An Unexpected Gift (Insta-Spark Book 4) Read online

  I drove straight home without a break. It took everything in me not to pull off the highway as I passed the exit to the town where Holly lived. I had to wrap my hands tightly around the steering wheel and not look in the rearview mirror. I fought down the swell of desperate need to go to her.

  Holly hadn't asked me to stay, so I didn't think she would want me showing back up a couple of days later on her doorstep, wanting to share my sad story. I didn't think I could handle more rejection—especially not from her. I needed to accept that she was right—my time with her had been a moment in my life. Not the future.

  Somehow, that reality was far harder to handle than the disastrous finality with my family.

  Holly was constantly on my mind, lingering on the edge of my thoughts. I compared everything that happened with my parents to her. Her warmth versus their coldness. Her giving, generous nature against their judgmental, rigid views. Her sweet acceptance. Their complete rejection.

  With a weary sigh, I pulled into the driveway leading to my house. Lights beckoned to me, their warm glow a welcome sight after the long drive. Dan's car was parked in front of the house, and I knew he and Carol would be there waiting for me. I smiled sadly. Unlike my family, they would be happy to see me. I opened the car door, relieved to be home. Immediately, I was enveloped in Carol’s embrace, a motherly action I needed more than I realized. Surrounded by her scent—vanilla and cookies—I hugged her back and let her lead me inside my house. Coffee, sandwiches, and a warm fire waited for me.

  As did their patience and understanding.

  "Evan, I'm so sorry. I had hoped things would go better for you." Carol's voice was hurt-filled. Hurt I knew she was feeling for me.

  I leaned my head back on the sofa, enjoying the feeling of the simple comfort that being surrounded by my own things brought me.

  "Pretty much a disaster from the get-go. Maybe my car breaking down was a sign. I guess I should have listened better to what the gods were saying." I smiled, trying to lighten the atmosphere, while my mind went over what I had just shared with Dan and Carol.

  I told them everything about the time with my parents, holding nothing back about their displeasure or how I was done trying to be what they wanted. Moving forward, I was living life the way I wanted—with no apologies.

  "Are you okay, Evan?" Carol's voice broke through my musings.

  I nodded. "I'm just tired."

  "You should have stopped. That is such a long drive."

  I shook my head. If I had, I would have turned around and gone to find Holly. The urge had been strong. "I wanted to get home."

  "We're glad you're back." Dan smiled at me. "Carol's got a big brunch planned for you. We'll give you tomorrow to rest up and come over the next day. It'll be our own little Christmas."

  "I look forward to it."

  Carol leaned forward, her hands resting on her knees. "Are you going to contact her? Holly?"

  "Carol," Dan chided. "Not our business."

  "Hush." She turned back to me. "Well?"

  Carol had been full of questions about Holly. She was fascinated by the way we met and the time I’d spent with her. I had shown her the wings Holly gave me and the wood-carving tools. Talked about the time we spent together. It had been such a relief to be able to tell someone about her. I never brought up the subject at my parents', letting them think I had traveled even later than I actually had. It would have been blasphemy to have said Holly’s name there. I could only imagine the biting comments that would have followed, and I didn't want to share that memory with them, only to have it tainted.

  I shrugged. "And say what, Carol? ‘Hey, thanks for the interlude. I'll look you up next time’? It was, as she said, a stop in my life. Something we both needed at the time."

  Carol frowned. "Bullshit, Evan. That is bullshit."

  I gaped at her. Carol never swore.

  "She didn't ask me to stay," I insisted.

  "And you didn't ask," she stated pointedly.

  I stared at her, unsure what to say.

  Dan let out a bark of laughter and stood. "I think we need to leave. Don't forget brunch. Come over whenever you want that morning." He pulled Carol off the chair. "We're going now. Get some sleep, Evan."

  Carol paused beside my chair. "When you're ready to talk, I'm here."

  Dan tugged on her arm. "Leave him alone, for heaven's sake."

  She shook her head. "Stubborn fool."

  I watched them walk out, not moving from the sofa.

  Was she talking about Dan or me?

  8

  Evan

  My dreams were filled with soft blue eyes that were warm and kind. They looked at me with so much emotion, yet every time I reached for the person attached to them, they disappeared. I woke up in the late afternoon, unrefreshed and moody. I walked around the house, unable to settle.

  The quiet and solitude I always enjoyed now seemed to be mocking me. The silence echoed in the house. Over and again, my eyes strayed to the wings on the mantle. Memories of my time with her played in my head.

  Holly.

  Her laugh.

  The way she cared for me.

  The sadness and fear she tried so hard to hide.

  I thought of how I felt being with her.

  The incredible sensation of making love to her.

  How she made me feel about myself—not weak and lost. Unwanted.

  Strong. Needed.

  Loved?

  I shook my head. I was being ridiculous. People didn't fall in love in a day.

  Yet, I couldn't deny the longing I felt for her.

  I glanced at my phone and picked it up. I hadn’t texted her aside from the one I’d sent after arriving at my parents’. She hadn’t texted me again—nor had I expected her to. But I wanted her to know I was home in case she worried.

