Merry with a Lawman (Love Beach, Holiday Collection)

16. The Let Down

SIXTEEN

THE LET DOWN

BELLE

I love Christmas, as one of my favorite holidays. With great care and pride, I choose one special present for each person on my list. This year, I’m happier than ever, because Davis’ name is at the top.

What to get him? He’s been working extra hours on a fresh case, but can’t tell me what it is. He’s definitely stressing about it, though, I can tell. Gigi and Jackson, too, have been a little short with me. I guess I’ve had my head too occupied with being there for Davis to notice much else lately.

Every second with him has been wonderful, and he’s already given me plenty. Kisses. Dates out to dinner. A movie. The sexy lingerie. Our special night in Charleston. But none of that matters as long as he gives me the gift of his time. He’s all I want for Christmas, like my wish came true.

I run out on my lunch break and drive downtown, hoping one last time to find something for Davis. Christmas is a few days away and I’m empty handed so far.

After parallel parking in front of the jewelry store run by long-time owner Mrs. Stewart, a friend of my dad’s, I realize what to get.

When I enter, six waist-high jewelry cabinets are set in a U-shape, the glass and gold cases gleaming. Mrs. Stewart greets me warmly. Nothing much has changed about her over the years. Still svelte, pretty ivory skin, platinum hair. She and our mother were friends years ago. “Belle, dear. Merry Christmas. Are you here to buy a gift for your father?”

“No, I have him covered. I’m here to…buy a gift for my boyfriend, Davis.” I love how it rolls off my tongue so naturally. “A nice watch, perhaps.”

“Good choice. I have a new shipment that just came in. Let me go into the back and get it.”

I nod and bend at the waist to admire some pretty shiny things in one case when I feel a presence behind me.

“You’ve been avoiding me.”

I gasp and straighten to find Richardson standing there. I didn’t hear him come in.

“I guess I have.” Since Davis has been monopolizing most of my free time. He works the night shifts, always has, because he’s not married with kids, so he lets his fellow officers with families have the day or mid shifts. We spend time together over dinner, then he stops by in the mornings before I go to work.

It’s like this thing between us has shifted away from everything we were before, into something beautiful and brand new where we can’t get enough of each other.

“This time of year with family and friends and events in town, just gets busy,” I shrug it off.

“Hm. I’m flying to New York to be with my daughter, so I’ll be unavailable Christmas through the week after. But I return just in time for New Year’s Eve. I hear the Yacht Club’s First Night party is a pretty amazing affair.”

“Yes. From what I’ve heard.” Please don’t ask me out.

“Be my date New Year’s Eve.”

Again, not a question, but a statement. There’s something about his tone, too. Odd. I don’t quite like it. It’s like he was one way when we first met, debonair, confident, attractive. Now he’s not any of those things.

I make up the fastest excuse I can. “My sister already asked me to go to this thing with her.” We stand in awkward silence for a few seconds before he speaks again. His gaze turns cold.

“I see. Like I said. Avoiding me. I have seen you twice out with Davis the past week, though. I’m guessing you’re back with him. You could have just been honest and told me I didn’t stand a chance.”

He’s seeing me? I haven’t seen him at all. This feels a little creepy.

“Richardson, you’re right. But everything has happened so fast. Davis and I got back together, and, well…”

“Guess you don’t need a large glass of expensive wine to forget him anymore.”

“No. I don’t.”

He smacks his lips. “That’s how it goes in the game of love, I guess. Can’t win them all. See you around.”

“Sure.” I feel bad, and watch him as he stalks away down the sidewalk, hands in pockets, head down like he lost something valuable. I wish I didn’t have to hurt his feelings. Must lonely in his big house, especially during the holidays. But the way his demeanor and look changed just now, so cold. I add that to the list of red flags about him.

For now, with only have a few more minutes on my lunch break, I push Richardson out of my thoughts. Mrs. Stewart returns with several watches, and I make a quick decision on a really nice silver one. He has a black one I’ve seen him wear when in uniform that looks very tactical with buttons and beeps. This silver one is classy, with a traditional face of Roman numerals and he can wear it casually or on the rare occasions he’s in a suit.

Of course, everyone uses phones these days to tell the time. Hell, I haven’t worn a watch in ages. The watch has become an accessary. A statement piece. And that’s exactly what this silver one is.

“There’s still plenty of time to have a message put on the back. Our engraver could fit in your order still, and you could pick it up by closing tomorrow. Just in time for Christmas.” Mrs. Stewart offers, pulling out a pretty black velvet box for it.

“Thank you. I’d like that.” Although I don’t know what to say on it.

She hands me the order form so I can write out the message. I’d love it to say something like “Always and forever yours.” But since we haven’t had that discussion yet, I can only presume forever is in our future.

“Love, Belle” would be nice, but we haven’t exchanged those three little words yet. I snort to myself. I don’t need something like that to freak him out just yet.

I think of a few more, but they all aren’t quite right, each one taking on a certain assumption about us.

Finally, my lips curve, knowing the perfect one. I hope he’ll like it.

On the back, I’ll have it simply say: From your very good girl.