A Christmas Miracle. Anna Adams

she did.

      “Maybe it’s gossip,” she said. “Maybe people are grateful, and we’ve talked about it over the doughnut case in the bakery and the egg fridge in the grocery store. When you first arrived, you were all rules and regulations, even when you were sorry you had to do the right thing for the bank.”

      “I may still have to do that.” But he wasn’t sanguine as he thought of the number of loans he still had to study.

      “You’re accidentally getting to know us, and business as usual isn’t as easy as it’s been in the past.”

      “You’re right about that. I didn’t expect to be treated as if I belonged here. People take me at face value.” He moved away from her, fingering the thick batting that nestled the miniature village in faux snow in the window. “But I am still the bank’s representative.”

      “I haven’t forgotten you’ll put the bank ahead of us.”

      “If I have to, but I didn’t with your loan.”

      “That’s what I don’t understand about you. You obviously cared about Fred, and I know you’ve been considerate of me, but if the bottom line creeps up, that’s where your attention will go.”

      “It’s my job.”

      “Your job,” she said. “That’s your first priority, isn’t it?”

      He met her measured gaze, knowing she wouldn’t let him put his arm around her now if he tried. “The job is why I’m here.”

      “I won’t let myself forget again.” She took her cup to the counter. “But aren’t you ever tempted to find out if you could belong somewhere?”

      “Fleming—”

      “I know,” she said. “It’s none of my business.”

      “You’re content here in these mountains. I’m not asking you why you aren’t tempted by everything you’d find outside this world.”

      “Because I belong. My life here is a suit of clothes that fits. You haven’t found that outfit for yourself.” She opened her laptop. “And I don’t think you’ll allow yourself to look.”

      “Just like I don’t believe you’re capable of opening your eyes to anywhere else.”

      “And now we’re getting personal. That’s a mistake.” Her fingers flew over the keyboard. “I’m asking the attorney for a closing date.”

      And shutting him out. Making sure he knew she wasn’t open to any relationship that might take her away from her beloved mountain home.

      “Good,” he said. “The sooner you commit to your business, the better.” He looked at his watch, not even seeing it. “I should get back to work, too. Good night, Fleming.”

      “Night.”

      Her cheery voice irritated him. He set his cup on her counter and looked at her, not hiding his awareness of what they were truly saying to each other. She belonged here. He was leaving.

      Neither spoke again as he exited the store and walked away.

      * * *

      FLEMING FELT THE silence in the shop as if it were a pillow smothering her. She sent her email to the bank’s loan attorney and closed the laptop, not even tempted to open her story file for a change.

      Her heart felt a little broken. She and Jason had talked a lot since she’d first met him in his office that day. They’d never been as personal or as honest as in these last few moments.

      She’d met other men, been interested in other men, but laughed to herself now, recognizing that she’d never felt like this before. Attracted, afraid, grateful for the sound of his voice, at a loss when he left her.

      But she’d always been clear about where she stood, where she’d stand forever. In Bliss, her home.

      Her phone rang, startling her as it vibrated in her pocket. She reached for it and tears burned in her eyes. “Mom,” she said, answering.

      “Am I too late? Why haven’t you called me?”

      Fleming picked up her coffee cup and carried it to the back room, where she put it in the sink. “The grapevine got hold of you?”

      “I’ve heard a few things. Is it true about the loan?”

      “Absolutely true, but everything’s fine. I have a new one that I’ll be able to cover, and the shop will be fine.”

      “I don’t care about the shop.” Her mother paused. “Right now, anyway. You sound sad.”

      “No.” Fleming lied as she never had to her mother before. She couldn’t explain that her heart had gotten involved without her permission. “I’m fine. Where are you calling from?”

      Her mom didn’t answer.

      “Hello?” Fleming glanced at the phone. It was a long way to a beach hut, but the call remained connected.

      “I asked Hugh if we could come home early. Just a few days. I’m on my way from Knoxville right now. I hope you won’t be upset with me for being concerned, but we both thought you might need me.”

      Fleming didn’t know how to respond. “I’m twenty-four, Mom, not a child. Hugh will think—”

      “That I wanted to see my daughter. He’s part of our family now, too. He understands what the shop means to us both. Besides, he’s excited about getting back to the hospital in the morning. Who knows how cardiology might have changed since the great Dr. Belford tempted fate by taking a vacation?”

      Her mom was rightly proud of her new husband, who’d never go out for pastry and disappear. “Thank him for me,” Fleming said, “and be careful getting here. It’s starting to snow.”

      “Oh, that’ll be good for business.”