Cole For Christmas

by Kelly Collins

  Chapter 7

  My heart spun and twirled like the cymbals in a drum line. “Cici, you look petrified.” He laid his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close to his body. The nicer he was, the more I realized what an idiot Becca had been to give him up. Who in their right mind would give up this man?

  “It’s part of my act. Shouldn’t the love interest be afraid to meet the parents?” After the kiss, everything scared me. It was a peck just like he said we’d trade, but it felt too real. Obviously, it wasn’t, but . . . Maybe he was just practicing as well?

  “Don’t stress. It’ll all be fine.” He pointed to the redheaded woman and gray-haired man that walked hand in hand down the concourse. “Here they come.” A girl version of Elias walked about two steps behind the couple. They were all smiles, but when I looked up at Elias, his smile was gone.

  Oh, great. He’s nervous now?

  His mother went straight for me. “You must be Elias’s girlfriend. I’m so glad to meet you. I wish I could say I knew everything about you, but Elias keeps everything so close to his vest.” She pulled back and took me in. “We have several days to get to know each another.” She pulled me to her and hugged me like I was a lifeline.

  “Mom, let the poor girl go. The rest of us want to meet her too,” the Elias with boobs said.

  Pulled from his mother’s arms, I was passed from relative to relative. I’d never been hugged and squeezed so much in such a short amount of time. In fact, I was even passed to strangers. An older woman squeezed my cheek and pushed me toward a man she referred to as Fritz.

  I felt Elias’s hands wrap around my waist. His chest came into tight contact against my back when he pulled me against him. I loved the feel of him holding me. His strong presence gave me strength.

  “Now that you’ve accosted her and pawed her to death, maybe I should introduce her.” He looked at the five people standing in front of us. “This is my Chloe, but she prefers to be called Cici.”

  Stuck to his chest we shuffled side by side as he made the introductions. First his mom, Maggie. The joy of seeing her son was apparent. Her eyes twinkled with the light only a proud mother could possess. Next was his dad, Clint, and finally his sister, Gretchen.

  When we got to the old woman, his mother sang out, “Surprise.” He introduced the woman as his grandmother, Izzy. Next in line was Uncle Fritz. Obviously, he wasn’t expecting them. We would be two seats short in the car, and the house was a whole other issue.

  “Definitely a surprise. Why didn’t you tell me? I could have prepared for them.” He bent and whispered something in his mother’s ear.

  “They didn’t come for presents, Elias, they came to see you and your girlfriend.” There was that word Elias and I promised not to utter, and yet his family tossed it around freely.

  We waited at baggage claim for their luggage. I had been claimed as well, not once did Elias let go of my hand. Growing up, I’d always welcomed handholding and hugs from my family. Ryan hadn’t been a very tactile man, which had always bothered me. I hadn’t realized how much I missed simple affection. Why can’t I find a man like Elias? He continues to tick so many boxes, and his frequent touches of affection make me feel cherished. How I wish it wasn’t fantasy.

  We loaded everything in the SUV and the rental car Clint had reserved and then headed toward the house. Maggie and Gretchen drove with Elias and me.

  “Cici, how did you meet my brother?” Gretchen reached forward and placed her hand on my shoulder. It was warm and friendly just like the woman who offered it.

  Shit, that was one thing Elias and I didn’t cover. I had no idea how we were going to answer the questions about our relationship. I couldn’t tell the truth. That would put us meeting five days ago. I looked at Elias hoping he would save me.

  “Cici is an interior designer. We met on a job.” His answer was man-like: short and detail free.

  Maggie was next. “I thought you said she was a chef.” Maggie leaned forward. I twisted in my seat to look in her direction.

  “Mom, you must have misunderstood. I said she was an excellent cook, but I never said she was a chef.” Elias reached over and brushed my arm with his hand. He let it rest on top of mine, silently giving me strength.

  “No, Elias, I swear you said chef because you said she was going to cook us a wonderful Christmas dinner. I know I didn’t dream it.” His mother looked at the back of his head like his brains would spill out. When she looked at me, I must have turned white. “Cici, are you okay? You look ill.”

