Of course, that worked both ways. A man determined to avoid commitment, a man dead set against putting down roots, was not exactly a good bet for a church pastor. Anna Louise guessed that the realization she’d come to overnight about the depth of her feelings pretty much guaranteed trouble on her horizon, as well. What would happen when Richard eventually left on another assignment? How would she be able to bear the loneliness? How could she stand the worry Maisey must have endured all these years?
Because she wanted a clear head she walked, instead of driving, up the hill to Maisey’s for Christmas dinner. Her teeth were chattering and she was chilled to the bone by the time she reached the house. The smoke curling from the chimney promised coziness, but it was the image of Richard waiting inside that warmed her before she ever set foot across the threshold.
“Come in, come in,” Maisey called, holding the door wide. “I think we’ll have more snow before the day’s out, don’t you?”
“It feels that way,” Anna Louise agreed.
“Did you walk all this way? Richard could have come to get you.”
“No, I wanted the exercise and fresh air.”
Maisey gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Merry Christmas, dear. Let’s get you in by the fire, so you can warm up before dinner.”
“Let me help.”
“Nonsense. The turkey’s almost done. The pie’s already out of the oven. All that’s left is mashing the potatoes. It won’t take me a minute to do that.”
Anna Louise drew in a deep breath. “It smells wonderful.”
“It’s even nicer in the parlor. Richard cut a fresh tree for me day before yesterday. Come along and see.”
With an odd mix of reluctance and anticipation, Anna Louise followed Maisey into the living room expecting to find Richard. He was nowhere in sight.
Apparently Maisey caught her disappointment. “He’s gone for a walk. He said he needed the cold air to blow away the cobwebs.”
Anna Louise wondered if that was a euphemism for the same troubling thoughts that had pestered her all night long and had sent her crunching over the icy road to Maisey’s on foot. Served him right for taunting her the night before.
When he finally did turn up, the familiar spark of amusement was still in his eyes, along with that challenging glint that made her pulse race.
“It’s about time,” Maisey scolded him. “We have presents to open and you know I have no patience.” She reached for a large package under the tree and handed it to Anna Louise. “I thought it would be nice with your coloring.”
Anna Louise’s fingers trembled under the intensity of Richard’s gaze as she tried to undo the ribbons on the box. Finally, she just ripped the wrappings away with unladylike enthusiasm.
Inside she found a shawl knit of the softest wool she’d ever touched. “Maisey, did you make this?” she said, holding the pale peach material up to her cheek.
“My mother did. I’ve been saving it all these years for somebody special. I want you to have it.”
Anna Louise felt the salty sting of tears. “Oh, Maisey, you are so sweet. My gift for you isn’t nearly this wonderful.”
“Your friendship is gift enough for me,” Maisey assured her, but her expression was as excited as a child’s when she opened the small box Anna Louise handed her. She folded open the tissue paper and found a framed photo of Richard that Anna Louise had taken on the day they had worked on the recreation hall. It had been shot in a rare instant when his chiseled features were softened by a smile.
“It’s perfect,” Maisey enthused. “Darling, you look downright handsome. I’ll put this right up here on the mantel.”
“You took that?” Richard said, a spark of mischief in his eyes.
Anna Louise nodded.
“Caught me when I wasn’t looking, I see.” He grinned at her. “Did you keep a copy for your bedside?”
Anna Louise blushed furiously because she’d been sorely tempted to do just that. “I did not!”
“Remind me to have a look later.”
“Richard Walton, the odds of you getting anywhere near my bedroom are between slim and none.”
Maisey laughed with obvious delight at the bantering.
“Having the two of you here,” Maisey said softly, “it’s the best Christmas in a very long time.”
Anna Louise glanced over at Richard, taking in the sight of him looking so relaxed and carefree for the first time since she’d known him. If only it could always be like this, she thought.
If only...
CHAPTER ELEVEN
An odd sense of contentment, begun in the church on Christmas Eve, stayed with Richard through Christmas dinner. Maisey, while still fragile, seemed happier than ever. Having Anna Louise around guaranteed that there would be laughter.
He patted his pocket, feeling the gift he’d tucked away there with the intention of giving it to Anna Louise when they had a moment alone. He hadn’t been able to resist the sterling silver combs he’d seen in an antique shop one afternoon. The moment he’d spotted them, he’d envisioned them holding back the fiery strands of her untamable red hair.
There was no doubt the opportunity for giving them to her would arise. Maisey would see to that. If there was one thing in life he could count on, it was his grandmother’s matchmaking. At times it still astonished him that she seemed to see nothing odd about pairing a renegade like him with Anna Louise. She actually seemed to think he was good enough for a parson.
Obviously his grandmother couldn’t see into his wicked heart and detect the desire that had lodged there from the first time he’d ever set eyes on Anna Louise. Or maybe Maisey was even better than he was at putting spin on a story. Maybe she was calling it love.
Whatever, he thought with
