A Christmas Homecoming (17 page)

“I’ll walk as far as my cabin.”

So he hadn’t meant to walk with her after all. Disappointment hit her. What was wrong with her? One minute she didn’t want his company, and now she was sad because he wasn’t coming along to spend time with her, but was only heading to his place. She shook her head.

“Something wrong?”

Her eyes widened. “Nope. I need to grab a jacket.” She rushed to retrieve her coat and boots.

Stephen stood at the door, waiting. “That was fast.”

“Yep.” She swept past him and out the door.

A moment later his stride matched hers as they headed along the path toward his cabin. “I thought our first day working together went well.”

“Second,” she said.

“Excuse me?”

“This is your second day playing my assistant. The first day was when you helped me at Mrs. Gladstone’s house.”

“That’s right. Okay, second.”

“You’re very good at knowing what I want done even before I ask. How is that?”

“I used to tag along with my mom when I was a kid.”

“Ah. So you’ve been apprenticed.” No wonder he had an eye for interior design. “I’m surprised
you
didn’t take over for Mona.”

The snow danced in the illumination of his front porch. “That wouldn’t have been very smart of me. Besides, I have my sights set on something different. I’d like to start designing houses again.”

“I wondered why you weren’t drawing up plans for your family business.”

He shrugged. “Timing is everything. I trust that once you get settled, I’ll be able to follow my passion. After all, you’ve been working by my mom’s side for the past two years so you know the ins and outs of the business. It shouldn’t take you long to feel comfortable being in charge of the design branch. I have complete confidence in you.”

“But still . . . You might do a better job.” She pressed her lips closed. Why had she voiced her thoughts? It was like she had a broken filter where Stephen was concerned.

He stopped and turned toward her. “I wish you’d tell me what happened to cause you to doubt yourself, Bailey.”

Stepping past him, she ignored his question.

He grasped her arm and drew her to a stop. “I’m serious. Why do you deflect compliments and knock yourself every time I praise your work?”

She pressed her lips together. What should she say? She looked over her shoulder in the direction of Mona’s house. “I don’t know. I guess it makes me feel uncomfortable.”

“Why?”

She shuffled from side to side, suddenly cold.

He sighed. “Will you come inside for a few minutes while I start a fire? I’d really like to understand.”

But I don’t want to talk.
How could she say no though? She nodded and trod beside him to the door of his cabin. “I don’t think this is a good idea.”

“Why? You afraid?”

She frowned. “Maybe.”

“You don’t have to tell me, Bailey. I only want to understand what’s going on in your head. It’d be a lot easier to work together if we understood each other.”

“Well . . . when you put it like that. Okay.” She followed him inside, deposited her coat in the closet, and left her boots beside the door.

“Have a seat. It won’t take long to get this place warmed up.”

It actually felt pretty good in here after being out in the snow. She sat on the couch facing the fireplace.

He crumpled an old newspaper, tossed it into the fireplace, then added kindling and a few small logs. He brushed his hands together and stood.

Wood snapped and crackled as the fire took off. Stephen eased into the chair catty corner to the couch. “So . . .”

“Right. I really don’t understand what the problem is. It’s obvious that you would be the perfect replacement for your mom.”

“Why?”

“Because I . . . I . . .” This was so awkward. She glanced over her shoulder toward the door. She’d give anything for a do-over tonight and skip dinner and conversation altogether.

“You what?” he asked gently as he moved from the chair to the couch.

“I don’t know. You tell me.”

He shook his head. “It doesn’t work like that.”

She cleared her thickening throat. “Fine. When I was a kid, I overheard a conversation that made a great impact on my life.”

“Go on.”

She took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I was at a sleepover with my cousin and a few friends. I left the bedroom for a few minutes, and when I came back, I overheard my cousin say that I was ugly, along with some other hurtful things.”

“She was probably jealous of you.”

“Her friends all agreed with her. From that day forward I knew the truth. I’m ugly.”

“That’s a lie. You are an attractive woman.” He shifted closer and placed a hand on her shoulder.

She tilted her head toward him. “I know you’re trying to be nice, but please don’t patronize me. My mother does that, and I really don’t appreciate it.”

“Wow.” He removed his hand. “They really messed with your head.”

She looked away. “Well, now you know.” She stood and turned toward the door.

Stephen darted around the couch. “Don’t go yet.” He stood in front of her, blocking her way and staring at her for a long moment. “I want to tell you, in all honesty, what I see when I look at you.”

Her stomach fluttered. Why was he pushing this? Could he be serious? Did he really think she was attractive?

“I see a woman who tries to blend in but can’t because she was created to shine. I see a woman with a keen eye for design, who could probably win one of those design shows on television, if only she believed in herself.”

Her throat thickened. Those things couldn’t be true. But why would Stephen lie? She shook her head. “Stop, Stephen. I—”

He touched a finger to her lips. “Shh. I’m not finished.”

She gulped. Tingles zipped through her.

“Why did you listen to your cousin and not your mom?”

