The Christmas Groom

by Taylor Hart

  She shook her head. “I don’t think you’re talking about the scenery.”

  Nathan looked at her perfect skin, the smattering of freckles that stood out more in the winter weather, and the blond hair that fluttered in the air beneath her helmet. He grinned, thinking about how this girl was meant to fly, whether it be down a mountain skiing or in the sky. All of him wanted to kiss her, but he didn’t.

  “You’re crazy!” She yelled, reaching out and putting her hand on his cheek. “And you’re totally not what I expected when I saw you come into my tent and you chewed me out for spraying you with snow.”

  Loving the feeling of her hand on his skin, he took a chance and put his hand over hers. “You’re crazy too, marrying a man because you won’t give up your grandfather’s land.”

  She shook her finger at him. “No talking about that.”

  He grabbed her other hand. “But you’re amazing too.” He stared deeply into her blue eyes. “You’re stubborn. Prideful. Determined. You have serious gumption.”

  She laughed and pulled her hand away. “Gumption? That’s your word, Pennington?”

  It was painful, but he pulled his hand back and reminded himself he couldn’t get too involved in this. He peered out at the lights.

  Storm pointed to different parts of Salt Lake. “Look, there’s the capitol building. Oh, look, that’s the zoo clear over there.” She giggled. “I can’t believe I’m up here.” She looked at him, and the moment went still. Slowly, she reached out and pulled his helmet off his head.

  His heartbeat went erratic, even skipped a few beats. Holding his breath, he saw the same determination in her eyes that he’d seen at the ski resort when they were getting off the ski lift. The wind howled through him, past him, around him.

  When the pilot protested, Nathan told him, “I’ll pay you double. Please, just give us a couple of minutes.” The pilot quit complaining.

  Storm tugged her helmet off, and then put her hand on his face again. “I just …” She laughed, and he saw the tears in her eyes. “I don’t want to be in denial anymore.”

  She put her hand behind his neck and pulled him close. When their lips met, all else was forgotten—the wind, the helicopter, the fact they were soaring in the air. He scooted their helmets out of the way to make room and closed the gap between them.

  Her lips moved over his. He relished the softness of them, losing himself in her coconut scent. The wind whipped around them. Upside down, the world tilted. It was everything from every romance movie he’d had to endure and thought was totally cheesy and pointless.

  His whole life had been about business. The next campaign. How things would look. In this moment, he realized how much he had been missing.

  Even after hearing Sterling talk about Sayla, he hadn’t really understood what would make his movie star brother marry a woman who didn’t improve his image. Now he realized he didn’t want to be with Storm because she was arm candy, but because he liked her as a person.

  She deepened the kiss, and he pulled her even closer. Soaring, flying, loving this woman in his arms. The feel of kissing her. Her pain and heartache and joy and elation seemed to flow into him, and he couldn’t believe how much he suddenly … loved her?

  He tore himself free and shook his head, the wind still whipping them.

  She frowned. “What’s wrong?”

  There was no way. No. No. No. Had he actually fallen in love with her? Unimaginable. There was no way.

  “Nathan, what’s wrong?”

  He slipped back into what he always slipped back into when he needed to regroup: his political, running-for-something face. He let her go and picked up her helmet. “We’d better get these on before I get sued or something.”

  Giving him a sideways look, she took the helmet and put it on. “Right.”

  He put his back on as well, hating that he felt totally freaked out. It had all seemed like fun until now.

  “You’re being weird. “

  He stared out at the city, not wanting to meet her eyes.

  “Nathan.” She insisted.

  Telling himself he was ridiculous, he turned to her. “Hey, it’s beautiful, right?”

  “Um, we just kissed again.” The way she said it felt like a slap to his face.

  He couldn’t meet her eyes, but he took her hand and squeezed it. “And it was great. This whole night is great.”

  She looked back at the city. “Not in denial anymore, and the challenge is over.”

