Mistletoe (Clairmont Series Book 4)

by S. Jane Scheyder

  Liz pulled up a stool and watched Becky whip up the eggs. “So you’ll spend your Christmas taking care of people?”

  Becky shrugged. “It’s not so bad. I was never really into holiday traditions.” She added milk to the mixture. “To be honest, I spent a lot of time avoiding my family at Christmas - until last year. So, while I’m happy to be in a better place, I’m not in the habit of spending the holidays with them.” She set the bowl on the counter and washed her hands.

  Liz considered her own, less than perfect holidays over the years. It had always been about scrambling to provide for Kelly, while her husband ... didn’t. Since her divorce, she and Kelly had made do like they always did, but somehow it was more of an adventure. Less pressure, she guessed, to make everything look perfect when it so clearly wasn’t.

  “When does your fiancé get in?”

  “Tank?” Becky looked up, her face brightening. “Any time, now. I’m sure he’ll be stopping by here, so, you know, look out.”

  Liz laughed. “Mind if I make some cocoa?”

  “Please,” Becky replied. “I usually keep the thermos in the dining room full, but since you were gone all day, I didn’t bother. Figured I’d lure you in here, instead.”

  “It worked,” Liz grinned.

  Becky got out the cocoa supplies. “So how was lunch with the in-laws?”

  “Interesting,” Liz replied.

  “Interesting sounds interesting. Better enlighten me.”

  “Becky?” a loud voice thundered from the front of the house and Liz jumped.

  “That would be my charming fiancé.”

  Liz wiped up her cocoa, then glanced at Becky. “Aren’t you going to ... go say hello?”

  Becky shrugged as she washed her hands, though her color had heightened a bit. “He knows his way in here.”

  Liz listened with concern as heavy footsteps neared the kitchen from the dining room. She set her cocoa down and prepared for the door to swing open, which happened with considerable force. The man overwhelming the doorway somehow looked much less formidable when his eyes lit on Becky.

  “Hey,” he said, approaching her.

  Becky smiled as she came around the counter. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

  He growled and took her in his arms. She laughed and made an effort to break free. “We have a guest, Tank.”

  He put her down slowly and turned toward Liz.

  “This is Liz Michaels. Her daughter, Kelly, works at the coffee shop. Liz, Tank Kimball.”

  Tank nodded, extended a hand.

  Liz walked over and took it. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Here, too,” he replied, clearly struggling with the effort to be polite. He turned back to Becky. “Can you get away for dinner?”

  “I’m fine, thanks. How was your trip?”

  “Sorry. It was good. I can fill you in over supper.”

  “Would you pick something up? I have two couples checking in.”

  He hadn’t yet let go of her hand, and Liz ached a little at the tenderness of the gesture.

  “Okay, my choice. No weird sushi.”

  Becky laughed. “Like you can get good sushi around here.”

  “Just sayin’.” Tank leaned in and kissed her, then whispered something that brought color to Becky’s cheeks.

  “Get out of here,” she said, giving him a push.

  Tank released her and left as quickly as he’d come in. Becky watched him leave, then put the casserole in the fridge.

  “I’m sorry,” Liz said. “I should have left you alone.”

  “Oh no, that’s just what we needed,” Becky assured her.

  “What you needed?”

  “Seriously. We can’t be alone together. That was perfect.”

  Not sure what that meant or if she should ask, Liz smiled and waited for Becky to elaborate.

  She tried. “When we first got engaged, I made a decision. Really not sure how I thought it was possible, but I’m trying to stick with it.”

  “I see,” Liz replied, still completely confused.

  Becky dropped her cloth on the counter and crossed her arms. “Okay, since we have some sort of strange, instantaneous bond,” she stopped and regarded Liz. “Do you have this affect on everybody?”

  Liz laughed. “I honestly don’t know. I usually keep to myself - I’m not terribly social by inclination or circumstance - so to have made two ... friends so quickly is really unusual for me.”

