Christmas Romance (The Best Christmas Romance of 2016): The Love List Christmas (5 page)

  And she sealed the promise with a kiss.

Christmas Kisses & Wishes

Sharon Kleve

CHAPTER ONE

“Gran, I’ve tried your idea and it just isn’t working.” I gazed out into the snow-topped trees as Scorch, my Pug, bumped my leg with his head to get my attention and a scratch.

“Honey, you haven’t given it a chance.” From Gran’s crisp, firm tone, there wasn’t room for negotiation.

“I love the holidays. I want to spend them with you and not in a town where I don’t know anyone.” Snow was accumulating quickly outside the condo I had rented. The newscaster predicted five inches by morning. Brunswick, Maine was beautiful covered in pristine white snow, but it made it hard to get around.

“You have three more months on your adventure. Spend the holidays somewhere you’ve never been before and then if it’s not right for you, come home.”

“Okay. I’ll give it three more months,” I grumbled and Scorch barked.

“Give Scorch a hug for me.” Gran laughed. “I miss the little guy.”

“I will and he misses you, too.” Scorch sat on my foot, and I scratched behind his ear. “If the weather allows it, I’m flying into Sea-Tac International Airport tomorrow and spending a few days tasting Western Washington’s wines. Then, I might take a drive over to the Eastern side of Washington. There’s a small town called Vine Grove that I’m especially interested in. If the wine is good as I’ve read, I’ll send you a couple cases for Christmas.”

“Sounds wonderful, honey. Now, as much as I love and miss you, I want you to find happiness and I don’t think it’s here in Charleston.”

“I know. I have to find my own place and start over.”

“You will. Maybe Washington is that place.”

“Maybe…”

“Kiss, kiss.” Gran hung up before either of us started to blubber.

My job was flexible—I could work from anywhere—Gran wasn’t. When she made up her mind that I needed a clean break from South Carolina, because of my divorce from William, she came up with a crazy plan for me to pick four different locations in the United States and stay in each one for three months. I agreed because I had nothing better to do. William wouldn’t miss me, he already had a girlfriend. I gave him five years of my life and he gave me Scorch as a parting gift. Looking back, I think I love Scorch more than I ever loved William. Gran thought there might have been some overlap in relationships. I did my best not to think about it.

The weather held long enough for our plane to take off, but as it prepared to land in Seattle, another weather front swirled toward shore. After I picked up the rental car, I found a park and Scorch squeezed in a half hour of playtime before the rain set in.

Scorch sat in the passenger seat of the Ford Explorer as I cruised along the Interstate toward Woodinville where I booked a pet-friendly bed & breakfast. Traffic backed up as the storm moved in. It began with a slow pitter-patter of rain, bouncing off the windshield and forming small puddles on the road, then quickly built into the worst weather I’d seen in quite some time. The wind howled, and the autumn leaves from the surrounding trees become confetti, hitting the car. Broken branches bounced off of the bumper and sounded like ammunition. Scorch circled in the seat, whimpered, and then tucked into a tight ball. I stroked his head.

“You’ll be fine. We’re almost there.”

Ten minutes later, we pulled up to a large cottage, with several small cabins scattered to the right and left of the main building. In person, The Wine Bar B&B didn’t even come close to the magnificent pictures they’d posted online. If it wasn’t late, stormy, and I wasn’t so darn tired, I’d cancel and find another place to stay. The lights were on in the main building but the cabins were dark. My raincoat was in the backseat, packed with everything else. Stupid mistake.

I left Scorch in the car and made a mad dash to the office.
The rain fell like an ocean thrown from the sky. It soaked through my clothes. The front door stuck on the first try. At first I thought it was locked, but then it flung open after another hard tug. I stood there dripping on the worn-out shag carpet, when an
older gentlemen
appeared from the back room and shuffled in on a pair of brown slippers, to the check-in desk.

“Nasty weather,” he grunted.

I stepped up the counter and set my purse down. “I’m Finn Dubose. I have a reservation for three nights.”

