by Petrova, Em
His dad’s eyes met his in the rearview mirror. “She’s so taken with your book I never see her.”
“Sorry about that.” He smiled.
“Ah, no need to be sorry, son. Your books are fantastic. I should know, I’ve read ’em all. Well, except this new one. But I plan to after your mom finishes with it,” Evan told him.
Nicholas was surprised that his parents were reading his books. But, then again, why should he be. Both were avid readers. They had raised him to love books and he believed that was the reason he became a writer.
“You know, you could’ve asked me to mail you a copy so you didn’t have to pay for it.”
His mom waved the comment off. “No way. Book sales are book sales. And I was happy to buy it. You’ll have to sign it for me later.”
“Sure.” His mom asking him to sign her book felt weird but nice.
They chatted on the way home about everything from books, to Christmas, to Connie coming home, to what his parents had been doing on their property, to who Nicholas was dating. He told his parents he wasn’t seeing anyone, which was the truth, and omitted to mention Prue. He wanted to keep the pact he had made with himself about not discussing his love life dramas over the holidays. Even so, Prue’s face still hovered in the back of his thoughts and he wondered what her plans were for Christmas.
Chapter Twenty Five
Prue could smell something burning and raced into the kitchen. She rushed over, grabbed a dish towel and pushed the saucepan off the stove top. The cranberry sauce had congealed to black goo and was stuck to the sides and bottom of the utensil. Where was her mom? “Mom? Mom, where are you?” Prue checked the laundry then went to the back door. Her dad was outside collecting firewood but her mother wasn’t with him. “Dad, where’s mom?” she called.
Her father shook his head and went back to loading the small cart with logs.
Prue wandered through the house. She checked the living room. No one. She walked through to the dining room. Still no one. She headed back to the study, opened the door and peered inside. Her mom was sitting behind the desk on the telephone discussing plans for their big Christmas dinner the following day.
“There you are. I…”
Her mother raised a finger for Prue to stop talking. “Ok. I’ll look forward to it. See you then.” She hung up the receiver. “Sorry about that, honey. Just organizing a few things with people who are coming for dinner tomorrow. Now, what’s up?”
Prue sighed. “I hate to tell you this but your cranberry sauce burned.”
“Oh no.” Lorraine sprang out of the desk chair and raced out of the room. Prue followed. “I thought I had it on simmer.” She rushed across the kitchen to the saucepan. “Oh dear, look at that. I don’t have enough cranberries to make another batch.” She turned to Prue. “What am I going to do?”
Toby and Nikki came into the kitchen. “What’s that God awful smell?” Toby said, wrinkling his nose.
Prue shook her head and frowned at him. “Mom’s cranberry sauce burned.”
Nikki ran over to Lorraine and wrapped her arms around her hips. “Sorry your sauce burned, Grandma.”
“Can’t you make some more?” Toby’s logical question was scowled at by both women.
“I could if I had enough cranberries and sugar, but I don’t,” Lorraine told him, folding her arms.
“Well, hell, that’s easy fixed. I’ll just take a drive into town and pick up some more,” her son said.
Lorraine glanced at the kitchen clock. It was 4.30 p.m. “It’s Christmas Eve. Stores won’t be open late tonight.”
“I’ll jump on the Expressway and be there in no time. How much do you need?”
“Uh, well, I’ll need four 12 ounce bags of frozen cranberries and two pounds of sugar.” She crossed the kitchen. “Just wait one minute and I’ll give you the money.”
“It’s fine, Mom, I can get it.” He headed out of the kitchen.
Prue took after him. “Can I come for the ride?”
Toby shrugged into his suede jacket. “Sure. I’d enjoy the company.”
Prue grabbed her coat, scarf and knit cap and followed her brother out to his truck.
***
Most of the stores were already closed as Toby and Prue drove through Pittsburgh’s city center. Finding somewhere open looked grim as they continued along the main street. Prue checked the opening hours for the local Shop ‘n Save on Center Avenue, hoping it was still open. “Tobe, the Shop ‘n Save closes at five. It’s seven minutes to. Take the next left.”
