by Alexis Lynne
They turned and walked slowly toward the house. “Yeah, it’s like we have our own reindeer. Pretty fitting for the season.”
“You know I don’t believe in Santa, right?”
“Yeah, I figured.” He was a little disappointed. He would like to have experienced that part of her life.
“I could be persuaded, though, if it got me more presents.”
Justin laughed. The girl wouldn’t have to believe in Santa for him to load the house with gifts on Christmas morning. Marley deserved every good thing he could provide.
Chapter Nineteen
Tara stepped back from the easel and attempted to rub the crick out of her neck. Letting out a yawn, she turned her stiff body toward the clock behind her. It was past 9:30, and she had not given herself a break since dinner, which had consisted of tea and a small bag of chips she had stowed away in one of the cabinets. She sighed as she looked at the canvas. The painting of the farmhouse had once been as perfect as the one in Marley’s ornament and as pretty as all the landscapes Tara had painted and sold through the years. What it had not been was honest.
She did not like painting portraits, and only now did she realize why. There was too much potential for truth, and damn, had creating the new, small images on the painting knocked her on her butt. Her heart hammered the entire time, and only when she had stood back to view her progress could she see what she had actually created.
The walls of the house, once pristine white, were now marred with gray streaks and cob webs, much like it had been the last time Tara saw it. A swirling tempest, similar to the one she painted earlier, brewed in the background, threatening and scary. A girl with wild, dark hair ran on the lawn, attempting to get inside while another girl with similar features held on to the hem of her shirt, not letting her move. The wild haired girl reached out with both hands, her face contorted in desperation. The door was cracked, but she couldn’t go in. The storm was going to devour her.
It was dark, it was emotional, and it was completely unsellable. Yet, Tara knew she would do more in this vein. Aunt Lady had warned her about letting art take a backseat to money, and apparently, her muse had listened.
Deciding she couldn’t take anymore for the night, she set to work cleaning her brushes, only to be interrupted by the sound of her phone. She picked it up and saw the number she had been hoping to see since Justin left that afternoon.
“Hello.”
“Hi, sweetheart.”
“Justin.” She walked across the room and settled into the chair. “I’ve been thinking about you and Marley all evening. How did it go?”
She heard him blow out a long breath, and she wished she was with him, stroking his hair as she had done that afternoon. “Well, I now know why she never talks about her mom. She doesn’t want to make me feel bad because she blames herself and Sharon for my mother’s death.”
“Oh my God.”
“Yeah. Apparently, she overheard a conversation that never should have happened and has been carrying it around with her ever since.”
“She knows better now, though, right?”
“We talked about it, and hopefully, I got through to her. Thing is, once you start blaming yourself for something, it’s hard to stop.”
“Maybe the two of you can work on that together.”
“I have a lot I need to work on when it comes to her. Our relationship is as battered as this old house.”
“Ah, but that old house has a strong foundation and only needs some attention to make it as beautiful as it ever was.” She drew in a deep breath, allowing the truth in with it. Marley needed the farm just as much as Tara ever had. Justin needed it, too. “You did the right thing bringing her here.”
“You really believe that?”
“I do.”
She heard him sigh again and could imagine a slight smile on his face. “What were you doing when I called?”
“I was just about to call it a night and put my brushes away.”
“You’re still working? It’s almost ten o’clock.”
“Artists don’t keep regular hours, I’m afraid.”
They were silent for a moment, and Tara thought she heard the rustling of sheets, like he was getting into bed. She curled further into the chair, letting the idea of his relaxed, sleepy frame take over her mind. What would he sleep in, she wondered. Shirtless? That was the picture she chose. Having felt the strength of his arms around her, she could only imagine what they would look like bared. She thought back to the first time they met and how she had wanted to sketch him. The thought of that portrait, surprisingly, did not frighten her at all.
“Would you model for me?”
“For a painting?”
“Yes.”
He laughed softly, intimately. “If you want to get me naked, Tara, there’s an easier way to go about it.”
The tone of her laugh mimicked his. “And what would that be?”
“Just get naked first.”
She could actually feel herself blushing, though he was miles away and had no idea how hard her heart was beating at the thought. “It’s the model who is supposed to bare it all for the artist, not the other way around.”
He tisked. “Who knew such double standards existed in the art world. Okay, then. You can model for me.”
She smiled, feeling lighter than she had in months. It could be the painting and the emotional deluge that came with it, but Tara suspected it had more to do with the man. “You are wicked, Justin Hunter.”
She heard the sheets rustle again. “Sweetheart, you have no idea.” Then after a slight pause he added, “But I can’t wait to show you.”
Chapter Twenty
“Well, Justin, it seems you and Marley have made great progress the last few days.”
Maggie Evans, the family counselor in the lone agency that served the county, looked at him with kind eyes. She was short and round and had a motherly quality to her that made it nearly impossible not to spill your guts. Justin felt like he had done just that in the hour they were supposed to be talking about Marley.
“Yes, I’ve learned that Marley is a normal kid going through a tough time, and I’ve made it worse by projecting all my guilt and fears onto her. Does that about sum it up?”
