Robyn

by Lucy McConnell

  The truth was hard to explain and scratching at the back of the throat. “I told you, I had a feeling he was hiding something. It came across in his voice—he’s dark.”

  “That was an awfully specific feeling,” Jerry pressed. “Did someone leak his name? The police want to know. They ran a check on him for us. He’s been in jail and has a string of suspicious bodies behind him, only lacking evidence or a solid testimony. He’s a really bad dude to mess with. I’m trying to figure out how he got through our screening process and what his motives were for being on the show.”

  Robyn put her hand on her throat, the pressure building with the words piling up inside of her.

  “I found out,” Stella jumped in. “I stumbled into their names the first day and Googled them.”

  “What were you doing by my office?” Jerry asked.

  “Looking for Robyn. She was helping someone—the accountant, was it?—organize a drawer or something.”

  Robyn sagged with relief. “Yes, I was organizing a drawer. I have a lot of energy and don’t sit still well.”

  Jerry nodded. “I’ve noticed that about you—both of you.” He looked back and forth between them. “Well, I guess that clears that up. Okay, I don’t want either of you to worry. We have a new plan. Gabe!” he called, and he motioned for him to come over.

  Robyn’s heart rate spiked like she’d eaten a dozen chocolate-covered pineapple slices. She grabbed Stella’s hand and squeezed before letting it go again. Stella pinched her side.

  Gabe came to stand beside her. She felt something strange from him—a need she didn’t recognize. It was confusing but also … wonderful. Like the first sip of almond-flavored hot chocolate. She wasn’t expecting the additional layers of flavoring, but they were welcome. She bit back her questions. Gabe had told her he didn’t want his boss to know they’d gone out, and acting too familiar would raise questions. He’d already kissed her palm, and she was pretty sure Chelsea had caught the exchange. For some reason, the director was nowhere to be found.

  “Can I help you with something?” Gabe asked. He brushed Robyn’s arm with his, causing goose bumps to appear. She stared at her arm. Never having seen her skin react that way before, she had trouble processing.

  “We have a situation, and a possible solution that hinges on you.” Jerry turned his full attention on Gabe. “The threats against Miss Kringle have escalated.”

  Robyn wiped her smile away. Jerry wouldn’t be calling her Miss Kringle to Gabe if he knew they’d kissed—and kissed well—the night before.

  Gabe glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. He was thinking the same thing. Her body flushed.

  “We’d like to increase the security we provide. I asked the security director for someone with experience as a bodyguard. He said you had worked in the private sector before joining Spritzworks Studios.”

  Gabe stood a little taller. “I did.”

  Robyn’s mouth fell open. “I didn’t know that.”

  Stella elbowed her in the side to tell her to shut her mouth.

  Thankfully, Jerry continued on as if she hadn’t spoken. “We’ve rented a house in a secure location and would like you to stay with Robyn twenty-four seven until the show is over and she can return home.”

  “Whoa!” Stella put up her hands. “We Kringles don’t go around spending the night with guys.”

  “I’m not sure—” Robyn began to protest. She could just see her mother’s expression when she explained that she was moving in with Gabe. Maybe if he didn’t make her heart rise like bread dough in the proofer, it would be one thing. But she was seriously attracted to this man in uniform. Dang, he looked good in black.

  “I have other responsibilities,” Gabe threw out. “It’s not like I can just walk away from my life.”

  All of them spoke over the top of one another. Jerry stuck his fingers in his mouth and whistled. They all stopped talking and stared at him. “The house has five rooms. Which means Stella can stay. And your family can come too,” he said to Gabe.

  “Stella’s the kind of babysitter who shows the kid where the candy stash is and encourages them to jump on the bed.” Robyn folded her arms. Her sister would have a roaring fire in the hearth, two mugs of ambrosia cocoa, and chocolate-dipped strawberries awaiting them. Then she’d disappear for hours on end, hoping Robyn would wear out the mistletoe. With all that romance in the air, Robyn would never know if she kissed Gabe because she wanted to or because he wanted to kiss her. She pressed a couple fingers to her eyebrow—the whole situation was making her dizzy.

