A Perfect Bride For Christmas (23 page)

“Zoe, here,” she answered on a giggle mixed with 180

A Perfect Bride for Christmas

a hint of exasperation.

He bathed in the sound of her voice, let it wash over him, soothe his mind. “Hey, it’s Alex. Did I call at a bad time?”

“Oh, hi, No, I just got out of the shower and

found my bath talc all over the floor. I’m standing here, dripping wet with three white, guilty faces staring at me. They are so busted.”

Alex didn’t know whether to laugh or groan. He

pictured the girls standing there, looking like midget mimes. The idea of Zoe, wet and fresh from her

shower, her body swathed in nothing but a yellow bathsheet, made him hard as a rock. He pressed his palm against his erection, willing it to subside.

“I, ah…just wanted to find out about their day

but I guess that pretty much says it all.”

“That’s for sure. It’s a snow day and I guess they slipped the leash.”

“Where’s Cherri?”

“Downstairs, fixing their supper.”

“Is she supposed to be their nanny?” A moment

of panic gripped his heart. “What the hell did she think would happen if she didn’t keep an eye on them?”

“Alex,” her tone changed, grew harder. “You

can’t watch them twenty-four-seven, no matter how much you try. Sometimes incidents like this

happen.”

“What if it were something worse?”

“You pick your battles because there’s no way to keep them wrapped in cotton. They have to grow up, understand there are consequences for their

actions.”

“Okay, okay,” he let out a shuddering breath. At least the momentary scare got rid of his hard-on.

“This is minor compared to some of the things

they’ve done. One day I’d been in the kitchen,

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Dyann Love Barr

and I got a phone call. I guess they were two at the time, anyway, I’d only left them in their play area for, oh, less than two minutes. When I came back they were covered from head to toe. Macy, the little monkey, had figured out how to undo the latch.”

“Scary stuff, huh?”

“Yes. I’ve got to go. My toes are turning into

blocks of ice. Girls, say hi to Daddy.”

A lump formed in his throat at the sound of

three little voices piping up, together. “Hi, Daddy.”

“Hi, angels.”

“There,” Zoe came back on. “I’m really freezing here, so I’ll say bye myself.”

“Okay,” Alex wished she’d stay for a while, talk to him about the little things in her day, how she felt, what she planned to do this evening. “Bye.”

Alex rubbed his chest but no amount of massage

could ease the hollow feeling next to his heart. He had a long evening ahead of him. Clint and Heath would be here before long and he didn’t feel like hanging his emotions out for any brotherly

harassment.

The scent of apple pie and cider greeted him as he came down the stairs. He stopped at the kitchen door to see his mother bending down, crutches at an odd angle, while she tried to pull a pie out of the oven.

“Here, you crazy woman, let me help you with

that.” He snatched the large strawberry-shaped oven mitts out of her hands.

“Alexander Franklin King, I’ve been baking pies for more years than you’ve been alive to eat them. If you want to stay that way, you’ll get out of my kitchen.” She gave him a playful swat on the rear.

“Yeah, I’ll sic Dr. Singh on you, if you don’t sit down.”

“How did I ever rear such a heartless child?” She hobbled to the table and dropped into the red, vinyl 182

A Perfect Bride for Christmas

and chrome chair with an
umph
. “Be careful, don’t crush the crust. I want it to look perfect when I serve it tonight.”

Alex peered over his shoulder as he stuck his

hands into the mitts. “When has one of your pies been less than perfect?”

“Since some ham-fisted man tried to take it out of the oven.” Jesse stood in the doorway. Her light blue sweater and well-worn jeans were casual, but she wore them with the same ease as a business

suit. Why couldn’t he fall for someone like her instead of Sydney? Life would be a lot simpler. Jesse was laid back, no nonsense, and could beat him like an old rug when it came to sports. But it would be like kissing his sister. A major
ick
factor kicked in.

Nope, he had to play the hand he’d been dealt and figure out how to bluff.

“Here, let me have those.” Jesse pulled the mitts off and placed them over her small hands. “I’ll rescue the pie, Mom.”

“Good, Clint and Heath should be here before

long.” She peeked out the window at the fast-

lowering sky. “I hope the snow holds off.”

