Tanya Michaels - Mistletoe Hero

The memory blurred after that, ending with the principal and vice principal separating them and the look of contempt in Jeremy Sloan’s eyes when he’d come to pick up his suspended son.

Gabe swallowed. “Jack.”

“Quinn said I should see you about the ladder?”

“What? Oh, the ladder. Yeah. Follow me to my truck.” Gabe had offered the use of his commercial-grade ladder, knowing it extended well beyond the ladders most people had at home.

“I couldn’t make the meeting the other night,” Jack said. “Zoning commission meeting ran late. But I wanted to add that I think the pirate ship idea is a nice touch. We appreciate your taking time out of your schedule to put it together so quickly.”

From someone else, the remark could have been snide, a pointed reminder that Gabe didn’t have much of a social schedule. But Jack was completely amiable. If he recalled Gabe’s regrettably lost temper in high school, he wasn’t holding a grudge.

When they reached the truck, Gabe said, “This ladder’s pretty heavy. Where are you headed with it?”

“Just around the corner, to Butler Street. We’re raising the big bingo tent and stringing up the speakers.”

The two of them carried the ladder together. Jack said that when he was done with it, he and someone else would bring it to Gabe, who would need it this afternoon.

Not five minutes later, Gabe was hailed again. This time by Tanner Waide. Gabe could guess what the man wanted to discuss. Arianne, what trouble have you got me into now? The idea of defending himself with the God’s honest truth-that she had made the move on him -was enticing, but he discounted it as ungallant. Besides, in his experience, people rarely believed that explanation.

“Tanner, what can I do for you?” he asked, slowing his gait but not stopping.

“I don’t need anything.” The man smiled, heightening his familial resemblance to Arianne. “Actually I came to say that if there’s anything you ever need…”

When Tanner broke off with a frown, Gabe found himself confused. “You mean, like assistance with the pirate ship?”

“Not exactly. Although I’d be happy to help.” Tanner rubbed his jaw. “This is more awkward than I’d intended, but I heard about the confrontation with Shane.”

Gabe sighed. Would Arianne’s brother believe him if he explained that he wasn’t looking for any trouble?

“I just want you to know we’ve got your back.”

“Excuse me?”

“David and me. If you want us to correct any misconceptions about how it went down. Or if you think Shane’s not getting the message about Ari not being interested, I’d appreciate your letting me know. I’ll have a chat with him.”

Gabe’s gaze went involuntarily to Tanner’s hand, and the other man noticed, chuckling.

“That wasn’t a euphemism for roughing him up. He’s known the family for years, and we owe it to him to try talking first if his behavior’s become inappropriate.” Tanner’s expression suddenly hardened. “Unless he ever lays a hand on my little sister, in which case I’ll dump his body in the river.”

If Shane hurt Ari in front of Gabe, Tanner would never get the chance to kill him. Gabe didn’t voice the thought-it seemed risky, given his history and the fact that three local police officers were helping with the huge canvas bingo tent. But some of the protective ferocity he was feeling must have shown in his expression because Tanner rocked back on the balls of his feet, looking satisfied.

“I see we’re in agreement,” Tanner said. “I’ll let you get back to work, then. But we’ll have a beer soon so I can give you advice.”

“Advice?” What had he done to make the Waides think they were his own personal consulting team?

“On how to manage my sister.”

“I don’t think that’s possible,” Gabe grumbled.

Tanner grinned. “You’re a quick learner.”

GABE PAUSED, WIPING his forehead with the back of his arm. He was mighty glad they’d asked for his help with the fall festival and not the July Fourth celebration. Even with the cool October air, he was working up a sweat. He set the hammer he’d been using across the top of his toolbox and reached for a bottle of water. It had long since turned lukewarm, but at least it was wet.

He stood and twisted off the lid, gratefully rehydrating.

“I feel bad that I didn’t think to bring you another bottle. You look like you’re about out,” Lilah observed as she emerged from a shaded trail between two buildings.

“That’s okay.” He crumpled the plastic to stick it in the recycling bin. “I’ll probably head for lunch soon anyway, so I can get something else to drink then.”

“Could you hold off on that lunch for another fifteen minutes?” she asked. “Jennifer Gideon just handed me the check from the PTA and the bouncy company is supposed to be delivering the ball pit back here. Can you direct them, let them know exactly where you need it?”

“Sure.” He smiled. “But if I pass out from hunger in the meantime, it’s on your head.”

She looked startled for a second and he wondered if she’d taken him seriously, but then she gave a little shake of her head. “After the diving pit is set up, why don’t you come to lunch with us? Tanner and I were talking about going for Mexican.”

“You do know I was kidding about the fainting?”

“That’s what I figured. I just thought it would be nice if you could join us.” She hesitated before adding, “Ari will be there.”

If he were a smarter man, that would be a reason not to go. Hadn’t he been thinking to himself that the more distance between them, the better? But…

He missed her smile. In retrospect, he’d been braced all morning for her to seek him out, to interrupt, and now that she hadn’t, the relief he should be feeling was tainted with disappointment.

“She’s trying to give you space,” Lilah said in a near whisper, glancing around as if nervous she would be caught betraying a confidence. “She’s afraid she comes on too strong.”

She does. So why wasn’t he happier that she was staying away?

“It won’t last,” Lilah predicted. “She’s trying to back off because she’s told herself she should , but it’s too contrary to her nature. The Waides are strong-willed.”

“Including your husband?”

Lilah laughed. “Especially my husband! Don’t let the aw-shucks twinkle in his eyes or easy smile fool you. You should have seen the full-court press I got when he moved back to Mistletoe. I was afraid he could break my heart again and wanted nothing to do with him.”

Gabe pointed to the wedding band she wore. “Looks like he wore you down.”

“Put that way, it doesn’t sound very romantic, huh?” She wrinkled her nose. “But trust me, even though I thought he was going to drive me crazy at the time, letting myself love him was the best decision I ever made.”

A truck parked at the curb and a couple of guys crunched across the gravel to ask if she was Lilah and if this was where the ball pit would go. Nodding, she introduced them to Gabe. He took it from there and she excused herself to go check on the progress with the bingo tent and midway facade.

“Think about that lunch offer,” she reminded him over her shoulder.

He grinned at her retreating back-Lilah was a bit like her relentless sister-in-law, she was just more understated about it.

Together the three men got the “mega pit” situated and inflated the base to determine whether this was going to work safely. When Gabe was satisfied that walking the plank would be a lighthearted fundraiser and not a short plummet into traction, he thanked the uniformed men and signed the paperwork saying that he understood the safety regulations and instructions for how to use the electric blower. They unloaded seven enormous bags filled with springy, multicolored balls. As he handed over the clipboard, he caught sight of a paint-smeared blonde and two kids in his peripheral vision.