Christmas Island by Mary Shotwell

Author:Mary Shotwell
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781648982613
Publisher: City Owl Press

Chapter Eighteen

Steve stuck a finger between his shirt collar and neck. His heather sweater fit snugly over the button-down shirt, with his jacket over that. As he entered Woodman’s Lodge, he began to regret the outfit choice. The fireplace roared, heating the room well beyond the seating area.

Aunt Dee came out of her office and greeted him with a smile. “Don’t you look dapper.”

He patted the crown of his head, the stray strands refusing to obey. “Going to dinner over at the community center.” It struck him how Aunt Dee belonged in the family category of guests, as Tracy’s great-aunt. “Are you not going tonight?”

“I am, but I have a few loose ends here before I can leave. Besides, I know how they can be, not serving food for the first hour.”

He sincerely hoped not as his stomach pangs intensified. Tracy had provided them with a hearty lunch for sure. But he hadn’t planned on staying on the island all afternoon, stringing lights on trees, up and down the ladder. It was the most calories he’s burned in one afternoon since who knew when.

Not that he minded helping out. The trip to Florida was a distant memory at this point. Certainly, there would be other opportunities to borrow Margaret’s aunt’s place. He was needed here, and it felt good to be needed for something beyond his legal expertise. The law moved slowly, and sometimes he’d forget to embrace the victories, or even just the settlement of a case. The reward took long to achieve and oftentimes didn’t feel climactic. Today, he was using his hands, physical labor, and the reward was immediate. He could see how far they had come as a team, and how much they had left to go before the fundraiser began.

What he didn’t enjoy much was standing inside Woodsman’s Lodge. The brown wooden hotel, with its soft, musty smell mixed with cedar, drew him right back to October. He’d met Rachel for their blind date right there, seated by the bookshelf, taking in the fire’s warmth.

“Can you tell Laura I’ll be out on the porch?” He moved to the door.

“It’s so cold out there tonight. Supposed to be the coldest so far this season.” Aunt Dee turned to the stairs. “I bet that’s her coming down now.”

She was right. Laura stepped down, wearing a sleek black sweater dress, along with those same boots from the other night she pulled off so well. Her hair was curled in loose spirals, one side pinned back with a silvery clip.

“Sorry if you were waiting long,” she said.

“Not long at all.”

Aunt Dee smirked. “He was about to freeze his butt off outside waiting for you.”

Laura looked at him quizzically.

“It’s just a bit warm in here, that’s all.”

“You and I both know your feelings about the lodge.” Aunt Dee pulled a piece of lint off Laura’s shoulder. “I’d better get ready myself. You two be careful driving. They’re saying this snowstorm isn’t something to take lightly.”

“You be careful too,” Steve said. “See you there.

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