'Tis the Season: A Collection of Mimi's Christmas Books

by Mimi Barbour

  “I can’t settle down.”

  “So you’ll interrogate me, instead.”

  “A few enquiries, maybe, but that’s only normal. I mean, it isn’t every day a girl finds herself quite this entangled with a man she doesn’t really know.”

  “You consider the fact that you’ve invaded me, in the most basic way anyone could occupy another, entanglement? It almost sounds acceptable, using that term, doesn’t it? Salves your conscience, I suspect.”

  “I have nothing to feel guilty about. You’ve heard the saying, ‘It takes two to tango’? Well, you tangoed into this entango-ment as much as I did.”

  “Good God!” He rolled over on his back, grabbed the second pillow next to him to shove under his head, and joined his fingers behind his head. “I can see I’ll not get any sleep unless you get your way. What would you like to know?”

  Pleased that he’d decided to co-operate, and recognizing how much she wanted to understand him better, Abbie still couldn’t stop her accommodating nature from making an appearance. “If I’m a pest, I can go away. I don’t wish to bother you.”

  The bounder laughed. “You wave my hand in front of my face until I wake up, and then you tell me it wasn’t intentional. I beg to differ. Now, if you have something you need to talk about, let’s get it over with so I can grab a few hours of sleep before the blasted alarm rings.”

  “Fine. I couldn’t help but wonder. Your mother mentioned she wanted grandchildren, and you told her you’d never met a woman you couldn’t live without.”

  “Yes, so…?”

  “Why?”

  “Pardon me?”

  “I said—”

  “Yes, I know what you said. It baffles me why you would ask.”

  “Because I saw you sitting on the vicarage bench, and you’re a very handsome man. Since we’ve been together, shall we say, I’ve noticed the way women stare as you pass by. In the hospital, the nurses were gaga over you, and so were the female resident and the receptionist in the office. Yet you didn’t seem to notice. Surely, if I observed them flirting, you must have seen them also.”

  “I don’t pay any attention to that sort of behaviour. If you must know, I find it extremely embarrassing and can’t understand what drives silly females to behave in such a manner.”

  “You’re having me on, right?”

  “I most certainly am not…having you on. If an attractive lady interests me, I will invite her out to dinner and, if she’s agreeable, we might form an attachment. This has happened from time to time. But I’ve always managed to escape their clutches before things go too far.”

  “What a pompous statement! Escape their clutches? Why—”

  “Abbie. You have no idea how difficult it is for a wealthy single man, such as myself, to enjoy the company of a female without having to produce an engagement ring within a short time. All you women think about is getting married and having babies. Either that, or you’re career women who need escorts to various functions, and snagging a prosperous, decent-looking chap as a male addendum fits perfectly with the lifestyle. I’m unwilling to be anyone’s barrier to spinsterhood.”

  Abbie didn’t try to hide her shock at his vehemence. “My goodness. You do feel rather strongly on the subject, don’t you?”

  “Fatigue is making me babble a lot of nonsense, I’m afraid. Look, I just want to meet someone I can’t imagine living without. A woman who’ll make me glad to give up bachelorhood to get married. When that happens, I’ll be a proper bloke and settle down to give my mother her grandchildren. Now, can I go to sleep? Please?”

  “Don’t you want to know about me?”

  He slid down in the bed and pulled the blankets up to his chin. “Do I have to?”

  She laughed. “No, Marcus, not if it’ll be so painful. Go to sleep. After all, I have no doubt I’ll still be with you in the morning.”

  “One can only hope. Good-night.”

  Abbie wondered exactly what his last sarcastic comment meant. A smile lit up her insides and wouldn’t go away. What an interesting character she’d found for herself. As much as she wanted to separate and get on with her life, a conviction that the next little while might be very interesting couldn’t be ignored.

  Her thoughts kept her occupied until fatigue snuck up on her and Marcus’ restful presence lulled her to sleep. She slumbered peacefully until the notion that she’d forgotten something important niggled her to consciousness.

