What was it about this guy that he could get to her after all of those years?She reminded herself that he was not available.She pulled her hand away from his.
Ignoring her aches and pains, Felicity scrambled to her feet.She straightened her hat and coat.When she went to thank Justin, she turned, and their gazes once more caught.They stared at each other longer than was appropriate.The words were caught in the back of her throat.
Her heart pounded in her chest.He was so much more handsome than he used to be.How was that possible?
She didn’t know if her strong reaction to his presence was the aftereffect of falling or if it was coming face-to-face with the only man who she’d truly loved.The problem was that she hadn’t known the depth of her feelings for him until things were over between them—not that she’d ever told him.It was too late by the time she realized just how much she loved him.
She swallowed hard.“Justin, thank you.”
He grunted something that she couldn’t make out as he nodded his head.
“I…uh, was just on my way to my mother’s new place.”
Was it her imagination or had his face paled at the mention of her going to her mother’s apartment?
“She moved into the Evergreen Apartments.”He looked as though there was something more he wanted to say but he didn’t.
Ugh!Even her ex-boyfriend knew her mother moved.Obviously, she had to do a better job as a daughter.
She struggled with something to say to fill the awkward void.“It’s, uh, good to see you.”
He nodded again.“I need to be going.”
“Oh.Yeah.Sure.Um…” She pressed her lips together to keep herself from rambling on.It wasn’t until he was crossing the road that she thought to call out.“Thanks again.”
He must not have heard her because he didn’t even acknowledge her.Or maybe it was that he was still angry with her for the way things had ended between them all of those years ago.She hoped not.She didn’t want them to be at odds with each other.
Of all of the people in the world to fall at his feet…
Why did it have to be her?
Justin had been busy all day at the public works garage where he was the maintenance supervisor.He could fix any machinery—at least the ones they had at the garage.The only time he wasn’t a grease monkey was when it was all hands-on deck for snow plow duty.
And as the snow fell, he was called upon to fix one of the older snow plows.But his thoughts weren’t focused on work.He certainly hadn’t expected to grab a late lunch and then run into Felicity Wright.What were the chances of that happening?He supposed they were pretty good, considering this was her hometown.
But she had been gone a long time.Why was she suddenly back?As soon as the thought crossed his mind, he wondered if she was back in town to see him?Had she heard about him getting dumped at the altar?Probably.It seemed everyone knew about it.
Still, she wouldn’t be there for him—even if she knew about him getting dumped.She was there to see her mother for the holidays.It was just that she hadn’t visited Kringle Falls in a couple of years…not since her father’s funeral.What had brought her back now?
Whatever it was, it had absolutely nothing to do with him.Things ended between them a long time ago.Neither one of them had time to go around digging up skeletons.Besides, his mother made a point of letting him know that Felicity had a boyfriend.What was his name?George?No.Gary?Maybe.He knew it started with a G.Didn’t it?
Even with that knowledge, he remembered how he’d reacted when she’d opened her eyes and stared directly at him.His heart had beat wildly.In fact, just the memory made his heart thump.For that split second, it was like their past had been wiped away, and they were starting from scratch.
He gave himself a mental shake.There was no way their past could be so easily wiped away.And there would certainly be no starting over.Not that he wanted a do-over.Definitely not.
The best thing he could do for both of their sakes was to avoid her until Christmas was over.Then she’d go back to her life in the city, and he would remain in Kringle Falls.The plan was simple enough…except for the fact that her mother lived in the same apartment building as him.It would be virtually impossible to avoid Felicity.
“Justin, did you hear me?...Yo!Justin?”
He blinked and turned to see his older brother, who was also his boss, standing next to the broken-down snowplow with his hands planted on his waist.There was a distinct frown on Michael’s face.It didn’t faze Justin.He was used to it.
“What did you say?”Justin asked.
Michael narrowed his gaze on him.“What’s going on with you?”
“Nothing.”That wasn’t true, but he wasn’t getting into it with his brother.“I just didn’t hear you is all.”
Michael didn’t say anything for a moment as he continued to study him.With a sigh, he asked, “Did you have a chance to look at the plow yet?”