  What did that mean? He hated that he couldn’t puzzle it out, feeling like he might be having a panic attack or a heart attack. Something.

  On the ride back to the airport, she asked, “Are you okay?”

  He tried to control his breathing, but it rasped heavily into the little mic that connected them all. “I don’t know what’s wrong. I’m sorry.” Which was true.

  She put her hand on his shoulder. “Are you scared of heights or something?”

  He stared straight ahead, unable to explain. “No, I don’t know what happened.”

  They landed and returned to the limo. He was determined not to be weird. He wouldn’t be. He wanted to enjoy this last night with her. It was stupid to worry about the feelings he had. It couldn’t be real. Nothing like that had ever happened to him. She was marrying another man, he told himself.

  But she’d kissed him. Big time.

  What was he doing? As they sped back to Park City, he found his mind wandering back to his mother and what she’d always told him about finding a girl that meant something more than political connections.

  “You know you got weird during the kiss.” Storm’s voice was hurt. Her glassy eyes reflected the streetlights.

  He reached out, taking her hand. “I—”

  “It hit you, didn’t it? That maybe this wasn’t a game? How does it feel to have someone take your thoughts out of your head?”

  He sputtered out a laugh. “Crappy.”

  “But it did, didn’t it?”

  “You’re getting married.” He rubbed the top of her hand with his thumb.

  She smiled, sort of. “I know.”

  A flood of emotion washed through him. He felt like he could do anything for this woman—fight an army, move a mountain, sail to the ends of the earth. But to just sit by and watch her marry someone else … Looking down, he wondered where all his quick answers or quips were. Where anything to say was. All he could feel was empty.

  “I can’t believe it. All it took was me kissing you again to shut you up?”

  Looking up at her, he saw the teasing on her face. He managed a laugh.

  They settled into a comfortable companionship for the rest of the ride back to Park City. “Do you want to get dinner? A drive-through before we go to Sagewood?”

  The side of her lip tugged down. “No. Somehow, I’m not hungry.”

  “Okay.” Feeling the same way, he directed the limo driver to take them directly to Sagewood.

  When they arrived, she turned to him. “Could we just go back to how it was before it got really weird?” She pleaded. “I want to be able to enjoy tonight, to make these guys happy. I don’t want them to see the weirdness. I’m worried about Shirley sniffing it out.”

  Nathan nodded. “I can do unweird.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Wait, I have one question before we go in.”

  She leaned back into the seat. “A question that won’t be weird?”

  He grinned. “Yes, but it will break the rule about not talking about Sky.”

  Letting out a long breath, she gave him a questioning look.

  “Okay. I just can’t quit thinking about how you seem to be caught with Sky or something. I mean, why are you doing it? Really?”

  “I told you.”

  “I know about the land. But why Sky? He acts—”

  “Like he’s earned it.”

  “Yeah. Exactly.”

  “Like he’s made up for his cheating because he lugs Christmas decorations around.”

 
; Nathan didn’t speak.

  She sighed and stared out the window.

  For a few moments, they didn’t talk. Then he nudged her. “Penny for your thoughts.”

  A slow smile filled her lips. “A penny’s all ya got?”

  He smiled too. “What do you want? I’d probably give it to you.”

  She shook her head. “Since this morning, I keep thinking about how Sky said he’d ‘earned’ me. Like I’m some kind of dowry in an arranged marriage.” She blinked. “It’s funny because the more you tell me to walk away, the more I want to.”

  His heart rate kicked up a notch.

  Tears filled her eyes. “Does that make me a horrible person? That I’m thinking about walking away from my parents, my grandparents, all the people relying on me?”

  Pulling her into his arms, he wanted to fix it. He wanted … What did he want? “Shh.” He stroked her hair, loving how she felt against him.

  “I thought I could marry him, but I don’t know.” She pulled back and put up a hand. “Not because of you.”

  He didn’t know whether to like that part or not.

  She laughed. “I can’t explain it yet.” She looked at the care center. “Let’s go in. They’re getting started. We’ll talk later.”

