John picked up his glass. “There are 101 confirmed guests.”
“Tanner didn’t want to bring a partner,” Rachel said with a grin. “We can still add another guest if you change your mind, Tanner.”
His gaze landed on Kelly.
“Don’t look at me,” she said quickly. “I’m already going. You’ll have to ask someone else.”
His slow smile did funny things to her stomach. “What if I don’t want to ask anyone else.”
She rearranged her napkin, hoping someone would change the subject, but everyone seemed to be waiting for what she’d say. “I guess Rachel and John will still have 101 guests, then.”
Kelly breathed a sigh of relief when Tess started talking about the wedding cake.
Tanner nudged her arm. “Coming to the wedding with me might give your brothers something to talk about.”
Kelly frowned. “My brothers don’t need any encouragement to poke their noses into my business.”
“You could pretend to like me just to see what they do.”
“You’re living dangerously, Tanner Sutherland. Besides, why would I go anywhere with someone who always bids against me at auctions?”
Tanner’s eyebrows rose. “I’m not that bad.”
“You used to stick to books. Now you’re happy to bid on anything that looks remotely like something I’d want.”
“I gave you the paperweights,” Tanner grumbled. “I get more enjoyment from bidding against you than from watching the lots being auctioned.”
Kelly smiled her sweetest smile. “You could always place phone bids for the books you want. That way, you wouldn’t have to come to any auctions.”
“Where’s the fun in that?”
Hayley came into the dining room with a coffeepot in her hands. “Who wants a hot drink?”
After everyone had finished their dinner, they took their coffee into the living room. Kelly chose a seat on the opposite side of the room from Tanner. After sitting beside him at the dinner table she needed to remember why being single was preferable to dating someone.
Because if she was honest with herself, Tanner would be pretty good date material. He had a great sense of humor and a way of pulling everyone into a conversation. But that wasn’t the only thing she needed to worry about. He was handsome—way too handsome for a girl who was determined to remain single.
With his short dark hair, wide shoulders and killer smile, he would be able to tempt the most reluctant woman into dating him.
She glanced across the room and straight into Tanner’s eyes. Heat crept into her face.
Hayley stood in front of her with a plate of cookies.
“Try these. Tess gave me the recipe.” The cookies were shaped like Christmas trees and decorated with lime green icing and rainbow sprinkles. “My sister’s having a Christmas party at Emerald Lake for Pastor Steven’s youth group. Do you think the children will like them?”
The vanilla cookie melted in Kelly’s mouth. “They’re delicious. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t like them.”
“That’s good because I have to decorate about one hundred of them tomorrow morning.”
Kelly’s mouth dropped open. “Do you want me to help?”
“Only if you’ve got time.”
Kelly thought about what she had to do before Monday. There was nothing that couldn’t wait another few hours. “I’d be happy to give you a hand. Are you decorating the cookies in your apartment?”
Hayley nodded. “Come any time after eight o’clock.”
“I’ll be there at eight-thirty.”
“Thank you, you’re a lifesaver. I’ll be back in a minute.” Hayley passed Tess and her husband a cookie, then moved around to Tanner.
Tank, Hayley’s fiancé, sat beside Kelly. “Tanner said you had an appointment with a professor today. How did it go?”
“It was great. Professor Harding told us about each of the items in the mystery box. She said the journal was made between 1840 and 1850. After we left the university, we saw Sam at Fletcher Security. She’s going to try and decipher the code.”
“Sam is one of the best security analysts I know. If anyone can help you, it will be her.”
“When she saw the journal she was excited.”
“It was probably one of the most interesting things she’s done. What are you doing next?”
“Visiting the library. I want to see if there’s any connection between the woman in the painting I bought and Celeste Madison, the lady whose estate was auctioned.”
“If you’re looking at family history resources, talk to Hayley. She used online databases to find five generations of her family.”
Tanner walked toward her, munching a cookie. His eyes crinkled at the corners as he knelt beside her. “Did you tell Tank about Professor Harding?”
