The Christmas Groom

by Taylor Hart

  Storm chuckled. “This is ridiculous.”

  Nathan cocked an eyebrow at her. “No, this is selling.” Another group looked curiously their way, so Nathan leaned toward her and whispered to her. “Go introduce yourself and ask them how their skiing was, but direct the conversation back to the products. And if you have to, tell them you’re an Olympic skier.”

  Looking a bit worried, she did as he said, plastering on a smile and putting out her hand as she greeted them. “Hi there. I’m Storm Goodman. How are you all tonight?”

  There were four of them in the group, and they looked a bit tired. One of the women turned to see Nathan and seemed to recognize him. She briefly surveyed the tables in the tent before looking back to Storm.

  The man had already put up a hand. “Sorry, not interested. We’re headed back to our room. We’re tired and wet and want to eat.” The others mumbled words of consent.

  Storm turned back to Nathan, looking uncertain. In two strides, he swooped in to the rescue. “Yeah, those slopes about killed me yesterday. Brutal.” He smiled easily. “If you’re starving tonight, that Chicago Pizza place was amazing. I was so tired I had them bring the pizza to my room. After a soak in the hot tub and a belly full of pizza, I found everything else in my night went better.”

  The grump guy stopped, looking at Nathan like he might know him. “Where is that pizza place?”

  “Oh, just around the corner.” He pointed with a gloved hand. “But just look in your contacts by your room phone, and you can have them deliver it.” He nodded and looked the man over. “Whew, it does look like you’ve had a long day. I can tell because the bottom of those pants look wet and cold.”

  The man looked down, agreeing. “My feet are freezing too.”

  Nathan pointed back to the tent. “You should get yourself some new snow pants. I mean—” He blew out a breath. “The material Storm uses is the type of material that only the best, like Olympic skiers, use. It breathes, but it stays dry. It is stretchy too, so it helps prevent accidents because you’re able to move as it conforms to your body.” Nathan knew he was laying it on thick, but Storm was right there, watching him. “I don’t know how long you folks are staying, but the products are going out the door so fast she can’t keep them. You really should do yourself a favor and buy complete outfits now, so you can enjoy the rest of your trip.”

  The grumpy man soaked in Nathan’s words, and his eyebrows went up. “Storm Goodman? Olympics, right?”

  Nathan nodded.

  The man grinned. “I think I will. I remember her run in the Olympics. Do you think she’d do a selfie?”

  Nathan nodded. “I’m sure she would.” He winked at Storm and pulled out his phone. “Ya know, why don’t I buy you all a pizza, have it sent to your room, and we can get you squared up here with new gear so you can enjoy the rest of your trip.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Nathan nodded and made the call, talking to the guy who owned the pizza place like they’d been friends forever. “Hold up.” He turned to the guy now edging closer to Storm. “What kind do you prefer, and what’s your room number?”

  The guy smiled. “You pick.” He waved to his friends. “C’mon, guys, get in here.”

  Nathan got off the phone and rubbed his hands together. “Okay, folks, let’s divide up: the men with me and the women with Storm. We’ll get you all fixed up in no time.”

  Chapter 3

  Storm engaged the women in a discussion on the latest colors of the jacket, the pink and the yellow and the light blue being the most popular. Twenty minutes later, the whole group walked out of the tent with complete new outfits, including everything down to the socks. Mystified, Storm watched as Nathan escorted them out, laughing with all of them. The group thanked him for the pizza and headed back to the hotel.

  When he turned back to her, it was like Storm was seeing him for the first time. This time, she noticed the way his smile made him look like a Ken Barbie about to go skiing. Her stomach flip-flopped. Who was this guy with his model kind of looks? Not to mention that when he talked, you could tell he was smart and polished.

  It occurred to her that she’d been so focused last night while coming down the mountain she hadn’t even realized how rude she had been. After that, when she’d gotten the bad news from her attorney, well, let’s just say her mood had been pretty sour. Yet, even after she had been repeatedly rude to him, he hadn’t given up. Instead, he had come in, bought her stuff, and teasingly bugged her until she felt better.

