Page 80 of Skipping Stones
♥?
Linney hardly left the bookstore for the next few days, only stopping when exhaustion set in. Anna and Kirsten worked with her through the weekend, and Derek even came one evening with the kids—and pizza—to check up on things.
Suddenly it was Christmas Eve and Linney reluctantly put away her paint roller. A long hot shower took care of most of her aching muscles, and she took the time to blow out her hair before dressing in black pants and a cheery soft red sweater. She zipped up her winter boots and buttoned her long coat before heading carefully through the deep snow to Derek’s with a dish of apple and cranberry crumble. Her hip felt good these days, and she could almost forget about the explosion, but she was still nervous about falling on the ice.
Derek had made a simple supper and Leo gobbled up the crumble, but he and Ivy were just about vibrating with excitement. Santa Claus was coming soon!
“Church first,” Derek said as they cleared the table. He didn’t often take his kids to the little church in town, but Christmas and Easter were special. “Let’s put our coats and boots on.”
Linney helped get the children ready, and they went together in Derek’s car.
Anna was already in the sanctuary with Danny and their girls when they arrived, and she watched them come down the aisle and find seats. Linney smoothed Ivy’s hair when she took off her hat, and she straightened Leo’s adorable waistcoat. Then she turned and laughed at something Derek said. They made the perfect picture of a family and Anna wondered, not for the first time, if something was happening between her friends. She waved at Kirsten up in the choir loft, who smiled back in recognition.
Linney loved church on Christmas Eve. The whole town seemed to be there and no matter their circumstances, everyone smiled, sang, and listened attentively to the minister. She noticed several pairs of mittens and scarves that KnitWorks had donated and she was glad to know that they’d found the right homes. Kirsten assured her that the church made sure those families also had presents for the children.
By now, even without the Silver Lake News story, the whole town knew Linney had bought Page Turners, and everyone wanted to ask her about it. She kept an air of mystery around her answers and made sure younger folks knew about her social media channels. Ivy stayed close to her, still shy in a crowd.
Derek pulled into her driveway and she wished them all a good night. “You two be good for your dad and go to sleep soon,” she told Ivy and Leo, who nodded vociferously. They knew Santa would only come if they were asleep.
Linney leaned across the front seat and gave Derek a quick kiss on the cheek. “I’ll see you in the morning. Merry Christmas!” He waited until she had opened the door and waved before backing out of the driveway and turning into his own.
* * *
Derek’s house was absolute chaos the next morning. Ivy and Leo had woken early and rushed into their father’s room with the stockings Santa had left them. They jumped up on the bed and tore into them as Derek opened his bleary eyes. He’d been up late wrapping the last of the gifts under the tree and desperately needed a cup of coffee. But he sat up and with Leo on one side of him and Ivy on the other, he wondered how many more years he’d have with the magic of Santa.
“Daddy, look!” Leo was bouncing with excitement. Santa had brought superhero socks and Leo was putting them on already. On the other side of him, Ivy had found the orange at the toe of her stocking and poked his shoulder, asking him to peel it.
“I think maybe we should get up,” Derek told them, rubbing a hand over the overnight growth on his chin. He looked at his watch. It was still far too early for Linney to be coming over with breakfast. “Let’s snuggle in the living room and watch a movie until Auntie Linney comes. And then after breakfast, we can open presents under the tree.”
It didn’t take long for them to jump down from his king-sized bed, leaving a mess in their wake, to bicker over which movie to watch. Derek gathered the wrapping paper and put it into the garbage before joining the children. They sat cuddled together on the couch, under a big warm blanket. Derek kissed their heads and settled in. He had plenty of time to get dressed.
When Linney woke, she made a savory bread pudding, the same one Gran had served every Christmas that she could remember—and as it baked, she put on a carafe of coffee. After looking at the thermometer—it was going to be a cold day—she dressed in jeans and a chunky fair isle sweater for warmth. She swept her long hair into a low pony tail, brushed mascara onto her lashes and added lip gloss. When everything was ready, she packed an insulated bag that she slung over her shoulder before walking over and quietly sliding in the door.
Leo and Ivy were talking over each other so they didn’t hear her come in. Linney watched the family vignette for a moment and realized she’d completely lost her heart to those two children and she was glad that she was putting down roots in Silver Lake so she could watch them grow up.
“Wake up, Daddy!” she heard Leo say. Derek startled and Linney realized he’d been sound asleep. “Okay, kids, the movie’s almost finished,” she heard him say in a sleepy voice. “And then we should get dressed before Auntie Linney gets here. We want to look nice for her.” He yawned and muttered to himself, “And I’d better shave.”
Linney put her hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh, but it wasn’t enough and two little heads popped over the couch. “Merry Christmas, everyone!”
“Auntie Linney!” They ran to greet her.
“You heard your dad—run and get dressed, and then it’s breakfast time!”
As Leo and Ivy clattered up the stairs to their bedrooms, Derek untangled himself from the blanket and got to his feet groggily.
“Well, look at you. I’ve finally caught you slacking!” Linney teased him. She reached up and touched his chin. “I don’t often see you with stubble. It looks good!” In fact, Linney thought he looked really good, a thought she stuffed back inside as soon as she thought it.
“You think? Maybe I’ll leave it.”
“You’ve got time for a shower if you want. The kids and I will set the table.”
When Derek came back in jeans and a button-down shirt with sleeves rolled up to his forearms, it was his turn to take in the scene. Linney looked lovely—more than lovely—and his kids hung off her every word. Something stirred inside him. It wouldn’t be hard to imagine … but no. He pushed the idea away. They were friends. Linney didn’t see him any other way.
There were wonderful gifts under the tree. Linney, as the new book-seller in town, had wrapped books for everyone. Derek was touched when he opened a soft denim chambray shirt. Somehow she’d noticed that his was starting to fray around the cuffs. For her, he’d bought a simple silver necklace with a locket in the shape of a book, with the initial L on the front cover. He’d found an old photo of Linney’s grandmother in his mother’s things and had put it inside. Linney threw her arms around his neck when she opened it.
“It’s perfect.”
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