  “Why do you need a babysitter?” Jerry asked. His gaze hardened as he glared at Gabe “Do you not trust him?”

  “That’s not it!” Robyn waved her hands frantically. “This whole thing is unnecessary. I promise you, my home is the safest place in the world. It’s practically a fortress.”

  “Good, then Gabe can go home with you.”

  Stella sucked in through her teeth.

  Robyn balked. “That’s impossible,” she blurted before she thought of a kinder way to express the fact that if she took Gabe home, he’d die of hypothermia. Only Kringles could see the Ice Palace and experience the protective benefits of Christmas Magic.

  “Look, we all want what’s best for you Robyn. So, either you take the protection we can offer, or we cancel the show. I can’t in good conscience put you in danger.”

  Robyn glanced around at the people scurrying to get the restaurant ready for the afternoon rush. Under the layer of productivity was the stress of paying for the holidays. Not everyone felt it, but there were people counting on the extra filming to make the season a little brighter this year. If she pulled out now, she’d let them all down.

  “Safe house it is.” She smiled.

  “Wonderful.” Jerry clapped his hands once and took off without saying goodbye. He did that a lot. It was like he had running conversations with everyone on the crew and he picked them up and set them down easily.

  Gabe made eye contact with her, and her breath caught at the intensity burning there. “I’ll protect you, Robyn. I promise.” That same feeling she’d had before, his need she didn’t know how to feel, wrapped around her.

  Stella snickered. “I think it’s you she’s going to need protection from, big guy.”

  Gabe scowled. “Don’t worry. I’ll be the perfect gentleman.”

  His tone implied that he wouldn’t kiss her again. Indeed, Robyn picked up on his resolve to keep her at arm’s length. She gulped. Right at this very minute, she didn’t want to kiss him. But he looked grumpy, so who wanted to kiss a Grinch? Then again, it wasn’t like she was completely repulsed either. She still found his big arms and broad shoulders extremely attractive. “I’m not scared of you—if that’s what you’re thinking.”

  “It’s not.” He pulled out his phone. “I need to text Nick. He should pack.”

  She brightened. “Tell him thank you for today.”

  Gabe’s cheek twitched like he wanted to smile but fought against it. “You can tell him tonight. I’ll arrange to have someone else drive you to the safe house so I can pick him up.” He nodded to Stella as he walked off.

  “What do you see in that guy?” Stella asked.

  Robyn grinned. Right now, she was seeing his very nice backside. “Potential,” she responded.

  “Ugh! I’ll take finished product any day.” Stella pulled out her phone. “I’m calling the family and sending an update.”

  “I’ll check in with Roxy. She should know I’m not going to make it tonight.” Robyn’s cheer slipped away. “I’m scared for Christmas, Stella. What if we don’t make it?”

  Stella bit her cheek and hit call. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

  “If the North Pole continues to melt, we’re going to need a bridge to get out of it.”

  Stella chewed her lip. “Maybe you should work on that kissing thing a little more.”

  Robyn nodded. “I think I want to kiss Gabe again.”

  “
You think?”

  “Okay, I do.”

  “Then get on with it.” She shooed Robyn away. “Hey, Ginger, Frost. Where’s Lux?” She wandered off to give the update.

  Robyn pulled out her phone and stared at the screen so she didn’t look like a complete basket case, staring at nothing while she thought about how—exactly—to go about kissing Gabe again. She wasn’t exactly versed in the fine art of seduction. Whatever she did had to be subtle and yet make her intentions clear.

  What exactly were her intentions? Did she want to marry Gabe?

  That was a very good question. One she didn’t have the answer to.

  But she was sure she wanted to explore the possibility with him. That was a step in the right direction. She just wasn’t sure how many steps she’d have to take before she knew if Gabe was the one for her, and Christmas Eve was only 18 days away.

