The Christmas Match: Castle Ridge Small Town Romance

by Burton, Allie

  Brianna sat beside him. Excitement emanated off her. Excited to be skiing with him.

  Her enthusiasm flashed in him. He missed skiing with her too, even if he’d never known what he missed. He’d missed thirteen years of her life. Thirteen years of watching her grow and learn. Thirteen years of tucking her in at night, of hugs, of love.

  His enthusiasm swooshed downward and took a turn into melancholy. How could Dani not tell him? If he’d known he had a daughter, maybe he would’ve acted differently.

  He wouldn’t have traveled so much.

  But with his career he didn’t have a choice.

  He would’ve come back to Castle Ridge more frequently.

  But traveling to the resort town took forever.

  He would’ve…what?

  He’d been hell-determined to prove himself in the ski world. He’d been selfish in his twenties, doing what was best for his career. Competed more than his competitors, trained harder and longer, partied harder.

  Maybe Dani had been right to keep the truth from him. Maybe he would’ve been an awful father.

  Not anymore. He wanted to get to know his daughter, and be involved in Bri’s life. He might not live in Castle Ridge because of his job, but he could visit. Really get to know his child. He had more discretion to visit for long weekends and video chatting was an option.

  “How many hours are you on the slopes every day?” When he’d been on the team they’d train for a couple of hours about five days a week.

  “Three to four hours. And we have weight training, too.” She pressed her goggles on tighter.

  Coach was keeping up with the latest training regimens. “What about yoga or stretching?” It was something new Luke had added as he got older.

  “Nope. The guys would hate yoga.”

  “Not if it keeps them from pulling a muscle.” He’d pulled plenty in his time, even when first starting out. If he’d known then what he knew now…

  They fell into an awkward silence. He wanted to know everything about her, from her favorite color to her first word. How did he ask those questions without raising her suspicions? On the walk to the slope, she’d asked questions about his career and his records. When they’d been putting on their boots, she’d talked about the other members of the ski team and her best friend Chloe. She’d even buckled her boots from top to bottom. Similar to him.

  The chair lifted them higher. Fresh air at altitude tickled his nose as the foliage thinned at the tree line. Whiteness and rocks and peaks soared in the sky. It felt good to be home.

  He pointed. “See the top of Castle Ridge Peak?”

  He heard the rustle of her coat as she nodded.

  “Have you ever hiked to the Turret line and skied down?”

  Her giggle had an edge. “No. If I didn’t die trying, my mom would kill me.”

  “Your mom’s done it.”

  “What?” Her mouth dropped open. “No way.”

  “We did it together.” With other members of the ski team. It had been a dare. Kind of an initiation into the team.

  “My mom? Are you sure we’re talking about the same paranoid-of-the-slopes parent?”

  “I am.” A warning flashed in his mind. Maybe he shouldn’t tell her these stories. They’d survived with only a few scratches, but they’d been lucky. Then again, why hadn’t Dani told her daughter these stories? Was she just so uptight about Brianna skiing? Or was she afraid of mentioning him?

  That had to be his ego thinking. She probably hadn’t given him much of a thought once he’d left town. Not enough to contact him, to let him know she was pregnant.

  “That’s crazy.” Brianna tilted her head to follow the line to the top of the cliff. “Mom didn’t even want me to learn how to ski. My best friend Chloe’s parents took me out on the slopes and taught me.”

  “Your uncle has skied the Turret line, too.”

  “Uncle Michael?” Brianna shifted in the chairlift to stare at him. “Wow. I can’t believe how much I’m learning about my own family.”

  Wait until she learns I’m her father. Luke opened his mouth and immediately clamped it shut. He couldn’t spout something that important out. Dani didn’t want her to know. A spike shot through him, adding insult to injury. And injury to injury. If he hadn’t come home to recuperate, he never would’ve learned the truth.

  “Mom begged me not to join the ski team.” Brianna zipped her coat the rest of the way. “Wait. Mom was on a ski team? Mom was on your ski team?”