  “Fine. I’m fine. I get a bit car sick when we drive in the mountains.” I turned around and stared out the front window wondering how on God’s green earth was I going to pull this off. I would have to cook a feast for his family, and I’d never eaten meat.

  After a barrage of questions toward Elias and me, Maggie and Gretchen started talking to one another about the ski conditions. Elias took that opportunity and made a quick call to Sara. In a hushed voice, he gave her directions on getting the spare rooms set up for unexpected guests. Including my room, there were only two guest rooms available, and I couldn’t imagine Uncle Fritz and Grandma Izzy sharing one. Someone was not going to be happy with their accommodations, and I imagined it would be me.

  When we pulled up to the house, Elias didn’t pull into the garage. I imagine he wanted his family to enter through the front door. He was proud of his house and would want to show it off properly.

  His parents oohed and aahed over the landscaping. It turned out Clint owned a landscaping company and could appreciate the simplicity of the xeriscaping of Elias’s property. There was so much I didn’t know. It was as if Elias and I had just met. Hell, we had just met, and it would be obvious to everyone if we didn’t get our stories straight.

  When Elias opened the front door, I was filled with pride. My work on the enormous tree took center stage. Everyone was drawn to it like a bug to a light. His grandmother was the first to speak.

  “That’s one fine tree you have there, my boy. Who decorated it?”

  Elias looked around the room until he found me standing behind his family. In seconds he was at my side with his hands on my shoulders. “Cici and I decorated the tree. She wouldn’t let me help with the rest of the house, but she did allow me to assist with the tree and the gift wrapping.” He brushed his lips down my cheek and nuzzled into the soft place between my shoulder and collarbone. The shiver ran from my neck to my toes.

  “Elias is a fibber. I had to beg him to wrap presents, but when he got started, I found out he was quite adept at it.” I looked from person to person. “Who should I thank for that?”

  Gretchen raised her hand. “I used to volunteer him at church for the wrapping table. We did it for donations that ran the daycare center. He pretended he hated it, but he was always good at it.”

  I stepped out of his arms—reluctantly—and walked over to Gretchen to give her a high five.

  “Let me show everyone their rooms, and then we’ll go into town. Mom has already indicated a desire to do some shopping.” Elias reached down to pick up his grandmother’s and mother’s bags and led the way. Fritz and Clint picked up Gretchen’s heavy suitcases and grumbled while they dragged them upstairs.

  I followed Elias as he showed his family their rooms. I had not seen the entire house yet. Another mistake in our planning or lack thereof. When we got to my room, my belongings were no longer present. It was like I’d never slept there.

  Elias gave me a look that begged forgiveness. “Uncle Fritz, this is your room.”

  All I wanted to know was where was I sleeping now that I’d been evicted?

  We left everyone to get settled. The plan was to meet downstairs in fifteen minutes. Elias pulled me into his room and closed the door.

  His room was enormous. A massive log bed took center stage. Like my house, his was decorated in warm hues of brown, orange, gold, and beige. “What now, Einstein?” I walked around his room, stroking the top of his dresser while I moved. “We certain
ly didn’t plan this.”

  “You can sleep in here. I’ll sleep on the floor. No one will know.” He sat in the leather chair next to the bed. “I already had Sara move your stuff into my bathroom and closet. It was the only choice I had. I’m sorry.” When I reached his bed, I climbed on top. The plush duvet was soft and warm. My fingers brushed the brown velveteen of the coverlet. Exquisite.

  “We’re out of our minds if we think we’re going to get away with this. Your mother is already suspicious. What will she think when I serve up my favorite Christmas dish, quinoa with cranberries and squash? Obviously, you haven’t noticed, but I’m a vegetarian, Elias. I’ve never eaten nor cooked a piece of flesh in my life.”

  He leaned forward and let his head fall into his hands. I’ve never seen anyone look so defeated.

  “I had no idea you didn’t eat meat. That will never work. We’re supposed to have prime rib for Christmas dinner. You ate eggs and cheese. Those are animal products.”

