A Billionaire's Christmas (The Carolina Series Book 4)

by Jill Downey

  She sputtered, “I do not! Don’t put words in my mouth. I just don’t think marriage is the be all-end all that everyone seems to think it is. Why ruin a good thing?”

  “How is it going to ruin anything? I don’t get it.”

  “Excluding present company, and Ella and Kyle, how many marriages have you seen that were happy ones?”

  “My parents for one,” Jesse said.

  Just the mention of Ruby and Hank made Faye smile fondly. “You know how much I love your folks. They do have a perfect marriage. But other than them?”

  “Well, first of all, that means I learned from the best.”

  “He’s right ya know,” Griffin said.

  “I don’t need your two cents worth,” Faye growled at her brother. “MYOB.”

  “Second of all, that’s three marriages right off the bat that are solid, and I could go on.”

  Faye ignored him and cooed to the baby, “Ma ma ma?” Faye said hopefully.

  “Da da da.”

  Faye’s soft pleasant laughter made the baby smile. “You are sweet enough to eat,” Faye said. “Gimme some sugar.” She buried her face in Savannah’s neck and breathed in deeply.

  “Keep breathing babe. Isn’t that supposed to release maternal endorphins or something?’ Jesse said. Faye ignored the comment. Jesse blew out a breath and wisely changed the subject. “So, what’s on the agenda for today?”

  Before they could answer Giselle and James appeared.

  “Bonjour. We slept in today,” Giselle said. Tall and graceful, it was easy to see that Faye was her daughter. They looked so alike. Fair, blond, two beauties. That’s where the similarities ended as far as Penelope was concerned. Faye was warm and loving and kind, creative and a great storyteller. And unlike her mother, you never had to guess where you stood with her.

  Penelope plastered a smile on her face. “Good morning. How did you both sleep?”

  “Very well thank you,” James said.

  “Between my husband’s intermittent snoring, I slept quite comfortably,” Giselle said.

  “Good. Help yourselves to breakfast. We’re serving family style…which basically means self-serve. Josie and Malena prepared a wonderful breakfast for us.”

  Giselle surveyed the selection and said, “No fruit?”

  Faye and Griffin sputtered simultaneously, “Maman!”

  “I can wash some fruit for you. I know we have some berries and bananas… and yogurt…does that sound good?” Penelope said in a rush.

  “Wonderful chérie.”

  Penelope went to the fridge and pulled out various containers of fruit and took them to the sink to rinse. “Anyone else while I’m at it?”

  Griffin came up behind her and whispered, “Sorry.” He grabbed a colander and stuck it in the sink. “Here, let me do that.”

  “I’m okay. Visit with your family.” Her voice was clipped.

  “Are you mad at me?” he said quietly.

  She blew out her held breath. “No, I’m just irritated in general,” she whispered.

  He wrapped his arms around her from behind and pulled her back against him. “It’s just a blip in time,” he murmured in her ear.

  Penelope tried to relax her shoulders which were somewhere up around her ears. “I know.”

  He kissed the top of her head and joined the group around the table as Kyle and his gang entered.

  Pen sighed in relief when Finn took center stage. Never a dull moment with him. Thank God for the kids.

  “Dad said we could make a snowman after breakfast!” Finn said.

  Tyler sauntered in at that moment. “That sounds like fun, I’ll help. I’m really digging the snow.'”

  “That would be dope!” Finn said, bumping fists with Ty.

  “Has anybody seen Malena?” Ty asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

  “She was here earlier helping Josie, then she left.”

  Ella walked over to the sink and said, “Anything I can do to help?”

  “Nope, just washing some fruit. Oh, you could grab a container of yogurt from the fridge.”

  “I can do that.”

  The kitchen table overflowed with chattering kids, adults laughing and teasing one another…it had all the ingredients of a Christmas fairytale. Then why did she feel so down? Just once she’d like her mother-in-law to be gracious. Was that too much to ask? A wave of longing washed over Penelope. She missed her own mom so much, but it wasn’t fair to make comparisons.

