Maybe This Christmas: A Sweet Historical Western Holiday Romance Novella (Holidays in Mountain Home Book 2) (8 page)

Pure, wholesome, honest.

She understood demanding, rough kisses meant to subjugate and control.

She understood kisses devoid of tenderness.

She understood ungainly, forbidden kisses in carriage houses and moonlit gardens.

But
this…

Her soul seemed to expand, bringing a sensation of exquisite joy quickly followed by panic…she could not allow herself to change her mind so easily.

Number six…no! Number seven: Men are undesirable.

That one—number seven—was a bald lie, it held no weight, and could not sustain her through moments of weakness.

This was most certainly one of those moments of excruciating weakness.

Luke Finlay
was
desirable.

So much more desirable for the innocence of his kiss.

He pulled back before she’d had a chance to savor—his kiss had been far too brief. In his eyes she glimpsed the most terrifying, awe-inspiring,
the
list-obliterating reason why this insanity must end.

Luke Finlay
loved
her.

Full, whole-hearted, bone-deep, life-long love. The same wordless communication she’d spied between Phil and Caroline, Luke’s parents. A mirror image of the expression she’d seen in Hunter’s eyes for Miranda.

Now, she understood.

Not once in her life—not even with Gus—had she experienced that utter, helpless, all-consuming love of a man,
for her.

Her heart pounded with the realization she teetered on the verge of falling in love…
maybe
. Was she capable of the emotion?

A rush of hot tears threatened. It was simply too much.

She couldn’t bear to let him see how he affected her, so she dipped her chin and alighted against him. She fit perfectly in the hollow of his throat.

His arms came about her, as if it were the most natural response. Beneath her hand, his heart thudded, quick and sure and strong.

The magnitude of her response to his kiss and the undeniable truth that he loved her changed everything. If his kiss hadn’t moved her, if she’d not witnessed the depth of his affection, she might be able to set it aside with the ease in which she’d set Gus’s kisses aside.

The two were simply incomparable.

An hour ago, she never would’ve believed she might so much as consider forfeiting her freedom and independence. Now, her whole world had shifted.

The shop door opened, tinkling bells carrying in the quiet.

Scissors thudded on the cutting table. Noelle’s stool scraped against the floor. “Afternoon, Mr. Rose.”

Chapter Six

As Effie stiffened in his arms, Luke realized that how he played this trick hand he’d been dealt could change everything.

They’d come to a fork in the road. He wouldn’t dare guess how far or how long, but for the moment, she’d chosen him. He didn’t want to mess this up.

“Where’s Effie off to?” Gus’s boots thudded. Luke pictured Gus leaning a hip against the counter.

“She went out,” Noelle said, “on errands.”

The little minx. Fibbing to make sure Gus left, giving him more time alone with Effie. At least he knew which side his sister was on.

And he kind of liked it that Effie remained quiet, snuggled up against him, rather than go out to meet Gus.

He pressed his lips to her temple. She fit so perfectly in his arms, it seemed she’d always belonged there.

“Any idea when she’ll be back?” Gus’s voice carried easily through the open door.

“She didn’t say. A good while, I suppose.”

“Well, look at that.” Gus’s footfalls drew nearer, in the direction of the doorway into the bedroom. Well, if Gus walked in on them, saw Effie in Luke’s arms, the decision would be taken from her and he knew, instinctively, she wouldn’t like that.

He eased back enough to let her know this was up to her. If she wanted to stay right where she was, well, fine by him. But if this wasn’t what she wanted Gus to see, she’d best step away.

He met her gaze and couldn’t help but grin. The indecision on her pretty face was the most uncertain he’d ever seen her.

After she’d kissed him, really, was there anything left to work out? Beyond letting Gus know the matter was settled, Luke couldn’t see anything else left to decide.

He felt like crowing.

Effie scowled at him and he felt the grin slide right off his face.

Oops
.

Where Luke stood, he had a pretty good view of the doorway, but couldn’t see Gus. Yet. Effie’s back was turned more to the door than not. Of course she’d heard Gus, but hadn’t a chance of seeing him unless she turned around.

