Meow.
Get a grip. She steeled her resolve and put on a sassy face.
“Happy now? I came straight here, when I really wanted to go home for a shower.”
The look on his face said he wasn’t going to let a prime opportunity to tease her go after seeing her behind the wheel of a truck that was sized for a giant. “If you’re expecting sympathy, you’re going to be disappointed. Not after leaving me to deal with Ms. Clydelle by myself.” He nodded to the truck. “You should’ve told me you’d be arriving in that thing. I’d have brought you a ladder.” He snorted with laughter. “Did you have to buy a booster seat to drive it?”
“No, I did not.” Not exactly.
He held out a mug to her—the only reason she was glad she’d alerted him to her arrival—and let the bold roast roll down her throat.
He opened the door of the truck and doubled over laughing when he saw the pillows.
“Ha. Ha.” She let a hand land on her hip. “I was lucky to find this truck for free. Beggars can’t be choosey. Since we’re on a budget consisting of less than zero dollars, I borrowed the truck from one of the organizations in Taos I’ve worked with to collect donations for families in need. One of them even delivered my car back to my office for me while I was driving this thing around the planet to pick up free decorations that are still worth a damn.”
She shielded her eyes, as though it was high noon and the sun was blazing overhead, even though it was dark. “You should’ve told me you’d be decorating your businesses with enough lights to cause a sunburn. I’d have brought sunglasses.” She snorted with laughter, mimicking him to perfection. “And sunscreen.”
His irritation with her must’ve dialed down even more while they were apart, because he walked over and gently shoulder-checked her. “I’ve been busy, so you have a lot of catching up to do, smartass.”
Smartass was a step up from Grinch, she’d give him that.
“I’ve come bearing gifts.” A Grinch wouldn’t do that. A smartass maybe, but not a Grinch. “We need to unload.”
He held out an open palm. “Gimme the keys. I’ll pull the truck into one of the bays. Go open the door for me. It’s the big red button next to the far-left garage door.” Once the keys were in his hand, he tossed them in the air and caught them again. “There’s even fresh donuts waiting inside from the Ostergaards’ bakery.”
Well, that made not going home first for a shower worthwhile. There was nothing like fresh scones or pastries or donuts from the Ostergaards.
When she walked inside the garage, Comet bounded over to her. “Hey, you.” She gave him a pat on the head. Of course, his master had made sure to put the Grinch antlers on the poor dog. He stayed at her side as she went to find the button, and she hooked a finger under his collar. “Can’t have you darting in front of the truck, little buddy.”
She opened the garage door, and Ross was already waiting to back the truck inside. To keep out the cold air, she closed the garage door as soon as the truck cleared the entrance. Once Ross turned off the engine, she let go of Comet’s collar.
As Ross got out of the truck, she snatched the keys away and walked past him, then went around to the back of the truck to open the padlock. With a quick lift and twist of the lever, she swung open both doors and stepped aside, waving her arms across the content like a game show hostess.
“I collected as many donated hand-me-down decorations as possible from the companies I visited, and I was able to scavenge enough supplies to make the rest.” She beamed at Ross, because heck yeah, she was pretty damned proud of herself. “Plus, those companies want to help fulfill the wishes for the kids.” She cocked a hip and didn’t miss the way Ross’s eyes glazed over at the movement. It took him a second to refocus on her face.
On her mouth, actually.
Her heart skittered and skipped.
Which she ignored because it was the heated temperature inside the garage.
She pulled off her jacket and tossed it onto the bumper of the truck. “And I’ve set up an interview with the local newspaper to spread the word.” She circled her arm in front of her, doing a victory dance. “I bet we’ll end up with more donations than we have wishes, which means we can help even more kids.” Excitement hummed through her. “I’ve already contacted more organizations so we can collect more wishes for the tree.”
His eyes twinkled over the rim of his mug as he sipped.