He squinted over the top of his thick lensed glasses.
“With the name Finn, well”—he paused and scratched the top of his head—“I didn’t expect you to be a girl.”

Even though I’d heard that a lot, my temper simmered. I was tired and grumpy. My sour mood must have shown on my face.

“N-No problem though, you’re my only guest,” he stammered. “Can I get your credit card please?”

“Sure,” I mumbled and handed him my card. Suddenly, a fork of lightning, brilliant and buzzing flashed brightly through the front window. The wind continued to howl like some horror movie opener. Perfect foreshadowing for what I imagined my cabin would look like.

“We just finished remodeling all the cabins and reopened last week. It’ll take a while before business picks up again.” He looked around the office. “We ran out of money for this place but maybe next year we’ll spruce it up.” He seemed pretty sure that was the reason he had no guests.

He clicked away on a laptop then handed back my credit card and a white rectangle keycard. “My name is Joe. Your cabin is on the end, number six. If you need anything, just give me a ring.”

“Thank you.” I ran back through the torrential rain, started my car, turned the heat on high and drove to the end of the parking lot. I petted Scorch’s head. He was shaking. “It’ll be great.” Was I reassuring my dog or myself?

I wrapped Scorch up like an infant in his blanket, covering him from head-to-toe and rushed to the door, slid the card in and the door opened to a very nice, clean room. Not a five-star room, but not a one-star either. I put Scorch down and he ran around and sniffed every corner, probably looking for a serial killer. Once the coast was clear of anyone wanting to cause us harm, I brought in my suitcases and dried off.

Sleep called to me, but Scorch needed to do his business, and eat before I could relax. Gran bought us matching red rain jackets before we left on our ʽadventureʼ as she called it. Covered with a rain hat, my jacket and heavy jeans, I took a short walk with him around the block and spotted a diner. Scorch sat right inside the door as I ordered an Asian chicken salad to go. We ran back to the cabin. I fed Scorch and then relaxed on the bed with my salad and some soft music to drown out the storm. My eyes drooped as I slid under the covers after getting ready for bed and made the mistake of turning on the TV. I jumped awake when
the old black and white movie Psycho
appeared on the screen with the shower scene in its glory. I quickly flipped it off and Scorch hopped up on the bed next to me, shaking again.

What a wonderful welcome to Washington.

The weather hadn’t improved the next day but the forecast for the Eastern side of the mountains was better. That’s when I decided to check out and find a new place. Joe was disappointed we were leaving. I reassured him it wasn’t the cabin, and I didn’t feel bad for fibbing when a goofy grin formed on his face.

It wasn’t easy to pick a new town but I had a good feeling about the small town of Vine Grove. The wine was the clincher. I booked a couple nights at a newer bed & breakfast that was located at the outer edge of town.

Before hopping on Interstate 90, I purchased three large black coffees—I didn’t mind drinking them cold. Scorch and I needed several potty breaks but we made the trip in less than three hours.

As we pulled into town, my first impression was that it was quaint. The second was it celebrated Halloween with gusto. All the business fronts were highly decorated with Halloween décor. Same with the houses. I guess the town liked the holidays as much as I did.

Up ahead, I could see a neon sign from a mini-mart. I pulled in and parked, slipped a leash on Scorch, and hopped out. My back was stiff from sitting. “Come on, Scorch. Let’s see if the store is pet friendly.”

The door chimed as I entered.

“Hello there,” a deep male voice called from the back of the store.

I couldn’t see who spoke. “Hi. Is it okay if I bring my little dog in the store? He’s on a leash.”

The man belonging to the voice stepped out from behind the counter. He was spectacular looking. Dark hair, blue eyes beneath slashing dark brows, high cheekbones, and a beautifully shaped sensual mouth. He was dressed in a sweatshirt and dark, slim-cut jeans that revealed lots of lean muscle. A wolf whistle tickled the tip of my tongue.

Now this was a proper welcome to a new town.