  On the walk up to the front doors, she turned to him. “This would have been amazing if it had been different timing. I know you don’t believe in bad timing, but I can’t help thinking about it.”

  Had it come to this so quickly? Self-loathing washed through him. “How come I feel like we’ve had a relationship but skipped from the beginning to the ending?”

  She pulled him into the assisted living center. “Because you’re afraid of the middles. It’s a commitment-phobe problem.”

  A rush of warm air passed over them, and he was taken aback at the beautiful piano music and caroling. It didn’t distract him from what she had just said though or that fact that he didn’t like it. “I’m not a commitment-phobe.” He whispered forcefully.

  She stuck her tongue out at him and winked. “Are too.”

  As he stepped into the center, he saw many of the people from earlier surrounding the Christmas tree, which was now decorated with blue and silver ornaments. In the darkness, the tree lit up the whole room. It was breathtaking. “This is wonderful.”

  She smiled at him. “Thanks.”

  “Storm!” He recognized Harriet rushing toward them. Roy followed a few seconds behind her. Then came Hank in a cowboy hat.

  Hank glared at him. “You’re not gonna cause trouble, are ya, partner?”

  Nathan put his hands up. “No. Sorry about that earlier.”

  Hank put a hand out, and Nathan took it. “I like getting my gun out. Plus, I don’t like Sky either.” He winked and let go. As soon as he did, a swarm of older people met them next to the Christmas tree.

  Shirley popped up out of nowhere. “Hey, billionaire boy, what are you doing here?” She linked arms with him on the other side.

  He laughed. “Hey, Shirley.”

  “I guess there weren’t any bruises from Jerkface?”

  “Nope.”

  “That’s good.” She put up a finger. “Excuse me, I’m going to go get my hubby.”

  As they stood next to the tree and sipped hot chocolate, someone played a rendition of “Joy to the World.” It was a Christmas carol he hadn’t sung in a long time, but the words came back easily. Maybe it was his Catholic upbringing and all those years around the piano when his mother was alive. The words just flowed through him, and he found himself loving it. This. Being here with Storm. He turned to see her smiling at Harriet, looking around and winking and smiling. The center of his chest tightened, and he tried to stop it, but his eyes misted up.

  This woman was sincere. Good. True. Granted, she was a bit messed up, wanting to marry Jerkface. But he felt more connected to her than he’d ever felt to a woman.

  In the blink of an eye, he could see it all. His life with her every Christmas. Being here. In Midway. In Massachusetts. Helping her with her business. Seeing her pregnant.

  He shook his head. Pregnant? Who was he? Something akin to another panic attack hit him, and he put his hand to his chest.

  The song ended, and Storm stared at him in concern. “Are you okay?”

  He couldn’t believe it. She was right. He was a commitment-phobe. He was freaking out.

  He felt all this pressure. If he was going to make something happen with this woman, he had to act quick. But could he?

  Shirley reappeared with a man she was pushing in a wheelchair, connected to a machine with a bunch of wires.

  Pulling him closer, Storm whispered in his ear. “That’s her husband. He has cancer, but the insurance won’t pay for the tumors to be taken out, claiming it costs too much given how old he is.”

  He frowned, watching Shirley get him situated. “What kind of cancer?”

  “Lung. He worked in the coal mines around here years ago.”

  “That’s horrible.” He couldn’t believe the insurance wouldn’t pay for it.

  Another song came on, and he found himself belting out the words to “Angels We Have Heard on High.” About halfway through, she took his hand, and he found himself lost in her eyes.

  She looked radiant. The red silk scarf around her face made her look festive, and he could see and feel the happiness coming off of her. Once again, he felt like he could see a future with this woman.

  Something inside of him shifted. Could he marry her? Really do it and mean it? If she wouldn’t walk away from the land, could he do it? It was crazy. He would counsel anyone else to slow down. He would tell him they were being erratic or were under a spell of attraction. This couldn’t be real so quickly. He thought of the helicopter and when she’d initiated the kiss.

