Chapter Two
Before the sun poked its head above the mountain peak the next morning, Amber tiptoed down to the living room. Step one of her easy-peasy plan. Keep Penny amused and quiet. Keep Michael happy.
She kissed Penny’s forehead before kneeling to settle her in the playpen. “There you go, sweetie-pie.” She stroked Penny’s downy-soft cheek. She loved her daughter, heart and soul. Tears still stung her eyes every time she remembered how Penny’s daddy hadn’t wanted her.
When she had announced the news of her pregnancy to her husband, she hadn’t expected to celebrate on her own. But they had argued, and he had stormed out. Hours later, his missing cell phone charger gave her the first clue he had left for good. She hadn’t let that break her. She was on her own, but not alone. She’d had her baby on the way and her stubborn pride to hold onto.
“I don’t know what I’d have done if I hadn’t heard Michael was hiring,” she told Penny. Suddenly single again and pregnant, she had been desperate to find a better-paying job to support them both. Hearing Michael was about to head back to California, she had grabbed the narrow window of opportunity just before it could slam shut. And the rest, she felt certain, was a Snowflake Valley miracle.
“No one needs to look out for me anymore, Penny,” she said. “Not that man who left us. Not your Aunt Callie and Aunt Lyssa. I’m your mommy, and I’m here to take care of you.” She smiled. “And you remember that house I told you about?” That someday-some-way-gonna-buy-it house… “Soon, I’ll save up enough money so we can live in our own home instead of that tiny apartment. Enough money to keep from ever missing a bill payment again.”
She sighed. “Of course, that never would have happened if your mommy wasn’t such a pushover.” If she hadn’t emptied her bank account for a friend’s emergency.
But she would recoup her losses with her next paycheck, which was one of the biggest reasons she had wanted to become the caretaker-slash-housekeeper of Michael DeFranco’s private ski lodge. Job openings in Snowflake Valley came few and far between. Ones that paid as much as he had offered for the easy part-time hours were practically unheard-of. That generous pay would make her dream house a reality someday.
As for her other dreams…
“I confess, that morning we met, I went tumbling head-over-heels.”
It wasn’t surprising she had fallen so quickly—and it had nothing to do with being on the rebound. “The last thing I wanted was another man on my mind. But then”—she lowered her voice to a murmur—“I met that man.”
Michael’s hot looks aside, she had a second, secret list of what had drawn her to him like a downhill racer to the finish line.
But even that didn’t come close to the rest of the items on her very long list. She loved that he found his way to her whenever she stayed at the lodge, even though he had guests to entertain. She loved how he listened to what she had to say, how he laughed when she shared one of her brothers’ not-so-funny jokes. And she loved the way he made her feel, all butterflies-cartwheeling-in-her-stomach and as breathless as a teen on her first date.
Most of all, when she looked at Michael, she loved seeing the perfect daddy for Penny. And the perfect man for her.
Of course, when Michael looked at her, what did he see? A housekeeper.
She needed to remember that.
In the dim light from the table lamp, the baby closed her eyes. Amber slowly rose and backed away from the playpen. She curled up on the couch and covered herself with the afghan she had left there the night before.
Overhead, the sound of footsteps hit the landing, then Michael descended the open, soaring staircase. Her heart soared, too, proving she shouldn’t stay here at the lodge another night. But shouldn’t and wouldn’t were such different things.
“Morning,” he said easily.
She put a finger to her lips. “Merry Christmas,” she whispered.
Michael came closer. “Why are we whispering?” he asked. Mesmerizing brown eyes stared into hers.
“Uh-h-h…” What? She shook her head. “Penny’s asleep. She hasn’t made it through a night without waking up in forever.”
“And so neither has her mom?”
His insight made her eyes fill with tears. Blinking, she forced a laugh. “Well, let’s just say, fingers crossed and this being Christmas, maybe tonight Santa will bring us both the gift of sleep.”
“I doubt even Santa can work a miracle like that one. But we can hope.” He’d kept his voice low, and the husky murmur seemed to vibrate through her. “Want me to light the fire?”
“That’s my job.”
“Not today, it isn’t.”
This wasn’t at all the way she had expected to spend her Christmas morning. But what could be better than being with Michael again.
She hadn’t seen him since he had brought some friends for a ski vacation at Thanksgiving. As on his previous visits, he had asked her to stay at the lodge, filling in as both housekeeper and cook. Once Penny was born, she had always left her with her parents. Today was the first time she had brought the baby with her.
