Holiday with You

by Claudia Burgoa

  “The Grant family.”

  She hesitates, running her finger along the spines, and I’m almost positive her shoulders stiffen. But they relax before I can be certain.

  “I’m not familiar with them. And I’ve been here all my life.”

  Is she dodging me? I find it unbelievable that no one around here seems to know anything about the owner of the B&B. I don't know anything about her because other members of the Capell-Stanley Hotels team handled the research. And it was shoddy at best. I’d barely had time for my own search on the internet, much less to look at the few files Aurora had given me. That’s why I’d decided to go the old-fashioned route by looking at the library.

  “Specifically Anna Beth Grant.”

  This time I watch carefully for any signs she recognizes the name. Nothing.

  “Don’t know her either.” She peruses the shelves for a moment before she stops and hefts one of the massive volumes onto the table. “If who you’re looking for is in one of these books, it would be this one.” She taps the top.

  “Thank you.” I make myself at home in one of the chairs and slide the book toward me.

  “Are you sure you aren’t more interested in the Bradfords?” She winks. “I know men aren’t as concerned with fashion as we are, but when he left the B&B this morning, he was definitely wearing the same clothes as he was wearing yesterday.”

  My eyes round and the coffee in my stomach goes sour. I’m used to coming and going as I please with no one even looking up. Guess it’s a different story here.

  “Why do you think my desk is by the front window? I know everything in here.” She waves her hand around the space. “Being nosy about what’s out there is more interesting.”

  I drop my jaw and quickly close it. “I-I…” Words fail me.

  She grins, and I wish I had the covers to pull over my head again.

  “See.” She points behind me. “Out the window is a much better view.”

  I’m a little scared to turn around but do it anyway.

  And she’s totally right.

  Colin is definitely wearing different clothes than this morning. He’s smiling so big I’m pretty sure his face might split in two.

  And then I see why.

  He’s holding hands with a little girl who could be his mini-me. She skips ahead as far as their linked hands will allow and looks like she’s taunting him.

  He scoops her up and twirls her around. I wish the window was open so I could hear their laughter.

  Now his big hurry to exit makes more sense.

  He had someone to get home to.

  Chapter Eight

  Audrey

  The library was a bust.

  No one with the last name of Grant had been a part of Winter Valley’s history since they’d started recording it. In 1842.

  Or at least it wasn’t in the books I’d been searching.

  So I decide to check on my rental at Morgan’s Auto Repair & Body Shop. Might as well get something accomplished today.

  I’ve failed at finding Anna Beth Grant so far. She’s a ghost in the town history books and on the internet. My way out of here is the next most important thing.

  “Hello, Unicorn.” Morgan leans against the counter of his shop, holding a white Styrofoam cup.

  “Why aren’t you working on my car?”

  From the looks of it, he’s been on break all morning.

  “You brought the nickname on yourself, you know.” He takes a casual sip of the steaming liquid, ignoring my question. “Want some cocoa?”

  Heck yeah, I want some. But that cup terrifies me. That’s the dirty dishwater coffee type of cup. And if he’s as good at making hot chocolate as his brother is at instant coffee . . . no thank you.

  “I’ll pass. Thanks.” I take off my mittens and shove them in my coat pockets. “Any word on when my rental will be ready? Like today maybe?” I use my marshmallow sweet voice in an attempt to get what I want.

  “What’s your hurry? I thought you were looking for—what’s her name again?” He breaks off a bit of sugar cookie frosted with green icing.

  How is he not bouncing off the walls?

  “I thought the cookies weren’t until three,” I say, now craving hot chocolate and cookies.

  “They are at the B&B. But here, it’s cookies all day.”

  I want to wipe the smirk off his face, but instead, I swipe an angel cookie out of the box. He should put those words on a neon sign and hang it in his window. Cookies all day.

  “Hey. I offered you hot chocolate, not my cookies.” He half-heartedly attempts to grab it before he sulks. “Becky made those for me.”

