Her Christmas Hero (Home To Dover 6) by Lorraine Beatty

like everything we’ve done in the past was meaningless.” He stood and went to the refrigerator, pulled out the pitcher of sweet tea and poured a glass. “How many times have we talked about the overcommercialization of Christmas? The loss of the spiritual meaning. Now all of a sudden the town wants to dump our traditions for all the glitz.”
    “And this bothers you?”
    “Of course. Traditions are important.”
    “What exactly is Gemma proposing?”
    He shook his head; once his mom heard some of Gemma’s weird ideas she’d be on his side. “First, she wants all the businesses around the square to decorate their windows as part of a contest she’s promoting on the Dover website to draw in visitors to see the winners. She even got Davis to offer free advertising in the
Dispatch
for the winners.”
    “Interesting. Is that all?”
    “No. There’s a lamppost-decorating contest, too, that anyone can enter.” Linc leaned back in his chair. “Screwy idea if you ask me.”
    “How did folks respond?”
    He thought back to the moment when Gemma had finished her discussion and the owners had applauded. Loudly. They’d crowded around her afterward with questions and smiles “As if she’d just offered them each a free trip to Disney World.”
    Francie took a sip of her tea before answering. “I think her ideas are right on target.”
    “You can’t be serious.”
    “She’s doing what she was hired to do, and it sounds as if the owners are all eager to participate. I knew she would charm them. She’s so full of enthusiasm, don’t you think?”
    Linc didn’t want to discuss his reactions to Gemma. He still hadn’t figured out why he became all edgy and irritable when she was around.
    “I enjoy helping her out by watching Evan after school. It gives her more time to concentrate on her new job.”
    “Are you sure he’s not too much for you? I mean, he’s an energetic little kid.”
    “I look forward to having him here each day. You know how much I’ve longed for grandchildren, and I haven’t had Abby around since she was small. Besides, he needs a grandma and I need a little childishness in my life. Will it bother you having Evan around the house?”
    “No. He’s a great kid. It’s just...we’re getting pretty tangled up with our tenants. I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”
    “We get tangled up in all of our friends. Or is there something different about Gemma and Evan? Like perhaps she’s very attractive and very single?”
    Linc held up a hand to ward off further conversation. “No. She is not my type. She’s one of these women that want to do everything on their own. Job. Career. Even kids. They don’t need the messy complications of falling in love, getting married and then starting a family. Just jump to the end.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    “She told me tonight she has never been married.”
    “I see. And so you jumped to the conclusion that she’s antimarriage and family?”
    “That, and from some of the other things she’s said about family and traditions.” He carried his glass to the sink.
    “Well, I’m sure there’s some logical explanation. I know her fairly well and I can’t see her being a die-hard feminist the way that one girlfriend of yours was.” Her eyes narrowed. “Is that why you broke up with Kelsey last year? Was she too new-century for you?”
    Linc set his jaw. “That was only part of it. We didn’t want the same things. I wanted a family and she wanted her career.”
    “And how about Tina? What was wrong with her?”
    He was in no mood to analyze his past relationships with his mother. Linc winked and kissed his mother on the cheek. “She wasn’t you.” He stopped at the kitchen door when she called his name.
    “That’s not the first time you’ve said that to me. Do you mean that? Are you looking for a woman like me?”
    “Of course. You’re beautiful, strong, smart and funny. The perfect combination.”
    “Linc. I’m flattered. But