Chapter Eight
Kissin’ by the Mistletoe
Just because he didn’t have to go into work, didn’t mean his inner alarm clock hadn’t gone off bright and early. Everyone in the department was finally flu-free so they were trying to get back to the regular schedule. He’d always enjoyed the tranquility of the morning just before the kids got up. Heather might be a quiet one, but HL could talk an elephant’s ears off.
He used the morning to pay bills and do a load of laundry. He made a half pot of coffee and braved the cold morning to snag the paper from the driveway while it brewed. Damn, it was cold. It had to be twenty degrees colder than normal. One quick look at the overcast, gray sky made him believe for once maybe the forecasters were correct and they would get that ice they’d been excited about for days now.
After a cup of coffee while glancing through the sports section, he set to work on his special banana pancakes. The sweet smell was enough to entice his sleeping kids awake most mornings.
And like bees to a flower they entered the kitchen. First Heather who had a book in her hand and looked wide awake as if she’d already been up for awhile. HL was only a few minutes behind her wiping sleep from his eyes, wearing his new “big kid” bed attire, and dragging his Ninja Squirrel behind him. He was just setting them up at the counter with the first batch of pancakes when Nora shuffled in and stumbled onto the stool next to HL.
Her long, sun-kissed caramel colored hair was a sexy disheveled mess as if she had yet to run a brush through it since waking up. Her cheeks were softly pink and her eyelids still heavy with sleep. She wore a long-sleeved T-shirt that read “Play Hard, Get Sandy” along with baggie athletic shorts.
She stared at him with grumpy, accusatory eyes and an old memory drifted up. When they’d dated in high school, he’d picked her up most mornings so they could have time together before school started. It had taken her ten minutes to get from half asleep and grouchy to the usually upbeat and full of life Nora he’d fallen for.
“Still not a morning person?” He grinned across the island at her before pouring her a cup of coffee and sliding it carefully across the counter into her space. Next he slid over the milk and sugar bowl and just for fun checked the clock to see if his Nora had changed all that much.
Wait. He didn’t mean his Nora. He meant the Nora he’d known before. A long time ago before, Hawk, don’t you forget it.
Nora wrapped her hands around her mug, taking a long sip that ended on a soft moan that shot straight to his groin. Shit, he remembered feeling damn proud when he’d drawn moans like that from her the many times they’d made out. He turned around quickly and kept busy at the stove until he got himself under control.
“Morning, Heather. Morning, HL.” Her husky voice behind him wasn’t helping. “Do I need to bribe your dad to get some pancakes too?”
Oh, he was open to bribes. Although not a great thought to pop into his head, not with his kids sitting right there.
“Pancakes coming up,” he said, lifting them from the griddle and onto plates for each of them. Passing a plate across to Nora, he topped off both of their coffee cups before sitting at the counter to eat.
“Wow, these are good. You kids are lucky.” She ate another bite, taking her time and closing her eyes in enjoyment.
Hawk couldn’t tear his gaze from her face until one of his kid’s voices finally broke through his moment of insanity.
“Daddy, Aunt Georgie called yesterday,” HL said, hopping down from the counter to clear his plate.
“What’d she say?” He added another pancake to his empty plate.
HL shrugged. “I don’t remember, except something about cookies.”
“Huh, okay, well, I’ll give her a call while everyone’s getting dressed.” Hawk cleared all the other plates over to the sink. “Heather, was there something special you wanted to do today?”
“Not really.” Heather slid off her stool. “Thanks for breakfast, Dad. I’ll go get dressed.”
“Race you!” HL yelled and darted out of the room.
Heather rolled her eyes before leaving at her steady if a bit gangly pace.
“Guess I’ll get dressed too. The pancakes were great. I usually drink a green shake with protein powder.”
“Sounds awful.”
“Well, it’s not banana pancakes, that’s for sure. But if I hold my nose and drink it down, it’s almost… No, it’s bad. I won’t miss them at all.” She gave a quick shudder. “Okay, off to grab a shower and dress. Oh! Maybe you’d rather have the kids to yourself. I’m sorry, I didn’t think.”
“Nora, go. We’ll all decide what to do once everyone’s dressed.”
He watched her leave, trying not to stare at her amazing ass and legs. He failed. Of course he was being an idiot. Hell, she traveled the world, socialized with world class athletes and celebrities, and she’d be gone from Climax and his life the day after Christmas. Damn, he shouldn’t have turned down the police sergeant with the Raleigh P.D. who’d offered a night of hot, no-strings-attached sex four months back.
“Hey, Hawk! Sorry I’m late!” His sister’s voice rang out from the foyer and he went to investigate.
“What are you doing here?”
“Well, it’s nice to see you too. Your brotherly affection is so sweet.”