  Chapter 15

  Gabe

  Gabe punched in the key code his boss had texted him, and the front door to the safe house clicked open. From the empty driveway and lack of tire tracks in the fresh snow, he deduced that he and Nick were the first ones to arrive. A good thing, because he wanted to get the lay of the land. He’d been out of private security for years and needed to brush up on a few things. He’d grabbed his old manual from work and watched a few MyHeartChannel videos posted by the guys at his old firm while Nick packed. By the time he shoved his .45 into his holster, his confidence had returned.

  “Whoa! This place is lit!” Nick dropped his bag by the door and sauntered into the living room, where a giant flat-screen called a siren’s song.

  Gabe shook his head. “Be cool, man. Act like you’ve been here before, you know?”

  “I would if I’d been anywhere close to this.” Nick landed on the couch and propped his feet on the coffee table. “I could get used to living here.”

  Gabe ignored the dirty sneakers on the pristine wood tabletop as he stepped over Nick’s legs. The house was impressive with vaulted ceilings, a large barnwood fan with silver accents hanging from the ceiling, and a floor-to-ceiling fireplace. Leather couches and a love seat ringed the shaggy carpet, and rustic lamps adorned the end tables.

  Just as he was about to sit down, a rustling sound came from the kitchen. Nick’s feet jerked back. “Did you hear that?”

  “Yeah.” Gabe drew his sidearm. “Stay here,” he whispered.

  Nick’s eyes were huge. He shook his head. “I’m right behind you.”

  The last thing Gabe needed was Nick caught in crossfire. But he’d probably be safer standing behind Gabe than he would out here in the open. Gabe jerked his head for him to follow. He should have thought twice before bringing his kid brother into a potentially dangerous situation, but what else was he supposed to do? If he turned down the spot as Robyn’s security, then some other guy would be here. No one would watch over her like he would.

  They crept along the wall that separated the living room from the kitchen, keeping their backs to the Sheetrock.

  The sound came again. He judged it to be ten feet from the doorway. Leaning his arms around and keeping most of his body behind the wall, he yelled, “Freeze!”

  A man dropped a bag of flour on the floor and threw his hand in the air. The flour puffed, concealing him from view for a moment before it began to settle over every surface in the kitchen.

  Gabe registered that this wasn’t Kylo. He had a trimmed-up beard and wore a red plaid flannel shirt with beat-up jeans. The scent of pine hit Gabe’s nose. Not the kind that came in a cleaning bottle, but the Christmas tree kind. “Who are you?” he barked at the intruder. If Kylo had sent a minion to do his dirty work, then Gabe was going to send a message right back.

  “I’m Joseph Bear.”

  “I don’t know that name.” Gabe adjusted his grip on his gun.

  “I’m Robyn’s brother-in-law.”

  Nick tugged on the back of his shirt. “The fireplace,” he whispered.

  “Not now,” Gabe hissed. “What are you doing here?” he asked Joseph.

  “Special delivery,” chirped a woman’s voice from behind him. He turned, keeping his gun on the man, to see a beautiful woman dressed all in a red velvet skirt and blouse. The skirt went to the floor, but a pair of black boots poked out from under the hem. She had a sweet girl standing at her side, dressed in a short green skirt with leggings and a fuzzy sweater. They had bags of groceries in their arms. The scent of gingersnaps made Gabe’s stomach growl. “Excuse me, Gabe.” She smiled, and her eyes sparkled. “You’re blocking the door.”

  Gabe looked at the gun, the guy who only had eyes for this woman, and then Nick, who cast worried glances at the fireplace.

  “Nick—” She said his name so sweetly. “—can you take these for me?”

  “Sure.” Nick stepped forward and took the bags, grunting under their weight. He was almost a full head taller than the woman, but he staggered where she had glided.

  So much for catching the bad guy on his first day. These people were obviously Robyn’s family. They all shared the same sense of jolliness—like an aura of goodwill about them. Gabe put his gun away and folded his arms. “Sorry about the welcome. I didn’t know you would be here.”

  “It was a last-minute decision. I’m Ginger, by the way. You’ve met my husband, Joseph, and this is Layla.” She indicated the girl standing next to her, casting shy glances at Nick. “We knew Robyn wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight without baking something, so we thought we’d bring her supplies.”

