by D. A. Young
“I thought we could partner up? Perhaps, I source my sustainable wood from Americana Traditions? Doesn’t that sound like a win-win?”
“Slow your roll and the 300-mph-hour blinking. You know I don’t have the final say. This will be done by the book. All projects are proposed in a meetin’ between us owners. You need to make an appointment with Pip like everyone else.”
“Aye-Aye, Captain! You didn’t say no. That’s all that matters.”
Suddenly, Kat’s enthusiasm waned. She shoved her hands into the pockets of her olive-green, long puffer jacket, crossed her dark-brown, knee-length, high-heeled boots, and studied the concrete floor as if it were the most fascinating thing she’d ever seen. The brothers exchanged a meaningful glance, knowing what was on her mind. They were all thinking the same thing.
The couple didn’t seem capable of catching a break.
“I guess you guys knew already?”
In that instance, she looked so forlorn that their hearts went out to her. Casey squeezed her to him. “Yeah. You alright?”
“I’m trying to be. I know Holt didn’t ask for any of this. Therefore, I’m seeking to be an understanding and accommodating girlfriend and adjust to this curveball. Right now, I’m feeling out of my element. I’m not ashamed to admit it’s a very disconcerting feeling.”
“You can’t think like that. In this instance, as a safety precaution, the less we know, the better,” Darby offered her. “As far as I’m concerned, this is a good thing. Your safety is everyone’s number one priority.”
“Holt’s caught between two worlds and doin’ the best he can to navigate them. This is just a temporary setback for y’all,” Jack added, while Casey nodded his agreement of both views.
Kat smile held none of its usual sunbeams, and that gutted the hell out of her big brothers. Despondently, she exhaled, “Thanks, y’all.”
“How about we all hang out next weekend?” Casey suggested. “We can drive to D.C. or Nashville just like old times?”
Holt reappeared, bundled up with his polarized sunglasses already on. “You ready, baby?”
“I am.” Kat reached up on tiptoe and kissed each of their cheeks. “I’d like that. You guys are the best big brothers a girl never asked for.”
Chapter Fourteen
“How long will you be gone?”
Holt reached over and grabbed Kat’s left hand, securing it in his as he drove. “However long I’m needed to resolve the issues. I’m tryin’ to make it back for Christmas, I swear.”
With her other hand, Kat fiddled restlessly with the fringe at the ends of her scarf and tried to ignore the throbbing pressure at her temples. This was supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year and right about now, she was down to pop a cap in a couple of folks’ asses. She’d start with Otto Falk. Did she know him? No, but that didn’t lessen the fact that he was a clueless idiot and interfering in their relationship. Now, Holt had to get tangled up with some thug that wouldn’t soon accept friend requests from anyone with the last name Falk. That was on top of discovering who harmed his cousin. The attack was horrifying. Kat hoped the bastard was found soon.
“Should we even be looking at trees, Holt? We don’t really need one. It’s not like we’ll be at the house anyway. We’re at Avery and Darby’s this year, remember?”
Holt frowned. He pulled into McClusky’s Tree Farm and turned the engine off and faced her. His mother was right. Kat was adorable all bundled up. He could see the Robin’s blue turtleneck peeking out and thought the color paired with her dark green coat was unexpected yet, flattered her gorgeous complexion and copper curls flawlessly.
Deliberately, he explained, “We are goin’ to Darby’s, but we’re also a couple intendin’ to spend the rest of their lives together. This is our first official Christmas together. Don’t you think we should celebrate it? I know you’re a Fall girl, but could you at least try for me?”
Kat blushed at the doubt shading his voice. God, she felt like the Grinch, but it couldn’t be helped. An ominous feeling had settled into her bones like lead. Her fear had intensified with each bit of news Holton revealed to her about his family. Never had she wanted to ignore her intuition more.
“You’re absolutely right,” she conceded, injecting false gaiety into her tone and leaned in. “It’s true; I’m team Autumn in all its moody, majestic splendor. It’s such a warm, inviting, and cozy season. What’s not to love about it? For you only, am I willing to go all ‘holly-jolly’ and freeze my butt off participating in outdoor activities. Come on! Let’s go see if we’re Christmas tree compatible.”
