A Billionaire for Christmas

by Janice Maynard

  They were conversing like strangers. Or perhaps a married couple with nothing much to say.

  He sat down on the edge of the bed and took her hand. “Good morning, Phoebe.”

  Hot color flushed her cheeks and reddened her throat. “Good morning.”

  He dragged her closer for a scorching kiss. “It sure as hell is.”

  That surprised a laugh from her, and immediately he felt her relax. “Have you looked outside?” she asked.

  He shook his head. “No. Why? Did it snow?”

  She nodded. “We got three or four inches. Buford’s grandson will plow the driveway by midmorning. I know you were expecting some deliveries.”

  Shock immobilized him. It had been hours since he had checked his email on Phoebe’s phone or even sent his brother a text. Never in his adult life could he remember going so long without his electronic lifelines. Yet with Phoebe, tucked away from the world, he had gradually begun to accept the absence of technology as commonplace.

  Not that she was really rustic in her situation. She had phones and television. But beyond that, life was tech-free. He frowned, not sure he was comfortable with the knowledge that she had converted him in a matter of days. It was the sex. That’s all. He’d been pleasantly diverted. Didn’t mean he wanted to give up his usual M.O. on a permanent basis.

  Smiling to cover his unease, he released her. “I’m going to take a shower. I can play with the kid after that if you want to clean up.”

  * * *

  Phoebe watched him go, her heart troubled. Something was off, but she couldn’t pinpoint it. Maybe nothing more than a bad case of morning after.

  By the time both adults were clean and dressed, the sound of a tractor echoed in the distance. Soon the driveway was passable, and in no time at all, vehicles began arriving. A truck dealing with Leo’s satellite internet. The express delivery service with his new phone. A large moving van that somehow managed to turn and back up to the damaged cabin.

  With the felled tree completely gone now, a small army of men began carrying out everything salvageable to place into storage until the repairs were complete. Leo didn’t even linger for breakfast. He was out the door in minutes, wading into the midst of chaos…coordinating, instructing, and generally making himself indispensable. Phoebe wasn’t sure what she would have done without his help. If she had not been laden with the responsibility of Teddy, she would have managed just fine. But caring for a baby and trying to deal with the storm damage at the same time would have made things extremely difficult.

  She was amazed that she could see a difference in the baby in two weeks. He was growing so quickly and his personality seemed more evident every day. This morning he was delighting himself by blowing bubbles and babbling nonsense sounds.

  After tidying the kitchen, Phoebe picked him up out of his high chair and carried him over to the tree. “See what Leo and I did, Teddy? Isn’t it pretty?” The baby reached for an ornament, and she tucked his hand to her cheek. “I know. It isn’t fair to have so many pretty baubles and none of them for you to play with.”

  Teddy grabbed a strand of her hair that had escaped her braid and yanked. She’d been in a hurry that morning after her shower and had woven her hair in its usual style with less than her usual precision. It was beginning to be clear to her why so many young mothers had simple hairstyles. Caring for an infant didn’t leave much time for primping.

  In another half hour Teddy would be ready for a nap. Already his eyes were drooping. After last night’s excess, Phoebe might try to sneak in a few minutes of shut-eye herself. Thinking about Leo made her feel all bubbly inside. Like a sixteen-year-old about to go to prom with her latest crush.

  Even in the good days with her fiancé, sex had never been like that. Leo had devoted himself to her pleasure, proving to her again and again that she had more to give and receive. Her body felt sensitized…energized…eager to try it all over again.

  She walked the baby around the living room, humming Christmas carols, feeling happier than she had felt in a long time.

  When the knock sounded at the front door, she looked up in puzzlement. Surely Leo hadn’t locked himself out. She had made sure to leave the catch undone when he left. Before she could react, the door opened and a familiar head appeared.

  “Dana!” Phoebe eyed her sister with shock and dismay. “What’s wrong? Why are you here?”