  “I didn’t see a car out front,” he prodded. Something didn’t add up. His protective skills weren’t that rusty. He’d given the exterior of the house a once-over before he and Nick had made their way inside.

  “Auntie Robyn!” Layla rushed past him and threw her arms around Robyn’s neck. Robyn, who had just entered the room, lifted her up as she hugged her back. They were almost the same height, which meant Layla was probably 14 or 15 years old. He glanced at Nick, who was busy unloading the groceries and shoving them in random cupboards in an attempt to look helpful. Ginger followed behind him, easily straightening things out without him seeing.

  “You’re even more beautiful today than yesterday.” Robyn beamed at her niece.

  “You say that every day.” Layla laughed and hopped away.

  Gabe couldn’t help but notice the difference between his brother and this girl. Layla was confident in her place in this family. She’d obviously been showered with love and attention that helped her blossom into a confident young woman. He’d bet she was on the student counsel and in the choir. Nick just wanted to fit in somewhere and had no idea how to make that happen. Gabe once again felt his shortcomings as a guardian.

  Stella followed Robyn in, glanced Layla over, and pulled a beautiful necklace out of her purse. “Here.” She gave it to Layla.

  Layla held it up to her shirt. It was the perfect accessory to her fitted cream sweater. “I love it.”

  “I thought of you.” Stella winked like they had an inside joke.

  The room was getting full. Speaking of which … “How’d you guys get inside?” As far as he knew, the only two people with the code were him and his boss.

  “The fireplace,” Layla quipped.

  There was a beat where Robyn and her family exchanged glances. Then everyone began talking and moving at once, unloading sacks and asking after other family members. Stella gave Nick a high five for the cheesecake incident. Soon, she was reenacting the whole thing for everyone.

  Gabe frowned. They’d ignored his question.

  “I set the tree up in the front room,” said a woman right behind him.

  He jumped, startled that she’d been able to sneak up on him.

  “Sorry.” She glanced up, looked down at the folder in her hands, and then stuffed it behind her back. “I’m Frost.” She smiled big, her white teeth matching her white hair. If he didn’t know better, he’d think she was a Barbie doll come to life in her1940’s plaid pants and matching sweater. Her hair was even pu
lled up in a high ponytail that swished when she walked.

  “Gabe,” he responded. “How did you get in here?”

  Ginger hopped between them. “Frost, you have to hear this cheesecake story.” She pulled the pixie-sized woman away before she could answer. “And we’re going to make Christmas cookies with Nick.”

  Nick was listening to Layla rattle off the possible cookie options. She said chocolate chip, and his whole face lit up.

  Gabe stormed into the living room, needing a little space. The kitchen was too crowded, and no one listened to a word he said. He stopped short and jumped back against the wall at the sight of a giant evergreen tree in the corner of the living room. That hadn’t been here when he’d walked in.

  He had less than a minute to contemplate how a little thing like Frost could carry a tree five times her size in the house before Robyn walked in with an armful of greenery. “Where is Lux?” she asked Ginger, who had five large red candles tucked into the crook of her arm. “She’s supposed to wire this place for lights.”

  Gabe watched in fascination as the two of them had the mantel decked out for the holidays like pros. They moved so quickly and he was so quiet that he didn’t think they knew he was there.

  There was something fishy going on with this family. They were all just so … nice.

  Ginger shrugged as she pulled a large snow globe out of her purse. “Call her.”

  Robyn fished her phone out of her back pocket. Gabe tried not to notice how nicely shaped she was, but there was only so much professionalism a guy could muster when he already knew how sweet a kiss from those lips tasted.

  She connected the call and put it on speaker so she could fluff the greenery. “Lux? You’re on lighting.”

  “I’ve got a water situation in the control room. Quik and I are working on a plan for a controlled melt to create a canal system.”

  Robyn’s hands froze. She locked eyes with Ginger. “Is it really that bad?” she asked both of them.