Holt met her halfway, his lips capturing hers. His tongue took lead in an erotic tango, and Kat lost herself in him, welcoming the possessive onslaught that fired the flames of her heart’s desire. She decided to bite the bullet and shelve her concerns, rather than rock the boat and ruin their sacred couple time. However, when he came back, they’d need to have that ‘Come to Jesus’ sit-down.
“I’m warnin’ you, here and now, that I’m strictly a Fraser fir guy,” Holt announced when he came around the front of the truck and helped Kat out.
“My brothers warned me about the fetish you have for that particular tree, Holton,” she kidded. “I’d at least like you to humor me and explore other options.”
“It’s a good tree, baby. Don’t worry; you’re still my number one girl.”
Holt captured her gloved hand, and they trudged through the snow. Upon entering the farm, Kat immediately dragged him over to the first Balsam fir she saw. Bending toward it, she took a deep whiff. “I love this one! It’s also less bulky than your tree.”
Holt groaned his disappointment with her choice. “Darlin’, trust your man on this. I know my trees. I’m like a Christmas tree Jedi! The Fraser has strong limbs and soft needles. A Balsam’s needles tend to drop frequently. Are you willin’ to risk Noelle’s wrath by unintentionally yet, deliberately, introducin’ some new greens into Baby Jack’s diet?”
Kat laughed, easily imagining the adorable chunky munchkin’s expression when he discovered something new. The kid went at everything with full gusto. “For my little butterball? I’ll gladly take that hit. She knows Auntie K loves the kids. But I trust the knowledge you’re spittin’, tree whisperer. The Fraser it is.”
Holt pulled her into his arms and kissed her cold nose. Kat was being too agreeable. Her dancing brown eyes didn’t quite conceal her worry. She was the most expressive person he knew with a thousand different gestures and expressions. Over the years, Holt had plenty of time to covertly study and obsess over her. He had a master’s degree in all things Katerina Romankov. The crinkle between her eyebrows when she was displeased. The way she bounced on the balls of her feet when she was excited. The tapping of her fingernail against her lips when she was in deep thought. She’d taken the news of his impending trip like a statue – still and devoid of expression.
And now, she was conceding to the Fraser with minimal resistance. She hadn’t even given Holt shit in the car about listening to country music. Kat was a lover and a fighter at heart, passionate about the things and people she loved and believed in. You always knew where you stood with her, whether she was pissed or happy. She poked and prodded to get to the crux of problems in order to help with resolving them.
“Baby, if you want the Balsam, let’s get it. All I want is for you to be happy. If you don’t want a tree, we don’t have to get one.”
Immediately, Kat rejected that alternative. “Are you crazy? Of course, we should get one! We’re here and the Fraser isn’t a bad choice. Let’s go find the perfect one. What kind of decorations do you have? I know that your design aesthetic is Ikea—”
“Scandinavian! Enough with the Swedish stereotypes, woman!”
“I know,” she laughed, her good mood restored with his affronted glare. “I’m just giving you shit, but I do love me some Ikea, and we know how you feel about ABBA.”
“You’re never gonna let me live that down, are you?” Holt gro
aned, cheeks pink with chagrin.
He still regretted taking Kat home to officially introduce her to his parents as his girlfriend last year. Everything was perfect except for one incident that occurred later. Dinner was excellent, and things were progressing smoothly. Rudii and Elin embraced her into their fold with open arms. It was after the meal that Holt made the egregious mistake of leaving Kat alone with his mother and stepping outside with Rudii in their after-dinner ritual. Holt enjoyed keeping his father company while he smoked his pipe. Afterward, they returned to find Kat and Elin cracking up and dancing to a video of a naked three-year-old Holt, wearing only a cowboy hat and screaming the infamous Swedish band’s “Dancing Queen” at the top of his lungs.
“I’ve given it a lot of consideration and my answer is a firm, hell nah.” Kat squealed when he smacked her ass in retaliation for her flippancy.
“Speaking of Ikea, I noticed some of the shelving in your work studio. You didn’t have to buy them. I would have made you some.” Holt sounded so accusing that Kat rolled her eyes at him.
“Those were relics left over from my dorm life. They’re still in great condition; might as well utilize them. How about custom shelves for my showroom instead, please?”