  * * *

  Leo jogged back to the cabin. He was starving, but more than that, he wanted to see Phoebe. He didn’t want to give her time to think of a million reasons why they shouldn’t be together. When he burst through the front door, he ground to a halt, immediately aware that he had walked into a tense situation. He’d seen an unfamiliar car outside, but hadn’t paid much attention, assuming it belonged to one of the workmen.

  Phoebe’s eyes met his across the room. For a split second, he saw into her very soul. Her anguish seared him, but the moment passed, and now her expression seemed normal. She smiled at him. “You’re just in time. My sister, Dana, arrived unexpectedly. Dana, this is Leo.”

  He shook hands with the other woman and tried to analyze the dynamic that sizzled in the room. Dana was a shorter, rounder version of her sister. At the moment, she seemed exhausted and at the point of tears.

  Phoebe held Teddy on her hip. “What are you doing here, Dana? Why didn’t you let me know you were coming? I would have picked you up at the airport. You look like you haven’t slept in hours.”

  Dana plopped onto the sofa and burst into tears, her hands over her face. “I knew you would try to talk me out of it,” she sobbed. “I know it’s stupid. I’ve been on a plane for hours, and I have to be back on a flight at two. But I couldn’t spend Christmas without my baby. I thought I could, but I can’t.”

  Leo froze, realizing at once what was happening. Phoebe…dear, beautiful, strong Phoebe put whatever feelings she had aside and went to sit beside her sister. “Of course you can’t. I understand. Dry your eyes and take your son.” She handed Teddy over to his mother as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

  Leo knew it was breaking her heart.

  Dana’s face when she hugged her baby to her chest would have touched even the most hardened cynic. She kissed the top of his head, nuzzling the soft, fuzzy hair. “We found a lady in the village who speaks a little English. She’s agreed to look after him while we work.”

  Phoebe clasped her hands in her lap as if she didn’t know what to do with them. “How are things going with your father-in-law’s estate?”

  Dana made a face. “It’s a mess. Worse than we thought. So stressful. The house is chock-full of junk. We have to go through it all so we don’t miss anything valuable. I know it doesn’t make sense to take Teddy over there, but if I can just have him in the evenings and be able to see him during the day when we take breaks, I know I’ll feel so much better.”

  Phoebe nodded. “Of course you will.”

  Dana grabbed her sister’s wrist. “You don’t know how much we love you and appreciate all you’ve done for Teddy. I have an extra ticket on standby if you want to come back with me…or even in a day or two. I don’t want you to be alone at Christmas, especially because it was that time of year when you lost—” She clapped her hand over her mouth, her expression horrified. “Oh, God, honey. I’m sorry. I’m exhausted and I don’t know what I’m saying. I didn’t mean to mention it.”

  Phoebe put an arm around the frazzled woman and kissed her cheek. “Take a deep breath, Dana. Everything’s fine. I’m fine. If you’re really on such a time crunch, let’s start packing up Teddy’s things. He’ll nap in the car while you drive.”

  * * *

  Phoebe paused in the back hallway, leaning against the wall and closing her eyes. Her smile felt frozen in place. Leo wasn’t fooled. She could see his concern. But the important thing was for Dana not to
realize what her unexpected arrival had done to Phoebe’s plans for a cozy Christmas.

  In less than an hour from start to finish, Dana came and went, taking Teddy with her. The resultant silence was painful. The only baby items left behind were the high chair in the kitchen and the large pieces of furniture in Teddy’s room. Without asking, Leo took the high chair, put it in with the other stuff and shut the door. Phoebe watched him, her heart in pieces at her feet.

  When he returned, she wrapped her arms around her waist, her mood as flat as a three-day-old helium balloon. “I knew he wasn’t my baby.”

  “Of course you did.”

  Leo’s unspoken compassion took her close to an edge she didn’t want to face. “Don’t be nice to me or I may fall apart.”

  He grinned, taking her in his arms and resting his cheek on her head. “I’m very proud of you, Phoebe.”

  “For what?”

