Small-Town Bachelor by Darlene Franklin

Author:Darlene Franklin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin

Chapter 10

Preparing for the Christmas Eve service twenty-four hours later, Verity’s lips still tingled with the memory of Garrett’s kiss. No kiss—no man—had made her feel that way since Curtis. The thought scared her and excited her in equal measure.

“Mom, we’re late.” Mason stretched her name out, his arms across his chest. The adult pose made her laugh.

“Mom.” He stretched her name out even longer. “Keenan’s still eating.”

“I’m done.” Keenan dropped his trash in the can and rinsed off his plate before putting it in the dishwasher. That simple act was as good a present as anything sitting under the tree.

Verity took another look at her sage-green sweater with a spattering of gold across the yoke, her lightly made-up face, and decided she looked good enough. Des was dressed in a sweatshirt with fun Christmas cats. Mason had dressed in blue jeans and green shirt at the request of the children’s choir director.

After they piled into the car, Verity said, “So, tell me about Garrett’s aunt Hazel.” Keenan had shoveled her sidewalk and driveway at Garrett’s request.

Keenan rolled his head back against the headrest on the bucket seat. “Nice. A big place—I didn’t know if I would finish shoveling in time.” A smile flashed across his face. “I liked the pay.”

“I’m proud of you, finding those jobs shoveling snow. People may call you all winter long.”

“I hope so.” Keenan looked at her. “If you let me.”

Verity had grounded him. Church. School. Museum. Nothing else, not even extra activities at church. But he was going crazy without anything to do at home, a situation which could create more problems than it solved. And having some money of his own was a good thing, wasn’t it?

“Until school starts, it will be okay. After that, I don’t know.” She paused. “I remember my first job. It was like a dream come true. I saved enough money to buy a computer.” She had wanted a car.

Cars. She gulped. Now that he had his license, how long before he asked to borrow the car? Or to get his own car?

She dropped Mason off at the door, and he ran for the entrance. He had been in Christmas programs before, but she had rarely seen him so excited.

“Do you guys want to get out here? I’ll have to park far away.” The parking lot was full, as if a lot of guests had come to enjoy the Christmas pageant.

Des and Keenan got out, but before Verity could pull away to park, Garrett appeared. “May I park your car, ma’am?” He bowed as if he was a paid valet.

Laughing, she handed him the keys, then went inside, hung up her coat and waited for Garrett. Des and Keenan met up with the youth group seconds before Garrett walked through the door. “May I join you tonight?” He smiled, as if certain of her answer.

Nodding, she headed for the sanctuary doors on the right side. The pews were packed, and they had to walk halfway down the aisle before they spotted a place to sit.

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