“I did.”
Tank took a cookie off a plate on the table. “It sounds as though you’re doing the right things to work out what the journal says.”
Kelly ignored the way Tanner’s eyes seemed to swallow her whole. He was far too handsome to be this close to her. “There’s a chair on the other side of Tess if you want to sit down, Tanner.”
Instead of moving, he stayed exactly where he was. “I’m comfortable here.”
“You can have my seat,” Tank said. “Hayley has a surprise for everyone. I’d better help her or she won’t marry me.”
Tank winked at Kelly as he left.
Tanner moved into Tank’s seat.
“Tank thinks I’m your girlfriend,” Kelly whispered.
“No he doesn’t.”
“Are you sure?”
“I told him we’re friends.”
“That’s good.”
Tanner leaned forward until his nose was almost touching hers. “I also told him about your brothers. He sympathized with me.”
The pull of attraction between them was so strong that Kelly almost kissed him.
Tanner’s eyes turned a deep, dark blue. “Kelly, I…”
“Ho, ho, ho,” Tank said from the doorway. “Santa has arrived.”
Kelly closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Being this close to Tanner was bad for her health.
She hoped Santa had a cure for her attraction to a handsome bodyguard because she sure didn’t.
***
The next day, Tanner stood in front of the mirror in Ryan Evans’ guest room and frowned. He pulled his fluffy white beard to the right, then to the left.
The door opened and Tank came into the room. “Are you going to stand there all day? There are forty excited children waiting downstairs for Santa.”
“Something isn’t right.”
“Turn around.” Tank focused on Tanner’s beard, then poked and prodded his round stomach. “I think it’s the belt.”
“I thought it was the beard.”
“The beard is fine. Hold your stomach up.”
Tanner gripped the foam stuffing around his waist and pulled it toward his chest. “I caught the belt on the tightest setting I could.”
“You need another hole in the leather. Hang on a minute.” Tank took his pocketknife out of his jacket. “You’d better take the belt off. It wouldn’t look good if I stabbed Santa.”
“Make it quick.” Tanner undid the belt and handed it to Tank. Ryan, Hayley’s sister’s fiancé, was supposed to be Santa, but the plane he’d chartered was grounded in Chicago. There was no way he’d make it back to Bozeman in time for the Christmas party. Hayley had called Tanner out of desperation and he’d reluctantly agreed to fill Santa’s size fourteen boots.
Ryan would have nailed the Santa appearance. Tanner wasn’t feeling quite so confident.
While Tank stuck another hole in the belt, Tanner checked his gift sack. “Did you see Tess and Rachel on your way up here?”
“They’re in the room at the end of the landing. They’ll go downstairs with you.”
“I’ve only got a few presents in my sack. Where are the rest?”
“Under the tre
e. Hand out the ones in your sack first. Once you’ve finished, Tess and Rachel will call out the names on the gifts under the tree and give them to you.”
Tanner wiped the sweat off his brow.
“Here. This should work.” Tank handed him the belt. “You look nervous.”
“Maybe because I am. I’ve never played Santa before. What if I don’t live up to the kids’ expectations?”
Tank started to smile, then stopped. “You’ve got nothing to worry about. If I could dress up as Santa last night, you can do it now. Just say ho-ho-ho a few times and make sure you hand out candy with the presents.”
“That might be easier said than done. My beard keeps moving.”
Tank slipped his pocketknife into his jacket. “We’ll look at your beard next. Give me the belt and hold your stomach. We’ll make sure the foam is sitting in the right place.” He wrapped the belt around Tanner’s hips and pulled it tight. “There. Let go of your stomach and swivel to the left and right.”
Tanner twisted to the left, then the right, adding another quick reversal to make sure his stomach padding stayed where it was supposed to.
“Perfect. Now let’s look at your beard.”
“You should have been a fashion stylist.”
Tank snorted. “Gee, thanks. I think I’ll stick with being a security specialist. It pays more.”
