Her Christmas Hero (Home To Dover 6) (10 page)

He still didn’t like the changes being made, but he could acknowledge that the owners need to find ways to increase business. Though he doubted luring visitors to Dover would help his construction company much, he was now in a similar position. He’d have to beat the bushes for new projects, work around the clock if necessary. Montgomery Electrical had been in business three generations, and he wasn’t about to let it end with him at the controls. He had to tell Gil, but he would hold off telling his mom for the time being until he saw how the loss would affect the bottom line.

He gave up trying to concentrate on the sermon. He’d drive out to his property later and spend some time alone with the Lord. It was easier to think there.

Linc exited the church behind his mother, Gemma and Evan. He smiled as Gemma stopped to greet several members. Her work with the Chamber had connected her with many residents beyond the store owners. Everyone liked her. He could understand why. She was warm, caring, like a sweet spring breeze.

Seth tapped his shoulder. “Can I ride home with you? We need to talk.”

Linc studied his younger brother. It was obvious something was bothering him. He’d been restless all through the service. “Sure.”

Inside the cab of his truck, Seth remained silent. Linc gave him time to sort out what he wanted to say. But when they neared home Linc glanced over at him. “Should I keep going?” Seth nodded. They’d driven nearly half an hour before Seth finally opened up.

“I’m leaving.”

Linc gripped the steering wheel, hoping he’d heard wrong. “Where are you going?”

“Houston. I’ve been accepted to the police academy there. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I just didn’t know how to tell Dad. Or Mom.”

Linc fought to keep his tone calm and understanding, even as his heart cried out in protest. Another sibling was pulling away, cutting ties with the family business and striking out in a new direction. “I thought you were happy at the shop. You always seemed to like the work.”

“I do. I did. But since Dad died I’ve been thinking about how short life is, and I don’t want to wake up one day and regret that I didn’t follow my dream. You know?”

Linc nodded, even though he didn’t understand. He’d followed his dream. The only one he’d ever had—to run Montgomery Electrical alongside his dad. He’d lived his dream for the past decade, but now he was running things alone—without either of his brothers to shore him up.

“When?” The tightness in his throat made it hard to speak.

“The Saturday after Thanksgiving.”

“Mom’s going to be upset.”

“A little, but I have been hinting to her a lot lately. She’s always known what I really wanted to do.”

“Does this have anything to do with that year you moved away? When you and Dad were fighting?”

“No. Nothing.”

Blindsided again. Linc resisted the urge to pound the steering wheel with a fist. He’d had no idea Seth wanted another career. He’d foolishly assumed that everyone loved the family business as much as he did. His sisters, he could understand. But Seth? He prayed Gil wouldn’t suddenly resign, as well.

“Are you mad?”

Linc stole a glance at his younger brother. Hurt. Wounded. Shocked. “No. Surprised.”

“I know the timing stinks, but I think this is what the Lord wants me to do, Linc.”

How could he argue with that? “Okay. But you hear me. You’d better be the best cop they’ve ever had or I’ll come to Texas and ream you a good one.”

Seth laughed. “You sound just like Dad.”

Linc’s heart tightened. No, he could never sound like Dad. Pulling into the next driveway, he turned the truck around and headed back home. Wondering if the bad news would ever stop rolling into his life.

* * *

Gemma stepped onto the front porch, inhaling the earthy fall air deep into her lungs. The Sunday-afternoon sun was bright and warm. The chill of the past few days had been replaced with balmy weather, inviting her outside to enjoy the beautiful day the Lord had created. Francie had taken Evan to the movies right after church, leaving Gemma with an afternoon all to herself. Finally she had time to start the book she’d bought weeks ago.

She glanced up when she heard Linc’s truck coming down the driveway. Church had ended an hour ago. Curious, she watched the brothers emerge from the red Chevy. Seth went directly inside. Linc lagged behind, one hand resting on the truck roof, the other set on his hip. She knew the pose. Something was bothering him.

Predictably, he glanced over at her. The crease in his forehead revealed his troubled mood. She waved and he headed in her direction. He walked like a man with a burden. His usually squared shoulders were curved forward, and his stride was slow and reluctant. She hoped nothing bad had happened. The Montgomerys had been through enough.

“Is everything all right? Did you and your brother have a disagreement?”

Linc stepped onto the porch, leaning one shoulder against the post, slipping a hand into the front pocket of his dress slacks. “No. Not exactly.” He shook his head slowly, as if struggling to grasp what had happened. “He’s leaving. He’s going to the police academy in Houston.”