And Michael didn’t want either of them here.
Done with the fire, he said, “Did I smell coffee on my way downstairs?”
“Yes. It’s brewed by now. I’ll get it.”
When she began to push the afghan away, he reached out to stop her. His touch made her hand tingle. She wanted to turn her palm up and twine her fingers through his, to tug him down onto the couch beside her. Which made no sense. Hadn’t she spent half the night reminding herself to keep her distance?
Abruptly, he pulled his hand away and headed toward the kitchen.
Her cheeks burned, and not from the fire. Considering her thoughts, longing had to have been written all over her face. A longing for him she would never get to satisfy. What if he’d read it in her expression or seen it in her eyes? What if she’d just ruined her and her daughter’s future for a six-second fantasy fueled by her stupid crush?
Shivering, she pulled the afghan up to her chin. Sap from the logs exploded with crackles and pops, filling the silence in the room. Too bad it couldn’t drown out the thoughts now filling her head, the ones she had spent the other half of the night trying to forget. As if.
How could she not remember what Michael had said about his visits home?
They remind me why I don’t want a family of my own.
With those words, she had sworn she’d heard her heart break.
All her life, she had dreamed of settling down and raising a family. A family she had already begun with Penny. And if all went as planned, her daughter would have many brothers and sisters.
She needed to focus on that dream—and forget her crazy feelings for Michael.
…
When Michael returned to the living room carrying a tray, Amber pushed the afghan aside. She would sit up and act naturally. Well, as naturally as she could with her pulse beating so loudly she was sure he could hear it. “You don’t have to wait on me.”
“The first one to pour coffee in the morning also gets to serve it. One of Mama’s rules.”
“Your mom?”
“Grandmother. My dad’s mom. Everybody called her Mama DeFranco.” He took a seat on the leather armchair opposite her. “She lived with us until she passed away, when I was about nine. And Mama didn’t take flak from any of us when it came to her kitchen rules. Neither will I. So drink your coffee, no complaining.”
He smiled, maybe to soften his statement. It definitely made her feel all soft and gooey inside. “If you’re turning on your charm, you’re wasting your time,” she lied. “I’m immune to it.”
“I doubt that. I’ve heard it’s so potent, they’ve made a vaccine especially to protect women against it.”
She laughed. “Funny, but I’ve never heard a thing about that. And why haven’t I ever heard any of Mama’s kitchen rules before? Were you afraid I’d set a few of my own?”
“Yep. And trust me, I’m no waiter. You wouldn’t want me trying to serve coffee to a houseful of guests.”
But he’d just served it to her. Her soft-and-gooey insides threatened to melt into a puddle.
This was dangerous, her crazy thinking added to his…flirting? Could Michael possibly be flirting with her? She turned to the playpen and adjusted the blanket she had spread across Penny.
“She still asleep?” he asked.
Was he worried about his peace and quiet? “Yes. And once she’s finally out, not much fazes her.”
“Why should it? She knows all she has to do is wake up. Then one yell, and she’ll get whatever she wants.”
She laughed. Let him pretend irritation all he wanted. She’d seen his smile last night. “You have to admit, I’m training her well.”
“You do everything well.”
Flushing at the compliment, she focused on taking a sip of coffee.
“That’s why I keep you on the payroll,” he added.
Her pleasure dimmed. No pretense now. No flirting smile. His meaning couldn’t have come across any clearer if he’d announced it in an email, the way they usually communicated. He thought of her as the hired help. Which she was, of course. Too bad she couldn’t remember that. But no, despite all her warnings, she kept hoping she was more to him than the woman who cleaned his house. She kept daydreaming about him becoming more than her boss.
New Year’s and that resolution of hers couldn’t come soon enough.
Michael crossed the room to shift a log in the fireplace. The fire reminded her of the disaster-that-wouldn’t-quit, otherwise known as her electric bill. How could she and Penny live in the apartment without heat in this weather?
She couldn’t stay at the lodge with Michael here. But where else could she go?
Run home to her family? No way. She refused to let them know she wasn’t the independent, in-control single mom she wanted them to see.
She trusted all her friends but couldn’t ask for their help. Even if not a single one of them talked, everyone in Snowflake Valley would eventually know what had happened. One person would see something, another would overhear something else, and before she knew it, she would have no secrets from anyone, including Michael.
He took his seat again and looked at her. “Amber, what are you hiding from your family?”
She clamped her coffee mug in a death grip. “Who said I was hiding anything from them?” she asked cautiously.