“You hope it pays more.”
Tank pulled Tanner’s white beard. “Your beard isn’t going anywhere. What are you worried about?”
“I don’t want anyone knowing who I am. It might spoil the surprise.”
“They’re kids.” Tank crossed his arms in front of his chest. “If I didn’t know it was you, even I’d be fooled. Are you ready to go downstairs?”
Tanner looked once more in the mirror before nodding. “As ready as I’ll ever be. Let’s go.” And before he could chicken out, he left the safety of the guest bedroom and headed toward Tess and Rachel’s room.
If everything went to plan, in less than forty-five minutes his worst nightmare would be over.
***
Kelly drove along the unpaved road toward Emerald Lake. Hayley had invited her to Ryan and Sophie’s home for the children’s Christmas party. She couldn’t think of a better way of spending her Sunday afternoon.
Her first view of the lake left her speechless. She stopped her car on the side of the road, soaking in the incredible scene in front of her. The lake was a frozen sheet of ice, sparkling beneath a clear, blue sky. Snow-capped mountains and trees rose in the distance, cradling the lake in a landscape that was pure Montana.
By the time she reached Ryan and Sophie’s driveway, Kelly didn’t think she could be more impressed. But the cedar and stone home she parked in front of was stunning.
“Hi, Kelly.” Sophie waved to her from the entranceway. “I’m glad you didn’t get lost.”
“Hayley gave me good directions. The lake is stunning.”
Sophie smiled. Sometimes she looked so much like Hayley it was scary. “It’s a beautiful place to live. Come inside. Everyone’s here.”
Stepping into the entranceway was like walking into an inner-city gallery. Paintings hung beside beautiful sculptures of woodland nymphs, guitars, and buffalo.
She left her bag and jacket in Sophie’s office and followed her down the hallway. “I love your home.”
“Thanks. Ryan was building the house when I met him, so I can’t take any credit for the design. It’s a wonderful home to live in.” She waved her into the living room. “Welcome to Christmas at Emerald Lake.”
Kelly stopped and stared. The room was everything she’d ever imagined Christmas should be.
Children were playing in groups or nibbling on trays of Christmas treats. Their excited chatter rose and fell with the music drifting through the house.
A huge pine tree filled one corner of the room. It easily dwarfed the double-height windows overlooking Emerald Lake. Lights, glittery ornaments, and lots of tinsel sparkled from the tree’s branches.
Christmas garlands decorated the stone mantelpiece and a holiday wreath filled another wall. Fairy lights had been strung everywhere adding a little bit of magic to the room.
Hayley walked toward her. “It’s amazing, isn’t it?”
A little boy ran between them, laughing as a girl chased him into the hallway.
“It’s the most amazing room I’ve ever seen.”
Hayley handed Kelly an angel’s halo. “Compulsory headgear for all adults—unless you want some angel wings? I think I’ve still got a pair left.”
“The halo will be okay,” Kelly said with a smile. “I’m sorry I’m later than I thought I’d be. My brothers wanted to show me what they made for mom and dad’s Christmas present.”
Hayley pulled her into the room. “Don’t worry about it. Sunday lunch with family is sacred. Would you like a cup of eggnog?”
“Sounds great. Have I missed Santa?”
Hayley looked around her. “No,” she whispered. “Tank’s gone upstairs to see what Santa’s doing. He’s running a few minutes late.”
“I thought Tank was going to be Santa,” Kelly whispered. “He did so well yesterday.”
“Last night was a special performance.”
The blush on Hayley’s cheeks made Kelly laugh. She didn’t want to know what else Santa had been doing, but it must have been memorable.
Hayley handed her a glass of eggnog. “Drink this and behave yourself. Santa was a perfect gentleman.”
The sound of bells filled the living room. Every child in the room stopped what they were doing and ran toward the tree.
Hayley pointed to the sofa. “Santa is on his way. We’d better find a seat before he arrives.”
