Loose Goose Christmas: Ornamental Match Maker Series Book 8

by Danni Roan

  Returning to her office somewhat put out by the scene in the board room Lisa loaded the fresh files to the appropriate logs and sat back in her desk chair.

  Aside from the shock of seeing Brooks as one of Mr. Arnold’s clients, the day had been the same as any other. Big investors talking big investments, in big board rooms, where she was bored.

  Scanning down her calendar Lisa quickly filed, sorted, organized and arranged everything just the way her boss liked them then rose to go to lunch.

  She had just reached for the door when her desk phone rang, and she turned back to it rolling her eyes.

  “Lisa Carter,” she greeted her tone all business.

  “Miss Carter, I’m really sorry about this morning. I had no idea that you worked for Arnold and Associates.”

  “And I had no idea you could afford to deal with the Arnolds,” Lisa said shortly. These fat cats were all the same. She’d cut her Christmas short and for what, a bunch of words on a paper and a decimal moved from one end of a bunch of numbers to another.

  “I really am sorry. I’m afraid I’m not used to this sort of thing, and I just went along with what I was told. I didn’t think about people having to cut their holidays short.”

  Lisa smiled hearing the sincerity in his voice.

  “Let me make it up to you,” Brooks continued. “The Ls just chased me out of the house, and I thought I’d come into the city for a break. Linda and Lou are taking the children, and Oliver,” he added significantly, “to the farm while Lydia and Lois sit with Carol.”

  “So you’ve been evicted?” Lisa grinned.

  “I think so.”

  “Alright, I’ll meet you. Lunch or Dinner?”

  “Can we split the difference?” Brooks asked a chuckle in his tone.

  “Lupper it is,” Lisa said grinning.

  “Lupper?” Brooks sounded confused.

  “Sure if brunch is breakfast and lunch, why can’t lunch and supper be lupper?”

  A rich deep chuckle rolled over the phone warming Lisa all the way to her toes.

  “I’ll meet you at my place at three,” she said hanging up the phone.

  Chapter 7

  Lisa scanned her closet, what did you wear for lupper with a man who was practically a billionaire.

  He certainly hadn’t struck her as a wealthy man the day before. She blushed thinking about how he’d given her a lift to town like a common taxi driver.

  “Oh no!” she cried, hopping on the spot as she tried to remove a shoe, “I forgot to send for my car.” She could never understand how work came so easily too her, but everyday life just passed her by.

  Finally deciding on a pair of black Christmas leggings bedecked with little snow men and reindeer, Lisa pulled down a thick black sweater that hung half way to her knees. It had been a gift from Lou, and she loved the heavy chain like knitting that ran in cables down the front.

  “If it was good enough for yesterday, it’s good enough for today,” she acknowledged looking in the mirror as she zipped her tall black boots.

  A soft tapping on her door made Lisa jump. How had Brooks gotten past Mr. Withers?

  Hurrying to the door she pulled it open to see Brooks standing in the hall with a large bunch of flowers in his hand. The white roses nestled between sprigs of holly and evergreen looked like a winter wonderland wrapped in plastic.

  “I only thought it was appropriate that I apologize again for making you come in to work today,” he said with a smile grinning broadly at her saucy outfit.

  “It’s not your fault,” Lisa chided taking the flowers and smelling them. “Please come in.” she turned heading for the small kitchen and a vase.

  “Your doorman is a very efficient man,” Brooks commented looking around the small apartment. “He was full of questions just now.”

  “Mr. Withers takes his job very seriously. He’s retired army you know and believes it is still his duty to protect those under his watch.”

  Brooks nodded. “Oh, here are your keys by the way,” he offered jingling the set. “I got it filled up for you and drove it into town.”

  “But how will you get back?” Lisa protested.

  “I’ll take the bus.”

  Lisa stood gaping at the handsome man standing in her kitchen in an old corduroy jacket and faded chinos. She knew for a fact that his bank account was full to over flowing, but he was going to take the bus.

  “You can’t be serious?”

