by Lisa DeVore
Table of Contents
Title Page
Escaping Christmas
Copyright
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Thank you for purchasing this publication of The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Praise for Lisa DeVore’s
BEAUTIFUL MUSIC
“This romantic suspense by debut author Lisa DeVore takes you on a thrill ride of twists and turns, and when you think you know what’s going to happen, you find you really don’t have a clue.”
~Modokker Book Picks
Escaping Christmas
by
Lisa DeVore
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.
Escaping Christmas
COPYRIGHT © 2014 by Lisa DeVore
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
Contact Information: [email protected]
Cover Art by Tina Lynn Stout
The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
PO Box 708
Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708
Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com
Publishing History
First Crimson Rose Edition, 2014
Digital ISBN 978-1-62830-617-0
Published in the United States of America
Dedication
To the women in my life
who are always there when I need them—
my mom, Patricia Tullys,
my “mom” in-law, Rose Mary DeVore,
and the sisters of my heart,
Julie Luthie, Kat Bauer, and Joanna,
Michele, and Carrie DeVore.
I love you all!
Chapter One
“Mother, I’ll be fine. This is what I want to do.” Alexandra Storm plopped on her overstuffed chair in her bedroom, phone in hand. This was her favorite place to sit in times of distress, overlooking the valley below and the mountains in the distance. The scenery calmed her. Well, usually. Right now, her mother was winning out.
“No one should be alone on Christmas, especially my daughter,” her mother said in the stern voice Alex was all too familiar with from her childhood.
“I’m going to Colorado for Christmas. I’m finishing my book.” She paused. “How about if I come for a visit after?”
“Would you stay long?” Bribery was next. Her mother didn’t compromise.
“I’ll stay a couple of weeks and you can even take me shopping.” She hated to shop. Alex was signing a deal with the devil.
“Well…I don’t like this, Alexandra. You’re going to miss the party.” Her mother never called her by her nickname.
“It’s better that I’m not there. You know I’m not big on Christmas.”
“You’re not fooling me. Don’t let him ruin you. He made a mistake. He’ll come to his senses.”
“It has nothing to do with him,” she lied, biting her lip.
“Funny. I remember you racing down the stairs every Christmas morning. You loved the holiday.”
“I was a child, Mother”. Alex attempted to swallow her impatience. “I have to go. I still have packing to do. Give Dad a kiss for me and I’ll see you in January.”
“Will you, at least, call?” The negotiations continued.
“I’ll have my cell. I’m not sure what kind of signal I’ll have there, but I’ll try.” She wasn’t going to tell her she was staying in a log cabin in the mountains…away from everything…and everyone.
“All right. I guess I’m not going to change your mind. You’re an adult.” The sigh from her mother breezed through the phone.
“I’m surprised to hear you admit it.” Alex cringed, immediately regretting the comment. Her mother wouldn’t let her have the last word. That was a given.
“Keep that up and I’m going to send for you.”
“I’ll talk to you soon, okay?” Alex wasn’t going to push her. She’d probably send the butler.
“Goodbye, dear.”
“Bye, Mother.” Alex pushed the magic button to end that uncomfortable call. “One down and one to go,” she muttered while dialing her best friend since childhood. This interrogation would be worse. They’d known each other since they were…she couldn’t remember a time without her. Tiffany knew her better than anyone—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Convincing her she wasn’t running away wouldn’t be as easy.
“Hello?”
Alex smiled at the sound of her voice. “Hey, bestie.”
“Hi, Alex. What’s up?”
“I’m, um…” she stammered. This was more difficult than telling her mother.
“You’re having a big party to celebrate the exit of what’s his name.” Tiffany’s jubilation wasn’t lost on her.
“What’s his name has been gone from my life for nearly two years. Actually, no. I’m going to Colorado. I won’t be around for Christmas.” Might as well put it out there.
“What? Are you kidding me? Leaving town at Christmas? Who do you know who lives in Colorado?” Her voice turned suspicious.
“No one. That’s the point. Besides, I wouldn’t be here anyway. You know my parents have that huge party in New York. And you can’t tell my mother. I’m sure she thinks I’m staying at a resort. I rented a log cabin in the mountains,” she blurted. The calming view outside her window wasn’t helping the way it usually did.
“Now I know you’ve gone insane. Don’t let him win, Alex. He’ll gloat if he knows you left town.”
“I don’t care what he thinks and even if I did, which I don’t,” she added quickly, “he knows about the Christmas party they torture me with every year.” She forced a firm voice. “He made his choice. This has nothing to do with Owen Banks.” Her escape had everything to do with her cheating, lying ex-boyfriend. If lightning didn’t strike maybe she could convince Tiffany otherwise.
