Page 16 of Take Me Home for Christmas

Kitty dipped her chin, presumably to hide her blush.

“You have a lovely shop here, Kitty,” he continued.

She jerked her eyes up. “Oh, it’s not mine. It’s my sister’s place. Everyone assumes it’s mine because Claire wouldn’t know a bubble stitch from a moss stitch. Fortunately, she makes up for it with her mad business skills. I’m happy simply being the artist in residence for once.”

The sound of heels tapping on the hardwood floor came from the back of the store. Everett instantly loathed the sound because it had Kitty yanking her hand out from between his.

“Well, hello,” the interloper—presumably Kitty’s sister, Claire—drawled.

The two women could not have been more different. Where Kitty was more earth mother, her sister looked like she’d just stepped out of aSouthern Livingmagazine spread on proper Southern hostesses. The other woman was plumper than Kitty, with brassy blond hair cut in a chic bob that curled around her chin. It was hard to decipher her exact age through the expertly applied makeup she wore. The smile she gave him was as genuine as her sister’s, though.

“My stars.” Kitty’s sister put her hand to her chest. “I heard a rumor you were in town.”

“Mr. West—” Kitty began.

“Everett,” he interrupted.

“Everett,” she said softly.

He relished the blush that was back on her cheeks.

“This is my sister, Claire Lovell. Knotical is her brainchild. Claire, this is Everett West.”

Claire looked back and forth between the two of them. “I see.” Her tone indicated she saw a lot more than he wanted her to.

Everett glanced around the colorful shop, his eyes landing on a stunning captain’s desk in the center of the floor with skeins of yarn careening over its sides.

“You’ve done a wonderful job here, Claire. It almost makes me want to take up knitting. And you have a fantastic eye for furnishings.” He wandered over to the desk. “I’ve always wanted one of these.”

The sound of hurried footsteps had him looking up.

“Oh no you don’t, Mr. West!” The blonde from the inn—Livi something or other—came charging out from the back of the store. “I saw it first, and it’s already bought and paid for.” She gestured at Claire. “Mrs. Lovell, put that sold sign on there so everyone knows it’s spoken for.”

“Oh.” Claire pulled a red tag out of her dress pocket. “Of course.” She taped it carefully to the side of the desk. “If you’re genuinely interested, Mr. West, I’m sure my son, Hayden, could build another one.”

As if her words had conjured him up, the bell above the shop’s door rang as Deputy Lovell strode in. He stopped abruptly, his gaze taking in each of the room’s occupants.

“What’s going on?” he asked.

“Everett is admiring your desk,” Kitty explained.

The deputy startled slightly at his aunt’s use of his given name.

“Mydesk,” Livi countered. “I bought it.”

Kitty chuckled softly. Claire sidled up to Livi. “Yes, dear. And I’m so happy you did. Your clients will be thrilled with it.” She looked over at her son. “Isn’t it wonderful, Hayden?”

If the deputy thought it was wonderful, he didn’t bother saying so. His mother gushed on.

“You’re a paid artist now,” she said. “Hayden’s grandfather was a brilliant craftsman. He taught my son everything. Kitty’s brother-in-law is a furniture maker, too. He keeps hinting he’d like Hayden to apprentice for him so he could take over the business someday. But his work isn’t the same quality as Hayden’s.” She beamed at the decorator. “Why, I have some other fabulous pieces at our home you should see, Livi. What are you doing for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow?”

“Mom, I’m sure she’ll be spending it with her family,” Hayden said.

“Not this year,” Livi replied. “My parents are on a five-month cruise that doesn’t end until next month. My siblings are all with their spouses’ families.” She shrugged. “We’ve never been into Thanksgiving normally. We usually go to a restaurant if we are together. It’s not much of a holiday to me, to be honest.”

Claire gasped. “Heavens, we can’t have that. You must come to our house and see how Thanksgiving should be done. It will become your favorite holiday, I promise.”

Livi shot the deputy a demur look. His stoic expression melted into a resigned smile. He nodded to her.