  “Why not? If I rent I’ll just have to drop it off somewhere and will still need a ride to Carol’s place. Louisa said she’d pick me up at the Greyhound stop, so we’re all set.”

  A slow smile spread over Lisa’s face. She’d spent years yes sir-ing her way through her job with men and women who thought they’d hung the stars because they had a few extra zero’s in their bank accounts. Where had this man come from?

  “So where are we having this lupper?” Brooks asked peeking through the door at the shimmering Christmas tree.

  “Oh, look at what was in that little package,” Lisa called, taking his arm and dragging him to the tree. “My very own miniature Oliver,” she finished her smile bright. “At least this one won’t lock me in my own trunk.”

  Brooks reached out and touched the tiny ornament. It was cool in his hand but it felt like a shower of sparks had kissed his skin as his fingers made contact.

  “It seems so alive,” he whispered amazed by the craftsmanship.

  “I know. I swear its eyes follow me where ever I go,” Lisa tittered, “but it is terribly cute. I wish I knew who sent it.”

  “Didn’t it come with a tag?”

  “Yes, but all it said was from Mrs. Claus with love. Maybe it was from Audrey. She got a carousel horse ornament a couple of weeks ago then we almost ran over a man on a horse.”

  Brooks raised an eyebrow, “and now you get attacked by a goose, and you had this all the time.”

  Lisa shook her head and Brooks longed to wrap a shining curl around his fingers. Why did this girl have such an effect on him? He’d thought of nothing else since their encounter the day before.

  “Shall we go?” he asked stuffing his hands in his pockets. “I believe I was trying to apologize for making you cut your Christmas vacation short.”

  Chapter 8

  “Where are we going?” Brooks asked as he walked along next to Lisa, she only came to his shoulder but she stepped out quick making him hurry to keep up.

  “My favorite restaurant,” Lisa crooned a wicked gleam in her eye. “I hope you brought plastic.”

  Brooks eyed the young woman suspiciously. Had her attitude toward him changed now that she’d been privy to his financial situation? He hoped not. She hadn’t struck him as a gold-digger, and frankly, he liked her.

  She’d been so normal, so girl next door the day before, even with her little car situation she’d been compassionate and endearing.

  “I did,” Brooks offered cautiously.

  “Good because Mr. Fazzioli doesn’t like to keep cash around,” Lisa said taking his arm and hauling him to a stop in front of an old fashioned Italian restaurant.

  Brooks gazed at the stone facade of the four-story brick building nestled between taller steel and glass structures.

  The oversized front window, glowing from within with soft golden light was emblazoned with the stylized name in heavy swoops, and long swooshes.

  “Come on,” Lisa urged pulling him through the door and surrounding him with the heady smells of marinara, garlic, and fresh bread.

  “Ma’ farfallina!” a robust heavily mustached man cried as Lisa stepped into the building. “You have returned from the wild hills, yes?” the man’s dark eyes twinkled merrily he engulfed Lisa in an enormous hug.

  “Fazzi, you old goat,” Lisa teased. “I see you’re still in business.”

  “Yes, yes,” the man agreed snapping his fingers and making his wait staff jump. “I have a table for you, come. Manja, manja.” He grinned showing a missing tooth along one side of his gr
in that only seemed to enhance the joviality he exuded.

  “Who is our little friend?” Fazzi asked ushering them to a table covered in a red and white checkered cloth, and eyeing Brooks suspiciously.

  “This is Brooks, Fazzi; he saved my bacon yesterday when I ran out of gas.”

  “Welcome then Mr. Brooks,” Fazzi said gesturing wildly in greeting. “I bring your food.” He finished pushing Lisa’s chair in as a basket of steaming bread appeared on their table as if by magic.

  “We didn’t order,” Brooks protested leaning across the table as the big man bounced away shouting something in what could only be Italian.

  “Oh my never,” Lisa said. “Fazzi only allows strangers and people he doesn’t like to order for themselves.”

  “What if someone has a food allergy?” Brooks questioned looking over his shoulder as if someone might hear.

