New Beginnings (51 page)

Tom and Xavier took them over to the small hill by the gazebo where several kids were tubing. Brant was excited and showed no fear as he hit the hill. Sophia was a little apprehensive, but being the daddy’s girl that she is, Xavier was able to talk her in to giving it a try. Her scream of delight coupled with the huge smile on her face told me she would willingly go again. Renatta and I slowly made our way closer to them.

“You’ve done good, Ella,” Renatta said, smiling at the men with the twins. “Not only is he the hottest man alive, and don’t you dare tell Tom I said that or I will vehemently deny it, but he’s the model daddy.”

I laughed. “I definitely won the lottery with that one.”

“How do you stand that, though?” she asked, jerking her chin towards the men.

Three women were standing close by openly ogling Xavier. Because he was wearing his gloves, his wedding ring wasn’t visible. Curious to see what the women would do, I pulled on Renatta’s arm to slow our advance. She gave me a curious look.

“Just watch and you’ll see why I’m no longer a jealous fool when it comes to him.”

After several minutes, the youngest looking of the group mustered the courage to approach Xavier. He barely looked at her as she spoke, shaking his head the entire time. Finally he straightened up and pointed in my direction. As soon as our eyes met, I waved and blew him a kiss. He smiled and beckoned me over with the crook of a finger. The three women’s faces fell when they looked my way.

“That’s right, ladies. That smoking hot man right there is all mine.” I looked over at Renatta. “Do you understand now?” She just laughed in response as we made our way over. “He gives me no reason to be jealous when I know he only has eyes for me.”

“Damn it. You are the luckiest lady alive,” she said, poking me in the side.

“I know. Believe me, I’m thankful every day.”

I walked up to Xavier, who enveloped me in his arms, kissing me soundly on the lips. “What are you smirking for?” he asked, tapping a gloved finger to the tip of my nose.

“Just admiring my hot-as-hell husband.” He smiled and shook his head. I swore his red cheeks from the cold turned redder from blushing.

A live band started playing at the gazebo next to the hill. Several couples started dancing. Tom grabbed Renatta and started swaying to the music with her.

The kids were still tubing down the hill. While Xavier and I stood watch, an older boy pushed Sophia out of his way causing her to stumble backwards. I grabbed Xavier’s arm when he lunged forward, but Brant had already come to her rescue, just like I knew he would. He helped his sister up and started yelling at the older boy, who surprised us by apologizing to Sophia.

“That boy is so protective over his sister.” Xavier commented.

I raised a brow at him. “Hmm, I wonder where he gets that from?”

“Ella, I don’t think the protective instinct is an inheritable trait.”

Thinking about how Gabriel is with Tiffany, the stories of his father with their mother, and knowing from firsthand experience how Xavier is with me, I was positive that it was. “I beg to differ,” I said, looking up at him. “I think the protective instinct is deeply rooted in the Hart genes.”

He looked at me carefully. “You know, you may just be right.” He surprised me by saying.

After hours of taking in all the festivities, we collected two very tired children and headed back to the sleigh. The twins were out cold in no time. Brant was leaning up against me and Sophia was on Xavier’s lap.

As soon as we got back to the house, we took them upstairs. They feebly protested while we changed them into their pajamas and made them brush their teeth before we tucked them into bed.

Xavier was quietly talking to Gabriel when I came out of the kid’s bedroom. He wished him a good night and headed over to me. “Tired?”

“Yeah. I was just thinking I could really head to bed myself.”

“Come on then.” He dragged me downstairs where we said good night to everyone. Gabriel gave me a strange smile, which I thought was odd. What had Xavier talked to him about just now?

“What’s up with your brother?” I asked as Xavier and I headed up the stairs.

“What do you mean?” He frowned but wouldn’t meet my eyes.

“He just gave me this strange smile. What were you two just talking about?”

“Nothing unusual. I asked how Tiffany was doing. He asked if the kids had a good time.”

“Okay,” I said, sounding unconvinced. I still thought he was hiding something.

My suspicions only grew when we climbed into bed and he made no move to touch me in a sexual way. He just curled up behind me, wrapping his arms around me, and pulling me into him.

Hours later, he woke me. It was still dark out. The fire in the room was just about out causing the room to feel rather cold. I tried to bury myself under the covers deeper. Xavier left the bathroom light on with the door ajar. A sliver of light spilled out into the dark room. It was then that I realized he was fully dressed.

“Where are you going?” I shot up in bed.

“I’ve got a surprise for you,” he said, causing me to frown at him. “Come with me.”

I grumbled as I allowed him to pull me from the warmth and comfort of the bed. He made sure I was warmly dressed before we headed downstairs. He surprised me by getting me suited up in a snowsuit and boots, but as soon as he pulled out the helmets and goggles I knew exactly what we were doing. Sure enough, outside sat a two-seater snowmobile.

“What about the kids?” I protested.

“They are in a house full of people. They will be fine. Gabe will be listening for them.”

Realization dawned on me. “So that’s what you were talking to Gabriel about.” I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Well, it wouldn’t have been much of a surprise if I had told you earlier. Get on.”

He fired up the snowmobile, and with the help of the headlights we made our way through the Cascade Mountains. It was a clear night. The moon was reflecting off the new-fallen snow making it appear to be lighter out than it actually was. The untouched snow glistened like diamonds in the moonlight.

Xavier stopped at the top of a mountain. I could tell it was close to sunrise as the sky was starting to lighten. He coaxed me off the snowmobile so he could slide back into my seat. Then he pulled me down facing him on his seat. Pulling our goggles off, we looked out over the mountains.

“Where are we?” I asked.

“I’m not sure, but I think this is Sugarloaf Peak.”

“It’s beautiful,” I said, turning to look at him.