“Not entirely. In all our sessions, Marley never really spoke about anything deeper than what’s typical for her age—peer pressure, body image, things like that. Her counselor in Manhattan said the same thing. When she finally opened up, it was to you. What do you think that says?”
Justin shrugged. “That I drove her nuts to the point that she couldn’t take it anymore.”
“That she trusts you. It says a lot about how far you’ve come.”
Justin allowed that thought to settle for a moment. Tara had said something similar when he told her that he and Marley had talked. “So, do you think she can stop coming to counseling?”
“I think the two of you would benefit from a few joint sessions, but, yes, I think Marley has advanced as much as she is going to from counseling. She’s a bright, mature girl. She was never confused about how she felt, only about how you felt. But, please, keep talking to her. There’s a delicate balance between pushing too much and giving enough space, but if you keep communicating, you’ll find it.”
Justin nodded and rose from his seat. “Thank you, Maggie. This helped a lot.”
“I’m glad. Be sure to stop at the desk and make an appointment for you and Marley after the holidays. Are you going back to New York for Christmas?”
“No, this is home now.”
“Good. Marley does like it here, you know.”
Justin smiled. “Thanks again, Maggie. I hope you have a Merry Christmas.”
Justin felt great leaving Maggie’s office and decided to go downtown and finish his Christmas shopping. Marley had not given him a list, so all he had so far was a gift card to one of the box stores in town and one for online. The bookstore downtown would be his next stop. Marley liked to read on her phone, but it’s
hard to put an e-book under the tree.
Downtown was brimming with Christmas. Every shop window was elaborately decorated with fake snow, candy canes, snowmen, and every other symbol of the season. They may not be as ornate or elegant as the ones he knew were currently on display in New York, but they were lovely just the same. At the end of the street, in front of the courthouse where the fountain had previously been, stood a massive Christmas tree. Several smaller trees dotted the courthouse lawn, waiting for the official lighting the next night. Marley’s school band would be playing during the festivities, and she was all nervousness and anticipation, as every child should be at Christmas.
As if by habit, his eyes were drawn to the right and up to where he knew Tara’s house could be seen. The week before, he would’ve had to focus a bit more to see it at the right time, but now no focus was needed. In fact, their yard might have even been seen from space. It was the most decorative display he had ever seen, packed into their tiny quarter of an acre yard that was mostly sloped mountain. Something white had been laid on the hill with a large cartoon dog figure on skis pointing down, looking as if he was heading right toward a pyramid of terrified looking penguins several feet below. How the hell had they gotten that set up without falling right down the hill?
The deck was filled with rotating snowmen and candy-striped pillars, and Santa’s sleigh, complete with gifts and reindeer, was planted on the roof. Santa himself seemed stuck in the chimney. Justin could only imagine what would light up on the jolly old elf once the sun went down. It was all fantastically hideous and sure to make everyone who looked at it smile.
Justin realized he had been sitting at a green light as he was staring and moved the SUV forward with a jerk. Instead of turning on the street that would lead him to the bookstore, he kept straight and made the turn that would take him up the hill to Tara’s. He had to get a close-up view of that exhibition. Getting a close-up view of her would be an added bonus.
He pulled into their driveway, and indeed, it was even better, or worse, depending on your point of view. He smiled again as he made his way from the car to the door. His every interaction with Tara was more and more tender and exciting, and he expected a smile almost as big as his when the door opened. Instead, he saw an exhausted Tara and heard a string of expletives the likes of which had not reached his ears since the days he worked construction with his grandfather.
Tara’s eyes went wide. “Justin!” She let him in and turned back toward the kitchen. “Shelby, Justin is here.” Her words seemed to contain a plea, and the rant that was still going on became slightly quieter.
“Have I come at a bad time? I can come back later. Or not.”
“Oh, please stay. If you are around, perhaps Shelby will check her language.”
His eyebrows rose in curious wonder. Shelby had never been anything but serene and composed around him. Just then, another slew of curses sounded from the kitchen. He nodded in appreciation of the creativity of some of them.
“She goes a little crazy at Christmas.”
His usually animated girl was so deadpan he could not help but chuckle.
“I’m serious. You are not ready to see this side of my family. She’s trying to finish her gingerbread castle for the tree lighting. It isn’t going well. Charlotte and I are trying to help, but Shelby doesn’t make it easy.”
He laughed again and pulled off his jacket, laying it across the back of the couch. “After the other day, I think we can handle a little Christmas drama. How can I help?”
Apparently, that was the right thing to say. The smile he received was better than he anticipated. The kiss that followed was even better. By the time it ended, Justin couldn’t feel his toes.
“You are going to regret this.”
“Come on. Shelby’s the nicest person I’ve ever met. How bad can it be?”
“Hey! It isn’t make-out time. It’s gingerbread time. Save it for the mistletoe and get your butts in here. I need someone to hold these walls together.”
If Tara looked exhausted, Shelby looked absolutely crazed. He followed obediently, receiving an apologetic look from Charlotte as he entered the kitchen.