  Brianna sounded so incredulous. Had Dani not been on the slopes since the birth of their daughter? Resembling a yodel in the alpine, the word echoed in his head and in his chest. Their daughter.

  Together. A connection they still had.

  And after that kiss, it wasn’t the only way they were connected.

  His skin warmed even in the freezing temperatures. He’d need to think about the kiss that had been the same, yet so different.

  “Yes, she skied with the team. So did your uncle.” Luke and Dani had shared their first kiss on the mountain. They’d skied with the torchlight parade on Christmas Eve. With the flaming torches in hand, he’d broken formation to ski closer to her. When they’d stopped, he’d kissed her. The memory haunted, making his current life seem empty.

  Brianna slapped her ski poles together, the clanging sound stopping his thoughts.

  “I can’t believe it. Mom acts as if skiing is more dangerous than standing in the middle of the interstate during a snow storm. I have to save my babysitting money to buy new stuff.”

  “Why doesn’t she get you new equipment?” He glared at her skis with the jagged edges and the years-old bindings. He’d noticed the state of her equipment the day he’d met her in the locker room.

  “Money. Hatred for the sport.”

  The first reason he understood. The second made him upset. The right equipment meant the fastest times and the safest ride. Brianna could get hurt. If he’d known about her, he could’ve gotten her the latest skis, boots, and bindings.

  “What I’ve got is okay, and I keep it tuned.” She swung her leg, bringing the ski higher. “I know I could go faster if my skis were newer.”

  He had contacts in the industry and the money to pay for the right equipment. “Maybe I can help you.”

  “You’re not messing with me, are you?” Her voice rose in a squeal of delight.

  “No, I’m not messing with you.” He wanted to help her. To provide for her.

  Her shoulders drooped deflating with her mood. “Mom wouldn’t let me accept gifts from a stranger.”

  Stranger.

  The word torched his gut, scorching him from the inside. To her he was a stranger.

  He’d get Brianna skis and whatever else she needed. He deserved to give her things and to hell with what Dani said. Now he understood how it felt to be a dad. He wanted to give her the world. He wanted to protect her. He’d travel through a blizzard for his little girl.

  * * *

  Danielle’s anger carried her across town and through the lobby. The joyful Christmas music was an annoying gnat in her ear.

  Marching into the entryway, the front-desk clerk at the lodge gave a friendly wave. “You’re not on duty, Danielle. What’s up?”

  “Luke Logan is up.”

  Heading past the front desk and toward the elevator, she realized she’d muttered louder than she’d thought when the clerk responded, “He’s not in his room. He was joking about taking an ice bath and headed toward the spa.”

  Danielle’s steps halted. She pivoted and headed toward the spa, fury pounding in her blood, making her step pound on the wooden floor. She wanted to talk to Luke now, and in person. “He’s going to need an ice pack when I’m done with him.”

  She stomped past the elevator and down the stairs leading to the hotel’s spa, not caring about disturbing other guests. “Where’s Luke Logan?”

  The spa receptionist peered at her oddly. “I can’t give out that information.”

  “I work here
and I’ll be management soon.” Danielle placed both palms on the counter. “Tell me or I’ll search all the rooms.”

  The receptionist gave her the room number.

  “Thanks.” Slamming her palms against the swinging door, the door crashed into the wall on the other side. She probably looked odd parading around a spa in jeans and a winter coat.

  Without knocking, she twisted the doorknob on the therapy room and opened the door, kicking it closed behind her. “How dare you?”

  She focused on the metal tub where Luke sat. Naked.

  A tub filled with ice. Clear ice.

  Her eyes dipped and her heart thudded. Broad chest, six-pack abs, muscular legs with one swollen knee. Her gaze sped past his other…equipment. Her heart beat again. Louder. Stronger. Twinges of desire spiraled around her backbone and weakened her resolve. Licking her lips, she forced herself to lift her gaze above his chest, past his wide shoulders, along his corded neck to his strong chin and high cheeks, and land on his sage eyes.

  “Well, hello, Dani.” His expression gleamed with sexual interest and amusement. “Enjoying what you see?”

