Winter Falls (Evergreen Lake: Under the Mistletoe)

Chapter 7

seven

Amos backed the truck up to the front door of The Powder Room. Chef had ordered bunches of pine and spruce boughs to continue decorating. Amos didn't mind delivering them. It was part of his business and he did it every year. Could this be the last year for it? He still hadn't made a decision, and the sooner Alana got back to him, the sooner he'd be able to sort everything out and make plans.

They didn't need the money, the farm was self-sustaining, it kept him busy and outdoors. He quietly helped the community and didn't need recognition for it. He shouldered his way through the door and into the grand front entryway. The stone floor had been discovered under the warped and very damaged wooden planks. Shane had hired Haddington Interiors to oversee the restoration. They'd done a marvelous job.

The second floor above the entrance and restaurant had been removed, exposing the high post and beam ceiling. Over the kitchen area, the second floor had been reclaimed and was now an apartment where Shane lived. Amos had seen photos and it wasn't just any ordinary apartment--it could easily be in a home decor magazine.

The tree boughs were lashed together and Amos had even gone out of the way to use red and green twine so it was a little festive.

The hostess greeted him.

"We've been expecting those." She smiled and he returned it.

"Here they are. Where would you like them?" Amos asked.

"Here will do, Mr. Winter." She pointed to a spot on the slate floor by the window. Just as he was turning around, he saw Holly on the far side of the restaurant by the window. She was with Pauline Wareing.

Right at that moment she looked up, fork raised to her mouth. Their eyes met and she covered her mouth with her fingers, dropping the fork to the plate. Her look of surprise surely mirrored his own. He couldn't pull his gaze away as if they were tied together.

He froze, and willed himself not to just stand there stupidly. But, damn she had a way of throwing him off kilter. He gave himself a shake; he’d had enough of the bullshit way he reacted around her. She was a woman and one he wasn't too fond of, he told himself. Get a grip.

Pauline turned to see what had grabbed Holly's attention. When she saw Amos, her eyes widened, and he grunted thinking what a pair they were. Full of mischief and trouble. She leaned forward and spoke to Holly who turned toward the window and grabbed her water glass. This was why he kept a low profile. He wasn't in to all the local gossip or chit chat.

He bent and put the tree boughs where the hostess showed him. When he stood, the scent of pine and cedar swirled around him. Leaving the branches seemed like he was also leaving behind a part of himself. Change was coming; he sensed it, and he wasn't sure he was ready for changes… of any kind.

He sighed and decided he’d best go over and say hello to Holly and Paulie--what a pair they were and had been as long as he could remember. If Alana were here, he didn’t want to entertain the idea of the shenanigans they’d get up to. The three of them together spelled trouble with a capital T.

He walked through the restaurant, weaving between the tables greeting people along the way until he reached Holly's table.

"Hi, Holly, Pauline. I hope you don't mind me interrupting your lunch, I wanted to let you know that as of now, things are still a go for the sleigh rides. I've parked the sled and sleigh in the library parking lot for the duration. Also, the platform for the train is also ready."

She raised her eyes and when they made eye contact, a shiver whispered through him. His senses heightened, and he couldn’t look away. He swore he could smell her perfume, and it imprinted on him. A lovely fresh citrusy scent. He took a small step closer to the table.

"Ah…t-that's great, thanks for letting me know. Have you heard about the storm? I included you in an email I sent earlier."

He focused on her mouth, the way it moved when she spoke. A very kissable mouth. Her hair fell over her shoulder, thick and glorious. He imagined his hands pushing through the silky length.

"Uhm…sorry…no, I haven't checked email yet and I don't normally pay attention to the weather." He looked out the window and it gave him brief respite before returning his attention to her. "If it snows, it snows, just makes it easier for the sleigh and the sled. I don't wanna have to bring the wagon if there's snow." He was rambling and it needed to stop.

"You're bringing a sleigh and a sled? Isn't a sled going to be too small," she asked.

He chuckled and shook his head. "It's a big sled, restored from eons ago. It can hold a bunch of people. The sleigh is a bit more refined and doesn't hold as many."

"Oh, I see. I don't know much about that sort of thing," she said, and he was enchanted by the blush that stained her cheeks. He felt a little bad he’d found her question humorous. “It’s fine. The bonfire pit is ready as well and the volunteers have been busy getting everything all set up. I think you'll be pleased. I cleaned up a big, old iron caldron from the cattle drive days for the hot chocolate," he told her, though he wasn't sure why he was sharing so much.

"That's fantastic. Thank you. I think this is gonna be a fabulous weekend and lead up to Christmas Eve. Fingers crossed that storm doesn't show up."

She was really hung up on that snowstorm, he thought, but there was nothing you could do about the weather.

"Oh, Holly," her friend said. "You need to calm down about this whole snowstorm thing. It's probably not gonna happen and then all this worry will have been for nothing."

Amos watched emotions play across Holly's face. It wasn't like she was just worried about the storm coming in, he sensed there was something more to it. Which made him think about his parents. He wondered if something similar had happened to her.

"I can't help it. It's just one of those things. My mom was completely obsessed with the weather and I guess it's rubbed off on me. Anyway, thank you for letting me know everything's all set up at your place. I might text you or be in touch just to double check everything tomorrow."

“There's no need. It's all fine and should something get in the way of that, I'll be sure to let you know."

"OK then, fine. Thanks." She picked up the glass of water and took a drink.

There was an awkward pause.

"Right then, have a good lunch," he said and turned away, suddenly eager to get back in his truck.

He had a few things to pick up on the way home, but as he drove, he thought about their conversation. Maybe he'd been a bit blunt in the end. But that's who he was, no unnecessary words, to the point. He didn't have time for small talk but perhaps he could have been a bit less abrupt. He sighed, second guessing himself.

He knew he was an enigma to the town. Sometimes referred to as a lone wolf, or unicorn sighting whatever that meant, a hermit, even an eligible bachelor. He hadn't really cared about it before, but it bothered him now.