  Realization dawned on him. He could do it. He’d been waiting for this all his life, and he hadn’t even known it. His thoughts were clouded, thinking about Sky and Storm’s loyalty to him.

  They finished the song, and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” started playing. Harriet pulled out red noses from a bag and handed one out to each of them. Storm laughed and put one on and then grabbed Nathan’s and stuck it on his nose.

  He could see his entire life spreading out before him.

  Them together. In Midway. At the cabin.

  Putting his daughter on a horse. A daughter who looked just like her.

  Hearing his sons laugh as they stood around the Christmas tree in the big house, singing songs.

  An idea occurred to him, but he didn’t want to spoil all this. He wanted to make sure it was right.

  They finished the song, and Shirley approached them. “Any requests?”

  Nathan did something he never did unless it was for the press. He put his hand on Shirley’s shoulder and said, “I want to pay for your husband’s surgery.”

  Her face lit up. “What?” Tears filled her eyes, and her hands went to her mouth.

  “I mean it,” he said quietly. “I want to write you a check tonight. Shh, don’t tell anyone.”

  Wonder and hope filled her face.

  As a new song started, Storm frowned and moved to them, pulling both of them away from the group. “What is going on?”

  Tears ran down Shirley’s cheeks. “I have to tell them.”

  “Please, don’t,” he said, feeling a bit embarrassed.

  Shirley threw her arms around his middle. “Thank you.”

  Gingerly, he hugged her. “You’re welcome.”

  Pulling back, Shirley grinned and turned to Storm. “Nathan’s paying for my husband’s surgery.”

  The music all but screeched to a halt, and everyone looked at him.

  Shirley beamed at all of them. “Nathan just offered to pay for my husband’s surgery!”

  The whole room burst into applause, and Nathan felt silly, but happy. Storm shook her head, her eyes filling with tears.

  “Let’s sing ‘For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow!’” Hank exclaimed.

  As they
all began singing, Storm came to his side and whispered. “Wow, you are the do-gooder.”

  Unable to stop blushing, he grinned back at her. The music ended, and it felt like every single one of the old people had to take a turn hugging him.

  Half an hour later, Storm made her way over to him and Hank. Nathan had just given Hank a large donation for the care center and made him promise not to tell Storm.

  Hank shook his hand. “It was so nice to have you tonight.”

  “Are you ready to go?” Storm asked.

  Nathan signaled her to wait. “Let me give Shirley her check.”

  Shirley and her husband both had tears on their cheeks. Shirley hugged him again. “I want you to know you got thirteen of the fifteen votes when I collected ballots today.”

  He laughed and gave her his card. “You keep me informed if you need anything, okay?”

  Storm was waiting for him by the front door. She reached for his hand as they walked out. “You just bought off this whole place. You know that, right?”

  He shrugged, feeling proud of himself. “I’ve done worse things in my life.”

  Then she grabbed his hand and stopped him. “Hold up.”

  He realized she was staring up at him. “What?” His chest tightened, and all think was how beautiful she was.

  She gently kissed his cheek. “I like the beard. It looks good on you.”

  Chapter 15

  Storm stood with Nathan on her front porch. The moonlight lit the side of his face perfectly, showing his beautiful bone structure.

  It had been a fun night. She reached out and lightly touched his face. “Thank you for helping me believe in something tonight that I didn’t know if I believe in anymore.”

  He took her hand into his. “What is that, Goodman?”

  She smiled. “The Christmas spirit.”

  “What? Am I like the Scrooge or something?”

  “No.”

  He waited.

  She pulled her hand back. “With this whole thing going on with me, I began to lose hope. I mean, I knew everything would be all right, but I don’t know.” Her thoughts went to her parents dying and her grandfather dying, to the loneliness.

  “No, tell me.”

  She blinked rapidly and wished the tears would go away. “It’s cool to see how things worked out.”