A Very Merry Christmas Gift (Winter Kisses Book 1)

by Kathryn Kelly

  He felt him reaching for the cell phone in his back pocket. He flinched.

  “Your girlfriend’s looking for you,” the man said.

  Adam froze. He knew that voice. It grated down his spine like broken glass.

  Bobby.

  The man who had sat at his work table and ranted on and on about Tabitha and her....

  His mind froze. Somehow this had something to do with Tabitha. He just didn’t know what it was yet. His brain was sluggish, as though he’d been drugged.

  “I know you’re awake,” Bobby said. “Course you probably can’t think too clearly. That’s okay. I’ll do all the thinking.”

  Adam winced. He felt anger slowly seeping back into his veins.

  “You won’t have to worry though. It’ll all be over soon enough.”

  Bobby was going to kill him. He knew it. He knew with the certainty that the sun would rise in the morning. It would happen and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

  The only thing was why? He didn’t know why. He needed to know why. Otherwise his death made no sense. Not that it would anyway, he thought, wryly. Death never made any sense.

  His raincoat rustling, Bobby walked away again. He must have taken his cell phone with him. He felt what he knew to be a false glimmer of hope shoot through him that Bobby hadn’t killed him.... yet. He opened his eyes and blinked in an attempt to focus.

  But then he heard Bobby sliding some heavy things around. Things that must be the boxes he’d stuck in the attic for storage. They must be in the attic.

  It was the only explanation for the unfinished walls and the familiar moldy smell.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Tabitha got out of bed, pulled on her slippers and her robe, took the gun from the night stand, and slipped it into one pocket along with her cell phone in the other.

  Then, with her heart in her throat, she went into the hallway and glanced toward Aunt Allie’s room. There was no need to try and wake her. Her door was locked tight and she had earplugs in her ears. She might wake up if she pounded on the door, but Tabitha would lose her advantage if she made noise.

  Her cell phone chimed and she jumped, brushing against the wall. She quickly silenced it and checked the screen. It was a text message.

  And it was from Adam. Relief surged through her as she read it. I need to see you. Now. Come downstairs.

  Downstairs? She glanced toward the back door. Why didn’t he just come to the kitchen door?

  It didn’t matter. What mattered was that he was okay.

  Without turning on the lights, without sending a reply, she started downstairs. She wasn’t sure why she didn’t just write back, telling him she was on her way. She started to. She even opened the text to reply, then stopped and closed her phone.

  The stairs creaked as she made her way down them into the darkness. All the blinds had been closed before they went upstairs, leaving the store in complete darkness. Though she could barely see, she didn’t dare use the light on her phone.

  When she reached the bottom step and turned, she saw the lights from the Christmas tree reflecting on the wall. Her brow furrowed. She unplugged the lights every night before going upstairs to bed. Had she forgotten this time? No, she was certain she hadn’t.

  She slowly crept along, making her way past the storage room, past the break room, to the back entrance to the store.

  Then she heard the music. Silent Night.

  She wanted to go the other way. To run. But she kept thinking about the text message from Adam.

  He needed to see her. She didn’t know why he was only now responding. And responding this way. But she couldn’t let him down.

  Through the darkness, she saw him, kneeling in front of the fire he was coaxing to a warm, glowing blaze. Her heart leapt for joy. He’d wanted to surprise her. To have some romantic time on the couch in front of the fire. She was certain there would be kissing involved and her lips tingled at the very thought of it.

  He stood up and turned and as he did so, her heart lodged in her throat. It wasn’t Adam.

  It was Bobby. It suddenly clicked for her. It was Bobby who had kept Adam from getting back in touch with her. It was Bobby who had sent her that text message to meet him down here.

  How had he gotten inside the building? She stood where she was. Her mind racing. He had an odd smile on his face.

  “I should be upset with you,” he said.

  She put her hands behind her back and squeezed her nails into her palms. She had to stay calm.

  And brave. She mustn’t let him smell fear.

  “Why would you be upset with me?” She asked, sweetly.

  He took a step forward and she flinched.

  “Here you are coming to see another man.”

  “I knew it was you,” she lied.

  Even in the dim light, she saw the flash of doubt cross his features.

  “I’ve been getting your messages,” she continued in a rush. “I knew you would scare him off.” Please don’t tell me you’ve hurt him.

  Bobby grinned. “We’re destined to be together. You and me.”

  “Of course we are,” she said. “That’s why I married you.”

  He was so predictable. He swaggered toward her. “That’s right,” he said.

  She steeled herself as he stopped in front of her.

  He reached behind her and pulled her hair, jerking her head back. She bit her lip to keep from crying out.

  “You’ll never leave me again,” he said, tugging her hair.

  She grunted and her eyes watered. “Never,” she said through her teeth.

  He released her hair and she took a breath.

  “Say you’re sorry,” he said.

  She looked him straight in the eye. She was nearly as tall as he was. “I’m sorry,” she responded, obediently.

  “Good,” he said, grabbing her hand and tugging her toward the fireplace.

  She glanced over her shoulder. Where was Adam?

  He shoved her onto a bear rug in front of the fireplace. It was a rug she hadn’t seen before. Where did he get this?

