A Christmas Collection: Four Sweet Holiday Romances

by Victorine E. Lieske

  Charley kept talking, but he was no longer listening. He was back in time, the day his wife had given him the book. It had been his birthday, and she was so excited to share with him what she’d found. The memory of the pure joy on her face made his stomach clench. His heart hammered in his chest and he could barely swallow, looking at the familiar pages.

  “Silence!” he yelled. The kitten jumped from his arms and scampered across the room, through the open door. He ignored it and turned to Charley, his emotions barely in check, his muscles shaking. “I told you to set aside anything of value for auction. I did not tell you to come inside and interrupt my work.” His voice was low and menacing, and she flinched at his words.

  She stood there, blinking for a moment. “I’m sorry,” she finally said, her voice a whisper.

  Guilt immediately surged in him, but the pain from seeing the encyclopedia overrode it and he clenched his hands into fists. “You will not disturb me again. Is that clear?” He hadn’t meant to raise his voice again, but it echoed through the room.

  Tears sprang to her eyes, and she nodded. “Yes.” He could barely hear her. She turned and fled from the room, clutching the book to her chest. As she entered the hallway, he heard a sob escape her, and his guilt overpowered him. Why had he yelled at her like that? She didn’t understand why something like that would upset him. She was young. Had no understanding of a loss like he’d experienced.

  He sat back down in his chair, staring at the open door, feeling like the worst person in the world. He was truly horrible. She’d been so excited to find something of value in the piles of junk that she’d just wanted to share it with him. And what had he done? Acted like a tyrant. What had she called him? Mean and grumpy? That’s exactly how he’d been.

  He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to calm his shaking body. Sadie. Her face flashed through his mind and he grew even more embarrassed at the way he’d reacted. Sadie would not have liked that. She was a gentle woman. If she were watching, she would be hiding her face in shame.

  Thomas entered his office, the tiny kitten in his hands. “I found her climbing up the curtains in the music room. I suspected she got out.”

  Alexander stood and crossed the room, taking the cat from Thomas. “Thank you.”

  Thomas turned and headed out of the room. He closed the door behind him. Alexander stroked the kitten as he walked to the window. How had his life become like this? How had he allowed himself to grow into such a terrible person? He hadn’t always been this way.

  But even as the question sifted through his mind, he knew the answer. He had allowed his grief to overtake him. He was becoming what he hated most. He was his father.

  The thought took him aback and he stepped away from the winter scene out the window. He was not like his father, cold and impersonal. He would not allow himself to become this way. Even if it meant going and talking to Charley. He was not going to be his father.

  He set the kitten down by her water bowl and stalked across the room. There was no time like the present. He had to get it done. Better to do it before she hated him even more.

  He walked through the house, his footfalls sounding harsh to his ears. He softened his step as he approached the garage. Dorothy gave him a frown, but he didn’t have time to take any guff from her, so he ignored her disapproving look and entered the garage.

  Charley started when he entered, then turned away from him, her eyes red. She quickly wiped at her face.

  His heart softened and he crossed the room, stopping behind her. He suddenly felt self-conscious. What was he going to say to her? He couldn’t explain. He didn’t have it in him to talk about Sadie. He sighed. “I need to apologize.”

  She turned to him and shook her head. “No need. You told me what to do. I was the one who broke the rules.”

  “Broke the rules? Heavens, that sounds awful.” Was that how she saw him? A grumpy man who had rules she had to follow?

  She stared up at him, confusion entering her gaze. “What?”

  He shook his head and rubbed his forehead. “When did I get to be that person? The one who has strict rules and whom no one crosses or they regret it?”

  Charley didn’t seem to know what to say to him. She stood there, staring at him. He reached down and took her hands in his. Her fingers were cold, and he rubbed them to warm them. “I fear I’ve become something I never wanted to be. What did you call me? Mean and grumpy?”

  Her cheeks reddened and her lips parted. “I—”

  “No, it’s all right. You’re right. I’m terribly mean and unquestionably grumpy. And I don’t want to be either one.”

  She dropped her gaze. “I was out of line. I never should have—”

  “Charley.”

  She closed her mouth and threw him a questioning look. He squeezed her hand. “I came to apologize. Would you let me do it?”

  She glanced down at their hands. “I suppose.”

  He worked his jaw, trying to find the right words. The ones that would make him feel better. That would maybe explain a little bit of what he was going through. “My wife died two years ago.”

  “I know,” she said, her voice quiet.

  The fact that she knew about his wife surprised him, but then again, he should have known Dorothy would tell her. He swallowed, more emotion surging in him at the thought of Sadie. “It was terribly difficult for me. That book was something special she gave me. The memories were too raw. When I saw it, I didn’t react well.”

  Charley nodded and bit her lip. “Yeah.”

  “I’m sorry. It’s still very hard for me to be reminded of her.”

  “I should have thought about that.”

  “No. You wouldn’t have known.” He let her hands go. “And I am going to try to be more civil.”

  “And I promise to do my job and not lose my head if I find something else I think is exciting.” She pinched her lips together, and he stared at them. Then he wondered why he was staring at her lips. What an odd thing to do.

