Her Christmas Hero (Home To Dover 6) (17 page)

The cool tone of her voice dashed the last of his hopes. He wanted to believe she needed time to calm down, but from the detached expression on her face, he was getting a different message entirely. “There’s a severe storm system coming through tonight. Mom and I would feel better if you and Evan were at the house. With all these trees around the cottage, it would be safer.”

“Your mom wants us there?”

Was she wondering if he did, as well? “She’s like a mother hen in a storm. She wants all her chicks to be under her wing.” He waited while she weighed her options.
She didn’t want to be close to him
. His heart pinched in his chest. “It’s just for tonight. The weather will clear by morning. Typical for Mississippi this time of year.”

“All right. We’ll throw some things together and be right over.”

“I don’t mind waiting to help carry.” He smiled, but she didn’t smile back.

“We can manage.” She made to close the door.

“Oh, okay. Sure.” Dismissed. Again. How many times did he need to get knocked beside the head before he got the message? Maybe he’d been fooling himself about Gemma’s feelings for him. Could he have misread things so badly, or was he an egotistical jerk who couldn’t take no for an answer?

He’d thought he’d found someone he could spend his life with, a woman he admired, a woman who would be a partner and his friend. Gemma was everything he’d ever dreamed about. He’d never experienced this kind of connection with anyone before. He stopped, turning back to look at the cottage. Realization taking hold. And neither had
she
.

He replayed their last conversation. Fear. That was why she’s pulling back.

He knew she cared for him, but she was afraid. The men who had betrayed her in the past had left a deep scar. She saw herself as damaged, worth less than before. Did she think that learning the truth would make him think less of her?

Linc started back to the main house. He knew what he had to do. He had to prove to Gemma that she could trust him, depend on him. In the meantime, a little distance might be wise for both of them. He’d give her time to miss him, the way he was already missing her.

Chapter Twelve

G
emma had never felt so conflicted in her life. Francie had settled them in their rooms at the main house, fed them homemade soup, then brought them into the cozy family room to play a game. Evan had chosen Monopoly. She’d hoped the game would distract her from thinking about Linc, but it had only highlighted the condition of her life. Moving around and around, making some headway only to have someone snatch away everything you’d worked for.

Linc had been conspicuously absent since she arrived. Francie said he was in the study working. Gemma knew better. He didn’t want to be around her. What did she expect after literally closing the door in his face?

Still, she was thankful she’d agreed to stay here tonight. There was a fire in the large Montgomery fireplace, the crystal tree twinkled and soft Christmas music filled the room. What more could she ask for on a dark and stormy winter night?

After all, she should be glad she didn’t have to face Linc and see the distasteful look in his eyes. He’d been kind and compassionate when she’d shared her shame. But just as she’d feared, her past had shut down any romantic feelings he might have been developing. He was putting distance between them, subtly telling her he couldn’t deal with her past.

But she ached to see him, to hear him laugh the way he had the night they’d decorated her tree. She wanted him to participate in the board game, to sit with her by the fire. But that dream was over.

After tucking Evan in for the night, Gemma retreated to her room and prepared for bed. Slipping under the covers, she pulled the blanket up tight around her chin, listening to the wind beat against the windows. The old house didn’t budge. She’d wanted to refuse Linc’s offer and stay in her cottage, but now that she was here, she was glad she’d come. She felt safe and protected. Or was that because Linc was nearby?

Lightning flashed, illuminating the large bedroom with its antique furniture. A long rumble of thunder ended in a loud crack. It was going to be a long night.

* * *

The storm had blown through by the time Gemma woke up the next morning. From what she’d seen from her bedroom window, the trees outside had taken a beating. Limbs had fallen onto the roof of the cottage. Hail had beaten down the shrubs and the ground was littered with branches and leaves.

But the moment she stepped into the kitchen, Gemma knew something more serious must be wrong. Francie’s expression was somber and her smile lacked its usual sparkle.

Gemma took time to fix her coffee before asking the question. “How bad was the storm?”

“Pretty bad. Thankfully no one was seriously injured, but there’s widespread damage across the town.”

“Where’s Linc?” She hated herself for asking, but his energy was obviously missing.

“He was up at dawn. A tree fell over at the end of the drive so he cleared that, then took his chain saw into town to see who he could help.”

Town. Gemma had a sick feeling in her stomach. “What about downtown? Have you heard how it is?”

Francie slowly set her cup down. “It was hit pretty hard. Linc said to go in as soon as you were up and check things out.”

Her throat convulsed, making it impossible to swallow her coffee. “I’d better go.”