  “Well, whatever it is, I can see why Kelly’s fiancé’s dad feels safe with you. Well,” Becky reconsidered, “probably ‘safe’ isn’t really what you want to hear, but whatever. It works for me.”

  “There are worse things,” Liz smiled.

  “Absolutely. So, anyway, Tank and I are waiting for our wedding. And I mean exactly what you’re probably too polite to think I mean. We are both very experienced, overly informed adults, and we’re waiting,” she said again with as much conviction as she could muster. “Which makes it very difficult to be anywhere near him ... ever.”

  “Wow. That’s really great,” Liz said, feeling very old that she didn’t even want to kiss the dates that she’d had over the years. Not until Christopher. She hadn’t really thought about waiting in any real specific sense. Suddenly the thought of waiting for someone like Christopher filled her with an impatience that kind of blew her mind, and made her seriously blush.

  Becky laughed. “Oh, my, don’t even pretend you’re not thinking what I think you’re thinking.” Her eyes sparkled. “When do you see Prof. In-law again?”

  Liz sipped her cocoa to keep from banging her head on the counter. “He and Cam might be skating with us tonight.”

  “Oh, how romantic!”

  “I haven’t skated in forever; didn’t really want any more of an audience than I’ll already have at a public rink.” Liz rubbed her temples. “I kissed him today in the restaurant.”

  “You what?”

  “I kissed him under the mistletoe.”

  “You two definitely have mistletoe issues.”

  “I know. And I’ve always thought that it was so silly.” Liz shook her head. “The restaurant had some sort of promotion going on for the holidays - free appetizers - whatever, it was ridiculous,” she explained. “Anyway, the hostess stopped us on the way out, which actually doesn’t make sense, if you think about it,” Liz paused for a moment, because she hadn’t, then shrugged. “So then Christopher turned to me, and I just thought, ‘I’ve got to take the second kiss test.’ Part of me wanted to prove that last night wasn’t such a big deal, and the other part, well, I just really wanted to kiss him again.”

  “And...?”

  Liz swallowed. “Better than the first one.”

  “What did he say after that?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Nothing?”

  “He’s not much of a talker. We just kind of looked at each other until the applause died down.”

  “People applauded?”

  “Yeah,” Liz sighed. “It was a good kiss.”

  “Wow.”

  Liz finally shook herself. “I’ve got to put the brakes on. I’ve completely lost my focus. I never lose my focus.”

  Becky smiled. “Not so easy to control, is it?”

  “Actually, it is,” Liz stood and adjusted her sweater. “We’re behaving like a couple of adolescents. We’ve got more important things to think about. Kelly needs me right now, and I can’t get distracted by ...” she cleared her throat, “a good kisser.”

  Becky tried to hide her smile behind her own coffee cup. “So, if he tries again ...?”

  “Please. It’s not like he’s going to chase me around the rink.” Liz refused to give in to the image. There would be no chasing, no breathless embrace as they fell into the snow together ...

  “You were talking about chasing each other around the rink?” Becky gently reminded her.

  Liz jumped out of her reverie. “No cha
sing,” she insisted, fighting her own smile. “I’m going to behave like an adult.”

  Becky nodded. “Right. Be an adult. No kissing. No adventure. No fun.”

  Liz considered her new friend. “This can’t be about me right now.”

  “And yet it’s possible,” Becky replied, setting her own cup in the sink, “that this week isn’t about Kelly at all.”

  ***

  Christopher pulled his car into one of the diagonal parking spaces near the town green. Cam had called to let Kelly know that he was delayed, but Christopher had decided to drive over, anyway. His son would likely end up canceling, and he was determined that one of the Harrison men kept their word. He got out of the car with a wry grin. Who was he kidding? He couldn’t pass up an excuse to see Liz again. It was likely pointless, even hopeless to pursue any kind of relationship, but somehow he couldn’t allow himself to embrace that reality. He’d felt more alive in the last twenty-four hours than he’d felt in years. That had to count for something.