  Holly, I am back home. Things went as badly as expected. Just thought you'd want to know.

  A few moments later, my phone beeped.

  I’m so sorry. You deserve so much better. You tried. I am proud of you—now make your own life and be happy for you.

  Be happy.

  I thought I was happy before I met her.

  Now I wasn't sure.

  I rubbed my eyes. I wasn't sure about anything anymore.

  Watching my friends open the gifts I had chosen was a far different experience than I’d had at my parents'. Their expressions of delight were a direct contrast to the tight-lipped scorn the gifts I had given my family had drawn.

  Carol's reaction to the lovely blown glass vase was effusive, and Tara squealed in delight over the earrings Holly had picked out after I tried to describe her “style” as best I could. Dan was thrilled with the prints I had selected for his office, and Andrew already had plans for a fishing trip for us to use the lures I had found.

  I frowned in confusion when Carol handed me another small parcel. I had opened their thoughtful gifts already. "It has your name on it," she explained. "It was in the bag with the others."

  I swallowed heavily.

  Holly.

  With shaky fingers, I opened the little package. Inside was a small Saint Christopher medallion. The patron saint of travelers. I unfolded the small note.

  To help keep you safe. Always, H

  My hand came up to rest on my chest, trying to quell the sudden ache. Holly worried about me. Even after I left, she was worried about me.

  The memories hit me again. The feelings they evoked flooded my system. Holly’s gaze. Her caring and warmth.

  I needed that in my life.

  I needed her.

  As crazy as it sounded, I was in love with her.

  For a moment, I was lost in my thoughts until the sound of a clearing throat made me look up. My gaze found Carol’s right away. Her eyes were gentle, filled with understanding, and she nodded before I even got the words out.

  "I have to go back."

  She smiled. “Yes, you do.”

  Tara sprang to her feet. “Thank God. Let’s figure this
out.”

  “I’ll leave tomorrow.”

  Dan shook his head. “There’s a big snowstorm headed this way, Evan. It’s heading across Quebec right now. You’ll get trapped.”

  “You need to fly,” Tara announced. “Tonight, before we get snowed in.”

  “I—”

  “I’m on it,” Andrew announced, heading over to the computer. He sat down, typing fast. He scanned the screen. “All the flights are booked except for the last flight out at eight. I take it all the time. There’s a first-class seat left.” He whistled. “It’s gonna cost you.”

  I tossed him my credit card. “Book it. I need a car—make that an SUV—to pick up there as well. A nice one.”

  He chuckled. “You got it. Go home and pack. I’ll get this done, and Tara and I will drive you to the airport. Then you can go get your girl.”

  I looked at Carol. “Brunch…” I started.

  She waved me off with a wide smile and tugged me in for a hug. “Forget brunch. You can bring Holly for dinner when you get back.”

  “What if she says no?”

  She shook her head and cupped my face. “Then you know you tried. But from what you’ve told me, she won’t. I think she’s missing you as much as you are missing her.” She smiled. “This is your chance to find your life, Evan. Grab it. Be happy.”

  “I will.”

  The familiar scenery went by as I drove down the road. The diner was closed between Christmas and New Year’s, the parking lot deserted and the sign dark. I hoped Holly would be home when I got there. If not, I would wait.

  I was nervous, anxious, and tense. I knew Holly might say no. She might think I was crazy. But like Carol said, as with the situation with my family, I had to reach out and try. I only hoped this outcome would be better.

  I had spent the afternoon wandering my house, imagining Holly there with me. I could see her sitting on the porch as the sun set, our hands entwined. Or curled up in the swing sketching. I could hear her laughter echo in the kitchen as we worked together making a meal. I wanted to see her warm gaze across the table from me. I wanted to feel her pressed up against me in my bed and wake up to her in the morning.

  As crazy and fast as it sounded, I wanted to build a life with her.

  She understood me, because she had lived through her own kind of neglected childhood. Her parents had dragged her around, only thinking of themselves, and never giving her the things she needed more than anything. Things she deserved.

  A home.

  To be safe and loved.

  To belong.

  She had helped me. Cared for me so lovingly—a complete stranger. She had not only opened her house to me; without realizing it, she had shown me her heart. She had shared her pain and let me share mine with her. She made me feel. The short time I spent with her had changed me now…for the better. And I didn't want to go back to being shut off anymore.

  While Andrew and Tara were booking my flight, I talked to Carol. She made me understand why Holly didn't ask me to stay. It wasn't because she didn't feel the same way.

  No. She felt something. I could see it in her eyes and feel the way she cared for me; I knew that.

  Holly didn't think herself worthy of asking. She was sending me away to get on with my life, because she thought I had a good one. But she was wrong; something was missing. She was worried she didn't know how to settle in one place or be a partner to someone, because she'd never experienced that in her entire life. But she was wrong about that also. She needed someone to love her and to let her see how it felt to have someone put her needs and desires over their own. To show her she was worth that.

  I knew what was missing for both of us.

  Each other.

  Now I had to convince her.

