by Cindy Kirk
“Ginny will make time for you and the twins. She—”
“--is an amazing grandmother.,” Graham interrupted. “And me, well, I’m determined the girls will have a wonderful Christmas, even if I have to work some of the time.”
“I’m confident the twins will love being here. And so will you. Just give yourself time to feel settled.” Faith’s red lips curved upward. “Trust me, you’ll discover this community embraces the Christmas spirit like no other.”
Graham took a sip of wine. “It sounds as if you speak from personal experience.”
The laugh that came from Faith’s lips reminded him of bells jingling. “I’d spent time in Holly Pointe during December as a child. My family would swoop in for several days near Christmas, but we never stayed long. I always felt the magic, embraced it. But once I moved here—”
The flush in her cheeks and the brightness in her eyes were utterly charming.
“What happened when you moved here?” he prompted.
“Let me set the stage.” Faith put down her glass and lifted both hands as if ready to paint him a visual picture. “My grandmother had pneumonia, made worse by her not seeking medical attention in a timely manner.”
Graham didn’t know Mary well, but sensed her independent spirit. He could see her brushing aside symptoms as something that would resolve on their own with time.
Steph had been like that, always healthy and able to push through any virus or bacteria that dared come her way. Which was why the issues she’d experienced during her pregnancy had been so difficult to bear.
The complications had been something that she couldn’t simply power through. Taking off time from work, though necessary, had been particularly onerous.
“—in early November.”
Graham realized with a start that while his mind had wandered, Faith had continued to speak. He refocused his attention on her.
“She was in far worse shape than anyone in the family realized.” Faith pressed her lips together. “She’d lost nearly ten pounds. Weight she didn’t have to spare. Despite the meds, she coughed continuously, which sapped her strength. During those first weeks, my goals were simple. I would make nourishing meals and see she got her rest and took her medicine as ordered.”
“You didn’t get out much.”
She chuckled and shook her head. “Not for those first weeks. Besides, going out didn’t really appeal to me. The winter that year was one of the worst on record. I swear it snowed every day.”
Graham wasn’t sure where she was going with this, but if she was trying to build a case for Holly Pointe magic, she was failing miserably. “Didn’t you go stir crazy?”
“Friends of my grandmother came to visit. Mel—my friend Melinda Kelly—and her mom, Rosie, brought amazing casseroles to tempt my grandmother’s appetite.” Faith smiled as if recalling the memory brought back pleasant feelings. “They’d stay, and we’d play cards or board games.”
He shook his head and popped another piece of fudge into his mouth. “Completely foreign to me.”
She cocked her head. “Which part?”
“Neighbors bringing food. Staying home and playing cards and board games.” He thought back to his life in the city, pre-pregnancy. “Before the twins, Steph and I were always on the go. Parties, dinners out, job functions.”
“I know that life.” She gave a little laugh. “I lived that life. It works for a lot of people. Like you, they can’t imagine different. But when I came here—”
She stopped herself, waved a hand. “I digress. By Thanksgiving, I’d settled into life in Holly Pointe. When my grandmother accused me of hovering, I started making things in the woodshop my grandpa used out back. Nothing big. Pieces of wood that I painted with inspirational messages, to start. Corny as it sounds, doing those activities soothed my soul.”
“It doesn’t sound corny.” The look on her face held a glow, and whatever peace her soul had found from the activity seemed to radiate from within. “Not at all.”
“Winter had come early that year and hit hard. There was already a foot of snow on the ground that first week in November.” A smile lifted Faith’s lips as she picked up her glass. “But by the time December rolled around, I began to see what life in Holly Pointe was all about. Even though we didn’t do the Candy Cane Christmas House that year, friends from the community decorated outside. By that time, with my assistance, my grandmother was able to go out and participate in a few community activities.”
Her eyes took on a distant glow.
“You were hooked.”
She blinked.
“On Holly Pointe,” he added.