She raised one shapely brow as if asking him a question.

“What?” he mouthed, careful not to make a sound. He couldn’t read her expression.

With deliberate slowness, she leaned close and looped her arms about his middle. She had a smile on her face the size of Colorado as she dipped her chin and snuggled against his chest.

He realized what she intended—to show Gus how things were. And given he’d thought the same thing, himself, he really shouldn’t be put out…but he was.

She’d decided to use him. Willful, intentional, plant-a-sign-in-the-snow to tell Gus a thing or two.

Gus’s footfalls paused in the doorway.

Luke glanced up and met the other man’s gaze.
Well, I’ll be pickled.
Gus had a grin on his face. Luke would’ve expected a lot of things coming from a U.S. Marshal who’d just heard a tall tale from a shop clerk…who happened to be the competition’s little sister.

Had Luke been in Gus’s boots, he’d have been angry to see Effie in Gus’s arms, hiding in the back room and avoiding saying hello.

But Gus and Luke were apparently two very different kinds, ‘cause Gus kept up the show for both ladies.

Gus tipped his head toward the new stove. “Well, would you look at that.”

Effie stiffened.

Ah, so that was Gus’s game. Getting back at Effie. For some reason, it felt like Gus was getting back at him, too.

Gus grinned. “Can’t say I’m surprised.”

“It’s new,” Noelle said from the shop, just loud enough for Luke to make out. “Just happened today.”

“Good.” Gus winked.

Winked!
Uh-oh. The other guy had a plan cooking…that much was certain.

“It’s far colder at this elevation, and I’ve about froze, myself, a couple nights this week. It’s good Mrs. O’Leary’s got herself a new stove. Had it put in this morning, did she?”

“Yes. Should I tell her you came by?” Noelle’s voice retreated past the counter, into the customer half of the store.

Effie snuggled deeper against Luke’s neck and he let himself enjoy it. Whatever Gus was playing at, he wouldn’t let it ruin the enjoyment of finally having her in his arms. He smoothed a hand up her back. He savored it doubly, knowing it had to rankle Gus.

“Nah.” A bit of joviality sparkled in Gus’s tone as he met Luke’s gaze directly. “No need. She knows I came by. And tell Luke this war isn’t over, not by a long shot.” Gus fell back from the doorway and his footfalls retreated to the front door.

Well, son of a gun. This should be interesting, seeing what scrimmage Gus would wage next. It seemed kind of pointless, given Effie had made her choice. That kiss still hummed in his brain like too much liquor…and he just couldn’t see Effie kissing him like that and giving Gus more than the time of day afterward.

“Afternoon, Miss Finlay.” Gus let himself out, setting the bells to jingling.

Effie pushed away, her cheeks flushed and her eyes bright. “
You.
”

“Me?” The woman didn’t make a lick of sense.

“Did you
see
him in the doorway?” Her eyes narrowed with accusation.

Was
there a correct response?

Apparently she didn’t want an answer because she turned away, her skirts swirling.

“Oh, no you don’t.” He reached for her, caught her elbow. “Settle down and tell me what’s wrong.”

“If you don’t know, I don’t feel the need to enlighten you.”

She tugged her arm free and he let her go. She stomped into the shop and Luke followed. Shameless, he was. He’d follow her anywhere.

“Did he see?” Effie questioned Noelle. “He saw, didn’t he?”

“Hey, now,” Luke jumped to his sister’s defense, tried to calm Effie with the same low voice and slow movements he used when approaching a riled stallion. Or a mean bull. He couldn’t help it…the comparison of his sweet Effie and a snorting bull was just too accurate at the moment…and a smile shoved his control aside.

“You think this is funny?” She whirled on him.

“Yes, ma’am, I do. You heard him. You knew he was there, and you willingly and intentionally stepped into my arms. I saw the look in your eye, Effie O’Leary. You chose me.”

“I did
not
.”

Luke glanced at his sister for support. Noelle ducked her head and whipped a stitch with her needle. So much for help from his sister—he changed his mind. She didn’t deserve a thanks after all.

“Mind telling me what this is all about, then?”

