Evergreens and Angels by Mary Manners Page A

comes to trusting her heart.
    And right now her heart ached for what she’d lost, which seemed doubly odd, since up until last night, she hadn’t even known she’d found it.
    Found him —Dillon. Found love she hadn’t known was possible. But that love was gone before it had much of a chance to take flight.
    She’d be gone soon, too.
     
    ****
     
    Jacqueline had left, thank God. Getting her to budge had required a lengthy yet firm conversation in which Dillon made it perfectly clear that their relationship was over. There were tears coupled with a bit of pleading, but once Jacqui realized he was serious, the channel changed and the claws came out. He might have expected as much. He let her yell, endured the rant, before finally leading her to her car and waving one final goodbye.
    He’d felt light as he returned to Pappy’s. His thoughts settled on no one but Brynn. The crisp night chill bit his nose as he jammed his hands into his pockets and hunched against the wind. Meteorologists predicted a white Christmas, perfect for his stint as Santa with Brynn. He couldn’t wait to get back to her and set the record straight. He and Jacqui had never discussed marriage. No, the relationship had never traveled that far. Her assertion they had was simply wishful thinking on her part.
    The truth remained; Dillon had fallen in love with Brynn.
    Seeing Jacqui again had accomplished one thing—to prove his feelings for her were nothing more than an easy friendship, while what he felt for Brynn was strong and deep, borne of their meeting that snowy night years ago. With every thought, every shared detail of her life, the feeling had flourished. He hadn’t realized the depth of his emotions until the chance of losing her again stood front and center.
    He’d returned to Pappy’s to learn Brynn had fled. She’d refused his calls and shunned any attempt at contact.
    “Give her time.” Brynn’s grandmother had placed a hand on Dillon’s elbow, urging him to be patient. “Tomorrow is a new day.”
    Well, tomorrow was here. Dillon climbed the steps to the Jansen’s and rapped on the door. Shifting feet as he waited, he struggled to hold his temper in check. It would do no good to fly off the handle now. He tried to put himself in Brynn’s shoes, considered how he’d react if the tables were turned.
    Would he trust her?
    The door opened. Brynn took one look at him and, without a word, tried to slam it shut again.
    Dillon placed his foot along the jamb. “I’m not leaving until we straighten this out, Brynn.”
    “The road is a tangle of curves, Dillon.”
    “So, let’s untangle it.”
    Brynn huffed out a breath as her gaze sliced through him. “Where’s Jacqueline?”
    “In New York, I assume. Last I heard, she was headed back to the airport.”
    “That was a quick interlude.”
    “OK, if you’ll sheath the dagger and give me a chance to explain, I’d really appreciate it.” He scrubbed a hand over his chin, feeling the scruff of beard he’d failed to shave that morning. A sleepless night had left little energy for even the simplest tasks. “Please, Brynn, I need you to trust me.”
    Her gaze held as she pulled back on the door, allowing him entrance from the cold. Immediately, the aroma of cinnamon warmed him.
    “Gran and Gramps went to lunch with the Bakers after church.” Flour dusted Brynn’s lips, and he longed to kiss it away. “They’ll be back soon so if you want privacy, talk fast.”
    “You have to shelve the anger, first.”
    “I’m not angry. I’m just…trying to figure it all out. You kissed me, Dillon.”
    “I’m perfectly aware of that. And, for the record, I’d like to kiss you again.”
    “It’s not gonna happen.” Brynn crossed her arms to drive the point home. “I don’t take that kind of thing lightly.”
    “Neither do I.”
    “You led me to think—I thought…”
    “What did you think, Brynn?”
    “I thought you cared for me. I thought—”
    “I do.” He eased in,