A short while later, Gemma stood in the middle of the courthouse square fighting back tears. The storm had wreaked havoc on downtown Dover. Lights had been pulled from the fronts of several stores. The giant Christmas tree was still standing, but many of the ornaments were gone. Two of the wreath drapes over the streets were dangling from one side. Power had been out all night and was only partially restored. Tree limbs were scattered throughout the park. One had fallen onto the white tent where Santa held court and had broken the red throne.

She spotted Linc across the park, his chain saw slicing through a thick limb from one of the oaks that hadn’t survived the high winds. When he saw her, he shut off the saw and joined her.

“I know it looks bad, but it could have been worse. Don’t worry, Gemma. I’ll have some of my guys rehang the lights.”

She wiped a tear from her eye.

“Mayor Ogden offered as many city workers as we need to clean up. There’s no way we can get this all put back together by Friday. It’s the last weekend, the one that will highlight the real meaning of Christmas.”

She looked at Linc after that speech. He offered a small smile.

“If anyone can get it done, it’s you. Let me know what you need and I’ll pull some of my guys off other jobs to help you.”

He turned and walked away, leaving her with a cold ache in her chest. She didn’t realize until that moment that she’d been hoping for a hug, a warm embrace to give her strength and comfort.

A sob escaped her throat. It was hopeless. Everything was ruined. Her special events were destroyed, and along with it, her hope of a second chance at her career. Linc wasn’t even going to help. He’d send his crew, but he wasn’t going to get involved.

The text notification chimed on her phone.

Saw the storm damage. Time to come home. Even nature is against you. Mom

Her insides collapsed, curling in under the failure. She wrapped her arms around her waist, closing her eyes against the destruction. When she opened them again she was looking at the manger, stunned at what she saw. Amid all the damage, the baby Jesus was right where he’d always been. Solid. Secure. Unchanged.

She took another look around. She knew God had called her to this life—this job. He’d never told her it would be easy. Her gaze landed on the drooping tent and the broken arm of the Santa throne. This weekend was the most important of all. There was no way she’d let those events be canceled, and she refused to allow her mother to undermine her confidence.

If anyone can get it done, you can.
Linc’s words gave her courage. She was going to prove him right. Another sob coughed out of her throat. “Lord, I don’t know where to start. I need Your strength.”

She scanned the park and the surrounding buildings. She’d start with the lights. That was the main draw. Everything else she could adjust. But this time, she’d be doing things without Linc.

Slipping her phone into her jacket pocket, she caught sight of a network satellite truck parked at the curb. They were probably here to cover the storm damage for the news. But first, she needed to convince one of the reporters to put her on camera so she could assure everyone that the events this weekend would go on as planned. Raising her chin, she strode forward toward the camera team near the Santa tent.

* * *

Linc stared out the window of his dad’s office Thursday, willing the pounding inside his head to stop and wishing he could be in two places at once. He wanted to be helping Gemma get the celebrations up and running again. He knew she was crushed by the extensive damage to the square, and he wanted to be at her side to prove to her that she could depend on him. But he needed to be here, too, because Montgomery Electrical was coming apart, and if he didn’t do something fast, it would cease to exist.

He’d lost two more bids this week, two other projects were behind schedule and this morning he’d been informed that there was no money left to finish the Coast Line office building in Biloxi. They’d put in a bid that was too low, and if they didn’t find the money in the next few days, the company was facing bankruptcy. And it would be on his shoulders.

He’d always been confident in his decisions and sure of his direction. But his world had been spun around in circles and he’d lost his bearings. He’d scrambled all week looking for solutions.

He inhaled a deep breath when he heard the tapping on the office door. He’d called a meeting with Paul Rush, their comptroller, to go over their options. For the next half hour Paul laid out the situation. Dale Montgomery had been good at balancing jobs and bids and cash flow, but he’d been skating close to the edge the last year, counting on future bids coming through. Unfortunately, that hadn’t happened.

Linc rubbed the bridge of his nose, his gut twisted in a fiery knot. “What are the options?” Paul shrugged, his shadowed eyes telling the tale.

“Lay off a few people until we can get on solid ground again. Sell off equipment to raise some capital, or shut down completely until business picks up again.”

Linc pushed back from the desk and stood, pacing the small office. “I’m not laying anyone off. Not at Christmas. Dad would never do that. Selling equipment won’t raise enough money fast enough to meet the draw for the next phase of construction.”

He set his jaw. He should have asked for help, involved Gil more in the decision-making process. He’d thought he was prepared to run the business, but he hadn’t expected to feel so lost without his father in his life.

Paul tapped the desk lightly. “You should call your mother in on this. Technically, it’s her company now.”

