Marriage Under the Mistletoe

by Helen Lacey

  “What time are we expected?” he asked.

  She collected her thoughts. “Around six,” she replied. They were going to her parents’ house for a barbecue and Evie liked that he’d dressed up a bit. He looked older somehow. And then she felt absurd for daring to admit such a thing mattered to her. I shouldn’t be thinking that. They weren’t dating, they weren’t anything really. Barely acquaintances who would soon be related only because of a marriage between their siblings. One incredible kiss doesn’t make a relationship.

  “Trevor was telling me how you’re helping him to get on the basketball team.”

  He glanced at her and shrugged. “Just giving him a few tips.”

  “You were a jock in high school, right?” she asked directly. “And good at everything?”

  Scott looked at her oddly. She wished she knew him better. Wished she could figure out what he was thinking behind those glittering blue eyes.

  When he didn’t respond she continued. “It’s just that Trevor isn’t usually a...sporty sort of teenager. He’s more at home with his video games or computer. But I understand why he’d want to spend time with you.”

  He didn’t move. “You do?”

  “Sure. I mean...he doesn’t get a lot of adult male company. Other than Noah and my dad. And you’re so...so...”

  “So?”

  She ignored his question. Ignored the way her heart pounded like a jackhammer. And she stuck to her point. “I don’t expect you to entertain my son while you’re here, that’s all.”

  He swayed fractionally on his heels, and a semismile tucked at the corner of his mouth. “He’s a good kid.”

  “I know that.”

  “So I don’t mind helping him out.”

  What if I don’t want my son getting attached to you?

  Thankfully Trevor loped through the doorway and announced he was ready to go. Her son wore the clothes she’d put out on his bed and had managed to tame his unruly hair with what looked like a bucket of hair gel. Evie grabbed her tote, ran her hands down the front of her pale green dress and grabbed the car keys from the table.

  Once they were outside she held out the keys toward Scott. “Why don’t you drive? I’ll sit in the back,” she explained. “You’ve both got longer legs than me.” She pointed to her son’s lanky pins but refused to ogle Scott. “So let’s go. I’ll give directions.”

  The drive to her parents’ sprawling double-story home took only minutes. Scott was out before her and quickly opened the back door. He took her hand to steady her as she got out, and Evie felt the electricity coursing between them as their fingers connected. She caught her breath as a rush of blood raced across her skin. He saw it though, and even if he hadn’t Evie was certain he could have felt the heat from it. And he didn’t release her, at least not straightaway. And Evie didn’t pull away, either. She remembered the vow she’d made to keep him at a distance, to not get involved, and all her resolutions disappeared. He was simply holding her hand, and all Evie could think about was how much she didn’t want him to let her go. Not ever.

  Trevor said something and Scott dropped his hand and closed the passenger door while Evie made a quick escape around to the other side of the car. She made it into the house in record time and didn’t wait for either Scott or her son, figuring they could find their own way to the back patio. For now, Evie simply wanted to get away.

  Her mother, Barbara, was in the kitchen and she headed straight for her and hung on to a hug a little longer than normal. She apologized for not helping with the cooking, and her mother quickly brushed off her concerns and told her that Grace, who’d arrived from New York a few days earlier, had helped her prepare the food for the thirty or so guests expected to arrive within the next half hour. Evie immediately began decorating a cheesecake.

  “Have you spoken to your sister recently?” her mother asked, passing Evie an apron.

  “Not since the day she arrived home. Why?”

  Barbara shrugged. “She doesn’t seem herself.”

  She’s not the only one. “I’ll talk to her,” she assured her mother, and got the chance about five minutes later when her sister entered the room.

  It was hard not to notice when Grace Preston entered a room—because she was simply stunning. Beautiful in a classic, old movie star kind of way. Beside her, Evie spent most of her time feeling about as plain as an old shoe. In designer jeans, three-inch heels Evie knew would have cost the earth and a red blouse that looked as though it wouldn’t dare crease because Grace simply wouldn’t allow it, her sister was a picture of elegance. No one pulled off wearing jeans like Grace. Four years younger than Evie, she worked for a large brokerage house in New York and had arrived in Crystal Point a few days earlier. She was successful, well educated and to those who didn’t know her, about as warm as an Arctic winter. But Evie knew her and loved her and had always been able to get past her sister’s cool reserve.

  “This is the first time you’ve been home for Christmas in a while,” Evie said once their mother had left the kitchen.

  “I promised Noah I’d be here for the wedding. And the office closes down over Christmas,” Grace explained.

  Evie nodded. “Will you be back for Dad’s party?” she asked, thinking about their father’s sixty-fifth birthday coming up in a few months.

  “I’ll do my best,” Grace replied.

  Evie began her task of piping cream onto the cheesecake. “Is anything wrong, Gracie?”

  Grace looked at her. “Not at all.”

  “Work’s okay?”

  She shrugged again, but Evie wasn’t fooled. “The same.”

  “And Erik?” she asked of her sister’s lawyer boyfriend.

  “Gone,” Grace replied. “Months ago.”

  Typical that her sister hadn’t mentioned it. “Bad breakup?”