“It has nothing to do with him being cast the lead in your Christmas movie? And that it starts airing this week?” Nope. She wasn’t buying it.
Alex sighed. “Listen, Tiff, I just want to be by myself and finish this book.” She was sure Tiffany knew what she meant. This was her last obligation with the production company. The book was already picked up for a TV movie. The sooner she finished, the sooner she could move on and put the past behind her.
“There’s no talking you out of this?”
“No. I already have my reservations.”
“You will have electricity…a phone, right?” Here comes interrogation number two.
“I will. I don’t even have to drive there. The owner will pick me up from the airport. He owns several log homes on his land.” Why did she always explain herself? Could having an over-bearing mother have something to do with it?
“How long are you staying?”
“I’ll be there through New Year’s.”
“I can’t believe you’re doing this,” Tiffany huffed.
“I just had this conversation with my mother. I’ll tell you what I told her. I’ll be fine. This is what I want, okay? Quit worrying. I’m actually looking forward to the quiet, the slow pace…and no interruptions.” She wasn’t lying about those facts.
“Maybe you’ll run into some hunky skier,” she teased.
“Nope. It’ll be me and my laptop.” Although, a hunky skier would be a nice distraction. “I have to get going, Tiff. I’ll call you when I get the chance.”
“Sure. What do I say? Have a great time?”
Alex laughed at her friend’s sarcasm. “Yeah, that would be nice.”
“Okay,” she sighed, “have a great time. Love you.”
“Bye. Love you, too.”
Immense relief flooded her body. She was dreading those two phone calls and now they were behind her. She could finish packing and start her new chapter, both on her book and her life. She was looking forward to putting distance between her and Owen Banks.
Chapter Two
Alex stared blankly out the window waiting for her taxi, her suitcase and laptop at her feet. The mountains of California loomed in the distance. In less than eight hours she would be tucked into her new home for the month. She wasn’t looking forward to the layover or the trip into the mountains. Making small talk to people she didn’t know never was her forte.
Maybe when she returned she’d put her house on the market. She wanted distance from her ex and his wife. The only reason she stayed in California now was Tiffany…and the fact she had nowhere else she wanted to go. She had to admit, putting an entire country between her and her parents had been a plus. She hoped this trip would help her make a few important decisions she’d been avoiding. Her mind drifted to him. She met him after he was cast for the first TV movie they made from her book. She sighed loudly. It was her fault. She had chosen him for the first movie. He would be cast for this final book-turned-movie. There was no way around it. Her head pounded thinking about him. Everyone expected them to marry. She expected them to marry. Her face flooded with heat—the embarrassment, the betrayal, the rejection all still fresh in her mind. Owen told her on Christmas Day he asked his co-star to marry him. The nausea returned, as it always did, when she remembered that night. Two years had passed and the happy couple were now parents. They had moved on, but she couldn’t shake the past. She was contracted to the pain. But that would end with this last book and movie. Alexandra Storm would finally be free to move on with her life. All she had to do was face her demons.
The taxi arrived, jolting her from the memories. Working through the pain was the only way to put this behind her. Maybe she could channel it into her book. A sinister thought came to mind. She could kill him off. Her momentary revenge was snuffed by the reality of her fans. They would be crushed. They didn’t know the real guy who played her hero. They only knew the hero she created, and Owen Banks was no hero. He was a cad.
Not only was Alex happy about getting away from the memories of her broken heart, but the stress from her most recent meeting with the production company made her head hurt. Mr. Cohen was pushing her to sign a contract for future stories for TV movies. The last meeting was a nightmare. The usual calm of the executive was replaced by a red-faced tyrant. He could hold his breath and pass out as far as she cared. She was already negotiating with a new company, one that had no ties with Owen Banks. Alex would be sure to put that in a future contract.
She shook the fog from her head and grabbed her things, struggling to lock the door.
“Let me help you with those,” the cab driver offered.
“Thanks.” She didn’t even look at him. Alex trusted no one, especially those who were being kind. She only wanted to be left alone.
The drive to the airport was quiet. The cab driver must have realized she wasn’t in a talkative mood. He pulled up to her gate and she handed him his fair with a generous tip.
“Hey, thanks. I’ll get your things.” He jumped out and came around to open her door.
The hours ahead would be spent on security checks, layovers, and finally…the flight to her freedom. This solitude would be no cake walk, but it was necessary and she welcomed it. If she wanted to stay in bed for days and cry there would be no one there to tell her she couldn’t. Yes, she welcomed this. There would be no fake smiles, no pretending she was happy, and no men to contend with.
That’s what she thought anyway.
“Alexandra Storm?”
