Home For The Holidays

by Elena Aitken

  “Thanks. But I feel so…”

  “Awful?” Rose said sympathetically. “The first trimester can be hard.”

  “You need a lot of rest,” Mia said. “And you’ve been bouncing from house to house. That can’t be easy.”

  “When will your house be ready to move in?” Rose asked.

  “I wanted to wait until Christmas morning. It’s supposed to be Cole’s Christmas present.”

  “Well, it won’t be long now. How much more is there to do?”

  “I don’t know. Too much.”

  Mia and Rose exchanged another look. “Do you need help?”

  Sunshine was ashamed of herself. “Everyone’s helping already. I’m sure you two are busy—”

  “Never too busy to help a friend,” Rose said.

  “Have you talked to Autumn about your cookbook idea?” Mia asked suddenly. “She told me recently that she was getting a cookbook published.”

  “Really? She didn’t say a thing to me.”

  “Autumn’s like that,” Mia said. “She’d never toot her own horn.”

  “You two should get together and brainstorm,” Mia put in. “Why don’t I see if she can join us for lunch?”

  “She’s got guests at her B&B,” Sunshine protested, but it was too late. Before she knew it Mia had made the call, and when Autumn said she couldn’t make lunch, but she could do tea later on, Mia called Fila Matheson and Camila Torres and invited them, too.

  “Why not get all the great cooking minds together in one place?” she said. “Besides, you need some female friends if you’re going to settle in Chance Creek.”

  “That sounds like a good idea.” Sunshine just hoped she’d be here long enough to enjoy them.

  Cole appreciated the fact that the sheriff had made time for him this morning. He knew his job was a busy one and Cab probably had more than his share of problems on his plate.

  “Don’t you need to work?” he said when Cab offered to take him for a drive around town to show him what had changed during his absence.

  “I’m not on duty this morning; I just came in to do some paperwork. Besides, I like to cruise around in my own truck from time to time and take a look at things. You’d be surprised what happens in plain sight when people don’t know there’s a sheriff around.”

  Cole chuckled. “All right. I’ll ride along and keep my eyes peeled for trouble.”

  “Got any plans now you’re back?” Cab asked when they’d been on the road for a few minutes. Cole enjoyed looking out the window. It was good to be home.

  “A few.”

  “What about the shooting range? Ready to take it back?”

  “You’re not the first to ask that question. Just curious or is there more to it?” Cole watched a woman clearing the latest fall of snow off her Chevrolet.

  “Scott’s done a good job, hasn’t he?”

  Cole felt a pang. He’d talked to Scott on the phone when he’d first arrived, but he’d been so busy with the restaurant, he hadn’t even stopped by yet to see the man. He promised himself he’d go to the range tomorrow and see Scott in person. He focused on Cab’s question. “He’s done great.”

  “Seems like a good business for him.”

  “Has Scott been talking about wanting to buy? Because again—you’re not the first person to mention that.”

  Cab drove with the precision of a man used to being behind the wheel. “He hasn’t said anything in so many words. But he had a rough go of it in the past and I think he’s thriving now. Seems like he’s kept those rentals in line, too.”

  “Sure has. Rents are up.”

  “If you’re not dying to get back into either business…”

  “…it makes sense to sell,” Cole finished for him. “I know. Problem is, I haven’t figure out what to do instead.”

  “Really?”

  The look Cab shot him told Cole the sheriff knew more than he should.

  “Hell,” Cole said. “Who spilled the beans?”

  “I’ve got my fingers in a lot of pies,” Cab said. “You bought yourself a restaurant. Aren’t you and Sunshine going to run it?”

  “Sunshine is. I’m no cook, you know that.” He tried to shake his unease over the fight he and Sunshine had the previous evening, but he failed miserably. He didn’t know why they were arguing all the time.

  Cab chuckled in agreement. “Thought you might have learned in your fancy trip around the world.”

  “I mostly ate whatever Sunshine made. Since I’ve been home I’ve been nosing around to see what other options I have, but I’ve come up empty.” Cole filled him in on everything he’d learned and Cab nodded, as if unsurprised.

