Winter Falls (Evergreen Lake: Under the Mistletoe)

Chapter 27

twenty-seven

I was getting frustrated waiting for Amos to come back, especially after seeing the papers. I wanted to know his plans. My throat tightened. What if whatever this thing between us was ending before it even had a chance to bloom?

I thought about the times we’d had exchanges from when I was a kid up to now, most of them being unpleasant. Until recently. I also thought about the underlying current of something that seemed to be present between us. As a teenager, it was a crush, and as I grew up, it turned into frustration, but with an attraction I tried hard to suppress.

Were we the epitome of enemies to, dare I say it, lovers? Thinking of us as lovers sent delightful shivers racing through my veins and it was easy to see us together, making love and giving each other pleasure. I moaned softly at the thought.

The last few days had been a crash course getting to know him. From the day at the shelter, up until the Christmas tree moment in the mudroom, he seemed a completely different man. And I liked that man. A lot.

What would he think to find out all those times he was angry with me, that I had been taking the heat for his sister?

I couldn’t wait any longer. The urgency to find him almost had me in a panic. I threw off the blanket and jumped to my feet. My hand was almost on the door handle when if flew open, and I jumped back. Amos was in the doorway.

All caution on how I was going to approach him went out the window.

"I didn’t know you were planning to sell the farm," I blurted. I wanted to say so much more, but bit my tongue because I wasn’t really entitled to know the inner workings of his family. I felt sick inside at the thought.

He looked at his desk and then at me. "You read the paperwork on my desk?" He scowled and stepped into the room. This was the old Amos that I knew.

My back shot up and I rushed to defend myself. "No, I was trying to find a phone charger to plug my phone in and that damn chair of yours flipped out from under me and while I tried to balance myself, I ended up grabbing your blotter and everything came crashing down around me. I hurt my butt."

He was quiet for a moment and I wasn't sure what was coming next. When he threw back his head and burst out laughing, I was totally unprepared.

"It's not funny," I said, which reminded me of exactly what I had said when he was trying not to laugh at the pet rescue. My shoulders slumped. He pushed me back so he could close the door and then took my hand and led me to the couch.

"Sit and I'll tell you everything." He sat and I looked down at him, considering what to do. Then he yanked my hand, and I fell into his lap.

He wrapped his arms around me and I was pinned. "Are you ready to listen?"

"Yes," I said softly. My emotions were all over the map and I had no idea if I was coming or going. I found myself getting lost in his eyes, falling into them, and they were so warm and soft it almost choked me up.

Sitting on his lap was beautiful distraction and the most intimate we’d ever been, if I didn't count that amazing kiss.

"Right, the papers you saw were an offer. And I just explained all of this to Asher and Alana. I have been torn about those papers and that offer since it first presented itself about three weeks ago. Initially it was a conversation that led to paperwork and then to having to make a huge decision. That day you saw me going into Hanson's was the day I picked up the package of papers.”

He drew a breath and I relaxed a little more waiting for him to continue. “We hadn’t really talked much prior to the Rescue event, right?” I shook my head. "Exactly, and it wasn't something I could talk about with anyone other than Asher and Alana.”

"What did they say?"

"First off, I want to say to you that I've never disliked you, you were a pain in the ass for sure, but I've always been intrigued by you…and yes I did, do, like you. Perhaps more than I should have when you were younger. I had to keep you at arm’s length."

A thrill raced through me when he spoke those words. I opened my mouth to say something, but he put his fingers on my lips.

"Shh, there's more. I also know that you took the blame all those times that Alana got in trouble--"

"How?" I started to ask, but stopped and waited for him to finish.

"She told me tonight. The three of us talked and a lot of air was cleared. When she found out you were here, she suspected something happened between us. Which, by the way she said was about time. She fessed up that you took the heat for all of it and that you tried to talk her out of being stupid.”

"She did?" I shook my head, unable to believe that after all these years she came clean.

"Yes. And she wanted me to tell you she's sorry she never responded when you reached out to her and knows she'll have to make up for it."

He placed his hand on my cheek. I stared into his eyes, seeing such a difference in them. Gone was the hard edge that had always been so evident, and in its place, a new softness. I wrapped my arms around his neck and held him. I'd never felt more connected with someone before, and curled on his lap, in his embrace, was the best place to be.

"Yes, she will have to make up for it. You were such a Mr. Grumpyface. I took a lot of crap from you, you know. You're lucky that I even talk to you now." I smiled as I teased him. His chuckle reverberated deeply in his chest. "You still haven't told me what the decision is at the farm."

"What do you think we should do?" he asked.

I was surprised at the question and thought about the answer. "It's not for me to say. It's something between you and Asher and Alana. I have no skin in this game," I said, but in reality, I did. Him. If he sold, he'd leave and if he didn’t sell, he’d stay. I knew what I wanted him to do, but I wouldn't tell him. This was a decision only the three of them could make.

We looked at each other and he was nodding slowly. "You may not have any skin in the game, but we have something more to think about now."

"Yes, us. But, we are very new, like today new, so no, it wouldn't be right for me to give you my opinion. What matters is the three of you. You must make that decision and if you're gonna make me wait any longer, I think I'll scream."

He laughed. "OK, it wasn't as tough a decision as we thought it would be. And," he hesitated, drawing it out, and I gave him a swat on the shoulder. "We have far too much history here in Evergreen Lake to sell up. Two hundred years of history is in these walls. Literally these walls." He circled his finger, indicating the walls of his office."

I sucked in a breath, had I heard him right?

"I also have to tell you, that your Christmas spirit, caring nature, even your weird little eccentricities about the weather, I find them unbelievably endearing. You make me rethink so many things, like the Christmas ornaments, the tree, even baking this afternoon. Seeing my mom's recipe book, and finding that card was like a crack in the icy wall I’d built over the years. You picked at that crack until everything tumbled down."

"I've watched you change. The biggest moment for me was at the shelter. I knew there was more to you than--

"Mr. Grumpyface? How on earth did you ever come up with a name like that?"

"I kind of thought the name explained itself." I laughed, enjoying our banter, and knew it was a hint of things to come.

"We have so much more we can talk about, but for now, are you satisfied with the decision about the farm?” he asked as he pushed me back on the couch.

"Very much so." He held me in his arms and I snuggled into him. Our faces were a breath apart. He cupped my cheek and lowered his face to me. “But it’s you that needs to be satisfied.”

Our lips touched. It was exquisite, and he murmured against them, “I’m so very satisfied. Merry Christmas, Holly."

"Merry Christmas, Amos," I whispered against his mouth.

"You've brought back the Christmas magic for me. And I love you for that."

"What can you expect from a girl named Holly? Now, stop talking and kiss me."

"You're always gonna be this bossy, aren't you?" He smiled, and I nodded. "My little Holly berry, you can boss me around all you like."

He rolled on top of me and I welcomed him. We didn't need mistletoe to kiss. We managed just fine on our own.