She nodded. “Thanks, doc.” She smiled and backed up then glanced at the long slope ahead.
“It’s all downhill from here,” he joked.
“Good. Then I should have enough energy left to make it the rest of the way.” She pushed off, looking back at him as he swung around to face downhill once more. “Race you,” she called.
They tore down the hill at a strong clip, and he only caught her near the end. They both slowed to a stop and unfastened their skis. He leaned both sets against the side of the log cabin then led the way around the house to the front porch.
She glanced at his house then at the Subaru she’d parked in his driveway. “Well...” her voice trailed off, the air thick between them.
He stuffed his hands in his pockets and sat on the porch’s top step. He gazed out at the mountains above them. “My grandparents always called the Adirondacks God’s Country. I didn’t understand what that meant until recently.”
She ambled toward him and hesitated before she sat next to him. “I’ve taken Starling’s beauty for granted too. Thanks for inviting me along today. I definitely want to do it again.”
“You’re welcome.”
Minutes passed and they sat there in companionable silence, watching the sun and clouds move across the open sky, listening to the wind whispering through the pines, and feeling the nip of winter on their faces.
Jade broke the silence. “I was just thinking. Every other guy I’ve known expected me to entertain them or expected to be entertaining me. With you, I can just...be.”
Ben’s heart stopped for a long moment. In one simple statement, she’d nailed the defining difference between herself and Sofia, and it rocked him. “I hear you.” He nodded toward the house. “Want to come in?”
She shook her head and glanced toward her car again. “I promised to deliver the meals for the SLP recipients tonight.”
“Seen Mr. V lately?”
“Every day.”
“Really?”
She turned to him, her gaze steady. “He’s a nice man, and I feel bad for him. He’s all alone.”
He didn’t want their day to end. “Want company on your errands?”
She waved a hand in dismissal. “You don’t have to. I know you have a business to run.”
“I can’t move forward with the project for another day or two at least, waiting on information from the city of Lake George. So I’m free.”
“Well, only if I drive.” She looked at the window where Sadie peeked out. “And only if she joins us.”
The dog barked in agreement.
He laughed. “Deal. Mind if I grab a shower first?”
She stood. “No problem, I was planning to catch one at my parents’ before I go back into town.”
“We could save time.” He stood next to her. “You could take one here.” He let the unspoken invitation sink in.
She broke eye contact and shook her head slowly. “That’s okay. I’ll wait here, play with Sadie.”
When will you be ready to play with me?
He swallowed his disappointment, but saw the flush creeping up her neck. She was imagining them together in his shower, he knew it. Good. “Be right back.” Ignoring the tightness in his crotch that had become his constant companion, Ben zipped into the house.
He could be patient. She was worth it.
The following Friday evening, Jade stood in her bra and panties in front of her mirror, make-up and hair products lined up on her dresser, hair straightener plugged in and heating.
She looked at her bare face then at the items designed to cover and accentuate. Ben’s words came back to her.
What was she hiding from? What was she searching for?
She scanned the items and plucked the tinted sunscreen/moisturizer, a tube of lip gloss, and face wash off the dresser onto her bed next to the red holiday dress her mother had encouraged her to wear. Then she grabbed the wastebasket next to her desk and with her free arm, swept everything—the mascara, eyeliners, eye shadows, rouges, concealers, foundations, lip liners, lipsticks, and perfumes—except for the straightener into the garbage.
A weight the size of Mt. Marcy lifted from her shoulders, Jade walked back to her bed, picked up the three items she’d saved, and returned them to the dresser. She opened the tinted sunscreen and applied it to her face, followed by a dab of gloss to her lips. She smacked her lips together and smiled at her image. There. That’s me.
She walked past the dress on the bed and opened her closet. After a few minutes, she settled on wearing her favorite black cable-knit sweater, black leggings and knee-high black leather boots. Cass would approve. For a pop of color she wore little green metallic ball earrings and a twinkling light holiday necklace the twins had given her as an early Christmas present.
She looked at her reflection on her bedroom wall mirror and smiled. I’m in the holiday spirit all right.
Her mother called up the stairs. “Jade?”
“Yeah.”
“Maddie Stephens called. They had to switch the party to Benji’s house, supposedly because their refrigerator went on the blink.”
“Supposedly?”
“Well...” Her mother sounded a little ashamed of her negative attitude. “I guess it can happen. You almost ready?”
She looked at her long wavy hair in the mirror then unplugged the hair straightener. She smiled and twirled twice, just for the sheer joy of it. “I’m ready.”
Thirty minutes later, Jade’s father parked the family car on the side of the road nearest Ben’s modern log cabin behind a long line of cars. There had to be at least a dozen cars.
Jade stepped out of the Subaru and helped her grandmother navigate the uneven ground until they reached the long, sloping driveway that led to the humongous house perched at the edge of the lake. The last time she’d been here she’d been too afraid to step inside. She’d had trouble keeping her hands off him even in the open. “I can see why everyone calls it a mansion. How many bedrooms is it?”
Gigi glanced over her shoulder and stared at Jade’s hair. “You mean you haven’t counted them for yourself, yet?”