  “It’s all about finding a niche that hasn’t been filled,” he said. “I’ll keep my ears and eyes open, but you know who you should talk to? Jake. I know he wants to talk to you, too. We’ve got family coming to stay tomorrow, so how about I give him a call and see if you can spend a night at his place. Jake’s pretty entrepreneurial, and he’s got connections. You heard about him and Evan and the bison, right?”

  “Definitely. Jake’s at school these days, though. Doesn’t Evan run the operation?”

  “For now, but really he’s the investor. As soon as Jake returns from school for good, he’ll take it over again. He’s the one to talk to. Meanwhile, how about we go poke a stick at your restaurant? I hear it’s shaping up nicely.”

  “That sounds good. I’m supposed to meet some guys there anyway.”

  When they reached the restaurant, Cole was gratified to find the floors finished. The whole place was coming together. With the old booths removed, the space was far more open and modern.

  “You’ll take dining in Chance Creek to a whole new level with this place,” Cab said.

  “I hope Sunshine likes it.”

  “So what’s this I hear about line dancing?”

  Cole flushed. “Hell, people are talking about that?”

  “Nothing stays a secret in Chance Creek. Are you really taking lessons?”

  “Oh, it’s worse than that,” Jamie said. He’d just come into the restaurant, followed by Rob. “We’re all supposed to be taking lessons.”

  “I can’t wait to see the performance Christmas Eve.” Cab was enjoying this too much for Cole’s comfort.

  “Hell, you’ve seen this place,” Rob said. “That means you’re in the performance, too.”

  “I don’t think so.” The big man held up his hands as if to fend that thought off.

  “That’s the rule. Anyone who walks through that door is in on the game, which means they have to cover their tracks. You’re going to need lessons,” Jamie said.

  “I’m a good dancer. I don’t need lessons,” Cab protested.

  Cole laughed along with the others. “Don’t worry, we’ve got an instructor coming by later. We just need to learn one dance, after all.”

  “I notice you didn’t tell me that rule before you invited me over here.” Cab crossed his arms over his chest.

  The sheriff might have intimidated other men, but Cole had known him for years. “You invited yourself over,” he pointed out. “Anyway, I didn’t want to spoil the surprise.” He ducked when Cab took a swing at him. “Come on; it’s all for a good cause.”

  “What cause is that?”

  “My relationship.”

  Cole hadn’t meant to say that, but now it was out and the men surrounding him regarded him with surprise. “Something wrong between you and Sunshine?” Jamie asked.

  Cole didn’t really want to talk about it, but he found himself answering the question. “She’s been acting weird lately. I don’t know if she even wants to get married anymore.”

  “That sounds serious,” Cab said. “Have you asked her?”

  “To set a date? Not yet. I’m saving that for Christmas.” He crossed to the plate-glass window and stared out at the street. Maybe he’d be too late.

  “I mean about your relationship. Have you asked her if something’s changed?” Cab said, following hi
m.

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because if it has, I don’t want to know.”

  Sunshine stretched her aching muscles. The good news was that her nausea seemed to disappear late in the afternoon. The bad news was that once it did, she was more aware of her muscles. Her friends kept pressing her not to do much work, and with their help she didn’t have to, but it was her house she was renovating. She wanted to pitch in and do her share.

  Especially since she might turn around and sell it again.

  The more she cleaned the place, the more she fell in love with it, though. She wanted to furnish every nook and corner. She knew it was silly, but she felt that the home wanted her here—and wanted her to fill it with a family.

  But houses weren’t alive.

  And she had to make a sensible choice.

  Her meeting with the other chefs in town had been fun, but not as informative as she suspected Rose had hoped. Autumn had brought Arianna along and Mia had Pam. Between the two of them, the chatter among the women had been punctuated by squeals and shrieks and toddlers running amok in the restaurant. At least she’d managed to tell Autumn, Fila and Camila about the rock band. All three women asked to join in, Autumn on guitar, and Camila and Fila as singers. Autumn promised to fill Claire in on this development, too, mentioning that Claire knew how to play the piano. They had a good laugh at the lengths Sunshine was willing to go to in order to keep Cole’s Christmas present a secret, but unfortunately things got chaotic soon afterward.

