Page 21 of Holding Holly

Maybe if I sit perfectly still and just concentrate on breathing calmly this sick, tangled feeling in my gut will settle down. Nope. After a full minute, there’s no progress.

I walk to the street, looking around for James. There he is – two doors away, talking to that Wolfe guy. They’re laughing about something, then he claps James on the shoulder and strides away.

James sees me out of the corner of his eye and rushes over. “Holly, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt your phone call.”

What a polite way for him to confirm that he heard part of it. Every single person in this town has impeccable manners. It’s like they all went to flipping charm school together or took a course online or something.

I might as well be as open as he is. “How much did you hear?”

His mouth is set in a straight line, and I can’t quite read the expression in his eyes. Concern, definitely, but mixed with something else. “I’m not sure?—”

His phone rings, and his jaw tightens. “I’m really sorry, I have to go. We’ll talk soon, okay?”

“Sure.”

Watching him hurry away, it genuinely feels like my heart is being squeezed to death. He didn’t say that we’ll talk “tonight”, or “later”. “Soon” means when he’ll get around to it.

I can already picture the conversation we’re going to have. He cannot risk his job. It’s part of who he is. And if the Wolfes see him with a criminal’s daughter, that will be the last straw. That’s even worse than me being too young for him. It’s…not wholesome. Which is the entire point of his job here.

Shuffling back into the bakery, I knock back the last of my coffee, which has gone as cold as my heart.

Somehow, even at a distance, my family has managed to ruin my life yet again.

11

JAMES

It’s getting harder and harder to slap on a bright smile. Strolling around town the Saturday afternoon before Christmas Day, I can’t even focus enough to admire the decorations. My insides are coiled tighter than a viper about to spring.

When I got home last night, Holly was in the guest room with the door closed. A note on the table read, “I’m sorry – I’m exhausted and can’t talk right now. Hopefully tomorrow.”

I sent her a text saying that was fine, and sweet dreams. She didn’t respond.

I want to give Holly all the space in the world, even though my gut instinct says to hold her close and let her know how much I care. Let her know that I don’t give a damn about her father, whatever that situation is.

Ofcoursethe thing with her dad is going to feel awkward. I’m a cop. And now she’s suddenly staying with me, and we haven’t known each other long enough to build up that level of comfort and trust, and, and…

There’s the heart of it. I need Holly to trust me. It shouldn’t eat away at me, but it does.

It feels like a complete asshole move to ambush her after work, but that’s what I do.

Lurking around the bakery, I wait until she comes out the back door, heading for my old truck. “Holly!” I jog over, wearing my brightest smile.

She seems stunned when I wrap my arms around her for a quick hug and kiss. Her eyes dart around frantically, but no one is around.

“I was thinking about hitting up the grocery store then making dinner. Hungry?”

She bites her lip slightly. “Oh. I’ve kind of been snacking all day. Still adjusting to the new sleep schedule, and all of this…” Her hand waves vaguely to the tree line. “Fresh mountain air. It’s exhausting.”

I laugh. “It’s exhilarating, is what it is. But I know what you mean. It takes time to adjust to any new place.”

Cautiously stepping closer, I watch her eyes as my hand settles against her lower back. So far so good, thank goodness. “What if we just go to Corina’s for a coffee and a sandwich, then? I have some work to do this evening, but we could catch up first.”

Holly nods with a long exhale. Is she nervous about whatever we’re going to discuss? “Okay.”

We walk to Corina’s Coffee, where I deliberately choose the booth in front of the window. Holly slips off her coat, then sits, looking around cautiously.

I hold out my hand,s palms up, and she hesitates. “Baby, I’m trying to tell you that I want the entire world to know that you are my girl.”