At five minutes to five Toby’s Dodge screeched into the parking space near the front entrance and he and Prue raced inside. Store security was already at the door and the pair thought they were too late.
“Is it ok to go on in?” Toby asked.
“It’s Christmas Eve. We’re about to close. Just waiting on the last few shoppers.”
“We’ll be quick. Promise.” Prue gave him her sweetest smile.
The guy sighed and waved them through. “Go on.”
“Thank you. Merry Christmas,” Prue said.
Toby rushed through the supermarket to the freezer section for the cranberries while Prue headed for the baking aisle to grab the sugar. They met at the checkout.
“That was close. If we’d been a couple minutes later that guy wouldn’t have let us in.” Prue was out of breath.
“You’re not kidding.” Toby placed the items down and the girl ran them through the scanner.
On the way out the door Prue heard someone call her name. She thought it must be an old friend or a previous acquaintance until she turned around.
She glanced up at her brother. “Oh no.”
Nicholas hurried up to them.
Toby took the shopping bag from her hand. “I’ll give you a minute, sweetheart.” He walked over to the truck and climbed in. The author watched him.
Prue frowned at Nicholas. “How do you know my name? And what are you doing here?”
His eyes returned to her and he looked sheepish. “My best friend is a private investigator. He found your driver’s license on the DMV website. My parents live in Kennedy. I’m here to spend Christmas with them.”
Prue didn’t know what to say. She stood frowning at the author, wondering if he was telling the truth.
“Look, I’m not stalking you, if that’s what you’re thinking. We just happen to be in the same place at the same time, once again. I’d like to talk to you. Can we make some time to meet after the holidays?”
Prue didn’t want to commit to meeting him. She needed her life to remain as it was. “I… don’t know.”
He reached for her hand. “Please, Prue.”
She eased her gloved hand out of his. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Why? What can happen from us talking?”
Prue sighed. “Ok.”
Nicholas took out his wallet and handed her a business card. “My cell number’s on there. Will you call me after the holidays?”
Prue glanced at the card. “I’m not sure when exactly, but I’ll call.”
He frowned. “You’re not putting me off, are you?”
She shook her head. “No, of course not. I will call you. I just can’t give you an exact date.”
“Could we do it while we’re both here?”
“I can’t make any promises. I’m here with my family. So are you. Let’s…”
“Play it by ear?” He looked skeptical.
Prue huffed. “Alright. Saturday. Does that suit you?”
The tension drained from Nicholas’ face. “Yes, it does. Where and when?”
“Twenty First St Coffee and Tea on Fifth at ten.” Her pulse quickened. She was actually going to sit down with this man and have a full-length conversation. It elated her and scared her at the same time.
The smile of joy on his face was evident. Prue had caused that. She wondered if he’d be smiling once she told him he had a five year old daughter. Would she tell him?
***
“You know you’re doing the right thing, sis.”
Prue gave a heavy sigh. “Am I? Everything will change if I tell him about Nikki. It could get ugly, you know. What if he wants joint custody? What if he takes me to court?”
Toby rested his hand on hers. “You’re jumping to conclusions. Give the man a chance.”
Prue scowled. “To ruin our lives, you mean?”
“Do you believe that?”
“I don’t know. I have no idea what kind of man he is. Rachelle said he’s a nice man, but nice men can do nasty things too.”
“Why not wait until you have the conversation with him and see how you feel then. You don’t have to tell him anything right away. Just keep it relaxed.”
“You’re right.” The frown disappeared from her face. “It’ll be a friendly chat over coffee. Nothing more.”
Chapter Twenty Six
Christmas morning, Nikki was up before the sun rose. She flung the door open to her mom’s room and shouted with excitement, “It’s Christmas! Come see what Santa brought us.” Then raced along the hall to her grandparents’ room and the guest room where Toby was sleeping. Everyone, now jolted from sleep, climbed out of bed, wrapped themselves in their warm robes and followed the little girl downstairs to the living room.