  Right at this moment she felt like the nonmember of an exclusive club. She had that familiar feeling of being on the outside looking in and she wasn’t sure what she could do to change it. She didn’t want to burden Griffin or anyone else for that matter with her insecurities. Surely, she could suck it up. Nine more days but who was counting…

  14

  Ella

  Penelope’s emerald green eyes shimmered with tears and Ella could tell that she was upset, but she didn’t want to draw attention to it and make the situation even harder for her.

  Leaning in close to her ear, Ella said, “Why don’t you and I go for a trail ride later this afternoon? I’ve been dying to get my butt on a horse.”

  Penelope’s voice wavered, “That sounds lovely. Is it that obvious?”

  “No! I just know this has got to be overwhelming. And I’m sure you’re missing your mom. The holidays are wonderful, but they also make me nostalgic remembering all of my past Christmases.”

  “Me too.” Penelope gave her a quick hug. “Thanks.”

  Ella spooned a large portion of yogurt into a bowl and said quietly, “I’m available anytime you want to vent.”

  “I appreciate it.”

  Ella carried the yogurt and bowl of fruit to the table and sat down next to the twins, who were in their booster seats with Kyle on their other side. Their little faces were covered with cheesy potatoes. “Are those taters good, you little munchkins?”

  “Yum yum,” Everly said, grinning.

  Ella saw Penelope take a breath and brace herself before she joined them at the table. “Is there anything else I can get anyone before I sit down?”

  “We’re all good. If there is anything, I’ll take care of it. Sit down and eat,” Griffin said, patting the chair next to him.

  Griffin said, with a mouthful of potatoes, “I thought we’d hit the ski slopes tomorrow, does that sound good?”

  “Sick,” Ty said. “I’ll see if Malena can go. By the way, I’m taking Malena out to dinner tonight so I won’t be around.”

  “Oh? A big date huh?” Faye said.

  “Do you really think that’s a good idea?” James Bennett, interjected.

  Tyler’s jaw tightened. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

  James lips turned down at the corners. “I’d think it would be obvious.”

  “Maybe you should spell it out for me gramps.”

  “Okay, you two. Dad, I’m happy that Malena and Tyler are hitting it off and so should you be,” Faye said.

  “Well I’m not. Considering the history, I don’t understand why you’re so happy about it.”

  “Dad you can’t live in the past. It’s an entirely different situation from yours.”

  “Is it? Really? I don’t know how you can say that. One mistake can ruin their lives.”

  Griffin inserted himself. “On to a completely different topic…Pen and I talked about hanging around the homestead today. We can play in the snow, go ice skating, snowmobiling, trail riding …whatever you want.” He glanced over at Ella with a mischievous glitter in his eyes, “Prepare to be dazzled on the slopes tomorrow. I hope you’re prepared to go down…no pun intended.”

  “Hardy har har,” Ella said. “You’re the one who needs to worry. That reminds me, Faye did everyone place their bets?”

  “I’ll collect them this morning.”

  Faye stood up and crooked her finger at Tyler. “Come on and sidle up to the sink. It’s our turn with the dishes.”

  “I’m on vacation,” Ty complained, then jumped
up suddenly when Malena entered the room. He began collecting dirty dishes and Ella suppressed a grin. He had it bad. She could tell that it went both ways as she caught the look exchanged between the two of them.

  “I’ll help,” Malena said.

  “Yes, let the young ones clean up this morning,” Giselle said. “Penelope you’ve done enough. You should take a break. Thank you for the fruit. It was delicieuse.”

  Penelope’s mouth dropped open in surprise. “You’re welcome.”

  “Penny and I are going to go on a trail ride in a little bit,” Ella said.

  “Can Malena and I go?” Tyler asked.

  Penelope and Ella exchanged a look, and Pen nodded her approval.

  “Sure. Have you ridden much Ty?” Penelope asked.

  “Some. A friend of mine had some horses. I know which end of the horse goes in front anyway.” For some reason Malena thought that comment was hysterical, and she dissolved into laughter. Tyler, drying a pan, looked over at her with an adorably enamored expression.

  “Do you ride?” he asked Malena.

  “Si. All my life and Penelope is very generous…she lets me ride anytime I want.”