No wonder Linc was stunned. “That’s a big life change. Has he always wanted to go into law enforcement?”

“Apparently. I know he’s always admired cops, but I never figured he’d leave the company.”

“Are you angry?”

“No.” He rubbed his forehead. “I’m shocked. Confused. Another sibling is walking away from the family when we need each other most.”

“He’s not walking away, Linc. He just wants to live his life his way.”

“But why now? We just lost our dad. We should be drawing closer, standing together.”

Gemma resisted the urge to give him a hug. “I can’t imagine how you must feel or what your family is going through, but everyone has to follow their own dreams. I don’t think that means they are rejecting you or your family.”

“We’re coming into the most important family time of the year. Do you have any idea how many traditions our family has? They’ll mean even more this year. But not if no one is here to share them.”

“Maybe it’s time to start new traditions.”

Linc set his jaw. “What do you have against tradition, Gemma? Why are you so determined to change everything?”

“I don’t have anything against tradition. I just never had any.”

His expression shifted from puzzlement to one of determination. “I’d like to show you something. Will you take a ride with me?”

“All right.”

Linc was silent as they rode. He steered the vehicle past the garage behind the main house and along a dirt road that led into the pines. She stole a glance at him, but his rigid jaw and stiff shoulders suggested he wasn’t ready to talk. She’d wanted to be understanding about Seth leaving, and about his concerns regarding his family, but she had no reference points to draw from. Family and traditions had no significance in her world.

Someone had once asked her why she liked planning events. She’d had no answer at the time, but she’d come to understand that she liked making events special and memorable for others because she had none of her own to cherish.

Linc made a slow turn onto another dirt road that wound beneath massive live oaks and down a gentle slope. As they broke through the trees a lovely stream came into view and off to one side, an old boarded-up farmhouse. The scene was so picturesque she wished she’d brought her pad and pencil so she could sketch it to enjoy later. She’d have to settle for a few pictures on her cell phone.

Pulling to a stop, Linc stared straight ahead for a long moment, before getting out and coming to open her door. “Where are we?”

“My land.”

“It’s beautiful.” The air was thick with the scent of pine and autumn.

Linc strolled slowly toward the stream bank. “This was the first piece of land my great-grandfather purchased when he came south. He built the old farmhouse and lived here most of his life. He started buying up more land around it, and eventually owned a couple thousand acres. But when my grandfather grew up he didn’t want to farm. He’d learned electrical work in the service and decided to start his own company.”

“Did you inherit the land?”

“Dad gave us each acreage when we turned twenty-one. I chose this piece because of the tradition. It’s been passed down to the eldest son for generations.”

Gemma saw the pride in his blue eyes and heard the reverence in his tone. She resisted the urge to reach out and take his hand. “What do you plan to do with it?”

“Build a home for my family. Right here.” He gestured to the spot on which they were standing. “Beside the stream under these old oaks.”

“And the old house. Can it be restored?”

“I’d always hoped so. I’ve tried to keep it sealed up against the elements, but a friend of mine looked at it and said it’s not worth saving. I guess I’ll try to salvage what I can to use in a new house someday.”

She stared at his strong profile. Sensing his deep love for the place on which he stood. His vulnerability touched her heart. Never would she have expected him to have a deep sentimental streak or such devotion to his heritage. Linc had roots, purpose and a past that defined him. What would it be like to belong to a family with ties stretching back generations? Her own grandparents were gone, and she’d barely known them. Family gatherings and holiday celebrations weren’t things the Butlers gave more than a passing nod to.

“I think I’m beginning to understand your definition of
tradition
. I’m glad you brought me here.”

Linc looked her in the eyes, a small smile on his lips. “I’ve never shown anyone outside the family this place before.”

The vulnerability she saw in his expressive eyes, tugged at her heart. “I’m honored. Truly. It’s a beautiful location. It would be a lovely family estate.”

“I’ve had plenty of offers to buy it. But I’ll never sell.”

“I can’t blame you. Living here would be wonderful.” She slipped her hand in his and he squeezed it gently. Her breath caught at the look in Linc’s eyes. There was a softness, a longing, as if he’d pulled back a curtain and allowed her to see something deeply personal. Slowly he raised his free hand, resting it against the side of her face. Against her will she leaned into his palm, his warmth flowing into her senses.

“I wanted you to understand.”

“Why?” Did he want her to care? To back down?

His cell phone beeped, shattering the moment. She looked away, gathering her senses. When she turned back, Linc had reverted to his cool, controlled self.

