“So you must have really connected last summer, huh?” Liz tried to put some kind of timeline on their relationship.
“Yeah, we met in the beginning of August - he came to the shop a lot - started walking me home. He was so serious, but funny, too, you know? It was great to make him laugh,” Kelly smiled at the memory. “Anyway, we were together constantly, well, as much as we could be,” she navigated around a small hill and picked up again. “By the time he had to leave for law school, we knew we had something special.”
Liz followed, trying to make sense of it all.The conversation was delayed as the path narrowed through a stretch of trees. As she followed her daughter through the woods, she entertained the thought that Kelly had chosen the trail for that very reason. They spent the final half hour focusing on the terrain, and by the time they finished, they were tired and ready for lunch.
“Okay, so this time, you can pick me up, if that’s okay,” Kelly said as they walked toward her vehicle. “The restaurant’s only like a ten or fifteen-minute drive from my place. Near the outlet mall. Just come whenever you’re ready.”
“Cam and his dad will meet us there?” Her disinterested tone masked where her head had been half the morning. No wonder Liz had trouble staying on her feet.
“And his uncle,” Kelly reminded her. “I’m sorry he kept hounding you last night. Every time I thought you put him in his place, he’d come back for more.” She unlocked her car. “I really hope he isn’t serious about staying at Maddy’s. You won’t get a minute’s rest.”
Liz wasn’t getting rest in any case. “I can handle him.”
Kelly grimaced. “I have no doubt about that. I just wanted you to have some peace and quiet.”
Liz offered a wan smile.
Kelly loaded their skis and they climbed into her car. They drove for a few minutes, lost in their own thoughts.
“Oh, hey, I never asked how it went with your ride home. Was it super awkward? Did Mr. Harrison say anything?”
Liz scrambled for a response. She could hardly tell Kelly that they were essentially plotting against her and Cam. It didn’t leave a lot to discuss.
“It was fine. He was very pleasant.” She groaned inwardly. Kelly would never let that one pass.
“Pleasant? Seriously?”
“I don’t know what else to say. We made small talk.” Then he kissed me and I haven’t had a coherent thought since. Oh, yeah, and we decided that you and Cam are moving too fast.
“Are you okay? You’re not telling me something.” Kelly looked over with concern as she navigated the snowy side roads.
Liz almost cheered when she saw the sign for the inn. “Here we are. Don’t worry about pulling in - the lot is still pretty snowy.” She opened her door as Kelly slowed to a stop. “I’ll see you in an hour,” she said, leaving Kelly to pull away, a confused smile on her face.
***
Liz felt more composed as she and Kelly drove to the restaurant. She was simply tired. She’d shared an unusual, isolated moment with Cam’s dad, she hadn’t slept well, and the whole thing had become bigger than it actually was. He probably hadn’t given the kiss a second thought, and Liz was feeling pretty silly for letting it consume her morning. She almost wished she hadn’t brought it up with Becky. The bottom line was that nothing could happen between them, not even casually. Having exercised and showered, Liz felt much-needed clarity.
“Oh, look! They’re here!” Kelly pointed and Liz pulled up to the curb and parked.
She braced herself and glanced out the window. Christopher, Cam and Bobby stood on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant, their shoulders hunched against the cold. Liz tried to look at Christopher objectively. The wind tossed his thick hair, though it didn’t seem to know where it belonged in any case. The silver at his temples was distinguished looking, or it would have been, had his hair behaved. His complexion was dark, and he was clean-shaven, though she expected, based on the night before, that he’d have a shadow by dinnertime. He was an inch or two shorter than his brother, and stockier in a way that Liz found appealing when she recalled him in his sweater and jeans. She shook herself. This was not the direction she had intended her thoughts to take.
She started to open her door, but Bobby was quick to intercept it and extend his hand.
“Oh, boy, here we go,” Kelly groaned.
“Hey, Liz.”
