her chin up toward the women in front of us. “We’re almost at Bernice’s place.”
Focusing on the street ahead, I see we’re only a couple of houses down from where we will leave the gossip queens.
Lowering my voice, and my head again, I murmur, “How quickly do you think they’re going to spread the news that we’re together?”
“I think the news is already spreading. Didn’t you see all the looks we were getting when we had dinner?”
“No. I couldn’t see anything but you.” It’s a little cheesy, a little clumsy, but it’s true. I couldn’t take my eyes off her when we met up for my break.
“Oh.” Her hands flex against my arm before she leans her head on my shoulder.
I can’t be sure but I think she’s pleased by my admission and that has my lips twitching again. I’ve smiled or almost smiled more this week than I have in the last seven years.
Hell, longer than that. I can’t remember when I felt the urge to smile this often. Maybe when I first got married? Before that when I got accepted into the Chicago PD?
Shaking my head, I clear those thoughts and concentrate on the woman beside me. She makes me feel things I haven’t in years. As much as I don’t want to admit I cut myself off from the world when my ex left me, I did.
It’s taken years, but Georgie—my attraction to her—is melting the walls I erected in the wake of my failed marriage.
Or maybe the thaw has been gradual, although right now it seems as though it’s been mere days.
No matter what’s responsible, I think our connection was always meant to bring us here and I was just too stupid to let it until now.
“Here we are!” Bernice announces loud enough to wake the whole street. “You can leave us now, Deputy Westwood and Georgie Bookman.”
“Yes. Goodnight, Deputy Westwood. Goodnight, Georgie Bookman .”
When Mildred joins the shout-fest I have to stifle a laugh. Especially when the curtains on the window of the house we’re in front of part and a face presses against the glass.
With a smile, I say, “Night, ladies.” Three frowns meet my words. “We’ll wait until you’re safely inside.”
“Oh. That isn’t necessary.” Bernice points to her house, one door up. “I’m right there.”
“I know. But we’ll wait until you get inside regardless.”
“Humph.” Mildred crosses her arms. “We aren’t children who need escorting home.”
“No, ma’am.” I shake my head. “But my mother would tan my hide if she knew I left you on the slippery sidewalk.”
A pleased smile curls Mildred’s lips. “Well. A gentleman. No wonder you joined law enforcement.” She moves toward me and her intention is clear.
I can’t stop my body from stiffening. I might have been a little more friendly with the residents of Evergreen Lake in recent days but I’m not comfortable enough to let this woman hug me.
Georgie lets go of me and steps forward. “Goodnight, Mildred,” she says before pulling the older woman into her arms.
Taking a step back, I watch her do the same with Bernice and Sheila and I blow out a breath of relief when they turn and head up the path to Bernice’s house.
The second the door closes behind them I pull Georgie into my arms and hug her close. “Thank you. I don’t know how you knew I didn’t want her to hug me but thank you.”
Laughing, she returns my embrace. “No problem. And it was the way you went as rigid as a light pole against me that gave you away.”
“Yeah, that would do it.”
“Drew?”
“Yeah?”
“You don’t seem to be worried about us hugging.”
“No. I’m not.”
“Good.”
I could stand on the street, Georgie in my arms, for the rest of my life and not worry about a thing. But that’s not possible—or sensible—and as much as I don’t want to, I loosen my grip and slip one arm around her shoulders.
“Come on. Let’s get you out of the cold.”
Her house is only a few streets away and before I know it—or have made up my mind whether or not to kiss her goodnight—we’re walking up onto her porch.
The light over our heads is out and I frown up at it. “Is that blown or did you not turn it on?”
Her gaze follows mine, her mouth tipping down on the ends. “I must have forgotten.”
“Or it blew tonight.”
“Maybe. I’ll check it tomorrow.”
“I can do it for you.”
“Now?”
“No. Tomorrow. I can come over after my shift.”
“I can do it.”
“I’m sure you can but I’d like to do it for you.”
“All right. Then I’ll say thank you and I’ll be here after three.”
“I get off shift at four. I’ll see you about five minutes after.”
She smiles and I can’t hold back any longer.
“I’m going to kiss you.”
It’s all the warning I give her before I palm her face and hold it tilted up so I can slant my mouth over hers.
I mean to go easy. Take my time and savor the first taste of Georgie’s lips but the second my mouth touched hers all hope of control splinters.
She tastes sweet.
She feels hot.
She moans and melts into me like one of the marshmallows she insists on having in her hot chocolate.
I’ve never craved sweets. Never enjoyed the rush others seemed to get. Until now.
Right now, with my mouth devouring Georgie’s, I know kissing her is going to become a craving—an addiction—I won’t ever be able to give up.
I’ve spent the years since my divorce vowing never to go there again and with one kiss I’m there with bells on.
One kiss.
And I’m ready to march down to the courthouse and put a ring on Georgie’s finger.
She’s not ready.
I’m not ready.
Tearing my mouth from hers, our harsh breaths mingling, frosting the air between us, I say, “I have to go.”
“Oh.” Her voice drips with disappointment and I’m quick to reassure her.
“No. I’m not rejecting you. Us. I just”—I shove a hand through my hair, dislodging my hat—“I want you. More than I’ve ever wanted anything but I don’t want to rush this and what I want to say, do , would be rushing.”
The smile she gives me wobbles and her gaze still holds a little uncertainty.
“I promise. I’m not walking away. I’ll be back tomorrow afternoon and after I check the light I’ll take you out for dinner.”
“You don’t have?—”
I press two fingers to her mouth. “I want to. I’m making a mess of this, I know it, and I’m sorry, but you’ve got me on the edge and if I stay here any longer, I’ll be shoving us both through that door and doing things I’m not sure either of us is ready for.”
Her eyes widen, dilate, and I groan as images of her on her knees with the same look and my dick in her mouth fill my head.
“Yeah, that look isn’t helping.” I grip her shoulders and turn her around. “Unlock the door and go inside.”
She trembles under my hands and I want to pull her against me and hold her, but my restraint is thin, thinner than tissue paper, and I’m determined to do this right.
Do right by Georgie.
She deserves nothing less.