Once Upon a Christmas

by Sarah Morgan

  ‘I never knew she wanted someone to pick her up from school,’ he said gruffly, glancing between Oliver and Tom. ‘We could do something about that, guys.’

  ‘Sure.’ Tom nodded agreement immediately and Bryony lifted a hand.

  ‘Thank you, but no. That isn’t what she wants. In fact, that would probably make it worse because the person who is picking her up isn’t her daddy.’

  Oliver frowned and rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. ‘So where did it come from, this daddy business?’

  ‘I don’t know.’ Bryony shrugged. ‘I suppose she’s just getting to that age where children notice differences between themselves and others. Most of the kids in her class are in traditional families.’

  ‘You’ve been reading her too many fairy stories,’ Jack said darkly, and she shrugged.

  ‘She’s a little girl, Jack. Little girls dream of weddings.’

  Oliver grinned at Tom. ‘Some big girls dream of weddings, too. I find it terrifying.’

  ‘Stop it.’ Bryony frowned in mock disapproval. ‘How my daughter has ever grown up to be remotely normal with you three around her is a mystery to me. She’s always asking me why none of you are married.’

  ‘Did you tell her that we’re too busy having fun?’ Tom drawled, and Bryony rolled her eyes.

  ‘Actually, I tell her that none of you have met the right woman yet, but that it’s bound to happen soon.’

  ‘Is it?’ Oliver gave a shudder, his expression comical. ‘I hope not.’

  ‘You’re awful. All three of you.’

  Tom lifted an eyebrow in her direction. ‘Well, you’re not exactly an advert for relationships yourself, little sister. You haven’t been on a date since Lizzie was born.’

  ‘I know that. But that’s all going to change.’ Bryony lifted her chin. ‘I’ve decided that Lizzie needs a daddy.’

  ‘So what are you saying?’ Jack was staring at her, all traces of humour gone from his handsome face. ‘You’re going to go out there and marry the first guy you meet just so that she can have a daddy?’

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous. Of course not.’ Bryony lifted her chin and looked around her, her voice quiet but firm. ‘I’m just saying that I’m going to start dating again.’

  Oliver glanced at Tom and shrugged. ‘Well, good for you.’

  ‘Yeah.’ Tom nodded and smiled at his sister. ‘I think it’s great. You’ve locked yourself up in a cupboard long enough. Get yourself out there, I say. Paint the town red. Or pink, if you’re using Lizzie’s colour scheme.’

  Some of the other men in the team clapped her on the back and one or two made jokes about joining the queue to take her out.

  Only Jack was silent, studying her with a brooding expression on his handsome face, his usual teasing smile notably absent. ‘You really think you can find her a daddy?’

  ‘I don’t know.’ Bryony gave a little shrug. ‘Maybe not. But if I don’t at least go on dates, it definitely won’t happen.’

  When he finally spoke his tone was chilly. ‘So who’s your date with on Thursday?’

  Bryony looked at him in confusion, thinking that she’d never heard Jack use that tone before. He sounded … angry. But why would he be angry? The others actually seemed pleased for her. But not Jack.

  ‘I’m not sure it’s any of your business,’ she teased him gently, trying to nudge their relationship back onto its usual platform, but on this occasion there was no answering smile.

  ‘I’m Lizzie’s godfather,’ he reminded her, his blue eyes glittering in the firelight and a muscle working in his jaw. ‘Who you choose as a daddy is very much my business.’

  ‘You want to interview the guys I date, Jack?’ She was still smiling, trying to keep it light, but he was glaring at her.

  ‘Maybe.’

  Bryony gave a disbelieving laugh, her own smile fading rapidly. ‘You can’t be serious.’

  ‘You know absolutely nothing about the opposite sex, Blondie,’ he said coldly. ‘You’ve always refused to tell us who Lizzie’s father was but he isn’t around now which says quite a lot about your choice of men.’

  Bryony gasped in shock. Lizzie’s father wasn’t a topic she discussed with anyone and Jack had never spoken to her like that before. He’d always been totally supportive of her status as a single mother.

