I run my finger along the base of a shiny napkin dispenser. “I would have said that Marlene agreed to cover for me on Friday night.”
Where it connects with his mouth, Knox’s cheek spasms. “Is that right?”
I nod slowly. “And that I was very sorry about your grandmother, and that I completely understood why you couldn’t still take me to the cantata.”
“That would have been mighty understanding of you.” His deep voice rumbles.
I search his face for sarcasm. Nope. Nothing. Except…maybe hope.
“So then…what would you say if I invited you to the Christmas tree lighting on the town square tonight?”
His focus flickers between my eyes and mouth. My heart creeps into my throat. “Um, well, that depends.”
“On?”
“Are you sure a night out is a good idea?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Well…” I tilt back from the waist and sweep a study of his disheveled hair, prickly jaw. “You look like you need to crawl under the covers and not come out again until Monday.”
He rubs his throat, scratching out a sandpapery sound that ups my pulse. “That bad, huh?”
“Your grandmother would putyouin the hospital if she saw you now.”
Knox winces. “That’s harsh, Ev.”
I giggle. “How long have you been back in town?
He tips his phone until the digital time displays. “Almost an hour.”
“You must have been up before dawn to catch that flight.”
Scratch, scratch. He draws his palm along his chin. “Nah, I drove a rental back.”
I gasp. “You drove all night?”
He sticks his elbow to the counter and his fist to his temple, possibly all that’s holding his head up. “It was an eight-hour drive that took twelve. Lots of snow coming down north of here.”
“Wow, you need to get to bed.”
“Don’t worry, I plan to. I’m so beat, even that crummy motel mattress is sounding good. But first…”
Silly me gets sucked right in by Knox’s one lowered eyelid and playful smile. My heart goes nutso as his hardworking-man hand inches along the counter. His right pinkie loops around my left one. “First, I need to ask you, Everly…pretty please, with marshmallows and peppermint sprinkles on top, will you please join me for the smalltown, but-I-hear-larger-than-life Christmas tree lighting on the square?”
Chapter 12
Knox
For the first time in my life, I’ve been called a smooth talker. That’s what Everly declared me after my invitation to the tree lighting. My respirations screeched to a halt until she broke into a giggle at my cheesy invite, squeezed my hand, and seemed as pleased about going out with me as I am to be taking her.
I prepped myself for her to suggest we meet me at the square, but instead, she gave up the address to her family home.
Goalsetting isn’t a big thing with me, not like Rand with his charts and five-year plans. However, two objectives loom large for the night ahead. Aside from lots of fun with the prettiest woman to condescend to spend time with this big old ox in ages, I intend to uncover what Everly does with her life when she’s not saving the day for a grumpy heart patient. I can’t believe I haven’t asked before now. What job gives her the freedom to take weeks off at will?
I feel a grin consume my face as I turn the boring sedan onto Mistletoe Drive. Talk about goals. If I’m lucky, Everly’s street name is not-so-subtle foreshadowing of the evening ahead.
The houses on the Wilkes’ street are midsize and look to have been built around the time my illustrious athletic career began—a flag football league when I was in first grade. Most are well-maintained, and many have been updated. Nearly all display some measure of Christmas cheer tracing the porches and rooflines.