“The Weather Channel said the worst of it won’t hit here until the twenty-second or twenty-third. It’s just flurries right now.” Alex poured himself a cup of coffee. “You want one, Jesse, Mom?”

“No, I’ll wait until there’s pie.” Jesse pulled the pie out and placed it with gentle care on a trivet that Mom kept on the counter. “Perfect, absolutely

perfect.”

A bright beam of light cut through dark outside the window. It had to be Heath’s Tahoe. Mom pulled the strawberry-decorated curtains aside. “Heath! My Heath made it safe and sound.”

Mom started out of her chair without the

crutches.

Alex grabbed them up and handed them to her.

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“Sit. Think Dr. Singh and extra physical therapy.”

“If you’re going to get bossy on me, at least bring the hot cider. I’m sure Heath will need it.”

Alex smiled and poured a steaming mug of cider

from the kettle his mother kept at a constant

simmer on the back of the stove. For all he knew, it might be the same cider recycled every year, like the family fruitcake. Mom hadn’t a clue that Heath

detested the stuff. In the spirit of Christmas, Alex only filled Heath’s cup half full and brought it and the tray filled with Christmas cookies out to the living room.

He stood in front of the fireplace, talking to

Jesse about the new hockey team in the Kansas City area. His mind only registered half of what she said.

The Zoe/Sydney tangle made it difficult to

concentrate. He felt obligated to marry Sydney—he didn’t want anyone else within breathing distance of Zoe. The antique, crystal-domed clock on the mantle ticked away with a
nanner nanner.
He frowned when he looked at the time. Mom had been out on the porch for five minutes without a coat. Heath had better bring her in before she ended up with

pneumonia on top of a broken ankle.

He’d send Jesse out to bring them in if they

were out there much longer. Heath let Jesse pummel and jump all over him like a bulldog might tolerate a kitten. Alex wouldn’t dare. He had too much respect for his skin.

Heath might be shorter than either Clint or Alex but he had shoulders like a tree and could outrun both of them. The rock in the snowball incident proved that without a doubt. Prison or hell would be better than Heath’s rough justice. Alex smiled and then winced, as he clamped his butt cheeks tight at the memory of the world’s worst wedgie.

He couldn’t wait to see the look on Heath’s face, 184

A Perfect Bride for Christmas

or the greenish glow when he had to take the first sip of the cider. Paybacks were a bitch.

He could hear them talking on the porch, the

way Mom let out a giggle as they came through the door. Heath’s eyes surveyed the room, taking in the familiar family decorations, the lights on the tree, and the stockings they’d made as kids.

Jesse got up from her seat in the recliner and

threw her arms around his neck.

When she released him, Alex shook his hand,

then pulled him into a brotherly hug, punctuated by a shoulder-pound. “How’s it going, bro?”

“Great. Glad to have the drive over with.”

“Yeah. It’s a bitch, and I live near the Plaza. Hey Mom, what do you say about cutting into your pie?”

Alex shot a look in Heath’s direction, smirked at his waxen face.

“We’ll wait until Clint gets here.” She turned to Heath. “You’re chilled to the bone. This ought to warm you up.” She picked the steaming mug off the tray and handed it to Heath. Alex almost did a

happy dance when Heath stared down into the spicy depths. “Drink up, bro. Mom made it especially for you.” He held up his own cup. “I’m having plain old coffee.”

“Are you going to the ceremony for Rudy?” Jesse asked.

Heath and Rudy Morgan had been the best of

friends growing up. Now he was dead, and Heath

mourned his childhood friend, deep and hard. Alex could see the shadow of grief pass over Heath’s face.

The thought of the upcoming memorial service had to be rough on him, especially trying to keep his emotions under control in front of everyone.

“I plan to.” Heath wrapped his hand around the

mug and eyed Alex’s coffee with a hint of envy.

Alex felt tempted to take pity on his brother and switch drinks when their mother turned around—

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but only half. Why break with tradition?

Jesse flopped down in a chair. “Expect quite a

turn-out. Around here, he was second only to Jesus.”

Heath smiled but it held a touch of sadness. “So nothing’s changed, huh?” His features tightened with a grimace as he sipped. “Has anyone talked to Clint?”

