Page 25 of Chocolate Cherry Cabin

“What do you need?” Hannah asked, her voice lacking the warmth she used to reserve for the man who’d swept her off her feet so many years ago.

Calvin was wearing a fine wool coat and polished black loafers, so he must have come straight from work. Louis wondered how long it would be before he started dating again. Probably not too long. He hoped the self-centered jerk didn’t make life miserable for Hannah and the boys when he did.

“I thought we could discuss some last-minute details about Paris,” Calvin said, his gaze fixed solidly on Louis.

Paris? What the…?

Louis turned to Hannah, unable to mask his disbelief. “You’re going to Paris? With him?”

“Calvin and the boys are going.” Hannah gave Louis a look that said “Butt out.” Not that he was ever very good at that.

“He’s taking the boys?” he asked. How was she not outraged? It was obvious her sons were her life, and Christmas was in eight days. She loved everything about the holiday and surely wanted to pull every joyful morsel out of the lead-up with her kids. More so if they still believed in Santa and the magic of the season.

“Yes.” Hannah inhaled slowly, clearly working to keep herself calm.

“Louis Bellmore,” Calvin said, his tone flat. “You’re back in town.”

Louis stood taller. “Living right next door.”

His smile sure felt smug. He hoped it looked it, too.

Calvin took a long look at Hannah, then shifted his attention back to Louis. His jaw was tight, like the time Louis had spotted him in the grocery store with his sons and they were begging for him to buy a carton of grape juice.

“Of course you are,” Calvin said tightly.

“Indeed I am.” Louis grinned and rocked back on his heels. “And you’re still...you?”

Hannah flashed him a warning look, having noted the hint of insult in his words and tone. Couldn’t get much past her. That was one of the things he admired most about her.

“Thomas has a play date and the ladies are over,” Hannah said, moving toward the steps again.

“Then what are you two doing out here?” Calvin asked.

He’d come closer to Hannah, his eyes still on Louis, staking his territory, no doubt. He might not want her any longer, but he sure didn’t want Louis anywhere near her. The jerk was smart enough to know he hadn’t done well by Hannah and that Louis would call him on it. Or do better, if given the chance.

“Talking.” Hannah crossed her arms, then softened her stance when Calvin gave her a wounded look. “We were checking out the piano for the concert.”

“Hannah believes it’s had its season,” Louis said. He eyed Calvin’s Buick. It was freshly washed, all glossy and perfect. Not a speck of Texas dust had dared settle on it yet. “I was thinking I’d scour the used ads, but maybe you’d care to donate one? Your wife sure could use it to accompany the kids at the Christmas concert.”

Hannah gave Louis a warning look while Calvin crossed his arms, his chest puffed out.

“He can’t afford another piano,” Hannah muttered. Louder, she added, “I need to check in with the gals.”

She’d turned, about to climb the steps, when Louis muttered, “Spent it all on the Buick, huh?”

She glowered at him in a way that no doubt worked on her boys when they misbehaved.

“You need a piano, honey?” Calvin cozied up to Hannah, sliding an arm around her shoulders. He bumped his hip against hers, and Louis could see the way she softened before catching herself. She pushed him off her, giving him a glare she normally reserved for Louis when she was itching for a gun.

“Why didn’t you say something?” Calvin asked her. “I bet the engineering company I work for would be more than happy to donate one. And if not, maybe I can find one like I did for your living room.”

“You’ll find one?” She turned, her face lighting up, and Louis cursed himself for the way he’d set Calvin up to be the hero. Her expression grew wary. “You leave for France tomorrow. I’m going to need the piano right after you get back, and it’ll have to be tuned after being delivered.”

“I can tune it,” Louis interjected.

“By a professional,” she added, not even glancing his way.

Calvin let out a huff of amusement, his features relaxing. “You two still hate each other, huh?”

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