“I was.” A shadow passed over her face. “I knew then that I wouldn’t be returning to New York. Some of it was that, despite the strides she’d made, my grandmother still needed my help. Mostly, it was that this place feels like home in a way that the city never did.”
“With your apartment lease being up, you didn’t have any loose ends to tie up.”
“Only Thomas.” Her fingers tightened around the stem of her empty wineglass. She set it down again. “I think I knew it was over when he wasn’t supportive of my coming here to help my grandmother. He was still a good guy, and we had some fun times.”
“How did he take it?” Graham kept his gaze fixed on her face.
“Better than I thought.” Her lips twisted in a wry smile. “I guess he wasn’t as into me as I thought. Which was good, I guess.”
“Do you keep in touch?”
“No.” She shook her head, as if for extra emphasis. “I believe I mentioned that he married this past summer. I’m happy for him.”
“Is that something you want for yourself?”
“Sure. Someday. With the right guy.” Her gaze drifted to the fire before returning to him. “I’d like a husband and a family. But it has to be right, you know?”
“Not just anyone will do,” he quipped.
“Absolutely not.” She slanted a glance at him. “What about you? You’re young. Do you see yourself marrying again?”
“Maybe.” He lifted one shoulder in a slight shrug. “But I have two daughters to think of. We’ll be a package deal. So—”
“Not just anyone will do.”
He lifted his glass in a mock toast. “Exactly.”
The topic moved on to inconsequential things before Faith mentioned Dustin and Krista.
“They’re having a party at their house tomorrow night. Since you’re working on their campaign, you should go.” She offered an encouraging smile. “It would give you a chance to become better acquainted.”
“Only one problem,” he said.
She arched a brow.
“I wasn’t invited.” Graham wished he’d received an invitation. The opportunity to see the couple in their natural habitat, interacting with friends, could be invaluable in helping him nail their brand.
If his attempts earlier tonight were any indication, he still didn’t have a good feel for what this power couple was all about.
“I was invited.” Faith paused. “Don’t take this wrong, but you could come as my plus-one.”
“Why would I take that wrong?”
She flushed. “I just didn’t want you to think I was proposing a date.”
“I didn’t think that.” Graham held her gaze. “Even so, what would be so wrong with a date?”
* * *
Faith had wanted to kiss Graham. When those amazing eyes settled on her, the simple look ignited a fire in her belly. It had taken all her restraint not to curl her hands into his shirt and pull him to her.
That raw need confused her. She barely knew the guy. Now, as Faith undressed in the privacy of her room, she mulled over the attraction that flared whenever he was near.
Tonight wasn’t the first time she’d found herself wondering what kissing Graham would be like.
It was best—yes, it was best—he’d excused himself to head upstairs to bed.
Was he in bed now?
Was he thinki
ng of her?
Faith told herself it was ridiculous to get moon-eyed over someone who was just visiting. A man who would soon go back to his fast-paced city life and not give her a second thought.
Still, it had been a long time since Faith had been kissed. Perhaps while Graham was here, they could enjoy each other’s company. Maybe even share a kiss.
Just as long as she didn’t forget that after Christmas, he’d be gone.
Chapter Seven
“Are we there yet?” Charlotte called from the back seat.
Graham resisted a sigh. Hadn’t he answered that very same question from her sister less than sixty seconds earlier? He reminded himself they were children and excited about the sleepover at their grandma’s house tonight. “We’re close. I’ll let you know when I see her house.”
“We get to sleep in the living room,” Hannah told him for the tenth time.
“On rafts.” Charlotte squealed the word. “Like on an ocean.”
Hannah giggled. “I hope there aren’t any sharks.”
By the excitement in the car, you’d have thought they’d be sleeping in a five-star hotel instead of spending the night on air mattresses.
“Are we there—?” Hannah began.
“The house is in sight.” Graham expelled a sigh of relief as the ranch-style home came into view.