  Swallowing, she tried soothing her rampaging hormones. “I didn’t realize…”

  Didn’t realize he’d be sitting here naked and alone in a tub of ice. Her anger twisted into desire. With a single look from him, she could melt the ice in the tub.

  And then he’d be completely exposed.

  Her entire body heated with desire and anger at that desire, making her cheeks doubly red. Her cheeks were probably brighter than Rudolph’s nose.

  “You didn’t realize how much you want me?” He moved in the tub, raising his knee, exposing more flesh. “To what do I owe this…pleasure?”

  His flirtatious question fired her anger again. “What the hell do you think you were doing?”

  He reached for the white towel beside the tub. “What?”

  He wouldn’t actually get out of the tub while he was naked. She stepped back. They didn’t need to have this conversation while he was nude or clothed in only a towel. “I’ll come back later.”

  “Oh, no. You have my complete…” He shifted and she knew what body part wiggled the most. “Attention.”

  “This isn’t the place—”

  He placed his hands on the edge of the tub and started lifting himself. “I’ll get out right now.”

  Her lungs expanded. Her heart slammed against her ribs. She raised her hands to ward him off. “No, no. You don’t have to get up.”

  “What do you want?” He emphasized the last word.

  She squirmed. Focused on her mad. “You went skiing with Brianna today.”

  “Yes.”

  The ice in the tub clinked. The cubes were melting. Soon there’d be nothing hiding his delectable body. Danielle needed to talk faster.

  “You shouldn’t have done that.” She studied his long body, encased in ice. He was already suffering.

  “Brianna’s my daughter, too.” His mouth firmed into a straight line.

  Danielle shook her hands, frustration shooting off extra energy. She wanted to throttle him. “Brianna doesn’t know.”

  “I want to spend time with her. Get to know her.” He pursed his lips in an obstinate expression.

  “You can’t. People will start asking questions. Coach has already figured it out.”

  “Really?” Luke’s eyebrows rose.

  “People will think it odd you’re spending so much time with her. They’ll think it’s weird. Maybe even illegal.” A stab of green envy shot through Danielle. She wasn’t jealous of her daughter. She was jealous of other female conquests Luke had made over the years.

  “That’s disgusting. Brianna’s only thirteen.” His eyes narrowed to angry slits. His hand thrashed and he splashed water out of the tub. “Get your mind out of the gutter.”

  Out of the gutter of jealousy. “You can’t hang out with her.”

  Crossing his arms, his brow furrowed. The contemplative expression was familiar. It was always how he studied her when he was trying to figure out what she really meant. “You’re embarrassed people will find out I’m her dad.”

  His direct hit walloped and she jerked. He might be able to read her easily, but he’d never understand the torture she’d gone through. Castle Ridge was a small town, and the gossip when Luke had left had sliced her to pieces. Then, she’d discovered her pregnancy, and the last thing she’d wanted was more slings about her and her unborn child. That’s why she’d gotten engaged.

  Since moving back and living a quiet life, people hadn’t talked. At least, not much. She was still an unmarried mother in a small town.

  “You know how this town gossips.” Her voice squeaked.

  “Town gossip has hurt you in the past.” His voice softened as if concerned.

  Her eyes pricked remembering that time in her life. “You weren’t around. You don’t know how it felt to receive the sympathetic glances and the coy comments. You wouldn’t understand.”

  Placing his hands on the edge of the tub, his arm muscles bulged as he started to get out.

  “Stay down.” Her cheeks flushed hotter. She didn’t need him to expose more of his body.

  “At your command.” He winked and settled back in the tub. “I’m sorry I wasn’t around to deflect the rumors. You didn’t give me a choice.”

  “I tried.” The words tore from her and punctured her pride.

  “What do you mean?” His intensity bore into her.

  He didn’t remember her letter or phone call. Because he was busy with his snow bunnies and his female agent and she was forgettable. “It doesn’t matter.”

  “Everything to do with Brianna matters.” Luke indicated the ice in the tub. “The time I spent with Brianna was worth this pain.”