  Walking toward the rink, he took in the lights that Kelly had described so enthusiastically. It really was a great setting; he wished that Cam would appreciate things like this more. His son’s general lack of enthusiasm around his new fiancée concerned him. Shouldn’t there be more sparks? It all seemed very neatly packaged, but not terribly romantic. He wondered, again, what the advantage was to their getting married before Cam finished law school. Were they so in love that they couldn’t wait? His younger daughter had married her high school sweetheart right out of college the summer before. Maybe Cam had sensed their happiness and wanted the same for himself. Christopher hoped that was the motivation, though he still couldn’t understand why they were in such a rush.

  All of his fatherly worries evaporated, taking twenty years with them, when he looked across the ice and saw Liz and Kelly skating together. They really did look like sisters - both trim and athletic, though you could tell that Liz was more hesitant on the ice. Kelly turned and began skating backward, facing Liz and laughing. For all that Christopher was concerned about the kids fast-tracking their plans, he wouldn’t mind Cam marrying into this particular family. It would probably be good for him. Kelly would be a cheerful, uplifting balance to Cam’s over-developed work horse mentality. Not that Kelly was any less hard-working; she just seemed to enjoy life more. How could he not want that for his son?

  Because that means I can’t have it for myself, he sighed, approaching the rink. The women either missed him or chose to skate past their first time around, but when they circled again, Kelly veered toward him with a smile. Liz followed, probably skating a little faster than she should. Kelly slid to a neat stop just past him, but Liz hadn’t been on her skates long enough to finesse a smooth landing. She had only a moment to decide whether to attempt the stop or veer around him and continue skating. He intercepted her when she continued to skate but neglected to veer. She landed with a thump in his arms.

  “Hello,” he grinned, holding her firmly until she could get her feet beneath her.

  “Hi,” she grunted, trying to regain her breath. “Sorry about that.”

  “Wow, smooth, Mom,” Kelly laughed. “Are you alright?”

  Liz pulled herself away, teetered briefly, then regained her balance. “Thanks, Kelly,” she breathed. “As always, your laughter precedes your sympathy.” She brushed imaginary snow off her arms.

  Christopher schooled his features and let concern trump delight. “Are you okay?”

  She avoided his eyes. “I’m good, thanks. Still remembering how to do this.”

  “So, hey,” Kelly interrupted, weaving small patterns on the side of the rink, “do you think Cam will really show up?”

  Christopher pulled his gaze away from Liz. “You know he and his uncle are watching a basketball game?” He continued at her nod. “To be honest, they looked pretty relaxed. I doubt he’s going anywhere else this evening.”

  She nodded. “I kind of figured.” Then she shrugged. “It’s cool that you came out. You didn’t have to ... Hang on ...” She pulled her phone out of her pocket. “Be right back.”

  Kelly skated slowly across the rink, her phone to her ear, and Christopher turned back to Liz. Her dark blue eyes focused on her daughter, her cheeks and nose were pink from the cold and exercise, her lips ...

  “Christopher.”

  His eyes jumped to hers.

  “You can’t do that.”

  He knew perfectly well what he couldn’t do. “Do what?”

  She fought a smile that drew his gaze back to her lips. “Don’t ... don’t just look at my lips.”

  “They look cold.”

  Her grin grew wider and he didn’t even try to look away.

  “Stop that. They’re fine.”

  “They are.”

  Her eyes flew to his and narrowed a bit, no doubt trying to figure him out. He wished her luck. He had no idea what he was doing.

  “We can’t do this. You know we can’t.”

  He considered her earnest face. Her eyes told a different story than her lips. Then again, her lips ...

  “Chris!”

  Her use of the nick name surprised him. Normally, he didn’t like the shortened version - somehow it was okay - better than that - coming from her.

  “Is your full name Elizabeth?”

  Her confusion intensified. “Yes, but,” she stomped her skates, maybe in frustration, maybe to warm her feet. She stopped almost immediately, her balance worth more than the heat generated.

  “It’s a beautiful name. Lots of fascinating Elizabeths in literature.”

  She considered him warily. “I can’t be alone with you.”

  It was his turn to be confused. “Why?”