  “Then they’re in the wrong place,” Lisa giggled. “Trust me you’ll love whatever Fazzi brings. I’ve been coming here since Audrey and I moved to the city. It’s like a special surprise every time.”

  “Why did he call you farfenugen?” Brooks asked buttering a piece of the still piping bread.

  Lisa’s laughter was like the twinkle of chimes. “Not Farfenugen, Farfallina,” she said trying not to laugh again. “It means little butterfly. Fazzi said I’m always flitting from one thing to another. I never settle. He says it’s why I forget things.”

  “You seem settled to me,” Brooks commented as a bowl of creamy soup was placed before him by a waiter in a white shirt, dark trousers and a black apron.

  Lisa picked up her spoon. “It’s just what Fazzi says,” she said brushing it off.

  “This is amazing,” Brooks gushed as he finishes his first spoonful of soup, gazing across the table at a grinning Lisa.

  “Told you so,” she said with a wink.

  ***

  By the time Brooks staggered out of the restaurant full of some of the finest food he’d ever eaten, he felt almost dazed.

  Not only had he spent an enchanting afternoon with Lisa, he’d been plied with remarkable food and a check that begged argument.

  “Are you sure our bill was right?” Brooks asked. “It was less than I would have expected to pay for one meal.”

  Lisa took his arm guiding him along the icy sidewalk. “Fazzi hasn’t changed his prices in years and says he never will.”

  “How does he manage?”

  “Sheer volume,” Lisa laughed, “that and the fact that his family grows all their own ingredients and works for him.”

  Brooks laughed. “A smart man.”

  They strolled along looking in shop windows as they slowly took in the Christmas lights shimmering off the snow.

  “I’m almost sad for this to end,” Lisa said. “Christmas is such a magical time of year, and soon they’ll take the decorations down.”

  “This year does feel rather magical,” Brooks agreed. “Like miracles are possible, and dreams do come true.” He gazed into Lisa’s eyes feeling an almost magnetic draw puling him in.

  Lisa smiled, feeling strangely at ease with Brooks, and yet somehow more alive than she’d felt in ages.

  Perhaps it was the glow of the Christmas lights, or maybe the way he’d pulled her out of her car trunk the day before, but she felt a warm glow filling her whole body as he leaned close.

  The buzz of both of their phones pulled them apart as they reached to stifle the incessant sound.

  “Hello,” both parties echoed at the same time.

  “I’ll be right there?” Again their words meshed and they turned troubled eyes back on each other.

  “I don’t know where the hospital is,” Brooks said breathlessly.

  “Come on,” Lisa grabbed his hand and ran back toward her apartment and her car.

  Skidding to a halt at her little red car, Lisa popped the doors and climbed behind the wheel waiting only as long as it took Brooks to slide onto the passenger seat before shooting out into the middle of traffic and skidding around the first turn.

  Chapter 9

  Lisa charged up the hill toward the hospital, her tires spinning on a patch of ice as she jerked the wheel and bounced into a parking spot.

  Switching off the engine she turned to look at Brooks who seemed frozen with fear.

  “Come on Mr. let’s go,” Lisa said climbing out and hurrying to his door. She could see the fear and worry on his face and her heart went out to him.

  Gently taking his hand she extricated him from her front seat and headed to the doors of the hospital.

  A nurse with reindeer ears stuck to her head smiled at them when Lisa stopped at the front desk, then continued down the hall in the direction the woman had indicated.

  “Brooks, you have to get it together,” Lisa said. She’d seen young upstart business men with that look before their first attempt at braving the board room too many times to not recognize panic. “You’re here for Carol, you have to snap out of it. You’ve got this,” she added kindly with a smile.

  Brooks looked down into Lisa’s dark eyes. She was so put together, so with it.

  “She’s my baby sister,” Brooks said his eyes full of doubt. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

  Wrapping her arms around the man Lisa pulled him close stroking his hair with her hand. “You’re here for her, that’s why you came back to Colorado remember. You can do this.”

  “How do you know?” Brooks asked pulling back and studying her face.

  “Because you have to,” Lisa stated with finality taking his hand once more, plastering on a smile and dragging him into the hospital room.