  Autumn had done her best to explain about her cookbook contract to Sunshine, but she’d barely started to talk when Arianna bumped her head on the table and broke into shrieks. A few minutes later, Pam managed to spill a glass of water. All Sunshine had learned from Fila and Camila during the noisy aftermath was that their business was booming. That made her even less confident than before—Chance Creek wasn’t that big a town. If people loved Fila’s, was there room for another restaurant?

  It was disconcerting to watch the other women try to corral their children, too. She must be crazy if she thought she could balance any kind of work and motherhood.

  Again and again she pictured Carl with a fistful of money. With it, she could do anything she wanted.

  She was so preoccupied with her thoughts, she slipped into bed beside Cole that night, snuggled close to him and gave him a kiss. Only his surprised intake of breath reminded her they were fighting.

  Before she could pull away, he wrapped an arm around her, pulled her close and kissed her back, a kiss so hungry she melted under it, despite everything.

  “Cole—”

  “No. Don’t try to figure it out. Not tonight.” He kissed her again.

  He was right, Sunshine realized. If they tried to talk things out they’d probably make it worse, judging by the last few days, and she needed him as much as he needed her. She’d missed Cole’s strong arms around her. His mouth on hers made her come alive for the first time in days. With a sigh, she acquiesced and he pulled her even closer.

  Letting their bodies talk for them was probably the smartest thing they’d done in weeks, Sunshine thought fleetingly a few minutes later. Cole’s hands stroking her skin had already stoked the desire in her veins. She moved with him, her fingers tracing the muscles of his shoulders, his back, and slipping downward to urge him inside of her.

  But Cole wasn’t having that. He dipped down to take one of her nipples in his mouth and Sunshine arched her back, wanting more. As his tongue teased her, desire blossomed inside her all over again. After all the time they’d spent together in just this way, her interest in Cole’s body never diminished. The touch of him and taste of him swirled together into a cocktail of lust that heated her and made her hungry for him again and again.

  Cole settled himself between her thighs and nudged them open with his legs. Sunshine let him take charge, glorying in the sensations he was calling forth from her body. It was such a sweet mystery to her how two people coming together added up to so much more than themselves. Where did these feelings come from, and how could they take over like this, making everything else so unimportant?

  For a second, her worries came back—could Cole possibly sense her pregnancy? She’d already seen changes in her breasts when she looked in the mirror, and they were sensitive tonight. Would Cole notice the difference in the dark?

  He didn’t seem to, and she relaxed again, moaning when he slid down and kissed a trail between her breasts, down her stomach and lower still.

  Sunshine’s fingers tangled in the sheets as his tongue did wicked things to her innermost core. Her breath sped up and her hips lifted of their own accord until she was so close to losing control she whimpered a warning to Cole.

  He understood and moved over her until he covered her once more. Sometimes he asked her if she was ready. Not tonight. She knew why—any words between them could break this spell.

  Neither of them wanted that.

  As he sank into her, she pushed up to welcome him, and a sweet ache lanced through her chest as her heart embraced the truth she hadn’t been able to see these past few days.

  She loved Cole.

  Loved him.

  A few harsh words, a misunderstanding—nothing like that would ever come between them. He loved her, too. She knew that with all her heart and soul. Fran—she nearly laughed. Fran was a ridiculous episode from his past.

  So why was she trying to use the woman to add fuel to the flames of discord between them?

  Cole moved inside her with a rhythm she joined instinctively, and she let thought go again, willing to move forward on trust that what felt so right couldn’t lead them astray. As Cole increased his pace and the delicious friction between them heated up, she gave herself over to it, letting the tension build up until she crashed over into ecstasy like a wave on the sand. As pleasure pulsed through her again and again, and she felt Cole crash into her in the throes of his own release, Sunshine forgot her body and moved straight into the light and heat they’d built between them.

