“I didn’t open Mistletoe Mercantile to become rich.” Finished with the last ornament, she turned and pressed her hands against the counter. “I love Christmas and all it stands for. During this season, when we celebrate Christ’s birth, hope comes alive and the world’s darkness dims. If I can bring a fraction of that comfort and joy to people year-round, then I’ve accomplished my goal.”
“This is a calling for you, isn’t it?” A bulb of understanding lit in his eyes.
“Yes.” A lob of emotion in her throat stopped her from saying more.
Do not let him see you cry. Do not let him see you cry.It was no use. Each time she thought about the possibility of losing the store, her eyes welled with tears. She turned around so he couldn’t see her grief.
A gentle but firm hand on her shoulder spun her to face him. Before she understood what was happening, she was wrapped in his embrace. It didn’t make sense—practically speaking, he was the enemy and a stranger—yet she craved the comfort he offered.
Every ounce of reason in her head screamed to pull away, but her heart and emotions had a mind of their own. Just this once, she’d indulge in impulsiveness. Reality would hit soon enough.
He rubbed his hand over her upper back, sending calming sensations through her. Bending his head, he whispered in her ear. “You won’t lose your store. I promise I’ll find a solution.”
For reasons she couldn’t explain, she believed him.
Chapter Six
The pastor ended his sermon, and the invitation hymn began. Gabe sang along, not needing to open the hymnal to follow the words on the screen. He’d been singingHave Thine Own Way, Lordsince he was old enough to sit in the Sunday morning worship service.
His mind drifted as he sang. He liked this church more than the one he’d attended last week. The combination of modern worship songs and traditional hymns suited him, and he enjoyed the pastor’s sermon that had Bible passages to support each of his points. The church he’d visited last week had only mentioned one scripture and that was in passing.
When the song ended, the pastor returned to the pulpit and made announcements. “Remember our annual bake sale for our Christmas Co-op will be next Sunday. If you have any questions or wish to donate, please see Cora Mullikan after the service. Cora, could you raise your hand please.”
Gabe’s ears perked, and his eyes searched for her, spotting her in the center aisle of pews. She sat beside a lady who looked identical to her apart from the other woman’s auburn hair. On the other side of her sat a woman who appeared to be an older version of Cora, and then an older man. Her parents, he presumed.
His heart performed somersaults in his chest. He hadn’t seen her since that first day they’d met. He might never know what had possessed him to take her into his arms, but it had fundamentally changed his world. The connection between them sparked fast and furious, and he didn’t know what to do with it.
So, he did what any man would do. He avoided her.
He hadn’t forgotten his promise, though. Between setting up home, he’d been investigating. He’d spent hours with realtors, visiting business properties all over Outlook and the surrounding areas. Only a few had leases within a budget he estimated Cora could afford. Of those, after touring the facilities, he realized only one had the feasibility of becoming her store. Before he could present the opportunity to Cora, the space had already been rented.
Now that he saw her, he didn’t want to avoid her anymore. Yet he was scared to approach her. Surely, she’d told her family about him, and they probably hated him, saw him as the death sentence to their daughter’s dream.
“Before we dismiss, I’d like to introduce our visitors.”
When Gabe heard the Pastor’s statement he froze and wished he hadn’t filled out that card in the lobby. He slunk in his seat, vainly wishing it would make him disappear.
Unfortunately for him, the pastor looked directly at him. “Gabe Newton joins us today as a new citizen of Outlook, all the way from Kansas. Please welcome him and make him feel at home.”
The pastor moved on to the next visitor, but Gabe didn’t notice. His gaze was locked with Cora’s who’d turned around to see him. That same magic that had shot between them ignited again from twenty feet apart.
Despite the odds against them, and the absolute terrible timing, he knew he had to see her, talk to her again, explore this unexplainable bond they had shared in that moment. Maybe the spark was the result of two people in a vulnerable position and that’s all it was. Maybe they’d spend time together and realize that connection was superficial and didn’t have any depth.
Or maybe they’d discover more.
The thought both terrified and excited him. Romance had been the last thing on his mind when he moved to Outlook, but didn’t most things happen when they weren’t expected? Did Cora have these same thoughts?
He didn’t have to wait long to find out. As soon as the service dismissed, she made her way through the exiting crowd to reach him.
“I didn’t know you came here.” If slapping his forehead wouldn’t have made him appear lamer than his statement already had, he would have. “I mean, I wasn’t stalking you or anything.”
Yeah, like that was any better.
Her eyes danced with laughter. “There are only three churches in town. The odds of meeting were high.”
“Fair enough.” Put at ease, he smiled. “What’s this bake sale about?”
“Every year, the church hosts a massive bake sale in the town square. All proceeds go to buy Christmas gifts for families in need.”
