Mistaken Gifts Page 6

  They sat in quiet for a few more moments, and eventually Eva pulled away from Jeff’s leg but let her left hand rest on the bench between them, and he fought the urge to take it in his own again.

  "So, about the horse," Eva said, and it took a moment for Jeff to realize what horse exactly she was talking about. "Did you mean what you said at breakfast? Andi can have the horse for the wedding?"

  Jeff pretended to think about it some more. "Well," he said. "I have my reservations. But, I think so."

  Her face lit up in a radiant smile. God, she was gorgeous. "You’ll still need to come and pick one out, though," he added, knowing it would mean spending more time with her.

  The smile fell off her face as she no doubt contemplated the options. Finally, she nodded. "If I have to. But you have to understand, I really don’t like horses. And they don’t like me."

  "Well, that’s just crazy." Jeff snuck his hand closer to hers. "Horses are the most gentle creatures around. What possibly could have happened to make you hate them?"

  Eva stared at him, seriousness in her eyes. "The last time I rode one, it bucked me off and broke my arm. They hate me."

  He did his best not to laugh. "Let me guess, you were a kid at camp?"

  "How did you know?"

  "It’s a pretty common story," he said, unable to keep the laughter from his voice.

  Eva tried to look mad, but her smile gave her away. "Well, common or not, I still don’t trust them."

  "Fair enough." Jeff closed the gap, and wrapped his fingers over her hand. "Trust is something you have to build." His words were loaded with meaning, but he didn’t want to push. "Look at Clover here," he said. "You’re doing a pretty good job trusting her."

  She didn’t move her hand, so Jeff gave it a squeeze, and she smiled. "I guess I am," she said. "Maybe there’s hope for me yet."

  They fell into silence again and Jeff snuck a look at Eva, who seemed to be taking in the passing trees, searching the woods for something. Maybe she, too, felt the calming feeling of the forest? Maybe, just like him, she was seeking answers in the trees, too?

  "So, am I looking for large bushes of holly, or will they be in little bunches?" she asked, breaking the tranquility.

  Of course. Jeff could have smacked himself. She was searching for centerpiece material. Not answers or anything deeper than decorations. He shook his head, clearing it of the thoughts that had sprung up so unexpectedly, and mostly unwelcome. Eva wasn’t his type, and it would serve him well to remember that.

  "Just a little farther, and there’s a spot that has quite a big cluster of holly sprigs. I don’t know how much you’re looking for, but it should be enough to do a few arrangements, I’d imagine." He didn’t look at her when he spoke, but kept his eyes trained on the path ahead.

  Jeff could feel her gaze on him when she said, "Thank you." Her voice was soft and not for the first time, she caught him off guard.

  "You don’t have to—"

  "No. I do. I never would have been able to find my way out here by myself. And I know—oh, is that some?"

  Jeff spun around, his mind racing to keep up with what she was saying. He’d barely pulled Clover to a stop before Eva hopped out of the sleigh and picked her way through the snowbank to where she’d spotted some holly.

  "Looks like you found it," he said, mostly to himself.

  "Can you bring me my basket?" she called to him and like a dutiful subject, he gathered her things and went to join her.

  ~ ~

  Eva could hardly believe how excited she got just spotting the coveted plant. And thank goodness she’d seen it when she had, because she might have actually told Jeff how sorry she was for being rough on him and how much she was actually enjoying her time with him. And she was. Spending a bit of time with him made her realize that her promise to Andi wasn’t going to be hard to keep. But even if she thought it, she couldn’t say it. And she most certainly couldn’t act on it. Even if her body was betraying her with an intense attraction to him. No, it was definitely a good thing that she’d spotted the holly when she had.

  "Here you go," he said, coming up behind her and handing her the clippers. "If you cut it off low enough, you should have a decent amount for an arrangement without hurting the plant."

  "Oh. I hadn’t thought of that," she said and instantly felt ashamed. Of course she should have thought about killing the plants. It wouldn’t do to sacrifice a forest full of holly plants for the sake of a few wedding table arrangements.