  Nothing but this mattered. Nothing but this was true.

  If there was pain in her heart, Cole hadn’t put it there.

  As Sunshine came back to herself, slack and panting on the bed, still encircled in Cole’s arms, she realized it was true: there was pain in her heart, and she’d put it there.

  And she was the only one who could get it out again.

  Chapter 7

  “Sunshine?” Her stillness worried Cole and he braced himself on his elbows, trying not to crush her.

  “I love you.” Her whisper feathered over him. For some reason her words scared him even more. He sensed a ‘but’ in there somewhere.

  “I love you too.”

  “I haven’t been honest with you.”

  Cole swallowed in a suddenly dry throat. “Okay.” He pulled out and shifted off of her, and Sunshine sat up. He could make out the shape of her, but he couldn’t see details. He reached for the light but she stopped him.

  “It’s about my work.”

  Cole felt a rush of relief. He could handle anything that had to do with cooking. As long as Sunshine wasn’t going to leave him—

  He went cold. Was she going to leave him? Was this what the trouble between them was really about?

  “I thought I’d made up my mind. I chose Chance Creek, and you, and the idea of having a family.”

  “But…” He knew it was coming.

  “But I’m a chef, Cole. I’m not just a cook, I’m not just an entrepreneur. I’m a chef.”

  “I know.” He did know. Unfortunately, he knew all too well what she was saying. It was why he’d rushed to buy a restaurant here and tried to make it perfect—because deep down he knew what Sunshine needed wasn’t in Chance Creek. He’d hoped if he could tie her up with a property and a job, she might forget the rest of her dreams. “So, you want to go back to Chicago.” He felt as if something was dying inside him. Ultimately, he wanted to make Sunshine happy. If she wanted to go, he’d
go. He sure as hell couldn’t watch her walk away.

  “No.”

  Her quiet word didn’t sink in at first. “No?” he repeated. Had he heard that right?

  “I don’t want to go back to Chicago. The thing is—I want it all. I want Chance Creek, I want land, and space and room to roam, I want a family, and I want to be… famous.”

  He laughed. She’d finally said it out loud. He realized he’d known it all along even though she’d never put it into words.

  “I talked to Autumn, Fila and Camila today.”

  All women involved in the food business. Cole nodded. That was a sensible thing to do.

  “There could be a way for me to get what I want right here.”

  Hope blossomed within him. “Really?”

  “Yeah. I’d still need a restaurant—”

  He nearly let the cat out of the bag right then. “Okay,” he managed to say instead.

  “And we’d need somewhere to live.”

  “Yep.” He’d start looking first thing.

  “But most of all…” She faltered, but then rushed on. “I’d need your help, Cole.”

  “I’ll help. I can renovate and install appliances…”

  “With the kids.” She spoke over him. “I want more than one. But I can’t be at home with them. Not all the time.”

  Cole sat back, as if he’d had the wind knocked out of him. He thought about Jack slipping out the sliding glass door and the way he’d snapped at Sunshine for not watching him closely enough. “I don’t know anything about kids.”

  “Neither do I.”

  “But you’re a girl. It comes naturally.”

  “It would for you, too. You’ll be their father.”

  Suddenly Cole felt like he was sliding underwater, firm ground nowhere to be found. “I need a job. Someone has to pay for all of this stuff.” He was grasping at straws.

  “We both need jobs. I don’t think either of us would be happy without them.”

  “Then what are you asking?”

  “That we share the child care.”

  Cole didn’t know what to say to that. He’d never pictured himself spending his days with children. His father had never done that. Sure, Cole had tagged along after him as a kid—a lot. He stopped to consider that. Boys growing up on the ranches around here spent more time in the barns with the men than they did by their mother’s side once they reached a certain age. But if Sunshine needed help right away, he’d have to start earlier than most—and rustle the girls as well as the boys. Could he do that?