construction issues.
He swiveled the chair to look out the window and studied the sign out front that proclaimed in shiny steel letters on a blue background the company his grandfather had started. Linc had trained and studied his whole life to assume this job. But he’d never expected the pressure involved with keeping a large company running.
He slammed a fist against the chair arm. Why had the Lord taken Dale Montgomery so young? He’d not seen his sixtieth birthday. His family needed him. Linc needed him. Setting his jaw, he shoved the self-pity aside and spun back around to the desk. He needed to buck up. His dad wouldn’t want him behaving like a kid. He’d expect him to step in and take charge. Somehow Linc had to keep the company going and the family together. Family had meant everything to Dale Montgomery. Faith first, family second—then work.
“Hey, bro.” Seth Montgomery strolled into the office and stopped in front of the desk. “I came by to pick up supplies and thought I’d see how you were doing.”
Much of Linc’s melancholy eased. His younger brother was easygoing and always found the bright side in everything. Linc rested his elbows on the desk. “Wishing Gil was here to figure out these blueprints. This bid is due at the end of the week.”
Seth sat down with a shake of his head. “Don’t look at me. I’m not the business type, remember? I like pulling wires and connecting circuit breakers.” He grew serious as he glanced around the office. “It seems weird to see you in here instead of Dad.”
The pressure inside Linc’s chest squeezed like a vise, making it hard to breathe. They were all suffering the loss. “Trust me, it feels even weirder to sit here and try to do his job.”
“Afraid you’re not up to it?”
“Maybe.”
Seth stood, an encouraging smile on his face. “Don’t sweat it. You’re the smartest guy I know. And the most stubborn. It might be rough at first, but you’ll make it work. You and Gil together are a force, man.”
“Thanks. Have you talked to Tori?” Their youngest sister had taken their father’s death the hardest. As the baby of the family, she and Dad had shared a special bond. She was struggling with her grief.
“Yeah, she’s not doing too well. She won’t even let me come over. I’m worried. I wish Mom was here. Mom’s the only one who can understand her.”
“Hopefully she’ll be home soon. Did you know she rented the cottage?”
“No. Who to?”
“A former employee of ours. Gemma Butler and her son.”
Seth’s serious expression shifted to one of appreciation. “Whoa. The pretty blonde from accounting?”
How did Seth know about her and he didn’t? “Yeah. You know her?”
“Not really, but I had a payroll issue with one of the guys a while back and she got it all straightened out. Nice lady. Very sweet. And very single.”
Linc had discovered that when he’d checked her file. “She’s the new director of Christmas events for the Chamber.”
“Really? Mom stepped aside, huh? I knew she was thinking about it.”
Linc suddenly felt like a distant cousin instead of the eldest son. Everyone knew what was going on but him. How had he missed all this? Maybe in his shock and grief he’d failed to pay attention. He’d have to do better. It was up to him now to stay involved in his siblings’ lives. And his mother’s. What else hadn’t she told him? How was he supposed to be the head of the family if everyone kept him in the dark? Seth turned to leave. “Where are you working today?”
“Up in Madison. The Kramer house is behind schedule.”
What else was new?
The rest of the day produced more annoyances and setbacks. By the time he called it quits, Linc was tired and ready to crash. After a quick shower and a sandwich, he refilled his glass of sweet tea and went out on the front porch. The air was rich with the smell of fall and the late-blooming camellias and roses. His gaze went immediately to the cottage. The silver car was parked along the narrow drive beside the house. There was no sign of the boy. He’d spotted him earlier in the yard tossing a football in the air. He’d considered offering to throw a few spirals to the kid, but then decided against it. Linc didn’t need to get involved with the new tenants. Still, he found himself looking for her—Gemma. Unusual name but appropriate. With her red-gold hair and clear green eyes, she made him think of sparkling gemstones, like vibrant emeralds and fiery topaz. She was all soft and feminine, which made it all the more intriguing that she’d challenged him. She seemed too delicate to have such a strong backbone.
As he watched, the front door of the cottage opened and the object of his thoughts stepped onto the porch, settling into one of the rockers. With one leg folded under her, she pushed the rocker with her toe. She looked relaxed, dreamy, and he wondered what she was thinking. Part of him wanted to go talk to her. But a bigger part warned him to steer clear. The last thing he needed right now was any romantic distractions. Especially with a friend of his mother’s. He pivoted and headed for the family room.
Monday Night Football was about to start.
* * *
The October twilight was pleasantly warm. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves on the ground in front of the cottage as Gemma kept the wooden rocker in motion. The light was fading, but she wasn’t in any hurry to go inside as long as there was a single ray of light left to enjoy. Resting her head against the back of the chair, she closed her eyes, letting her senses appreciate the scents of autumn. She loved the mixture of earth, dry leaves and fading vegetation.
A sliver of guilt poked into her reverie. She’d come outside to read through the folder that Pete McCorkle, president of the Dover Chamber of Commerce, had given her on the town’s previous celebrations—not to daydream.
A busy squirrel screeched from a nearby tree, making the hair on the back of her neck tingle. No. It wasn’t the critter that had her senses on alert. She opened her eyes. Someone was watching her. She glanced toward the main house, expecting to find Linc looking at her again. But the porch was empty. She looked at the large window on the side of the house. Was he watching from that room? She fought the urge to retreat inside.
The sensation faded, and she relaxed. She must be imagining things. Linc’s scrutiny earlier had left her edgy. But she refused to worry about his bad attitude or his effect on her nervous system. In her line of work she’d learned how to deal with all types of people, from the overly friendly to the overly hostile. But Linc triggered emotions that were unfamiliar and disturbing. Until she could put a name to them, she was keeping her guard up and plenty of distance between herself and the eldest Montgomery brother. Linc was exactly the type she wanted to avoid. Overly confident, arrogant and with a need to take charge.
Opening the folder in her lap, she leafed through the reports Pete had given her. There wasn’t much to look at. They consisted of a small parade, random lights around town, a nativity, a Christmas tree in the square park and a lighted star on the courthouse dome.
They’d given Gemma to the end of the week to come up with ideas to transform their ho-hum celebration into something spectacular that would be a draw for holiday tourists, and in turn boost their sagging economy. Most of her responsibility would fall on the first two weekends of the celebration. She wouldn’t