  It hit her. Nicholas? The poor baby must be carrying on like the dickens. The Sisters at the orphanage would have their hands full. Tonight would be the first time she wasn’t there for her usual routine of settling him down for the night.

  Chapter Four

  “Wakey, wakey, rise and shine.” Abbie tried once more to get Marcus to open his eyes.

  He groaned and began to roll over at the same time as she took the initiative to force him over the side of the mussed bed. Landing on the floor did the trick. Now wide awake, he groaned and clutched his head.

  “God, tell me I dreamed you and you’re not really there.”

  “I’m not really there. I’m in here.” Her chuckling brought more groans as he dropped his head back onto the side of the bed and stuck a pillow over it. “Go away.”

  “Can’t. It’s a new day, and time to get started. We have a million chores awaiting us this fine morning.”

  “Starting with getting a gun and shooting myself. And stop that incessant giggling. When you’re in my body, you are not allowed to carry on like a silly twit.” He slid open the drawer of the night table and reached in for a bottle of pills. He plopped two into his mouth and, with a grimace, chewed them and swallowed. Once they were completely consumed, he climbed back onto the bed and huddled under the blankets.

  “Someone’s fallen off the wrong side of the bed, now, hasn’t he?”

  “And stop talking rubbish!”

  “What a cranky sod you are in the morning. I love waking up to a new day. Especially when it’s so close to Christmas, and there’s such a lot to do.”

  “Must you talk so loud and be so cheery? It’s bloody painful.”

  “Well, you shouldn’t drink so much. It isn’t good for you.”

  This time his sigh turned into a growl. “Take pity and give me ten minutes for these pills to work. I beg of you.”

  “Fine, mate. Ten minutes. Ta-ra!”

  Being a woman of her word, one with a big heart, she left him alone for more like an hour before returning. The poor bloke needed time to let the aspirin gain control over the pounding in his head. Funny thing—she knew he suffered, but she couldn’t feel it herself. So there were compensations when existing inside someone else.

  Regrettably, fading into her own space left her time to think, and her worries intensified. Being a spirit with no form, how in the world could she manage all the chores she’d set for herself before Christmas? Besides looking after Nicholas, her work at the orphanage increased tenfold with the coming holidays, and her job with the vicar would consume any extra time left over.

  Dotty as he was, she loved the vicar dearly and knew he couldn’t manage without her, especially at this busy time. They had the Christmas Eve concert to organize, and getting children to co-operate for a performance took a huge amount of patience. Patience, plus energy he’d run out of years ago.

  Also, many of the poor and elderly of the congregation depended on her care and couldn’t possibly manage without the help she gave them. Her visits meant so much, and she loved being useful and needed…

  Good Lord! What if she didn’t wake up in time? What if she never woke up? She soon became aware that her anxieties left a physical reaction in her host—the tightness spreading throughout his body—rather a good indicator. Not knowing what to expect from this supernatural state of affairs upset her the most. The horrible feeling of hopelessness, loss of control, and not being able to do anything for herself, drove her misery to new heights. Marcus must find the answer to free her from this delightful but untimel
y bondage.

  She’d be as nice to him as possible. Teasing must stop and so must everything that irritated him. Even though tweaking him delighted the devil in her, from now on she’d be on her best behaviour. Maybe then he’d spend his time trying to find the answers for her.

  By the time Marcus had finished the first cup of coffee his housekeeper served him at the breakfast table, she figured he’d be approachable.

  “I wonder what the hospital wanted? You forgot to call last night before you passed out.”

  Choking on his first piece of toast, he spat it onto the plate in order to breathe. “Couldn’t you knock or something before you intrude?”

  “Don’t be silly. I gave you lots of time. My needs have to be dealt with sooner or later. I choose sooner, if it’s all the same to you.”

  He laid down the newspaper he’d smushed in his hand at her opening remark and carefully smoothed out the wrinkles. Then he put his elbows on each side of his plate, entwined his fingers, and leaned his chin on them. “What is it you want me to do?”

