Authors: Vanessa Devereaux
Twirling her hair around her index finger, she bit
her bottom lip. She’d only just met this guy. Yes, he was a widower, but for
all she knew he could have a girlfriend and here she was planning to entice him
into her snare. He might not even find her attractive.
Why was life, or at least love, so damn complicated?
She envied all her friends who were married or in long-term relationships that
had actually worked out. She wanted to be one of those people. And tonight
after meeting Cole, she wanted it more than ever.
The bell over the front door pinged and she looked over
to see Sadie coming inside, brushing snow off her shoulders.
“It’s a cold one out there,” said Sadie, taking off
her gloves. “Oh, I see you have a Christmas tree.”
“Yes, this nice man who was manning the lot offered
to bring it home for me. He even brought it in and placed it exactly where I
wanted it. And if that isn’t enough, he’s giving me his old decorations.”
“Well, whoever he is, he sounds like a keeper to
me.” Sadie rested her hand on Hayley’s arm and suddenly she felt even more
determined to pursue Cole.
“Can I get you something to drink, hot chocolate or
milk?” asked Hayley.
“You’ve read my mind. Would it be too much to ask
you to bring up a mug of hot chocolate to my room? I babysat a very active
toddler and I’ve had to read the same story three times and sing a song about a
squirrel five times. I’m almost hoarse.”
Hayley laughed. “Sounds like you had fun. And I’ll
bring that straight up to you.”
****
Sadie kicked off her shoes and rubbed her feet. It
sounded like the first meeting between Cole and Hayley had been a success.
She’d like to take full credit, but she had Presley working with her. The
little girl had been fascinated when Sadie conjured up an image of the tree lot
for them to watch Hayley walking toward Cole.
Presley had tried her best to do the same, but Sadie had learned that
Presley’s powers were limited to just levitation for the time being.
She hadn’t said anything to Lucy or Brad when they’d
returned, thinking it best to wait until Christmas break when they were at home
and relaxed. She still didn’t know how they’d react, but she just hoped they
wouldn’t be angry enough to banish her from their lives.
There was a knock on the door.
“Come in.”
Hayley walked in with a tray on which the most
perfect looking mug of hot chocolate sat, along with some tempting chocolate
chip cookies.
“Oh, you know my weakness,” said Sadie, taking one.
“I have a former client who makes some that melt in your mouth. So what did you
think of Cole?”
“He’s very nice…wait a minute. I don’t think I
mentioned his name to you.”
“Yes, yes, you did. You said this nice man at the
tree lot whose name was Cole.”
That had been a close one.
“Did I? I must have forgotten.”
“Either that or he made more of an impression on you
than you’d like to think.”
“Maybe.”
“So is there any chance of the two of you going out
sometime?”
Hayley shrugged her shoulders. “I suppose I wouldn’t
say no.”
“Splendid.”
“What?”
“I meant it is a splendid thing that you’re open to
that sort of thing after what your fiancé did to you.”
“Cole might already be in a relationship.”
Sadie washed down some of the cookie with hot
chocolate.
Sadie shook her head and Hayley smiled. “You seem to
know a lot about Cole. Are you sure you don’t already know him, or something?”
“Witc…I mean Scout’s honor,” said Sadie, not sure if
it was one or two fingers she should be holding up. “Oh, and before I forget…
I’d like to buy some gift certificates from the inn. I thought I’d give them to
clients, and it will help boost your business.”
“That’s really nice of you.”
“I have to add it to the expense account. My boss,
Nadine, loves all the t’s crossed and i’s dotted, so if I could just get you to
sign here please.”
Sadie pulled out a sheet of paper from her case and
blinked three times. Hayley would see a simple expense form, but in reality it
was a Perfect Pairing contract allowing her to be paired with Cole. Sneaky old
Sadie had struck again, but in her heart she knew she had another perfectly
matched couple in the making.
“And Hayley.”
“Yes?”
Hayley looked at Sadie, who gazed into the young
girl’s blue eyes.
“The cook who usually prepares the pancakes for the
Fire Department’s annual breakfast with Santa is going to be sick, so you’ll
need to step in and offer your services this weekend.”
Sadie blinked, freeing Hayley from the connection.
“Well, if you don’t mind I think I’m going to turn
in for the night,” said Sadie.
“Let me take this mug and plate for you.”
Hayley put them on the tray and walked toward the
door. “Sweet dreams.”
“You too, my dear,” said Sadie, waving the sheet of
contract around so the ink on Hayley’s signature dried. She wanted to send it
immediately on to the Department of Love for processing.
Chapter
Six
Cole lifted the box of Christmas ornaments out of
the truck. He hadn’t told the kids about giving them away. He supposed he
should have because when they were older and had families of their own they
might want to use them. But out of sight was out of mind. They’d have to
forgive him for being selfish this time.
He walked up the pathway and up the steps to the
front door. He opened it, hearing a bell ring above his head. He’d come
straight from work and hoped Hayley didn’t mind him showing up in his jeans,
cowboy hat, and boots.
He didn’t see her or anyone else about in the
reception area.
“Hello,” he called out.
Hayley stepped out from one of the back rooms.
Tonight she wore a beige sweater and black pants. Was it his imagination, or
had she gotten even prettier since the night before?
“Hi,” she said.
“The box of decorations I promised you.” He offered
it to her.
She walked toward him and he immediately detected
her perfume. It was a floral scent similar to the one Amanda had favored. And
once again the memory it sparked didn’t upset him. He took a deep breath,
enjoying it more as she got closer.