  "It’s fine," Jeff said. "I really don’t think you’re going to kill them. I wouldn’t worry too much about it. They’re pretty hardy." He reached out and took the clippers from her. "How much do you need?"

  "Just a few sprigs of berries for each centerpiece, and I think we’ll have fifteen tables, plus the gift table and the head table and—"

  "So quite a bit?" Jeff laughed and started clipping.

  "I guess more than I thought."

  "Well, start looking around because this plant isn’t going to give you what you need."

  Eva started and for a moment, she could have sworn he’d said that he wasn’t going to give her what she needed. But that would be ridiculous. All they’d done since they’d met was argue; why would he even be thinking of her in any other light? Except there had been that moment on the sleigh… Eva let her mind wander and remember the feel of his hand in hers, and then later, the strong muscles of his leg as she’d gripped onto him. He’d made her feel safe, and when was the last time any man had done that for her?

  "Eva?"

  She shook her head and focused.

  Jeff looked at her and raised an eyebrow. "You okay?"

  "Of course." She nodded. "I’m fine. I was just trying to figure out how much more I would need."

  He gave her a look that told her without any uncertainty that he didn’t believe a word she said.

  "Are you sure that’s all you’re thinking about?" He took a step towards her, closing the gap. His voice was low, his gaze intense, as he said, "Because it looks like you’re thinking about a whole lot more." He reached out and tucked a hair behind her ear. Reflexively, she closed her eyes and when his lips met hers, she wasn’t nearly as shocked as she should have been.

  Eva melted into him, her body responding instantly to Jeff’s kiss. With one hand, he pulled her into him; his other hand cupped her cheek, holding her close.

  His lips moved against hers, softly searching but not demanding. She responded in kind, electricity buzzing through her in an intensity that surprised her. She let out a small moan, and pulled away, common sense crashing into her. "I don’t…I think…" Eva couldn’t finish the thought. Her mind was spinning; her body pulsing. What had she been about to say? There were a million reasons why she shouldn’t be standing in the woods kissing Jeff.

  "Eva, I…"

  But a million more why she should.

  “No more talking.”

  Before he could say another word, Eva reached out and grabbed the back of his head, pulling him toward her again. She’d never been the type to wait for what she wanted to come to her, and she wasn’t about to start now.

  This time there was nothing but heat from their lips, and Jeff’s strong arms wrapped around her, holding her close. She could feel the strength of his body, but there were too many layers between them. As if he’d read her mind, he pulled back far enough to reach the zipper of her coat and she tugged at his.

  She ran her hands up and under his shirt, letting her fingers trail across his rock hard muscles. It wasn’t enough, she wanted to see him, to put her mouth on his hot skin.

  “Jeff, I—“

  Whatever she’d been about to say, escaped her as his mouth came down on her neck. He sucked and nibbled his way back up to her mouth and their lips crushed together again.

  They were standing in the woods surrounded by snow, but Eva was almost certain they’d melted all of it from the heat between them. Never had she experienced such instant and intense attraction with a man
. Never had her body responded the way it was responding to Jeff and if things didn’t end soon, there might not be any turning back.

  Mustering all the willpower she could find, Eva stepped back and Jeff reached for her in the same instant but she dodged him. Her response to him was too intense. Too strong. She needed a moment to think and clear her head. Eva turned so her back was facing him, took a deep breath and opened her eyes. She ran her tongue over her lower lip and did her best to calm herself.

  "Can we—"

  "It looks like there’s a bunch more over there behind that pile of logs," she said, interrupting him. It was best if she acted as if nothing had happened, because the last thing she needed was a conversation about it. She needed space between them, or she’d be right back in his arms.

  "Great."

  Welcoming the opportunity to put some space between them, Eva grabbed her basket and immediately charged through the snow in the direction of the holly.

  "Wait," he said. "I’ll come with you. It might be slippery over there on the logs."