“You did. You said not to tell your mom and sisters about the soup.”
“Oh. That.” She forced a laugh. “They would disown me for not making it from scratch. They’re all very into homemade food, homemade clothes…homemade everything. Callie, my oldest sister—you met her, she’s the one who’s a teacher. Anyway, she even has a recipe to make her own Christmas ornaments out of paste and flour.”
He eyed the tree in the corner of the room. Needing some Christmas cheer, she had turned the lights on when she’d come downstairs with Penny.
“Don’t worry,” she said, “I decorated it myself, and I promise you there’s not a handmade ornament in the bunch.”
“Hey, I already told you, I couldn’t care less. It’s your tree, not mine. If it were up to me, there wouldn’t be one in the house.”
“Scrooge,” she teased. Instant conversation stopper. No return smile from him, as she had hoped. No comment, either. Just a silent shrug.
She needed to keep him away from the topic of secrets. “By the way,” she said in a rush, “thank you again for letting me hold the party here. It was a big hit—again.”
Last year, he had loaned the lodge to her for the annual Christmas party she organized for the kids of Snowflake Valley. Since she had only worked for him a couple of months, she had been touched by his generous offer. This year, she’d gotten another go-ahead. The party earlier in the week seemed like a lifetime ago. And like the only thing that had gone right for her in ages. “We had to cut the festivities short to escape the blizzard. Other than that, everyone had a great time.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Including Santa?”
“Now, that’s a different story.” Michael had either conned or coerced the same friend who had played Santa last year into returning for this year’s party. “You should have seen Nick’s face when he discovered who was playing Miss Elf again.” She stared down at her coffee. “I was sorry you had to back out at the last minute. You would have made a great Santa yourself.”
“Santa? Me?” He laughed. “Bah, humbug.”
His mocking tone surprised her. “You are a Scrooge, aren’t you? That’s so sad. Christmas is my favorite holiday.”
“Good thing for you, since there’s no getting away from it around here.”
She smiled wryly. “I can’t argue with that. Not when I live and work in a town called Snowflake Valley. As Mayor Corrigan would tell you”—she attempted to mimic his deep voice—“‘three-hundred-and-sixty-five days a year, we cater to tourists celebrating the season.’ But you have to admit Christmas is a magical time. And I’m glad that magic brought Santa and Miss Elf their happy-ever-after.” The fact that Miss Elf was her sister made the good news even more special.
When he frowned, obviously puzzled, she smiled. “I forgot. You wouldn’t have heard the news yet. Lyssa and Nick are engaged.”
Michael snorted a laugh.
“What’s so funny?”
“Just reacting to the idea of Nick getting married.”
“Because you never thought he’d find the right girl?”
“No. Because I thought he was smart enough to know marriage isn’t a winning proposition.”
Her heart thumped. She set her mug on the tray and sat back again, tucking her suddenly cold hands beneath the edge of the afghan.
Yes, she wanted to be independent and in control as a single mom…but she didn’t want to be a single mom forever. She’d realized that truth the day she had met Michael. And even after last night’s conversation and this morning’s warnings to herself, she hadn’t given up on him.
Until this minute.
Until his one flat statement shattered all her hopes and dreams.
Where were Callie and Lyssa to save their little sister now? She could see them shaking their heads in disbelief at hearing this news. She could hear them, too.
Isn’t that just like poor Amber to mess things up?
Even as a four-year-old, she was always the mommy when she played house.
And now she’s crushing on a man who probably runs at the first mention of marriage.
And they would be right. Michael’s conviction was a chilling reminder she couldn’t trust her instincts about men. Still, couldn’t she expect just one tiny Christmas miracle?
“Isn’t your view of marriage a little…cynical?”
“Not in my opinion. I’ve seen too many folks ruined by so-called happy matrimony.”
“And many more people are perfectly happy. Or can be.” Even her. “Don’t you ever plan to get married? And…and to have a family?”
“Me?” he asked, his tone incredulous. He attempted to laugh off her question, and yet his eyes were dark with something she couldn’t name. “Bah, humbug.”
…
After another eardrum-rattling scream from Penny, Michael took off. He would be no help with the baby. And judging by Amber’s expression after his Bah, humbug reply, she’d have no use for him, anyhow.
In his office on the opposite side of the living room, he paced from one end of the space to the other.
What a mess. He still hadn’t found out what Amber was hiding. That story she’d spun about her mom and sisters was a crock of…soup.
