Red Hot Christmas (9 page)

“What?” She took her napkin and frantically wiped her face. “Did I get ketchup on my face?”

He smiled and leaned over to place a soft kiss on her mouth. “No, you look happy and beautiful.”

She looked at him, a slight smile on her lips. “Thank you. You look tired.”

His smile fell away. “Yeah.” He picked up his burger and took another bite. “My gran is stuck in a wheelchair now and on top of it all, she can't see anymore.”

“Oh, Luke! I'm so sorry.” She reached out and took his free hand. “Is there anything I can do?”

He shook his head and looked down at the rest of his burger half. He was no longer hungry.

“Well.” He could tell she was struggling to come up with something else to say.

He jumped in, trying to lighten the mood. “So, do you have family around here?” He instantly regretted it when she sighed and looked off into the distance.

“Yeah. My mom is in Eugene. My dad... isn't.”

“Oh?” He watched her nibble on some fries, and could tell she was deep in thought. “You don't have to tell me if you don't want to.”

“She turned to him and tilted her head as she looked at him. “My father is in a federal prison in Portland. He's been there since I was ten. My mother doesn't speak to me, only calls when I'm not home to leave a message, begging me to rethink the testimony I have that put him there. You would think that she would have chosen to listen to her daughter once in the last seventeen years, but instead she sticks by him and his trail of lies.”

“What happened?” He finished his burger half and reached in for a handful of fries, which were a little cold at this point, but still delicious.

“My father was part of a group of activists. He was caught with some plans which linked him to the murder of a twenty-four year old security guard at the nuclear power plant in Kalama, Washington. I'm the one that called the hotline. I'm the one that turned my father in.” She turned to him, and he could see the tears in her blue eyes, turning them  a lighter shade. “I watched him shoot the man in the face. He just pulled the gun out of his coat and shot him like it was nothing. Then he took his nine-year-old daughter out for bubblegum ice cream.” She turned back towards the water. “That weekend was my birthday, and I got to spend an extra hour watching cartoons. But instead I switched the television to the news channel. I saw the report, and they had a phone number at the bottom of the screen. I used my Mickey Mouse coloring book and my new crayons to write it down. Then later that day, I sneaked into the guest room and called it. At first they thought I was just some kid who'd dialed the wrong number.” She laughed. “They kept hanging up on me. But by the third call, I finally blurted out that my daddy shot the man with curly blond hair in the face. That got their attention, since they hadn't released any details on how he'd died, other than he'd been shot. The police showed up an hour later, and I was taken into protective custody.”

“Amber, I don't know what to say.” He didn't. He'd thought he was going through some rough stuff, but to be all alone in the world and to feel the betrayal that she’d felt, he couldn't imagine it.

She looked at him and smiled. “Say that you won't tell a soul. I've moved around, running from it since that day. My mother pretty much left me alone the rest of my childhood. No more birthday parties, no more crayons, nothing. When I was seventeen I moved out, and I haven't seen her since. You were very lucky to have your grandparents. I can see in your grandmother's eyes that she would do anything for you.”

He smiled. “Yeah, she would.”

“Luke, I'm sorry your grandmother is sick. I can only imagine how much she means to you.”

“You know what? We're a bunch of depressing people. Here we are sitting on a dock on a beautiful day, eating wonderful food, and all we can do is talk about sad and depressing things.” He stood abruptly and held out his hand for hers. “I feel like having a piece of that chocolate pie.” She set the almost empty container of fries down and took his hand. When he pulled her up, he pulled her close. “Do you still have some time on your lunch break?”

She looked down at her watch. “Fifteen minutes left.”

“Perfect. But not enough time to go back to your place, so what do you say to me buying you a big piece at the restaurant?”

“I'd say make it an apple pie and add a scoop of ice cream and you have yourself a deal.”

“Mmm, that sounds even better.” He picked up the container of fries and tossed them out for the birds, then dumped the trash in the trashcan, then they walked back to the Golden Oar, hand in hand.

B
y the time he got back home, he was in a better mood then he'd been in all month. When he arrived home he was greeted with laughter and wonderful smells. The four women were in the kitchen cooking. His gran sat in her wheelchair laughing, which caused him to smile.