He’d barely pulled into the driveway and shoved the car into park when the girls unbuckled their seat belts and hopped out of their boosters. They raced up the freshly shoveled walk to the front door.
“Walk,” he called out, feeling like a grinch as joyous laughter rippled back at him.
Ginny must have been waiting for them, because the door opened before the twins reached it. She hugged both girls, then spoke with them briefly before stepping to the side as they shot inside.
Ignoring the brisk wind, Graham grabbed overnight bags before strolling up the walk. The girls had disappeared, but Ginny remained at the door. When he reached her, just as she had with the girls, she wrapped her arms around him.
“Please tell me you can come in for a minute.” A hopeful look blanketed her face as she motioned him inside. “Shawn and his family aren’t back yet from the slopes, so it’s pretty calm. For the moment, anyway.”
Her smile had him setting the bags inside the door and deciding to stay for a few.
The bearded collie stood quivering behind Ginny, his large brown eyes fixed on Graham. When Graham smiled at the dog, Beau let out a woof, and the swish of his tail picked up speed.
A startled look flitted across Ginny’s face as if she’d forgotten about the animal. She fixed her gaze on the animal. “Beau. Find the girls.”
After a momentary hesitation, the dog turned to jog down the hall.
“I’m trying out a new recipe—Nutella hot chocolate.” Ginny’s tone turned persuasive. “Will you join me for a cup if I promise to keep Beau at bay?”
“I like dogs,” he hastened to assure her. “The only reason Steph and I didn’t have one was because—”
“You were both so busy.”
Graham nodded. As he followed her to the kitchen, he let the warmth and tantalizing smells of chocolate and freshly baked bread wrap around him. “I told Steph once that your house always feels like a home.”
“Thank you. That means so much.” Tears sprang to Ginny’s eyes, but she blinked them back. “How about that cup of cocoa?”
“Sounds good. I—”
“Gramma.” Charlotte burst into the kitchen, followed by Beau and Hannah. “We found the prize.”
Graham lifted a brow. “Prize?”
“Gramma sent us on a scav-ger hunt,” Charlotte explained.
“She gave us a clue.” Hannah lifted a single finger. “But just one.”
“The dolls were under a blanket,” Charlotte announced proudly. “But we found them.”
For the first time, Graham noticed a small doll clutched in each girl’s hand.
“When I saw the hair sticking out from under the blanket, I screamed.” Hannah opened her mouth and emitted an ear-splitting shriek.
“I did, too.” Apparently determined not to be outdone, Charlotte opened her mouth.
Graham held up a staying hand. “I get the picture.”
“I’m glad you found the dolls.” Ginny reached over and gently stroked Hannah’s hair. “Your mother loved surprises. She’d have screamed, too.”
Charlotte motioned to her sister. “Let’s put them on the rafts.”
Hannah’s eyes brightened. “They can float on the ocean with us.”
“The sofa can be an island.” Charlotte’s voice rose as she grabbed her sister’s hand.
Their excited chatter lingered even after they disappeared into the other room.
“They’re lovely girls, Graham.” Ginny moved to a slow cooker that emitted the rich scent of chocolate. “You’re doing a fine job raising them.”
Her approval meant a lot, though Graham wasn’t sure the praise was deserved. “Tiffany spends more time with them than I do.”
The realization brought a heaviness to his chest.
“Tiffany is a wonderful woman and an exceptional nanny,” Ginny said diplomatically as she added a dollop of whipped topping to the cups of cocoa. “But—”
“But…” Graham prompted when she didn’t continue.
“But you’re their father. They need your guidance and love most of all.” Ginny took a seat opposite him at the table. “Trust me. Your years with the twins will go by in a heartbeat.”
Graham wrapped his fingers around the mug and let the warmth seep into his hands. “I plan on making changes.”
The slower pace of Holly Pointe, and the lack of outside distractions, had given Graham time to assess not only his professional life but his personal one as well.
“Tonight is a good first step.”