  Had she been attracted to the man last night? Yeah. There was no denying he was handsome. He had the perfect level of facial hair going on. Not unkempt scruffy, it was just grown out enough to be sexy. With his jet-black hair and piercing blue eyes and white-toothed smile, he looked like he could do his own photo shoots. He wasn’t a ski bum. That was for sure. Too confident. Too … something.

  His grin widened when he realized she was staring at him. “Nice job, Goodman.”

  “Goodman?”

  “It is your name, right?”

  “Yes it is, Pennington. What, are we on the same team or something?”

  His eyes met hers. “I don’t know. Are we on the same team?”

  It felt like he was teasing her, and she felt butterflies in her lower gut.

  As he leaned in to whisper in her ear, she got a whiff of his scent. Manly, musky, and a hint of cinnamon. “Are you ready to go? It’s five-thirty.”

  “What?” Startled, she pulled back and realized her cheeks were hot.

  He laughed. “I guess my charms make you lose all track of time, Goodman.” Another round of people headed toward them, a group of ten or twelve. Nathan saw them coming, easily took her hand, and pulled her closer, whispering into her ear. “I’ll get this sale. Then we’ll go.” He briefly studied her eyes before turning to catch the attention of the group.

  She realized she liked this man—his excitement, his confidence, the way he wasn’t pushy but he did what he said would. There was no denying that he’d kicked both Sky’s and her butts when it came to sales for the day.

  Chapter 4

  As Nathan stood on the edge of the large group that was now checking out with Sky and Storm, he spoke to one of the women from the group. Her name was Sadie, and she was unabashedly flirting with him. She wasn’t unattractive with her brown hair, penciled eyebrows, and long, albeit fake, eyelashes. The whole group had been part of some movie cast from California. They were on a special assignment in Park City to check it out for a possible location. He loved the way people were so carefree on vacation.

  “So,” Sadie asked him, “what are you doing later?”

  If Nathan hadn’t already become semi-obsessed with Storm, he might have been interested in a woman like Sadie—a woman who cares about who people are and what she can do for them, attracted to men like Nathan partially because of his name alone. Tonight, though, all he could think about was Storm. “Thank you, but I have plans tonight.”

  Sadie’s thin-penciled eyebrows went up, and her eyes narrowed like a cat’s. “Is she pretty?”

  Right then, as fate would have it, Storm appeared next to him and gently touched his forearm. “Are you ready to go? I told Sky to close up.”

  Would it be entirely ridiculous that his chest tightened with nerves, and excitement pulsed through him like an electrical cord whipping at him? “Okay.”

  Storm looked at Sadie and pulled her hand back. “Unless you have other plans?”

  Sadie was already giving him a Cheshire cat kind of a smile. “Oh, sister, I hope you play your cards right.” Her face was kind, but her tone had an edge to it.

  Storm didn’t say anything, but held the woman’s eyes.

  Nathan cleared his throat. “Okay, well, nice to meet you, Sadie.” He winked at Storm. “Let’s go.”

  As they extricated themselves from the group, Nathan heard Sky yelling. “Storm! Storm! Wait! You forgot your phone! Someone is calling!”

  Storm rushed back into the midst of
people, and taking her phone from Sky, she answered it. “Yeah. No. What?” Distress washed over her face, and Nathan wondered if she was about to break out in tears.

  Sky looked very upset, crossing his arms and glaring at her, then turning and giving him another kind of glare.

  Storm turned away from the crowd and pushed to the edges of the tent just outside. “I can’t believe it. Why? This can’t be happening. Are you sure?”

  Nathan couldn’t hear what she was saying. The voices around him drowned it out.

  His adrenaline spiked, and he found himself wanting to follow her to demand answers.

  Sky looked miserable, and he glowered at Nathan.

  “What’s happening?”

  Sky’s nostrils flared. He glanced toward Storm, shook his head, and stomped back to the cash register. “You wouldn’t get it.”

