A Perfect Bride For Christmas (20 page)

munching on cookies and talking over each other as they tried to tell their grandmother about their plans for Christmas.

A tree, full of traditional red, green, and gold decorations graced the room. Strands of garland wound through the branches and many of the

ornaments appeared to be old—very old. Zoe smiled at the hominess of everything. The girls ooohed and ahhhed over presents already under the tree.

“Did Santa already come?” Macy walked over to

inspect a silver foil wrapped package with a large blue bow.

Amelia smiled. “No these are presents I bought

for some friends, but I’ll make sure Santa gets them before Christmas.”

“Doesn’t he bring all the presents?” Macy asked like a dog with a bone.

“Most of them. Sometimes people buy gifts for

other people they love.”

“But he brings them. If we want something

really bad, he’ll bring it, right?”

One question followed another until Zoe thought she’d better intercede. “Girls, one at a time.” Zoe sat on the couch next to Mia and Macy, while Michaela stood next to Amelia’s chair. “Let’s not wear out your grandmother.”

“Don’t worry. I’m loving every minute of this.”

Amelia positively glowed with delight

Alex sat in a rose-colored chair situated across from Amelia. He watched the girls’ every move as if he couldn’t get enough or take it all in fast enough.

Zoe watched the way his eyes grew large, the smile that turned into a laugh.

“We made these for you.” Michaela handed

Amelia the tissue flowers of red, blue, green, and yellow. “They’re better than real ‘cause they won’t die. Our pet gerbil George died, my other daddy died too. These won’t.” She gave Amelia a skeptical look.

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“Are you going to die?”

Amelia startled for a moment. Understanding lit her eyes. She reached out and patted Michaela’s hand. “Oh no, I fell over one of the kittens and broke my ankle, that’s all.” She touched the bandage on her head. “I clobbered myself really good, but I’m okay. I’m so sorry about your other daddy and

George.”

Michaela shrugged. “It’s okay. They’re in

heaven.”

Macy jumped from the couch. “Can we see the

kittens?”

“A little later,” Alex said.

“But we want to see the kitties.” Macy pouted as if she meant to object further. Alex raised one eyebrow and crossed his arms over his chest. She sat back down on the couch without another peep.

Alex appeared stunned, as well as pleased at the same time.

He’d earned his first gold star in fatherhood. Zoe gave him thumbs up and a ‘way to go’ smile. She wouldn’t let him see how his lies hurt.

“We’ll look in on the kittens in a bit, but let’s eat these cookies first.” Alex grabbed up a big sugar cookie covered in pink frosting and sprinkles. “Our next door neighbor, Jesse Saurs, wields a mean

cookie cutter.” He bit down and made silly yummy noises that had the girls in stitches.

“Oh, I love sprinkles.” Macy took the cookie with the most sprinkles. She handed each of her sisters one as well. “I like pink icing too.”

Mia and Michaela nodded, their answers

mumbled because their mouths were full of their treat.

“Sydney, why don’t you be a dear and pass

around the milk?” Amelia pointed to a pitcher of milk and glasses set on the coffee table next to the cookies.

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“But,” she objected until Alex gave her the same look as he’d given to Macy. “Oh, all right.”

She made a slap dash effort and thrust a glass

into Macy’s hand. Macy reached out for the milk, but Sydney released it before Macy got a good hold of the glass. Milk splashed over the fur on Sydney’s boot, her jeans, and the hardwood floor.

“Why, you little snot.” Sydney grabbed up some

napkins to blot at the white, goat hair, après ski boots. “These boots set me back almost four hundred dollars. I’m sure they’re ruined.” She shot Zoe a wild-eyed look. “You’re going to pay for these. Do you hear me?” Her voice grew shriller. “I’ll bet you did that on purpose.”

“It was an accident.” Michaela stood between

Macy and Sydney. Mia got off the couch to join them.

“You don’t get mad ‘cause of an accident.”

“Yes, an accident.” Mia nodded. “You took your

hand away ‘afore Macy could hold the glass. You didn’t mean it.” Mia reached for another napkin and handed it to Sydney.