“Ayyye! That’s what I’m talkin’ about!” Mollified, Holt wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “So, you’re gonna do it? Here in the Row?”
Now seemed like an appropriate time to bring up her conversation with Madam Lalita. Instead, Kat chose to postpone. They could discuss things when he returned. She had a little time to weigh her options on Madam’s generous offer.
“I don’t see why I couldn’t eventually,” Kat hedged thoughtfully. “My clientele is expanding, and our town’s popularity is increasing with the tourist industry. Autumn and I ran into Tobin Paxton from the Chamber of Commerce last week at Busy Beans Coffee Shop. He told me that Whiskey Row was going to be featured in a prominent travel magazine next year. Tobin wouldn’t say which one, but he did say Park City, Napa, Aspen, Telluride, Martha’s Vineyard, and Fairhaven were also included. That’s pretty good company.”
“I’m so proud of you, darlin’. Say the word. I’m ready whenever you are.”
“Thank you, baby,” Kat smiled shyly. “Your support is reason number one million and one why I legit love you! Okay, so back to Christmas décor! Your style is Scandinavian- white walls to emphasize light, heavy on the neutral color palette to make any colorful pieces pop, natural textures such as wood and stone throughout, wood floors, and modern and rustic furniture. I’m modern-bohemian-eclectic with bold patterns and color. What are you visualizing for our Christmas decorations?”
“I’m good with whatever. Honestly, all I see is my big screen with lots of football and basketball.”
“Holt!”
“Alright, alright, woman! I like simple, natural, rustic décor. Minimal ornaments used, but a repetition of a primary ornament maintains the minimalistic look.”
Kat rubbed her temples and gazed at him in confusion. “Babe, I love you, but that doesn’t sound merry and bright at all. It sounds dull and super tragic. As a matter of fact, I’m declaring this spot a crime scene.”
“What? Why?”
“Because this is the place where you murdered joy! Christmas is ‘go big or take that ass home’! If I’m going ‘holly-jolly’ for you, then that’s how we’re rolling! Thoughts?”
Chuckling, Holt kissed her cold, rosy cheek. “I think you’re about to snatch Sidra’s reputation from her. Go buck wild with it, baby. Do it how you want. I’ll support whatever. I’m pretty low-key and simple. Your ass is anythin’ but.” He grinned when she sucked her teeth and bared them at him rabidly. “I say we hire a designer. Redo the house before the holidays next year so that we can get it all hashed out?”
“I think that’s a great idea. I love what Valerie Banks did with Darby and Avery’s home. She was spot-on with their tastes. Let’s reach out to her after the holidays. I’ve acquired a lot of pieces during my travels over the years. It’s quite a collection, and I’m eager to see how well they blend with your style. I’m searching for a vintage-modern design with a little rustic thrown in for a warm, eclectic feel.”
“Collection?” Holt echoed dubiously. “Where have you been keeping all this stuff?”
“At a storage facility in Knoxville. I’ve always enjoyed Papa’s company, but I’m glad Mama is home now. I’ve been wanting to move out for a while,” Kat explained. “I simply hated the thought of him living alone. He’s dedicated his life to his children, and it felt wrong to abandon him. Besides, all I’d do is worry about him if I wasn’t there. Now that they’ve reconnected and are making up for lost time by christening every room in the place, I think I’m good to go.”
Holt’s deep belly laugh echoed in the icy air. “Say it ain’t so, babe!”
“I’ve been thinking of designing a necklace with a bell or wind chimes around my neck, man,” Kat informed him, morosely. “I’m disturbed to discover my mild-mannered father has the stamina of a racehorse.”
Holt tried to imagine his parents…just…no…shit. He was officially sympathetic to her plight. “Yeah, I’m glad I got out when I did. I always make sure to call before headin’ to my parents’ house too. Cheer up, though. As troublin’ as it sounds, I sure as hell hope our kids have your current problem in our golden years.”
“Right?! I want our kids to be well-rounded, fluent in Swedish and Russian, and kind and tolerant but also grossed out if they catch Daddy and Mommy playing naked Twister in the kitchen.”
Mouth agape in horror, Holt’s voice cracked, “Damn! Is that what you walked in on?”
“Yes!”