“Because my mom
has
to tell me I’m beautiful. She’s my mom.” She didn’t want him to feel sorry for her or feel obligated to lie to her too, but if it had only been her cousins and friends she would have eventually gotten over their hurtful words. But time and again others confirmed their assessment of her. Maybe not in so many words, but when she was passed up when choosing teams or not invited to a party, she knew the real reason.

“I’m not your mom or your cousin, so I hope you’ll listen to me. You’re stunning, and your designs are as well. My mother knew a good thing when she saw you. Sure, you might have tried to hide your beauty in the past, but it’s there for anyone who’s looking to see. And your gentle spirit adds to your beauty.”

“You think I’m stunning?” How could this be true? She shook her head in disbelief. Sure he’d complimented her before, but this time was different. She could tell from his eyes and the tone of his husky voice he meant every word.

He touched a hand to her cheek. “Yes, I do, and I really want to kiss you right now.”

Her heart leapt and before she could respond, his warm lips gently touched hers. She stepped back. What had she done? This could ruin everything! “I need to go. Thank you for being so nice to me, Stephen.” She rushed to the door, slipped into her boots and coat, and jogged all the way back to Mona’s house. She burst into the kitchen then quickly locked up before parking herself on the floor in front of the lit Christmas tree.

Tonight had not gone the way she’d expected. All she’d wanted was a stroll in the snow but instead, Stephen said things she’d longed to hear. And kissed her in a way no one had ever done before. His kiss was oh-so-perfect and left her wanting more. But could there ever be more between them. He was, after all, her boss.

The lights on the tree blurred. She closed her eyes and rested her head on the seat cushion of the chair she leaned against.

“Lord, who do I believe? All the voices from my past or Stephen?”

Me. I love you and you are Mine.

Stephen stood at the picture window of his cabin looking out into the woods. Light snow cascaded to the ground adding a fresh coating, filling in his and Bailey’s footprints. Today had been interesting to say the least.

Watching Bailey interact with clients and shopkeepers had been eye opening. He would have thought his mother’s aggressive personality would be more desirable when dealing with customers, but Bailey’s gentle approach seemed to work as well as his mom’s methods, and in some cases, better. People didn’t feel threatened by her but strove to embrace her vision.

A knock on his door drew his attention. Odd, he hadn’t noticed anyone outside. He walked to the door and pulled it open. “Rick! Come in. What’s going on?”

His brother stepped inside, slipped off his boots, and immediately parked himself on the couch in front of the fireplace. “I wanted to thank you in person for watching the kids.”

Stephen sat in the chair beside the couch. “It was no problem. They were fun.” If the tension flowing from his brother was any indication, something was up, and it wasn’t good.

Rick frowned.

Unease gripped Stephen’s gut.

“The kids told me that they spent a lot of time with you and Bailey. Is there something I should know?”

That was
not
what he’d expected to hear. “Oh. No. I don’t think so. What do you mean?”

“I mean are you interested in her?”

“I am. Why are you asking?”

“Bailey is an important part of our business, and I don’t want to lose her.”

Rick didn’t make sense. Unless . . . “
You’re
not in love with her, are you? I know you and Judy are going through a rough patch, but—”

“Don’t be absurd! Bailey? Come on, Stephen. You’re as bad as my wife.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? You act as if there’s something wrong with her. And what does Judy have to do with this?” Were he a dog, his hackles would definitely be standing on end. Where did his brother get off talking like that about Bailey?

“Nothing. And there’s nothing wrong with Bailey. She’s a great designer, but Mom would not approve of the two of you. Her health is bad enough without you breaking the news that you’re falling for her assistant. You know how Mom feels about mixing business with pleasure.”

Stephen shook his head. “Where is this coming from?”

Rick shot him a look that said little to ease his dismay with his older brother. What was really going on between Rick and Judy? And why did his brother care about his relationship with Bailey? He crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes.

“Mom is not doing well, and if you and Bailey started dating, I think she could take a turn for the worse.”

“Do you realize how ridiculous you sound?”

Rick shrugged. “Think about it, little brother.” He stood. “I need to go. Judy will wonder what’s keeping me. But you’d better consider the consequences of a relationship with Bailey before things go any further.”

“There’s nothing going on.” Well maybe there was a little more than nothing considering he’d kissed her a short time ago, but he hadn’t had time to sort out his feelings yet—he was definitely drawn to her.

“According to my kids there is.”

Chapter Thirteen

Bailey spoke in soft tones to Sierra, explaining what she expected of her. “Does all of that make sense?”

Sierra pushed a strand of blonde hair away from her face. “Yes. I think so. I know you said I wouldn’t be designing right away, but to be honest, I’d hoped you changed your mind.” Disappointment dulled her green eyes.

Bailey understood her assistant’s desire, but she decided to train Sierra the exact same way Mona had trained her, even if Sierra was a little older than one would expect to be as a beginner in the design industry. Bailey would start her with little things that anyone could do, involve her in the process with clients, and gradually give her more and more responsibility. “In time, you will be given the opportunity to design, but for now, this is what I need from you.”

Sierra nodded. “I understand. I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful.”