“You sound like a lawyer.”
“Ha!” Becky laughed. “Still, you don’t really know Christopher. Maybe it runs in the family? Who knows?”
“It just doesn’t seem likely.”
“True.” Becky thought for a minute. “Okay, I’m going to play devil’s advocate here. I’m all for people falling love, and I think you two are adorable, but you said it yourself, that this is probably more about wanting something that you can’t have. What’s really different about him?”
“Well,” Liz tried to gather her thoughts. “He’s ...” she sighed.
“Words,” Becky prodded. “Use your words.”
Liz grinned. “Okay, well, obviously, he’s very handsome.”
“When he smiles,” Becky qualified.
“All the time,” Liz corrected. “I love that brooding, serious look. Very Darcy-like.”
“Without the money,” Becky pointed out.
Liz laughed. “Right. Anyway, I also like his shoulders. And his crazy hair. What’s up with that?” She sat back thoughtfully. “He’s always running his hand through it and leaving it a mess. I wouldn’t normally like that, but with him, it’s...”
“Okay, enough with the physical stuff. I get that you’re attracted to him. I can’t believe I’m the one saying this, but let’s dig a little deeper here. You can do it.”
Liz laughed again. “Sorry. You’re right. If I was having this conversation with Kelly, I’d be concerned if that was all she could come up with.” Her thoughts drifted, and Becky interrupted.
“Oh, no. Stay with me, Liz. We’re not solving that problem right now. Talk to me about Christopher.”
Liz sighed. “Okay. Well, I do believe what Bobby said about how much Christopher loved his wife. Whether the rest is true or not, it does seem like he really loved her and is devoted to her memory. That’s very sweet.”
“Very. But the fact that he will forever be in love with his first wife isn’t the most compelling reason for falling in love with the guy.”
“Ouch. You’re not taking any prisoners.”
“Give me another reason.”
“Well, he’s stable.”
“Be still, my heart.”
“Believe me, stability is a very good thing. There’s something very romantic about a man who is willing and able to take care of the woman he loves.”
“Watch it, Liz. That was ‘love’ talk.”
Liz felt her face grow warm. “You know what I mean.”
Becky regarded her with interest. “Whatever. I thought you were the independent sort.”
“I’m fully capable, and I want that understood in any relationship. But it’s nice to share the load. That’s what it’s supposed to be about. Taking care of each other. If it’s all on one person ...” she shrugged.
“Okay, so he’s stable. I’ll accept that answer. Give me something more interesting.”
“He’s smart, he has a wonderful, dry sense of humor. He’s authentic, not showy, he takes care of himself - that’s important.
“And not hard on the eyes, either.”
“You said I couldn’t talk about that.”
“Well, the fact that he takes care of himself ... shows. Tank says he probably doesn’t work out, some guys are just built solidly, but you can tell he runs or does something to stay fit.”
“You and Tank talked about what Christopher does for exercise?”
Becky laughed. “We’re always talking fitness stuff. Who does what to stay in shape. Tank’s in the gym all the time, when he’s not traveling, so he considers himself the official exercise guru.”
“Well, he definitely knows his stuff. Who would argue with him?”
“I would. All the time. But we’re not talking about that either. So, would you say that Christopher is someone you’d pursue a relationship with at home, if you just met, say, at a party or through a friend?”
Liz thought for a minute. “I would definitely want to know him better.”
“And what do you think he sees in you?”
“Oh, that’s hard. I don’t know. I guess I’ve aged alright,” she hedged.
“Oh, please! Do you think that’s what he said to ... whomever ... after he met you? ‘I just met this fabulous woman named Liz, and she’s, well, I guess she’s aged alright ...’ ”
Liz laughed. “Well, what do you want me to say? How can I know why he’s attracted to me?”
“You just know that he is.”
“He seems to be.”
“Well, if he knows Kelly at all, he has good reason to think you’re something special.”
“Thank you.”
“So, how did you leave it with him?”
“Well, we pretty much decided that we have to cool it and concentrate on the kids.”
“Was that before or after the column kiss?”
Liz sat upright. “The column kiss?”
Becky looked at her speculatively, fighting a grin. “Yeah, you can’t blame that one on mistletoe.”
Liz felt her face warming again. “You saw that?”
“It’s not like I was spying, but when Bobby saw you ...”
“Bobby saw that?”
“He told you to ‘mind the mistletoe.’ ”
“Yeah, but I thought he maybe just saw one of the more ...”
“More what?” Becky was having way too much fun at her expense.
“Well, they weren’t all like that.”
“I would imagine not, or you might have had company last night.”
“We just met!”
“And he had you backed up against the porch in, what, thirty-six hours? For old people, that’s moving fast.”
Liz couldn’t help laughing. “Thanks a lot!”
“Well, you’re acting all prudy and shocked. These things happen.”
Liz sobered a little. “Doesn’t mean they should.”
Both women sat for a moment in quiet thought. Something had hit Becky hard, and Liz waited, curious, not wanting to push. Then curiosity of a different kind surfaced.
“Wait ... how did Bobby see the column kiss? I thought you’d distracted him.”