  Wanting to follow Storm, but not wanting to disturb her, Nathan followed Sky instead, stepping behind the table and helping people bag their things as Sky rang them up.

  “Get out of here.” Sky muttered under his breath while putting on a fake smile for the customer. “Do you want one or two sets of socks?”

  Nathan continued helping. “Tell me what’s going on.”

  “No.” Sky insisted, continuing to help the customer with a bright smile.

  Before Nathan realized it, Sadie was back at his side. “Hey, looks like she’s busy. Do you want to join us tonight?”

  Slightly annoyed, but maintaining a pleasant expression, he refused her again.

  She pouted and held out a card for him. “Just in case you change your mind.”

  He stared at the card.

  “Just take it.” She shoved it at his chest and leaned up and kissed his cheek, whispering. “I don’t mind if you call late.”

  The card was in his hand when she pulled away and took off.

  He watched her go then looked for Storm, who was still on the phone. Their eyes met, and she glared at him.

  Feeling caught, he shoved the card into his pocket and moved back to Sky, who was just finishing with a customer. “Tell me what’s going on.” He repeated.

  Sky crossed his arms. “It’s none of your business. Storm is my business, and I help her with things.” Pointedly, he turned to Nathan. “I help her with ski shoots; I help her sell her merchandise; I help her take care of the ranch. I help her with things. Me. Not you. So after your little date tonight, I’ll be the one helping her for good.”

  There was something in the way Sky spoke about Storm that Nathan didn’t like. There was an undertone of possession, a sentiment of ownership. Nathan kept his expression neutral. “Well, I helped with selling the merchandise tonight.”

  Sky’s lip tugged up in a sneer.

  Storm came back into the tent. Her face looked crazed, and her eyes were wet.

  “What happened?” Sky asked, grabbing her and pulling her into a hug, glaring at Nathan.

  Storm pulled back from him and shook her head, wiping beneath her eyes. “I can’t let you do this.”

  Sky flashed Nathan a smug look, but took her hands into his own and gave her a sweet smile. “I’ve wanted this my whole life. You know that.”

  Storm nodded.

  Sky gently kissed her cheek. “Our mothers have wanted this for forever.”

  She nodded again.

  Sky put his hands on her shoulders and gazed into her eyes. “Go. Have fun tonight. We’ll talk later.” Sky waved her off.

  The way Sky acted toward her did not sit well with Nathan. What was Sky to her? She’d called him a friend. He’d said they’d been friends forever.

  But now, the way he looked at her, the way he acted like he’d just won some contest Nathan hadn’t even known he was competing in, bothered him.

  More customers poured in, and Storm headed for the tent opening. When Nathan followed uncertainly, she sped up. “I gotta get out of here.”

  Nathan caught up with her. “What was that all about?”

  “Nothing,” she said too quickly. Her eyes hardened. “I don’t want to think about it. Let’s just go eat.”

  That was fine with Nathan. “This way.” He pointed to the guest parking lot, and they rushed past skiers and snowboarders coming into the parking lot and lining up for night skiing.

  Navigating them to his car, he was about to open her door for her when he heard Sky call out her name a second time. “Storm!”

  Reluctantly, Nathan held the door and waited for Sky to reach them.

  Out of breath, Sky held a phone out. “Sorry, he’s on the phone again.”

  The anger from moments ago returned to Storm’s face. She took the phone and turned away from them. “Yeah. I know.” She walked to the edges of the parking lot.

  Once again, he was left standing with Sky. Surfer Sky, who did have a playboy look to him. Definitely the kind of guy you expected to see on the covers of magazines. Every word out of his mouth made him sound creepier. Now, they simply glared at each other.

  Finally, Nathan asked, “Are you dating her?”

  Sky let out a barking laugh. “Right. I guess you could call it that. We’ve known each other our whole lives.”

  “You mentioned that.”

  “Listen, the stuff between Storm and me isn’t even explainable.” He let out a puff of air. “Do you think a guy like you could really make his play for her right now? Right when things are starting to go exactly my way? Right when the universe is beginning to line up?”