He stopped a few inches from me, appreciation glowing in his eyes. “Oh, of course. I love Pug’s. What’s your name?” he asked my dog. The corners of his eyes crinkled when he spoke, I would guess not from age, but from living.

As he bent to pet Scorch, I noticed his hair was tied in a short queue at the back of his wide neck with a piece of fine leather. He reminded me of a pirate with his mischievous eyes.

I extended my hand. “I’m Finn Dubose.” And wanted to add—single and available.

Scorch tugged on his leash and it slipped through my fingers. He danced all around the handsome guy’s legs. Then Scorch was snatched up and hugged tight against the nicely formed chest of the stranger. Days like this, I wished I was a Pug.

The sexy guy reached out his free hand. It was cool, firm and comforting. “I’m Keaton Vanhorn. Is there anything I can help you with?”

Was there ever. “Yes. I just arrived in town. I was hoping to grab something to eat before checking into my room. Can you suggest anything?”

Scorch licked Keaton’s chin and he laughed. My dog had the right idea.

“There are some sandwiches, but they were made earlier today.” He jerked his thumb toward the refrigerated cases. “They’re back there.”

Old mayo and bread didn’t sound appealing. I scrunched up my face. “I think I’ll skip the sandwiches.”

He mouth curved into a wide smile. “Good idea.”

Keaton seemed content holding Scorch in his arms and Scorch wasn’t complaining. My dog’s eyes were shut. I looked around the store. “Do you own this place?”

“No. I’m a veterinarian. Mr. Johnson, the owner, forgot to pick up the dry cleaning for his wife so I said I’d watch the place for him for a couple minutes.” His eyebrows waggled. “Now, I’m glad I did.”

He was flirting with me. My cheeks heated in delight.

The door chimed again and a man bustled in. “Thanks, Keaton. You’re a life saver. Marg would have killed me if I forgot her clothes again.” Mr. Johnson walked up and stroked Scorch’s head. Then looked back and forth between Keaton and me. “Hi. I’m Carl.”

“This is Ms. Dubose.” He handed Scorch over and as he did, his arm brushed my shoulder. It tingled from the contact. “And this is Ms. Dubose’s dog, Scorch.”

“He’s a cutie.” Mr. Johnson scratched behind Scorch’s ear one more time before heading toward the back of the store.

“If you’re still hungry, I can recommend a great diner for you and your significant other…?” Keaton’s voice sounded deeper, huskier.

“It’s just us and I’m starved.” Scorch wiggled. I lowered him to the floor and he shook his little body. When I looked up, Keaton had a sensual, seductive look in his blue eyes.

“Good,” he stated firmly and brushed a strand of hair behind my ear.

As a romance editor, it was easy to picture Keaton removing a sword from its sheath and challenging another suitor for my honor.

“I have to get back to work, and I know we just met, but would you like to go to dinner tonight?” His penetrating eyes never left mine.

“I would, but I don’t want to leave Scorch alone on his first night in a new place. Does Vine Grove have pet-friendly restaurants?” I joked.

“No, but I have a solution. Scorch can hang out with another Pug I have at my office. Along with being the local vet, I pet sit. My facility has a covered, enclosed area for dogs to run and play while I’m working and an indoor play area when I’m not.”

“Scorch would love that. We’ve been traveling for the last nine months and he hasn’t been able to spend much time with other dogs.”

“Really? I’d like to hear about your travels.”

“Good, because I’d love to tell you.”

“Where are you staying?” Keaton’s eyes sparkled with mischief.

“At the V & G Bed & Breakfast.” Gran was going to be ecstatic about my dinner date.

“My last appointment is 5:00 p.m. I’d like to go home, shower and change. How about I pick you up at 6:30 p.m. and we can drop Scorch off on our way to dinner?”

My heart skipped a beat in excitement. “Perfect.” I turned to leave and Scorch bumped Keaton’s leg. He leaned down and gave Scorch one last stroke on his head. A heated, flush crept up my face. I hadn’t felt that kind of instant attraction—ever.