“You know I tolerate you.” Leaning in, he planted a kiss on her cheek. He and his sister had always been close, but they’d grown even more so after Holly had passed away. There was no way he’d have made it without Georgie’s support. “Seriously, why are you here?”
“I’m picking up the kids for our annual shop, bake, and Christmas movie night sleepover with Aunt Georgie.” She crossed her arms over her chest and frowned up at him. “We talked about it two weeks ago. I took the day off for it like I do every year. I love this day.”
Right. They had talked about it. And he knew his kids loved their annual day of Christmas prep with Georgie too. “Damn, I forgot that was today. I guess between the flu and Nora here, I got my days mixed up. I have the day off today.”
“Goodness, whatever will you do…?” His sister’s eyes twinkled up at him. “Ooh, I know! You could turn it into date night for you and Nora.”
Hawk shoved his hands into his jean pockets. “She’s a Rent-A-Mom, Georgie. Practically the kids’ nanny. A temporary one, I might add.”
“No. She’s a gorgeous woman you used to have a thing for. Who used to have a thing for you. And once upon a time she used to live here. It’s practically a fairy tale in the making.” Georgie punched him in the shoulder. “What’s to say she can’t move back for good?”
“Common sense? She’s got a career in California. She’s training for the next Olympics and predicted to bring home the gold this time. She isn’t coming back to Climax, and I refuse to set my kids up to be hurt when she leaves. Hell, HL’s already bonding with her.”
Georgie raised her eyebrows. “Your son is bonding with a nice woman you actually like. How is this a bad thing?”
“Did you tune out when I mentioned she travels the world and has a career all the way on the other side of the country?” He huffed out a breath.
“Okay, you have a point.” His bratty little sister gazed up at the ceiling and tapped a finger to her chin. “If only there were a way someone could travel across the country in a few hours.”
“You think you’re cute, don’t you, Georgie. It’s not that easy.”
“Oh! I heard about this thing—it’s called the World Wide Web—although some people call it the internet. Anyhow, it’s this new thing, I mean like probably only thirty years old now, and it keeps people connected no matter where they are.” She leaned in closer and whispered, “It’s like magic.”
“Very funny.”
“Seriously, Hawk, Sijan Cates travels the world and makes movies in Hollywood and he manages to live here and have a family.”
“It’s less than ideal.”
“Ah.” She pinned him with her gaze. “Is it though? Is there such a thing as an ‘ideal’ relationship?”
“Georgie—”
“I think every relationship has its challenges. Even what you had with Holly. No relationship is perfect.”
He ran a hand down his face, trying to decide the quickest way to end this conversation. Somehow, even just being around Nora for the few days she’d been here, this subject he’d been staring in the face for years now, had been suddenly turned with new facets to examine.
“The longer you stay single, the more I’m wondering if it’s about you and not the kids.” He opened his mouth to deny it, but she cut him off. “I’m not done. I think you’re afraid. Afraid to fall in love again because of how much it hurt losing Holly.”
No fucking shit. His gut clenched. “Georgie—”
“Hey, I’m single. Trust me, I know what a war zone the dating pool can be.” She reached out, giving his forearm a squeeze. “All I’m saying is this might be a golden opportunity. You two really liked each other.”
“Fourteen years ago. Life happens and people change.”
She shook her head. “Not at their core. You cared for her. Maybe at least see if there’s still something between you. More than sex, that is. Although, there’s nothing wrong with good sex with someone you like and trust either.”
“I’m not discussing my sex life with my little sister.”
Georgie grinned. “Fine. We’ll talk about mine.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “No. No we won’t.”
“Then hand over my niece and nephew and I’ll spare you the dirty details. And I do mean dirty.”
“Heather! HL! Your aunt is here for your annual pre-Christmas shopping trip and sleepover!”
“Yes!” HL came sliding into the foyer with Heather right behind him. “I told you she didn’t forget.”
Georgie wrapped an arm around HL’s shoulders. “I would never forget about spending time with my two favorite people. Whose turn is it to pick the Christmas movie this year? Heather’s?”
“No!” HL groaned. “Mine.”
“Okay, let’s go you two.” She helped them bundle up and ushered them out the front door before turning back one last time to Hawk. “Promise me you’ll think about what I said. Please?”
He hesitated, then gave a curt nod.
“Okay. This is good. I’ll have them back tomorrow. Love you, big bro.”
She opened the door to go, leaving him with a wide-open day but only one thing on his mind. Nora.
“Wait! I forgot I brought you something. Just in case you’re rusty.” She pulled an item out of her purse and slapped it in his hand. A sprig of mistletoe.
Great. Now he had two things on his mind. Kissing. And Nora.