  She landed on her knees, her face in front of the flames of the fireplace.

  Bobby never did anything in moderation. The fireplace was piled high with wood, the flames shooting into the chimney.

  Standing over her, he took the poker and hit at the logs, scattering embers toward her face. She jerked back to avoid being burned.

  He laughed and set the poker back in the stand. Tabitha sat up straight. She had to do something.

  She had to get away from him and find Adam.

  “What did you do with Adam?” She asked.

  “He’s tucked away in a safe place. He won’t be bothering us.”

  “What did you do to him?”

  Bobby slapped her. “Bitch. Stop worrying about him. He doesn’t concern us. This is our night now.”

  Tabitha rubbed her jaw where he had slapped her and scooted backwards. Her cheek stung. Another inch and his hand would have landed on her eye.

  I need to get away before he kills me.

  It was too late. He dropped to his knees in front of her. Put his fingers on her chin and jerked her head up. Then he crushed his lips against hers.

  Tears seeped from her eyes and fell down her cheeks. She held herself still. When she didn’t respond, he shoved her back against the rug.

  “You’re despicable,” he said. “I never should have married you.”

  Tabitha crawled to her knees. “Then let me go,” she said under her breath.

  He kicked her in the ribs and she fell back against the floor. “You’re mine now. You may be worthless, but you’re my worthless bitch.”

  Tabitha lay on the rug staring into the fire. Her tears had dried up now and she felt nothing but hatred for this man standing over her.

  Hatred and determination.

  She would not. Would not. Would not let him beat her anymore.

  He turned away at a sound at the back door.

  Tab
itha got her feet under her and prepared to stand up. He turned back and snarled at her. “What do you think you’re doing?” he asked.

  She grinned. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

  Something fell in the break room.

  “Wait here,” he said as he eased toward the hallway leading to the break room. He disappeared out of sight behind the Christmas tree.

  Tabitha stood up and her fingers closed around the closest thing she could find - the fireplace poker. He would be back before she could make it to the front door. She was dizzy from being hit and kicked.

  She moved behind the Christmas tree and waited for him to come back.

  Only seconds later, she heard him coming back, no longer concerned about the sound of his footsteps on the floor.

  He stopped in front of the fireplace. “What the…?”

  The poker clutched in her hands, she moved around the tree and came up behind him. Holding it straight out, she rushed forward and stabbed him in the back. He grunted and fell down, striking his head against the brick hearth. His right arm landing in the fire and he screamed. She turned and ran.

  She had to get into Adam’s apartment.

  As she ran toward the back of the shop and up the stairs to the living quarters, she remembered hearing footsteps over her bedroom.

  He must have Adam in the attic.

  Something crashed below.

  “Tabitha?” Aunt Allie called. “Is something wrong?”

  Tabitha stopped at Aunt Allie’s cracked door. She had to save her aunt.

  “Call 911,” she said. “We have to get out.”

  “Bobby?”

  “Yes.”

  Aunt Allie was already shrugging into her robe. She grabbed a pet carrier that she kept in her closet.

  “I have to get you out.”

  Aunt Allie held up the pet carrier. “Where’s Lucy?”

  Lucy. She’d last seen her in the kitchen window.

  “Call 911,” she said again. Turning, she raced down the hall and found Lucy curled up on the window seat, oblivious to everything that was going on around her. Tabitha scooped her up and cradling her against her chest, deposited her in the pet carrier Aunt Allie still held. She was dialing her phone with her other hand.

  “Go out the back door,” she said. “Bobby’s in the front.”

  After ushering her towards the stairway, Tabitha raced up the next flight of stairs and stood looking at the hole in the ceiling where there had once been a fold down ladder. There was an aluminum extension ladder propped up there now.

  She shivered as she realized Bobby must have used the ladder to go between the two apartments. She climbed up the ladder into the common attic between the two apartments.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  He was lying there, on the floor, his blue shirt ripped at the shoulder. His eyes staring straight ahead.

  She raced to him. No! Not Adam. Anyone, but not Adam.

  Her arms went around him, her cheek pressed against his. He was warm.

  She shuddered in relief.

  “I have to get you out of here,” she said, straightening, tugging at him.

  He stirred. “You go without me,” he muttered.

  “No,” she tugged at him, but he was too heavy. “Adam, get up.” her voice held an edge of panic. She could hear it herself. The desperation.

  Looking over her shoulder, she saw the smoke curling up through the seams of the wall and the floor. She didn’t have much time.

  She tugged at him with all her strength, then stopped, when he didn’t move and laid her cheek against his. If he was gonna stay here, she would stay with him.

  How had she grown to love this man in such a short time? She didn’t know the answer to this. She only knew that she would not leave him.

  “I love you so much,” she murmured against his cheek as she wound her fingers through his hair.

  A few seconds later, she felt his eyelashes fluttering against her cheek. She drew back just enough to look into his eyes.

  “What took you so long?” he asked, his voice hoarse.

  Before she could answer, she heard Aunt Allie calling her name. Then there was a crash. She smelled smoke. Bobby must have set the building on fire.

