Chapter Nine
Amber set out frying pans and spatulas and measuring cups. She prepared the coffeemaker and lined up mugs on the counter. Anything to keep from glancing across the room.
More often than not, she lost the battle.
She hadn’t seen Michael again last night, but when she and Penny had come downstairs that morning, he was in the kitchen. Now, he stood gathering silverware from the drawer.
She frowned. When he brought guests to the lodge, he never helped her with any of the housework. It didn’t seem right to have him in here. It didn’t feel right, when she had spent half the night telling herself she needed to keep her distance.
“Really,” she said, “I can manage. You don’t have to do this. After all, you’re the boss.”
A good reminder to herself—and a good reason she shouldn’t be wishing for his kiss.
He shrugged. “No problem. I want to work up a good appetite by the time Nick and Lyssa get here. I’m looking forward to Elf Eggs Benedict.”
Again, she frowned. “I thought they’d just pick up some groceries at the store. Nick said they’re bringing breakfast from the Candy Cane?”
“You’re kidding me, right? I made that up. No, wait. You’re not kidding.” He rolled his eyes. “What do they call the bacon? Santa’s Sleigh Strips?”
“Jingle-Bell Bacon. And don’t make fun, Michael. Kids love reading the names of everything on the menu. So do their parents. If you weren’t such a Scrooge—”
At the sound of car doors slamming, she killed that thought and pushed aside the curtain over the sink…then cringed. Oh, no. Michael would kill her.
A caravan had arrived.
After a glance through the window, he stared down at her, his expression unreadable. “Looks like your family decided to make breakfast a team sport.”
“Looks like it,” she agreed.
“Did you have a hand in this surprise?”
“No. I didn’t even know you’d confirmed the plans with Nick until you told me.” And then he had walked off to his office.
“Well, before they get in here…about what happened outside yesterday—”
“Forget about it,” she blurted. “It was no big deal.” Nothing close to what she longed for, anyway. And nothing was what she should expect from Michael.
He owned a company, a private ski lodge, and a townhouse in San Diego. She was a single mom who couldn’t pay her electric bill. Worse from her perspective, he hated Christmas and didn’t want anything to do with marriage or family.
“Nothing much happened,” she said firmly, “and nothing else will. We’ll keep pretending until…until we don’t need to anymore.” And stop the silly wishing for a happy ending.
She would swear he sagged in relief.
The door to the back porch swept open. Bright sunshine filled the kitchen. A clean cold breeze swept inside with enough force to ruffle the curtains. The change in temperature barely registered on her skin. Michael’s blank features had already given her a chill.
The twins burst into the kitchen. As usual when they were excited, Mandy and Brooke talked over each other, one finishing the other’s sentences.
“We all decided to come for breakfast—”
“—and we brought everything we need. Then after—”
“—we’re going skiing. Except Callie and Lyssa—”
“—because they’re going to start the posters for the auction. And except Mom—”
“—because she’s going to watch Penny while they work.”
By this time, the rest of her family and Nick had entered the kitchen. He unloaded a grocery sack onto the counter. “We’ve brought everything anyone could want for breakfast.”
“Yes.” Mom smiled up at Michael. “Good morning. You were so nice about treating for lunch yesterday, we all decided to come along with Lyssa and Nick and return the favor. Breakfast is on us.”
“So is supper,” Dad announced. “We’re having Mom’s meatloaf tonight and her sweet potato casserole.”
She shot a glance at Michael, who stood smiling back at her mom as if he couldn’t think of anything he’d like better. “But, Dad,” she protested, “Michael just had meatloaf yesterday.”
“Not mine,” her mother said.
“I can’t wait,” Michael assured her. “I hope the sweet potatoes come with Merry Little Marshmallows.”
Amber smiled. Mom would have that covered. Now, if only she had brought a little mistletoe for the meatloaf…
…
Michael secured his skis to the rack on top of the SUV. Across from him, Nick did the same.
When they had made arrangements yesterday, he hadn’t planned to have so much company along for their day of skiing. A busy and, he had to admit, fun day. Too bad Amber had elected to stay at the lodge.
He looked around him. Christmas week in a tourist trap. And with all the fresh snow that had fallen in the past week or so, it made sense a crowd would hit the slopes. He had expected that crowd to be made up of tourists, along with plenty of the residents of Snowflake Valley. But who knew so many of the locals would all have the same last name.
“These Barnetts,” he mumbled, “they like to operate by committee.”
