“Of…?”
She gazed up at him. His expression was sointent,like what she was saying mattered to him. “You were reminding Nigel — maybe even warning him— that, even though you agreed to come to Heartsprings Valley and immerse yourself in Christmas, you have not yet agreed to say nice things about the holiday.”
He nodded. “Your read is correct.”
“You promised to give Christmas a fair shake — andthat’s it.”
“Couldn’t have put it better myself.”
As she took in his demeanor, she became aware of an unexpected tension rising within her. His words weren’t a surprise —she’d spent enough time with him since his arrival to understand how serious and careful he could be —but hearing him confirm her guess made his stance feel all the more real.
Four short days ago, Daniel Bedford had been nothing more to her than an author whose books she’d read and enjoyed. Then he’d morphed, without warning, into a much-needed way to pay for a new roof. And now? He’d become something much more: an intense, intelligent, handsome man whose dark brown eyes flashed whenever they landed on her.
She’d accepted the author-sitting gig with zero intention of trying to alter his misguided opinion of Christmas. After all, he was a grown man, capable of charting his own course. The decisions he made about his life and career were his and his alone. She was here to be a tour guide, not a mind-changer.
But now? Was that still how she felt?
Ask him what you want to know, she urged herself as she held his gaze.Do it now.
“In two days,” she said, “you’re giving a press conference at the bookstore.”
He nodded. “Correct.”
“Your publisher and agent are hoping you’ll stand up in front of the media and apologize for upsetting folks with your essay. They’re hoping you’ll tell the world that your essay is wrong — that Christmas is, in fact, wonderful.”
“They’re hoping I’ll say that, yes.”
“But you haven’t committed to saying that.”
“Correct. I have not.”
Her jaw tightened. She’d guessed right —which wasn’t good. “That means it’s possible you’ll get up there and announce to theworld that you haven’t changed your mind —and that your essay still reflects how you feel.”
“That might happen, yes.”
She did her best to keep her voice calm. “Why?”
“It’s not in me to consider doing anything else.” He drew himself to his full height, his gaze more serious and intense than she’d ever seen it. “If I don’t believe it, I don’t say it. What I say is what I believe.”
CHAPTER 17
As Daniel’s words sank in, Penny felt her world slowing down. The crisp air against her cheeks went still. The folks hurrying in and out of the hardware store were suddenly moving in slow-motion, like they were wading through molasses. Her heartbeat slowed until all she could see was the serious, intelligent man in front of her who seemed intent on barreling down the ill-advised path he’d forged —a path built on a premise that she knew in her heart was fundamentally wrong.
With effort, she wrenched her gaze away from his handsome face —she needed a moment to regroup —and turned toward Cane Hardware’s holiday window display, which this year featured an all-encompassing tribute to a single color: Christmas red. Every inch of the display, from floor to ceiling, was red —red walls, a red Christmas tree with red lights and red tinsel and red ornaments, surrounded by scads of gifts wrapped in red paper and decorated with red ribbons and red bows.
The red should have been too much —too monochromatic, too one-note, too same-same. But somehow it wasn’t. The effect was dramatic, vibrant, festive, rich, inviting. There was a lushness to the display, a hint of mystery — a joyful enthusiasm for the holiday it so enthusiastically embraced.
“I bet it’s even better when it’s lit up at night,” Daniel said quietly.
She glanced at him, startled out of her reverie. “You’re right about that,” she said. “At night, the red is dazzling.”
The crisp breeze returned, reminding her that she was outside on a cold winter afternoon. To the west, the sun was continuing its inevitable descent to the horizon.
Taking a deep breath, she made up her mind. “Can I say something about what you just said?”
“You can,” he said, turning to face her.
She gazed up at his serious face. “You’re coming across as quite stubborn.”