  "I’ll be fine."

  "I just don’t want—"

  She turned around. "You don’t want what?" She held his gaze, unsure of what she really wanted his answer to be.

  "I don’t want you to get hurt," he said after a moment.

  "Well, that makes two of us." No longer sure about what they were talking about, Eva pulled her gaze away from his and took a confident step onto a snow-covered log. Her foot slipped a bit. She bit her bottom lip, but maintained her balance.

  "Eva," Jeff said behind her. "Really, be careful in the logs."

  She took another step. "I’m fine," she said as she took a big step up onto another log. As soon as the words left her mouth and her boot made contact with the wood, she felt her foot slipping. She tried to right herself by stepping up with her other foot, but that only served to throw her off-balance further, and the only thing that went through her mind as she crashed through the logs was how infuriating it was that Jeff was right.

  Moments later that thought flew out of her head too, replaced by piercing sensations of pain shooting up her arm.

  "Eva!" She vaguely heard Jeff’s voice call out but it seemed so far away, like an echo. Eva thought she might have heard him talking to her, his voice a mumble in the back of her head. The blue mid-day sky grew darker and after a moment, the sun was all but gone, and there was nothing but darkness.

  ~ ~

  Jeff scrambled over the logs as fast as he could in the snow. Eva had gone down hard.

  "Eva?" He called her name again, but still no answer. Just his luck that she’d pass out in the woods, and after he’d worked so hard to convince her there was no danger. Of course, that had been with horses and technically…

  "Eva," he said again as he reached her side. He tugged off his knit cap and gently lifted her head so he could slide it underneath. "Hey," he said. "Are you okay?" His eyes scanned down her body, coming to rest on her arm that was twisted and wedged between two logs.

  She fluttered her eyes, gradually coming to, so he spoke again. "You’re okay." He kept his voice soft and neutral. "You must have blacked out for a moment."

  Eva blinked again and slowly her beautiful eyes started to focus on him. "It…it hurts." Her voice was barely a whisper, but he could hear the pain laced through her words.

  "Don’t try to move your arm," he said. "Let me check it out first."

  "It hurts. I just need to—" She pulled and a look of pain and panic flashed across her face.

  "Oh, no, you don’t," Jeff said. He gently pressed her back down, holding his hand on her shoulder. "I don’t want you to cause more damage. Let me look at it." He held her gaze, trying to convey with his eyes that she’d be okay. It must have worked because she nodded once and closed her eyes against the pain she knew must be coming.

  Jeff rested his hand on her shoulder for a moment more before wiping the stray tear off her cheek. Eva’s breaths were coming quick and shallow and he knew he didn’t have long before she’d try to get up again. Reluctantly, he pulled his gaze away and got to work.

  Fortunately, the logs hadn’t shifted terribly in the fall, and Eva simply had the misfortune of slipping directly between two of them. Jeff lifted the top one away, to expose her arm. "Okay," he said. "Just slide it out, but don’t try to bend it yet. It might be broken."

  Eva did as she was told and soon was free, cradling her left arm to her chest.

  "Are you okay?" He slid off the log pile and came around, so he was standing on the ground next to Eva, who was still somewhat precariously balanced on the logs.

  "Does it look like I’m okay?" she snapped and regret instantly crossed her face. "I’m sorry," she said. "It’s not totally your fault."

  "Not totally?" He crossed his arms in front of him and examined her.

  She shot him a look but didn’t say anything further. Even when she was in pain, the woman couldn’t cut him a break.

  But they couldn’t stay in the woods all day. It would be getting dark eventually, and if she sat too much longer, she’d be soaked and then frozen, and the last thing he needed was to hear about that. Jeff sighed. "We should get you back to the Lodge," he said. "Let me help you up."

  She scooted towards the edge of the log pile as best she could with only one arm. She winced with the movement and bit her lower lip. "I can manage."