Nick laughed. “They sure do. All this family togetherness is going to take some getting used to, since I’m an only child.”
Lucky you. He’d have traded that status with Nick in an instant.
He also hadn’t expected to be the center of attention today. Word definitely got around in Snowflake Valley. Every local they’d encountered had heard about the mayor’s nomination. If one more person came up to him…
Wouldn’t Amber be calling him Scrooge now? She would have been gracious about the congratulations. Happy for the good wishes. And, no matter how she downplayed the Snow Ball nominations, she couldn’t fool him. She was thrilled by the idea of being crowned Queen. She should have been here today. For her sake…
Or for his?
“Whoo—that was fun,” said one of the twins as she jogged past him.
Mandy. Maybe. They both had the same blue eyes, the same long, curly red-brown hair, and at the moment, the same matching grins. Though he still couldn’t tell them apart, he had finally learned their names—Mandy and Brooke. The boys were Josh and Drew.
“I need to get warm,” the other twin said.
They raced toward the family van. Their dad and brothers followed more slowly.
After a last check of their skis, he and Nick climbed into the SUV.
Through the windshield, he watched the Barnetts piling into the van. “That man did a good job keeping up with his kids. I don’t see how he managed, considering all their energy. The girls especially.”
“Don’t let the gray hairs fool you,” Nick said. “He runs every day and plays racquetball three times a week. He’s good with a basketball, too.”
His dad had never done any of those things. He’d always been too busy working.
“Impressive.” Both Mr. Barnett’s accomplishments and Nick’s knowledge of them. His friend had learned more about the Barnetts than he had. That made sense, as Nick and Lyssa had dated for a few months last summer, while he and Amber…
There was no he and Amber.
He should have remembered that yesterday, before he’d kissed her again. But like a kid in a Snowflake Valley toy store, he couldn’t keep from reaching out for what he wanted.
“Are you with me?” Nick asked.
He started. “What?”
“The twins. All that energy, remember? The girls go non-stop. And from what I can see, Lyssa and Amber and Callie are the same. They all get it from their mom and dad.”
“Then I hope they’ve all gotten those posters done.”
“I don’t think they expected help with that. But they’ll have plenty of other stuff for us to do.”
“Us? That had better mean you and the Barnetts.”
Nick laughed. “Actually, old friend”—his tone made Michael grit his teeth—“Lyssa said they really needed the help, so I threw your name into the hat.”
“Then take it out again.”
“I can’t do that. Callie already made you and Amber a team. You can’t back out now. Besides, you can’t tell me you haven’t already committed to Amber.”
“What?”
“What, what? Stay with me, man. Are you sure you’re awake enough to drive?”
“I’m fine.” Up ahead, the van had pulled out of the parking lot and onto the main road. He nosed the SUV after it.
Nick stared at him. “I’m saying you must have told Amber you’re on board with this festival. But anyhow, remember last winter, when you needed someone to help you out and play Santa for the party at the lodge?”
“Amber requested help.”
“Yeah. From you.”
“So? I delegated authority.”
“No, you asked for a favor. From me. Not once, but twice. I helped you out again this year. You owe me.”
Just what he’d said to Amber. His first mistake. Luckily, last night’s conversation had saved him from doing something stupid. Like kissing her again. It had helped him remember the reality of their so-called relationship. Amber wanted things he couldn’t give her. A family. Kids. And a man who could be a good dad.
“I’m here for some R-and-R and time on the slopes,” he told Nick. “Not to run around town picking up people’s donations.”
Or to gather more goodwill from the folks of Snowflake Valley…
The other man shrugged. “It’s your call.”
As he drove along the snow-packed roadway, he thought about Mrs. Barnett thanking him for buying lunch. Of Mr. Barnett, wanting him to try the family-secret recipe. And of Lyssa, who probably figured her fiancé’s best friend would be more than happy to join the committee. And yes, he thought about his buddy willingly doing him those favors.
Finally, he gave up fighting the rest of his thoughts and let them to drift to Amber.
Amber, who didn’t seem to think much of him at all.
Where’s your heart? she had asked.
If you weren’t such a Scrooge…
He swore under his breath. But no matter how he tried, he couldn’t manage even a silent Bah, humbug.
…
They had done a good day’s work. After Amber helped Callie and Lyssa clear off the dining room table, she went to check on Penny, asleep in the living room. Everyone else headed to the kitchen.
