I roll my eyes at this. “I don’t have time to be tied down by a man, Aunt Vee. Besides, Finn’s probably going to be gone in a few days. Aren’t you focusing your efforts on the wrong man?”
“Who would you rather we focus on? Danny?” She retorts, sarcastically. “You would never be happy with him.”
“I could be happy with him,” I mutter, offended. “He’s a decent sort. And we have good chemistry.”
“He’s too easy for you, sweetheart,” Aunt Helen interrupts. “You’re a Winter woman. You need someone to sweep you off your feet. You need fire, excitement, and burning passion.”
Hearing my sweet natured aunt talk about passion with such a twinkle in her eyes makes the edges of my ears burn. “Danny’s reliable.”
“Isn’t he off chasing after Sharon these days?” She reminds me.
I shrug. “Sure. But we have a pact. If we don’t get anybody by the time we’re thirty five, we’ll tie the knot.”
I can swear that the way my older aunt is glaring at me, I would be dead two times over if looks could kill.
“Again with that nonsense? Aren’t you just using him as a buffer? Aside from Danny, tell me one serious relationship you’ve had.”
I shift in my seat, awkwardly. “There was Craig in high school.”
Aunt Helen gives me a look that has me wilting.
I sigh. “Okay, so maybe I haven’t put in too much effort into my love life. There’s nothing wrong with that! I’m focusing on my career at the moment. I don’t have time for a man in my life.”
“I don’t buy that.”
I glare at Aunt Vee and then I feel my hand being grasped gently and I look at my other aunt.
“Sweetie, why do I think you’re scared of the idea of falling in love?”
“It’s not that,” I mumble.
“Then, what is it?”
I stare at her soft pale hand, and then raise my eyes to meet hers. “Look, I went out with Finn like you said. But there’s – I don’t know how to explain it.”
“Try harder, then,” Aunt Vee demands.
I try, “He’s – He makes me feel off kilter. Like I’m not in control. Like with him I might never be the one in control.”
“Is that so bad?” Aunt Helen asks, softly.
“You don’t get it.” I shake my head, suddenly desperate to make them understand. “I’ve never been so attracted to someone and when I’m around him, he’s all I can think about. It’s too…” My lips tremble, as I feel overwhelmed. “I can’t – I can’t talk about this. I need some time to sort my head out.”
They let me go but there’s a soft smile on Aunt Helen’s lips as I brush by her and I wonder at it.
I go to bed, tired, drained, confused, and I’m woken up the next morning by my little husky licking my face all over. “All right,” I shove him away only to have him come bounding back, gleefully. “I’m up. I’m up! Get off me, you little pig.”
Vysky howls, offended at being called that and I sit up. “Stop sulking. Let me change and we’ll go for a run.”
He perks up at this.
I wash up and change, making my way downstairs with a yawn. My long hair is up in a ponytail and I hunt around for Vysky’s leash. Making my way to the kitchen, I jump when I see someone standing at the counter.
Finn looks just as surprised to see me. “Morning.”
“Must you skulk around?” I demand, irrationally frightened. “What are you doing lurking about the kitchen so early in the morning?” It’s when that I notice the mug in his hand.
“I could ask the same of you,” he says.
I see the brewed pot of coffee and, unable to help myself, I pour myself half a cup, “It’s my house. I lurk where I want to.” Finishing the brew, I take in his appearance. The man never looks ruffled. He’s wearing a black T-shirt along with denim jeans and he looks good enough to eat.
Keep it in your pants, Winter, I order myself, annoyed.
“Where are you going?” Finn asks, leaning against the marble island counter.
Trying hard to ignore him, I put on my jacket, zipping it up, “For a run.”
“I’ll join you,” he says, smoothly.
“You’ll what…” My sentence trails off because he’s already shrugged into his jacket and is now holding the door open for me. There is no polite way for me to tell him that I don’t want to run with him so I end up going along with it.