  “I want to go back to the hospital and see why they called, and if they’ve found a reason for my condition. Your mother said something about forms that weren’t filled in correctly.”

  “It’s probably your address. I didn’t know it, so I left the space blank.”

  “Why didn’t you just ask me? After all, I was right there with you.”

  “No, you weren’t. You were fixated on the doctors taking you away and weren’t paying any attention to either the nurse or myself. I did the best I could.”

  “Well if that is the information they’re after, tell them I live at Holly Mount, They’ll know where it is.”

  “Isn’t Holly Mount an orphanage?”

  “Yes.”

  “You live in an orphanage? What the devil—how old are you?”

  “I’m twenty-five, And I’ve lived there all my life. When the time came for me to leave, the Sisters asked me to stay. I guess they felt that my help with the children more than pays for my keep. There’s a lovely little gardener’s cottage that I’ve taken over since Mr. Thomas, the gardener, lives elsewhere. I’m quite happy with these circumstances.” She couldn’t seem to stop blathering. All the sudden empathy surrounding her made her feel uncomfortable and defensive.

  “Now I understand.” His condescending tone irked her.

  “Understand what?”

  “Why you fell for my mother.”

  “I fell for her because she loves you to distraction, worries over you far too much for your own good, and is a charming woman. And I don’t want to talk about me anymore. I’m a very happy person. You can ask anybody.”

  “No need. I’ll take your word for it.”

  Just then his mother entered the room, sauntered over to the buffet on the sideboard, and began to generously fill a plate with bacon, eggs, toast and a selection of jams. Her stylish gold pantsuit flaunted her youthfulness and complemented the brilliant green of her eyes as they radiated warmth and appeal.

  “Good morning, Marcus. It’s a lovely day, what with all the snow decorating those barren branches and dismal rocks in front of the house. I don’t know why you wouldn’t let me plant a few evergreens around the gardens.”

  “You may plant—” Before he could finish his rant, she interrupted. Abbie felt him wince as he closed his eyes.

  His mother’s next words opened them. “Speaking of evergreens, we must go today and buy a Christmas tree. The firemen have a huge selection and are giving all the money to the vicar to help with his annual Christmas Eve celebration.” She sat herself opposite him at the table, spread strawberry jam on a slice of toast, and placed it on his plate. “Eat up, dear. Now, that’s a good lad. Can’t work on an empty stomach.”

  “I don’t like jam, and I don’t want anything more to eat, thank you very much,” he said, even as his hand reached for the toast and shovelled it into his mouth.

  “Would you please stop doing that!”

  “It looked so good, I couldn’t help myself. Besides, she’s right, you know. You’ll feel better for having something in your tummy.”

  His head dropped, chin resting on his chest for a moment. He gathered himself and looked up again to stare at his mother, shocked at her ability to so enjoy her breakfast when she’d imbibed more than he had the night before. “Mother, I don’t have any Christmas decorations. Normally, I don’t bother to celebrate, other than to take off a few days from the office in order to rest and enjoy the solitude.”

  With her fork poised halfway to her mouth she hesitated, returned it to her plate, and smiled in her typical, viciously feminine way. A way that clearly told him he had lost the battle before it even began.

  “Well, that just won’t do. Not at all. I’ll organize everything, with, of course, some assistance from you. We’ll go after breakfast and pick out the best tree on the lot, and you will arrange to have it delivered by the end of the day. Christmas will be here before we know it, and I must have everything decorated. I’ve already invited our friends to our party on Christmas Day. The house will have to be prepared before then, Marcus. It simply must.”

  “Our friends to our… Never mind. Do stop filling up like a watering pot every time I have an opinion.”

  “Then don’t raise your voice.”

  Abbie had to grin as she read his mind. His restraint deserved angel wings and a free pass through the pearly gates—as he saw it. “I didn’t mean to raise my voice. You surprised me, that’s all.” To himself he added, Why anything you do surprises me, I’ll never know. Must be because I’ve lived alone, in peace and away from your machinations, for ten wonderful years.

