The next song was more somber, and the crowd started singing “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” That was followed by several others, both religious and secular until Charlie’s hot chocolate was long gone and her fingers and toes were starting to get cold. She shivered and wrapped her arms around her middle, shifting her feet to get warm. How long did these things go, anyway?
And then Dave moved closer behind her, blocking her from the cold with his broad body, putting his left arm around her and pulling her back against his puffy coat while the right one encircled her, holding the lyrics booklet so they could both see.
She should pull away. She should simply say she was getting cold and leave. But she didn’t. It felt too good, having the bulk of his body close to hers, barely touching and yet sheltering her just the same. He was near enough she could feel the gentle vibration of his voice through his chest as the crowd started singing “Silent Night.” The mood had turned soft and reverent, the voices blending beautifully as the earlier cloud cover shifted away and left a sky full of twinkling stars. Something stole through Charlie then, a lovely yet wistful sense of contentment. Maybe she wasn’t perfect. Maybe she didn’t quite fit in here. But right now, the heart of Jewell Cove wasn’t such a bad place to be.
Her eyes stung a little and she blinked quickly, picking up the words of the second verse. It had always been her favorite carol, so calm and peaceful and beautiful. A few voices sang in harmony, and Charlie realized that this was the happiest she’d been in a long time.
The song faded into the night and there was a pause while everyone, by tacit agreement, let the last note linger on the air.
*
Dave looked down at the warm woman in his arms. Her head didn’t quite reach his chin, and she felt tiny and petite as she leaned against his chest. He didn’t want to let her go, not yet. And he didn’t think she wanted to leave either, because she stayed where she was as Gloria Henderson got up and reminded everyone about the Evergreen Festival coming up. The evening ended with a cheerful version of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and then the crowd began to disperse.
She started forward but his arm tightened, pulling her back against his chest. “Hurrying away so soon?” he asked quietly, putting his lips close to her ear. Close enough he could kiss the soft skin just behind her earlobe. He didn’t, but he was tempted.
“I should go. It’s cold out.” Her voice was breathy. She was feeling it too. But she stopped pushing against his arm and settled back against him once more, in the fleeting moments where they were in the tenuous limbo of the event being over but not yet attracting any attention.
He definitely didn’t want the night to end yet.
“I thought you might be interested in that drink. And the fire.”
*
Nerves and anticipation coiled in Charlie’s stomach, a delicious blend of “I shouldn’t” and “I really want to.” Wasn’t this what she’d been fantasizing about since she’d first seen him? That he’d show up and proposition her in that smooth, velvety voice?
Charlie slowly turned around and lifted her chin so she could meet his eyes. Just as she suspected, they were serious with a glint of teasing … or was that challenge? She was an achiever. Challenges were her personal kryptonite. It was almost impossible to turn one down. Add into that the fact that she knew exactly what she was looking for in a man, and his invitation became tempting in the extreme. He had a good sense of humor. He was nice, and gentlemanly. Not a bad start, really.
“I’m not looking for a hookup,” she said, casting a quick look around to make sure she couldn’t be heard. “Just so you know. It’s not really my style.” As much as she disliked the rigid structure of her childhood, the end result was that she was constantly weighing pros and cons and making decisions based on logic and not impulse.
Saying yes would definitely be an impulse move.
“Charlie, look at me.”
She met his eyes again. The challenge was gone, replaced by something deeper. Something she couldn’t help but respond to.
“It’s just one drink. I’ve spent the last few weeks working my butt off. I liked you yesterday. Other than the guys down at the dock, you’re the only person I’ve really met in town.” He gave her a little wink. “And you’re definitely better looking than they are.”
She wasn’t beating social engagements off with a stick either. The clinic was small, just her, Josh, and their receptionist-slash-nurse, Robin. There was no office Christmas party, no family, no tight circle of friends. She understood the kind of isolation he was talking about. More than that, she was really attracted to him.
She wavered. “One drink, nothing more.” She wanted to sound firm but her voice had a husky, soft tone she didn’t quite recognize.
They’d stepped away from each other, preparing to leave the square when Josh came up behind them. “Charlie, you came to the tree lighting. I wasn’t sure you would.”
Charlie blinked. So much for slipping away unnoticed.
“And you’ve got a date.” Josh grinned at her and she felt like a little sister at the mercy of a big brother’s teasing.