  “You shouldn’t have risked getting injured.” She sounded like a girlfriend, like someone who cared. Which she didn’t. She only cared about Brianna.

  “I have rights. I really want to get to know her.” The first sentence was forceful. The second sentence was more of a plea.

  The plea struck her as if a pointed arrow. Brianna was a wonderful kid. He deserved a chance to get to know her. Except Danielle refused to let him hurt her daughter. There had to be conditions and limits.

  “We need to figure out a way for you to spend time with her without anyone realizing the reason. Especially Brianna.”

  “I want her to know the truth.” His adamant tone clanged and clashed.

  She’d need to appeal to his newborn sense of fatherliness. “She’s vulnerable and young. Now’s not the time. Plus, the gossip around town is horrible.”

  “I don’t want to expose her to wicked town gossip.” His eyes brightened and he flashed a devilish smile. “I’ve got it.”

  By his mischievous glint Danielle knew it meant trouble. She’d seen the look before in their past. The time he’d convinced her to ski the Turret line. And the time they’d snuck out of their houses to sleep in the park. And the very last night together, when he’d convinced her to make love. Not that it had taken much convincing.

  He snapped his fingers. “You and I…”

  Anxiety trembled in her tummy. Anything starting with those three words couldn’t be good.

  “You and I will pretend to date.”

  Chapter Six

  I like Brussels sprouts, too.

  You can do a four-fifty out? I couldn’t do that until I was fifteen.

  That skit on TV was hilarious.

  Danielle couldn’t take one more similarity. Their sameness blasted. Luke was being too obvious pointing out their likenesses. Brianna would figure it out soon.

  Tenseness stiffened Danielle’s muscles. Anxiety a constant shadow.

  They’d gone to lunch and were now strolling down Main Street. With the holiday shoppers it was difficult to walk three across, so Luke and Brianna were ahead and Danielle followed behind. A third wheel.

  Why had she agreed to this farce? Brianna was bound to see their similarities. Ba
d, bad, bad.

  Danielle hadn’t been given a choice. Luke had only agreed not to say anything if he could spend time with his daughter. She’d reluctantly gone along, knowing the novelty of having a child would wear off and he wouldn’t be in town very long. She’d only have to keep up the pretense for a short time.

  “Hi, Dani. Bri.” Quinn Petrov waved from in front of her dance studio. Her graceful blonde elegance would be just Luke’s type. Good thing she was engaged to Reed O’Donnell.

  “Hi, Quinn.” After hugs and hellos, Danielle reluctantly introduced Quinn to Reed. The dance teacher wasn’t a gossip like Isabel, but the fewer people who saw the pretend dating the better.

  “Reed’s mentioned your name and your injury.” Quinn’s gaze assessed his denim-covered legs. “Did you know dancing can help an injury?”

  “And your flexibility for skiing,” Bri added. That’s the reason she started taking dance classes and as her mother Danielle couldn’t be happier. Unfortunately, dancing hadn’t overtaken her daughter’s love of skiing.

  “I’m already doing physical therapy.” Luke’s thanks-but-no-thanks answer would’ve stropped most people.

  Not Quinn. “Reed’s limp has improved since starting a flexibility class. Let me get him.” She opened the door to her studio and called her fiancé’s name.

  Danielle had noticed the changes over the last few weeks. Not only was his limp less pronounced, but he was more social and fun. It was either dancing or being with Quinn.

  Reed appeared in seconds as if his limp didn’t bother him much at all. He gave Quinn a kiss before turning toward the sidewalk. “Hey Dani, Bri.” He stopped and stared, held out his hand. “Luke Logan.”

  The two men shook hands. “You look different since I ran into you at the scenic outlook several weeks ago.”

  “I am different.” Reed smiled so brightly a person needed sunglasses. He glanced at Quinn and the smile changed, became more intimate. “It’s love.”

  Danielle’s heart pattered. She remembered that feeling from oh so long ago.

  Luke stared at the ground creating an awkward silence. Clearing his throat, he shifted onto his good leg. “This woman’s trying to convince me that dancing will help my injury.”