“Well?” A little pat on the back would be nice. She’d driven around the world and back to accumulate nice decorations from companies who weren’t going to use them anymore. Free of charge! “My idea to recycle decorations that still look brand new is freaking brilliant, isn’t it?”
“I’m impressed.” Ross angled his head and nodded, as though he really was dazzled by her cleverness. “I’ve come up with a few brilliant ideas myself while you left me here to answer to Ms. Clydelle’s cane and Ms. Francine’s purse.” He shivered dramatically. “Thank God they didn’t break out the scary gavel.”
Kimberly pretended to act coy. “I am sorry about that part, but…” She did her gameshow hostess routine again. “Problems solved. This is all we need to decorate the entire town and finish the tree. That should get everyone, including the two elderly sisters wielding the purse and cane like weapons, off our backs.”
His lips thinned.
“Yeeeeaaah, not exactly.” He scrubbed a palm over his stubbled jaw.
Oh, no.
He kept rubbing one cheek. “My attempt to keep everyone in Red River happy—and it was a valiant attempt, mind you—”
“What have you done?” She did not want to know. Not really.
“While you were gone, I made a giant Nativity scene from scrap metal.” He frowned. “I can’t say it’s a fantastic likeness of the baby Jesus, but I did my best. I even put it up in the park this morning, just to see how it looks.” He shrugged. “I think it’ll do, especially on such short notice. Tomorrow, I’ll take it down and deliver the pieces to Deacon West. He’s got every church in town lined up to paint it.”
Kimberly’s head snapped back. “That is brilliant.” She started her victory be-bopping to imaginary music again, thrilled at their progress. “No worries, then. With the lights you collected locally and everything else I scavenged, we’ve got plenty for the tree, every street lamp in town, and the gazebo.” She hooked a thumb at the truck. “I started making the ornaments while I was on the road. They’ll be in the shape of snowflakes, with a wish written on each one. I’ve got the supplies we need to finish them. It’ll be a snap.”
The jaw rubbing didn’t stop, and he wouldn’t meet her gaze.
Her boogie-woogie came to an abrupt halt. “Stop prolonging the agony, and just tell me.”
He folded both arms and stared at the ground. “I know you planned to deliver the gifts to the kids around the area—”
“Try around the whole state. I’ve already got several lists sitting in my inbox with hundreds of names on them.” Kimberly’s stomach started to tighten. She had a feeling she wasn’t going to like what Ross was about to say.
“Yeah, about that…”
Oh, hells bells. Now she knew she wasn’t going to like whatever it was he was going to tell her.
“I sort of made a commitment to the church folks…” he stuffed both hands in his pockets, “…that the kids would all come to Red River and open the gifts here on Christmas Eve.”
Her jaw went slack. “Ross!” she blurted when she finally recovered. “How are we going to get that many kids to Red River?”
He held up a hand. “Got it covered. I called one of my wealthy out-of-state clients who sends me his classic cars for repairs. He owns a tour bus company, and he’s agreed to send us as many as we need. A fleet, even.”
Kimberly put both hands on her cheeks. “There will need to be some sort of organized welcome committee and food to feed the kids. I don’t know if we have the money for all that.”
Ross’s expression blanked. Obviously,
he hadn’t thought through the details.
“And they’ll need a place to stay overnight because they can’t go all the way back home the same night if they’re coming from all over the state.” She paced. “Chaperones!” She whirled around. “We’ll need chaperones, too.” She dropped her head into her hands. “How are we going to get all this done in time?”
“Fuck’s sake.” Ross ran his fingers through his hair. “I didn’t realize what all would go into it. I’m sorry.”
“Well, bless your big heart.” Kimberly kept pacing. Anybody from a small town like Red River knew that was a polite way of saying “what the hell were you thinking?”
“It’s going to work out, and it’ll be great for the kids.” He walked to the counter and threw a treat into Comet’s dog bed. The dog curled up in the bed and went to work on the chewy strip that resembled a piece of bacon.