  “Yes, but you don’t have to kill the animal to get them. I’m a lacto-ovo-vegetarian. We’re not calling it off. You hired me, and I plan to complete my job. I won’t be another woman who lets you down.”

  “Just a second ago you said we would never pull this off, and you’re probably right. Let’s just call it off. It’s too much. It was a bad idea. I’m sorry.”

  “I’ve changed my mind.” I hopped off the bed, kneeled beside him, and looked up into his worried eyes. “Let’s try. I’ll run into the bookstore when we get to town and grab a cookbook. How hard can cooking a cow be?” I leaned my head on his knee. I couldn’t believe I was begging to cook an animal.

  I didn’t become vegetarianism by choice. I was raised one, and I’d never changed. There was no need. Now, there was a need. Elias needed me to come through for him. He told his mother his chef girlfriend would be here, and I would do my darnedest to help her show up. I did my best work under pressure.

  “You don’t need to go to extremes for me.” His hand found its way into my hair. Did he realize how intimate his touch was? When he touched me like that, I would do anything for him. I’d throw a hoedown and barbecue an entire herd if he asked.

  “Elias. Isn’t it time someone went to extremes for you? I’m not the girl who turned you down seven years ago, and I’m not Becca. I’m simply the girl who wants you to fall in love with Christmas again. So, let’s do this thing.” I used his knees to pull myself into a standing position. Then I pulled him up, next to me. It was easy to wrap my arms around his waist. I could have stayed there all day, but we had a family to fool, and I had a dinner to plan. I pried my hands from him and turned to walk to the door.

  He reached out and dragged me back. This time when his lips touched mine, it was real. His tongue probed, and I allowed him access. The kiss deepened, grew more insistent, and my body answered with a tremor of desire. His tongue dipped between my lips. He didn’t just taste me, he drank me in like his thirst couldn’t be quenched.

  We walked together until I was trapped between him and the wall. I felt his hardness press against my hip and a spark ignited between my thighs. When I reached down to stroke him, he stepped back and spun away from me. The movement was so quick it dizzied me.

  “Shit, Cici. I’m sorry. I felt . . . I felt . . . shit. Cici, I’d never take advantage of you. I’m sorry.” He paced the room in front of me, looking guilty. How was I supposed to ease his conscience when mine was feeling just as bad?

  I wasn’t sorry he kissed me, but I was grateful he stopped. I’d almost broken my set-in-granite rules. No sleeping with the boss. Maybe I’d spoken too early when I changed my mind and decided to stay. I was beginning to feel like an addict, and Elias was my much-needed fix.

  I reached up and caressed his cheek. “Elias, the kiss . . . was great, but don’t worry about it.” Actually, the kiss was exceptional. “It was just a thing that happened in the moment. We can’t let the stress of the situation get the better of us. Let’s forget about it. No harm done.” That wasn’t exactly the truth. I’d had a taste of what he had to offer, and I would always wonder what the rest would be like. All I had to say was Becca was a stupid, stupid, woman. A man who could melt your underwear with a kiss should never be overlooked.

  Everyone was waiting when we emerged from the room. They all looked at us like we had stripped and jumped each other only minutes before. I blushed under their stares. Once again Elias reached for my hand and pulled me close. He seemed to know when I was feeling insecure, and I was grateful for the offered comfort.

  Clint and Fritz decided to stay at home and check out the bar. The rest of us piled in the Range Rover and made our way down the mountain.

  Once we reached the town, Elias broke off from the group to do some last-minute shopping. I was sure he was trying to accommodate his extra guests. If there was one thing I had learned about Elias, he was generous.

  I hung out with three generations of Cole women while they went from store to store checking out everything Aspen had to offer. I browsed around and picked up a few things too. Besides the one package I left under the tree for Elias, I had nothing else for him. How in love could we be if we didn’t exchange gifts? I could wrap the lavender bath salts and put them under the tree for me. That way Elias didn’t appear inattentive. I’d just have to ask him where they were.

  When we entered Doodles, I separated from the group and went in search of a holiday cookbook. I was debating between two when Gretchen snuck up on me.

