Free Mistaken Gifts by Elena Aitken Page B

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.  
    Eva took another swallow of water before putting her bottle to the side and pulling a glass bowl towards her. She took two big sprigs of pine and wedged them as best she could into the bowl. Next, she grabbed a birch branch and tried to artfully place it between the pine boughs.  
    "Not bad," she said, taking a step back to examine her work. "I can do this."  
    She reached into her basket for a sprig of holly.  
    "Ouch. Dammit." A prickly leaf bit into her finger and she stuck the sore finger in her mouth.  
    "Well, it looks like someone isn't having a very lucky day."  
    Eva spun at the voice and couldn’t help but smile when she saw Troy lounging against the doorjamb. "I've had better days," she said.  
    Troy pushed away and sauntered into the room. His blond hair was perfectly brushed, and his crisp buttoned-down shirt was tucked neatly into his dark denim jeans, making him look every bit the city boy in the woods.  
    "What happened, darling?" Troy grimaced when he saw Eva's bandaged arm. "Looks like more than holly got you there."  
    "Would you believe it was holly related?"  
    He laughed and took the sprig from her hands. "Well, if it was the holly, I think it's my duty as your fake date to help you sort it out. Let me help."  
    "What do you know about wedding centerpieces?" she asked. "I mean, no offense."
    "None taken, darling. But as it happens, I do know a thing or two." He leaned in and whispered in Eva's ear. "Don't tell my business associates, but I have a secret passion for decorating and parties, and when you put them together…well, it's kind of a hobby of mine."
    "You don't say?"
    "I didn't." He winked at her and tucked the holly into the pines, in just the way Eva would have done it herself. She nodded her head approvingly.  
    "I told you I had skills," he said.  
    "I never would have guessed. But since you're here…" Eva waved her arm over the stack of empty glass vases waiting to be filled.  
    "There's nothing I'd enjoy more," Troy said, and leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. "After all, that's what I'm here for."  
    She smiled and reached up with her good hand to pat his cheek. "If only you were straight," she said. "Then you'd be perfect."  
    ~ ~
    After dropping Eva off at the Lodge and seeing Clover back to the stable, Jeff had been anxious to get back and see how Eva was doing. It didn't look like her wrist was broken, but it was definitely sprained and the last thing he wanted was to see that look of pain on her face again.  
    Besides, maybe there was something more he could do to help. After trudging through the snow to gather her holly, she'd been much happier, despite the sore arm, and he'd even made her smile a few more times. He didn't want to admit it, not even to himself, but Eva was a force and the more time he spent with her, the more he realized that she was a force he'd like to reckon with.
    Jeff slipped through the main doors of the Lodge and ran straight into Carmen. He usually welcomed the opportunity to stop and catch up with the friendly, overworked woman who was single-handedly in charge of guest relations at the Lodge. But it wasn't a usual day.  
    "Oh, Jeff. I'm glad I caught you."  
    He stopped and gave her his biggest smile. "It's always nice to see you, too," he said. "But I really can't chat right now."  
    "Don't I know that feeling?" She gestured to her clipboard, which no doubt held a to-do list a mile long. "But