“Me?” Sydney screeched. She snatched the

napkin from Mia. “You and your sisters are nothing but—” She made a move to smack Mia’s hand.

Zoe jumped to her feet, followed by Alex. In two heartbeats, she’d haul Sydney outside for a little one-on-one butt kicking.

“That’s enough, Sydney.” Amelia thumped one of

her crutches on the floor loud enough to make

everyone jump.

Sydney whirled around, bright red dots of heat

on her cheeks. “You’re right, I’ve had quite enough.”

Sydney’s hands shook as she tossed the damp

napkins on top of the gaily-decorated cookies. The raw mood faded as Sydney ran up the stairs, but the emotional shrapnel littered the room.

Alex tried to hide his anger behind a smile.

“Well, I think it’s time to look at the kittens.”

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“I’ll stay here and clean up the mess.” Zoe

reached down to take the plate of cookies from the coffee table. “Girls get into your coats and mind your father while you’re out there.” She collected the glasses and plates in a flurry of motion.

“Don’t you think you ought to come with us?”

Alex stood at the door with the triplets close to his knees.

Zoe shook her head. “You’re on your own.”

“Hey, I’m not going solo. I need you there with me. Come along, Zoe. I’ll probably lose one by

accident.”

“Come on, Daddy.” Mia tugged at the leg of

Alex’s jeans.

Amelia let out a chuckle. “I think you’ve

received your marching orders, son.”

****

one of the bales of hay his mother had brought in for the mamma cat. The crazy animal birthed her

kittens way out of season, but he had to admit they were cute. He almost forgave them for causing his mother’s accident as he watched the girls and the kittens play together.

All of them were young—so full of life.

Michaela teased a black and white spotted

kitten with a piece of straw, while Macy lugged around two others, her arm firmly planted beneath their front legs.

“Be careful, kiddo.”

Alex held his breath as the kitten struggled for freedom. Tiny claws dug into the fabric of Macy’s coat. The kittens’ hind legs dangled as they tried to wriggle out of Macy’s hold.

“I am. The kitties love it when I carry them

around.”

The kittens looked dubious.

Mia sat in the corner petting the white kitten.

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This culprit caused his mother’s accident, the one he’d thought about dropkicking. Alex didn’t know what she whispered into its ear, but he could hear the purr from across the room. It was a love match.

The side door of the garage opened. Zoe walked

through. “Hi there.” She came in and shut the door behind her, the frigid air following close behind. “I think it’s getting colder out. This has to be the worst winter that I can remember.”

The sight of her standing there made his mouth

water. The short, wind-tousled hair flew in every direction, but it worked on her. Silky strands called to him, begging his fingers to comb through the unruly locks. The cold walk from the house put a rosy glow on her cheeks and nose. The lime green sweatshirt she wore beneath her black, puffy coat hurt his eyes, but the color brought out the green in hers. Well-worn jeans tucked into calf high black boots.

Zoe was original, genuine Zoe. For a moment, he saw the Zoe he’d been friends with so many years ago. Alex patted the space beside him. “Sit down.”

She nodded and sat next to him on the small

bale. The close quarters brought them cheek to

cheek, thigh to thigh. Alex felt her body heat. Their legs touched with each movement, reminding him of the way their legs intertwined, the feel of her beneath him. Neither said anything. They watched the children play with the kittens, but unspoken words, emotions, swirled thick.

Alex inhaled the scent of peaches and winter

cold.
Geez, what kind of perv gets a hard-on while his
kids played in the same room?
His palms grew sweaty. He rubbed the knot on his nose.

“I’m sorry about Sydney’s behavior today,” he

whispered to Zoe.

“Sydney wanted to come with me but Amelia

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insisted she needed help in the kitchen.”

Alex shook his head. “The only thing Sydney

knows about kitchens is what her designer tells her.”

She’s very—insecure.” Zoe looked straight

ahead. “It’s not going to get any better as time goes on.” She turned to look him in the eye. “Why did you lie to me?”

Alex felt her body tense. He knew she felt

betrayed and understood her hurt.

“I didn’t lie,” he said, “not in the way you mean.