“Well, there he is now. We were just wondering when you were going to be home. We're just getting ready for some company tonight. Your grandmother thought it would be nice to invite a few friends over.”

His smile dropped away a little. “Gran? Are you going to be up to it?”

“Oh my, yes, dear. I think it's a lovely idea. I always wanted to say my goodbyes on my own terms. None of this hanging about until I look dreadful. I want everyone to see me while I'm still in my prime.” She smiled, causing him to smile. Yup, that was his gran. Always doing things her own way. He thought it was a great idea.

“Well, naturally we've been in here cooking all day. We even made a batch of those brownies you love so much,” one of the sisters said, causing him to look about the room quickly. “On, no. We have them tucked away. You can have some later. Now go clean up and wear something nice. Guests will be arriving soon.”

He rushed from the room in hopes of getting his hands on a brownie early. By the time he was cleaned up and dressed in dark brown slacks and a green button-up shirt, he thought he heard more voices in the house. When he walked out, he saw the entire Jordan clan, Father Michael, Patty, several of the other church women, and a few other families his grandparents had been close to, all sitting or standing around.

“Good, you’re here,” Annie said, carrying a large plate of cheese and crackers in her hands. “You can help me fill drink orders.”

He spent the next ten minutes getting everyone drinks. When he was done, he realized more people had entered. He was in the process of carrying several glasses into the living room when Amber walked in. She'd changed out of her uniform and was wearing a slick green dress that made him pause. She looked stunning. He was happy to see her there and immediately handed the drinks to someone and mumbled something about handing them out.

Then he was standing in front of her, and she was smiling at him. “You know, you'll never make any good tips that way.”

“Huh? Oh! Yeah, well. I wasn't made to be on my feet ten hours out of the day.” He smiled and took her hand. “You look wonderful.” He leaned in. “And you smell wonderful, too.” She laughed and pushed him lightly on the arm.

“It was so wonderful for your grandmother to invite me. She wasn't too clear about what the occasion is.” She looked around the room at all the people.

“She's saying goodbye.” His smile felt forced.

“Oh!” She looked at him. “Are you okay with this?”

He nodded. “You know, at first I was hesitant. But then I saw her smile and the peace in her eyes. She wants to do things her way. My grandfather didn't get to say goodbye to any of his family or friends. Who am I to tell her what she can and can't do? Besides, it's the happiest I've seen her in a while.” He nodded to where his grandmother sat with one of Megan's kids on her lap. The little girl was gently looking at his gran's necklace, something he'd always seen her wear.

“She does look happy. How's she doing?”

“She has her moments. Today is a good day.” He smiled and pulled her along the hallway towards the back room where he thought there were fewer people, but the room was just as packed. He wanted to be alone with her, but before he could figure out a place to go, Megan and Allison walked by, and before he knew what was happening, all three women walked off together, leaving him standing in the doorway alone.

He liked that Amber was friendly with all his friends’ wives, but he really did want to get her alone. Over the next hour and a half, he spent his time talking to all of his friends, playfully chasing small kids around the house, and trying to get Amber alone for a few minutes.

When families with small children started leaving, he was relieved that he finally got a chance to get Amber all alone. He'd seen her head down the long hallway towards the bathroom and he’d stood at the end, waiting for her. When she walked out, he smoothly maneuvered her up the stairs and through his bedroom door. His gran had given him the master bedroom after his grandfather had died. She'd told him she didn't need all that empty space to herself. Plus he knew she couldn't really maneuver the stairs well, so he actually had the whole upstairs of the house to himself. The master bedroom was huge, and spotless, thanks to his quick dash before everyone had started arriving.

She walked around his room looking at everything. “So,” you like video games?” She turned towards him, and he could see the frown on her face.

If Amber needed any more proof that it was a bad idea to get involved with Luke, all she had to do was take one look at his room. Everything was covered with video game images. Posters hung on the wall in glass frames. There was a huge cutout of several figures set in the corner of his room by the glass closet doors. A large desk with three of the largest computer screens she had ever seen sat on the far wall. The screen saver flashed images of game graphics, one after the other.

Yes, getting involved with Luke would end up just like her last few relationships. No more man-boys for her. When she turned to him he was smiling and walking towards her.