Her mother’s flippant tone set Jade’s already taut nerves on edge.
She looked at her father for help.
He refused to get involved, lifting a shoulder in defeat before jogging ahead to open the door for them.
Her mother pulled her only daughter to one end of the porch as her father assisted Grandma Bertie up the steps. “I’m sorry, but what can I say? I have dreams for my children, and they don’t include this town, or this kind of man.”
Jade hardened her heart. It had been easier at eighteen to let other people make her choices. Not anymore. It didn’t matter how many people tried to tell her what to do, she would decide for herself whom to date.
Her mother leaned close. “I understand you two have a history and you were friends, but you’re not children anymore. Men and women cannot be just friends.”
Jade’s head snapped up, her mother’s words reminding her of Amy Wilder’s hurtful taunts all those years ago. “Why is that, Mom?”
“They just can’t. Chemistry takes over.”
“But can’t they be both?”
“Both what?”
“Friends and lovers.”
Gigi looked stubborn and doubtful.
“Gigi, Jade,” her father called from the door. “Are you two joining the party or going to stand out here on the porch all night?”
“Well, like it or not, Mom, I’m friends with him. We’ve had a wonderful week, and it’s been strictly platonic.” She gave her a quick hug. “Don’t worry. I’m leaving in a few weeks.”
Ben patted Sadie’s back in reassurance as she wagged her tail and uttered a short bark at the ringing doorbell. More guests. He rose from his chair next to the fireplace and addressed the men gathered in his spacious den. “Anyone ready for a refill?”
Two put in their requests while the others shook their heads, sipping their drinks and socializing.
Most of the men here tonight worked at the local factory while others, like his father, were small business owners or worked for one. They all had known each other pretty much their whole lives and all shared a passion for pro football.
A familiar voice from the living room caught his attention. He was eager to see Jade. She had become the best part of his days. Every day this past week, they had skied or sledded, or skated after she finished her volunteering and errands. Had he given her enough time? Did she trust him yet? He sure as hell hoped so. His restraint was wearing thin. He hadn’t worked this hard for a girl’s attention since...he was twelve.
Same girl.
That said it all.
His father held out his hands. “Want me to take this tray in?”
“Thanks, Dad. Two are for Jerry and Aaron.”
“Gotcha.” His father and Dennis ambled into the next room, the two lamenting their football team’s abominable stats.
Ben’s mother appeared next to him with two bags of chips in her arms. “Oh, there you are.” She gave him a hearty peck on the cheek. “How’s Sadie with all the commotion?”
“Great.” He pointed to the dog under the tree, her head resting on her front paws. “I think all the tail wagging and sniffing tires her out.”
He had no idea if his mother said anything else or if he answered, because at that moment the woman he’d been looking forward to seeing all day entered the living room from the foyer. His fingers itched to run through those long blond curls and caress that silky pale skin. And that mouth. He couldn’t resist it. It had been far too long since their last kiss.
Nine days long.
Jade’s caramel eyes caught his and she stumbled slightly, her Christmas red lips forming an “O” as she corrected her gait.
Ben’s gaze dropped to the baby she cradled in her arms. Warmth and something else, something indefinable, filled him—hot and sweet and protective.
She slipped onto a chair next to the sectional, her face flushed pink and her attention focused on the cooing bundle. Jack and Hannah’s twins left their card game with their grandma to run over and play with the baby on her lap while peppering their aunt with questions. Conversation and laughter filled the air while his mother flitted from table to table like a hummingbird in a summer garden, refilling chip bowls and cookie trays.
Ben swept his hand through his hair, entranced by the sight of Jade with an infant. Sofia had often been surrounded by children and babies, but he’d never pictured her carrying his child—like he did now with his former neighbor. His mind flashed back to his middle school days when he couldn’t string four words together when near Jade. He knew what he wanted to say to her now, what he wanted to do with her, and he wasn’t afraid to say it.
Was she ready yet?
He gazed at her face and read all the signs. Those parted lips, her flushed cheeks, and the longing in her eyes when she turned to look at him above the baby’s head.
Having tired of the baby, Maggie and Mitch returned to their card game with Mrs. Engel.
Ben took that opening to move in, sitting on the edge of the sectional closest to her. “Whose baby?”
“Mine.” Laura stood in front of them, eyeing him curiously before she turned to her old friend. “She’s good with you. Ever think about having one or two of your own?”
Jade laughed off her friend’s question, her blush deepening.
Mrs. Engel chimed in from her spot on the floor. “No need to worry about Jade. She’s got her new life all planned out. Don’t you, darling?”
Ben’s blood heated at Gigi’s pointed comment and he leaned closer to his friend.
Jade had flinched at her mother’s remark but didn’t respond. “Thanks for letting me hold her.” She handed the cooing baby to Laura. “She’s beautiful.”
“No.” Laura smiled. “Thank you. My arms needed the rest. You don’t realize how heavy a fourteen-pound baby is until you carry one around all day. Don’t wait too long before you start. Children require lots of energy.”
Jade rose from her seat. “Wow. Did you check out the spread over there?” She rubbed her flat stomach. “Those coconut snowball cookies and chocolate cheesecake are calling my name.”