“Thank you,” she said, taking the box from him. She
set it on the counter and pulled the lid open. “These are beautiful. Are you
sure you want to part with them?”
He nodded. “Positive.”
“Can I get you something to drink? Maybe you’d like
to hang a few of the decorations on the tree with me.”
“No…I mean a drink would be great, but I can’t stick
around to decorate a tree with you.”
That had sounded abrupt, borderline rude, and that’s
the last thing he wanted it to be. She was a stranger and he didn’t want to
explain why he was giving up the decorations and couldn’t even offer to help
hang them.
“So what can I get you, a beer, coffee, wine, or hot
chocolate?”
“A coffee would be great.”
He took off his cowboy hat and ran his fingers
around its brim.
“I have some brewing in the kitchen if you want to
follow me.”
He walked behind her, smelling that perfume more
with each step she took. He couldn’t take his eyes off her shiny red hair as it
seemed to bounce when she walked.
She
turned around as if she knew he was observing her. He smiled. She smiled, and
then turned back. The place was beautiful with the brickwork and oak beams.
He’d never known such an inn existed in Casper until yesterday.
“So how many people are staying here?” asked Cole as
they arrived in the kitchen.
“One lady from out of town just left and I have a couple
here tonight. That’s it for two nights.”
She poured the coffee and handed it to him.
“Guess times are tough for lots of people.” He took
a sip and then sat the mug on the counter. “How did you end up buying this
place?”
“Got talked into by my fiancé…my
ex-fiancé.”
He nodded. “I take it things didn’t work out. Sorry
to hear that.”
“Me too, but I guess some things are for the best.
However, I’m now stuck with this place. I shouldn’t make it sound like it’s a
burden because it’s beautiful, but I’d feel a lot happier if I could get more
guests in here.”
“Like I said, I’ll put a notice up at the fire
station.”
“I’m thinking of hosting a Christmas tea for the
ladies and maybe a New Year’s Eve party.”
“Sounds like a lot of fun.” He lifted his mug and
took another sip.
There was sudden silence between them.
“Are you sure I can’t twist your arm to get you to
decorate the tree with me?”
He looked at his watch. “I have to go. My kids will
be needing help with their homework.”
He’d sounded abrupt again but if he didn’t leave
before she asked another time, he’d be forced to tell her the whole sad story
and he might even cry. He didn’t want her to see that.
She nodded.
They walked out to the reception area, and Cole put
his cowboy hat back on. Hayley opened the door for him. He didn’t want to go,
but he had to. He turned and looked at her, wanting so badly to ask her out,
but he couldn’t. He’d promised his wife no one would take her place.
“Thanks for the coffee,” he said, wondering if this
would actually be the last time he’d see her.
“Thank you for the tree delivery and the
decorations.”
“Maybe I’ll see you around sometime.”
“I hope so.”
And now he was tempted to kiss her, but quickly
offered her his hand instead.
She took it and they shook.
“Nice meeting you, Hayley.”
“You too, Cole.”
He turned and walked back to the truck, wondering if
he could actually spend the second half of his life all alone.
Chapter
Seven
Hayley put her back flat against the door. Was it
just her; and maybe her sheer desperation for a man and sex, but was she
correct in thinking he was attracted to her?
However, Cole seemed to be sending her mixed signals
in that department. She was pretty certain he’d been considering asking her out
before he left a few minutes ago. Even kiss her goodbye, if only on the cheek.
But it had been a simple business-like handshake and a
maybe I’ll see you around, see ya
!
Maybe she’d end up as that spinster who ran the inn
on the hill. Shit, why had an image of the house from Psycho popped into her
mind?
Perhaps she
shouldn’t have kicked Nick out like she had. Everyone deserved a second chance.
She shook her head. What was she thinking? Finding him in bed with someone else
right under her nose had been bad enough. Him owning up to the fact that it
wasn’t the first time he’d done it, and that he didn’t know if he could actually
commit himself to just one woman was unforgivable.
Yes, she’d done the right thing by telling him
there’s the door, now use it.
She walked over to the box of decorations sitting on
the countertop and opened up the lid again. She reached inside, pulling out one
of the ornaments, a ballerina that spun as you held the top. Next she pulled
out a snowman with the words,
Yellowstone
Park 2007
on it. The next one was a couple of mice kissing and the words
our first Christmas
written in ink
underneath them.
She fingered it. He’d obviously given her these by
mistake. He’d probably forgotten ones of sentimental value were mixed in with
the regular ones. She’d phone the fire department to get his number and make
sure he got them back.
****
“Wow, there’s a slice of pizza left over,” said Jon.
Cole saw his son eyeing it. Even he’d noticed
something wasn’t quite right tonight. Cole didn’t have his usual appetite. When
Amanda died it had taken close to a year to get back to his enthusiasm for food,
and in the process, Cole had lost twenty pounds. Tonight grief wasn’t the
reason for the uneaten pizza.
He was thinking about Hayley. Part of him wanted to
ask her out. Part of him didn’t want to go down that road. He didn’t want
people assuming he was all healed and ready to date. That was never going to
happen. When life threw the sort of crap it had at him, it had left him a
changed man who would never be the same.
The second reason, he couldn’t face the hurt again.
He could see why some guys were reluctant to get involved when a lady had
trampled all over their hearts. His was a different sort of fear. Losing
another person he cared about scared the shit out of him. He didn’t think he’d
have the sort of courage he’d mustered up the first time around.