Chapter Three
Cuddling Penny close to her, Amber set the rocking chair near the kitchen window into motion again. She had told Michael she needed to rock Penny to soothe her colic. Which was perfectly true.
Okay, so maybe she hadn’t added her other reason for fleeing his office—being one breath away from having a meltdown like a snowman in July, right there in front of him. This new twist to her predicament wasn’t his fault. Much. And though she didn’t want to admit it, Michael had told her the truth, too.
The secret’s out.
“And you notice,” she told Penny, “he hasn’t made an appearance since.”
Ice crystals pinged against the window. That figured. “The weather’s terrible. The roads will be treacherous. And thanks to your mommy, Aunt Lyssa’s due here any minute.” After racing up the mountainside with her new fiancé, she would most likely arrive armed with the idea of coming to her sister’s rescue.
The doorbell rang. Oh, joy.
Groaning, she held Penny closer to her. Cuddling as they rocked usually helped to calm her as much as it soothed the baby. Not today.
Lyssa appeared in the doorway. “Well! What a surprise to find out you were here. Why didn’t you tell us you were driving up to the lodge this morning?”
“Merry Christmas to you, too,” Amber said dryly. “That ought to be obvious, considering your reaction right now. And how quickly you got here this morning.” No need to mention she and Penny had come here straight from the party last night.
“Oh, no. That’s on Nick. He wants to talk to Michael. And do you mean you didn’t say anything about going to the lodge because we’d be concerned about you?”
“No. I didn’t say anything because you’re all worried I can’t take care of myself. And Penny.”
Lyssa laughed. “That’s ridiculous. You’re a great mom. Everybody in Snowflake Valley knows that. But yes, if I’d known, I would have worried about you driving up here in the storm. And yes, I’d have called to make sure you and Penny arrived okay. Just as I would for anyone else in the family.” She took the seat at the table closest to the rocking chair. “I knew something was up,” she said in a lower voice. “Nobody misses Mom’s cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning. There’s something going on between you and Michael, isn’t there?”
What? “No, there—”
“Amber,” Lyssa interrupted, grinning. “You know better than to lie on Christmas Day. Santa will come back and demand you return every one of your presents.” She crossed her arms on the table. “You might as well tell me. I’m not getting out of this seat until you do.”
Amber sighed. “We’re not in grade school, Lys, and trading secrets.” Bad example. Maybe Lyssa hadn’t noticed her cringe.
“You’re right. We’re all grown up now and able to talk about the opposite sex without breaking into giggles.”
Her big sister thought this was all about Michael. If only…
“Now, tell me what’s going on with you two.”
“Nothing’s going on.”
“Then that’s a real shame, considering you’re here alone with him. At least, when Nick and I arrived, I didn’t see anyone else out there in the living room.” Dropping her teasing tone, she added, “Come on, Amber. You know you can talk to me.”
She did know. But she had nothing to say about Michael. And she didn’t want to discuss what had really brought her to the lodge. They needed to change topics before she cracked under the pressure.
Thankfully, the sound of footsteps and deep voices growing louder announced Michael and Nick’s approach to the kitchen. Lyssa shot her a frustrated glance, then looked expectantly at the doorway. Amber managed a smile just as the two men entered.
“Hey, Amber,” Nick said. “Michael’s singing your praises for helping him out, especially on a holiday.”
Helping him out? Exactly what had he said? She didn’t dare open her mouth or even look at him. Instead, she fixed her smile in place, stared in his general direction, and held her breath.
He took a seat at the table and turned to Lyssa. “Yeah, I decided at the last minute to spend a few days here. Amber was nice enough to have the heat turned up for me when I arrived. She’s about to scramble eggs for breakfast. Can we interest you in some? And we have plenty of coffee. Don’t we, Amber?”
She started. “Of course. I’ll put another pot on and get going on breakfast.” After settling the baby in her playpen, she crossed the kitchen to the coffeemaker. She was glad for the chance to get away from the group at the table. To try to get a handle on the situation.
Why would Michael go to these lengths to help her?
He hadn’t actually lied outright. She had turned the heat up before he had arrived. And she had offered to make eggs. When it came to the details, though, he was skating on thin ice. And in Snowflake Valley, that was a very dangerous place to be.
…
While Amber scrambled the eggs, Lyssa helped her with the coffee. At the table with Nick, Michael could see the other man had something on his mind.
Sure enough, as soon as they were all seated, Nick turned to him. “You were so busy talking about Amber, you never asked what brought us all the way up the mountain on Christmas morning.”
Right. Because he’d been a breath away from telling his buddy he ought to reconsider the whole marriage idea.
Amber had taken the seat beside him. As if she’d heard the thought, she tightened her fingers on her mug.
Thanks to her, Michael knew what was coming. But he couldn’t resist prolonging the inevitable. “Well, let’s see. You didn’t bring skis. And you haven’t mentioned settling in with a movie and some popcorn. I’m guessing sooner or later you’ll offer an explanation.”
“Not an explanation. An announcement.” Nick wrapped his arm around Lyssa, seated beside him. “We’re getting married.”
“Hey, great news. Congratulations.” He reached across the table to shake Nick’s free hand. Even Amber wouldn’t be able to find fault with his enthusiastic response.
A quick glance showed him she might not have noticed. She sat staring down into her mug as if she had hopes of reading the future in it. Or as if she were seeing the past and remembering what he had told her about matrimony.
It wasn’t a winning proposition.
At least, not in his experience. But he wouldn’t say that to the prospective bride and groom, who now wore matching smiles. “When’s the big day?”
“We haven’t set a date yet,” Lyssa said.
“When we do, you’ll be the first to know,” Nick told him. “I’m counting on you to be my best man.”
His hand jerked reflexively, almost spilling his coffee.