  “I’m sure she wanted you to share. Holiday spirit and all,” I say around a mouthful of sugary sweetness.

  “What’s the problem here?”

  I freeze mid-bite at the sound of that voice.

  I’m going to taste every inch of you.

  I shiver at the reminder of his words last night and how he fulfilled that promise.

  “Where’s Squirrel?” Morgan asks, craning his neck.

  I can’t turn around.

  I’m not ready to face the man who was naked in my bed only a few short hours ago.

  “At school.”

  The hint of a tease winds its way through me. That urge to burrow into him comes back with a vengeance. He’s warmth and fun. And he gives good forehead kisses.

  “Are you avoiding me, Unicorn?”

  I chew harder as I spin around. “Why does everyone keep calling me that?”

  I should’ve kept my back to him. His dark hair is just like it was this morning. Only this time, my fingers didn’t do the damage. His toboggan did. What a shame.

  “I told you that you brought it on yourself,” Morgan chimes in.

  If I hadn’t stolen one of his cookies, he’d be in big trouble. But the sugar helps.

  “Where’s your onesie today?”

  The irritation bubbling to the surface instantly simmers when Colin flashes me that cocky grin.

  “If your brother doesn’t fix my car soon, it’ll be back in the rotation again.” Oh, crap. My lost luggage. I need to call the airline. Just add another thing to my to-do list.

  “I’m looking forward to that.”

  You are?

  Even though I’m pretty sure I know the reason he jetted off this morning, there’s still the sting of rejection that it might have had more to do with me.

  “She was just telling me about her search for that mystery woman,” Morgan says, wiping his hands on his coveralls.

  I scowl. “It’s going nowhere. Fast.”

  And if something doesn’t give soon, I’m going to be unemployed, likely with a broom shoved up my behind courtesy of Aurora.

  Colin moves beside me and mirrors his brother’s position. His proximity shoots flames through me. Step away, Audrey. Instead, I inch closer.

  Gah. He smells so good. Like the outdoors or winter or I don’t know what.

  “What’s the problem?” he asks, and for a second, I think he can solve all my issues. If he finds Anna Beth Grant, I’ll kiss him. Again.

  Not that it would be a hardship.

  “It’s like this woman doesn’t exist. She’s on that deed, but I went to the library—”

  “You met Mrs. Pollard? She knows everybody. And she’s been here since time began,” Morgan says.

  Not everybody.

  Colin cuts his eyes over to his brother in a shut it look. “She couldn’t help you?” he asks with infinite patience.

  I find myself wanting to dump the whole story on him. Instead, I give him the condensed version. “No. She pointed me in the right direction with the genealogy books, but there’s no one with the last name Grant.” I throw my hands up. “It’s like she doesn’t exist.”

  “Maybe she doesn’t,” he says quietly.

  I narrow my gaze. “She has to. She owns Winter Valley Bed & Breakfast.”

  “Psycho” blares from my pocket. I bang my head against Colin�
�s chest without thinking.

  He rubs my back, and all I want to do is go to bed with him again. Maybe this time with more snuggling.

  “Are you gonna answer that?” Morgan asks.

  I groan and swipe the screen.

  “Where is the contract?” Aurora asks before I even get a hello out.

  “I haven’t been able to locate—”

  “Remind me why I have you on staff?”

  I keep asking myself the same question. I enjoy my job, but I despise my boss. And I don’t dislike anything. Except mayonnaise. And olives. Ick.

  “No one knows—”

  “I want that B&B by tomorrow.”

  Well, I want shampoo commercial-perfect hair, but it’s just not in the cards, is it?

  “I—” Three tones sound in my ear. Thank you, Jesus. She’s gone. For now.

  “What’s wrong?” A strong hand continues to rub a soothing circle on my back.

  “If I don’t get the bed and breakfast under contract by tomorrow, I’m ninety-nine point nine percent sure I’ll be fired.”

  Colin flashes me a sympathetic look. “I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

  “Please. Someone has to know something about who owns it. Just give me a hint,” I beg.