  He had no doubt that she could manage on her own, but it would probably mean hurting herself further and there was no way he was going to stand by and watch that. Besides that, there was nothing he wanted more than to have her body pressed up against his. He crossed the space between them and slid one arm under her legs, lifting her.

  "Hey. You don’t have to—" She swatted at him and tried to wiggle away.

  "Cut it out, Eva. You're going to hurt yourself." He pulled her close and wrapped his other arm around her shoulders, pressing her to his chest. Aware of her sore arm, he had her pinned, and easily cradled in his arms.

  "Put me down." She tried to squirm, but didn't get anywhere. "I don't need you to treat me like a child."

  "Well, if you're going to act like one…"

  "I am not—"

  "Seriously," he said, forcing the humor out of his voice. "Just relax. Your arm might be broken and the last thing you need is to slip and fall again. It won't kill you to let me help you."

  She stilled in his arms and he could practically feel her entire body sulking. "Fine," she said.

  Jeff picked his way carefully through the snow, which was considerably harder with Eva in his arms, and deposited her gently into the sleigh.

  "You're welcome," he said with a smile.

  Eva huffed and looked away. "I didn't ask for your help."

  "Well, you're still very welcome." He couldn't help it but his smile grew wider. There was something about Eva that fired him up and he loved watching the way her skin flushed when she got angry.

  Leaving her in the sleigh, Jeff returned to the log pile and retrieved Eva's basket and cutters. He scooped up the bits of holly that had fallen out and delivered them to her before sliding into the seat next to her.

  "What do you think you're doing?" she asked him.

  "Is this a trick question?" He peered over at her and took in her pout mixed with a grimace of pain that diluted the effect she was no doubt going for. Jeff pointed to her arm, which was starting to swell. "I'm taking you back to the Lodge," he said with more seriousness. "That arm does not look good and we need to get it looked at properly."

  "I'm fine." Eva attempted to cross her arms but a groan of pain escaped her lips. "Okay," she admitted. "It hurts. But I really need the holly. I don't have any more time and I need to get the centerpieces done. Andi is counting on me."

  "I think she'd understand."

  Eva shook her head. "No. I mean, yes. Of course she'd understand. But I promised my best friend an amazing wedding that she didn't have to lift a finger to create and I intend to deliver on that promise. I need the holly. Just
give me a few more minutes to—"

  "Oh no," he said. "There's no way you're going back out there. Since I've met you, all you've done is slip and fall in the snow and I will not be responsible for any further injuries. No way."

  "Jeff. I need the holly."

  She genuinely looked upset and no matter what, Jeff didn’t want to see her unhappy. He resisted the urge to kiss her frown away, but instead he sighed and stood up, grabbing the basket and clippers as he did so. "I'll do it."

  "You don't have to."

  "Yes. I do." He glanced down at Eva, who looked much smaller and fragile than she had earlier, and softened his tone. "It's not a big deal. It will only take me a minute. Will you be warm enough?"

  A tiny smile played across her lips and he hoped she’d say no, so he could warm her up himself. But she nodded and said, "Yes. Thank you, Jeff."

  "You can thank me later," he said and held her gaze just long enough to convey what he hoped was an invitation for another kiss, before he headed off through the snow to fill her basket with holly and ultimately see that sweet smile again.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Eva popped two more painkillers in her mouth and grabbed her bottle of water with her good hand. Her arm hurt way more than she cared to admit, especially to Jeff, but she was thankful he'd pushed the issue of getting her back to the Lodge and to the doctor.

  She'd been reassured it wasn't broken, just a bad sprain, which in her mind might as well have meant it was broken because she sure couldn't do much with her left arm all bandaged up and in a sling. But the doctor insisted it would feel better in a few days, and with any luck she’d be fine for the actual wedding.

  The pills might help with the swelling, but they still weren't going to get her centerpieces done. Eva stared at the pile of materials in front of her. Jeff had done a fabulous job collecting holly for her and really, he'd managed to find more in five minutes than she probably could have gathered all afternoon. But now, with only one good hand, it was going to take three times as long to put everything together.