Lorraine Beatty - Her Christmas Hero

Gemma peeked into the small bedroom and found Evan sitting cross-legged on the floor with his game player. She’d rather see him enjoying the outdoors. Maybe unpacking could wait. “Are you ready to go check out that creek?”

His eyes lit up, causing a prick in her heart. He’d lost his spark living with her parents. Staying with Caroline had helped ease some of his insecurities, but now that they were alone maybe he’d regain his happy smile and be less fearful and hesitant.

Fall leaves and small acorns crunched pleasingly beneath their feet as they crossed the yard on the way to the creek. It was a lovely piece of property with a lovely home to match. The pale-gray-and-white mansion rose three stories between hundred-year-old live oaks, thickly draped with Spanish moss. A circular porch with a balcony above graced one side of the home and a sunroom extended from the other side. Behind the house were two larger buildings she suspected had served as barn and stable in earlier times.

The overall effect was pleasing and welcoming. A true family home. The kind Gemma had always imagined.

“Mom, that guy, he was pretty strong, huh?”

“You mean Mr. Linc? Yes, I suppose he is.” There was little doubt the man worked out.

“He looks like a quarterback. Suppose he played football?”

She didn’t know for certain, but it was a safe assumption. He had the build for it and the aggressive personality. “Maybe.” What had prompted her son’s questions? Was he longing for a father figure in his life, someone to play ball and roughhouse with? Maybe she should have gotten married and given her son a real family. But she hadn’t been able to bring herself to trust another man. She’d been betrayed too many times.

“Do I have to go to school tomorrow?”

She smiled at the dread in his voice. “Yes. We’ll get you registered first thing. I’m sure you’ll make wonderful new friends.”

He lowered his head and shrugged, kicking fallen leaves up as he walked. “I guess.”

Gemma pulled him close for a quick hug. “Don’t be afraid to talk to the other kids. I know it’s been difficult for you staying with Grandma and Grandpa, then moving across the country to Miss Caroline’s, but now it’s just you and me, okay?”

“What if I make a mistake or do something wrong?”

Gemma set her jaw. Her perfectionist mother had chipped away at Evan’s confidence with her constant criticism. Gemma had been so busy dealing with the aftermath from Darren’s betrayal and losing her business she hadn’t realized how hard it was for her son until the damage had been done. Growing up she’d grown a coat of armor against her mother’s ways, but Evan was too young. When Caroline offered her a place, Gemma had jumped at the chance to escape the oppressive expectations of her overachieving parents.

“It’s okay to make a mistake, Evan. And nothing on this earth is perfect, no matter what your grandmother says. You do the best you can and I’ll always be proud of you. Understand?” Evan nodded and gave her a sweet smile.

They stopped at the edge of the creek. Broad and shallow, it posed little for her to worry about. Evan would have fun exploring. As he started to poke around the stones and mud, she wandered off a short ways. Her gaze drifted to the mansion. She stopped when movement caught her attention. A man stood at the edge of the porch. Linc. Was he watching them? Making sure they didn’t do any damage? Had he talked to his mother?

She shook off the concerns. She had every right to be here. If he didn’t like it, that was his problem. Hers was creating a series of Christmas events that would give Dover the economic boost they needed. She already had lots of ideas and couldn’t wait to meet with the Chamber members tomorrow to get started.

Unable to stop herself, she glanced at Linc again. Even across the distance his personality reached out and touched her—sending a shiver along her spine. She’d have to be vigilant. Strong. Keep her confidence in place. No one was going to make her cower, or take advantage of her ever again.

Chapter Two

Linc was not a fan of Monday mornings. Especially when it meant sitting behind a desk in an office. He’d much rather be in his truck headed for a job site. The figures on the page before him dissolved into a cloudy blur. He closed his eyes, rubbing them with his fingers to ease the strain. Calculating the estimates for a project bid was his brother Gil’s area of expertise. Linc was more at home with managing the actual job. But with Gil in Mobile and Dad gone, it fell to him.

Leaning back in the chair, he scanned the office. His dad’s presence lingered heavily in the air. At any moment he expected to hear his deep voice, and to see his sturdy frame striding into the room. The ache inside Linc’s chest expanded, and a lump rose in his throat, so painful that it made his eyes burn.

As long as he could remember he’d wanted to be exactly like his dad. He wanted to do everything he did, including running the family business. But his dream had always included working side by side with his father—never running the company all alone. Technically, Gil was a partner, too. He was the planner, the negotiator, the one who won bids with his precise numbers. Linc was the hands-on guy, supervising the electricians, managing job sites and dealing with the construction issues.

He swiveled the chair to look out the window and studied the sign out front that proclaimed in shiny steel letters on a blue background the company his grandfather had started. Linc had trained and studied his whole life to assume this job. But he’d never expected the pressure involved with keeping a large company running.

He slammed a fist against the chair arm. Why had the Lord taken Dale Montgomery so young? He’d not seen his sixtieth birthday. His family needed him. Linc needed him. Setting his jaw, he shoved the self-pity aside and spun back around to the desk. He needed to buck up. His dad wouldn’t want him behaving like a kid. He’d expect him to step in and take charge. Somehow Linc had to keep the company going and the family together. Family had meant everything to Dale Montgomery. Faith first, family second—then work.

“Hey, bro.” Seth Montgomery strolled into the office and stopped in front of the desk. “I came by to pick up supplies and thought I’d see how you were doing.”

Much of Linc’s melancholy eased. His younger brother was easygoing and always found the bright side in everything. Linc rested his elbows on the desk. “Wishing Gil was here to figure out these blueprints. This bid is due at the end of the week.”

Seth sat down with a shake of his head. “Don’t look at me. I’m not the business type, remember? I like pulling wires and connecting circuit breakers.” He grew serious as he glanced around the office. “It seems weird to see you in here instead of Dad.”

The pressure inside Linc’s chest squeezed like a vise, making it hard to breathe. They were all suffering the loss. “Trust me, it feels even weirder to sit here and try to do his job.”

“Afraid you’re not up to it?”

“Maybe.”

Seth stood, an encouraging smile on his face. “Don’t sweat it. You’re the smartest guy I know. And the most stubborn. It might be rough at first, but you’ll make it work. You and Gil together are a force, man.”

“Thanks. Have you talked to Tori?” Their youngest sister had taken their father’s death the hardest. As the baby of the family, she and Dad had shared a special bond. She was struggling with her grief.

“Yeah, she’s not doing too well. She won’t even let me come over. I’m worried. I wish Mom was here. Mom’s the only one who can understand her.”

“Hopefully she’ll be home soon. Did you know she rented the cottage?”