Sugar Plum Season. Mia Ross

artist, with a chuckle. “Who’s your friend?”

      When she set it down, he noticed it was almost as tall as Amy. “The nutcracker prince, of course. He’s not as big as the signs I made for the sawmill, but he’s got a lot more personality.” Turning to Amy, she said, “I know he’s not up to the standards you’re used to in the Big Apple, but what do you think?”

      “It’s perfect for this show,” Amy replied with an approving smile. “And you shouldn’t sell yourself short. This guy is just what I had in mind.”

      “Awesome.” Jenna eyed Jason with curiosity. “No offense, JB, but I’m used to seeing you out at the mill. You look a little outta place in here.”

      “Finishing up Fred’s sets.”

      “I forgot he hurt himself tackling your nephew,” she said to Amy. “How’s he doing?”

      “Aunt Helen has all she can manage just keeping him off his feet,” Amy explained with a sigh. “The doctor said he needs to take it easy for at least a couple of weeks. It’s only been two days, and he’s already driving her crazy.”

      Jason knew how he’d feel if he was laid up for that long, and inspiration struck. “Maybe I can knock down some of the pieces for him to assemble and paint at home. That’ll give him something to do, and your aunt can keep her sanity.”

      Amy stared up at him with an expression he couldn’t quite peg, and he worried that he might’ve overstepped his bounds. Then she gave him a grateful smile, as if he’d come up with the answer to every problem she’d ever faced. Knowing he’d been the one to coax a smile from this troubled woman made him feel like a hero.

      “That’s brilliant,” she said, “but are you sure you want to do that? I mean, you’d be making more work for yourself.”

      He shrugged. “No big deal. If he’s happy, maybe he’ll heal up quicker and get back to the garage where he belongs.”

      “And out of Aunt Helen’s hair,” she added with a nod. “I like the way you think.”

      They were still staring at each other when Jenna interrupted with a not-so-subtle cough. When she had their attention, she shook her head. “Are you sure you guys just met?”

      “More or less,” Jason hedged, figuring Amy wouldn’t appreciate him relating their first-meet story from twenty years ago.

      “That’s funny, ’cause from where I’m standing, you’ve got that ‘known each other awhile’ vibe.”

      “That’s crazy,” Amy huffed. “Not to mention impossible.”

      The artist laughed. “I call ’em like I see ’em. Anyway, at least this time you stumbled across one of the good guys.”

      “I thought they went extinct years ago.” There was more than a hint of bitterness in Amy’s tone, and he couldn’t help wondering what had really happened with her ex. Not that it impacted him in any way, of course. He was just curious.

      “Not around here,” Jenna corrected her. “I think this is where they all landed.”

      “I’ll have to take your word on that one,” Amy retorted as she passed by on her way to somewhere behind the stage that dominated the studio. “I’ve got your check in the office. I’ll be right back.”

      Once she was out of earshot, Jenna stepped in closer to Jason. “I’ve gotten to know Amy since she landed here in town this summer, so I’m gonna do you a favor.”

      Every trace of humor had left her expression, and he returned the somber look. “What kinda favor?”

      “Leave the poor girl alone. You’re not interested in anything serious, and she’s had a really rough time the last couple years. She’s not up to any more heartache.”

      “The accident, you mean.”

      Jenna’s eyes widened in surprise. “She told you?”

      When he repeated the gist of his earlier conversation with Amy, Jenna slowly shook her head. “I knew her a month before she told me any of that stuff. How did you get her to open up so fast?”

      “It’s a knack,” he replied with a grin. “People like me.”

      “Uh-huh. Well, watch yourself, big guy. Amy’s been through a lot of twists and turns, and her head’s still spinning. The last thing she needs is more trouble.”

      “Trouble?” he echoed in mock surprise. “From me?”

      “Don’t get me started,” she grumbled, as Amy reappeared at the back of the stage with her check. Jenna took it and without even glancing at it shoved it into the back pocket of her paint-spattered overalls. “Well, kids, it’s been fun, but I left my kiln going. The thermostat’s busted, so if I don’t keep an eye on it, it’ll burn my whole studio down. Later.”

      After the door jingled shut behind her, Amy gave him a knowing feminine look. “She likes you.”

      “She likes everybody. When you’re a freelance artist, it’s good for business.”

      “Are you seriously telling me you’re not the least bit interested in her? She’s gorgeous and perky, and more fun than any three people I know.”

      “You’re right about all that,” he agreed, “which is why Jenna and I are friends. But she treats me like an annoying little brother, and that’s fine with me.”

      “Why? I mean, most guys I know would fall all over themselves to get her attention.”

      In the cynical comment, he got a glimpse of who Amy had become while she’d been working so hard to establish her career. To his mind, it seemed as if she hadn’t enjoyed herself all that much since her early dancing days, at least not on a personal level.

      Obviously, she’d spent way too much time with losers who didn’t know a remarkable woman when one was standing right in front of them. Sensing an opportunity to distinguish himself from them, he grinned down at her. “Well, I’m not like those guys. Before this show opens, I’m gonna do everything I can to make you believe that.”

      Her eyes narrowed with suspicion, and she frowned. “You met me an hour ago. Why do you even care?”

      “I just do,” he replied easily, because he honestly meant it. “But if you need more of a reason, call it Christmas spirit.”

      With that, he began strolling toward the rear of the stage, stopping when she called out his name. Turning, he said, “Yeah?”

      “You’re starting now?”

      “Molly filled Paul and me up with one of her farmer’s breakfasts, so I’m ready to go. Thought I’d start by knocking down some of those bigger pieces that are already put together. Then I’ll haul ’em over to Fred’s so he can get started painting. Then I’ll come back and we can go over whatever plans you’ve got for getting all this done. Is that okay with you?”

      Clearly bewildered by his quick pace, she slowly nodded. “Thank you.”

      “No problem.”

      She rewarded him with a timid smile, the kind that could sneak into a man’s head and make him forget all kinds of things. Like how he needed to be careful around this woman, because she was fragile and needed time to heal.

      The problem was, something about Amy Morgan tugged at the edges of his restless heart in a way no woman ever had. And in spite of his misgivings, he wasn’t convinced he should even try to keep her out.

Chapter Two

      “She does good work,” Amy commented, moving to the side to study the brightly painted nutcracker sign from another angle. “When Jenna and I first got to know each other, I was surprised there was such a talented artist here in Barrett’s