Free Maybe This Christmas: A Sweet Historical Western Holiday Romance Novella (Holidays in Mountain Home Book 2) by Kristin Holt Page A

necessary.” She grabbed her coat and fled out the back door.
    He’d bet a quarter dollar his sister had no interest in the outhouse. She’d simply seen and heard enough.
    Luke focused his gaze on Effie. She shrank back, the wind gone from her sails.
    Without another soul in the shop, he had no reason not to end this ridiculous argument once and for all. He reached for this woman, this beautiful, usually sweet and kind, normally gracious and good-hearted woman.
    He loved her. He couldn’t help it. Something had awoken inside him the first time he’d seen her, on the boardwalk in front of this very shop, that summer day a year and a half ago. And that something had reared on its hind legs not five minutes ago when he’d kissed her and she’d kissed him back. He may not have a wealth of experience with women, but he knew this woman. His woman.
    She was confused. Angry at herself, upset at the loss of control with the situation. She’d wanted to show Gus a thing or two, and instead, Gus had turned the tables on her and shown her far more. Her pride smarted. She didn’t know what to do about him, either, Luke figured. That kiss had changed things for her, too. He knew it just like he knew Noelle wouldn’t be back anytime soon.
    As if it were the most natural thing in the world, as if he’d held her every day of their lives, Luke put his arms around her and tugged her close. She stiffened, fighting him half-heartedly for only a second or two.
    She seemed to melt like spring snow on a warm afternoon. She sagged and leaned on him, clutching the back of his shirt in her fists. “I’m sorry.”
    “It’s okay, Effie. Take your time. ”
     
     
     
     
     
    Two days later, Effie returned from making a deposit at the bank to find Gus and Luke squaring off across her sales counter. They both had elbows propped on the oak surface and flexed their hands in preparation for an arm wrestle.
    At the sound of the door, Luke glanced over his shoulder. He’d braced his feet wide, providing an impressive view of muscled legs, taut backside, and broad shoulders. “There you are. You’re just in time.”
    She propped hands upon her hips. “In time for what?”
    “We’re settling this, once and for all.” All traces of Gus’s usual joviality had disappeared.
    “Settling what, exactly?” She didn’t like the sound of this. But at least they hadn’t determined to settle their differences with pistols— yet .
    Neither man looked her way. They glared at one another, poised to grip hands like rams set to butt heads.
    “Answer me.”
    “I told this drifter I will accompany you to the Annual Children’s Program—”
    Incensed, she cut Luke off. “ Drifter? ”
    Gus chuckled. “I believe he called me an interloper, first go ‘round.”
    She stalked closer, ready to knock their heads together. “This is my place of business. You can’t arm wrestle to determine who might ask me to that event.”
    Luke grasped Gus’s hand, flexing his fingers for a better hold. The men stared one another down, their heads lowered to maximize leverage.
    This was entirely ridiculous. “Just so you know, I do have a say in the matter, and my answer is no. I won’t go with either of you. So there’s no sense going through with this.”
    Gus flexed, pulling hard, but Luke held steady. Muscles bulged beneath shirtsleeves. Strain showed on both faces.
    Gus gained several inches, forcing Luke’s backward. Their arms shook with strain.
    She groaned in frustration, refusing to watch this ridiculous show. She hung up her cloak. “Where did you scare Noelle off to this time?”
    They ignored her. Her temper spiked.
    One man—perhaps both—grunted.
    She couldn’t help but notice Luke had regained the upper hand. He had Gus on the defense now. Perspiration beaded on his forehead and dampened his hair.
    Let them battle this out, but if they thought she’d cooperate as the prize, they’d find themselves sorely disappointed.
    She yawned,