“Don't you like games?” The smile on his face told her he wasn't talking about computer games. Holding her hands up, she tried to ward him off.

“Sure, but there is a time and place for everything. I don't really enjoy sitting in front of the computer or television for hours playing a mindless game.”

“
Mindless, huh? Who says they’re all mindless?”

“The last three guys I've dated are living proof that they are mindless.” She backed up some more, still holding up her hands, as he continued to walk towards her.

“You dated three gamers in a row?” When she nodded he continued. “Don't you know you're supposed to take a break between dating man-boys.”

“Exactly!” Finally, someone got her. But then she looked around again and remembered he was one of those man-boys.

“Amber, I'm not like those other guys you've dated. This,” he waved his hand around, motioning to his stuff, “is work. I suppose on some level it's pleasure as well. But for the most part it's how I make my living.”

“Oh great. Another one of those.” She felt defeated. He opened his mouth to speak, but just then there was a knock on his door.

“Yes?” He turned away from her.

“Oh, there you two are. Luke, your grandmother is a little tired and would like to lay down. Everyone else has left. Why don't you walk Amber home? We'd hate for her to walk all that way by herself.”

He turned back towards her with a grin on his face. At that moment, she wanted nothing more than to walk home alone. She needed to clear her mind of Luke Crawford.

Five minutes later, Luke was helping her on with her coat. Even though the day had been warmer, when she stepped out on the front deck she was thankful she'd brought her long wool coat and gloves. She'd walked the seven blocks to his house because she'd looked and seen all the cars parked up and down the town streets. Now, however, there was just his truck and his car in the driveway.

“Are those sisters staying here?” she asked as they started walking. He'd put on his brown leather jacket and had grabbed her hand as he walked.

“Yeah. They've been my grandmother's best friends since they were children. Sad, none of them ever got married. I think they enjoy each other's company too much to let any men come between them.”

She giggled. “I'd never seen triplets before. I've seen plenty of twins, but not three women who looked so much alike.”

“I can tell you which one is Annie, but the other two?” He shook his head. “Not a clue.”

She chuckled. His hand felt warm in hers, and she enjoyed the closeness of him. She kept trying to convince herself that he was just another bad decision. He told her stories of his childhood as they walked. Pointing out a large oak tree, he told her he’d had his first kiss leaning against it.

“She was two years older than me. A freshmen in high school. I was so cool for having kissed a high school girl back then. The other guys worshiped me until Iian got to make out with Pam Steller in the back of his dad's car.”

She chuckled as he continued to tell her about his neighbors. She knew most of the people still lived in town. He even pointed to the houses along the way that had new families in them. All three of them. She was enchanted by how he told a story, painting a picture of the wonderful people around them.

By the time they made it to her place, she was having a hard time remembering that he was bad for her. He followed her up the stairs and she turned, with her keys in hand, to look at him. He stood a step below her which made them eye to eye. She could totally get lost in those copper eyes. She didn't realize that she'd leaned close to him until his arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her closer. She could smell the crisp night air and felt his warm breath on her face. She wanted more than anything to lean in for a kiss, knowing he could and would take her to places she enjoyed.

“I can see your mind working.” He smiled at her. “What's holding you back?”

“Luke…” She placed her hands on his shoulders. “I've just come out of a bad relationship. You know my history. I just don't want to fall into the same pattern.” She tried to pull away.

“I've told you. I don't spend hours and hours playing games. It's a job.” He pulled her closer and buried his face in her neck. “You smell so good.” He started nibbling on her neck and she closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of his hot mouth on her cooled skin. Her hands on his shoulders moved around until she was holding him to her instead of trying to push him away.

How could a man do this to her? She'd always stayed in control with the other men in her life. Sure, she'd fallen for some tricks here and there, but she didn't think Luke was trying to trick her now. His mouth traveled up her neck until he was kissing her, and she felt like her world was tilting. His hands moved from her hips to her back, rubbing circles under her coat. He pulled her closer until there wasn't a whisper of a breath between them. She felt his heart beat against hers and imagined what it would feel like to remove all the barriers.

She pulled back and looked at him, realizing she'd already crossed that line.