  “Okay,” he finally said, stepping back. “I’m glad we cleared that up.”

  “Thank you.”

  Alexander cocked one eyebrow. What did she mean by that? “For what?”

  “For coming out here to talk to me. You didn’t have to. And I’m sure it wasn’t easy for you. But you sure made me feel better. I was afraid I had messed up for the last time and you were going to fire me.”

  He’d yelled at her, treated her like dirt, and she was afraid she’d messed up? Now he felt even worse. “No. I’m not going to fire you.”

  She smiled at him, and he realized she had a lovely face. He wasn’t sure why he hadn’t noticed before. “Let me know if you need anything else,” he added before turning and walking out of the garage.

  As he walked to his study, he felt good about how the conversation went. He thought he’d smoothed things over with her quite nicely. And he didn’t feel so much like a horrible person. Like the cold man his father had been before he’d left Alexander to be raised by his grandfather.

  Chapter 6

  Charley plopped down on the couch in front of the fireplace. Thomas had started a fire and she loved the way it crackled and danced. The living room was cozy, the leather furniture comfortable. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed Heather. Her best friend answered on the first ring. “Hello?”

  “Heath. How are you?”

  “I’m great. What’s up? How’s the job?”

  Charley looked around the room. No one was around. She lowered her voice. “It’s interesting. I did not expect this.”

  “Why? What’s going on?”

  “I’m cleaning out some guy’s garage.”

  Heather paused on the line. “You’re what? I thought you were there to appraise stuff.”

  “Yeah. Not really. I’m here digging through boxes of junk and taking them to Goodwill.”

  “What’s it pay?”

  Charley leaned back against the couch. “That’s the thing. He’s paying m
e ten thousand dollars.”

  Heather whistled. “Holy cow. Why don’t I ever get jobs like that? I can totally take stuff to Goodwill. If you don’t want the job—”

  “No, I’ll take it,” Charley said, laughing. “I don’t mind the work. And I can totally use ten thousand dollars. I’ve got to pay rent now.”

  A scoffing noise came through the line. “Yeah, don’t remind me of the swanky new place you have. You live a charmed life, I swear. I never could have gotten an apartment like that for nine hundred dollars a month.”

  “It is nice.”

  “What’s the guy you’re working for like? Is he mega rich?”

  Charley fiddled with the top of her sock. “Yeah. Mega.”

  “Is he hot?”

  She giggled, thinking of how she had almost fainted earlier when he was staring at her. “Yeah, I’d say so. He’s super tall, and he’s got gorgeous black hair. And dang, he smells good. He’s got these dark brown eyes that just penetrate through you, you know? I have to catch my breath every time I look at him. But don’t get any ideas. He’s much too old for me.”

  “How old do you think I am?”

  Alexander’s voice made her freeze. He would be standing right behind her; that was just like something that would happen to her. “Uh, I gotta go, Heath.” She clicked off the call and turned toward him, plastering on a smile and trying to ignore the heat creeping up her face. “I didn’t know you were there.”

  His lips did that twitching thing again. “I know. I was eavesdropping. It’s no fun to eavesdrop if the person knows you’re there.” He walked around the couch and sat down next to her. “So, how old do you think I am?” He leaned his elbow on the armrest. He was still wearing his white dress shirt, but he had taken off his tie. The top button was undone, and she had to force herself to stop staring at the small part of his chest that she could see.

  Charley swallowed, her throat suddenly feeling funny. “Dorothy said you were thirty.”

  “And that’s too old for you?”

  How was she supposed to answer that? Surely he wasn’t asking because he wanted to date her. That was absurd. He didn’t even like her. But as she stared at him, she could see a hint of a smile on his face. “Are you teasing me? Because I never thought you’d be the kind of person who would do that.”

  He shook his head, and his expression sobered. “Of course not. I don’t tease.”

  “That’s what I thought.” So odd. Why did it feel so hot in the room now? She tucked her legs under her and hoped that her face wasn’t bright red. She wondered exactly how much of the conversation he’d heard but decided it was better to pretend it hadn’t happened. She didn’t really want to know if he heard her talking about his eyes. Or his gorgeous hair. She would rather sink into the floor than think that he might have heard that part. It was best to change the subject.

  “I noticed something when I was on your deck last night.”

  His eyebrows went up in what she was quickly learning was his signature questioning gaze. “Really?”

  She curled her hair behind her ear. “I thought I saw a hot tub below the deck.”

  “You did.”

  “Does it work?”

  “Yes. But it’s drained and winterized.” There was something behind his statement, but she didn’t ask about it. He seemed to withdraw from her.

  “Oh.” She didn’t mean to sound disappointed, but it came out that way.

  He studied her. “Why? Did you want to use it?”

  Another wave of heat rose to her face. Why did she even bring it up? “No. I mean, that’s too weird to ask, right? ‘Can I use your hot tub?’ That’s like something you don’t say to a guy you just met.”

  He half-smiled and shook his head. “I don’t care. You can fill it with water. I’ll show you where I keep the chemicals.”

