Page 52 of Maybe This Christmas
He drew her in close.“I don’t want you to feel obligated, or anything.If you change your mind between now and then, Em…”
“I won’t.”She drew her hand down his bearded cheek.“But I appreciate the out, anyway.Come on, let’s get out of here before I change my mind.”
* * * *
As much as Caleb wished he could do nothing but spend time with Emma, he did have work to do.No activities to run—thank god—but there’d been a few urgent cabin repairs that were discovered prior to a large group’s arrival.
He, Brandon, and Carlos were holed up at the rear of the property for most of Monday and Tuesday.
From the one or two times they’d crossed paths, Emma informed him she’d passed the time by going on another tour of Falling Leaves with Sabrina and other guests.
When he’d brought up the stationery store, she’d smiled and said she was hoping to get a look inside before the end of the week.
Caleb wasn’t prone to daydreaming.He was far too practical for such a pursuit.But as he worked, a vision came to him.One of him and Emma, living happily in the town.Her running the stationery store, him….
That was where the fantasy stuck.He had plans to talk about his ideas for the business with his father in the new year.But even those were vague.He needed to carve out his own path.Be it the family business or returning to teaching.
There was also the issue of his children.While his daughters were quite young, he was hesitant about bringing strangers around them.As much as he’d felt a bond with Emma over the last week, she was only a step above a stranger to him.It didn’t matter that it felt as though he’d known her all his life.
Still, the happy thoughts overrode the worries.This thing between them could be something.Especially if she was serious about staying in town.
“Yo, Caleb.”Carlos’ voice dragged Caleb out of his thoughts.
He snapped to attention, finding Carlos packing up his tools.“It’s time to get changed for the party.You did remember the holiday party is tonight, right?”
How could he forget?Sabrina had reminded him that Emma would be joining them.She hadn’t been scared off by his family yet.Hopefully this wouldn’t send her running for the hills.
“Yeah, I remember.Is Yessica coming up?”
Carlos snorted.“My wife is already in one of the cabins getting ready.It was nice of Sabrina and Brandon to offer that to us.”
Ellis & Daughter had only two full-time employees aside from the family—Carlos and their newest employee, Kayla.She was a design assistant who helped keep all the cogs and wheels moving.Without her help, it would’ve been impossible for Sabrina to juggle working between Sky House and the family business.
“That was nice of them,” Caleb said.
“Although I heard your new girl is already staying here.I thought staff weren’t allowed to date guests?”Carlos half-heartedly wagged his finger in Caleb’s direction.
“Since I’m technically not a full-time employee, and my sister is eager to get me coupled up again, those rules seem to have been ignored in my case.”
Carlos snickered at that.“I can’t wait to meet her.”
“Hey, don’t you give her a hard time, too.The whole family seems to think she’s…”
“Think she’s what?”Carlos paused in the doorway.
He slammed the lid shut on his toolbox.“Amazing, I guess?”
“Oh no, you’ve got it bad,” Carlos murmured before he ducked out of the door.
* * * *
His sister was annoying in many ways, but one of her good qualities was that she thought of everything.Before Caleb could wonder what he’d wear to the party, considering most of his clothes were still in his apartment in Falling Leaves, he’d returned to his room at the lodge to find clothes laid out on his bed and a note from Sabrina.
Wanted you to look your best tonight, big bro!
She’d added a poorly drawn winky-eyed emoji at the bottom of the page.He shook his head.She’d chosen a dark pair of slacks and a blue shirt.Not that he had much fancier in his wardrobe, but it was an outfit he felt comfortable in.
He found himself grateful for the dark slacks during the short walk from his room to the private dining room where the party was taking place.His palms were clammy as hell.Why was he nervous?He knew everyone in attendance.Hell, it wasn’t even as though Emma hadn’t met his family already.
