Read Her Christmas Hero (Home To Dover 6) for Free Online Page B

comment was personal. “Oh, I doubt that. I’m sure there are plenty of females who think you’re God’s gift.”
    “Is that a compliment?”
    “No. I’ve known men like you. All charm on the outside, but inside no emotion and little substance. Thanks again.” She walked across the porch, acutely aware of Linc coming behind her. The man made the air around him vibrate with energy. Being near him sent odd flutters through her stomach and made her nerves all quivery. She didn’t like the sensation. Not one bit.
    The key. She stopped and turned around. Linc plowed into her from behind. Her foot slipped off the porch edge, throwing her off balance.
    “Whoa.”
    Strong arms grabbed her waist and set her on the porch. Breathless, she fought through the confusion and found herself pressed against Linc’s chest, her hands resting over his heart, which was beating rapidly. She inhaled his woodsy aftershave deep into her lungs. She looked up into his eyes and saw concern etched in the blue depths.
    She told herself to pull away. But her body refused to obey her mind’s commands. She was too surprised. Not that she was in his arms—she could rationalize that—but what had her flummoxed was the realization that Linc Montgomery was warm and very human. She’d assumed being close to him would be similar to standing in front of an open refrigerator—cool and icy. Instead of wanting to pull away, she was oddly content to remain right where she was.
    Horrified at the thought, she stepped back, putting a safe distance between herself and her landlord. “Sorry. I thought of something else I wanted to ask.”
    “You okay?”
    “Yes. But I need the key to the Christmas storage building. They said you would know where it is?” She cleared her throat, disgusted at the shaky tremor in her voice.
    Linc flashed a smile that filled his blue eyes with amusement. Arrogant man. Now he’d think he had some effect on her. Which was ridiculous. She was too smart, too battle scarred to ever let that happen again.
    “I’ll go look for it right now.”
    “Okay, that would be, uh...” She stared at the paper in her hands. “Great. I’ll get it when I return the forms.”
    Gemma hurried down the steps, careful to not trip. Blood roared in her ears; every nerve in her body was on fire. Of all the dumb clichés. Tripping and having the big strong man catch her. Ugh. She didn’t need a big strong guy. Least of all one who had an ego larger than the entire state of Mississippi.
    Safely inside the cottage, Gemma sat at the table and began filling out the form. Gil Montgomery’s name was listed as coach, and she wished he was still here to fill that role. Though she had to admit Linc had suggested the team to Evan and followed through by making sure they got the paperwork. And she couldn’t forget how he’d brought the pie. He hadn’t wanted to come, but he had because he honored his mother. A commandment she herself struggled with.
    Linc was challenging her assumptions about him. She’d got a glimpse of the man behind the stony facade and it wasn’t at all what she expected. Maybe he wasn’t all bad. Just mostly.
    Her conscience twitched as she remembered her words to him on the porch.
Little substance
. While she might believe that, she shouldn’t have voiced her opinion. She’d meant her comments to be teasing, but some of her deep-seated bitterness had crept into her tone. Linc’s eyes had filled with a flash of hurt and surprise. She’d obviously pricked his ego with her statement. She shouldn’t waste too much time feeling remorse. He’d get over it.
    What mattered now was getting this paperwork back to him so Evan could play ball this weekend. Her son was her life. She’d endure anything for his sake, including standing on the sidelines while Linc coached the team.
    But for some reason she still felt bad about labeling him. Even if it were true.
    * * *
    Linc pivoted and strode back into the house, scolding himself for