  “The place is burning. We have to go,” she said, tugging on him again. This time, though, he helped her to help him sit up, then finally, together, they got him to his feet.

  “Can you untie me?” he asked, out of breath.

  It was only then that she realized his hands were tied behind his back.

  She struggled with the rope, but only seemed to make it tighter. “I guess not,” she said, glancing over her shoulder at the smoke that was starting to seep into the room.

  “Never mind,” he said, following her gaze. “I’ll manage.”

  She nodded and helped him toward the opening in the floor.

  She wouldn’t allow herself to think what could have happened if Aunt Allie hadn’t fallen and Adam hadn’t been compelled to show her how their two apartments connected. Bobby would have been able to use the connection, but she wouldn’t have been able to save Adam.

  It was more difficult getting him downstairs with his hands tied behind his back.

  “Where is Aunt Allie?” he asked.

  “She’s out,” Tabitha told him, as the smoke began to make her hoarse. I hope. They couldn’t get out the front door. It was blocked now by burning timbers. Their only option was to make it out the back door.

  “What about Lucy?”

  “Aunt Allie has her.”

  “Wait,” he said, stopping. “Rover.”

  Rover! “We’ll get him,” she said, pulling him again.

  He allowed her to lead him outside into the clean air. A police officer appeared at their side and quickly untied his hands.

  “His dog is inside,” Tabitha said. “The apartment on the left.”

  The policeman looked dubiously at the smoke coming out of the right side of the building.

  “Please,” Tabitha said. “He’s on the left side. “Please help me get him out. Stay here, Adam,” she said. “I’ll get Rover and I’ll be right back.”

  She ran toward his door, the policeman following. He knocked out the window and opened the door.

  Rover was sitting at the back door, whining.

  “Come on, Boy,” Tabitha said, grabbing the leash Adam kept by the door and hooking him up.

  “Thank you so much,” she said to the policeman. “Is my aunt out front?”

  “Yes, Allie and her cat.”

  After a flurry of questions that lasted no more than a few minutes, she was alone again with Adam.

  “How did you find me?” he asked, burying his face in Rover’s fur.

  She shook her head slowly, replaying the last few minutes in her mind. She honestly couldn’t say how she had known. It had almost been instinctual. She had just known. “I don’t know,” she said, finally, opting for honesty.

  He reached out, took her hand and kissed the palm.

  She shivered. And went into his arms.

  This is where she belonged. The building was burning to the ground behind them and she only felt content. Content that Adam was here with her. Content that she had gotten him out. Content that she was in his arms.

  “Tabitha,” he whispered her name as he put his fingers under her chin and tilted her face up until she looked into his eyes. “I love you, too.”

  Her heart stumbled and, putting her arms around him, she held him as tightly to her as was she possibly could. And he hugged her back.

  She wrapped her arms around him and held him to her like she would never let go. Her cheek rested against his chest. His arms pulled her closer. Neither one seemed willing to let go. Then he shifted a little and kissed her on the cheek before pulling her back to him. This time her cheek was pressed against his, their lips only inches apart.

  She could feel his skin against hers, his breath on her cheek. Though it seemed impossible, she pulled him closer against her. S
he shifted ever so slightly and pressed her lips against his cheek, a hair’s breath away from his lips.

  His hands shifted into her hair, locked her into that position. Then with an imperceptible shift, his lips, too, were at the edge of her mouth.

  Then he groaned and put his mouth full on to hers. His lips were soft - soft, but firm. And trembling. He was trembling. Or was it her?

  The fire raging behind them faded into the background and all she was aware of was the feel of his body against hers and his lips on hers. She trembled from the intensity of emotion that enveloped her.

  The sirens of the arriving fire trucks finally penetrated her haze and they pulled back a little, their lips no longer touching. His hand found hers and their fingers clasped tightly.

  Their hands were still clasped as they walked around to Main Street and stood watching the firemen battle the fire - the fire that engulfed their shops and their homes. They went to stand next to Aunt Allie. She stood there with the carrier holding Lucy at her feet.

  If Aunt Allie noticed their new intimacy, she didn’t comment. Instead, she hugged Tabitha, then Adam. “It’s so good to see you both,” she said. “It went against my better judgment to let her stay inside to get you, but she insisted on it.”

  “It’s a good thing,” he said, pulling her close. “Otherwise, I’d still be trussed up and probably burned up by now.”

  Tabitha shuddered and glanced around. She hadn’t seen Bobby.

  “I told the police about him,” Aunt Allie told her, her voice low.

  Tabitha nodded. “I hope they find him soon. I don’t like the thought of him running around free. Not after this.”

  Adam squeezed her hand. “He won’t go near you,” There was a conviction in his voice that she knew could only have come from his recent encounter with the man.

  Aunt Allie put a hand on her shoulder as she watched the fire. “What will we do now?” she asked, as though to herself.

  “We’ll rebuild,” Adam said, without hesitation.

  Both women turned and stared at him, speechless.

  “What?” he said, “Why wouldn’t we?”

  Tabitha smiled as her gaze met Aunt Allie’s. Yes, why wouldn’t they? “It’ll be better than ever,” she said.