She took his hand. “Good morning, Bobby. Or afternoon.”
“Is it possible that you’re even prettier in the daylight?”
She thought she heard a growl but Bobby effectively blocked her view of Christopher as they rounded the car, so she was left to imagine his response. “Thank you, and no, probably not.” She reclaimed her hand.
Bobby continued to walk beside her and she glanced at Christopher. Nodding a polite smile at him, she quickly looked to his son. Cam greeted her and helped Kelly negotiate a sloppy puddle.
She turned and smiled brightly at the group. “Did you see the sign in the window, Mom?”
Liz looked up, read the sign, and almost choked. “‘Free Appetizers for Mistletoe Adventurers?’ What does that even mean? Never mind. I don’t want to know.”
Kelly laughed. “My mom can’t stand the whole mistletoe thing. Has a thing about kissing - or not kissing, I should say.”
“Kelly!”
“Something about her personal space,” Kelly giggled.
“I don’t think they’re interested ...”
“We’re practically family, now, Mom. They need to know these things!”
Liz desperately wanted to avoid looking at Christopher, but her eyes were drawn to his like a magnet. She found them crinkling at the corners, though the rest of his face remained impassive. She swallowed and turned away.
“Oh, look!” Kelly sing-songed. She pointed overhead as they entered the restaurant and Cam swept her up in a dramatic embrace.
Liz and Christopher stared straight ahead and waited for them to finish. Kelly finally pulled back and grinned.
“Don’t worry Mom. You’re safe with Mr. Harrison.”
Christopher cleared his throat and offered a polite grimace.
“Which Mr. Harrison?” Bobby interjected, pulling Liz under the mistletoe.
She instinctively backed up - into the wall of Christopher’s chest.
He steadied her. “Leave her alone, Bobby.”
Liz was strangely comforted by the irritation in his voice and more than a little unnerved by the way his voice ruffled the hair at her temple. She gently pulled away, knowing what she had to do.
“She can speak for herself,” Bobby replied, his voice playful despite the answering irritation in his eyes. “What fun is playing it safe, anyway?”
“Good question,” she replied, reaching up and planting a kiss on his cheek. She fought the desire to recoil, and instead, simply smiled as she backed away.
Bobby grinned at her. “Well, that’s a start.”
“Mom! Really?”
Liz wasn’t about to explain herself. She hardly knew why she did it, except that she half-heartedly hoped Christopher would figure that she’d kiss anyone, even his brother. That would keep their little episode in perspective.
She shrugged at Kelly and followed the host back to their table. Naturally, they were seated in a booth, and Liz found herself sandwiched between the Harrison boys.
It was going to be a long lunch.
***
The two families continued to get to know each other over steaming bowls of lobster bisque and clam chowder, along with some pesto and tomato bruschetta, thanks to Kelly and Cam. The Trivia game seemed to be comfortable territory for discussion, and there was no shortage of playful pride as they replayed the evening and staked claim to their individual roles in the victory.
Christopher admired the fact that Liz watched the banter with a smile, but didn’t feel the need to compete. He’d been drawn to her quiet intelligence and quick wit the evening b
efore; that was part of what got him in trouble under the mistletoe. He couldn’t remember when he’d felt such an instantaneous attraction - or any attraction at all, for that matter. It seemed his heart was telling him it was time to consider living again; he just wished his head had the sense to redirect his interest from his son’s mother-in-law-to-be. If there was a woman in the state of Maine that he absolutely couldn’t fall for, it was the very attractive woman wedged between his brother and him.
She’s from Vermont, a little voice reminded him. He sighed aloud.
“You alright, old man?” Bobby leaned over with mock concern. “Out too late last night?”
Christopher forced himself into the conversation. “The hot air makes it a little hard to breathe,” he replied, picking up his water glass. He could see Liz smiling in his peripheral vision, but kept his gaze averted. If he looked at her now, close as she was, he’d forget the company and finish what he started the night before. He took a large swallow of icy water.