“Who’s Santa?” Kelly whispered.
“Wait and see.”
Tess and Rachel came into the room. They were dressed like Santa’s elves, complete with glittery red hats and dark green tunics. They threw confetti in the air, showering the floor with magical sparkles.
The children sat quietly on the rug, their mouths open and their eyes as round as saucers.
Kelly smiled when Santa came in the room. He waved at the children and they all waved back.
“Oh, wow. Look at that.” Kelly sighed as the children followed Santa’s every move.
Hayley leaned closer. “This is special for them.”
As soon as Santa sat down a little girl ran up to him. She held onto his arm, pulled him close, and whispered something in his ear.
Santa nodded solemnly and said something quietly back to her. The smile on the little girl’s face was beyond beautiful.
Tears filled Kelly’s eyes when the little girl stood on tiptoes and gave Santa a kiss on his cheek. She didn’t know who Santa was, but he had a kind heart and a wonderful way with children.
When he opened his sack an expectant hush fell over the room. One after another, each child was given a present. Everyone was excited.
Kelly stared at Santa. Something about him was familiar, but she couldn’t work out who he was. She tried to see beyond his big, white beard and his red, overstuffed suit, but it wasn’t easy. Forty children wanted to sit on his knee, wrap their arms around his shoulders and play with his beard.
“Who’s Santa?” she asked Hayley.
“You don’t know?”
She looked at Santa again.
Santa looked at her.
Kelly’s heart thudded in her chest. Santa had just given her the biggest surprise of the day.
***
Tanner folded his red jacket in half and left it with the rest of the costume. He glanced in the bedroom mirror. A white cotton shirt, blue jeans and sneakers were about as far removed from Santa as he could get.
He rubbed his jaw, remembering the attention his beard had received. The children had been fascinated with the white synthetic hair. While he was in the living room, he’d worried that someone would give his beard a hard pull and expose him as a fake Santa.
He wandered down
stairs, breathing in the peace and quiet like a man who’d been starved of oxygen.
“Congratulations.”
The softly spoken word made him sigh. “Was it that obvious it was me?”
Kelly smiled. “Only to the adults in the room. You were great. The children went home with lots of happy memories.”
Tanner forced himself to smile, to take her compliment in the way it was intended. “It’s quiet. Where is everyone?”
“The bus left fifteen minutes ago with the children. Tess and Rachel went with Pastor Steven to make sure everyone got home safely.”
“That’s good.”
“Tank and Hayley will be back soon. You look a bit unsettled. Is everything all right?”
“Of course it is. I’m going to make myself a coffee. Do you want one?”
“No, but I’ll come with you.” Kelly followed him into the kitchen and poured herself a glass of water. “Have you been Santa before?”
He found a mug and filled it with coffee. “Never. I was worried I’d do the wrong thing.”
“I don’t know if there is a wrong or right way of being Santa. Is everything okay?”
He sat down on a kitchen stool and had a sip of his coffee. “Did Hayley tell you about the children?”
“She said it was a special day for them. I thought she meant it was special because they were meeting Santa.”
“Half the children were from foster homes.” He looked down at his coffee. “It was a big deal for me to be Santa. When I looked at them it reminded me of how I wanted Christmas to be when I was their age.”
Kelly pulled another stool out from the counter and sat down. “How did you want it to be?”
“I wanted Santa to be real. I thought that if he was real he could bring my mom back.”
“Where was she?”
“I don’t know. She left me at a shelter in Chicago and never came back.”
“How old were you?”
“Six.” He glanced at Kelly. “A lady from Social Services found a foster home for me, but it didn’t work out. I was sure mom was coming back. I did everything I could to make my foster parents’ lives difficult.”
“You must have been scared and lonely.”
Kelly’s words struck something deep inside him, leaving him raw and vulnerable. He looked away, hoping she didn’t see the tears in his eyes. “I got used to it.”
Just Breathe (The Protectors Book 2) Page 5