  She returned his gaze helplessly, then glanced over his shoulder. He turned to see Kelly skating up.

  “Hey. Just got a call from work. Daphne cut her finger. She’s okay, but Drew’s taking her to the hospital - she may need stitches. Grace wants to know if I can work for a couple of hours.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry,” Liz replied. “Of course. Do what you need to do.”

  “Mr. Harrison could maybe take you home?”

  “Certainly,” he replied.

  “Thanks,” Kelly skated backwards toward her car. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Mom. Breakfast, right?”

  “Right,” Liz agreed, watching with concern as her daughter put distance between them.

  “I’ll let Cam know. And you be sure to do a few laps before you go home. Gotta get those skates broken in!” Kelly turned with a wave and a smile.

  ***

  Liz looked at Christopher. “Sorry about this.”

  He smiled and his face transformed, yet again, before her. How had Kelly ever found him silent and brooding? “No problem at all. You want to skate?”

  “Do you mind if I do a few laps?” she asked. “I hate to keep you, but...” she looked around the rink, which had cleared quite a bit since they’d arrived. “This might be a good time to reacquaint myself with the ice - one way or another.”

  Christopher nodded with a grin. “My skates are in my trunk. It’s been a while, but okay if I join you?”

  “Sure. Of course.” More bonding time with a man I absolutely can’t get attached to.

  “Go ahead. I’ll catch up.”

  Liz nodded and took off a little faster than she should have, but managed to keep her feet beneath her and gradually slowed her pace with some degree of dignity. Old habits began to take over, and her confidence returned with them. She used to love skating; getting back on the ice was going to be good for her.

  She finished a lap and saw Christopher sitting on a bench with his skates. I can’t be alone with you, she’d said, as though their relationship carried the same emotional weight that apparently Becky and her fiancé’s did. Why was she so uptight? What could possibly happen? So she was attracted to a man that she likely wouldn’t see again for a very long time. Once she returned home and got
back into her routine, she’d get perspective on this little fling that couldn’t be. Why not enjoy getting to know a handsome, intelligent man? No one had piqued her interest like he had in a very long time. Was it so bad to enjoy the attention for one night?

  The scrape of skates approaching told her that Christopher was on the ice. She turned as he came alongside and matched her stride, and her smile. Liz almost lost her footing at the reaction her whole body seemed to have to this relative stranger. Was this what had happened to her daughter? She tried to picture Kelly being swept off her feet, but Liz hadn’t seen evidence of that heart-pounding, irrational, crazy happy feeling she associated with being in love.

  She tried to calm her own irrational heart as she skated next to her daughter’s father-in-law-to-be. The white lights sparkling in the trees cast a magical glow, and the sky overhead offered its own light show. The setting was idyllic and she almost wondered why so few shared the rink with them. Then the cold wind whipped at her scarf and its icy fingers wrapped around her face and neck. She retrieved her scarf from Christopher’s chest with a shiver and a grin.

  “So, has Cam said anything about their engagement?” she asked.

  Christopher blew out a puff of vapor - the only warm air for miles. Liz watched it disappear as he said, “Every time I bring it up, Cam gets defensive. Says he knows what he’s doing.” He skated in silence for a few strides. “Amy, my daughter, got married this past summer. Cam’s little sister,” he explained. “Maybe he’s trying to catch up? I don’t know. He’s always been about school and work. I don’t know where this is coming from.”

  Liz huddled into her coat and ducked her nose back under her scarf. “I was hoping to talk to Kelly tonight,” she muffled. “Guess I’ll try again in the morning. Not sure what sporting event she has planned for us, but we should have an opportunity to talk somewhere in there.”

  Christopher guided her over to the side of the rink where they slowed to a stop. He gently pulled the scarf from her face and Liz recalled the night before - had it only been twenty-four hours? - when he’d done the same thing. She stopped breathing when his gloved fingers edged her chin.

  She closed her eyes. “I thought we weren’t supposed to do this,” she whispered, fully ready to do whatever he had in mind.