  “Not especially. What about you?” Grace asked, raising both her immaculate brows. “Are you okay?”

  Evie stopped her task. “Of course. You know me,” she said with a small laugh. She put down the piping bag. “Why do you ask?”

  “M.J. mentioned something,” Grace replied. “About Callie’s b—”

  “Not you, too,” Evie groaned, cutting off her sister’s words. “It’s nothing. There’s nothing going on. Nothing at all. Absolutely nothing.”

  “So it’s nothing?” Grace asked with a wry smile. “Despite his obvious attributes?”

  Evie colored hotly. “You met him, then?”

  Grace nodded. “Noah introduced me. He seems...nice.”

  Evie managed a smile. Her sister didn’t hand out compliments often. “My son thinks so, too.”

  It sounded snippy and sour put like that and she was instantly ashamed of herself.

  Grace didn’t let up, either. “But you don’t?”

  Evie made a face. “Well, of course I think he’s...” She stopped and her voice trailed off. She quickly took a breath and tried again. “Okay, he’s...fine, obviously,” she admitted. “And that’s all I’m going to say about it.”

  “Who’s fine?”

  They both turned their heads at the sound of Callie’s voice. Her husky lilt echoed across the tiled floor, and Evie wished that same floor would open up and swallow her whole. “Um—no one. So, how’s the party going out there?”

  Callie made a face as she moved into the kitchen. “A few of the men have gone to the games room for a game of pool,” she said, and rolled her eyes. “And you know how competitive Noah and Cameron are—they turn it into a blood sport. Although I told Scott to go easy on them because they’re poor losers.”

  Evie’s interest spiked. “He plays well?”

  “My brother is one of those infuriating people who are good at everything.”

  Evie’s insides crunched. Hadn’t she said that to Scott only an hour earlier when they’d been discussing Trevor? She stole a look at Grace, and her sister raised a questioning brow before Evie turned back to decorating the cheesecake. Grace left the room a few moments later, pleading the
need to observe their brother and Cameron get beaten at pool, and Evie watched Callie attempt to fill a piping bag with cream. She took pity on her and took over the task.

  “Thanks,” Callie said quietly and stepped back, resting her hips against the countertop. “Evie, can I ask you something?”

  “Sure,” she replied. “Shoot.”

  “Are you okay with having my brother at your house?”

  Evie stilled, felt her breath get lost in her throat and tried desperately not to show it. “Of course. Why?”

  “He said something about maybe moving into a hotel while he’s here.”

  Evie’s knees risked failure and she pushed herself against the bench to stay upright. “Oh, really?” She tried to make her voice as light as possible, tried to make out as if Callie’s announcement hadn’t shaken her up. “I can’t think why. Perhaps Crystal Point is a little tame for him.” The words came out, but she wasn’t sure from where.

  Callie smiled. “I don’t think Scott’s looking for any kind of excitement while he’s here. In fact, Crystal Point is probably exactly what he needs at the moment. Mike’s death hit him pretty hard and after the inquest he probably should have taken some time out. But typically Scott, he went back to work straightaway.”

  Evie registered the other woman’s words. “Mike?” was all she could get out of her mouth.

  “They were friends,” Callie explained. “And they worked together. I thought Scott might have told you.” She pushed herself off the bench and crossed her arms. “You’re easy to talk to, Evie—I’d hoped he might have opened up a bit.”

  Yes, usually she was easy to talk to. “Well, it’s only been a few days,” she said. “And we haven’t spent a lot of time together.” Liar. “Some people aren’t comfortable talking with strangers.”

  Callie touched her arm. “You’re not a stranger, Evie. You’re the warmest, most genuine woman I’ve ever met.”

  “Thanks,” she said, and tried to steer her thoughts away from Scott, and failed miserably. “Perhaps he’s not ready to talk about it?’

  Callie nodded. “Perhaps. You know, the other day, I thought...well, I thought that you and he looked kind of close.” Her friend sighed. “I know it’s silly of me. And I don’t know why I thought I had any business thinking about it. I just did.”

  “Well, he’s your brother,” Evie said gently, not daring to disclose anything. “And we all get a little protective of our brothers at times.”

  “Like you did,” Callie reminded her. “When you asked me how I felt about Noah.”

  “That seems like forever ago now.” She grabbed Callie’s hand and touched the bright diamond glittering on her finger. “And look how good it turned out.”

  Evie stared at the ring. She’d taken her own wedding band off years ago. But she missed it. She missed the idea of truly belonging to someone, and having that someone belong to her. And she didn’t quite realize how much up until days ago. Up until Scott had entered her life, her world. For years she’d been in a kind of emotional hibernation, safe from wanting anything. Safe from really feeling anything.

  Her mother returned then and quickly ushered them both from the kitchen. Evie discarded the apron and followed Callie outside. The huge patio was filled with people, and typically her mother was the consummate hostess. Two long tables were covered with starchy white cloths and held trays of canapés and bite-size morsels of food. Evie helped herself to a glass of wine from the bar and mingled for a while.

