Delighted with a gift he’d chosen? Garrett groaned. Nothing like a little pressure.
***
Angelique held up two dresses and studied her reflection in the mirror. Indecision was not a natural state of being for her but she was beyond torn about what to wear to the tree trimming party. She cocked her head to the side and held the one shoulder silver lame mini-dress aside to focus on the same style in gold. No. She tried the silver again. Better. She sighed.
A quick glance at the clock confirmed that Garrett would be arriving shortly to escort her to the evening’s festivities. The idea of seeing him again set her heart racing. Which was crazy, her mind should be on the party. Or the North Pole. On anything but the man Santa was forcing to spend time with her.
The day before, she’d all but begged Mrs. Claus to let Garrett off the hook but Santa’s wife wouldn’t hear of it. ‘Angelique, dear,’ she’d said, ‘there must be some reason that my husband wants you two to spend this time together’. She’d then turned back to playing hostess, the subject obviously closed. And that, Angelique decided, was that. She’d tried.
Once dressed, she wound her hair up into a French twist and slipped in several pearl accented pins to hold it in place. She decided to forgo all jewelry except for a Christmas themed silver charm bracelet. A pair of silver pumps completed her outfit. Hopefully this met the North Pole’s definition of formal attire.
She’d just swiped a dash of red lipstick across her lips when she heard a knock at the cottage door. Catching her eye in the mirror, she gave herself a stern warning. Calm down. Act natural. Or at least do a brilliant job of hiding the fact that you can’t seem to think of anything or anyone aside from Garrett.
“Good evening,” she greeted him as she opened the door. “Thank you for coming-” but the sight of Garrett McCree in formal Highland attire arrested her speech. She considered herself fortunate that she was still able to breathe.
“Might I come in?”
Angelique stepped back and waved him in. “Of course, I’m sorry. You caught me off guard.”
He frowned. “Didn’t Mrs. Claus mention I would be fetching you?”
Angelique shut the door behind him but didn’t hurry while fastening the lock. She needed a moment to compose herself. Good heavens, who knew what a kilt, a black bow tie, and a Prince Charlie jacket could do to a man? She schooled her features and turned to face Garrett. “Yes, Mrs. Claus told me. Thank you for agreeing.”
He had the good grace to look a bit sheepish. Angelique gave him credit for that. It took the sting out of his all but running away from her.
“About that,” he cleared his throat. “I owe you an apology.”
Angelique moved past him. “You don’t need to say a word. Let’s forget it.” She picked up an emerald green velvet cloak and slipped into it over her shoulders. She took a step toward the door but Garrett didn’t move. She looked up at him. “I’m ready to go.”
“I’m not. Not until you allow me to apologize.”
“No apology is necessary, Garrett.”
“Aye, it is.”
His voice was low. Rich. Sincere. Angelique worried that her knees weren’t up for the job of keeping her standing upright. She’d never met a man, ever, anywhere, who had this effect on her. “I’m listening.”
“I was wrong to so abruptly leave you, and for that I apologize.” He laid a hand over his heart. “I’d never shared anything so personal with anyone before and my feelings caught me off guard.”
“I understand, Garrett. Apology accepted.” Angelique reluctantly tore her gaze from his and looked pointedly at the clock. “Perhaps we should leave.” Now who was running away?
“In a moment.” Garrett reached out to fasten her cape’s single jeweled button. “You look beautiful tonight.”
“Thank you.” One more compliment delivered with that sexy brogue and she was going to melt. “You look rather dashing yourself. Is that the McCree tartan you’re wearing?”
He shook his head. “No, it’s the Royal Stewart.”
Angelique raised her eyebrows. “I thought Scots wore their own family tartan?”
“Aye, they usually do. But seeing as how my own family was a bit dodgy, I decided to adopt this tartan in honor of a Mrs. Stewart I once knew. She was very kind.”
“Who was she?”
Garrett studied the floor for a moment before he looked up and answered her question. “You really want to hear this?”
Angelique nodded. “I do.”