Surprisingly, he’s a good partner for running. He doesn’t speak much and he lets me set the pace. We run for thirty minutes down through neighborhood till we reach the beginnings of the park and then we take a small break.
I sprawl out on a bench, trying to catch my breath and Finn sits down next to me, Vysky sniffing around.
“So, when do you plan to begin decorating your diner?”
I glance at him. “For the Christmas thing?”
He nods, slightly.
I take a swig from my water bottle and answer, “Not sure yet. I was going to do a grand opening ceremony instead but I guess that’s not happening now.”
“Opening ceremony?” Finn turns so he can lean his elbow on the back of the bench and face me. “What were you opening?”
I play with the cap of my bottle, gloomily as I explain, “I was going to buy the building across the street from the diner to expand but some rich asshole came and put in a higher bid. He’s going to open some sort of chain restaurant or something, apparently.”
“That upsets you?” Finn asks after a deliberate pause.
“Of course it does. Wouldn’t it upset you if you put in months of effort for something, all for it to be for naught? I had already talked to suppliers, secured deals with the furniture companies, conducted hours of research and made feasibility reports. I had even secured the terms for the loan I was going to need for the first three months.” My heart tightens with anguish as I went on, “And this random person comes in and starts outbidding me. If I ever meet him…” My hands tighten on my bottle, a flash of fury running through me as I state, “I’m going to – I’m going to…” I can’t think up of something horrifying enough to do to him.
“You’ll do what?”
“I haven’t thought that part out yet.” I suddenly scowl. “But I’ll make sure it hurts. Who does he think he is? Barging in here and taking away my…” My dream. I stand up. “Let’s not talk about it. I shouldn’t have brought it up. How long is your visit going to be?”
There’s an odd look on Finn’s face as he watches me. “I don’t know yet. It’s indefinite.”
I chuckle awkwardly. “You’re not planning to move here or something, are you?”
His expression doesn’t give anything away as h answers, “Who knows?”
“Do all your answers have to be so ambiguous?” I demand, a hint of irritation in my voice. “Would it kill you to give me a straight answer once in a while?”
This time, there is mischief in his smile. “Maybe.”
“Ugh!” I start stomping away. “You’re so annoying!”
He laughs and trails after me.
We walk back together and just as we reach the front door, he grabs my wrist, stopping me. “Clara.”
“What?” I freeze at his touch and turn to look at him.
His expression is serious. “Will you have dinner with me tonight?” he asks.
When I hesitate, he says in an endearingly mournful way, “I’m so far from home and you’re my only friend.”
Astonished laughter bubbles in my throat. “You’re so full of shit.” When he grins, my own lips twitch in spite of myself, “You have no shame, do you? You’ll just say anything to get your way.”
He drags me closer to him by his hold on me and settles his hands on my waist. “I’ll take that as a yes, then. I’ll pick you up at seven.”
His proximity makes me want to whimper, his body hard against mine, making me feel fragile. I can feel his breath on my face and a shiver runs down my body.
“I have never wanted anyone l
ike I want you,” he breathes the words out.
after a brief pause where our smiles have vanished only to be replaced by this intense electricity between us, he says in a wondering tone, “I’m usually a very rational man. You just drive it out of me.”
“Don’t blame your stupidity on me,” I manage, feeling his words wrap around me in their thrall.
His lips curve slightly but there is this undeniable heat between us, “I will have you in my bed, Clara Winter. And you’ll come willingly.”
My mouth is dry at his calm declaration and I can’t even muster up a retort.
The sound of the kitchen door opening has me jumping away from him.
Aunt Helen looks out at us. “There you two are.” She pauses and her eyes gleam. “I wasn’t interrupting anything, was I?”
“No. No you weren’t!” I half shout, rushing past her into the house.
However, Finn isn’t one to let go of something so easily, I find out, because he calls after me, “Don’t forget our date.”