  “Lucky you. I could see parking myself here in Montana for a while,” Ty said, his eyes burning as they met hers. Her cheeks flushed prettily.

  “Ty, you talk about Faye and Jesse, geesh!” Finn said. Everyone laughed.

  “Whose side are you on dude?”

  “All depends,” Finn said, grinning impishly. “What’s your offer?”

  Tyler wound up his towel and flicked it at Finn who ran out of the kitchen with Tyler close on his tail. They could hear Finn laughing from the other room, then shrieking, “I give…uncle!”

  “I’m going to hose the twins off,” Kyle said. He winked at Ella, “Want to help?”

  “Sure. I’ll change into my jeans while we’re over there. Meet back here in an hour Pen?”

  “Sounds perfect.”

  “I’ll help watch the bébés,” Giselle offered.

  “Good because I promised Finn we’d make a snowman. Make sure you bundle up Maman, because you and Dad are going to help,” Kyle said.

  The twins cheerfully chattered as Kyle pulled a red knit hat over Everly’s ears. The lighted holiday village on display through the glass of the curio cabinet enthralled them. It had Santa on his sleigh with Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer leading the herd. Miniature people were scattered throughout the snow-covered town and a colorful lit tree stood in the center. A perfect scene to spark a child’s imagination. Penelope had thought of everything.

  Ella smiled as she pulled on her boots then, after wrapping a scarf around her neck, she tucked her hair up into a hat. Penny had offered her a pair of riding gloves and she slipped them on now. She watched as her husband tenderly finished bundling Quinn.

  “All set,” Kyle said. “Let’s go make some snowmen….and women; I’m an equal opportunity builder.”

  They each grabbed a twin and tromped through the snow the short distance to the main house. When they arrived, Tyler, Griffin and Finn were in the middle of a full-blown snowball fight. The dogs barked joyously in the middle of the fray. Kyle quickly deposited Everly to get in on the action. He bent down and packed some snow, hurling it at his brother.

  Griffin’s eye’s gleamed as it sailed by… a mere inch from his head. “Prepare to die, bro.”

  Kyle flashed a broad smile. “Bring it.”

  While Griffin, who was stationed behind the outdoor Santa and reindeer, replenished his ammo, Tyler grabbed a handful of snow and rounded it carefully. Taking aim, he launched it at Kyle like a major league pitcher, just as James Bennett stepped off the porch. It grazed the senior Bennett’s head and there was a moment of stunned silence as everyone stood frozen in place. Tyler’s eye’s widened with dismay. Like a movie that had been paused, time stood still as everyone held their breath, waiting.

  Suddenly James bent down and scooped up some snow and fired a shot back at Tyler. Finn laughed in delight. “Grandpa good shot. Here let me help. You can be on my side.”

  Pandemonium ensued. Giselle poked her head out the door and said, “Is it safe to come out?”

  Finn’s cheeks were rosy, and his eyes sparkled with joy. “Come on Gran-mère. Gramps and I will protect you.” Giselle joined them and got a few good shots herself.

  “Where’s Pen?” Ella asked.

  “She’s putting Savannah down for a nap. She’ll be right out,” Griffin said.

  Malena stepped out looking like she belonged on the cover of a fashion magazine. She wore a slim fitting white parka and black skinny jeans tucked into red leather cowboy boots. Her black hair fell loose around her shoulders from beneath a white knit hat with a fluffy faux fur pom on top, her outerwear a stunning contrast to her beautiful skin tone. Her dark eyes twinkled at Tyler, who stared at her hungrily.

  “Wow, you look gorgeous…makes it hard to breathe,” Ty managed to get out in a husky voice.

  She laughed softly. “Are you always this charming?”

  Ella watched as a moment of vulnerability danced across Ty’s face. It tugged at her heart. Tyler hadn’t had an easy life and she hoped that his hard times were now in the past. He deserved happiness.

  Tyler reached out and tucked a strand of Malena’s hair behind one ear. “You make it easy Mal.” A brilliant smile lit up her face and Ty playfully acted like he’d been shot, dramatically holding his chest and falling back into the snow. She giggled and reached her hand out to pull him up. Instead of helping him up he tugged her down beside him. She shrieked as she tumbled into the soft snow.