“I’m Alexandra,” she answered cautiously, stopping mid-step. She was expecting an older man. “Are you the owner of the cabins?”
He smiled at her and extended his hand. “That’s me, Zach Camden.”
Her stomach took a hit and she fought a disgruntled sigh. He was gorgeous and not at all old. The strong jawline and the five o’clock shadow caught her attention first. She placed her hand in his warm one. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Camden.”
“Call me Zach.” Dear God, he had a smile that would stop traffic. He broke into her fantasy with, “Let’s get your bags and be on our way. We’ll get you tucked in before night fall. It gets cold up there.”
Alex followed him and awaited her luggage. Her nerves were jumping across her skin. She promised herself no complications. So, why was she wishing he would become one? He was married. She was sure of it. She caught herself looking at his hand. No ring. Another sigh followed.
“These things can be slow,” he commented, obviously taking her exhale of air as impatience.
She tried not to stare. He had on a bulky coat and a stocking cap, definitely dressed for cold weather. Alex chomped on her lower lip, a habit that survived childhood whenever she was anxious. You are here to finish your book…
“Those are mine.” She pointed and he quickly grabbed them. “I can carry them.”
“I got it. Part of the service.” He winked.
God, please let the ground swallow me up. When the ground stayed in place, she mentally reasoned with herself. All she had to do was get to the cabin and lock herself in. Everything she would need was there. Concentrate on something other than the hunky guy with your luggage. The nervous jitters on the first day of school—that’s what she was having. She kept silent, focusing on the other travelers. Anything to keep her eyes from roaming to places they shouldn’t be. She repeated, “No complications” under her breath. And don’t say anything stupid.
He slowed his pace and glanced at her feet before asking, “I’m right outside these doors to the right. Did you bring boots?” She attempted a smile, but her lips quivered nervously. “I did. They’re packed. I would’ve looked a bit funny leaving California in snow boots.”
“You might want to put them on in the truck. You’re going to look funny trekking through the snow in running shoes.”
Alex opened her mouth to reply, but instantly closed it in self-preservation. The cold took her breath away. She ducked her head and pulled her coat tightly around her. She had thrown the heavy coat in her carry on and was grateful. She practically sprinted to the truck, opened the door, and sighed at the warmth.
The rush of cold air swooped in as Zach put her suitcases in the back. “You ready, city girl?”
“What makes you so sure I’m a city girl?”
“I know one when I see one,” he replied evenly.
“I might not be used to the cold, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know my way around a mountain.”
“Do you?” He turned his killer smile on her.
“Can we just go now?” she asked impatiently, leaning her head against the seat. The smile did her in.
His laughter filled the truck. “I think I got my answer.” He put the truck in gear, not waiting for a reply. “So, Alexandra Storm, where’s home?”
“California,” she answered simply. She wouldn’t encourage any dialogue. She certainly didn’t want him to get the idea she wanted to make a friend.
Zach rubbed his hand along his fac
e, across the stubble she was having a hard time ignoring. She inhaled and looked out the window.
“I was expecting a husband with you. I’m not sure I would have rented to you if I knew otherwise.”
Her head bolted in his direction. “Why not?”
“The mountains can be tough, especially this time of the year. We get buried in snow.”
“I’ll be fine.” Alex paused, not sure if she should complete her thought out loud. “I was expecting someone old.” She cleared her throat. “Older.”
“And why is that?”
“I guess I didn’t expect someone your age to own…” Alex stumbled. “I thought…” She stopped. She was digging a hole.
“I’m not as young as you think and I’ve worked hard to get what I have.”
“I didn’t mean to insult you, Mr. Camden.”
“No offense taken. What do you do for a living?”
Alex wished the small talk would stop. “I’m a writer.”
“That’s great. So, you’re coming up here to work?”
“For work, yes.” She wanted to put an end to the conversation, but the questions continued.
“What do you write?”
She dreaded this question, especially with men. “Romance novels.”
“Are you a romantic, Alexandra?” She didn’t miss the humor in his voice. Why couldn’t she be the kind of person to ask him if he wanted to find out?
Instead, she ignored his question. “How long until we get to the cabin?”
“It’s about a fifty minute drive. The roads aren’t great, so you’d better buckle up,” he suggested while switching on the radio.
Her eyes grew heavy listening to the music. It had been a long day.
“Go ahead and sleep,” Zach offered. “I’ll wake you up when we get there.”
Alex inhaled anxiously. She would force herself to stay awake. Sleeping would involve trust and she had none of that left. Besides, she didn’t know this man. However, it didn’t take long before she lost the battle. Her eyes drifted shut. The warmth, the movement, and the music lulled her to sleep.