Nikki bobbed up and down clapping her hands. “Look at all the lovely presents. We must’ve all been good this year.”
Lorraine stepped up beside her. “Why don’t we sit down and I’ll pass the presents around. How does that sound?”
“Ok, Grandma.”
Everyone made themselves comfortable on the sofa and in the armchairs and Lorraine began handing out presents. “Now who is this one for? Let me see.” She pulled her glasses from the pocket of her robe and placed them on her nose. “Oh, it’s for Nikki.” She passed the large gift to her granddaughter. “Merry Christmas, sweetie.”
Nikki snatched the pretty package from her grandma’s hands, her eyes wide. “Merry Christmas, Grandma.” She pulled the huge glittering bow off the gift and ripped at the colorful wrapping.
Lorraine continued to hand out presents.
“Yay! It’s just want I wanted,” Nikki shouted with glee when she saw the Discovery Kids Laptop Computer. “Thank you, Mommy.” Her face beamed. “I love it.”
“You’re welcome, honey.” Prue opened her gift from Nikki. It was a hand-painted picture frame that her daughter had made at preschool with a picture of the two of them inside it. A tear trickled down Prue’s cheek and she brushed it away before anyone noticed. “I love this, sweetie. It’s beautiful.”
Nikki’s smile widened and she ran over to her mom and hugged her tight. “I knew you would, Mommy. It’s just us.”
Prue glanced at her brother sitting in an armchair across from her and mouthed ‘Am I doing the right thing?’
He nodded and mouthed back, ‘Later.’
Once all the presents had been unwrapped it was time for breakfast.
“We’d better get the place warmed up, it’s cold in here,” Martin said, rubbing his hands together. He pulled himself out of his armchair and set about making a fire.
Lorraine headed for the stairs. “Be back in a couple minutes to start breakfast. How does waffles with scrambled eggs, bacon and maple syrup sound?”
Everyone couldn’t wait.
Prue followed her mother upstairs, Nikki in tow. “We’ll help once we’re dressed.”
Christmas day had started out wonderfully and Prue knew it would only get better.
***
Nicholas was out on the front porch sipping a mug of steaming black coffee when his sister appeared beside him. “Morning, little brother.”
“Morning.” He turned around to face her. “Addison is such a little sweetheart. Not to say Braydon isn’t too, but something about my niece just melts my heart.”
Connie smiled. “She is an angel. You know, she’s never been any bother. She has always been a contented little girl from day one.”
Nicholas’ expression turned somber. “I had hoped for a daughter one day. A little princess.”
Connie rested a hand on her brother’s arm. “I know. It’ll happen. You’ll see.”
“I hope so. I’d love to be a dad.”
“You will be. You just need to find the right woman. How’s that going, by the way?”
Nicholas sighed. “I haven’t dated at all since…”
“Well you should. You’re a good-looking guy there has to be someone out there for you.”
A fleeting thought crossed his mind to tell her about Prue, but he decided against it.
“I’m so busy with deadlines and book signings and interviews I don’t really have the time to date.”
“Make time. It’s the only way you’re going to meet someone, fall in love and start a family. You’re not getting any younger.”
“Yeah, I know. But I’ll always be younger than you.” Nicholas grinned and poked his sister in the ribs.
Connie chuckled. “That’s true, little brother.” She frowned. “You looked like you were going to say something before but changed your mind. Have you already met someone?”
Nicholas felt his face grow warm. Connie was like his mother. She could tell when he had something on his mind. “No. Well… maybe.”
Connie linked an arm through his. “Do tell.”
“I made a promise to myself that I wasn’t going to discuss my love life. Maybe we should stick to that.”
“Tell your big sister,” she coaxed.
He frowned. “This has to be between us, ok? I don’t want anyone else in the family to know about it.”