  “Uncle Brooks!” Vivian cried launching herself at her uncle. “Ms. Linda brought us coloring books and crayons, and me and Drew are making pictures to put on Mom’s wall.”

  “That’s wonderful,” Drew said managing to choke back a sob as he took in his sister laying in the hospital bed, tubes and wires marring her pale skin.

  “I’m going to take the children home,” Linda Alberton said standing from a chair in the corner. “We’re staying at Audrey’s tonight.” She looked at Lisa nodding toward Brooks. “You drop him off there if he needs a place to stay.”

  Lisa reached over and hugged Linda then knelt down before the children. “You two are going to love Audrey’s place and you can stay right here in the city with Linda. Maybe you can get her to make you some of her famous hot cocoa.”

  “Is it as good as Uncle Brookses?” Drew asked looking between the adults.

  “Even better,” Lisa declared tapping him on the nose.

  “Good night Miss Lisa,” Vivian said sweetly leaning in to kiss her on the cheek. Not to be left out Drew did the same then turned to his uncle who lifted him squeezing him tight and finally hugging Vivian.

  “I’ll see you later,” he promised placing Drew back on his feet. “You two look out for each other now okay?”

  “Okay,” Vivian assured taking her brother’s hand on one side and Linda’s on the other.

  “I hope you don’t mind, but we drove your Jeep in,” the older woman said. “You already had the car-seats in it,” she added as explanation.

  “Oh no, that’s perfect,” Drew assured turning back to Lisa as the trio exited.

  “I don’t know what I would have done without you,” the man said, his voice soft in the dim room.

  Lisa smiled reaching out to squeeze his hand. “It’s a good thing that Oliver decided to lock me in my trunk,” she agreed.

  “Brooks?” Carol’s voice was weak. “I’m so sorry to be such trouble.”

  Brooks took his sisters hand. “You’re no trouble at all,” he said smiling.

  “The doctor’s said that the mass was cutting off blood circulation and that’s what made me pass out.”

  “Are you in pain?” Brooks asked.

  “No, they gave me something.” She looked around, “Where are the children?”

  “They’re staying with the Ls at their niece’s place in the city,” Brooks
said. “The Ls seem to have adopted them.”

  Carol smiled her hazel eyes full of light. “I’m so glad I got to meet them,” she said her eyes moving to Lisa. “We’ve only known you a day, and you’ve already been such a help.”

  Lisa stepped up to the bed, “If there’s anything I can do,” she said uncertain about Carol’s prognosis but deeply concerned.

  Carol shook her head her dark locks shifting enough to expose bare scalp. “I just wish Dan was home,” she said her eyes growing heavy. “I think I’ll try to sleep a little.”

  Lisa watched the other woman slip off to sleep and her eyes filled with tears.

  Brooks pulled her into his arms drawing comfort from her presence. “I’m glad you’re here,” he commented softly.

  Lisa brushed a tear away from her eye. “I’m going to go get us some coffee,” she said with a watery smile. “You stay here.”

  Slipping through the partially open door Lisa pulled out her phone and started sending texts. She didn’t know ‘people’, but she knew people who knew the right people, and it was time to call in some favors.

  Chapter 10

  “Uncle Brooks,” Vivian’s sweet voice woke Brooks where he’d been dozing on a chair.

  “Hi Viv,” he said smiling as he helped Drew crawl into his lap.

  “Uncle Brooks?” Vivian said looking at him seriously, “You don’t think Aunt Lou will hurt Oliver do you?”

  “No, why would you ask that?” Brooks asked, looking up at Lisa who had just walked in the door.

  “Because last night when we were playing a game she said to watch out or my goose would be cooked.”

  Brooks laughed patting the child’s cheek. “That’s just an expression honey,” he assured. “Like saying I’m going to get you, but I’m really going to tickle you.” The man put actions to his words and soon both children were giggling as he wriggled his fingers on their sides.

  “Kids,” Carol’s voice called and she lifted hands welcoming an embrace.

  As both children climbed up cuddling close to their mother Lisa slipped an arm around Brooks.