I have to refrain from childishly shouting back, ‘It’s not a date!’ but that will just make me look bad at this point, and I really don’t think that is necessary.
I quickly go and get dressed.
Ten minutes or so later, I come downstairs only to see my aunt sitting with Finn who is now wearing another one of his suits that he seems to have an endless supply of. “Where are you going?” I ask, curiously and
Finn just gives me a vague smile, not offering up anything.
“Sweetheart, eat some breakfast before you go,” my Aunt urges.
I shake my head at her. “I really don’t have time. I have to do some prep at the diner and then let Stacy start the day.”
Aunt Helen gives me a concerned look. “Going to the bank today?”
I nod, wearily. “Have to tell Will that I won’t be needing that loan anymore.”
I feel her sympathetic gaze on my back and I hunch up my shoulders, defensively. “It’s all right. It would have meant more work anyway.”
She leans over and gives me a kiss on my cheek. “Come by my shop after the bank and I’ll brew you some tea.”
“I will.” I grab my purse. “Also, tell Aunt Vee to take a look at the garden. I saw some weeds that need pulling. That’s more her thing than mine. Later, Finn.”
Finn lifts his mug of coffee in farewell. “Later, Darlin’.”
“It’s Clara,” I mutter.
* * *
The whole day is spent with me on my feet and I don’t even manage to get that cup of soothing tea that I’d been looking forward to since morning.
It’s around four and the diner is near to empty except for Lucia who’s had a half day at work since it’s Friday.
Then there’s Danny as well, as he never seems to have to show up to work, apparently.
Jerry is sitting in a corner booth, minding his own business as he does a crossword puzzle in the paper.
I’m sprawled in one of the booths with both my friends sitting across from me. My shoes are on the floor and I have my back against the wall, my legs stretched out on the seat. A cup of coffee and a slice of cake is lying next to my elbow. “Jerry, if you’re here, who’s minding the store?” I call out.
“It’ll mind itself.” He cackles, not even looking up. “Who’s going to come and steal my flowers, eh?”
I let out a yawn. “Why are you guys always here?”
“We get a ten percent discount on dessert,” Danny informs me, shoveling a spoonful of cake in his mouth. “Where else would we be?”
Lucia grins. “Dr. Hensen asked me to come over tomorrow and help him take out the Christmas decorations from his attic. He’s going into the city and buying some fancy stuff. He’s so puffed up, certain that we’ll win this year; it’s adorable.”
“What about you?” Danny looks at me, curiously. “You usually start at this point.”
“I’ll take out the decorations next Sunday,” I say, idly.
Danny is glancing out the window and he blinks. “Isn’t that Mayor Roger?”
“Where?” I turn slightly so I can look against the window that I have my back to and see the town mayor get out of his car and enter the closed bar.
I straighten up. “Do you think the new owner is in town?”
Danny frowns. “I think he is. Mom mentioned something last night when I went over to pick up Ben. She and Martha met up for coffee and Martha said that the new owner is going to inspect the place in a few days and then sign the contract.”
I stare out the window, feeling my eyes burn.
“Clara…” Danny reaches out and grabs my hand.
I swallow and my voice is thick as I say, “I’m being stupid, aren’t I?”
“No, you’re not, babe.” Danny is trying to comfort me. “Something better will come along. Just you see. And Lucia and I will never go to that stupid restaurant.”
Lucia nods her head. “You got that right. And if they have some good looking people working there, I’ll even date them to find out their weaknesses.
I let out a watery laugh. “Thanks. You’re a real champ.”
Danny clamps her on the back, smirking. “Taking one for the team.”
She grins and opens her mouth to say something but stills as her eyes fix outside the window with growing horror.
“Lucia?” I blink and then I turn my around to see what she’s looking at and the sight I see has my blood running cold.
Finn is standing in front of the bar, dressed in the suit I saw him in this morning, He’s standing next to a sharply dressed woman who’s gesturing in the direction of the bar. I hold my breath.