She growled in frustration, more agitated than he’d ever seen her.

He’d never felt more helpless. He’d seen females’ moods swing fast like this, from all placid and happy to spitting mad inside a second and a half, but this was ridiculous. As far as he could see, he only did what she’d wanted him to do. “
You
hugged
me
.”

“Only to make him see I meant every word I’ve said.”

Ouch. That stung. But he’d known, at the time, she’d used him and she wasn’t herself at the moment, so he let it slide. “What did you say? To him?”

“That I will remain a widow the rest of my life. I have no intention of remarrying, and he’d best let go of his grand plans to marry me here—or Connecticut—because I won’t.”

“Well, that’s good news.”

She glared at him.

He sobered right fast.

“What you seem to have missed,” she said in a tone of false calm, “is that this effects you, too. I will remain a widow the rest of my life.”

“Of course you’re a widow. Your husband died.”

She made an inarticulate sound of frustration. He’d evidently said the wrong thing.

She drew a deep breath and blew it out. She clasped her hands at her waist and just like that, she’d regained her composure—sort of. “Let me make myself clear. I refused Gus, and I refuse your courtship, too. I’m never getting married—”

“You kissed me like it meant something.” He took a step closer.

He must’ve looked and sounded far more menacing than he’d intended ‘cause Noelle shrieked and hopped down from the stool. “I’m headed to the necessary.” She grabbed her coat and fled out the back door.

He’d bet a quarter dollar his sister had no interest in the outhouse. She’d simply seen and heard enough.

Luke focused his gaze on Effie. She shrank back, the wind gone from her sails.

Without another soul in the shop, he had no reason not to end this ridiculous argument once and for all. He reached for this woman, this beautiful, usually sweet and kind, normally gracious and good-hearted woman.

He loved her. He couldn’t help it. Something had awoken inside him the first time he’d seen her, on the boardwalk in front of this very shop, that summer day a year and a half ago. And that something had reared on its hind legs not five minutes ago when he’d kissed her and she’d kissed him back. He may not have a wealth of experience with women, but he knew
this
woman.
His
woman.

She was confused. Angry at herself, upset at the loss of control with the situation. She’d wanted to show Gus a thing or two, and instead, Gus had turned the tables on her and shown her far more. Her pride smarted. She didn’t know what to do about him, either, Luke figured. That kiss had changed things for her, too. He knew it just like he knew Noelle wouldn’t be back anytime soon.

As if it were the most natural thing in the world, as if he’d held her every day of their lives, Luke put his arms around her and tugged her close. She stiffened, fighting him half-heartedly for only a second or two.

She seemed to melt like spring snow on a warm afternoon. She sagged and leaned on him, clutching the back of his shirt in her fists. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, Effie.
Take your time.
”

Two days later, Effie returned from making a deposit at the bank to find Gus and Luke squaring off across her sales counter. They both had elbows propped on the oak surface and flexed their hands in preparation for an arm wrestle.

At the sound of the door, Luke glanced over his shoulder. He’d braced his feet wide, providing an impressive view of muscled legs, taut backside, and broad shoulders. “There you are. You’re just in time.”

She propped hands upon her hips. “In time for what?”

“We’re settling this, once and for all.” All traces of Gus’s usual joviality had disappeared.

“Settling what, exactly?” She didn’t like the sound of this. But at least they hadn’t determined to settle their differences with pistols—
yet
.

Neither man looked her way. They glared at one another, poised to grip hands like rams set to butt heads.

“Answer me.”

“I told this drifter
I will
accompany you to the Annual Children’s Program—”

Incensed, she cut Luke off. “
Drifter?
”

Gus chuckled. “I believe he called me an interloper, first go ‘round.”

She stalked closer, ready to knock their heads together. “This is my place of business. You can’t
arm wrestle
to determine who might
ask
me to that event.”

Luke grasped Gus’s hand, flexing his fingers for a better hold. The men stared one another down, their heads lowered to maximize leverage.

This was entirely ridiculous. “Just so you know, I
do
have a say in the matter, and my answer is no. I won’t go with either of you. So there’s no sense going through with this.”