Chapter Seventeen
She wasn’t sure who’d dozed off first. Emma jolted awake sometime after the movie booted back to the DVD menu screen. Caleb was knocked out in the recliner next to her. His blanket had slid off his lap and now lay pooled around his feet.
She’d felt nervous at the beginning of the night, given the heavy turn their conversation had taken. But if her answers had thrown him, he hadn’t shown it. They’d chatted off and on during the movie, until they’d both drifted off.
Perhaps it was her upbringing, but sleep had never come easily for her, especially not in a strange place, and with a—not so—strange man.
There really was something special about Caleb.
She took a moment to gaze at him. He snored ever so slightly, unsurprising given his position, with his head tilted back.
He looked so comfortable, she hated to disturb him. But she knew as well as anyone that once you passed thirty, sleeping in an unusual position would lead only to aches and pains come morning.
She pushed her leg rest down and tossed the blanket to the side. Then she quietly approached Caleb. She gently placed a hand on his shoulder. She paused, waiting to see if her touch would wake him. He didn’t as much as stir.
“Wake up, sleepyhead.”
He jolted awake so suddenly Emma took a step back so they wouldn’t knock heads. He sat up with a start and gasped out a breath. He dropped a hand onto his chest when his eyes landed on Emma.
“Sorry, the dad reflexes kicked in. Normally, when I’m woken out of a dead sleep, the words ‘Dad, I threw up’ are to follow. Then the world’s worst scavenger hunt begins.” His voice was all kinds of raspy.
She stifled a laugh. “Sorry. We’ve both had a long day. It’s not a remark on present company that you fell asleep. Because I did too.”
“I know, you fell first.”
She laughed before she could stop herself. “You have no idea just how right you are about that.”
He gave a gentle tug on her wrist, taking the breath out of her as he pulled her into his lap.
She let out a yelp at the sudden movement. But she didn’t protest further when he draped an arm around her shoulders.
“You’re going to have to expand on that statement.”
“From right here? What happened to where I was?”
He draped his other arm around her waist. “I wanted you closer, is that a crime?”
She exhaled. “Hmm, I’m not sure of the jurisdictions in this here county, but I’m going to assume that it isn’t.”
He stole a quick kiss before prompting her to answer.
She brought her head to his shoulder. Nestled there, she’d never felt safer.
“On check-in day, I think I saw you before you saw me. I started mentally calling you the lumberjack.”
“Because of my outfit, I’m sure.”
She arched back to look him in the eyes. “And nothing to do with your resemblance to that handsome cartoon-man logo of a certain paper towel brand.”
Even in the dim light, she could see his cheeks redden. “I thought we established that my resemblance was middling at best?”
“Oh my god, are you embarrassed? I’m so sorry.”
She wasn’t, not really. As far as cartoon logos went, there really weren’t any better than the paper towel man.
“Well, if we’re going to get specific, I noticed you as soon as you walked through the entrance. I thought to myself that maybe this event planner gig wouldn’t be so bad. Then I saw Davis trailing behind you. I don’t know why I’d assumed you’d be alone. Almost all our guests are families.”
“Well, I’m alone now.”
He brought his index finger to her chin. “I’m glad. Otherwise, the amount of pining glances I would’ve thrown your way by now would’ve labeled me as a stalker.”
A sarcastic reply died on her lips as their eyes met. “Perhaps everything’s worked out as it should, then.”
The only answer he had for her was a kiss.
And oh, what a kiss it was. She inched closer to him, her arms thrown around his shoulders as he looped her in with an arm around her waist.
This was her idea of heaven. Funny how she hadn’t known Caleb existed a week ago. Now, it was hard for her to imagine a life without him.
The projector screen clicked off, causing the two of them to jump apart. Emma nearly slid out of his lap before Caleb caught her.
“Well, that scared the bejesus out of me,” he said.
She laughed. “If I have a new gray hair in the morning, I know what’s caused it.”
He brought his hand to her face. “Can I walk you back to your cabin? I wouldn’t want you to get spooked again.”
She exhaled. “I’ll let you walk me as far as the door. Don’t you need to help set up breakfast? It’s already after midnight.”
He cursed under his breath. “Thank you for remembering my schedule better than I do. You’re right. Another time, then?”
She stole a kiss. “One where we don’t have to rush.”
“I’m off on Wednesday. Tuesday night’s the party, if you want to come?”
“I do.”
He drew her in close. “I don’t want you to feel obligated, or anything. If you change your mind between now and then, Em…”
“I won’t.” She drew her hand down his bearded cheek. “But I appreciate the out, anyway. Come on, let’s get out of here before I change my mind.”
* * * *
As much as Caleb wished he could do nothing but spend time with Emma, he did have work to do. No activities to run—thank god—but there’d been a few urgent cabin repairs that were discovered prior to a large group’s arrival.
He, Brandon, and Carlos were holed up at the rear of the property for most of Monday and Tuesday.
From the one or two times they’d crossed paths, Emma informed him she’d passed the time by going on another tour of Falling Leaves with Sabrina and other guests.
