What he’d done had been painful for every single resident of Yuletide. And in their resentment, no one had spared any sympathy for Rachel or her mother, both of whom had been abandoned with no explanation. The betrayal had been double for them, yet instead of getting any support for the community, they’d been suspected as accomplices. No matter that the police cleared them of suspicion within the first six weeks of the investigation.
“If you could ever get on speaking terms with the town council members, I bet you’d be able to motivate them.” Gavin’s green eyes locked on hers.
She laughed. What other response could there be? “No I couldn’t. They all think I’m guilty too. Besides, I’m fighting my own battle this week just trying to get Luke to let me go to his wedding so I can be there on Kiersten’s big day.”
“Luke is going to be glad to see you and put the past to rest.” He sounded so sure of it. “It’s his parents who soured on your family, not him.”
“Them along with the rest of the town.”
Outside the truck, a band of teens sprinted past at high speed, threatening each other with snowballs.
“No.” Gavin shook his head, resolute. “There are plenty of people here who don’t like how closed-minded the council has become. When the town started, there was talk about charity work for Christmas programs. None of it ever happened after your dad left.”
She remembered. People were naturally more giving at the holidays and her father had talked about trying to put that positive spirit into action. Had he ever planned to follow through with programs like that, she wondered? Or had he known all along he was going to ditch his family and his vision?
“What are you hoping to accomplish, exactly?” She glanced up the street toward the Mirror Lake Inn where Kiersten would be getting off work soon. An aesthetician, the bride-to-be worked at the luxury spa inside the hotel, and Rachel didn’t want to miss her chance to speak to her friend outside Yuletide.
Away from Mrs. Garrett.
“I’ve been pitching a nighttime cross-country ski event through town that would be a fundraiser for a good cause.” He leaned closer, his enthusiasm for the project obvious in his voice. “I’d pay for the cost of lighting, but I need the official approval of the mayor and the councilors. I thought it could be a way to raise awareness and funds for a kids’ group I work with that’s dedicated to fighting childhood obesity and making exercise fun.”
He did work for good causes like that? He’d certainly taken a different path in life than his wealthy parents who spent their time and money pursuing their personal passions rather than give anything back. Their visits to Lake Placid where Gavin went to school had been few and far between even when he’d been young.
Gavin had never made a big deal about it, but Rachel knew that he’d sought out friends in Yuletide specifically to spend less time at the boarding school where they left him almost year-round. He got sick of the same four walls. The same kids.
Yuletide—and Rachel’s father in particular—had welcomed him warmly. Her dad had attended more of Gavin’s early snowboard cross events than his own parents.
“Have you approached town about it?” The event sounded like a no-brainer, bringing more people to their community in a positive way.
Across the street, church bells chimed the time—eight o’clock. Kiersten would be leaving work any minute.
“Of course.” He leaned back into his seat, scowling. “Before I was even out the door, they were asking one another how they could ‘monetize’ the idea.”
Indignation simmered. “They can’t do that.”
“Steal my idea?”
“That either. But what I meant is, they can’t say no to your fundraiser.” She wanted to help him but failed to see how. “Look, Gavin, I need to intercept Kiersten before she leaves for the day.”
He glanced up the street. “She works at the Mirror Lake Inn, doesn’t she?”
Rachel nodded and he fired up the truck again.
“Text her that we’re on the way, and I’ll drop you off at the front door.”
She did as he asked while he pulled back onto the street.
“I can ride home with her.” She didn’t want Gavin to have to wait around for her. “I hope it wasn’t too out of your way coming here tonight.”
“Not at all. I meant it when I said I was happy to see you again, Rachel.” The way he lingered on her name—just a little—made her feel shivery all over again. “Let Kiersten know you’ll be attending the bridal party welcome dinner with me tomorrow.”
She knew that would be far too awkward. “About that—”
“I’ll pick you up at six.” He turned into the parking area for the historic inn. “And since we’re neighbors now, I’m going to know if you try to leave town before then.”
His teasing tone reminded her of long-ago confidences and happier conversations, back when they’d been friends and she’d wanted to be much more.
“Then I’ll have to be very subtle about my getaway.” She wasn’t going to ruin her friend’s wedding by crashing the pre-ceremony events.
Pocketing her phone, she levered open the truck door as soon as he stopped the vehicle.
“Rachel, wait.” He reached for her, a hand landing on her arm before she slipped away. “I understand if you don’t want to help me convince the council to approve my fundraiser. But it’s past time I helped you make peace with your hometown.”
She wasn’t sure if it was the electric hum of awareness she felt at his touch that was getting through to her, or if she really wanted to honor that pact she made with her girlfriends.
Having Gavin on her side would go a long way toward smoothing her path with the rest of Yuletide. And she couldn’t deny that she wanted her hometown to stop believing the worst of her. She wanted the healing that would come from making peace with her past.
“I’ll stay for the party,” she agreed, knowing she’d probably regret it. “No promise about the rest of the week.”
“Good.” His grin stole her breath it was so damn dazzling. After giving her arm a squeeze, he let her go. “It’s a Christmas Karaoke party. You can dress accordingly, if you like.”
And just like that, she felt her chest tighten again, a wheeze sure to follow.
“Christmas Karaoke?” Sliding out of the truck cab, she inhaled the cold night air, the scent of pine filling the air. “With costumes?”
“It’ll be fun,” he assured her. “You just need to find your holiday spirit.”
Chapter Three
An hour later, seated with Kiersten in matching wooden rocking chairs on the main floor of the Mirror Lake Inn, Rachel inhaled the rich aroma of nutmeg and cinnamon wafting under her nose from her hot buttered rum.