  “Have you ever made snow angels?” Malena said. “Come on Finn, lay down next to us and I’ll teach you guys something new. Since you’ve probably never seen snow like this before.”

  “Cool,” Finn said, plopping down next to Malena. The three of them scissored their arms and legs, making angel imprints in the snow.

  Tyler sat up. “What’s the trick to getting up without messing up my artwork?”

  “Luck and balance,” Malena said, gracefully springing up and stepping out of her snow impression.

  Ella walked the twins over to show them the angels. “You want to try?”

  Everly immediately lay down and Finn grabbed her feet and showed her how to move her legs and then her arms. “Good job sissy.” He picked her up so she could see her angel.

  From the vantage point of Finn’s arms she pointed and grinned. “Dat. Me dat.”

  “Yeah you did that. Quinny do you want to try?” She shook her head no.

  Walking up to the group, Penelope said, “Ready to ride?”

  “All set. Finn make sure you help your grandmère with the girls,” Ella said.

  “I will Ella, don’t worry.”

  Ty took ahold of Malena’s gloved hand and they headed for the barn ahead of her and Pen.

  Penelope arched a brow at Ella who smiled and shrugged her shoulders as they followed. None of them noticed James Bennett’s narrowed eyes as he watched Tyler and Malena walk away.

  15

  Penelope

  Walt was tightening the cinch on Raven when they got there. The rest of the horses were ready, tied to the rail in the indoor arena and waiting patiently to go. One of the ranch hands, Poke, was there mucking stalls.

  “Hi Ms. Winters,” Poke called out.

  “Hi Poke. How’s it going?”

  “Great! Hi Malena.”

  “Hi.”

  Penelope introduced Ty and Ella then she assigned horses.

  “I’ll ride Raven, and Ella, I thought I’d pair you with Breeze, that gorgeous redhead over there,” Penelope said.

  “She’s a beauty.”

  “Ty you can ride Ed, the Palomino on the end. He’s as steady as they come. Malena already put in her request for Ringo. He needs a very experienced rider. He’s the herd leader and thinks he knows everything.”

  Malena called to Ringo and he nickered. “How’s my boy?” He pranced in place, ready
to go. Walt held the reins while Malena hooked her foot in the stirrup and swung her leg easily over his back. Penelope waited until everyone else was mounted before she jumped onto Raven.

  “Walt we’ll probably be gone an hour or so. Call in the cavalry if we don’t come back.”

  He chuckled. “Don’t get any ideas about running away. I’ll just follow your tracks.”

  “Spoil sport.”

  “You kids be careful, ya hear me?”

  “We will, Walt. Gracias,” Malena said.

  Walt opened the gate and Penelope and Raven went through first, followed by Ella, then Ty, with Malena taking up the rear. She and Penelope would sandwich the two less experienced riders between them until everyone felt comfortable on the trail.

  The branches of the pine trees sagged with the weight of the previous night’s snowfall, which glittered in the sunlight. You could see the horses’ breath and ice crystals beaded on their whiskers. They were warm and wooly with their thick winter coats and didn’t mind the cold; in fact, it made them frisky and high spirited. Penelope could feel Raven’s muscles bunched up ready to go with the least bit of provocation. Raven’s feet practically danced underneath her.

  Penelope let Raven have her head. The horse knew these trails inside and out, they’d ridden them so many times together. Raven, her beautiful ebony mare, who’d been a breath away from slaughter when Penelope had rescued her. In the end, Raven had done the rescuing. She had kept Pen from collapsing under the weight of grief after her mom had died. They had a spiritual connection; many equestrians spoke of the bond between a horse and rider, but it was impossible to adequately describe it.

  “What do you think of Montana so far, Ty?” Penelope asked.

  “It’s dope. What would you think about me staying on until spring? I could work for you, if Walt will have me. I’d love to be around the horses, learn about barn management. Faye and Jesse don’t need me at the bar in the winter months anyway.”

  “I know Constance is working out some details on that Calvin Klein deal. I’m so excited for you. But it doesn’t really matter where your home base is for that. You’ll end up traveling to the shooting locations anyway.”