“I should get you back. Mom and Evan are home.”

Disappointment weighed down her mood. She wanted to stay here and explore, to walk under the gnarled oaks and follow the riverbank. She wanted to go inside the old house and discover its secrets. Maybe she’d ask Linc to bring her back.

Linc took her hand again as they walked slowly back to the truck. Gemma studied him as they drove home. Seeing Linc so vulnerable and honest had shifted something deep inside, forcing her to acknowledge that her attraction to him was growing and deepening every day. More troubling was the fact that she wanted him to feel the same way. She wanted him to care about her as more than just a friend. The thought sent a jolt through her system. It had been years since she’d wanted a man’s attention, and that scared her more than anything had in a very long time.

What if she made another mistake? What if Linc wasn’t all he appeared to be?

No. She’d better douse this attraction with a bucket of common sense and keep her focus on the only things that really mattered: Evan and the Christmas events.

Linc looked over at her and smiled. Common sense vanished like morning mist in sunlight.

She was in big trouble. Big, big trouble.

Chapter Eight

G
emma fastened one side of her hair back with a barrette, then did the same on the other side. She’d considered a different hairstyle, but her nerves were on edge, and she’d opted for simple and easy instead. She hadn’t spoken to Linc since the day he’d taken her to see his property. She’d caught a glimpse of him as he was leaving for work one morning and waved, but he either hadn’t see her or was ignoring her.

Was he was regretting telling her about his plans for his land? He’d admitted he’d never brought anyone there before. If he was worried she’d share the information with someone else, he shouldn’t. She understood the importance of trust. She wanted to assure him of that, but his absence over the past few days suggested he wanted to forget the whole thing. Whatever the cause behind his standoffish behavior, it worked to her advantage, helping her get control of her runaway attraction. Any hurt feelings she might harbor were her own fault.

Evan stepped into her bedroom, his mouth pulled downward in an unhappy frown. “Is this okay?”

Gemma scanned his new jeans and the long-sleeved red polo shirt he usually wore to church. “That’s fine, sweetheart.”

“I still don’t see why I can’t wear my flag football shirt.”

“Because it’s a holiday and Coach said his family dresses up for Thanksgiving.” She doubted Francie would turn Evan away even if he wore his pajamas to dinner. Evan shuffled away and Gemma checked her appearance one last time. She’d settled on a long burgundy skirt, cream-colored knit top with ruched sleeves and had added a chunky necklace in fall hues with matching earrings. It was one of her favorite and most comfortable outfits and she wanted to feel at ease today. Gemma adjusted her necklace and took a deep breath. Her stomach swirled with a mixture of excitement and dread. Thanksgiving dinners past had always been stressful and ended in a huge argument when things didn’t go the way her mother planned. She knew now the Montgomerys weren’t like that, but she couldn’t keep the anxiety from jangling her nerves.

Francie met them at the front door. Evan went immediately into her arms for a hug. Gemma noticed that she was dressed in jeans and a sweater. Definitely not church clothes. Stepping into the foyer, her senses were engulfed in the welcoming aroma of turkey and trimmings. Her anxiety vanished. She’d come to know Francie Montgomery well over the past month. She had no reason to be concerned.

Linc appeared and came toward them. Her pulse raced at the sight of him. He wore khaki trousers and a long-sleeved dark blue polo shirt that matched his eyes. He looked absurdly handsome, but the crease between his eyes and the rigid set to his jaw told her something had upset him. He tried to disguise it with a smile and a show of affection toward Evan, but failed miserably.

Francie motioned them toward the dining room. “Everything is ready. We can eat at any time.” She walked off with Evan.

Gemma looked at Linc. “Is everything okay?”

He nodded, running a hand down the back of his neck. “Yes. Maybe. I don’t know.”

Her concern swelled. Linc was never indecisive. “If you’d like us to leave... I mean, if this isn’t a good time we can—”

“No. I’m glad you’re here. You’re the only familiar thing here at the moment.”

“I don’t understand.” Linc took her hand and walked into the formal dining room, stopping in the archway. “Look.”

She scanned the place mats on the table, the food spread out on the buffet, plates, silverware and glasses stacked at one end of the expansive formal table. “It looks nice.”

“No. It’s all wrong. It’s a buffet, not a dinner.”

Now she understood. She remembered what he’d said about the family traditions—china, silver, flowers. Gemma studied Linc’s expression. He looked like a disappointed and confused little boy. “I see what you mean. Did you ask your mom why she changed things?”