“Mrs. Stewart was the nurse who set my broken arm after my father pushed me down the stairs the night he was arrested.”
His words came out in such a tumble that Angelique had to replay them in her mind to make sure she had them straight. “Oh. I see.” Her mind raced for the appropriate words to say but she couldn’t find any suitable for such heartbreak. “I’m sorry.”
Garrett shrugged. “It was all a long time ago. Somewhere along the line I learned that we can choose our future, even choose who we want to be.”
Angelique nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She sensed that the man in front of her didn’t want her sympathy, or anyone’s sympathy for that matter, which somehow made it all the more sad.
“I have something for you.” Garrett reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a long black velvet jeweler’s box. “It’s a wee present.”
Touched, Angelique smiled up at him. “You shouldn’t have.”
He held it out to her. “Open it.”
Angelique’s fingers trembled slightly as she flipped open the lid. Her eyes widened when she saw what lay nestled against the velvet. Incredulous, she lifted her gaze to stare at Garrett.
He smiled brightly. “Surprised you, did I?”
She nodded. “You certainly did. I hardly know what to say. No one has ever given me cash before.” She looked back down at the stack of twenty dollar bills in the box. “I don’t know what to say.”
“No need to say anything.” He held out his arm for her to take. “Shall we go?”
The last thing Angelique wanted to do was go anywhere. What she really wanted to do was kick off her heels and crawl into bed for a good cry. Fortunately, good old-fashioned stubborn pride came to her rescue. She laid the velvet box on the table by the door and slipped her arm through Garrett’s. Once outside, Angelique was grateful for the biting cold. Anyone who saw her would think it was the reason for the unshed tears in her eyes.
***
"He gave her what?” Jolly stared at Rapz, hoping against hope that she’d misunderstood.
“Cash.”
“Poor Angelique.”
Rapz grinned. “She’s not so poor now. Our Mr. McCree was right generous.”
Jolly couldn’t help herself. She reached out and cuffed Rapz’s left ear. “And who is the fool who suggested such a stupid gift idea to Mr. McCree?”
Rapz took a step backward, his frown belligerent. “It wasn’t stupid. It was inspired.”
Jolly’s eyes scanned the crowded room but she didn’t see sign of either Garrett or Angelique. If they’d arrived at the party, their height would have made them easy to spot. She turned back to Rapz. “What on earth made you think cash was a good choice?” she asked through clenched teeth.
“Garrett said Angelique likes to shop. Down below you need cash to shop. Ergo cash is the perfect gift choice.”
“Oh, Rapz. At best, you are clueless.” Jolly shook her head in disgust. “Mr. McCree should have known better though. Did either of you think to clear your choice with Santa?”
Rapz took a sudden interest in a spot on the floor. His answer was a shrug.
“I didn’t think so.” Jolly’s only hope was that Angelique was a good sport and would find the whole thing amusing. She glared at Rapz. “Don’t you have someplace to be? Isn’t there something you’re supposed to be doing?”
Rapz’s face brightened and he snapped his fingers. “Right. The mistletoe. I’d better get that in place before the happy couple gets h
ere.”
Chapter Four
Socializing didn’t come easily to Garrett but as he entered the Christmas Central ballroom he was ready to enjoy the evening. The evergreen scent of the twenty foot tall pine tree in the center of the room permeated the air. String upon string of white fairy lights lit the room and it seemed as every single elf was in attendance. He was delighted to see that the musicians playing for the crowd were his favorite elfin led Big Band group. He paused just inside the entrance and glanced down at his companion. She’d not spoken a word on the way from her cottage. Perhaps it was the cold. After all, the lass wasn’t used to the Arctic chill. “So what do you think?”
Angelique surveyed the room. A small smile tugged at her lips. “It’s lovely. Enchanting, actually.”
“Shall I take your wrap?” Garrett watched as she slipped out of it. She certainly had a graceful way about her. He deposited her velvet cloak with the hat check elf and made his way back to where Angelique stood. She looked an absolute vision in silver, it suited her dark hair. Had he complimented her on her appearance? He couldn’t remember. Ach, the woman left him feeling like a tongue-tied teenager on a first date. “Would you like to see the tree?” he finally managed to ask.