When he’d brought up the stationery store, she’d smiled and said she was hoping to get a look inside before the end of the week.
Caleb wasn’t prone to daydreaming. He was far too practical for such a pursuit. But as he worked, a vision came to him. One of him and Emma, living happily in the town. Her running the stationery store, him….
That was where the fantasy stuck. He had plans to talk about his ideas for the business with his father in the new year. But even those were vague. He needed to carve out his own path. Be it the family business or returning to teaching.
There was also the issue of his children.
While his daughters were quite young, he was hesitant about bringing strangers around them.
As much as he’d felt a bond with Emma over the last week, she was only a step above a stranger to him.
It didn’t matter that it felt as though he’d known her all his life.
Still, the happy thoughts overrode the worries. This thing between them could be something. Especially if she was serious about staying in town.
“Yo, Caleb.” Carlos’ voice dragged Caleb out of his thoughts.
He snapped to attention, finding Carlos packing up his tools. “It’s time to get changed for the party. You did remember the holiday party is tonight, right?”
How could he forget? Sabrina had reminded him that Emma would be joining them. She hadn’t been scared off by his family yet. Hopefully this wouldn’t send her running for the hills.
“Yeah, I remember. Is Yessica coming up?”
Carlos snorted. “My wife is already in one of the cabins getting ready. It was nice of Sabrina and Brandon to offer that to us.”
Ellis & Daughter had only two full-time employees aside from the family—Carlos and their newest employee, Kayla.
She was a design assistant who helped keep all the cogs and wheels moving.
Without her help, it would’ve been impossible for Sabrina to juggle working between Sky House and the family business.
“That was nice of them,” Caleb said.
“Although I heard your new girl is already staying here. I thought staff weren’t allowed to date guests?” Carlos half-heartedly wagged his finger in Caleb’s direction.
“Since I’m technically not a full-time employee, and my sister is eager to get me coupled up again, those rules seem to have been ignored in my case.”
Carlos snickered at that. “I can’t wait to meet her.”
“Hey, don’t you give her a hard time, too. The whole family seems to think she’s…”
“Think she’s what?” Carlos paused in the doorway.
He slammed the lid shut on his toolbox. “Amazing, I guess?”
“Oh no, you’ve got it bad,” Carlos murmured before he ducked out of the door.
* * * *
His sister was annoying in many ways, but one of her good qualities was that she thought of everything.
Before Caleb could wonder what he’d wear to the party, considering most of his clothes were still in his apartment in Falling Leaves, he’d returned to his room at the lodge to find clothes laid out on his bed and a note from Sabrina.
Wanted you to look your best tonight, big bro!
She’d added a poorly drawn winky-eyed emoji at the bottom of the page. He shook his head. She’d chosen a dark pair of slacks and a blue shirt. Not that he had much fancier in his wardrobe, but it was an outfit he felt comfortable in.
He found himself grateful for the dark slacks during the short walk from his room to the private dining room where the party was taking place. His palms were clammy as hell. Why was he nervous? He knew everyone in attendance. Hell, it wasn’t even as though Emma hadn’t met his family already.
He couldn’t put his finger on why, but he felt different.
As he approached the dining room, music and laughter carried out into the hallway. Sabrina’s raucous laugh greeted him as he walked into the room. She and Emma were in the corner, drinks in hand.
“There’s the man of the hour!” Sabrina turned to Emma. “I hope this doesn’t weird you out, but I picked out his outfit for him. I figured it was better than the lodge uniform or his ratty work clothes.”
Emma grinned. “I don’t mind, but it appears that Caleb does.”
Instead of having an irritating conversation with his sister, he took a moment to take Emma in. She wore a pink dress embellished with tiny, glittery Christmas trees that twinkled in the dim light. Her dark hair was piled in an elaborate updo.
She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen in his life.
Emma touched her hair. “Would you believe that your mom did my hair? I mean, I didn’t have much say in the matter, but I liked how it came out.”
“I had to tell her to take it down a little bit.” Sabrina brought her hands out to either side of her head. “You know mom loves her poufy hair.”
Brandon called Sabrina over to the other side of the room, leaving Emma and Caleb alone.
She reached for his hand. “I missed you,” she whispered. Before he could reply, she added, “But I’ve been having fun on my own, don’t worry.”
He squeezed her hand. “I hope my family isn’t too much for you.”
“No, they remind me of those last couple of years I had with the Hendersons before I left for college. The house was rowdy, but full of love.”
“I’m glad you feel that way.” Caleb worried about his sweaty palms—he pulled his hand away from Emma’s. “Sorry, my palms are sweaty as all get out tonight. I don’t know why.”
“How about we get you a drink? The bartender makes a mean Screwdriver. Because, of course, the drinks are all construction themed.”
“That sounds like a plan.”
She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “I’ll be right back.”
He watched as she maneuvered through the room, pausing to converse with the other guests on the way.
He couldn’t have taken his eyes off her if he tried. Maybe Carlos was right. He was down bad.