Mistletoe Hero

not getting the message about Ari not being interested, I’d appreciate your letting me know. I’ll have a chat with him.”

Gabe’s gaze went involuntarily to Tanner’s hand, and the other man noticed, chuckling.

“That wasn’t a euphemism for roughing him up. He’s known the family for years, and we owe it to him to try talking first if his behavior’s become inappropriate.” Tanner’s expression suddenly hardened. “Unless he ever lays a hand on my little sister, in which case I’ll dump his body in the river.”

If Shane hurt Ari in front of Gabe, Tanner would never get the chance to kill him. Gabe didn’t voice the thought- it seemed risky, given his history and the fact that three local police officers were helping with the huge canvas bingo tent. But some of the protective ferocity he was feeling must have shown in his expression because Tanner rocked back on the balls of his feet, looking satisfied.

“I see we’re in agreement,” Tanner said. “I’ll let you get back to work, then. But we’ll have a beer soon so I can give you advice.”

“Advice?” What had he done to make the Waides think they were his own personal consulting team?

“On how to manage my sister.”

“I don’t think that’s possible,” Gabe grumbled.

Tanner grinned. “You’re a quick learner.”

GABE PAUSED, WIPING his forehead with the back of his arm. He was mighty glad they’d asked for his help with the fall festival and not the July Fourth celebration. Even with the cool October air, he was working up a sweat. He set the hammer he’d been using across the top of his toolbox and reached for a bottle of water. It had long since turned lukewarm, but at least it was wet.

He stood and twisted off the lid, gratefully rehydrating.

“I feel bad that I didn’t think to bring you another bottle. You look like you’re about out,” Lilah observed as she emerged from a shaded trail between two buildings.

“That’s okay.” He crumpled the plastic to stick it in the recycling bin. “I’ll probably head for lunch soon anyway, so I can get something else to drink then.”

“Could you hold off on that lunch for another fifteen minutes?” she asked. “Jennifer Gideon just handed me the check from the PTA and the bouncy company is supposed to be delivering the ball pit back here. Can you direct them, let them know exactly where you need it?”

“Sure.” He smiled. “But if I pass out from hunger in the meantime, it’s on your head.”

She looked startled for a second and he wondered if she’d taken him seriously, but then she gave a little shake of her head. “After the diving pit is set up, why don’t you come to lunch with us? Tanner and I were talking about going for Mexican.”

“You do know I was kidding about the fainting?”

“That’s what I figured. I just thought it would be nice if you could join us.” She hesitated before adding, “Ari will be there.”

If he were a smarter man, that would be a reason not to go. Hadn’t he been thinking to himself that the more distance between them, the better? But…

He missed her smile. In retrospect, he’d been braced all morning for her to seek him out, to interrupt, and now that she hadn’t, the relief he should be feeling was tainted with disappointment.

“She’s trying to give you space,” Lilah said in a near whisper, glancing around as if nervous she would be caught betraying a confidence. “She’s afraid she comes on too strong.”

She does. So why wasn’t he happier that she was staying away?

“It won’t last,” Lilah predicted. “She’s trying to back off because she’s told herself she should, but it’s too contrary to her nature. The Waides are strong-willed.”

“Including your husband?”

Lilah laughed. “Especially my husband! Don’t let the aw-shucks twinkle in his eyes or easy smile fool you. You should have seen the full-court press I got when he moved back to Mistletoe. I was afraid he could break my heart again and wanted nothing to do with him.”

Gabe pointed to the wedding band she wore. “Looks like he wore you down.”

“Put that way, it doesn’t sound very romantic, huh?” She wrinkled her nose. “But trust me, even though I thought he was going to drive me crazy at the time, letting myself love him was the best decision I ever made.”

A truck parked at the curb and a couple of guys crunched across the gravel to ask if she was Lilah and if this was where the ball pit would go. Nodding, she introduced them to Gabe. He took it from there and she excused herself to go check on the progress with the bingo tent and midway facade.

“Think about that lunch offer,” she reminded him over her shoulder.

He grinned at her retreating back-Lilah was a bit like her relentless sister-in-law, she was just more understated about it.

Together the three men got the “mega pit” situated and inflated the base to determine whether this was going to work safely. When Gabe was satisfied that walking the plank would be a lighthearted fundraiser and not a short plummet into traction, he thanked the uniformed men and signed the paperwork saying that he understood the safety regulations and instructions for how to use the electric blower. They unloaded seven enormous bags filled with springy, multicolored balls. As he handed over the clipboard, he caught sight of a paint-smeared blonde and two kids in his peripheral vision.

Arianne. She was crouched down in the picturesque pathway that led between the buildings and back toward Main Street. Her hair was pulled back with some kind of clip, but long strands were blowing around her face as she crouched next to two kids. It looked as though she was mediating an argument between the two ginger-haired boys Gabe had seen in the gazebo earlier. Gabe started walking toward them even before he realized that was his intention.

“Everything okay here?” he asked. At least if he sounded as if he were trying to help, he wouldn’t have to admit to himself that, having finally seen her, he couldn’t stay away.

“It will be,” Arianne said. Her stern tone was full of warning, but Gabe wondered if the blue smear of paint across her left cheek detracted from her authority. “Right, guys?”

The youngest-seven, maybe?-nodded, sniffling, and the taller one kicked the dirt with his shoe as he muttered an unconvincing, “Yes, ma’am.”

“Why don’t the two of you go help Quinn clean paintbrushes?” she suggested. “Your mom said as soon as she’s done, she’ll take you to lunch at the Dixieland Diner. Play your cards right, there might even be milk shakes in your future.”

Their expressions brightening slightly at the implied bribe, they scampered off and disappeared around the corner of the bank.

“You think they’re really on their way to assist Quinn?” Gabe asked. Neither child had looked particularly eager to tackle that errand.

Arianne sighed. “Who knows? Toby and Ben are good kids, for the most part, but a handful for Fawne. Her husband is serving a tour of duty overseas. She’s here instead of on a base because she’s trying to help take care of her parents, and it’s a lot on her plate.”

Gabe stared off in the direction the boys had gone. “I don’t want them operating power saws or hammering a platform that needs to hold actual festival attendees without collapsing, but if I rack my brain, I might be able to come up with something they can do to help me.”

“Really? My hero.” Her radiant smile made him feel he was strong enough to stop a speeding locomotive. Or run faster than a speeding locomotive. Definitely something in the locomotive genre.

Embarrassed by the swell of pride he felt at her reaction, he downplayed his generosity. “It’s not that big a deal. Patrick and Lilah and Quinn deal with entire classrooms full of kids on a daily basis. Seems like a minor enough task for me to keep two of them out of trouble for an hour or so.”

“It will be a big deal to them,” she protested. “Getting to hang out with a big strong guy and build stuff when their own father is so far away, instead of trailing after their mom all afternoon? I know having them underfoot will probably slow you down, and you’re sweet to offer.”

Sweet? Gabe wasn’t sure whether to be amused by the unlikely adjective or vaguely offended.

“So, what have you been working on all morning?” he asked casually. “I assume paint was involved.”