  “For being such a good sister and aunt. For not making Dana feel guilty. For doing what had to be done.”

  “I was looking forward to Christmas morning,” she whispered, her throat tight with unshed tears. “His presents are all wrapped.” She clung to Leo, feeling his warm presence like a balm to her hurting spirit.

  He squeezed her shoulders. “I have an idea to cheer you up.”

  She pulled back to look at him, only slightly embarrassed that her eyes were wet. “Having recently participated in some of your ideas, I’m listening,” she said.

  He wiped the edge of her eye with his thumb. “Get your mind out of the gutter, Ms. Kemper. I wanted to propose a trip.”

  “But you just arrived.”

  Putting a finger over her lips, he drew her to the sofa and sat down with her, tucking her close to his side. “Let me get it all out before you interrupt.”

  Phoebe nodded. “Okay.”

  “You asked me earlier about my plans for Christmas, and I had pretty much decided to stay here with you and Teddy. But I did feel a twinge of sadness and guilt to be missing some things back home. This weekend is the big Cavallo Christmas party for all our employees and their families. We have it at Luc’s house. I’d like you to go with me.”

  She opened her mouth to speak, but he shushed her. “Hear me out,” he said. “I have an older friend who retired from Cavallo ten years ago, but he likes to keep busy. So now and again when the need arises, he does jobs for me. I know he would jump at the chance to come up here and oversee your cabin renovation. I trust him implicitly. He could stay in my room if it’s okay with you. What do you think?”

  “So I’m allowed to speak now?” She punched his ribs.

  He inclined his head. “You have my permission.”

  “Where would I stay?”

  “You mean in Atlanta?”

  She nodded. “Yes.”

  “I was hoping you’d be at my place. But I can put you up at a nice hotel if you’d rather do that.”

  She scooted onto his lap, facing him, her hands on his shoulders. “But what about all my decorations and the tree?”

  He pursed his lips. “Well, we could replicate the ambience at my place. You do like decorating. But I was also thinking that maybe you and I could come back here in time for Christmas Eve. Just the two of us. I know it won’t be the same without Teddy, so if that’s a bad idea, you can say so.”

  Seventeen

  Leo held his breath, awaiting her answer. The fact that she felt comfortable enough with him to be sitting as she was reassured him. Last night a noticeable dynamic between them had shifted. She felt a part of him now. In ways he couldn’t quite explain.

  It had killed him to know she was so hurt this morning. Yet in the midst of her pain, she had handled herself beautifully, never once letting her sister realize how much Phoebe had been counting on Christmas with her nephew. By Phoebe’s own admission, this was the first time in three years she had felt like celebrating. Yet when everything seemed to be going her way, she was blindsided by disappointment and loss.

  Not a tragedy or a permanent loss, but deeply hurtful nevertheless.

  Phoebe ran her fingers across his scalp, both hands…messing up his hair deliberately. “Do I have to decide now?”

  “You mean about Christmas Eve?”

  “Yes.”

  “I think that can wait. But does that mean you’ll go with me?”

  “I suppose I’ll need a fancy dress.” She traced the outer edges of his ears, making him squirm restlessly.

  “Definitely. Is that a problem?” Holding her like this was a torment he could do without at the moment. He heard too much activity going on outside to be confident of no interruptions. When she slid a hand inside his shirt collar, he shivered. His erection was trapped uncomfortably beneath her denim-clad butt.

  “No problem at all,” she said breezily, unfastening the top two buttons of his shirt. “I have a whole closet full of nice things from my gainfully employed days.”

  “Define nice….”

  She kissed him softly, sliding her tongue into his mouth and making him crazy. “Backless,” she whispered. “Not much of a front. Slit up the leg. How does that sound?”

  He groaned. “Lord, have mercy.” He wasn’t sure if he was talking about the dress or about the way her nimble fingers were moving down his chest. “Phoebe,” he said, trying to sound more reasonable and less desperate. “Was that a yes?”

