AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Juliet held up the rolling pin like she meant to use it as a weapon. “And no one messes with our merry community.”
“Ho, ho, ho,” Chip cheered from the other counter, holding up the knife he’d been using to cut the pie into slices.
Griffin chuckled, setting his water on the counter. “Now let’s take care of this refrigerator. Make sure this is where you want it because I’m not moving it again.”
Juliet pointed to the contraption, the devil dancing in her eyes. Which meant if it had to be moved again, he’d be moving the damn thing. Because he loved his sister and would do anything for her.
Same went for anyone else in town—Eve included.
3
She stretched to the right,trying to undo the kink in her lower back that had settled there the past three days. That’s what happened when one slept on the hard floor with nothing between their body to protect them. She needed a bed. A proper one. Unfortunately for her, they didn’t have much to choose from.
Who knew that when a person moved to a town that celebrated Christmas year-round they took that motto seriously? Too seriously.
The three different versions of sleigh bed frames that peered back at her said as much. She didn’t want to sleep in a bed that looked like Santa might jump in and fly away into the night sky.
She couldn’t even believe that they had three different types of sleigh-like beds either. One was plenty.
But she had to pick one because she’d already asked for just a bedframe and apparently they didn’t sell those. It was merriment or nothing.
“You look deep in thought.”
Eve shrieked, placing a hand to her heart as she jumped, tripping on her feet. Griffin was lightning fast, grabbing her around the waist before she would’ve bonked her head on the very sleigh she hated to purchase.
Her body trembled as his warm arm wrapped around her, cocooning her in safety. She hated to admit to herself she wasn’t trembling from the fright he’d given her but from his strong and gentle touch. No one had ever handled her so tenderly before.
“Are you okay? I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“I’m…I’m fine.” She pulled a smile from nowhere, hoping that would appease him and he’d let her go. While she had no fear he’d harm her, she didn’t like how he made her feel. She hadn’t come to this town to fall into the arms of a man. Get trapped in a relationship. Worry about if she could trust him or not. Trust did not come easily to her, if it would at all. She’d never been able to trust anyone in her life.
He must’ve sensed her unease because he let her go, but not before making sure she was steady on her feet.
She took a step back, still reeling from his touch. No amount of retreating would put her at ease. Only when she couldn’t see him would she feel better. Her body still felt electrified by his touch.
They stared at each other for the longest time, neither saying a word.
She didn’t know what to say. Reacting the way she had was idiotic. She was supposed to be living under the radar, not making him look at her deeper with her silly reactions. This was the first time she’d seen him in the past few days since he ate at the cafe. She hadn’t even seen him next door arriving or leaving, or through the window in his kitchen.
She’d hung up the curtains, the little protection they provided. That’s what happened when she didn’t pay attention to what she purchased—she screwed herself over. They were sheer curtains, letting prying eyes still pry. Even worse than that, they had dancing elves all over them. She had nightmares of elves dancing right off the curtains and attacking her in her sleep.
Before she left this store, she’d be leaving with more curtains—that would be blackout—and a mattress that would lay on the floor. She’d made her decision. No way was she buying a sleigh frame.
“So what one do you like best?” he finally asked, breaking the silence and their intense stare.
“You mean do I like the sleigh bed, the sleigh bed or,” she said pointing to each one, “the sleigh bed? It’s so hard to decide.”
She hadn’t meant to joke around with him. The faster she got out of his presence, the better, but when he laughed, it filled her heart with a bit of joy. Something she hadn’t experienced in a very long time. If she really had experienced it. Her life had been nothing but disappointment and sorrow.
“I can see how it would be difficult to decide.” He put a finger to his chin, pretending to ponder which one he’d pick as he looked at the frames. “I’d go with the sleigh bed.”
She giggled, unable to control it. His gaze caught hers once again. The intensity of it frightened her. She tore her eyes away first.
“I think I’m going to just get a mattress. I never expected there wouldn’t be many options to choose from.”
“Most folks, if they want something non-Christmas related, shop out of town. These things are for the tourists and such. I can show you a great place two towns over.”
Her eyes swiveled to his once again. They looked innocent enough. But could she trust him? Sit in a vehicle for any length of time and not give away how terrified she was?