Don’t go in there.
Don’t do this.
Don’t be him!
I watch him follow the woman inside the bar and a strange sort of devastation enters my heart as the door swings shut behind him.
I don’t register the voices of my friends calling my name, shock and an abnormal grief being pushed aside by pure withering fury.
“Son of a bitch!” My voice is a growl. “Son of a – that little – I’m going to kill that little fucker!”
My friends stare at me, torn between sympathy and anger.
I have never felt so used in my life. I can’t believe I was actually thinking he wasn’t all that bad, that this morning I’d been considering giving him a chance.
And here he was just using me.
My eyes turn cold as I lower them to the table.
No wonder his answers were always so vague. He had been scoping out the competition.
Feeling humiliated and betrayed, I push away my cup of coffee and get to my feet.
Danny eyes me, warily. “What are you about to do?”
I press my lips into a thin line. “I don’t know yet.”
Chapter 4
Contrary to my desire to march over there and beat Finn within an inch of his life, something which sounds easy in theory and would probably be impossible to do in real life, I force myself to cool down.
And cooling down involves a lot of baking.
My arms are covered with flour as I knead the dough, viciously, punching it, ripping it apart. There are seven batches of cupcakes on the kitchen table of the diner. I can hear the sound of people chatting outside as they arrive for dinner.
Marty, one of the chefs, looks towards me in concern. “Are you sure you want Randy out there, Clara? He’s not really good at that kind of thing.”
“Well, he’ll get some experience then,” I snap, and when Marty flinches at the harshness in my tone, I suddenly feel guilty. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to – I’m just having a bad day.” I glance towards the kitchen door and say softly, “I really don’t want to be out there, tonight.”
Marty studies me. “Want to talk about it?”
I shake my head. “Not yet.” I stare around at the extra cupcakes and then say, “Put these in the display for one dollar each. I’m done.” I look down at the dough and rap it in plastic. “Put this in the fridge.”
I move towards my office in the back and clean up in there before laying down on the couch and staring up at the ceiling.
Three days.
It’s been three days since I met Finn McCarthy, and look at what I’ve let myself be reduced to by him. Anger, I can understand, but why do I feel so hurt?
He’s not the first man to actively pursue me – I let him get to me. I spent too much time around him. I let myself get pulled in by his charm and by my aunts’ words.
Pulling myself into a sitting position, I wrap my arms around my knees and look around the tiny office that I’ve decorated over the past six years. This office is me. It defines me. It reminds me of everything I’ve achieved, of who I’ve become. And I’m proud of the person that I am. I’m not going to let anyone pull me down. And I’m not going to hide in my office, ashamed and humiliated over something that doesn’t require me to feel any of these things.
I sit up and tug on my shoes.
Clara Winter is a self made woman. Ain’t no man going to bring me down!
I paste a smile on my lips and walk out.
There’s a slight hush as people see me and it’s instantly clear that my worst fears from this afternoon have been realized. The fact that Finn is the new owner of the building across the street has reached everyone’s ears. And that he’s been actively pursuing me before revealing who he was is also obvious to everyone.
I glance towards a frazzled looking Randy and smile. “Go back in before you self combust.”
Seeing me so calm has people relaxing and I move to take orders.
I don’t release the smile on my face even when my face starts to hurt, even when I want nothing more than to rage, because there is nothing to get angry over. I don’t know what Finn’s intentions were and now, I don’t want to know. I want nothing to do with him. I do know that if he sets up a chain restaurant in Wicca Springs, it will hurt the businesses of the local people who depend on the tourists to visit them. The three big restaurants we have will suffer. Same would the case if he sets up a renowned coffee house. Or a bar. Or a café. Or a diner.
The door opens and Ben walks in, followed by Danny. They both always have dinner here at the counter, and after they’re seated, I let Stacy take their orders and lean on the counter to talk to Ben.
Wintertime Love: A Christmas Billionaire Small Town Romance Page 4