  He and Morgan exchange another glance. They’re hiding something. But why?

  I step out of Colin’s hold. “I need my car by Friday. Either I’ll have the B&B secured, or I’ll be jobless and need to go home.”

  Morgan shrugs. “Sorry, Unicorn. No can do. Your insurance won’t cut the check this week. And I can’t get the parts anyway. You’re stuck here until New Year’s.”

  Chapter Nine

  Audrey

  Dammit. Fiddlesticks. And black licorice.

  I stomp up the front porch of Winter Valley Bed & Breakfast. This winter wonderland is messing with my mind. I can’t even curse without feeling guilty.

  I hit the top step with extra force, and my boot skids on the slick surface.

  “Cruuuud!”

  My arms windmill in a feeble attempt to keep my balance as both feet come off the steps. I sail backward in what feels like slow motion until I land on the sidewalk, back at the bottom of the steps.

  Thank goodness there were only three.

  I do a quick check to make sure no one saw. A perk of a small, sleepy town is I can embarrass myself without a witness.

  “You okay?” Colin jogs over.

  Morgan stands in the doorway of his garage, doubled over in laughter. I start to shoot him the bird but think better of it. Just in case Santa is watching.

  My face flames. I wince as I get to my feet and dust off my behind.

  The curtains fall shut in the front window of the B&B, and Colt comes out with his hand over his mouth.

  “Really polite,” I say, though now I’m trying not to laugh. “And yes, I’m fine.”

  Then I burst into giggles. My butt is wet with snow. I made a fool of myself with an audience of the most gorgeous men I’ve ever laid eyes on. But I bet if I’d have seen myself fall, I’d have laughed too.

  Colin offers me an arm to steady myself. “We’ve all done it. That one”—he points at Morgan— “busted his ass last week.”

  He waves, still laughing, oblivious that now I’m cackling at his expense.

  “Wh-what about y-you?” I ask between laughs.

  That shade of red I love so much on him tints his cheeks. He pulls his toboggan down over his ears. “Um. Yesterday. At a job site. I knocked over a sawhorse.”

  I knew he was good with his hands.

  I grip his arm to keep from falling over because I’m laughing so hard.

  He joins in, and the sound is all rumbly and deep. I don’t want it to stop.

  “You cool?” Colt asks, offering me a hand when we finally settle down.

  “I’m good.”

  “Then I’m going to take off.” He plods down the steps without incident and disappears across the town square.

  “I can’t in good conscience let you attempt this again without help,” Colin says.

  “I’ve got it.” My stubborn I am woman streak rears her head.

  I grip the snow-covered railing with both hands. My mittens soak through, but I don’t care. These steps will not get the best of me.

  As I lift my leg for the final step, I’m a little nervous. I don’t want a repeat of what happened before . . . obviously. It’s not like Colin hasn’t already seen gravity and me go to war, but I’d rather not have a do-over.

  Relief courses through me when both feet are on the porch, though I hang on to the railing as if it’s the only thing holding me up.

  Colin is right behind me. His hands are there to catch me if I fall but don’t touch me. It’s as if he knows I need to do this on my own. I wonder if his intuition comes from being a father.

  Or is he a dad? The little girl could’ve been his niece. I’m desperate to know but decide I shouldn’t be nosy, especially when I won’t be around much longer. If he wanted me to know about her, he’d have mentioned it.

  “I made it,” I say, a little breathlessly when we reach the front door.

  “Safe and sound.”

  “Safe and sound,” I repeat because well, I can’t think of anything else to say.

  We’re quiet for a minute. Snow falls in big flakes, and it reminds me again of a snow globe that’s been shaken.

  I’m not wild about the cold temperatures, but I’ve been missing this in my life. Not just the weather but the small-town atmosphere.

  “Let this Anna Beth Grant thing go.” He lifts a hand like he wants to touch me but drops it when he thinks better of it.

