Page 4 of Wrapped in Love

“I thought so. I’ll have to try to get it all done at Elly’s.”

I pointed at the sign behind me. “I gift wrap.”

“All of this?”

“It’s part of the service.”

“Callie, it’s way past seven now. I can’t ask you to give up more of your Christmas Eve wrapping my gifts.”

Just then, his stomach growled, and he laughed, embarrassed. “Sorry. I haven’t eaten since breakfast, and the cookies barely took the edge off. Ring me up, and I’ll let you get on with your evening. Hopefully, I’ll find a diner still open and get something to eat. Maybe Mrs. Cooper has some paper stashed somewhere at the inn. I’m sure I can charm her.”

He smiled as he said it, yet it felt to me like, for the first time, his smile was forced. For some reason, I didn’t want him to leave, and I had the feeling perhaps he felt the same way. I drew in a deep breath and gathered my courage.

“You’re not asking, I’m offering. And, I have an idea.”

“Oh?”

“You aren’t going to find anything open around here tonight. If you don’t mind a simple meal, I have one ready in my oven—I live behind the shop. We could eat, then I can help you wrap your gifts. It sounds as if you’ve had a long day, and maybe a little downtime would do you some good. And I would enjoy the company.” I paused and smiled. “If you’re okay with that.”

“Are you serious?”

“Um, yes?”

“You’re offering me a meal, more of your lovely company, to help wrap my purchases, and you’re wondering if I’d be okay with that?”

“You’d have to help with the wrapping.”

He flexed his fingers. “I’m great with corners. And a whiz with tape.”

I laughed at his humor.

“I would love that, Callie James.” He held out his credit card with a wink. “Ring it up so you know I’m good for it, then please feed me.” He licked his lips, his eyes locking with mine. “I’m starving.”

I had to turn away. The low timbre of his voice and the way he looked at me made me think he meant for more than food.

2

SHANE

I’d had a shit-tastic day. I grabbed the early flight, got rerouted, only to be stuck on my second connection when a storm blew in. I cursed at the hordes of people milling around the Ottawa airport. My first Christmas off in three years, the first Christmas my whole family would be together in five years, and I got stuck in an airport?

Fuck that. I needed to get back to the Toronto area.

I headed to the row of car rentals and yelled out, “Who has a four-wheel drive SUV for rent? I don’t care about the cost!”

Four hands went up. I went with the one who added a wave for good measure, and within thirty minutes, I was on the road. I was going slowly in the poor conditions, but I was moving. Using the Bluetooth device, I spoke to Elly periodically, assuring her I would arrive later that night. All was going okay until she called to say another storm system was crashing down on them, and they were all worried about me driving in it. She suggested I get as close as I could, then hole up in a hotel for the night and come later the next day when the roads were cleared, even though it would be Christmas Day.

“We’ll put everything off a few hours, Shane. We want you to be safe. We have the whole week.”

It made sense, but it still pissed me off. I got even angrier when she told me the parcels I had sent never arrived.

“They were supposed to be there three days ago,” I insisted.

“I think they’re backed up. There have been so many storms. It’s fine,” she soothed. “We get you—the gifts will come later.”

I drove another hour until I knew from the weather reports I was getting I couldn’t go any farther. I pulled into the small town of Simcoe and was lucky enough to find an inn. It was older but still well-kept and, most importantly, had a vacancy sign. The elderly woman was chatty, and when I asked, she gave me the information about the only place I might be able to find some presents at the late hour.

“Callie is usually open until six.” She scribbled down directions to Toys and Treasures. “If you hurry, you should make it.”