Bobby laughed a little too loudly. “Well, maybe if you’d contributed a little last night, you’d have something to crow about, too.”
Christopher shrugged, unmoved. “Plans for this afternoon?” He looked at Cam and Kelly.
“My mom and I are going to the mall. We need to get her some skates.” Kelly’s eyes lit up at the prospect of another winter sport.
Did the girl ever slow down? Christopher glanced to his right. “Didn’t you ski this morning?”
Liz smiled and tried to stretch her legs, though there was no place to move them. “Yes, we did. It was a beautiful trail. Do you ski?”
“Skating is my winter torture of choice.”
She laughed and Christopher fought his own smile.
“I’m more of a skier now, but I used to skate, a long time ago.” Liz glanced at her daughter. “Kelly says there’s a nice rink in town. Nothing like re-learning a childhood past-time in public.”
Christopher never had difficulty letting others carry a conversation. Rarely did he feel compelled to contribute. He could hardly believe it when his own voice betrayed him and fished for more information. “When are you going?”
“Well, we want to go tonight, under the lights,” Kelly jumped in. “I love how they have the trees lit up all around the square. Mom has to see that, for sure.” She gave her mom a cheerful smile. “I know we skied this morning, but tomorrow night’s the shop’s community Christmas party, then it’s Christmas Eve.” She buttered another piece of crusty Italian bread and glanced back at the others. “Not sure how long after Christmas my mom will be hanging out.”
Christopher noted a rather significant twinge of regret at the thought of Liz leaving; not a good sign. He looked at Cam. “You skating?”
His son grimaced. “Wasn’t planning on it. She’d skate circles around me.” He nudged Kelly with his shoulder and she grinned at him.
“You should come,” she insisted. “You’re the one who told me about the rink in the first place.”
Cam seemed oblivious to her earnest invitation. “Doesn’t mean I skate, or at least, not well.”
“Come on, we’ll hobble around together. It’ll be fun.”
Kelly’s eyes sparkled as they always did, but Cam was unmoved. He glanced across the table. “Great. Thanks, Dad.”
Christopher considered him thoughtfully as Bobby joined the conversation.
“Well, that leaves me out,” he interjected good-naturedly. “Guess I’ll doctor up some hot chocolate and have it ready for whoever survives the carnage.”
Cam’s eyes lit up at that. “We’ll meet back at the house afterward. You good with that, Dad?”
Christopher could hardly say no after starting the whole thing. “That’s fine.”
“Well,” Liz shifted beside him, “I’d better get shopping if I’m going to find some decent skates.”
The waiter came by with the check and Bobby made a big show of picking it up. “Since I won’t be at the skating party,” he reminded them, fishing unsuccessfully for pity.
They thanked him and got up to leave, Christopher making a point to stay between Liz and Bobby on the way out of the restaurant. Kelly’s reference to mistletoe had been intriguing, though he wasn’t sure what to make of it. He wouldn’t have called Liz unresponsive the night before. He let his mind wander back to the kiss; a well-worn path. Why had he done it?
Distracted, Christopher got caught behind the exodus of a large party, and glanced apologetically at Liz as they waited their turn to leave. When they finally reached the exit, the hostess playfully blocked their way, crossing her arms and gesturing at the mistletoe with her pencil. Christopher turned to Liz, all sense and good judgment taking flight as he looked into her eyes.
She looked overhead, then back at him, and he waited as she contemplated her options. Rational or not, he knew what he wanted, but he wasn’t going to push it this time. He fought the urge to thread his fingers through her silky hair and draw her close.
She reached up several days or weeks later - Christopher had lost track of time - and kissed him gently on the lips. Not caring if the whole restaurant looked on, he stepped in, put a hand to her cheek, and did his best to encourage her to prolong the kiss. She didn’t need a lot of encouragement. When someone started to cheer, they pulled apart in a daze.