Sydney dumps me and then shows up on Mom’s

doorstep. Seems she had a change of heart.” Alex turned his head to look at her. “I didn’t know what to do.”

“Say, ‘Sydney, there isn’t going to be a

wedding.’”

“It’s not that simple.”

Zoe shrugged. “It’s your life, but don’t forget, whatever you do affects the children. She’s got your whole life mapped out for you.”

She held up her hand before he could speak and

added, “Which is fine by me, but tell me, Alex, when did you hand your balls to that woman?”

Alex scrubbed at his face with his hands and let out a sigh. “I’m sure she’ll settle down once we’re married.” Who was he trying to convince? The words sounded hollow to his own ears.

He tried to keep his voice down so the children didn’t overhear. “Sydney’s right about one thing.

Mom insists on having the reception here but it’s too much right now. Sydney said she made

arrangements with the country club.” He cringed when he thought of the money Zoe would lose. “I’ll make sure this doesn’t hurt you financially.”

“Amelia will have to sign the cancellation,” Zoe said with a shake of her head. “But don’t worry.

James left us well off. The children have a million each in a trust, and I have more than enough to live 162

A Perfect Bride for Christmas

on without the catering business. I like to cook, and eat, so if I cook it for someone else—there you go, problem solved. Besides, I like to keep busy.”

“Those three don’t?”

“That’s why I have Cherri.” Zoe picked a piece of straw from the bale and twirled it between her

fingers. He remembered the way her clever hands had touched him and envied the straw. “I met her at a group for people fighting addiction.”

Alex shot her a hard look. “You’re addicted to

drugs?”

“No, nothing like that. Food. I’m addicted to

food.”

“That’s crazy.”

“No, it’s not.” She threw the straw onto concrete floor of the garage. “Not anymore than it’s crazy to be an alcoholic.”

The breath stopped in his lungs. “You’re telling me that Cherri is an alcoholic?”

“Yes, and before you go nuts, she’s been sober

for over ten years. She used to run the group, but the funding fell through. Her personal life… Well, let’s just say I offered her a chance to get out of a very bad situation.”

It felt safe to breathe again. “Good, good.” He reached out and took her hand, twining their finger together. “I need to see you, alone.”

Zoe’s eyes grew large, the color uncertain. She stood and tried to pull her hand from his. “No, don’t, it’s not a good idea.”

Alex held it tight, refusing to let go. “Sit down.

We need to talk about the girls, along with other things without distractions.”

She threw a look over at the girls and the

kittens and sat back down. “What is there to talk about?”

“Yesterday.”

Zoe colored up. She shook her head, her whisper 163

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low and tight. “I went a little crazy yesterday but I refuse to be labeled a whore by Sydney.”

“If that’s true, then what am I? It’s not like you were the only one in that bed.”

“A man-slut.” She picked up the drawstring at

the bottom of her coat and twisted it around her finger until her fingertips turned purple.

“What?” He didn’t know whether to laugh or be

offended.

“Face it, Alex, you’re a man-slut. Always have

been.” She untwisted the drawstrings, leaving white lines where they’d cut off the circulation. Zoe threw him a sidelong glance, and a dimple popped out with her sad smile. “I’ve sent so many flowers on your behalf, that I should’ve taken out shares in the florist shop I used.” She gave slow
tsk
full of regret.

“Would’ve made a killing.”

“That was a long time ago. I still want to talk.”

His chest tightened at the prospect of not seeing her again before the wedding. “Once I’ve got things ironed out with Sydney, I’ll know where to go, what to do about—everything.”

Zoe let out a sigh of resignation. She got to her feet, her hands brushing the straw from her luscious backside.

“Okay. Come by tomorrow morning, around

eight-thirty. Cherri has a couple of days off. I’m dropping her off at the train station after I take the girls to preschool. She’s going back to St. Louis to catch up with some friends and do a little extra Christmas shopping. I don’t normally open the shop until ten.”

“Great.” Alex moved off the bale. “I’ll be by at eight thirty sharp. Girls,” he called out, “Don’t you think we’ve played with the kittens long enough? It’s getting late. I don’t want your mother to drive home in the dark.”

“They want to come home with us.” Macy