“No. Not yet. She’s suffered enough. She doesn’t need this on top of everything else. I’ll find a way.” Linc refused to let his mother lose her home, or the business. He’d added to this mess. He needed to find a way to fix it.

Paul shuffled the papers on the desk. “We need a huge influx of cash in a hurry. I have a few more options I can look into, but frankly, I’m not hopeful. I never anticipated things going south so fast. Do you have some way to get this kind of money in a matter of days? Legally.”

Linc’s heart shriveled inside his chest. It was the last thing he wanted to do, but it was his only option. If it saved the company, that’s all that mattered. “As a matter of fact, I do.” He walked out of the office and headed for his truck. Time to grant an old friend’s request.

* * *

The Friday-afternoon sun was setting quickly. The long shadows had already darkened the tree trunks along the riverbank. In less than an hour the sun would set. Darkness would block his sight.

Linc faced the front of the old Montgomery farmhouse on his property, his insides tied in knots. In another hour this land would belong to someone else. Instead of becoming his family home, it would be home to a fishing camp. Instead of raising his children on Montgomery land, he’d be telling them how he’d lost it because of his pride and arrogance. He rubbed away the sting in his eyes. Losing this piece of ground would be like losing his dad all over again.

His dad had always envisioned a Montgomery compound. The five of them all living nearby, the grandkids coming around, the family growing bigger and closer. But one by one his siblings were selling off their heritage. Something he swore he’d never do.

But it was a sacrifice he was willing to make to save Montgomery Electric. It was what his dad would have done. The company was their livelihood. It kept a roof over his mother’s head; it secured her future. Linc took one last look at the old house, then strode to his truck and climbed in. Heart pounding, he cranked the engine and drove away.

At six thirty, Linc stepped into the law offices of Blake Prescott. There were a few more details to work out with the buyer before they held the closing. Every muscle in his body ached from stress and fatigue. It had been a hectic week of long days and late nights, all in a desperate attempt to find another solution to save the company. He’d tried every option available, but in the end there’d been only one.

As he took his seat in the small conference room, he couldn’t even muster a fake smile as Blake went over the terms to make sure both parties were in agreement. When Blake passed him the first document to sign, a cold chill washed along his veins, making it hard to grasp the pen.

Halfway through the stack of papers, an alert sounded from his phone. His heart died in his chest when he read the reminder. Evan’s play. He clenched his teeth, staring blindly at the papers, unable to accept what he was doing. He wanted to bolt from the room. Tell Blake to forget the whole thing. But he couldn’t.

“Linc? Everything all right? Is there an error on one of the documents?”

Linc swallowed the bitter laugh that rose in the back of his throat. Error? A big one. And he was making it right now. “No. Just a little cramp in my hand from signing, that’s all.”

Steeling himself, he scribbled his signature. A half hour later, the sale was complete. He shook hands with the buyer, thanked Blake, then walked outside.

He stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, his gaze skimming over all the beauty Gemma had created for Dover. The lights, the decorations and the tree in the park. He smiled, amazed at her limitless abilities and determination. Not only had she finished everything on time, she’d brought a new level of joy to the town—and especially to him. She’d taught him to laugh again and to see a new vision for his future. One that included her and Evan.

But he knew how she’d interpret him missing the play. It would be a betrayal of her trust in him. Proof that he wasn’t dependable.

Tonight he’d not only signed away his past, but he’d lost his future and done the one thing he’d vowed never to do—let Gemma down. He took one last look at the park and the white steeple of Peace Community rising behind the courthouse. Then turned his back and walked away. He’d saved the business, but lost any hope with Gemma. She would never trust him again. Evan would never forgive him.

* * *

Gemma glanced over her shoulder once more, watching the back door of the Peace Community fellowship center for a familiar figure. The Christmas play was nearly over. Evan was doing a wonderful job, but she’d seen him glance toward the empty seat beside her, and then to the back looking for his hero. But Linc Montgomery hadn’t come.

A kernel of anxiety took root in her chest. She tried to ignore it. She loved Linc, and she wanted to believe he was a good man who could be trusted not to let a little boy down on an important night.

Since the storm, she’d been working round the clock to get things back on track. The TV interview had assured potential visitors everything would go on as planned. It had taken a dozen city workers, many volunteers and a lot of rearranging, but the downtown and the park were bright and shining for the weekend. Linc hadn’t been part of any of it.

Tonight the play was open to the public and the church auditorium was packed. This weekend, choirs from other churches would be singing in the gazebo, the mayor would be reading the Christmas story at the nativity and strolling singers would perform all evening. Each of the three churches near the square would be open for prayer or for worship service.