  “I am still here, you know. It’s delightful the way she can manipulate you. I must try her tactics sometime.”

  “Sod it, I’m surrounded. Fine. I give up. What do you propose I do first? Tree or hospital?”

  “Definitely the tree. And shame on you for not having already arranged for one, so she wouldn’t be forced to beg.”

  “You’re right, Mother. We’ll get the biggest tree on the lot. Then I will drive you to the shops so you can go crazy, buying up whatever items you deem necessary. While you’re busy spending as much of my money as you can manage, I’ll go to the hospital and check up on the young lady. After that, I must insist on a few hours to myself. There are still a lot of chores that need my attention at the office.”

  Smiles lit his mother’s face as she pushed away from the table. “I won’t keep you waiting, my love. I’ll gather my fur coat and meet you at the front door in ten minutes.” She let the door slam on her way out of the dull, old-fashioned parlour. “Sleigh bells ring, are you listening” could be heard in her off-key contralto as she headed down the hall.

  “Don’t…slam the door…please.” Soothing his head in his raised hand, he rubbed at the tension in his forehead.

  “Are you satisfied? She’ll drive me barmy, checking out every tree on the lot and then buying the first one we saw.” He gazed at the newspaper longingly, folded it, and put it next to his white linen napkin. She supposed her fretfulness hadn’t gone unnoticed, and that he’d picked up on her worries. Before either of them knew he would, instinct had him chiding her gently. “Abbie, relax. I’ll get you to the hospital this morning, hopefully in time to let you slip back into your body as it’s being resuscitated.”

  Chapter Five

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Chapman. There’s been no change in Abbie’s condition. She’s totally unresponsive, and it’s very perplexing. You say she fell? Well, I’ve found no signs of contusions or wounds that would indicate cause for a coma. Other than a small bump on the top of her head, the scans we’ve taken are clear. We’ve run as many tests as deemed necessary, and they’ve all come back negative—no strokes, no brain problems. Nothing. This girl is a very healthy individual.”

  Marcus figured he took the news with gutsy resolve, but he didn’t consider how much apprehension would be clearly visible in his eyes, put there by his new roommat
e.

  “Please don’t worry, sir. The administration has called in a specialist, and he’s promised to visit in the next few days. Maybe he’ll be able to discover the problem, but for now, I’d say she needs to be here and under medical care. Sometimes a patient will return to consciousness with no explanation. Rest can do wonders for the human system if there’s been any sort of trauma.”

  “Marcus, this isn’t good enough. Why am I in a coma? I need answers.”

  “They have none. You heard the same thing I did. They don’t know the cause. Don’t cry, little darling. My eyes are watering and the doctor is staring.”

  “I’m very sorry, Mr. Chapman. Please come and sit for a minute.” The young intern took Marcus’ arm and led him to the chair next to where Abbie lay attached to various medical paraphernalia. Solicitously, he patted Marcus on the back. “I understand this isn’t what you wanted to hear, sir, but I’m afraid we just don’t have any answers. If you wish to check back tonight, we’ll see if there’s any change in her condition.” The door shut quietly behind the doctor as he left.

  Marcus stared down at the surprisingly lush curves of the prone figure. Then his gaze shifted to her lax features. “You don’t look twenty-five, Abbie, but almost like a schoolgirl. How tall are you?”

  “Five-two. That’s why I normally wear high-heeled boots. They add a few inches, plus they’re handy weapons if any of the blokes get too frisky. Considering I’ve always had a big appetite, it’s strange I just stopped growing after I turned thirteen. Since I don’t know any of my family background, I have no idea if my lack of height is an inherited trait.” Her tone sobered. “I know you’re trying to get my mind off the subject. I can see through your ploys. Look, I wonder if there are any genetic reasons that could account for this bizarre occurrence? Do you think there could be, Marcus?”

  “Abbie, I have no idea what to think. I guess I’ve been hoping they’d have discovered something here at the hospital.”