  “What are we having for dinner? Maybe I could help.” Damn it. Caught with my hand in the jar.

  “No, I just thought I’d try a new recipe or two. You know how much your brother likes to eat. He would probably enjoy something special.” I wish I knew what she was thinking, but her face was a blank slate. The girl would be unbeatable in poker.

  “You two are darling together. I’ve never seen my brother so attached. Well, not since . . .” She turned away and exhaled. “Do you know about Kimberly? It’s not my place to bring it up, but I haven’t seen him this happy since then.”

  “Don’t worry, I know she broke his heart. I promise not to do the same. Your brother and I are—”

  “Perfect for each other,” she said, finishing my sentence. I was going to say friends first, and that would never change, but she was convinced she was right and wasn’t the objective to fool them all? “That’s why we’re all here. To see for ourselves. We’ve been worried about him. He’s too kind and soft-hearted to be alone. We thought he was damaged beyond repair and then you came along and patched his heart.” She pulled the two books and me against her bosom and hugged me. “I’m glad you’re here, Cici. I’ve always wanted a sister.”

  Oh shit, shit, shit. This was going too far, too fast. I had to put the brakes on right away. “Gretchen, Elias and I are at the beginning of our relationship. I wouldn’t be marking your calendar for our wedding just yet.”

  “Got it.” She giggled and then winked at me. What the hell? Who winks these days? I felt like we just exchanged some girl code I wasn’t familiar with.

  At the register, I purchased the two cookbooks and a book on fly-fishing I thought Elias might enjoy. Next, we moved to Spindles. The natural wool store sold hand-knitted goods, including sweaters and scarves. I was drawn to a blue scarf the exact color of Elias’s sapphire eyes. Despite being cashmere, and way out of my budget, I purchased it. I could afford a small splurge with the amount he was paying me.

  We ended the afternoon at the organic grocers, a place I insisted we stop to get eggnog, oranges, and cloves. There was no reason we couldn’t imbibe while we made pomanders for the tree. Christmas was not about the presents. Sure, they were nice, but it was a time to enjoy the ones you loved, or in my case, to enjoy the ones Elias loved.

  With our arms full, we went in search of the man himself. We found him walking out of the bookstore, his arms overwhelmed with packages. I’d never seen exuberance on him before, but that was the only way to describe the delighted smile gracing
his face. The warmth of had entered his heart. He was embracing the season.

  Chapter 8

  Elias’s dad and Uncle Fritz were asleep in the La-Z-Boy recliners downstairs. They had to have been up at the crack of dawn in order to arrive here so early this morning. Maggie covered them with throws before she headed upstairs with Izzy and Gretchen to take a nap. That left Elias and me on our own.

  “They’ll be hungry when they get up,” I said as I walked into the kitchen. “What would you suggest I prepare for dinner?” I stood befuddled in front of the refrigerator. I was far from a chef, but I was confident I could whip up something edible.

  “I’ll take care of it. How about we order pizza? We can sit in front of the television and watch Christmas movies. I picked up a few today just for you.” He shut the refrigerator and pulled me against him. I wanted to separate myself, but I was a magnet, and he was apparently my metal. Our simple attraction was too much to fight. I leaned into him and rested my cheek on his chest. There was no one to watch us, this wasn’t part of the act.

  “Mr. Scrooge picked up movies. Unbelievable.” I reluctantly pulled away from his chest. “What did you get?”

  Like a kid with a good report card he took my hand and pulled me toward the great room to show off what he’d bought. He rummaged through his bags and pulled out several DVDs. Home Alone, A Christmas Carol, Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life, and A Christmas Story.

  “You got my favorites.” I was beyond excited. What thrilled me more was looking across at Elias and seeing his gorgeous face beaming. Oh, that smile was lethal. Gretchen was right. He was so generous. I wished I could bottle his goodness and his smile so I could feel and see them when this was over. I reached my arms around him and held him close. “Thank you, Elias.”

  Again, I felt his lips in my hair, and it took so much strength to not tilt my head up and taste his lips again. “You’re welcome, Chloe Lou Who.”