Page 50 of Charlotte's Story
“I’ll be back in a minute.” He gave me a gentle kiss on the cheek that stole my breath, then stepped away to answer.
“Take your time,” I said somewhat breathlessly.
He glanced at me over his shoulder. “Sixty seconds is the current limit for how long I can wait to return to you.” Then he put the phone to his ear and strode a few paces across the yard.
I closed the front door once more and turned back to Darcy and Lizzy, hoping my cheeks weren’t as red as they felt. “What a lovely surprise,” I said. “Can I get you two something to drink? I think we have some leftover nutcracker nog.”
“No, that’s all right.” Darcy’s gaze flicked from the door, to Lizzy, and back as if they held equal temptation. “I should be on my way. I stopped by because Pastor Collins asked me to, but I can see that this is a bad time.”
“So soon? I’m sorry we missed you,” I said. “William and I had no idea you were coming over today or we wouldn’t have been out.”
“Think nothing of it. I didn’t give you warning before I popped in, but I wanted to check in when I heard about what happened last night.” He fidgeted with his hat again.
“Oh, thank you.” I couldn’t resist another confused glance at Lizzy.
“Well, I should be on my way. I need to swing by to see my aunt as well.” He glanced back at Lizzy. “Thank you for your time, Elizabeth.”
She inclined her head, but it might’ve been to hide the confusion in her gaze more than anything else.
Darcy opened the door once more and strode off without another glance back, his shoulders unusually tight.
I turned to Lizzy. “What did you do to Darcy? It looks like you’ve hexed the poor man.”
Lizzy shook her head, giving me a wide-eyed look. “I have no idea.”
I walked over and took her hand. “Well, doyouwant something to drink? I’m sure I can find something without caffeine.”
“No, I actually can’t stay long either. I just wanted to swing by to give you this.” She handed me a golden bracelet with runes etched into the sides. “If you have Mr. Collins wear this, I think it will help him get his memories back.”
“Actually, he got them back a few minutes ago.” I fiddled with my scarf, which I hadn’t surrendered to the slightly overbearing coat rack.
“Oh, that’s wonderful.” Lizzy gave me a small smile and tucked a strand of her chocolate brown hair behind her ear. “Then I suppose I’d better get going. I can see that my presence here is unnecessary in more ways than one.”
I glanced toward the fireplace where our magical stockings snuggled together, the material wrapping around each other in a way that brought heat to my cheeks. I stepped in front of themand shooed at them with my hands. “Don’t be silly. You aren’t in the way.”
“Once Mr. Collins returns, I imagine I will be.” She pulled me into a sudden hug. “I’m happy for you Charlotte, and I’m proud of you for opening your heart again.”
I hugged her back. “Thanks, Lizzy.”
“I’m so glad that Mr. Collins makes you happy. You deserve it, and I couldn’t be happier to have been wrong.”
“Me too.”
As if summoned by our conversation, William chose that moment to enter the house. He looked between Lizzy and me, his brow furrowing. “Is everything okay?”
Lizzy gave mea look, then stepped back. “Everything’s fine. I was just leaving. I need to swing by the Chronicle to get the first draft of my article in.”
Considering she could’ve just emailed her article in, that was the worst excuse ever. But at least William didn’t seem to notice.
Once the door closed behind her, William stepped closer, his eyes burning with a look I wasn’t used to seeing from him. “That was sixty-three seconds.”
I swallowed hard and took a tiny step toward him.
His hand slid around my waist, the movement slow and careful, and he pulled me closer. “Based on your expression, I believe now would be a good time for this. Am I correct?”
My gaze darted from his lips to his eyes and back. “It’s a great time.”
“Excellent.” With us this close, his breath feathered against my lips.
