Beyond the Mistletoe: A Christmas Romance (Beyond Love Book 7) by Karice Bolton Page A

fun with you,” he murmured, his words landing deep into my core.
    I rested my head on his chest and let out a sigh, feeling the strength in his arms as he held me.
    “It’s always the way, isn’t it?” I whispered.
    He nodded and placed a sweet kiss on my cheek.

 
    Chapter Nine
     
     
    I’d replayed our kiss over and over since the weekend away. I could still taste the sweetness of his lips as I sat here in the bakery on the Wednesday before Gabby’s wedding. The rest of the weekend had gone by in a blur. Derek and I’d managed to team up on the treasure hunt and chili cook-off. I looked for any reason to accidentally rub against him or feel his electrifying touch dance off my skin. The chemistry was undeniable, which made it even more difficult not to wind up in bed with him.
    But if I had, I’d be even more obsessive about Derek, and there’d be feelings involved besides lust and daydreaming. I’d done an amazing job of protecting my heart since my divorce, and I wasn’t about to throw away all that hard work.
    The door of the bakery chimed, and I made my way out front. Rush hour had already passed, and now was when the more leisurely crowd appeared.
    “Hi there, Mr. Gibbs,” I said, waving at one of our regulars. His pure white hair was mostly hidden under his driving cap, but his blue eyes sparkled with pure joy.
    “Good morning there, Emily,” he replied, tilting his hat slightly. “I see you’ve got the Christmas decorations up.”
    “We finally made it happen.” I began working on his drink, a cappuccino, and asked what he’d like for a pastry. “Between Gabby’s wedding this weekend and her party last weekend, I thought I might not get to it.”
    “They look splendid, especially the train. I’ve always had a fondness for trains.” He cleared his throat a few times. “I’d actually like to add an extra cappuccino, and two slices of cranberry bread instead of one.”
    I spun around and flashed a grin. Walter Gibbs’ smile widened before speaking. “My lady found me.”
    “A lady found you?” My brow arched. “How does a lady go about such a feat?”
    Mr. Gibbs had lost his wife seven years ago, and he’d thrown himself into the antique store they owned. At eighty-five, he was considered the area expert on rare coins and decoys.
    He gave a wry grin, which deepened the wrinkles around his kind eyes, and I couldn’t help but delight in the details of his recent find.
    “She had a trunk full of ducks, and one of them turned out to be carved by A.E. Crowell. I put her in touch with an auction house, and let’s just say she doesn’t have to worry about the rest of her years any longer.”
    I smiled, pouring the steamed milk into Mr. Gibbs’ cup.
    “She had no idea what she had on her hands,” he continued. “One of the rarest of the rares.”
    “A lot of dealers might have just bought it off her and sent her on her way.”
    He frowned as my words settled over him.
    “Isn’t that the truth?” he grunted. “And our world is only getting more ruthless, but I refuse to be a part of it. I’ve seen that if ya kick someone while they’re down, life has a way of cutting ya off at your knees, and I like my knees. Even though they’re really not mine any longer after all my surgeries.”
    I chuckled and handed him a drink carrier and the bag with two slices of cranberry bread before ringing him up.
    “So what’s her name?” I asked.
    “Dorothy,” he answered. “Sweet Dorothy. I’m lucky our distance didn’t sway her to another. She’s a real looker.” Mr. Gibbs winked and I chuckled.
    “A long distance relationship, huh?” I asked, handing him his change. “That seems like it could be really difficult.”
    The door jingled and in came Gabby. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement.
    “Distance should never be a problem when the hearts are one. Better to have someone you’re fond of somewhere than have no one you’re fond of anywhere,” he whispered.
    His words made