“Be careful,” Laura warned. “I didn’t gain my weight until after the kids.”
Gigi moved to her daughter, speaking softly but loud enough for Ben to overhear. “Laura’s right, sweetie. If you’re not going to have a high-paying job, you’ll want to focus on family.” She shook her head. “And we both know that’s not going to happen if you let yourself go.” She tilted her head at her daughter and petted her arm. “That’s why you’re wearing these long sweaters and stretchy leggings instead of that beautiful dress lying on your bed at home. Isn’t it?”
Ben had heard enough. “Any of you ladies in the mood for a drink? Wine, egg nog, Winter Wonder?”
Mrs. Engel glared at him.
“I’ll try the Winter Wonder,” Jade said, glancing briefly at her mother before turning back to him. She lifted her chin. “Want any help?”
“Definitely.” He led the way to the kitchen, the two of them leaving Gigi to grumble in their wake. She located the tumblers under his direction as he opened the fridge. “I think you look terrific tonight.”
“Thanks. Not everyone shares your opinion, apparently.”
He pulled out the pitcher of his mixer concoction, measuring it along with the shots of white alcohol into the glasses. “I mean it.” He looked at her. “How was your day, before your mother went complete bonkers?”
“She’s not usually like this. She’s just worried about me. It doesn’t come out in the prettiest of ways.”
“You don’t need to defend that kind of behavior, Jade. I’ve known your mother practically my whole life. She seems to be a really good person, but even good people can be wrong. What she just pulled in there was tactless and rude, and not just to you.” He handed her a glass.
“Thanks.” She took a sip. “Yum.” She wiped her lips. “No one heard but you and Laura.”
He set the rest of the drinks on a tray. “No, and neither one of us cares about that nonsense.”
“So, let’s drop it, okay?” She took another sip.
He nodded. He’d drop it for now, but Mrs. Engel had better curb her tongue around him in the future or he would give her a piece of his mind. “How was your day? I missed you.”
She stood there, leaning in, looking back at him. “Grandma taught me how to play Mexican Train.”
He breathed in her fresh, clean scent. “That’s cool, the game with dominoes, right?”
She nodded. “You have a beautiful home.”
“Thanks.” He held her gaze. She had chosen to skip the make-up and let her hair go wavy tonight. He reached out to touch a silky lock. “I take back what I said. You don’t look terrific tonight, you look fantastic. I love the natural you.”
Her smile reached her eyes. “It must be all the fresh mountain air I’ve been getting. It’s inspiring.”
“It could be the beginning. If you stayed, we could play outside year-round, like the old days.”
She took a deep breath. “I-I know. I’ve been thinking the same thing.”
Something she said gave him an idea. “Wait here,” Ben ordered before picking up the tray and leaving her in the kitchen so he could track down his mother. He located his mother in the dining room and handed off the drinks. “Jade and I are going upstairs for a few minutes. If you need anything, feel free to yell.” He didn’t wait for approval. He didn’t need it. And the sooner Jade learned to be her own person, the better the chance of the future he was starting to picture for them becoming reality.
He turned the corner between the dining room and kitchen and stopped.
Jade sipped her drink, staring at the candle in the window like he often did, but instead of a relaxed pose like the rest of his holiday guests, her arms wrapped protectively around her middle.
He frowned, his frustration with her mother threatening
to return. But then he had an idea that would make her smile. He walked the rest of the way into the room. “Ready?”
She turned. “For what?”
He put a finger over her lips. “Shh. Do you hear what I hear?”
She tilted her head at him and pulled his finger away with her hand. “That’s the name of a Christmas song.”
He smiled at her confusion. “No, silly. Listen.”
“All I hear is a rowdy party.” She looked at her empty drink and hiccupped. “I suspect the Winter Wonder consumption has something to do with it.”
“Perhaps. We’ll cut them off soon, no fears. Do you get it though? Everyone is having fun, celebrating, letting loose.” He grinned and took her hand, pulling her through the dining room to the foyer at the front of the house, out of view of their guests. “Now it’s our turn.”
“What are you doing?”
“I want to give you the nickel tour. You haven’t been inside before. This is the perfect opportunity.”
She glanced into the living room where her mother was locked in a huddle with her father, still looking unhappy, and her back went rigid. “Why do some people want to live our lives for us, tell us what to do all the time?”
He said softly, “I’m not telling you to do anything. What do you want, Jade?”
Emotions flitted across her face. “Right now, I want you to give me that tour.”
Chapter Eleven
Jade followed Ben up the spiral oak staircase to the second floor. She had to be careful. He didn’t need to know she would follow him just about anywhere right now.
At the top of the stairs, he turned right and showed her the four bedrooms with en suite bathrooms. All beautiful, charming Adirondack-style rooms with all the modern touches. He led the way past the stairway to the left and stopped at a closed door. “Forgive the mess. I wasn’t planning on guests tonight.”
The deep rumble of his voice sent heat racing between her legs. She shifted her weight. “I don’t need to see it.” But she did. Then her mind could put a real place in her fantasies about the man she had become reacquainted with the past few weeks, the one she was considering having a holiday fling with—whether her mother approved or not.
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