“I did. She said the same thing she says all the time now. She didn’t feel like going to all that trouble.”

She laid her free hand on his arm, eager to soothe his worry. “I can understand that. It must be hard to do things the same when the most important person in her life is gone.”

Linc shook his head, his blue eyes seeking her understanding. “No. Keeping things the same
is
the comfort. That’s why tradition is so important.”

Gemma started to respond, but Seth entered the room with a basket of hot rolls, followed by Francie with the ice bucket. Evan brought up the rear.

Francie waved her hand toward the buffet. “Dig in while everything is hot. Linc, would you say the blessing, dear?”

Linc muttered a short prayer, and the confusion and sadness in his voice made Gemma long to put her arms around him. Today was his favorite holiday and it wasn’t going the way he’d hoped. It was a feeling she knew well. So many things he’d counted on were changing. Like the Christmas celebrations.

Francie and Evan filled their plates from the spread on the buffet. Gemma followed, acutely aware of Linc behind her, speaking quietly with his brother Seth.

Seated at the table, Gemma watched the family interact, her heart weighing heavily inside her chest. The absence of Dale Montgomery was a palpable presence in the room. They were all trying to push through the sadness, but obviously each was struggling. Francie paid a lot of attention to Evan, telling him stories and asking him about school and the football team. Seth seemed quiet, not like his usual gregarious self. Something was wrong. Something more than missing Mr. Dale.

The meal was delicious no matter how it was served. When Francie excused herself to get the dessert, Seth went to help his mother and Linc stood and walked into the other room. Gemma rose and followed him into the formal living room. He stood in front of the window, shoulders rolled forward, arms wrapped around his torso. She wanted to place her hand between his shoulder blades and rub the tension from his back.

He turned and smiled at her. “Did you get enough to eat?”

“Yes. Too much. Your mother is a wonderful cook.”

“She is. The best.”

“So what’s wrong? Is it because she changed the dinner to a buffet?”

Linc eyes narrowed. He set his hands on his hips. “No.”

“You don’t lie very well.”

He rubbed his forehead. “Yeah, all right. That’s part of it. Seth told Mom he’s leaving.”

“Oh, Linc. How did she take it?”

“As if it was no big deal. I don’t think she cares. She doesn’t seem to care about anything anymore.”

She ran her hand lightly over his back, keenly aware of the strength and warmth beneath her fingers. “Linc, she’s grieving the loss of her husband. That’s not something you get over quickly. What did you expect her to do?”

He shrugged. “Order him to stay. Tell him to wait until next year. Her family is leaving her all alone.”

“She has you. And us.”

Linc reached out and fingered a strand of hair that was resting across her shoulder. His fingers grazed her neck, releasing a flood of warmth in her veins. His eyes softened, a small smile lifting one side of his mouth.

“That’s true. I didn’t think it was a good idea at first for her to watch Evan. I thought it would be too much for her, but he makes her happy. I’m glad he’s here. And you.”

There was an intimate tone in his voice that caught her breath. “I’m glad, too. You all are showing me the way a loving family is supposed to be. I’ve never known a loving home like yours.”

Seth called from the dining room, “If you want any dessert you’d better get in here before I eat it all.”

Gemma and Linc returned to the dining room, where Francie was handing out plates of pecan pie. Seth accepted his plate and gave her a kiss before sitting down. She smiled, but it never reached her eyes. Linc was wrong. Francie cared very much about Seth leaving. But she wouldn’t ask him to stay. She knew Francie well enough to know that.

When the guys retreated to the living room to watch football, Gemma helped Francie clean up. “Thank you for inviting us today. The meal was delicious.”

Francie smiled as she pulled open the dishwasher. “That’s good to hear. I was afraid it would all taste like sawdust. So much of cooking is the love you put into it as you prepare. Without that important ingredient it’s just food. My heart wasn’t into the meal this year, or anything else, for that matter.”

“That’s understandable.”

Evan ran back into the room, holding his football. He carried it with him everywhere. “We’re going outside to play. Bye.”

Seth ambled through, lifting a piece of turkey from the platter on his way. Linc sauntered into the kitchen. He’d changed into worn jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt with Mississippi State on the front.

Francie motioned to Gemma. “Go. Watch them play. I’ll be right out.”

Gemma didn’t argue. She slipped out onto the front porch and took a seat in one of the cushioned chairs. Linc and Evan teamed up against Seth. The brothers shouted and laughed and treated her son as if he were one of the big guys, making sure he scored his share of touchdowns, but not sparing him when it came time to tackle. Thankfully, their brand of tackling consisted of scooping Evan up and running with him. The scene filled her with a sweet lightness.