And he’d sure dropped the ball last night. He should have told her she would have to find somewhere else to stay as of today. Instead, he had relented at the sound of despair in her voice. Despair she probably thought she had successfully hidden from him.
He heard her soft voice as she tried to soothe the baby. Penny continued to screech at regular intervals.
Colic. Chronic. Poor kid.
The cries grew louder. Amber had moved to stand near the Christmas tree. Swaying slightly, she patted the baby’s back.
The twinkling lights reflected in Amber’s long, silky hair. She was a head shorter than he was, slim, young, looking barely old enough to be a mom. Of course, he knew she was older than she appeared. Her resume had listed the year she finished high school. A half-dozen years after his own graduation. Not long enough to matter, but he’d grabbed onto the fact to add to his growing list of reasons to keep his distance.
The years between them put her closer to jailbait than he liked. When they’d met, the vulnerable look in her eyes tugged at him, but it also said she’d been hurt recently.
The cell phone he’d left on his desk began to ring. Out in the living room, Penny’s screeches rose. Cause and effect? Who knew? But maybe stopping one noise would halt the other. He snatched up the phone. The display showed the call came from an unknown number.
“DeFranco,” he said.
“Michael, my friend.”
He recognized Nick Tavlock’s enthusiastic voice immediately. “Hey, Nick.”
“I’m calling to wish you a Merry Christmas. A very merry one, as a matter of fact.”
For a second, he stared at the phone. He and Nick were longtime business associates. Common interests had turned them into friends. But this holiday call was a first. “Thanks. Best to you, too. You sound like you’re enjoying some Christmas cheer.” Thanks to Amber, he knew the reason for that.
Before he could say something about Nick and Lyssa’s engagement, a noise from the living room distracted him. Penny had let out a wail.
Dead silence followed. Then Nick said, “Yeah. And you sound like you have a baby.”
“It’s not mine. It’s Amber’s—” Too late, he cut himself off. But what difference did it make. Nick had been invited to ski parties here. He knew Amber stayed when he had guests. This trip, he didn’t have anyone with him—but how would the other man know?
“Amber’s there?” Nick asked. “You’re at the lodge?”
“Yeah,” he admitted.
“That explains why she left early, then.”
“What are you talking about?” Too late again, he realized just where Nick had probably chosen to spend his Christmas. His heart sinking, he asked anyway. “Where are you?”
“In Snowflake Valley, at her folks’ house,” Nick said. “Amber left right after the party ended last night. Said she wasn’t feeling well. Her family wondered about that. They say she gets migraines, but she wasn’t complaining about any symptoms.”
Penny let out another yelp. Michael would swear she’d raised the volume. He looked into the living room, but Amber had moved away from the Christmas tree and out of his view.
“Hold on a minute,” Nick said.
“Nick, wait—” Too late yet again. Maybe that third time had been the charm, he’d gotten lucky, and the call had dropped. Cell service at this elevation could be unreliable, especially in bad weather. But the murmur of voices in his ear said his luck had run out. Nick had only put the phone down to talk to someone else.
Penny’s screech grew a few decibels louder. He covered the phone with his hand.
Amber appeared in the doorway with the baby resting against her shoulder. “Did you just say Nick?” she asked.
Great. Over all the noise, she’d still managed to hear that. He nodded.
“Hey, Michael,” Nick said in his ear.
“Amber’s fine,” he said tightly, hoping to cut the conversation short. Her jaw dropped in surprise.
“I’m sure Lyssa will be happy to hear it. But that’s not why I called. It’s a lucky break, finding you here in Snowflake Valley.” Lucky for you, maybe. “I wanted to talk to you, anyhow, and face-to-face is much better. You’re not going anywhere in the next hour, are you?”
“Where would I go? It’s Christmas.” He was spending the holiday with a colicky baby and—judging by Amber’s expression now—that baby’s very cranky mom.
“Great,” Nick said. “See you soon.”
The phone went silent. Not meeting Amber’s eyes, Michael ended the call. He set the cell carefully on the edge of the desk again.
“Nick Tavlock?” she asked.
He nodded.
“Where would I go?” she repeated in dismay.
He winced. “Yeah. Nick and Lyssa are on their way up from the valley.”
“You told him I was here?”
“No. Not directly. Technically, Penny told him. Nick heard her when she yelled—”
“And then you told Nick who she was.”
“Yeah. Sorry. Guess the secret’s out.”
“Michael,” she screeched, sounding just like her daughter.