“I did a little while ago,” Alex said. “He’s about an hour out.”

“And the three Kings will be reunited once

more.” Jesse grinned. She toasted with her mug.

Mom settled in her chair by the Christmas tree.

Heath moved behind her. He leaned down, his

amber eyes serious for a change. “You gave us quite a scare. Clint and I ripped Alex a new one when he called
after
the surgery.”

“That was my doing.” Mom waved his concern

away. “I didn’t want to worry you.”

“I’m allowed to worry about you, so get used to it.” Heath leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.

“I’m just glad you’re all right.” He sat in the rose-colored chair and leaned back, pretending to sip at the cider, his sharp eyes focused on Alex. “I thought your fiancée would be here.”

Alex leaned against mantle and crossed his

arms over his chest. The heat burning his backside didn’t come close the hot embarrassment
he felt.

“She’s out with friends.”

Alex tried to act as if nothing had happened, for anyone to know how Sydney felt about his family.

He wondered if Mom heard Sydney complaining. If she had, she said nothing.

“Yo, Alex, where’d you go?” Heath laughed but

gave him a questioning frown.

“Nowhere, just thinking.”

“Wedding jitters?”

“You could say that.” He took a sip of his cooling coffee. “It’s a big step. The last two times didn’t work 186

A Perfect Bride for Christmas

out so well.”

“Well.” Heath lifted his cup in a salute. “Here’s hoping the third time’s the charm. Hey, speaking of three, when do I get to meet my nieces?” He paused, his eyes drifting to Alex. “And Sydney.”

“Soon,” Alex said.

His mother clapped her hands together and

folded them over her heart. “Very soon, I hope. I can’t wait for you to meet them.” Her blue eyes glowed with pride, adding youth to her sixty years.

The same pride rumbled around Alex’s chest.

His mouth curved with a smile.

“They’re adorable,” Mom continued. “They look

just like your brother.” Mom’s eyes sparkled brighter than any of the lights on the tree. “Zoe is bringing them by in a couple of days. She’s doing the catering for the reception.”

Heath raised a dark eyebrow and stared at Alex

again. “Isn’t that a little weird—the ex-wife catering the new wife’s wedding reception?”

Alex shrugged. “Ask Mom, she’s the one who

hired Zoe.”

“When I hired Classic Kitchen, I didn’t know at the time that Zoe owned the business.” Mom smiled up at Heath. “A friend recommended her.”

“How many people are you planning on getting

in this house?” Heath looked around the living room.

Alex knew what Heath thought. It might be a

big house but there wasn’t a lot of extra room for a big reception. “We’re getting a tent for the overflow.”

“Mom, they’re saying it’s going to be thirty

degrees on Christmas Eve.” Heath set the cup of cider on the mantel. “This storm that’s blowing in is supposed to have blizzard conditions.” Heath threw Alex a
help talk some sense into the woman look
.

Alex shrugged and mouthed
what are you gonna
do
behind Mom’s back.

“We’ll have a heated tent.” Mom gave them an

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eerie ‘Mom’ smile. “There’s going to be a wedding reception at Hollyfield, if I have the grab God by the beard and give it a good shake.”

“We’re fried.” Heath laughed. “I’m not messing

with God over this one, Mom.”

“You mark my words.”

His mother braced herself on the arms of her

chair and started to rise. “I’ve still got a few things to do out in the kitchen.”

“Use your crutches, Mom. If I see you hobbling

around without them, I’m putting you in your chair in the living room.” Alex turned to Heath. “She’s supposed to stay off her feet, and every time I turn around, she’s hopping around like a jack rabbit.

Keep a sharp eye out”

Heath gave him wink and smiled. “Will do,

Cupcake”

“Jesse-e-e-e,” Alex drawled and turned toward

Jesse with murder in his eye.

Jesse held up her hands, “Whoa, I didn’t say a

word.”

“Cupcake?” Mom looked at him, not with

surprise but a twinkle in her eye.
She knew
. “You want to explain that to your mother?”

“Not really.” Alex finished his coffee in one gulp.

“It was a long time ago and best forgot.” He glowered over at Heath. “I keep forgetting how snoopy you are.” Heath leaned back with a smug look on his face.