  In all the excitement, I’d almost forgotten about her and Aurora and my wrecked rental car. It had been good to laugh, even at my own expense. When was the last time I’d done that?

  “I can’t.”

  I want to. I want to tell Aurora to find the woman herself if she wants the bed and breakfast so badly. But I have my pride, and I revel in my work ethic. If I don’t have that, what do I have?

  He gives a quick nod before opening the door. “We can’t have a unicorn turning into a popsicle.”

  Disappointment hits me at the same time as the heat from the indoors does. “Unicorns aren’t as fragile as you think.”

  He runs his knuckles down my cheek. “I don’t think unicorns are fragile at all.”

  I stand in the doorway as he trots down the street. What is it about that man that settles me and makes me crazy all at once?

  I wander into the dining area, but no afternoon refreshments are anywhere to be found.

  Maybe I don’t know how to fix my own problems, but I know what to do about this one.

  If there’s no one here to supervise, then no one can stop me.

  I’m baking.

  And then maybe I’ll snoop in the office.

  But first . . . cookie dough.

  Chapter Ten

  Colin

  Atypical.

  That’s the only way to describe these past couple of days. Last night rattled me. I hadn’t been with anyone since my divorce. Actually, I hadn’t had sex during the last year of my marriage either.

  Last night was inexplicable.

  I’ll stick to that explanation because anything else sounds more than what it should be. Which is why I should avoid Audrey Reed. An impossible task when I live in a small town, and she’s waiting for my brother to fix her car.

  Starting tomorrow, I’ll stop sending her peppermint mocha lattes with Colin. I won’t walk her to the B&B when she has trouble with gravity. And most importantly, I’ll try to stop thinking about how good we fit together, how wonderful she tastes, or if I could find some time for an encore.

  On my way to pick up Perry from Colt’s place, I receive a text from Mom confirming her itinerary. I still don’t understand why she doesn’t stay in Denver with Elisse or Clarissa until Wednesday when they plan to drive to Winter Valley. Though I get why I’m the one responsible to pi
ck them up. The last time Morgan agreed to do it, he was five hours late—classic Morgan.

  When I enter Colt’s home, the lights are dimmed. The dork runs around the living room, flapping his arms, following Perry. She looks adorable wearing the fairy wings she made last night with my sisters. His wings are . . . what is he wearing on his back? Trash bags?

  The scene is cute and also a golden opportunity to take a short video of him. Later tonight, I’ll post it on social media as payback from that time when he posted my picture on the bakery’s board soliciting a wife. Women are still handing me their phone numbers.

  “Daddy!” Perry yells when she finally spots me.

  “Cupcake!” I match her excitement and smirk when she jets toward me. I catch her in midair and twirl her a couple of times before kissing her chubby cheek. “Are you having fun with Uncle Colt?”

  She gives me a sharp nod and wiggles out of my arms. She continues to run in circles, grinning from ear to ear.

  I live for that smile.

  “You’re back already?” Colt frowns.

  “It’s five.” I tap my wrist, pretending I have a watch. “If you opened your shutters more often, you’d know what time it is.”

  He points at the twinkle lights around the room, and says, “Fairy lights don’t work when it’s too bright.”

  That doesn’t explain the empty pizza and takeout boxes on the table. If it were up to him, he’d be in this house all day working or gaming.

  “I’m trying to recreate an enchanted forest,” he continues. “You should appreciate me. I’m better than Morgan or any of her other uncles.”

  “You’re the best uncle,” I admit.

  He frowns and exhales harshly. “Damn, did you say five?”

  “Language.” I arch an eyebrow and cross my arms.

  “She’s not paying attention,” he says unapologetically. “I forgot the cookies. Do you think the unicorn will care?”

  “Unicorn?” Perry perks up and looks around the living room. “Where?”

  “Would you mind checking on her?” Colt implores, ignoring Perry. “I might have my own schedule, but I have deadlines, and those are set in stone.” That much is true. He takes his computer programming business seriously, and I have to admire him for that.