Kimberly tapped her foot, folding her arms over her chest.
Then Ross picked up a big white box. “I promise we’ll figure it out,” he said when he joined her.
“We?” She raised both brows. “I didn’t create this mess.”
He screwed up his face. “You kinda did when you went to the town council meeting and tried to have Christmas canceled.”
She scoffed and threw her hands in the air because he was twisting the truth just to needle her.
He waggled both brows, then threw down the gauntlet. “So, are you gonna whine about it or are you gonna boss up?” He opened the box, the scent of powdered sugar and warm cream filled donuts made her eyes slide shut.
When she opened them again, the shrewd glint in his eyes told her he thought he’d won that round.
She leveled a tight smile at him. “First of all, I’m ‘a do both.” She let her gaze drop to the luscious desserts. “Second of all…” She snatched the whole box. “I’m gonna eat every last one of these without sharing with the likes of you.”
His smile widened. “You do that.” He went to a small round table in the back corner of the garage and pulled out a chair for her. “Have a seat and give me the blow by blow details of your awesomeness on the road.”
When she sat, he claimed the other chair, pulling it closer, and leaned in so their knees brushed.
A tingle started at her lips, where his stare kept anchoring, and traveled down her arms, her legs, settling in her…
She clenched from the waist down.
“You look nice, by the way.” He inched closer.
She looked down at her outfit, and whatdya know? Her clothes matched again. She’d brought nicer than usual outfits on her trip to make a good impression at the companies she’d approached.
“I like this new look on you, although your regular wardrobe works just as well.” His green eyes darkened. “Your usual clothes probably wouldn’t look so good on anyone else, but it’s just so … you.”
She was pretty sure that was a compliment. The spark in his eyes was definitely more than friendly admiration.
And that just wouldn’t do.
She pulled off her winter knit cap and ran her fingers through her short hair, making it stand on end.
When the lusty glint in his eyes only deepened, she speared her hair again and tousled it for good measure.
There. That should do it. There wasn’t a man on the planet she hadn’t been able to scare away with her wild hair.
Except for Ross Armstrong, apparently.
His gaze dropped to her mouth, causing her breath to catch.
A shiver skated over her.
So she took an obnoxious bite of a cream-filled donut that was covered in thick powdered sugar. The kind of messy, sloppy bite that used to piss off any one of her foster parents who were getting too touchy or only wanted her in the house for the paycheck, which they spent on a cable shopping network or on lottery tickets.
But…
Oh, my gawd. The donut was so divine. And still warm.
Her eyes slid shut and she chewed. Her taste buds ignited like a fireworks show as the scrumptious flavor melted on her tongue. “Mmmm. So good.”
Ross’s knees moved to frame hers, and her eyes snapped open.
The hunger in his gaze was pure fire and passion.
The desire in her heart was pure fear and panic.
He was just too good of a guy.
He was just too irresistible.
Nope. Nope. Nopity nope.
She put down the donut to wipe her hands and leave before she did something at least one of them would end up regretting.
Before she could get up, he cupped her jaw, putting a finger under her chin to gently make her look at him. His gaze hooked into hers and she knew she was a goner. “Don’t run away this time.”
She opened her mouth to say no, she had to go. Like right then, before her bra flew open on its own and her panties melted off just from the yearning in his expression. Instead, she said, “’M’kay,” in the meekest voice that didn’t sound anything like her usual spunky tone.
She tried to wiggle farther away, but her chair butted up against the wall.
“I’ve cared about you for a long time, Kimberly, but you shut me out just when our relationship started to get interesting.” One corner of his mouth curved a fraction. “Actually, my relationship with you has been interesting since day one, but you know what I mean.”
“I…” She tried to look away, but the soft touch of his fingers brought her gaze back to his. “I don’t do relationships, Ross. I’m not very good at them, and I care enough about you to not want to put you through that kind of personal hell.”
