Panic springs up again at the thought. “Levi? You’re going to get me out right?” My voice comes out high pitched with a hint of alarm.
He scoffs. “Of course I am. How else am I going to win you over?”
Butterflies erupt in my chest. He wants to win me over? Little does he know that he’s already started to wear me down. I’m not this mean person, but I can’t let Lori Haverford beat me. Ineedto prove her wrong about me. He just happens to be the middleman.
Within minutes, Levi tilts the ornament enough for me to squeeze out. Finally, I’m free. Wiping off my now dirty jeans, Levi watches me.
“Okay, I have to know. What were you doing?” He chuckles at the look of contempt on my face.
“If you must know, I was trying to get things done tonight so I wouldn’t have to do them later. My smart self had to have the brilliant idea of tilting it over so I could finish putting the lights in. Only I closed myself inside and I couldn’t get out and my phone’s in my car. Happy?”
A look of concern crosses his face. “No, actually.” His voice is deep and soft as he looks me in the eye. “I don’t want you working out here without me.”
“It needs to be done and I had the time to do it. I don’t think that means you need to be with me.” I’m a grown-ass woman who doesn’t need a babysitter. A ridiculously hot babysitter, but still.
His handsome face softens. “We’ll do it together from now on. I don’t want you getting hurt or trapped again. You hear me?” His calloused hand reaches up and gently caresses my cheek.
Holy shit. Levi is so freaking sexy, even more so when he looks at me like this. Full of concern and longing. Stunned by the sudden pulsing in my panties, I’m left speechless at this turn of events.
Swallowing hard, I nod. “Okay.”
Chapter Eight
Levi
The snow doesn’t let up for the next several days, meaning all the outdoor work has been put on hold. Sammie isn’t thrilled and has spent her time rampaging around the warehouse.
The morning after I found her inside the ornament, we loaded up the remaining ornaments from the town square and took them inside the warehouse. Not wanting her to be trapped in one again, I made a small stand for them to sit on, making it easier for her to sit inside to string up the lights.
Christmas Eve is three days away and the stress is starting to weigh down on all of us. Quinn has worked her magic and several students from Rosewood have stopped by to help decorate the pile of presents that will be stacked in the sleigh I’m currently building. Sammie’s vision has the sleigh as part of a photo opportunity for visitors. It will be pulled by the lit reindeer the girls set up yesterday and pictures will be taken by the photography students from Rose Prairie High. The proceeds will be donated to the local food pantry—which proves that she’s hiding that warm heart of hers.
I just wish she’d show it to me.
The chatter of the warehouse quickly dies the moment the door slams shut, a very familiar outline standing there glancing around the room. Aunt Lori. Lord help me.
“My, oh my. Look at all this!” Her perky voice is the only sound in the room besides the clicking of her heels against the concrete floor. Only my mom and Aunt Lori would wear heels when snow is falling.
No one says anything. Not a sound comes from Sammie or Quinn or the half-dozen other people working on the presents. To make things less awkward, I put down my power tools and walk toward my aunt, giving her a quick hug. “Hey, Aunt Lori. What brings you here?” Maybe the quicker I get her talking, the quicker she’ll leave. Sammie’s back is ramrod straight, hands on hips as she eyes my aunt. Clearly, there’s no love lost.
“Well, I just wanted to come by and take a look at everything. There’s a city council meeting tonight and I wanted to get a first-hand look at how things are coming along.” She glances around at the current works in progress, spinning in a complete circle.
Essentially, what she’s seeing is chaos. Lights are laid out in long strips against the side wall, ready and waiting to be strung up from the flagpole in the square to create a giant Christmas tree made of lights. Discarded boxes are next to the door waiting to be transported to the recycling center, and Sammie and Quinn are covered in red paint from working on the wooden cutouts of Mr. and Mrs. Claus. The last-minute addition was easy enough to make and the oval cut-out for faces was straightforward.
“Mrs. Haverford. Thank you for stopping by.” Sammie’s voice is strained as she greets my aunt with a cautious grin. Thankfully, everyone starts getting back to work, their banter as they wrap presents easing the tension.
“Oh, there you are Miss Williams. I didn’t notice you with all this…mess laying around. How nice to see you working so hard.” Oh boy. This can’t be going anywhere good. I’m surprised Sammie’s face hasn’t turned bright red and that steam isn’t pouring out of her ears.
Sammie’s smile tightens as she says, “Of course. We’re nearing the end. Just getting the last touches ready for when the snow stops. Is there anything, in particular, I can help you with?”
“Goodness me, no.” she chuckles. “Just curious. I noticed when I stopped in at Mama's Cakes that the square was looking a little…” she pauses, searching for the right word. “Bare.”
“Nothing to worry about here!” Quinn chirps, coming to Sammie’s rescue, who seems to be rendered speechless. “Sammie here has done an amazing job getting everything organized, down to the smallest details. Isn’t that right, Levi?” The tiny, blond woman tilts her head in my direction giving me a pleading look.
I can take a hint. “Absolutely. Everything’s going according to plan. Aside from the weather.” Aunt Lori laughs as she swats at my shoulder.
“Those meteorologists never can get it right!” Clapping her hands together she says, “Well, I’ll head out. I’ll see you tonight, Miss Williams.” With that, she turns and strolls out of the warehouse, the slam of the door signaling to everyone that she left.
Sammie huffs out a breath before stomping over to the small bathroom, closing the door behind her.