“Coffee is over there if you need it, but nothing stronger. I need steady hands. Charlotte’s already broken three reindeer.”
Any boldness he had ever seen in Charlotte was gone as she cowered in her chair, slowly piping icing onto what seemed to be a ginger princess. He wanted to laugh again but thought it would be wiser to save it until he was at a safe distance.
“I’m good. Where do you want me, Shelby?”
“Can you please help Tara put these walls up while I try to fix Charlotte’s mess?”
A flash of defiance appeared in Charlotte’s eyes, but it disappeared with one quick look from Shelby. Justin had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing.
“Where’s Brandon?”
Tara gave him a pained look and gave Shelby a sly side eye. “He didn’t make it.”
He snorted, barely holding it in at the thought of giant Brandon succumbing to gentle Shelby’s Christmas insanity.
“If you start laughing, you will never make it out of here alive. Every year she turns from Thanksgiving princess to the witch from Hansel and Gretel. One of these years, someone is going to find us in the oven.”
Tara’s panicked whisper only made it worse, and soon, his whole body was shaking, sending the gingerbread walls tumbling down.
“It was Justin’s fault!” Tara had jumped back and was pointing at him as if they were all five years old. He looked at her through narrowed eyes.
“You jumped up eagerly at Thanksgiving to protect me from your mother but throw me under the bus now?”
“Yep! Shelby is much scarier than Fran.”
One look in Shelby’s direction confirmed that statement. It was just too much. The woman was basically a sprite with the sweetest disposition he had ever come across, yet she had two brave, focused women shaking in their boots. He had the brief vision of Brandon hiding somewhere in fear, and he didn’t even try to hold back his laughter. Soon, Charlotte joined him. Shelby’s glare turned in her direction.
“Oh, Shelby, please don’t be mad. We are trying our best. Well, not Justin, he hardly tried at all. But you gotta cool it, sister. You are going to have an aneurism. No one is going to marry you if you have an aneurism over gingerbread.”
Even scaredy cat Tara cracked up with that one. Shelby, however, was barely affected by their laughter.
“You are all useless. Justin, can Marley come help after school? She might have better luck piping with her smaller hands.”
“No way. Tara thinks you are going to cook her in the oven. If you’d bake your own sister, what would you do to mine?”
Shelby placed her fists on her hips, somehow looking wounded by the implication. “I would never hurt a child.”
“Any Christmas witch would say that right before she slams the oven door.”
Shelby finally smiled, barely. “I swear I will be on my best behavior. I’m never going to get this done without help. It’s already going to be the ugliest one there, but it at least has to be there in one piece. I haven’t missed a year since our grandmother died.”
Every brotherly instinct rose up in him, and he could do nothing but acquiesce just as he would with Marley. His shoulders slumped as he heard Tara behind him whisper, “Sucker.”
“Okay, but it’ll be a trade. You can have Marley this evening, but I get Tara this afternoon.”
Shelby thought for a moment. “All right take her. Charlotte can finish what Tara started.”
Justin ignored the panicked plea in Charlotte’s eyes and grabbed Tara’s hand, pulling her into the living room.
“Get your coat. Let’s get out of here before she changes her mind.”
Tara laughed and did as bid. When they were safely outside, she turned to him and snaked her arms around his neck. “Thank you for saving me from the ghost of Christmas crazy. How would you like to
be rewarded?”
His look must have been as wolfish as his thoughts since a lovely blush rose in her cheeks. He pushed those thoughts aside for the time being. She had not yet agreed to come to the farm fully clothed. He could not suggest she spend the rest of the day there naked.
“I’d like to hold your hand as we look at all the decorations downtown and, hopefully, finish my Christmas shopping. And you can tell me how you managed to set up the most garish holiday display I’ve ever seen on the side of a mountain.”
She smiled mischievously and pressed even closer. “There’s a perfectly reasonable explanation.”
“Did you hire a crane or talk Brandon into using some sort of rope contraption?”
“Of course not. There was no need for anything so elaborate.”
“Oh?” He could not help but smile at the look in her eyes as she slowly lifted her mouth until it was barely touching his.
“Mmm-hmm. It was all Christmas magic.”
He laughed softly and lifted her by the waist and proceeded to show her some magic of his own.
Chapter Twenty-One
Just as she promised, Shelby behaved herself while Marley patiently helped her finish the piping on all the little gingerbread people that now stood perfectly around the crooked walls of the castle. After picking Marley up from school, they all worked hard to make sure the structure at least stood upright and somewhat resembled the winter wonderland Shelby had envisioned. Even Brandon was brave enough to reappear after Justin called and promised him dinner if he would come help. If one ignored all the other gingerbread creations on the table, this one didn’t look half bad.
“Oh my goodness. They all look so pretty.” Marley had come to stand beside Tara, holding her clarinet case in her hand. It was almost time for the tree lighting, and Tara looked forward to hearing her play with the band. “Shelby isn’t going to win a prize, is she?”
Marley was talking about the contest, but thinking about the night before and how well she and Justin fit with them, Tara knew that she and her sisters had indeed won something worth far more than a medal and bragging rights.