Eyes locked, they slowly backed away from each other. Liz broke the connection and looked around; her shoulders visibly relaxing when she realized that her daughter and his family had already left. Christopher had confirmed it before turning to her, but they could have re-entered the restaurant with tambourines for all that he’d paid attention once Liz locked those eyes on him.
Less than twenty-four hours, and he was a goner.
***
Why had she done it? Liz started her vehicle, cranking the heat to full blast. She’d intended to leave Christopher with the idea that last night’s kiss had meant nothing. Why else would she go anywhere near Bobby and take the chance of leading him on? Then Christopher had looked at her with what she suspected was a bit of the same longing she felt, and all her resolve melted away.
She shivered.
“I know, it’s so cold!” Kelly agreed as she huddled deep in her coat. “At least you weren’t waiting outside for five minutes.”
Liz pulled at her scarf; she wasn’t really all that cold. “We got caught behind a big group that was leaving. Took forever.”
“Well, let’s go get you some skates,” Kelly replied, appeased. She rubbed her mittened hands together. “We’re really going to have to bundle up tonight.”
The drive to the outlet mall was short and they were quickly distracted by the skate selection at the sports store. Liz marveled that they’d landed in another place where Kelly seemed to be a favorite. She let go of her concerns for a while and just enjoyed being with her daughter.
“I’d definitely go with these,” Kelly said, having quickly scoured the selection and narrowed down the options. “Assuming you’re really going to use them,” she raised a brow at her mom, “they’ll be a better investment.”
Liz nodded and sat down to try them on. “I’d definitely like to start skating again. Just have to get back in the habit.”
“Right. You need a friend to go with you.”
Liz smiled as she eased her foot into the skate. It was surprisingly comfortable for what was essentially a hardy boot with a blade attached to it. “This is good,” she said, standing gently and putting her weight on it. “And yes, I’ll find someone to skate with.”
Kelly checked the fit. “Good. It will make all the difference if someone is keeping you accountable.”
“No doubt,” Liz watched her daughter fuss with the laces.
Kelly looked up and considered her mother. “You gotta keep active. I tell people that all the time. You’re thin, and that’s great,” she said, standing, “but it’s not necessarily ‘cause you’re getting enough exercise. You need to eat better, too. The who
le package.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Liz bit back a smile.
“You won’t be laughing when middle age hits and your figure starts to sag.”
“I’m there,” Liz reminded her, “and when did you become my personal trainer? I do alright.”
“I know,” Kelly sort of looked contrite. “You look really good ...” she hesitated.
“For my age,” Liz supplied with a smile.
“For any age,” Kelly assured her. “But it will get harder to maintain. Anyway, skating is just fun and it will be good for you. That’s the bottom line.”
“When did you get to be such a health expert?”
“Oh, Drew and I talk about this stuff all the time. He’s the big guy from coffee shop - ran the game last night?”
Liz knew perfectly well who Drew was, and noted the animation on Kelly’s face when she talked about him. “I remember. You talk about him on the phone a lot.”
Surprise flickered across Kelly’s face. “Well, he’s into all of this stuff, too, and we work together fairly often, so ...” she shrugged and turned toward the insulated socks. “You’ll need some of these. And I could use another pair.”
Liz let the Drew matter drop - again - and focused on sock shopping. She’d revisit the subject of the coffee man, but would have to do so very carefully. She doubted her daughter even knew how invested she was in that particular relationship.
***
Liz tapped on the kitchen door and let herself in. “Mind if I watch you cook?”
Becky looked up with a smile. “It’s hardly cooking, but you’re more than welcome. I’m just putting a breakfast casserole together for the morning.”
“Not just for me, I hope?”
“Well, I’d do it regardless, but we do have two couples coming in this evening. It’s going to be a little busier here tomorrow.”
Mistletoe (Clairmont Series Book 4) Page 3