  I pulled up outside her house. Her large, ugly truck was parked in the driveway. I could see the glow of a light in the window, and I sighed in relief, knowing she was in there. I sat in silence, gathering up my courage; I had no idea how she would react to seeing me.

  There was only one way to find out.

  Holly

  I sat on the sofa, my legs curled under me, with Chester asleep beside me. A glass of wine sat on the table, untouched. I hadn’t eaten dinner since my appetite was nonexistent.

  It had been since Evan had cooked dinner for us. I had barely picked at the turkey dinner Leslie made for us on Christmas Day, and in the days that followed, I snacked on leftovers she’d sent, nibbling on a sandwich or some crackers and cheese. Nothing tempted me.

  All I could think about was Evan. As soon as I received his text when he went home, I read his pain in the one line he sent me. His family had rejected him.

  And he had left, not stopping to see me.

  It had taken everything in me not to ask him why. I knew why.

  I had been correct when I’d told him the time we had was only a moment in his life. He deserved someone who could be a partner to him. Who knew how to be part of a lasting relationship. I wasn’t that person, and he knew it.

  Still, I couldn’t stop thinking about him.

  His loving nature.

  His kind personality.

  His passion.

  How desperately I missed him. I didn’t understand it, but I did. I felt empty without him.

  Chester stretched, lifting his head, and I tickled him under the chin. “Evan’s little twin,” I murmured, a smile pulling at my lips in memory. He did look like the feline version of Evan.

  Evan was tall and lanky, but his shoulders were broad. His hair, long enough to touch his collar, was a midnight black with a white patch in the middle that gave him a rakish air. His green eyes were set under heavy brows, and when he slid on his glasses to read something, his sexiness level, which was already high, flew into the stratosphere. But he was unconscious of his appeal, which only made him more attractive. I was shocked when he first told me of his shyness and absence of a girlfriend. I was convinced the town he lived in must be lacking in women with good eyesight. How he hadn’t been snatched up was insane.

  The sound of a car, then hurried footsteps, made me frown. The sound of furious pounding on my door startled me. Connie wasn’t due home for at least a month and I wasn’t expecting anyone. Chester jumped from the sofa, running to the door. I followed, worried something had happened to Leslie and Tom needed my help. I flicked on the light and yanked open the heavy door.

  To say I was shocked to find Evan standing in my doorway would be an understatement.

  I met his gaze. He looked anxious and upset.

  "Evan? What…what are you doing here?" I stepped forward, concerned. "Are you all right?"

  He held out his hand beseechingly. "I-I have to talk to you," he begged.

  I stepped back, grasping his hand and pulling him inside.

  "You were home. You texted me and told me that." I stared at him in horror. "How did you get back here? You didn't drive again, did you?"

  He shook my head. "I flew." He tightened his hand on mine. "I had to see you. I had to try. I have to talk to you, Holly."

  I furrowed my brow in confusion but nodded. "Okay, Evan. Come in and talk."

  Evan

  Once in her living room, I pulled off my coat. I stood looking at her, my eyes drinking her in. It felt like years, not days, since I had last seen her. She looked so good to me. Soft, pretty, warm. I wanted so badly to touch her, pull her into my arms and hold her, but I wasn't sure if I could.

  "Holly, I—"

  She moved closer, now clearly concerned. "Evan, sweetheart, what is it? Why are you here?"

  Sweetheart. She called me sweetheart.

  I wrapped my arms around her, thrilled when she leaned into my embrace, her face buried into my chest. I held her close, needing to feel her warmth and quiet strength.

  Her voice was calm. "What did you mean you had to try? Try what? Why did you need to talk to me?"

  There was a tone to her voice, one I prayed was hopeful.

  "I made a mistake."

  She
leaned back, gazing up at me, but didn't leave my arms. "What? Going to see your family?"

  "No. You were right—I had to. I'm glad I did that. It proved I was correct and I don't belong in their world. And I finally told my father off. I won't let his opinion of me rule my life anymore."

  She smiled and cupped my cheek. "Good. I'm proud of you. But what mistake?"

  I drew in a deep breath. "I should have come right back here."

  "What do you mean?"

  I released her, needing to move and let off some of my nerves. I started to pace. "I never should have left here, Holly. I never should have left you behind." I tugged on my hair. "When I left my parents', I should have come right back here and talked to you. But I didn't know how you would react. If you wanted me to come back." I clenched my hands. "You didn't ask me to stay. You let me walk away. Didn't you feel anything for me?"

  Her voice quavered. "Yes, I did. I felt a lot of things."

  "Then why?"

  "I didn't want you to go," she admitted. "It took everything I had in me not to come after you when you left. I wanted to ask you…but I was afraid. I wasn't sure how I would handle it if you said no." Her voice became thick with emotion. "I didn't think I could be what you needed."

  "You are. You are exactly what I need.”

  "Evan…"

  I stopped in front of her, my entire body shaking. "I want you to come with me," I blurted out before I could change my mind.

  "What?"

  "Come with me, please."

  Her brow furrowed. "Where are you going?"

  "I want you to come home with me. To Nova Scotia."

  She stared at me, speechless.