Or she thought they had, until she found she wasn’t walking alone. One look at Lyssa’s face told her something was up. “Did you think I’d get lost along the way?” she asked.
“No, I thought this might be a good chance for us to chat.”
“We’ve been chatting all day.”
“Very funny.”
Penny was still sleeping soundly, her cheeks slightly pink and her lips pursed in a baby smile. Amber couldn’t help smiling, too. She touched one of her daughter’s curls, light brown and softer than a feather. She loved her daughter more than anything in life. That alone should keep her far away from any man who didn’t want a family.
What did it say about her that she still wanted Michael?
“I’m glad everything’s working out for you,” Lyssa said.
If she only knew…
“And believe me,” she continued, “I hope things get even better between you and Michael.”
“I’m not—”
“You’re not about to argue with me,” Lyssa said with a smile. “That is what you were going to say, right? Because I’ve known all along how you feel about him. So has Callie.”
She cringed. She thought she’d hidden those feelings so well. “It’s that obvious?”
“No. Not to everyone. But we know you better than anyone else does.”
Penny squirmed, bringing her tiny fist to her mouth. “That’s definitely a sign she’ll want to eat soon.” Amber watched her for a minute. “Having Penny is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” She turned to Lyssa. “Remember the last time I thought I had feelings for someone? Penny’s the only good thing to come from that disaster.”
“Everyone’s entitled to mess up a few times until they get things right. That was your first serious relationship.”
“First and only,” she said bitterly. “And probably last.”
“What about Michael?”
Why had she ever agreed to this pretend-dating relationship? The thought made her cringe again. Michael had come up with the plan to help her. “It’s…not that serious yet.” For him. “We’re just taking things day-by-day. No guarantees. No promises.” And once the week was over, no more pretending. “Don’t be surprised if we don’t last. I’ll probably be a bad-luck Barnett sister for the rest of my life.”
Lyssa smothered a laugh. “You’re so dramatic sometimes, Amber. I can’t believe Callie and I once had to talk you out of stage fright. You’re not going to have bad luck forever. Not if you go after what you want.”
She took the baby from the playpen. “Penny is all I want right now.”
“Because you’re afraid to look for more?”
“I can’t look for more from Michael.”
“It didn’t seem like that yesterday when you were kissing beneath the mistletoe.”
“Only because you wouldn’t give up.”
Now, Lyssa didn’t bother trying to hide her laugh.
Amber pretended to scowl at her, but in her heart, she knew Lyssa was just looking out for her, as always. As they all did for each other. She loved growing up with so many sisters and brothers around, and she couldn’t imagine her life without them—or without a large family of her own someday. But Michael…
The sounds of raised voices and laughter came from the kitchen.
“Everyone must be back from skiing.”
“Great. Then Michael will get the good news Callie teamed you up with him. We’ll see what happens when you two are running around town together picking up donations.”
She laughed. “Don’t have your heart set on anything regarding Michael.” Good advice her heart needed to follow, too. “We won’t be running around together.”
“But you’re running for King and Queen.”
“That’s different.” A means to an end for Michael. That didn’t matter, as long as the competition led to the contract he needed. If nothing else, she had to get through the rest of this week for him. “The auction’s a family project. Our family project. And trust me, he doesn’t want anything to do with it.” She glanced down at Penny. “Come on, I need to feed this little girl.”
In the kitchen, the skiers were stripping off mittens, jackets, and hats.
Michael stood near the table. He pulled off his cap, ruffling his hair. His face looked relaxed. Happy. So different from his blank expression that morning.
His easy smile made her warm all over.
Wasn’t she stronger than this? With her face flushing from a heat wave, how could she keep him from realizing how she felt? She leaned over to give Penny another kiss.
Without looking, she knew the moment Michael crossed the room to stand beside her. Reluctantly, she raised her head.
“Hey, partner,” he said. “I hear we’re a team.”
…
Michael had agreed truthfully that Mrs. Barnett’s meatloaf was even better than what he’d eaten at the Candy Cane. He didn’t have a word of complaint about the three kinds of desserts, either.
One of the twins sat back in her chair and sighed heavily. Mandy, he felt sure, only because someone had said her name earlier and the twins hadn’t moved from the table since. “I’m stuffed,” she announced.
“You oughta be,” Josh said. “You ate enough for three people.”
“You oughta know,” she shot back, “since you do that all the time.”