Great. Just what he needed—to get all decked out in a penguin suit to participate in an event he didn’t believe in. The things you did for people because they were your friends. The things you would do for your family, if you didn’t have one like his.
“Sounds like we’ve got a lot to celebrate,” he said. “You both should join us for dinner, on me, if you’re around later in the week.”
“That works,” Nick said. “Unless Lyssa has the calendar filled.” Spoken like a devoted husband already. Another good man lost.
“We’ll make the time,” she said brightly. “Thanks for the invitation. Believe me, this is one dinner I wouldn’t miss for the world.”
“To tell the truth,” Nick said, “when I called, I was surprised to find you were here. I’d have thought you’d be spending the day with your family. Don’t you usually?”
Michael took a sip of coffee and set the mug on the kitchen table. Earlier, his cups from the first pot had tasted just fine. More likely it was the other man’s question about family that had left a bitter taste in his mouth. “No, we’re not always together for Christmas.”
“That’s sad,” Amber said in a flat tone, just like when she’d called him Scrooge.
“What’s sad about it?” he asked. “I’m taking advantage of the chance for rest and relaxation. Speaking of which…” He turned to his buddy. “You’ll have to come back up again for a day on the slopes while I’m still here. Both of you.” If Lyssa could fit it into their schedule.
“Sounds good to me,” Nick said.
Lyssa nodded. “You didn’t mention having any other guests with you on this trip. Are you here all alone?”
Amber’s mug tilted, sloshing coffee over the rim. She grabbed for her napkin.
“All alone,” he echoed.
“I’m sorry, but I agree with Amber,” Lyssa said. “Families should be together for Christmas. Don’t you think so, Nick?”
His friend smiled. “That’s one loaded question. And yes, you know I think so.” He turned to Michael. “I’m glad you’re sticking around for a while. You can help me hold out against the rest of the Barnetts.”
“Oh, stop.” Laughing, Lyssa shook her head.
“Hold out against what?” Michael asked.
“They’re trying to get me involved in one of their family fundraising projects.”
“Well, then, yeah. Count on my help. I’d draw the line at that, too.”
Amber looked up. Her smile seemed forced, but at least now he had the pleasure of eye contact with her. “That’s not an option for Nick,” she said. “Not since he’s marrying into this family. We’re talking about Snowflake Valley’s annual Winter Festival. Barnetts have been in charge of running it since the town began.”
“And this year’s festival will be even more special,” Lyssa said. “Michael, you remember our sister, Callie?”
He nodded. One day last winter, his ski party had come across Amber with Lyssa and Callie at the local diner, the Candy Cane.
Who in the world would call a diner that? The entire town was filled with businesses with quaint, quirky names—which could explain why he didn’t often venture down the mountain when he came here. He liked the lodge being out of the way. Secluded. Peaceful. But given how he felt about Christmas, he was beginning to wonder why he’d ever bought property in a place called Snowflake Valley.
“Callie’s a teacher,” Lyssa reminded him. “She volunteered all of us to help her organize a fundraiser for the elementary school.”
“Ah. I see your problem,” he said soberly to Nick.
“Yeah. But I’m working on a way to take a pass.”
Amber and Lyssa both shouted his name at once. Served the man right for getting himself trapped into an engagement. Grinning, he waited to see whether or not Nick would get himself out this conversation alive.
Instead, to his surprise, Lyssa laughed. “Oh, but that’s not the only volunteer project Callie has on her mind. Amber, she’s nominating you for Snow Ball Queen.”
“No.” Amber’s fork clattered onto her plate.
Michael frowned,
“What’s that?” Nick asked.
“Tomorrow is the kickoff of the week-long festival,” Lyssa said. “The Snow Ball is the grand finale.”
Nick nodded. “That’s the dance you told me about. The one at the community center on New Year’s Eve.”
“Right. Everyone in Snowflake Valley votes for King and Queen of the Snow Ball. The winners are announced that night.”
Nick frowned. “No offense to Amber, but why isn’t Callie nominating you, too?”
“Thanks.” Lyssa kissed his cheek. “But she can’t. I’m not eligible to compete.”
“Eligible?” Nick echoed.
Let him be the front man here. Michael settled back in his chair and sipped his coffee. This deal sounded worse than the Barnetts’ family project. No way would he get involved in either one.
“I’m not eligible since I’m attached,” Lyssa explained. “Everybody in town knows that when someone competes for Snow Ball King or Queen, they’re declaring themselves single and looking.”
Amber’s face turned as pale as her white ceramic mug, as if whatever illness bypassed her last night had just hit full-force. “I refuse to run.”
“You know the rules as well as I do. If someone is nominated, their name goes on the ballot.”
“I won’t participate.”
He caught it again—that same hint of despair he’d heard in her voice last night. Maybe this snowball thing tied into the secret she was keeping from her family.
“Hmm…” Lyssa shrugged. “Well, it’s true you don’t have to pursue winning the crown. But how will it look for Mom and Dad if a Barnett is nominated but doesn’t make even an attempt to win?”
“I can’t…”
“Why not?” Lyssa demanded.
“Because…because…” Amber’s gaze met his. He didn’t read anything close to a plea for help in those blue eyes, couldn’t find the hint of a silent SOS. Of course not. Amber’s independent streak would never let her lean on him. Yet he still felt the need to give her an out—maybe since he could relate to having family push her against the wall.
What the heck… He reached for her hand. “Amber can’t compete,” he said firmly, “because we’re together.”
Her fingers clamped around his, nearly cutting off his circulation.
Lyssa’s jaw dropped.
Nick slapped him on the shoulder.
Amber stared at him, her eyes now like twin blue pools, as the saying went. Eyes he could drown in—if she didn’t kill him first.