She nodded. “Very much so.”
Garrett led her through the throngs of elves. It seemed as if every last elf had turned out for the party, and it also seemed as if the same number wanted to stop Angelique and chat with her as she passed them by. The woman was amazing, he decided. She had a kind word for everyone, she appeared genuinely interested in every conversation, however brief, and she was a genius at remembering names. He admired her élan.
They sipped champagne, sampled an international array of hors d’oeuvres, and socialized for well over two hours. Garrett tried to ignore his growing impatience. He wanted a moment alone with Angelique. Despite her gracious manner, he sensed something was wrong. When at last they had made their way across the room, Garrett put a gentle hand on Angelique’s lower back and guided her toward the tree. “Magnificent, isn’t it?”
“That’s the right word for it,” she replied. “I’ve never seen anything lovelier.” She tipped her head back so she could see the top. “How on earth do the elves decorate it?”
“Look over there in the corner,” Garrett pointed to a contraption covered in red tinsel. “I invented a mobile platform that the elves could use to reach any height. They’re enthusiastic decorators so it’s come in handy.” He took her hand and led her to a table covered in an array of ornaments. “Why don’t you pick a few and we can hang them.”
He waited patiently while Angelique took her time making a selection. She handed him her choices; a crystal snowflake, a replica of a snowmobile, and a miniature red sleigh. He smiled. “Lovely choices.”
“It’s been a lovely couple of days,” she said, her voice so soft he had to lean in to hear her. “At least for the most part.”
“Angelique, about that-” but his next words were interrupted by the arrival of Rapz, Jolly and Tinsel. He frowned at them but they ignored the hint and smiled broadly.
“Are you two ready to put those up on the tree?” Jolly asked.
Angelique looked at the tree. “There’s no chance we can reach that bare spot up there.” She pointed to the perfect place for the three ornaments she’d selected. “Oh, unless you want to take them up for us?”
“Not a chance,” Rapz said. “You two go up.” Without waiting for an answer, he and Tinsel headed for the corner and rolled the mobile platform back over to them. Rapz held out his hand to Angelique. “On you go. Ladies first.”
Her shocked expression made Garrett laugh. “Go on, lass. After all, it’s a once in a life-time experience.”
Angelique raised her eyebrows. “Have you been up on this contraption before, Garrett?”
He shrugged. “Not exactly.”
“Then you’re coming with me.” She grabbed ahold of his hand and stepped up onto the platform. “Come on.”
He stared up at her for only a second before he joined her.
“Stand closer together,” Jolly ordered them. “Mr. McCree, wrap your arm around Angelique’s waist to steady her. That’s right, good. Now stay still.” She motioned for Tinsel to throw the switch.
Garrett tightened his hold on Angelique as the platform lurched and then began to move upward. They were standing close enough that he could smell the peppermint scent of her shampoo. “You okay?”
Angelique turned her head and looked up over her shoulder at him. Garrett’s breath caught in his throat and his heart began to hammer in his chest. And he knew without a doubt that it wasn’t because they were hovering twenty feet in the air with only each to hold onto for support.
“I’m fine,” Angelique said, “as long as I don’t look down.”
“The only thing down there are eight hundred plus elves who are all staring up at us.” He decided a bit of levity to take her mind off their ascent wouldn’t go amiss. “Heaven knows how many are trying to stare up your skirt.”
“Mine?” She grinned. “I’m sure many of the lady elves are trying to look up yours.”
“It’s a kilt, not a skirt, for cryin’ out loud,” he protested, until he realized that she was teasing him. Good grief, was he blushing? He hurried to change the subject. “We’re close enough now that you can hang your ornaments.” He tightened his hold on her. “Steady on, lass. You lean in and fasten these to the tree and I’ll hold on to you.”
She took a deep, steadying breath and then nodded. “Don’t let go of me, Garrett.”
Never willingly, he thought.
