AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The sound of his phone ringing made them both jump back. The spell had been broken. The moment escaped them. And he felt as though he’d missed something very, very special.
Bu
zz. Buzz.
“You’d better get that,” Kate said.
She moved away. His gaze followed her as she placed the ornament he’d made for her many years ago front and center on the tree. It was for the best that they hadn’t kissed. But it sure didn’t feel like it. Still, he wasn’t going to be in Bayberry much longer. Though a lot had changed since he’d arrived in this small town, the one thing that had remained constant was his career—a career that he hoped was on an upward trajectory.
And the last thing he wanted to do was hurt Kate. She’d already had her heart broken once. He wouldn’t do that to her. So it was best to remain friends and nothing more.
Buzz. Buzz.
He lifted the phone to his ear. “Hello, Mom.”
“Honey, it’s time for dinner. Can you kids come over now?”
“Sure. We’ll be there.”
He disconnected the call. “It’s time for dinner.”
Now that the moment had passed, he welcomed the invitation. With other people around, especially his mother and Kate’s aunt, he wouldn’t be tempted to try and kiss Kate again. His gaze meandered to her, but then he glanced away.
Because that had been just a fleeting moment, not to be repeated. They’d simply gotten caught up in the past. Nothing more. He needed to concentrate more on his work and less on celebrating the holidays with Kate. And then everything would go back to the way it used to be. Wouldn’t it?
Dinner dishes had been cleared.
Coffee had been poured.
Everyone was sitting around Aunt Penney’s dining room table.
Kate added some sweetener to her coffee, giving it a stir. She enjoyed the way conversation flowed easily without her having to say a word. Wes’s mother and her aunt got along so well. Kate could easily imagine them being the best of friends if they lived in the same town.
And Fred had been able to make it to dinner, since he was getting around much better. Aunt Penney had said she didn’t want to leave him alone at home all evening. She’d insisted he wasn’t up for cooking for himself, but from what Kate had witnessed, Fred had made a miraculous recovery. Was there more to his injuries than she could see? Or was her aunt just using the accident as an excuse to invite Fred over?
“How are you doing, Fred?” Wes asked.
“Good.” Fred jerked back, looked guiltily at Aunt Penney, and then leaned under the table to rub his leg. “Erm, I mean as well as can be expected.”
Kate caught her aunt frowning at him. What was going on? Her aunt was up to something, but she didn’t know what. Or was her aunt just hoping to spend more time with Fred?
The thought of her aunt falling in love filled Kate with hope. Her aunt had sacrificed everything to keep the family company going, as well as to raise her niece. Over the years, her aunt had assured Kate that raising her had been enough, but Kate worried that her aunt had missed something by not having a love of her own.
It was another reason Kate wouldn’t consider leaving Bayberry. Her aunt had given up everything for her, and she would give up everything for Aunt Penney. It’s what family did: They stuck together.
“Isn’t that right?” Aunt Penney looked expectantly at her.
Kate had no idea what they’d been discussing. The only thing she could do was agree and then maybe everyone would stop staring at her. She was never comfortable being the center of attention.
“Um, sure.”
Aunt Penney gave her a bright smile before turning her attention to Wes. “So, it’s up to you. Would you be willing to help Kate with the decorations for the Candlelight Dance, since Fred is too injured to do it this year?” Penney turned to Fred. “Isn’t that right?”
Fred’s white brows lifted. “Oh. Yeah.” He rubbed the left side of his ribs. “Definitely too sore to help.”
Wait. Wasn’t it Fred’s right side that had been injured? Kate definitely smelled a bit of scheming going on here. Her questioning gaze moved to Aunt Penney, who conveniently glanced away.
“Oh, Wesley wouldn’t mind helping out,” Martha supplied.