Becky returned to the present. “Well, I got him to fill out some ridiculous and nonessential paperwork, and I was pretty sure he was going to bed, when he decided to peek out through the blind. At that point, what could I do? I couldn’t let him know that I knew you had a mistletoe history. I just hoped he wouldn’t see too much.” Becky shrugged. “I mean, there was a small chance you could just be talking.”
Liz snorted and they both laughed.
“Anyway, when he whistled and said ... well, I won’t repeat it, but he wasn’t happy, I knew he’d seen too much. That’s when I peeked out.” Becky sat back in her chair. “I had to know what I was dealing with.”
“Well, that one kind of woke us up. Time to put the kids first and stop the ... mistletoe-ing.”
“That was way beyond mistletoe.”
“Yes it was.”
Becky perked up. “Maybe you’re the one to break the spell! You know, like in Beauty and the Beast?”
Liz looked at her quizzically.
“No wait, that’s actually my story,” Becky conceded. “Tank makes a great beast.”
Liz smiled. And Becky makes a great, blonde-haired, brown-eyed beauty. She couldn’t help but be happy for her new friend, who had a clear path with a man who obviously adored her. Liz tried not to dwell on the void that lay ahead when she returned to Burlington.
“But seriously, if that part of what Bobby said is true, and there’s something about Christmas that Christopher can’t seem to get past, well, maybe that’s why you’re here for the holidays.”
“Sounds very romantic,” Liz replied, “but there are still too many roadblocks. We live hours from each other ...”
“You told me he has a job offer somewhere in Vermont.”
“Which Bobby says he won’t take ‘cause h
e’ll never leave Clairmont.”
“Bobby says ...”
“Right.”
“Our college is great, but he has to have considered teaching at a bigger school where he’ll have more opportunities.”
“I know,” Liz agreed. “Bobby says he has his doctorate, but he won’t let anyone use the title. Also told me that he’s always getting job offers and never considers them. His wife is buried here. He won’t leave.”
“Bobby says.”
Liz sighed. “Yeah, Bobby says.”
“You need to get your information from a more dependable source.”
“Right, but it’s not like we’re talking at that level.”
“You’re kissing at that level.”
Liz put her head in her hands and groaned.
“Okay, we’ve got to get you ready for the party tonight. We’ll make you irresistible and see how strong he is.”
“Right. That will help.” Liz gave a sad laugh. “Tonight we are parents. No one’s going to be irresistible. We probably shouldn’t even speak to each other.”
“Well, wear my red silk blouse. That will fix everything.”
***
Christopher found a table and sat down with his coffee, still amazed that he was attending a community Christmas party. He hadn’t been this social in years. He sipped his drink and glanced around the room, glad that Cam had gone to pick up Kelly, and wishing he’d have had a reason to pick up Liz. He couldn’t believe how much he missed her. It had been almost twenty-four hours since he’d seen her; twenty-four of the forty-eight that he’d known her. How could he possibly be so attached?
The room was filling up, a testimony to the camaraderie of the people who frequented the place. In less than a year and a half, the coffee shop had become a thriving social center, and Christopher marveled that he continued to be so drawn to it. He wasn’t big on socializing, but for some reason, he always liked to come down on weekday afternoons, get a big cup of something strong and dark, and grade his papers. He supposed that he liked the commotion, as long as it didn’t directly involve him. When he saw the signs go up for a community party, he grudgingly approved the idea. The shop crew, employees and customers, had become a sort of family, and it made sense to have a Christmas get-together. Still, he’d had no intention of attending. Though Kelly had invited him weeks ago, he told her he probably wouldn’t be able to make it.
That was before Liz.
When she walked in with the woman from the inn, his heart stilled. She should have paled next to her companion, who was very striking - taller, younger, smiling invitingly - someone who drew the attention of everyone in the room. Liz held her own, however, a deeper beauty lining her features, a look about her that suggested she wasn’t fooled by the trappings of the season or the people celebrating it, yet still open, perhaps hopeful. That she shared a gently rounded version of her daughter’s athletic build all added to a portrait of a lady that a man could fall in love with. Christopher sipped his coffee again. It was understood that they had to keep their distance at the party. He didn’t know how that was going to be possible.
Ignoring the unspoken directive, he stood and walked over to them. “Hello, Liz.”
Her eyes lit up, suggesting that she might have missed him, too, though something else clouded them a moment later. Whatever it was didn’t make them any less beautiful.
“Hey Christopher. Have you met Becky Jacobs, from the inn?”
He nodded and extended a hand. He had Becky to thank or blame for his moments alone with Liz the night before. He smiled. “Ms. Jacobs.”
“Hello,” she replied with her own knowing smile. “I’m sure I’ve seen you in here before. Nice to finally meet you.”
“I’ve got a table over here, if you’d like to join me.”
“I’m just going to run and check in with Grace,” Becky demurred. “I’ll find you later, Liz.”
Liz smiled and narrowed her eyes at her friend.
Still beautiful.
“Okay, I’ll get something to drink. Be right over,” Liz told him.
Christopher nodded and returned to the table, a dance in his step that, of course, he didn’t indulge. Dancing was out of the question under any circumstances.