  Excitement filled Charley, pushing away her embarrassment. “Seriously? Because when we stayed at that cabin in Minnesota there was a hot tub outside and it was really awesome to sit in it and look up at the night sky. It was my favorite part of the vacation.”

  “All right, then. I’ll help you get it ready.”

  “Tonight?” The look on his face told her she was pushing it. She pinched her lips together. Why was she always saying the wrong thing around him?

  He let out a breath. “Sure. We can go out now.”

  Charley couldn’t stand it anymore. She jumped up and bounced on her toes. “Oh, my gosh. You’re the best!” Before she could think, she leaned over and kissed his cheek, and then immediately regretted it as his scowl reappeared. “I’m sorry!” she said, waving her hands. “I didn’t mean that. Just pretend I didn’t do that.”

  The scowl faded. “I don’t know what to say to you half the time.”

  “Then don’t say anything. Just show me how to get to the hot tub.” She rubbed her hands together, too excited to care anymore how she looked to him.

  He stood and she swore she saw a smile appear on his face before he turned from her. “Come with me.”

  She followed him down a set of stairs to a room with a large screen TV taking up one wall. A glass door slid open to a walk-out porch. The hot tub sat out beyond the upstairs deck, the moon shining on the blanket of snow covering it. “Will it take long to fill?”

  “Twenty minutes or so.” Alexander unclipped the cover and flipped one side up, the snow sliding off.

  Charley peered into the tub. Whoever had winterized it had cleaned it well. “Where’s the hose?”

  “Over there.” He motioned to a hose box nestled by the house.

  Charley crossed the porch and worked on pulling the hose out. It was frozen and didn’t want to cooperate, but after a few minutes she had enough of it pulled out that it would reach the tub. She placed the nozzle in and went to turn on the water.

  Alexander rubbed his hands together. “It’s cold. Are you sure you want to fill this thing?”

  “Yes!” She turned the spigot and water splashed into the bottom of the tub. “Hot tubs in the winter are awesome. You mean you’ve never used this when it was cold outside?”

  “Nope.” The look on his face told her he thought she was crazy.

  “Then you’ve got to try it. How long will it take to heat the water?”

  “Normally it takes a day. But I’m not sure in the winter.”

  “I’ll check on the temperature tomorrow and see.” She looked into the tub and rubbed her arms, the chilly air finally getting to her. “Let’s go inside while it fills the rest of the way.”

  He nodded, following her through the glass door.

  She pointed to the big screen. “Do you like to watch movies?”

  “Sometimes.”

  Man, he was so reserved. She silently took it as a challenge to get him to start talking. “What’s your favorite movie?”

  “I don’t have one.”

  She made a face. “What? You don’t have one? Come on. Everyone has a favorite movie.”

  He shook his head. “Nope. Not me.”

  She walked over to his movie collection and started looking at the DVDs. Most of them were comedies. She squinted at him. “I never pegged you for a comedy lover.”

  He turned away from her. “I used to like them.”

  “But not anymore?”

  He worked his jaw. “I don’t have much time for movies anymore.”

  Charley couldn’t stand the look on his face. The pain written across his brow. He had to stop thinking of his loss. He needed to move on with life. He was a walking corpse. She walked to him and took his hand. “Come on, let’s watch one.”

  He looked at her, an expression on his face she couldn’t read. “I don’t know.”

  “Sure, you do. It’s just a movie. You’re not busy, are you?” She looked around the room. “There’s no reason you can’t.”

  For a moment she thought he would refuse, but a small smile appeared on his face and he nodded. “All right.”

  Charley grinned and squeezed his hand. “Great
.” She picked a movie, one that looked particularly silly, and started up the DVD player. When she went to sit, Alexander was already settled on the couch. She didn’t want to be rude and sit across the room from him, so she sat next to him.

  The movie started up and Charley glanced up at him. “You comfortable?”

  He looked at her, and she faltered as she stared into his brown eyes. “Yes,” he said, his voice low.

  She tried to ignore the feelings coursing through her as she sat next to him, his body heat permeating through her. Why was her heart beating so loud? Could he hear it? She concentrated on making her breathing even.

  During a particular funny spot in the show he chuckled, and she grinned up at him. He sobered. “What?”

  “Nothing. I just like the way you laugh.”

  “What? I laugh differently than other people?”

  “No. Well, yes. I don’t know.” It was something she couldn’t put into words. His chuckle came from deep in his chest. It made her want to cozy up to him, for some reason. “I like it.”

  He looked at her, and her breathing slowed. His eyes were so mesmerizing, it was hard not to stare into them. He leaned closer to her, and she could smell his cologne. It was intoxicating. He looked like he was going to speak, but he closed his mouth quickly and suddenly stood up.

  “What?”

  “The hot tub. We should check on it.”

  Oh. Right. Charley paused the movie and followed him outside. Sure enough, the tub was full and water had begun to spill over the edge. She turned the water off as he got the tub going. When it was running and the chemicals were all put in, she clasped her hands. “I can’t wait until it’s ready to get in.”

  He turned to her, a strange expression on his face. Then he placed the cover on the tub and walked back inside. She followed him, her legs now frozen.