  ‘I don’t know why you’re looking so disapproving,’ she said softly, aware that all the others had long since returned to their conversations and were no longer listening. Suddenly it was just the two of them and the tension in the atmosphere was increasing by the minute. ‘You date all the time.’

  His mouth tightened. ‘I don’t have a seven-year-old daughter.’

  ‘But it’s because of her that I’m doing this!’

  Jack picked up his glass from the bar, a muscle flickering in his darkened jaw. ‘That’s ridiculous. You think you can just get out there and produce a happy family like magic?’

  She sighed, knowing what was behind his words. ‘No, I don’t think that, Jack. But I think that it’s time to see if I could maybe meet someone who seemed right for Lizzie and me.’

  ‘Your life runs very smoothly,’ he pointed out. ‘Why complicate things?’

  ‘Because Lizzie needs something more …’ She hesitated. ‘And I need something more, too, Jack. I’ve been on my own long enough.’

  His mouth tightened. ‘So basically you’ve suddenly decided to get out there and have fun.’

  ‘And so what if I have?’ Bryony looked at him, confused and exasperated. ‘I just don’t understand your attitude! You and my brothers have practically worked your way through most of the females in Cumbria.’

  Streaks of colour touched his incredible cheekbones. ‘That’s different.’

  Suddenly Bryony decided she’d had enough. ‘Because you’re a man and I’m a woman?’

  ‘No.’ His fingers tightened on his glass. ‘Because I don’t have any responsibilities.’

  ‘No. You’ve made sure of that. And there’s no need to remind me of my responsibilities to Lizzie. That’s what started this, remember?’ She glared at him, suddenly angry with him for being so judgmental. ‘Lizzie wants a daddy and it’s my job to find her one. And I’m more than happy to try and find someone I can live with because frankly I’m sick and tired of being on my own, too.’

  How could she have been so stupid as to put herself on ice for so long? She should have realised just how deep-rooted his fear of commitment was. Should have realised that Jack Rothwell would never settle down with anyone, let alone her.

  It was definitely time to move on.

  ‘I’m going home,’ she said coldly, slipping off the barstool and avoiding his gaze. ‘I’ll see you at work tomorrow.’

  She heard his sharp intake of breath and knew that he was going to try and stop her, but she virtually ran to the door, giving him no opportunity to intercept her.

  She didn’t want to talk to him. Didn’t want to hear all the reasons why she shouldn’t have a boyfriend when he dated a non-stop string of beautiful women.

  She’d call Oliver later and apologise for ducking out without saying goodbye, but she knew he wouldn’t mind. They were a close family and she adored her brothers. At least they’d been encouraging.

  Which was more than could be said for Jack.

  Why had he acted like that? All right, he was absolutely against marriage, but it wasn’t his marriage they were talking about. It was hers, and Jack was usually warm and supportive of everything she did. They never argued. They were best friends.

  She unlocked her car quickly, feeling tears prick her eyes.

  Well, if dating other men meant losing Jack as a friend, then so be it. She’d wasted enough time on him. He didn’t even notice her, for goodness’ sake!

  And if she’d needed confirmation that it was time to move on, she had it now.

  Jack banged his empty glass down on the bar and cursed under his breath.

  ‘Nice one, Jack,’ Oliver said mildly, clapping h
im on the shoulder and glancing towards the door. ‘I thought the three of us agreed that we weren’t going to bring up the thorny subject of Lizzie’s father.’

  Jack groaned and ran a hand over his face. ‘I know, I know.’ He let out a long breath. ‘It’s just that she knows nothing about men—’

  ‘She’s twenty-seven.’

  ‘So?’ Jack glared at Oliver. ‘And we know that she hasn’t been out with a man since Lizzie was conceived. That guy broke her heart! I don’t want her making the same mistake again. She’s obviously never got over him. What if she picks someone on the rebound?’

  Tom joined them. ‘I’m not sure you can rebound after seven years,’ he said mildly, and Jack’s mouth tightened.

  ‘So why does Lizzie never date, then?’

  Tom looked at him steadily. ‘I don’t know …’

  ‘Yes you do.’ Jack’s eyes narrowed as he studied his friend. ‘You think you know. I can tell.’