Drew jumped to his brother’s defense. “Why wouldn’t he? He’s finally got the chance, now that you and Brooke are out of the house for a while.”
“And that’s exactly why Mandy and I decided to go to away to school,” Brooke said. “To get away from both of you.”
Everyone laughed. Definitely not the way a conversation like that would have gone at his dad’s house.
Once the table was cleared and the dishes done and put away, the teams were given their routes for the donation pickups. At that point, Mr. Barnett announced it was time to go home.
“Are you coming back to the house for a while, Amber?” Mrs. Barnett asked.
He could sense Amber’s struggle to keep from looking at him. “Not tonight, Mom. I’ve got a few things to finish up here. Then I plan to get to bed early and hope Penny makes it through most of the night. And…and Michael and I probably should get an early start tomorrow.”
“No probably about that,” he said. “We need to get a jump on those pickups. I think you and I drew the short straw for the longest list.”
Everyone laughed and, as he had hoped, her family’s attention shifted from Amber. Still talking, they moved off to gather up their jackets and hats.
Finally, the front door closed behind Nick and the Barnetts, and he was left alone with Amber and her daughter. She settled Penny in the playpen, then took a seat on the couch. Light came only from the fixture over the dining room table, the Christmas tree, and the fireplace. Amber stared at the flames.
Without a word, he took the chair beside the couch, content just to watch her. She was still, and yet she wasn’t. Flickering light from the fire danced across her, giving the illusion of movement. From the corner of the room, the Christmas tree lights blinked, reflecting in her hair.
After a while, she glanced at him. “Thanks for the save. About the early start for our morning, I mean.”
“That wasn’t a save. I meant it. The team with the most donations wins, right?”
She laughed, her eyes suddenly gleaming. “No, that’s not right. Sorry. We don’t compete with one another. Well, except on game nights.”
“The Super Bowl? The World Series?”
“Monopoly and dominoes.”
He shook his head. “You guys are too good to be true. Do you dress up to pose for Christmas photos together, too?”
Wrong move. The brightness left her eyes. Her shoulders stiffened.
He had to remember not everyone had a family like his. Especially not Amber.
“Yes, we do take group pictures. What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing, I guess. It’s just not something we do in my family.”
“What do you do?”
“As I said the other day, we go our separate ways.”
“And as I said, that’s sad.”
“No, it’s just the way things are.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. It’s hard to explain.” And would mean having a conversation he didn’t want to get into. But she would keep asking because she was Amber and she was all about family. If not tonight or this week, she would ask this question again when he made another trip to the lodge. “Not everybody’s got the picture-perfect family.”
“Nobody has that, whether they take group photos or not.”
“Yeah, well. Some are less perfect than others.” She opened her mouth, but he shook his head. “Don’t ask. It’s too complicated to get into.”
He could see concern in her eyes and almost hear the rest of her questions. But after a moment, she turned away.
“I should get Penny upstairs.”
I should get you upstairs.
The thought hit without warning, and his body’s instant response showed just how well he liked the idea. But his brain knew there was more to his interest in Amber than getting her into bed.
Again, he watched the reflections dance over her. He wished he were sitting beside her, running his fingers down her hair, trying to catch the twinkling Christmas lights.
That was it.
That was what he’d always found different about her. What she had brought into his life from the day he had met her. Her sparkling eyes. Her sunny smile. Her light. They kept his thoughts coming back to her no matter how hard he fought them, no matter how many times he reminded himself she was off-limits. He’d forgotten or pushed away or just plain ignored those reminders. Instead, he needed to listen to them. Starting now.
He shot to his feet as she rose from the couch.
She froze, looking up at him uncertainly. But she didn’t back away. She didn’t look away. Those sparkling eyes of hers stared into his, drawing him to her. Instead of backing up and walking off the way he’d intended to—the way he should have—he stepped forward, as if he had no choice in the matter. And maybe he hadn’t.
Maybe there was a reason he had come to the lodge just when Amber had decided to hide out here.
Maybe he wasn’t meant to keep his thoughts away from her.
Or his hands off her.
He trailed his fingertips along her jaw, then lifted her chin. Her eyes widened and her lips parted and her breath exhaled in a rush that halted any thought he’d had of walking away.
With the tip of his thumb, he grazed her bottom lip. Her answering indrawn breath made it impossible for him to keep from lowering his mouth to hers.
One more taste…
But even as his lips brushed hers, he knew that taste would come with a price he wouldn’t want to pay.