His blue eyes were staring at me intently. “Yes, beautiful,” he said softly.

“Looking out over these huge mountains and all this open space really makes you feel small and insignificant,” I said.

“That and you know what else it makes me think?”

“What’s that?” I asked.

“How big this world we live in really is and how damn lucky I am to have found you in it.”

I took my gloves off and cupped his cool face. “I love you so much.” I crushed my lips to his before he could speak.

When we finally broke away, he said, “I love you so much, too.”

We snuggled up to each other, and silently watched the sky change from an array of blues while the thin layer of clouds went from gray to pink to purple and then finally white once the sun had risen over the horizon. No words could describe how beautiful it was being with the only person in the world I would ever want more than my next breath, witnessing the birth of a new day. The first of, what I hoped would be, many more new beginnings.

Why is it whenever you are running late everybody and their brother wants a minute of your time? It’s not as if they can’t see the frazzled look in my eyes, the tight expression on my face, and the way I’m speed walking towards the elevator. They can see it. They just choose to ignore it.

“Mr. Hart,” a female voice called from behind me.

Suppressing a sigh, I turn to find the secretary to the CEO of Lockhart Holdings chasing me down the hall. While watching her jog towards me, I casually studied her features only to realize that she’s quite attractive. She’s a little taller than average, though it could just be the killer heels she’s wearing. Beautiful brown locks were bouncing around her heart-shaped face. She looked flush, but it could have been from jogging down the hall to catch me. Belatedly, I realize I should have met her halfway instead of standing here like an idiot waiting on her.

“What is it, Dalila?” I asked, focusing on her big, brown eyes.

She held out a small stack of papers. “Your copies of the paperwork from the meeting. Mr. Lockhart also wanted to let you know that he would like to meet with you for dinner the next time you are in New York.” She gave me a small but polite smile.

I took the papers from her noticing that she never broke eye contact with me. She was very professional and I had to respect that. “Thank you. I’m running rather late for my flight, but please let Mr. Lockhart know that it would my pleasure to meet with him during my next visit and that I’ll be in touch.” I turned to hit the button for the elevator.

“Very good, Mr. Hart. Have a safe flight.”

The elevator arrived. I turned after stepping in to find Dalila still smiling at me. “Thank you,” I said kindly. Maybe she would be interested in dinner the next time I visited, too.

The doors to the elevator slid shut, which left me staring at my reflection in the gold door as the elevator glided smoothly down to the lobby. While ignoring everyone else on the crowded elevator, I focused on myself. Oh, what the hell was I thinking? There was no spark between Dalila and me. I was doomed as far as any kind of permanent relationship went. I was destined to a life of meaningless connections, having long ago given up any hope of finding my soul mate.

As if on cue, my phone vibrated in my breast pocket for the hundredth time today. I didn’t have to look at it to know it was Monica. She had been blowing up my phone all day with the hopes of being able to see me as soon as I returned home.

She should have left to go back to Vancouver by now. I have a sneaking suspicion that she did this on purpose. Not that there is anything wrong with Monica other than the fact that I know she is only interested in me physically. She doesn’t need the money given her family’s successful business. She’s not looking for a serious commitment. No, I’m nothing but a living, breathing dildo to that woman. The very thought should bother me, but it doesn’t. I’ve grown numb to any kind of romantic feelings since everything that happened with … Heather.

A wave of guilt always washes over me when thoughts of Heather come to mind. After she was killed, all I could think about was how I was responsible for her death. If I hadn’t published that engagement announcement, her jealous ex wouldn’t have gone after her. If I hadn’t gotten into that argument over the wedding with her then I wouldn’t have left angry that night. I would have walked her to her door, and maybe I could’ve prevented the shooting. She was there for me when my parents were killed like no other, and I wasn’t there when she needed me the most.

Yup, since her I’ve pretty much given up all hope of being able to find “the one.” My dream of having the kind of loving relationship my parents had shared was snuffed out like the flame of a candle the day Heather was killed, quickly plunging my world into darkness. Maybe this is how my life was meant to be. Everything happened for a reason, right?

I stepped out of the office building onto the sidewalk desperate to hail a cab. I silently thanked Patrick for being smart enough to change my flight from Kennedy to Newark since my final meeting of the day was in Jersey City. That man totally deserves a raise.

It was a warm, sunny day, and the humidity was rather oppressive. Because I was running late, I didn’t have the opportunity to change before leaving for the airport. Between the jacket and tie, I felt like I was going to pass out. I could feel the sweat running down my back as I waved at an approaching taxi. Thankfully, he saw me and promptly pulled up to the curb. Eager to be out of this oppressive heat, I jumped into the cab before he came to a complete stop.

“Where ya headed, man?” he asked in that tough-guy Jersey accent that always makes me feel like I’m starring in an episode of The Sopranos.

“Newark airport, please. The United terminal.”

The cabbie wasted no time jumping out into the busy Jersey traffic. Just as I sat back in the seat to relax and enjoy the cool comfort of the air conditioning, I felt my phone buzz in my jacket pocket again. Reaching in to pull it out, I suppressed a sigh when I saw it was Monica again. Feeling hot and tired from the day, I decided she was the last thing I really wanted to deal with tonight. And if I missed my flight, which I had a good shot at doing, who knew when I’d make it home. I sent her a quick reply to placate her.

Sorry, Mon, I’m running late. May miss my flight. I’ll be in touch with you soon.

The cabbie got me to the airport in record time. The guy must have sensed my urgency so I was sure to tip him generously. With no bags to claim and my ticket already in hand, I ran to security. The line for first class passengers was non-existent, allowing me to get through the checkpoint effortlessly. I took off at a sprint through the terminal, arriving at the gate just as the announcement for the final call was being made.