Francie joined her on the porch. “I used to play with them—the whole family got into the game. Linc and his dad would team up against Gil and Seth. Each team took one of the girls. I miss that. How about you? Any siblings?”

“An older sister, but we weren’t close. Our family wasn’t big on holidays.”

“Then, you must be enjoying being part of the Dover Christmas?”

“I am. Thank you again for today. I can’t remember a more relaxing day.”

“I’m glad, dear. We’ve enjoyed having you. You and Evan have a special place in my heart.”

Gemma looked away, not wanting her friend to see the moisture forming in her eyes. This was the way she’d envisioned family to be. Loving, supportive and devoted. A shout brought her attention to Linc. The crease in his forehead was gone, replaced with a wide smile as he tossed the ball to Evan. Seth caught it instead. She laughed as Seth spun, ducked and avoided Evan and Linc and raced to the magnolia tree goal line.

Linc and Evan hung their heads, hands on hips, mirroring each other. She smiled, clasping her hands in front of her chin. Evan adored Linc. The way a boy would his father.

A cell phone chirped. Francie pulled her phone from her pocket and answered, then muttered a soft exclamation of surprise.

Gemma glanced at her friend, her blood chilling at the look of shock on Francie’s face. “What is it? Is everything all right?”

Francie shook her head and called to her eldest son. Linc tossed the ball to Evan and trotted over to them. “What’s going on? Mom, you okay?”

“Pete McCorkle called. Leon Skelton, the Chamber treasurer, was arrested in Vicksburg this afternoon for embezzlement of Chamber funds.”

“What? How much of the money did he take?”

Francie gripped the phone tightly in her hand. “I don’t know exactly, but Pete said it was significant.”

Linc pulled his cell phone from his back pocket. “We should talk to the mayor, or Chief Reynolds. He’ll have more information.”

Gemma’s heart sank. Questions swirled through her mind, mingled with shock and confusion. What would this mean to the celebrations? How could they possibly move forward with no money? Blood roared in her ears and her throat closed up as she anticipated the potential problems ahead.

All her hopes and plans were disintegrating. She couldn’t fail again. Her résumé would stop with her failed business; no one would hire her. She’d have to go back to accounting. Or worse still, go back to her parents. No. She shook her head, dislodging the negative thoughts. She’d face this the way she had everything else. Dig in and find a way to make it work.

Ball game forgotten, Gemma followed Francie back inside. Seth settled Evan beside him on the sofa to watch more of the game, leaving her and Linc to join Francie in the kitchen.

“What will this mean to Dover? For the Christmas events?” Gemma knew it was a silly question, but she’d hoped that maybe it wasn’t as bad as it sounded.

“I don’t know, but I’ll make some calls and see what I can find out.”

Gemma’s shock gave way to action. She needed to make some decisions, too. If the money for the events was gone, she needed to rethink some of her plans. She wanted to be prepared to shift gears. No way was this going to prevent her from completing the job she was hired to do.

“I’d better go. I need to see what adjustments I might need to make. I think I’ll give Leatha a call. She always has her ear to the ground.”

Francie gave her a warm hug. “Good idea. Leave Evan here. He can finish watching the ball game with Seth.”

Her gaze drifted to her son, who was seated on the edge of the sofa beside Seth, the football in his hands, engrossed in the game. She prayed her dreams of proving herself and starting over hadn’t just been sacked like the quarterback on the TV screen.

* * *

Linc gave Gemma an hour before using the container of leftovers his mother had assembled as his excuse to go check on her. He hoped she’d learned more than they had about Leon’s arrest. All they’d managed to find out was that Leon had also stolen money from the Dover bank where he was employed, apparently to support his gambling habit.

He looked up as Gemma opened the door, and the expression on her face told him everything he wanted to know. She was fearful and worried. It was a good thing he had the dish in his hand or he would have pulled her into his arms immediately.

“Mom sent you some leftover turkey with orders to eat something.” He hadn’t intended to be amusing, but his comment made her smile, lifting some of the darkness from her eyes.

“That’s sweet.” She took the container and stepped back. “Come on in. I need a break.”

Linc’s heart soared at her invitation. He followed her into the kitchen, passing the cluttered dining room table where she was working. “How’s it going?”

Gemma stored the food in the fridge, then tugged her hair behind her ears. “All I know is that the money for the Christmas committee is gone. All of it. Pete has called a meeting for tomorrow night to regroup.”