Connie crossed her heart. “You have my word.”
Nicholas knew her word was her bond. She had kept many a secret for him when they were growing up.
He glanced at the front door. “Where is everybody?”
“Mom and dad are in the kitchen gearing up for a hearty breakfast and Lloyd is upstairs with the kids.”
They sat in the swing seat along the porch.
Nicholas looked out at the impending dawn. The sun’s weak winter rays peered over the tops of the trees. “About five years ago I met a woman at Hemingway’s Café. I sat down beside her at the bar during happy hour and offered to buy her a drink. I don’t think either of us had done anything like it before.” He sighed.
“After an hour of idle conversation we ended up in a hotel room. Not my finest moment, I know, but I needed her, needed to feel desired again, and she seemed to need that too. We’d made an agreement to one night with no names and no strings. Now that I look back on it, it was the stupidest thing I’d ever done.”
Connie gave him a sympathetic look and squeezed his hand.
“We did the deed and never saw each other again until a couple of months ago in LA. Since then I’ve seen her twice. I talked to her briefly last night and she agreed to meet me Saturday to talk. The only problem is I think she’s with someone. I’ve seen him with her twice now and I thought she was with him in LA too.”
“So what are you going to do?”
“Good question.” He covered her hand with his. “I know I’m in love with her, Con. Stupid, huh?”
Connie shook her head. “No, it’s not stupid. You had a very intimate connection.”
“Yeah, we did. More than you could know. But maybe I was the only one who fell in love that night. Although, when I talked to her at the benefit in New York there was something in her eyes that didn’t agree with what she said.”
“What did she say?”
Nicholas frowned. “It was better to leave things the way they were.”
“Oh. But she’s going to meet up with you on Saturday, right?”
“Yes. At le
ast I hope so. I hope she doesn’t stand me up and leave me sitting at that café all morning.”
***
Christmas day had been perfect with no thoughts of Nicholas Colton entering Prue’s mind. Spending time with her loved ones and family friends had been the best medicine. She felt at peace as she stood on her parents’ front porch gazing up at the twinkling stars peeking through the clouds. Her stomach was full and her mind was at rest.
Toby opened the front door, grabbed his jacket and stepped outside. “Nice night, huh?”
“Yep. Beautiful.” She smiled.
“Dinner was great.”
“Dinner was super delicious. And some. Mom’s an amazing cook.”
“Yeah, she is.” He waited a beat. “How are you feeling about Saturday?”
The question pulled a tight knot in the pit of Prue’s stomach and the calmness she had felt was replaced with instant tension. “I’m thinking of canceling.”
Toby crossed the porch and stepped up beside her. “Why? You don’t have to admit anything. Hear the man out, sweetheart. It’ll be good for the both of you.”
“What if he already knows about Nikki? What if his PI friend found out about her? Maybe he wants to ambush me into admitting the truth and then tell me he’s going to claim custody rights.” Her heartbeat ticked up a notch.
“Was he upset or angry when he spoke to you?”
Prue gave her brother a sideward glance. “Well, no. He seemed genuinely happy to see me and said he only wanted to talk.”
Toby wrapped his arm around Prue’s shoulders and pulled her to him. “So talk.”
Chapter Twenty Seven
Saturday morning came around way too fast and when Prue opened her eyes and glanced at the bedside clock she was shocked to see that it was already eight o’clock. Her mom must have looked after Nikki and allowed her some sleep in time. She threw back the covers and rushed into the bathroom for a quick shower. She felt less frazzled when she walked back into her room wrapped in her snug winter robe, towel drying her hair.
Prue wondered what she should wear. Should she apply makeup? Should she dress in something other than her jeans and sweater, jacket and knit cap? What would they talk about? Would he ask her what her life has been like since that night? Would he want to know if she was in a relationship? The more she thought about it the harder it seemed and she had the overwhelming inclination to call and cancel. Toby’s words once again rang in her ears, ‘Hear the man out. It’ll be good for the both of you.’