He shook his head, smoothing a thumb across her cheek. “That’s not all of it. It’s not only me you’re trying to protect. It’s you, too.”
She stiffened, because how dare he?
“I know what I’m talking about. My parents are the same way.” His hand moved upward, his fingers flexing against her flesh to stroke and caress.
Heat ignited at her core, spiraling outward until it singed her fingertips and curled her toes. Her hands obviously had a mind of their own, because they slipped under his jacket and pressed flat against his thermal shirt. His muscled chest tensed and rolled under her touch.
“I’m so sorry you lost someone you loved,” she whispered. “It must’ve been painful.”
“It was.” He nodded. “But life goes on for the living. My sister asked me and my parents to make the most of every Christmas as a way to keep her memory alive. My folks haven’t exactly lived up to their end of the bargain.”
He didn’t offer up details, Instead, he drew in a deep breath and let it out again. The warmth of it caressed over Kimberly’s face and neck, and she moved her fingertips in small, soft circles against his chest.
“If you grew up in foster care, then you’ve lost people you loved, too.” His eyes filled with compassion.
That was Kimberly’s undoing because most people responded to her upbringing with pity. Pity was a four-letter curse word that she couldn’t tolerate.
Pity could go fuck itself.
She would never be a victim of her past, and that’s why she’d worked so hard to get through college and law school. So she could use her education and brains to help other kids who had difficult lives and unfortunate circumstances that were no fault of their own.
She nodded, a sting starting behind her eyes.
Oh, dear God, no.
She did not, under any circumstances, cry in front of other people. It didn’t take long in the system for kids to learn not to show emotion, especially not tears. Tears were a sign of weakness that could be exploited.
“Who did you lose, Kimberly?” Ross’s voice was so soft and so loving that the sting behind her eyes turned to wetness that threatened to spill over. “Are your parents still living?”
That chipped away the last of her resolve and the dam broke, tears streaming down her face. “No.” She swiped at her cheek. “They left me alone in our apartment. It wasn’t that unusual when they were on a drug bender, even t
hough I was still pretty young, but that time they didn’t come back for days. Finally, I went to a convenience store down the street because I was so hungry and there was no food at home.” She drew in a hiccupy breath from crying. “I was caught shoplifting, and that’s when the authorities put me in foster care. My parents knew because the police found them strung out in some crack house, sobered them up, and told them what had happened to me.”
She let out a throaty, moaning cry from deep in her soul. A place she’d kept locked up so tight she’d thought it had died long ago. Maybe it had just been hidden all that time. Hidden behind snarky comments and witty comebacks. Hidden underneath wild hair and ostentatious clothes.
He gathered her up in his strong arms and placed her in his lap, stroking her back and her hair while she let out the deep well of emotions that she’d been pretending for years didn’t exist.
“Let it out, babe,” he whispered. “I’ve got you.”
When her fit of tears subsided, she sniffled into his shoulder. “They never came back for me.”
She’d told herself for years they’d probably overdosed in a crack house just like the one the police had found them at while she’d sat in the back seat of a police car for stealing a bag of potato chips. While she’d sat in one foster home after another, waiting for them to wise the hell up and come get her so they could be the family they were meant to be.
They never did.
“When I was in law school, me and Angelique did some checking. They were both gone.” As she’d expected, her mom really had OD’d. Her father had passed away in the hospital because of complications brought on by years of drug and alcohol abuse.
Even if they’d still been living, they wouldn’t have deserved her forgiveness or her compassion. At least that’s what she’d told herself to survive, instead of hanging on to false hope that would’ve only served to make her relive the pain and rejection over and over again.
So why did her heart feel like it was breaking in two because of loneliness for the parents who hadn’t given a rat’s ass about her?
He framed her face with his hands and leaned back to stare into her eyes. “You know me pretty well by now. Do you think I’d ever let you down?”
It's In His Christmas Wish (A Red River Valley Novel Book 7) Page 8