When Liz returned he stood and pulled out her chair.
“You’re going to date us,” she smiled, sitting down. “Nobody does that anymore.”
He smiled back. “Cam had better.” He looked around the room; his son and Kelly still hadn’t arrived.
He put his hand on her shoulder. “Can I hang up your coat?”
She jumped a little. “Oh, no. I’m fine.”
He wondered at that. It was already stuffy in the room, and the evening had only begun. He sat down and tried to think business. “So, did you get anywhere with Kelly today?”
Liz pulled off her scarf. “We talked this morning. I wish I could say she seemed confident of their plans, but she was more defensive than anything.”
“Same with Cam,” Christopher agreed. “Of course, I can’t bring the subject up without appearing to attack his decision-making, and that never goes over well.”
“Isn’t that the truth?” Liz replied. “Kelly said they were thinking about a summer wedding. Has Cam mentioned anything?”
“You have beautiful eyes.”
Liz straightened. “Cam said that?”
Christopher grinned. “No, I just can’t concentrate because the Christmas lights are dancing around in your eyes.”
She blinked as though she could make them disappear.
Still there. Still beautiful.
“Well, thank you, but I can’t take credit for the Christmas lights.”
“It’s mostly the eyes,” he decided, getting lost in them, despite their plans.
“We were going to be parents tonight?” she gently reminded him.
“I can’t do it, Liz. I can’t pretend that nothing is happening.”
She swallowed. “We have to. The kids can’t know.”
“Know what? That their parents are falling in love and that maybe they aren’t?” Okay, that was probably too much. Liz clearly thought so, too, by the look on her face.
“We aren’t ... you aren’t ... we hardly know ...” she stuttered.
“Something’s happening, Liz. Regardless of what happens with our kids, we’ve got to figure this out.”
She drew a deep breath and pulled at the collar of her coat.
“Are you sure you want to keep that on? It’s really warm in here.”
“I’m good,” she insisted. “And I have figured it out, us out. We just want this because we can’t have it. It has to be. Think about it. From the moment we met, we knew we were absolutely off limits to each other. It’s the perfect recipe for attraction.” She gained confidence as she related her theory. “If someone had set us up on a blind date we’d be rolling our eyes and counting the minutes until we could get away from each other.”
Liz looked at him intently, willing him to buy what she wasn’t convinced of, herself. She was grasping, though her theory made some sense. Christopher leaned back in his chair and considered her. Did she seem so achingly familiar because she looked like Kelly? Deep down, did he know he was safe indulging this infatuation because he knew it would all be over in a few days? That was hardly fair to Liz, or to himself.
“Fair enough,” he replied. “Let’s try an experiment. For the rest of the evening, when you look at me, I want you to see ... Bobby. Think of me being after you at every turn.”
Something flickered in her eyes that he couldn’t quite define. It may have had something to do with the afternoon she’d spent with his brother. He’d have to find out what that was all about.
“And who will you see when you look at me?”
Good question. He thought for a minute, then rolled his eyes. “Pretty much any of my female students.”
Her beautiful eyes went wide and a smile curved her familiar l
ips. Whatever he was supposed to be pretending hadn’t come close to kicking in.
“Well, that’s a pretty bold statement, Professor Harrison.”
“Doctor, to you,” he lifted his cup.
“Dr. Harrison,” she amended; didn’t seem surprised.
He shrugged. “They’re young and impressionable. We read romantic literature. It’s bound to happen.”
“I’ll bet. Aren’t you ever the least bit tempted?”
“No.” Christopher didn’t even have to think about it. “I’m flattered, of course. And some of the young women are very ...”
Liz raised her brow in interest.
“They can be quite sophisticated.” He ran a hand over his jaw. “And pushy. Anyway, they’re all younger than my daughter, so,” he shrugged, “enough said.”
Liz nodded thoughtfully. “Okay, so, you picture me as a lovesick student and I’ll picture you as Bobby.” She thought for a moment, a smile tugging at her lips. “But that’s it. No play-acting, fun as that would be.” Her eyes danced a little. “I could so play the infatuated student. Drive you crazy.”
Christopher thought he might enjoy Liz pretending to be infatuated. A lot. “Well, I’m not sure I’d do Bobby justice,” he said. “Hope you have a good imagination.”
***
Liz smiled as Kelly approached, willing the transition to concerned and supportive mother.
“Hey Mom, Mr. Harrison. Doesn’t this look great?” Kelly beamed as she gestured at the festive room filled with people. “I can’t believe the turnout!” She unbuttoned her coat and Cam helped her take it off. He seemed more reserved, but he nodded pleasantly at them both.
Liz stood and gave her daughter a hug. “It’s beautiful, Kelly. You should be proud. People seem to be having a good time.”
“Yeah, I wasn’t sure how much to structure it. Of course, I’d love to have games and ‘get-to-know-you’ activities,” a collective shudder vibrated through the group, “but Grace seemed to think that an open house atmosphere would be best.” She looked around the room as she pulled off her scarf and gloves. “I think she’s right, though I’m glad I got my dance floor.” She turned back to the table with a grin. “We will dance!”
Mistletoe (Clairmont Series Book 4) Page 7