  She cupped his face in her hands, her expression suddenly sweet and intense. “Thank you, Leo. You’ve saved Christmas for me. As hard as it was to say goodbye to little Teddy, you’re the only other male of my acquaintance who could make me want to enjoy the season. So yes. I’d love to go with you to Atlanta.”

  * * *

  He had to talk fast, but he managed to convince her they should leave that afternoon. Already he was fantasizing about making love to her in his comfy king-size bed. Last night’s spontaneous lunacy had been mind-blowing, but there was something to be said for soft sheets and a firm mattress. Not to mention the fact that he wanted to wine and dine her and show her that the big city had its own appeal.

  When she finally emerged from her bedroom, he stared. Phoebe had one large suitcase, two smaller ones and a garment bag.

  He put his hands on his hips, cocking his head. “You did understand that this was a brief visit…right?”

  She was hot and flushed and wisps of hair stood out from her head like tiny signals saying, Don’t mess with me! Dumping the bags at his feet, she wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. “I want to be prepared for any eventuality.”

  He nudged the enormous bag with his toe. “The NASA astronauts weren’t this prepared,” he joked. But inside he was pleased that the sparkle was back in her eyes. “Anything else I should know about? You do know I drive a Jag.”

  Phoebe smiled sweetly. “We could take my van.”

  He shuddered theatrically. “Leo Cavallo has a reputation to uphold. No, thank you.”

  * * *

  While Phoebe went through the cabin turning off lights and putting out fresh sheets and towels, Leo studied the phone he had ordered. No point in taking it with him. He would only need it if he came back. If. Where had that thought come from? His reservation was fixed until the middle of January with a possible two-week extension.

  Simply because he and Phoebe were going to make an appearance at the Christmas party didn’t mean that his doctor and Luc were going to let him off the hook. He was painfully aware that he still hadn’t told Phoebe the truth. And the reasons were murky.

  But one thing stood out. Vanity. He didn’t want her to see him as weak or broken. It was a hell of a thing to admit. But would she think of him differently once she knew?

  * * *

  By the time the car was loaded and they had dropped off the keys at Buford’s house, Leo was starving. In blissful
disregard of the calendar date, Phoebe had packed a picnic. To eat in the car, she insisted.

  Instead of the way he had come in before, Phoebe suggested another route. “If you want to, we can take the scenic route, up over the mountains to Cherokee, North Carolina, and then we’ll drop south to Atlanta from there. The road was closed by a landslide for a long time, but they’ve reopened it.”

  “I’m game,” he said. “At least this time it will be daylight.”

  Phoebe giggled, tucking her legs into the car and waiting for him to shut the door. “You were so grumpy that night.”

  “I thought I was never going to get here. The rain and the fog and the dark. I was lucky I didn’t end up nose deep in the creek.”

  “It wasn’t that bad.”

  He shook his head, refusing to argue the point. Today’s drive, though, was the complete opposite of his introduction to Phoebe’s home turf. Sun shone down on them, warming the temperatures nicely. The winding two-lane highway cut through the quaint town of Gatlinburg and then climbed the mountain at a gentle grade. The vistas were incredible. He’d visited here once as a child, but it had been so long ago he had forgotten how peaceful the Smokies were…and how beautiful.

  The trip flew by. Part of the time they talked. At other moments, they listened to music, comparing favorite artists and arguing over the merits of country versus pop. If driving to Tennessee had initially seemed like a punishment, today was entirely the opposite. He felt unreasonably lucky and blessed to be alive.

  As they neared the city, he felt his pulse pick up. This was where he belonged. He and Luc had built something here, something good. But what if the life he knew and loved wasn’t right for Phoebe?

  Was it too soon to wonder such a thing?

  All day he had been hyperaware of her…the quick flash of her smile, her light flowery scent, the way she moved her hands when she wanted to make a point. He remained in a state of constant semi-arousal. Now that they were almost at their destination, he found himself subject to a surprising agitation.