Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 63917 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 320(@200wpm)___ 256(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63917 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 320(@200wpm)___ 256(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
But then our eyes meet, and the rock in my stomach turns into a hunk of lead.
His expression is totally blank.
Not warm, not cold, not happy or sad or nervous or irritated, just…empty.
The thought that he’s been body-snatched by aliens flits through my head as I say in a wobbly voice, “Hey there. Right on time.”
“I said I would be.” His tone is polite, but distant, like we’re strangers making small talk at a bus stop. “Where would you like me to start? I assume I should collect a vest from the volunteer table?”
I blink, my head still spinning.
What do I need him to do? How about be normal? Be Luke? How about giving me the slightest hint what the heck’s going on with him right now?
But I can’t say any of that, not with Candy standing right there and dozens of people milling about, expecting holiday cheer and cute critters, not raised voices and interpersonal drama.
“Um, well, I… I thought,” I fumble, trying to inject some warmth into my voice as I motion to my right. “I told Janet, the organizer, that I thought you would be a great help with the anxious dogs. You did so well with them at the photo shoot, and some of these guys aren’t happy to be in a noisy environment. We just need someone to sit with them, walk them, whatever it takes to help them relax and put their best foot forward for the adopting families.”
“Got it.” He nods. “I’ll check in with Janet and get to work.”
“Great!” My voice is too bright, forced, and I hate it. “Oh, and I heard Elliot, Bran, and Ashton went caroling the other night in Reindeer Corners. Did they have fun? Candy said they swung into the inn for homemade meringue after the—”
“They had a wonderful time, yes,” he cuts in. “Big fans of the hot chocolate.”
Before I can ask what he did Wednesday night, while his siblings were out having fun, or apologize again for needing to cancel, he’s gone, striding smoothly toward the volunteer table.
I stand frozen, smile crumpling.
Candy sidles up beside me, her voice low. “What the hell was that?”
“I have no idea,” I whisper back, my throat tight.
“His brothers and sister were so nice,” Candy says, shaking her head. “Like, really nice.”
“Yeah, you said. I wish I could have met them again,” I mumble. But I’d already been down the block at the church by that point, doing an engagement night photo shoot for Thad and Margot. After a pep talk for the ages, I’d captured Thad’s proposal by the tree in the lobby beautifully, but they’d wanted something more private after, and they weren’t in any rush.
By the time we finally finished up, the streets in Reindeer Corners were deserted, and I was dead on my feet. If Candy hadn’t saved me three meringues to sugar rush me over the mountain, I’m pretty sure I would have fallen asleep at the wheel.
I shake my head. “I’m so confused. I mean, I explained why I had to cancel, and he said he understood, but… Maybe he didn’t? Maybe I messed up?” I wince, hating how pathetic I sound.
“No way.” Candy is as fiercely loyal as always. “You didn’t do anything wrong. You took advantage of an opportunity to make some extra money. Money you need as a single woman to provide for your safety and your future.” She crosses her arms with a huff. “If Mr. Moneybags, the pouty sociopath, doesn’t get that real people can’t afford to pass up a paycheck, he can fuck right off. Pardon my French.”
Candy very rarely curses, a fact that only emphasizes how bad this is.
How scary…
How could the kind, sexy man who looked at me like I was all he wanted for Christmas suddenly turn into an emotionally vacant pod person in a matter of days? For no apparent reason?
No, there must be a reason.
Luke isn’t a sociopath, I know he’s not.
I need to talk to him. Really talk to him. After the event when we can have a private heart-to-heart.
“Do you want me to stay?” Candy asks. “At least for a few more hours? I can ask Kayla to cover me until five or—”
“No, no,” I say, forcing a smile as I wave a hand through the air. “Go. Get to work. I’m fine. Luke and I will sort it out.”
She searches my face. “Are you sure?”
I nod emphatically. “Yes, I’m sure. I’ll text you later.”
“Please, do,” she says, as she backs out of the tent. “I want to know you’re okay. And don’t take any guff, all right? This is the season of joy, not the season of taking guff.”
I laugh and nod again. “Yes. I promise. Bye, drive safe.”
I turn back to organizing my equipment, trying not to spiral any further. This is weird, but there has to be some reasonable explanation. Luke and I will talk later, get to the bottom of what happened, and things will go back to the way they were.