Once the ornaments were on the tree, and Angelique had leaned back against him, the platform began to move. At first it began to lower but then the movement shifted horizontally and they were moving to the side instead of down. Garrett opened his mouth to call out to Tinsel but the elves below broke into a spontaneous applause that would easily drown out his ability to be heard. “What on earth are they doing?”
Angelique leaned forward just enough to see around him. She shook her head, amusement plain on her face. “Oh, Garrett, they’ve set us up.”
Carefully he turned in the direction she’d just looked. His eyes widened. Mistletoe.
“Ach, no. I’m sorry, Angelique, I had no idea they’d all go daft at the same time.” He couldn’t make himself look into her eyes, he was too embarrassed. What if she thought he had set this up? He’d wring Rapz and Tinsel’s fool necks when he finally got down. “Don’t feel that you have to-”
Angelique twisted in his arms so that she was facing him. She lifted a finger to his lips, quite effectively cutting off his protests. “Garrett McCree, we’re outnumbered.” Her smile was mischievous. “There’s nothing for it. You’re going to have to kiss me.”
***
“Come away from that window, Jolly.” Angelique cradled a steaming coffee mug in her hands and frowned at the elf. “You’re making me nervous.”
Jolly turned and grinned. “Are you sure it’s me making you nervous, or is it the prospect of seeing your handsome Scot this morning?”
Angelique sat on the edge of an overstuffed chair. “He’s not my Scot.”
Jolly wagged a finger in Angelique’s direction. “You think he’s handsome, though. Admit it.”
“I’ll give you that,” Angelique conceded. “But handsome men are a dime a dozen so that makes Garrett McCree the same as any other man in my eyes.”
“Okay, if you say so.” Jolly’s sing song tone indicated her disbelief. “Shouldn’t he be here soon?”
Angelique glanced at the clock. “Yes, he should. But I wish you’d called someone else to help me today. I feel…well, I’m not sure how I feel about seeing Garrett today.” Technically this was a lie, she knew quite well how she felt. Excited. Nervous. Embarrassed, especially about their kiss last night. She’d never thought Garrett would do more than give her a quick kiss on the cheek; that would have been enough to satisfy the mistletoe requirement. But i
nstead he’d pulled her even closer than they’d already been standing and gave her a proper kiss. A real kiss. A kiss that not only left her knees weak but it also left her unable to string together two coherent words. She hadn’t been able to look Garrett in the eye for the remainder of the evening.
“Thinking about the kiss, are we?” Jolly’s tone of voice matched her moniker.
Angelique set her coffee mug on the table with a little more force than was strictly necessary. “No. Enough talking about last night, and definitely enough waiting around for Garrett.” She stood and grabbed her jacket. “Let’s go. We can do this ourselves.”
The ‘this’ she referred to was the Secret Santa delivery of the gifts she’d brought from down below.
“All of them?” Jolly eyed the stacks of gifts with trepidation. “How, precisely, do you propose we haul the lot of them up to the main building? No offense, but you’re not built like an ox and I’m not even four feet tall. I think we should wait for Mr. McCree.”
Angelique slipped her gloves on. “Nonsense, we can handle this. If we can find a sled we can just make a few trips-” she paused at the sight of Jolly’s horrified expression. “Look, Jolly, after last night, I don’t blame Garrett for not wanting anything to do with me. I put the poor man on the spot, and he’s so shy, he must be mortified.”
Jolly laughed so hard she clutched at her stomach and tears streamed down her face. “Oh, yes,” she managed to say as her laughter subsided, “We all saw how you got his head in a vice grip. Yes, Ma’am, we were worried about his safety there for a while, what with how you latched onto his lips like that.”
Angelique made a face. “Very funny. Now are we going to do this or not?”
With a dramatic sigh, Jolly buttoned her jacket. “Okay, okay. Let’s do it.” She clapped her hands at the same moment there was a knock at the door.
Angelique froze. Before she could think of a reason to not answer, Jolly had the door wide open. A flurry of snowflakes blew Garrett McCree into the cottage.
The North Pole Prize: A Christmas Romantic Comedy Short Story Page 3