He pulled her closer and Kat buried her face in the side of his chest. “My poor, poor baby.”
“Please make the lambs stop screaming, Clarice.”
***
After selecting the perfect tree, Kat was treated to the show of watching her man cut it down. A tree cutting service was offered, but Holt preferred to do it himself. Kat hadn’t expected to receive the extent of pleasure she did from viewing the unintentional flex her man was serving up. Lord have mercy. Teeth sinking into and tugging on her bottom lip, she watched as he pulled the sleeves of his burgundy fisherman’s sweater up, exposing his sinewy forearms, and accepted the axe from old man McClusky.
He walked around the tree, treating Kat to a mouthwatering view of the way his ass filled out his Levis as he studied it from different angles, stroking his beard thoughtfully. Finally deciding on a starting point, Holt gripped the axe handle like it was a bat, drew it back, and smoothly swung in straight precision. The corded muscles bunching in his forearms and the way his powerful thighs strained against the dark denim with each swing made Kat more than a little hot and bothered, prompting her to loosen her scarf and tug at her turtleneck collar.
“If you weren’t so busy gawking over Fabio Jr., you’d realize that you should be charging these hoes for the show he’s putting on.” Autumn handed Kat a tray with two Styrofoam cups and tilted her head to the side. “Good grief! Where’d he learn to do that?! I was going to charge you for the drink, but you go on ahead and hold them coins, boo. We’re sooo even.”
Kat kissed her bestie on the cheek. “Mwah! Thanks, and you’re welcome. Snickerdoodle latte? What’s the other one?”
“Yeah, they both are. I didn’t know what to get your man,” Autumn muttered, solely invested in Holt’s tree cutting process. “I’m going to ask him to teach Tuck how to do that.”
“Where is my good buddy?” Kat looked around as she sipped her latte and noticed that most of the women in attendance were either outright staring at Holt or discreetly peeking as he completed his task. “Yikes! The thirst is too real out here.”
“Told you.” Autumn elbowed her hard enough to jostle the tray Kat was holding. “Hey, we haven’t had a girls’ night in a while! Feel like hanging?”
“If you spilled one drop of this precious nectar from the gods, I promise you it’s
on!” Kat threatened, shifting the tray to her other hand. “And not only are you right, but you have perfect timing. Holt’s returning to Sweden for some family business. If you can get away from your hubby, I’m down.”
“Everything copasetic with him?”
“Mmm, we’ll see,” Kat replied vaguely. Autumn was her best-sister friend, but Holt’s business was just that. His. “Hopefully, he’ll be back in time for Christmas.”
“Well, if he’s not, he’s already given us one helluva a present,” her friend joked.
“Silly ass.” Spying Tuck headed their way, Kat instructed her friend, “Wipe that drool off your mouth. Incoming.”
Autumn dismissed her with a scoff. “This is research for him! He can thank me later. You know, Holt’s good enough to take this show on the road.”
“I’m sayin’!” Kat readily cosigned. “Magic Mike who, right?!”
“I bet he wouldn’t even have to strip. Does he strip for you? I love when Tuck strips for me.”
“Okaaay, now we’re entering into that creepy territory of ‘Things I never needed or wanted to know about my BFF’s relationship’ territory.’ Rein it in, Autumn. Your hubby’s practically on top of us.”
“Relax! I know what I’m doing. He’s been staring at us the entire time I’ve been over here. It’s all for a good cause, Kat.”
“Forgive me if, on that note, I’ll choose to remain dubious.”
“Darlin’, I’m gonna need you to readjust your face before I turn you over my knee out here,” was the first thing out of Tuck’s mouth as he reached them and snaked an arm around Autumn’s waist possessively.
Smugly, she said to Kat, “See what I mean? Find out what makes them tick, and you’ll always get the desired results. Is the tree already tied to the roof?”
“Yes, dear. Hey, Kat, are Guy and Pearl datin’?”
Holt joined them and held his hand out to Tuck, who shook it as they exchanged greetings. At first, he’d been jealous of Rydell and the attention and time he gave Kat. Tuck was good-looking and younger, and the Sullivan brothers approved of him. He was Darby’s second-in-command, which Holt thought he’d use in his favor. Until he saw the way Tuck was with Autumn, alleviating all of his insecurities.