  Tom shook his head and drained his glass. ‘No. I don’t know.’ He studied his empty glass. ‘But I can guess.’

  Jack frowned. ‘So what’s your guess?’

  Tom gave a funny smile and looked at Oliver. ‘My guess is that she has a particular guy on her mind,’ he drawled casually, ‘and until she gets over him, she can’t move on.’

  ‘Precisely what I said,’ Jack said smugly. ‘She needs to get over Lizzie’s father.’

  And with that he grabbed his jacket and strode out of the pub after her.

  Oliver looked at Tom. ‘I always thought he was a bright guy. How did he ever come top in all those exams?’

  Tom gave a faint smile. ‘He’ll get there in the end.’

  ‘Unless Bry meets someone else.’

  ‘Bryony has been in love with Jack for twenty-two years,’ Tom said calmly, glancing at the barman and waggling his glass. ‘She’s never going to fall in love with anyone else.’

  ‘So what happens now?’

  Tom reached for his wallet. ‘I think we’re in for a very interesting few weeks. Happy birthday, bro. This one’s on me.’

  Damn.

  Jack strode out to the car park, cursing himself for being so tactless. He couldn’t believe he’d argued with Bryony. He never argued with Bryony. Or, at least, not seriously. Bryony was the nearest he had to family and their relationship was all banter and teasing and a great deal of confiding. Well, on his part at least. He told her everything about his relationships and she was always giving him little suggestions. And that was one of the things he loved about their friendship. Unlike the women he dated, Bryony never tried to change him or lecture him. She just accepted him as he was. He was more comfortable in her kitchen than any other place in the world. And now he’d upset her.

  What the hell had come over him?

  He looked round the car park, part of him hoping that she was still there, but of course she was long gone. He just hoped she wasn’t driving too quickly. The air was freezing and the roads would be icy.

  He gritted his teeth and swore under his breath. She’d been really upset by his comments and there was a very strong chance that he’d made her cry. Despite the fact that she rarely let him see it, he knew she was soft-hearted. He’d known her since she was five, for goodness’ sake, and he knew her better than anyone.

  Realising that he had a big apology to make, he ran a hand over his face and strolled to his car, pressing the remote control on his keyring.

  He could drive over to her cottage now, of course, but she’d still be mad with him and anyway her mother would be there so they wouldn’t be able to talk properly.

  No. The apology was best left until they could be alone.

  If he’d been dating her he would have sent her flowers, but he’d never sent Bryony flowers in his life, and if he did she’d think he’d gone mad.

  He slid into his sports car and dropped his head back against the seat.

  No doubt, now that word was out that she was going to start dating, flowers would be arriving for her thick and fast.

  He growled low in his throat, tension rising in him as he contemplated the impact that her announcement had made.

  Why had she chosen to tell the whole pub? Didn’t she know that all the guys lusted after her? That with her long silken blonde hair and her fabulous curvy body, she couldn’t walk across a room without stopping conversations? And he felt every bit as protective towards her as he knew her brothers did.

  And now some sleazy guy would come along and take advantage of her, and she was so trusting and inexperienced with men she wouldn’t even notice until it was too late.

  Jack reversed the car out of its space, crunching the gears viciously. Well, not while he was available to prevent it happening.

  She’d become pregnant in her second year at medical school and neither he nor her brothers had been around to sort the guy out. Damn it, she hadn’t even told them who he was. Just mumbled something about the whole thing being a mistake and refused to even discuss it even though Tom and Oliver had pumped her for hours.

  Well, there wasn’t going to be another mistake, Jack thought grimly, his strong hands tightening on the wheel. Because now there was Lizzie’s happiness to think of, too. No one was going to hurt either one of his girls.

  From now on, if any guy so much as looked at Bryony the wrong way, if there was even a scent of someone messing her around, he’d step in and floor them.

  Satisfied that he was back in control of the situation, he stopped trying to pulverise his precious car and slowed his pace.

  All he needed to do now was plan. He needed to know exactly whom she was dating so that he could issue a warning.

  Bryony let herself into the house and found her mother in the kitchen. ‘Is she asleep?’