  It didn’t take her long to head for the games room on the other side of the patio. The pool game was in full swing and she found a spot near the door to observe the players. Only, the moment Evie saw Scott leaning against a wall with a pool cue in his hand while he waited for his turn to shoot, he was all she noticed. The room was noisy, but she didn’t hear any of it. It was as if the crowd parted of its own will, urging her to make eye contact with him. He looked back, tilted his head fractionally and almost smiled. Almost, because he stopped himself, she was sure of it. It gave her a strange feeling in her chest and she turned away after a few moments, grateful she was by the door for a quick escape.

  Evie headed for the pool area. She could be alone there. She could think. She made her way through the gate and closed it securely behind herself. The terraced area behind the pool was usually reserved as a dance floor when her parents had parties, but thankfully it looked as though there would be no dancing tonight. She sat on one of the bench seats and placed her drink on the timber decking.

  She heard the gate click and knew she had company. Without even seeing him she felt Scott’s presence as if it pulsed through her. He didn’t sit at first. He stood about six feet from her, cradling what looked to be an untouched beer in one hand. The underwater lights created an inviting mood.

  “Did you abandon your game?” she asked, not as steadily as she would have liked.

  He shrugged and sat down beside her, stretching out his long legs. “I’ll let your brother and your policeman friend fight over who’s the reigning alpha male in the group. I beat them twice and figured that was enough.”

  “Callie said you want to leave Dunn Inn?” she asked, figuring there was little point in avoiding the topic.

  “I’m considering it.”

  Evie’s belly dipped in an all-too-familiar way. He had the most mesmerizing effect on her. She breathed a soft “Why?” and waited for his reply.

  Scott felt her looking at him, felt those incredible green eyes waiting for a response. “You know why.”

  She didn’t say anything for a moment, and when she replied he thought she sounded a little breathless. “Because we’re...because...”

  “Because being around you makes it difficult not being with you.”

  He heard her breath catch in her throat. “Oh...well...even if that’s the case, I’d still like you to stay. You know, to avoid any questions from the family.”

  Scott knew that. He’d known it even before the words left her beautiful mouth.

  “Callie told me about your friend who died.”

  Did she, now? “Callie shouldn’t have said anything to you.”

  “Don’t be mad at her. She’s concerned about you.”

  “I’m fine,” he said, feeling the furthest thing from fine. “It was months ago.”

  “Why was there an inquest into his death?”

  Callie had been busy. “Because he died on the job,” Scott replied, feeling the words like they were glass in his mouth. “It’s standard practice.”

  “Were you involved?”

  It was the kind of question Scott would normally have fielded with an effective none of your damned business. But he couldn’t say that to Evie. “I was there,” he admitted. “We’d been called out to a house fire in Orange County. We knew it was gonna be bad because the smoke was thick and black. When we got there the place was well alight.”

  He stopped speaking and she half turned. “What happened?” she prompted.

  Scott filled his lungs with air. “Mike was working an extra shift. Looking back, I knew he was tired, knew he should’ve gone home. But he had a family, a mortgage he was trying to stay on top of. When we found out what street the fire was on, I could see him getting agitated. He kept saying, “No way, no way.” I didn’t get what he meant at first and he didn’t tell me. We were the second squad to get there. Mike started yelling, screaming something about getting the kids out. There were balloons tied to the mailbox and they started popping with the heat and it became pretty obvious there was a birthday party going on at the house.”

  A house full of kids, he thought, as memories leached through him. Actually a backyard full of kids, all screaming, and a set of parents trying to get the children to calm down and climb over the rear fence. None of which was working very well.

  “Mike kept yelling, ‘Where’s Isabel, where’s Isabel?’—his daughter,” Scott explained when he saw Evie’s expression. “His kid was at the party. And it was pretty obvious the fire would take the house�
��there was no saving it.”

  Even in the dim light Scott could see the sudden gray pallor on Evie’s face. “And the children?”

  “We got a vague head count from the supervising parents,” he replied. “Some were in the front yard. Some had made it to the back fence and were being helped over by a neighbor.”

  “And Isabel?”

  He shrugged, remembering the anguish on Mike’s face as he searched for his daughter. “We were told a couple of the kids could be missing.”

  “Were they in the house?”

  “We didn’t know anything for sure. But Mike was certain she had to be inside and I couldn’t make him think otherwise. And he said he was going in.” It had been the worst possible scenario. Made even more so when he knew his friend was about to abandon all the training he’d had as a firefighter. “Mike headed inside. We knew it wasn’t safe. The whole house was engulfed by this stage and two units were working on putting the flames out. And we had no proof that anyone was inside. I tried to talk him out of it, to make him realize the risk he was taking.”

  “He wouldn’t listen?”

  “No.”

  Evie touched his arm. “Did you go after him?”

  “No.”

  Her grip tightened. “Did you want to?”

  Scott’s chest tightened. “Of course.”

  “But?”

  He took a breath, letting it out quickly because he felt as if his lungs would explode. “But I had to ascertain the level of danger before I could allow myself or any of the crew to go into that building. So I made the call—I did my job—and I concluded that it was too dangerous. If I’d allowed anyone to go inside, another would have followed, and then another. I couldn’t risk it. I wouldn’t.”