The cryptic comment had him frowning. “Tonight?”
“Going on a date.” Ginny brought the ceramic mug that boasted World’s Best Grandmother on the side to her lips.
“It isn’t a date,” he protested, then stopped himself from saying more. He didn’t want Ginny to think he was dissing Faith.
Graham liked Faith. He had fun with her. He had no doubt this would be an enjoyable evening.
“Why isn’t it?”
Pulling his attention back to Ginny, Graham realized his mind had wandered. “Pardon?”
“Why isn’t going to a party with Faith a date?” Puzzlement filled Ginny’s blue eyes. “Don’t you like her?”
“Of course I like her. We’re friends.” Though he hadn’t known Faith long, she was a wonderful woman. Quirky, sure, but she had a good heart. “She asked me to attend the party with her so I can get to know Dustin and Krista better.”
Graham saw no need to mention the attraction that hovered in the air whenever he was with Faith. Shifting under Ginny’s intense scrutiny, Graham tried for casual. “Faith is a wonderful woman with many fine qualities.”
Ginny’s lips curved as she lifted her cup of cocoa. “You know, it’s okay for you to date a wonderful woman with many fine qualities.”
“It’s not a date,” Graham insisted.
“If you say so.” Ginny lifted one shoulder in a slight shrug. “I hope you have fun tonight with this lovely woman who isn’t your date.”
The impish gleam in her eyes had him shaking his head. “Ginny…”
“Graham.” She placed her warm hand over his. “Faith is an excellent choice for a friend. All I’m saying is you deserve to have fun. You deserve friends, and I believe one thing we can both agree on is you couldn’t find a better friend than Faith.”
* * *
“The road looks treacherous.” Graham glanced out the window as Faith navigated their way up the winding mountain road.
He’d offered to drive, but since she knew the way and had a four-wheel-drive vehicle, it made sense for him to go with her. Besides, wasn’t that what he was doing tonight? Going with her as her plus-one?
> “Mountain roads can be bad, though the crews do a good job of maintaining them. Dustin and Krista pay Derek to keep the roads leading to their house clear.” Even as she spoke, Faith kept her attention firmly fixed on the road ahead.
The car slid slightly, and Graham glanced at Faith.
“Just an ice patch.” Her fingers might have tightened ever-so-slightly around the steering wheel, but her voice remained calm and reassuring.
“Not worried at all,” he lied. “I know I’m in excellent hands.”
A dimple he hadn’t even known she possessed winked in her right cheek.
A comfortable silence filled the car. As Faith needed to focus on the road, Graham didn’t fill the silence with inane chatter.
He still couldn’t believe he was going out on a non-date in his late wife’s hometown. Faith had told him that the event was casual, that there would likely be people there wearing ski sweaters and denim.
Graham had settled for dark pants and a sweater. Faith, on the other hand, wore a dress. This one didn’t have reindeer on it, but was covered in multiple Santa faces. Some might consider the pattern quirky, but on her, it struck Graham as, well, cute. Her hair was pulled back into a twisty, messy knot and secured with two red chopsticks.
He liked the look, just as he liked her. She was fresh and genuine and fun to be around. She had her own unique style, and he found her sense of independence and seeming ease with everyone incredibly sexy.
She was a breath of fresh drama-free air.
Last night, he’d been tempted to kiss her. Seriously tempted. He’d heeded the warning bells telling him to take a step back. Still, as Ginny had said, there was no reason he and Faith couldn’t enjoy each other’s company while he was in Holly Pointe.
The paved lot beside the large log home was filled with cars by the time they arrived. Faith found a spot between two massive 4x4 trucks that looked as if they could bench-press a ton.
He took her arm as they made their way to the brightly lit home. It struck Graham that’s how he saw the place. Not as a house, but as a home.
From the massive front porch, which he could envision festooned with flowers in the summer, to the large evergreen wreath on the door and the lace curtains at the windows, it all said welcome home.