  ‘Fast asleep.’ Her mother dried her hands on a towel. ‘You’re back early, darling. Is something wrong?’

  ‘No.’ Bryony unwrapped the scarf from around her neck and tossed it onto the chair. Her coat followed.

  ‘Bryony, I’m your mother. I can tell when something is wrong.’

  Bryony glared at her, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. ‘Jack Rothwell, that’s what’s wrong!’

  ‘Ah.’ Her mother gave a smile and turned to put the kettle on. ‘Tea?’

  ‘I suppose so.’ Bryony slumped into the nearest chair and sighed. ‘He is the most infuriating man.’

  ‘Is he?’

  ‘You know he is.’

  Her mother reached for the tea bags. ‘I know that you two have been very close for almost the whole of your lives,’ she said mildly. ‘I’m sure that whatever it is you’ve quarrelled about will go away.’

  ‘The man dates every woman on the planet,’ Bryony said, still outraged by his attitude, ‘but when I announce that I’m going to start going out with men, he’s suddenly disapproving. And he had the nerve to lecture me on my responsibilities to Lizzie!’

  ‘Did he?’ Her mother looked thoughtful. ‘That’s very interesting.’

  ‘Interesting?’ Bryony shot her mother an incredulous look. ‘Irritating, you mean. And hypocritical. How many girlfriends has Jack Rothwell had since I first met him?’

  Her mother poured the tea. ‘Quite a few, I should think.’

  ‘Half the planet,’ Bryony said flatly. ‘He certainly isn’t in a position to lecture me about morals.’

  ‘I imagine he thought he was protecting Lizzie.’

  Bryony stared at her. ‘From what?’

  Her mother put two mugs on the table and sat down opposite her. ‘Jack hasn’t had a very positive experience of marriage, sweetheart.’

  ‘You mean because of his parents?’

  Her mother’s mouth tightened with disapproval. ‘Well, you know my opinion on that. They were grown-ups. He was a child. They should have sorted out their differences amicably. After his father walked out, Jack spent most of his childhood at our house and I don’t think his mother even noticed he wasn’t at home. She was too busy enjoying herself to remember that she had a chi
ld.’

  Bryony bit her lip, suddenly realising why Jack might have been so sensitive about her dating. ‘But I wouldn’t do that. That isn’t what this is about.’

  ‘I know. But you understand Jack better than anyone,’ her mother said calmly. ‘He wasn’t thinking about you, darling. He was thinking about his own experiences.’

  Bryony bit her lip. ‘Do you think I should start dating, Mum?’

  ‘Certainly I think you should date,’ her mother replied calmly. ‘I’ve always thought you should date, but you’ve always been too crazy about Jack to notice anyone else.’

  Bryony stared at her, opened her mouth to deny it and then caught the look in her mother’s eye and closed it again. ‘You know that?’

  ‘I’m your mother. Of course I know that.’

  ‘He doesn’t notice me.’

  ‘You’re a huge part of Jack’s life,’ her mother said mildly. ‘He virtually lives here. But that’s going to have to change if you really are going to date other men.’

  Bryony curled her hands round her mug. ‘But I don’t want it to change my friendship with Jack.’

  ‘One day you’ll get married again,’ her mother said quietly, ‘and I can’t see any man wanting to see Jack lounging in your kitchen every time he comes home from work. Of course your friendship is going to change.’

  Bryony stared into her mug, a hollow feeling inside her. She didn’t want things to change. Despite their row, she couldn’t imagine not having Jack in her life.

  But she couldn’t carry on the way she was now, for Lizzie’s sake.

  ‘Then I suppose I’ll just have to get used to that,’ she said, raising her mug in the air. ‘Cheers. To my future.’

  Her mother lifted her mug in response. ‘May it turn out the way you want it to,’ she said cryptically, and Bryony let out a long breath.

  She wasn’t really sure what she wanted.

  But she knew Lizzie needed a daddy.

  The next morning she was woken by her pager.

  ‘Is that a callout?’ Lizzie was by her bed in a flash, her eyes huge. ‘Is someone in trouble on the mountain?’

  Bryony picked up her pager and was reading the message when the phone rang. Lizzie grabbed it immediately.