  The man was intense and looked like he wanted to kick his butt. Nathan didn’t understand. Sky wasn’t making any sense, and Storm said they were just friends.

  The whole night had taken a turn for the crazy, but Nathan wasn’t ready to give up yet. “Look, I don’t know what’s going on, but I am the one taking the woman out right now.”

  Storm came back to them, pushing the phone into Sky’s hands. Her eyes were wet again, and she looked completely out of sorts.

  Sky sighed. “What happened?”

  Storm shook her head. “Sky, I’ll talk to you later. I haven’t eaten all day, and I just want to get this over with.”

  The way she said “get it over with” made Nathan feel like a complete heel. “Look, if you can’t or don’t want to go—”

  She swung her gaze to him. “No, our deal was we’d go to dinner, so let’s go.” She sounded angry, even a bit crazed.

  For the life of him, he didn’t understand why, but he didn’t want to break the deal. He couldn’t. There was something about this woman. “Okay.”

  He opened the passenger side of the car for her again.

  Before she could get into the car, Sky grabbed her arm. “You need to remember our deal now,” he said darkly.

  “Oh, I remember our deal.” Her voice was hard.

  The side of Sky’s lip went up. “I don’t care what you do from now until Christmas, but after that, it’s us. It’s always been us.”

  Every instinct screamed at Nathan to push the guy down, but he refrained.

  “Look.” Storm pulled away and climbed into the car. “I told you I’d marry you on Christmas at your mother’s restaurant, okay? Now let me get this date over with.”

  Chapter 5

  Every part of Storm was on edge. She felt loose and wild, like an electrical cord looking for an outlet.

  As they pulled out of the parking lot, she could feel this new man’s discomfort beside her. She knew that although it wasn’t fair to him to still go on this date, she wanted to. Needed to. She couldn’t face the reality of everything happening in her life.

  He had heard her say the word marry. But he hadn’t done anything except gently shut her door, get into the driver’s side, and speed out of the parking lot and away from Sky.

  Now, as they drove down Park City Main Street, she resisted the urge to cry. The bubble of pressure forming inside her chest felt like it couldn’t expand any further.

  She thought he would stop at one of the restaurants on Main Street, but he kept driving, kicking up
his speed as he curved back onto the highway.

  Not daring to speak to him at the moment for fear she would lose it, she stared out at the blackness and the softly falling snow.

  It was so dark. It felt like one of the suffocating kinds of darkness that hit Park City when the snow clouds swept in during the winter nights. No moon. No stars. The only light was coming at them in the form of car headlights.

  She wasn’t nervous about where he was taking her, but she could sense he was getting more and more agitated. “What’s wrong?” she finally asked.

  For several seconds, he didn’t answer, switching on the radio and turning onto the freeway leading toward Salt Lake City. “I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me?”

  She wanted to answer, but she couldn’t. The words simply wouldn’t come. All the memories of the past year pressed into her, taking her breath away.

  Starting the descent down Parley’s Canyon, she noticed his Porsche was going fast. Too fast. “You need to slow down.”

  He ignored her, accelerating instead.

  She reached up and turned off the radio. “I mean it. I don’t know where you’re from, but you can’t drive that fast down this canyon.” She realized she didn’t know anything about him. Why had she agreed to go out with him? Now she was basically trapped in his car, and he was driving like a maniac.

  He ignored her, speeding past the other cars in their way.

  The roads didn’t look icy, but she knew what this canyon was capable of. “Look, if you want to speed like this, you need to let me out.”

  Not looking at her, his jaw clenched. “Fast track, remember? I’m on the fast track. Too bad for you, you’re in the car with me. Kind of like how I’m on this ride with you tonight. The ride where you tell the supposed friend, ‘Don’t worry. I said I’d marry you on Christmas.’ What kind of crap is that?”

  All the conversations from the day washed over her, and she felt like a complete jerk. It was true. From his perspective, she was, once again, being completely rude. Her stomach clenched. “Seriously, go slower.”