Linc was confused, to put it mildly.
He’d made love to an enthusiastic Eva last night and that very morning. But then she had sat near Paine the whole time during the gift exchange. The two had been chatting away together. Laughing, making little comments and inside jokes to each other about Poppy or New York. Making Linc feel like even more of an outsider in her world than he already did.
Then, in a complete one-eighty, she’d given him an unfathomable gift. A charity, in his family’s name, and a million dollars.
Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but he’d love to talk to her about that. And ask a few questions, such as where the hell had the money come from?
Was it stolen? Was she a cyber thief?
Wyatt was the businessman but Linc could decipher enough of the paperwork to gather it was all official, set up through an attorney in New York. The endowment was to remain invested. The full amount of the interest earned annually, minus administration fees not to exceed a specified percentage, must be dispersed to the charities or individuals that Linc, or any persons he chose to add to the organization, saw fit. If or when the charity was dissolved, the full amount of the endowment was to be donated.
As the room buzzed around him, he’d been staring at the papers for long enough the words were beginning to blur before his eyes. He glanced up and noticed that the festivities were breaking up. Wyatt must have helped Olivia back upstairs. Ethan and his father had turned on the television and were watching the football game, which had drawn Paine over to them and away from Eva, thank God. And Eva and Poppy, who was now wearing Ethan’s diamond on her left hand, were nowhere to be found.
They’d all have to get changed to leave for an early Christmas dinner at the Wilder. But they’d driven over together so he knew Eva hadn’t gone back to the cabin without him.
He stood, confounding papers still in his hand, unsure what to do with them or how important they were. Like was this the only copy and he needed to put it in the safe? Or were the official papers with the lawyer and these were more ceremonial, for his reference only? Until he was certain, he rolled them up and shoved them in the pocket of his jacket in the front hall to be stowed safely somewhere later.
Not too keen to go back in and rub elbows with Paine Van Clief, the man who was so funny he made Eva laugh twice as much as Linc ever could, he headed for the kitchen.
He heard Eva’s voice and quickened his step to be with her, until he heard Poppy say, “So Paine was asking about you.”
Stopping dead, his heart pounded as he stayed out of sight doing something his mother would be ashamed of if she’d been alive. Eaves dropping.
Nothing good ever came of it, she would tell him. He didn’t seem to care as he stayed hidden.
“Oh?” Eva said.
“He was asking if you’re single,” Poppy told her. “Hinting around, trying to see if you’re interested.”
“Pops, I love your brother…” Eva began.
Linc was going to vomit. Right there in the hall.
“But you can tell him no,” Eva finished.
“No, you’re not interested?” Poppy asked.
“No, I’m not single.”
Linc’s eyes flew wide at Eva’s answer.
Was she saying what he hoped she was saying? Not waiting to find out, Linc strode into the kitchen.
Eva turned in surprise as he entered. Her mouth opened but he didn’t give her time to speak. He palmed the back of her head and wrapped his other arm around her waist.
Hauling her up tight against him, he delivered a deep, long overdue kiss, right in front of Poppy.
“Oh,” Poppy said, as if she finally understood.
Linc pulled back, but only far enough to see Eva’s face. “No more hiding?”
“I guess not,” she said, brow cocked high.
“I suppose I should have noticed this was happening, huh?” Poppy said indicating the two of them with the swirl of a finger in their direction.
Eva bobbed her head. “There were a few other things going on to distract you. And I did swear him to secrecy, under threat of bodily harm.”
Linc laughed. “Yeah. Pretty much.”
He couldn’t keep the smile off his face. Especially when Paine walked in and found him with his arm wrapped around Eva. Then, Linc smiled extra wide. But hell, he was a good sport and a gracious winner.
“Paine, you want a beer?” he offered.
“It’s early but it’s Christmas, so yes,” he said, nodding.
“This coming from the man who thinks it doesn’t count as drinking with breakfast if you mix orange juice or coffee with your alcohol. Pfft! As if it being a holiday makes any difference.” Poppy rolled her eyes.
Against his will, Linc was starting to like this guy. It helped that Linc had staked a public claim on Eva who was pressed up against him, sipping out of his beer like they were a real couple.
“I hate to break up this happy party, but I’m going to have to get dressed for dinner,” Poppy said.
“Well, that’s gonna take a while.” After a sharp look from his sister, Paine added, “But well worth it. So go upstairs. Get ready.”
“All my dressy outfits are at the hotel,” Poppy explained.
“So you’re basically using your room at the Wilder as one big walk-in closet?” Eva asked.
“No. I mean I was living there…for a little while. Anyway, I’m going to drive over now and just meet everyone there when it’s time for dinner. Are you staying here?” she asked Paine.
Paine tapped his chin, eyes narrowed. “Hm. Stay here and drink beer and watch the game with the guys. Or sit in a hotel room while you primp. Tough one.”
“Fine. You could have just said you were staying. Ethan will drive you over. Eva, what are you wearing to dinner?” Poppy turned her attention to Eva.
Linc felt her startle at the sound of her name. “Me?” She glanced down at her Christmas sweater that had two deer humping on it and said, “Um, I guess I’ll change into… something.”
“Come with me. You fit in my clothes. I’ve got the perfect thing at the hotel for you to wear.”
He heard the soft groan before Eva let out a breath. “Okay.” She turned to look at him. “I guess I’m going to the hotel now.”
“I heard. But I’ll see you there for dinner in a couple of hours.”
She nodded. “I’ll go with Poppy in the Jeep and then I'll drive home with you later.”
Home. He loved hearing that since it meant Eva would be in his bed again tonight. And there when he woke in the morning.
It felt good even though they hadn’t broached the subject of what would happen for the long term after Christmas.
“Shit.” She turned to him. “The puppy. What do I do with Holly?”
He smiled at her complete consternation over one tiny dog. “She can hang with Bingley tonight. They’re sleeping together like they’re old friends.”
She pressed her lips together. “Okay. If that’s all right. I guess we can get her tonight.”
We. That had a nice ring to it. And when Eva kissed him goodbye before she left with Poppy, even if it was just a quick peck on the lips, his hope grew and blossomed into full out anticipation as he pictured himself, Eva and the puppy in the cabin. Together.
And not just for tonight.