Sleigh Bells in Valentine Valley (14 page)

After helping clean up in the kitchen, Ethan slid on his coat. “Hey, Mom, I have a big project spread all over the basement floor at Dad's. It's due tomorrow. Mind if I miss your first night in the new and temporary house?”

She smiled at his strange wording, then dismissed her curiosity. It
was
a temporary house. “Of course not. But I need a kiss.”

He made a big production of rolling his eyes as he kissed her cheek. Then he kissed his grandma and squatted to pet Barney on his dog bed before heading home.

Kate ran upstairs looking for last-minute stuff.

“Wait, you have to take leftovers,” Christina insisted as Kate piled her second and last suitcase in the front hall.

But it wasn't just leftovers from that night's ziti. Her mom had also prepared a couple casseroles.

“You can freeze these and defrost as needed,” Christina said.

Kate frowned. “Mom, when did you have time to do all this? I know you were at the restaurant, and Joe's team had that foul-shooting fund-raiser while I was working.”

“Oh, it was easy.”

“But Mom, I don't think you take it easy enough.”

Christina arched a brow. “I'm only sixty-one. That's the new forty-one. And who are you to talk? You can't even take a proper vacation.”

“Well, not a two-month one, anyway. I guess I know where I get my overworking tendencies from. Maybe you should show me a better example and sit down and read a book.”

“You remind me, and we'll do it together.”

Kate rolled her eyes. She kissed her mom on the cheek and quietly said, “Thank you. Thank you for everything, especially for not making me feel bad about moving out. I'll stop by all the time.”

“You do that. And come to the restaurant more, too.”

“I will!”

After loading her suitcase and the food in the car, Kate drove the few blocks to her new—and temporary—home. With a sigh of happiness, she closed the door behind her and leaned against it, looking around at the pretty interior. First thing she did was start a fire.

She put away the food her mom had given her and was just making a grocery list when there was a knock on her back door. Frowning, she moved the curtain aside—and Tony waved at her.

She felt a shock of pleasure but tried to hide it as she opened the door. “What are you doing here?”

“Came to see the new place. I even snuck through your backyard.”

“Like I'm a guilty secret?”

“No, a guilty pleasure.”

That sent a frisson of delight up her spine, but she held on to a frown—just barely.

“Come on, it's cold out here,” he said.

Sighing, she stepped back. “I see you managed to avoid getting here in time to help unload the car.”

“You don't want your neighbors to see me, right? I know everybody, and it could get back to . . . somebody.” After slipping off his boots and leaving them on a mat near the door, he put his coat on a hook.

She gave him a wry grin. “We'd be gossip for a week. You know this town. And there's Ethan.”

“I know. We don't want the kid to come to the wrong conclusions.” He looked around. “Nice place.”

“Yeah, I'm amazed I was able to rent it for such a long period during the winter season. But it's a new vacation rental, so I lucked out. Want a tour?”

“Thought you'd never ask,” he said. “And then I'll go, I promise.”

His voice was lower than normal, as if she'd asked him to bed. Swallowing, she turned away. As she walked through the two bedrooms downstairs and the one upstairs, he was always just behind her, a little too close. The hairs on the back of her neck were raised, and she was having a hard time talking about the house, when she was having fantasies about him touching her.

“You—you don't have to follow me so closely,” she said, sounding breathless, though she tried not to.

He put both hands on the door frame and leaned indolently toward her. “I was just taking the tour.”

“Now you're trying too hard to sound innocent.” She crossed her arms beneath her breasts when she realized her hands were trembling. It had been a long time since a man had made her feel so desired.

“I didn't say I was innocent. I'm amazed I didn't run right into you, since I was mostly looking at your ass.”

She should have laughed, but her mouth was dry and blood was pounding in her ears, and she thought her skin would burn if he touched her.

Then the front doorbell rang.

She sprang away from him. “You've gotta hide. I can't explain why you're here without Ethan.”

“Yeah, all right, I get that. Whoever it is will want a tour. I'll be in the basement.”

She flung his coat and boots at him as he opened the basement door, even as the doorbell rang again. Closing the door on his smiling face, she took a deep breath and walked calmly to the front door. Through the peephole, she saw Lyndsay, then winced.

Pasting a smile on her face, she opened the door. “Hi, Lynds! This is a late night for a schoolteacher.”

Lyndsay laughed and stepped onto the tiled square that marked the front entrance, handing over a bottle of wine. “That's why I can't stay too long.” She looked around. “Nice place!”

“Thanks. And thanks so much for the wine.” For politeness' sake, Kate had to ask, “Want me to take your coat and break out some wineglasses?” when all she really wanted was to have Lyndsay leave before she saw something Kate didn't want her to see. Yeah, they were friends once more, but if Lyndsay knew who was in the basement, she'd think Kate was going to hurt him all over again.

“Naw, no time tonight. The wine is a housewarming gift for you. I'll just kick my boots off and walk around.”

Kate repeated the tour she'd just given, glancing hurriedly away from one particular door. “That's the basement. Dank and unfinished.”

“Too bad. Thought there'd be a Ping-Pong table down there or something.”

Kate laughed. “We used to play for hours in your parents' basement.”

Lyndsay put her back to the fire and shivered. “Until Tony butted in and insisted on playing.”

“He did love to bug us.” Kate wanted to get off the subject.

“Or he loved to bug
you
. But apparently he doesn't bug you too much now, since you seem to have no problem working with him.”

“We're sort of friends, I guess,” Kate said, not quite able to meet Lyndsay's eyes. “He treats me like any of the servers. Nine years is a long time apart. Emotions settle down.”
Some of them
.

“I'm glad. I'm glad for all of us.” Lyndsay's smile turned softer. “I kind of feel like a weight has been lifted off me.”

Kate hugged her. “Me, too.”

They squeezed each other a moment, then let go.

“Well, I'll say good night,” Lyndsay said, stepping back into her boots and zipping up the sides. “Got a little more prep to do before school tomorrow.”

“Say hi to Ethan for me.”

“Oh, he'd love that.”

They both laughed.

“Did you start researching your client?” Lyndsay asked.

“Not yet. I wanted to settle into the house first. But I'll definitely have time now.”

When Lyndsay had left, Kate looked out the front window, waving as her friend drove away. She gave a satisfied sigh, glad to be able to say “her friend” about Lyndsay again.

“You know, there
is
a Ping-Pong table down here,” Tony said.

She gasped, almost having forgotten he was there in her happiness at making up with his sister. “You were listening.”

“Of course I was. I had to be ready with a story in case she insisted on seeing the basement.”

Watching him walk closer, Kate put her hands on her hips to keep from touching him. “And what was the story?”

“I was checking the furnace for you. Ethan was concerned.”

He stood there, lanky and broad-shouldered, looking utterly irresistible as the crackle of logs in the fireplace filled the silence.

“I should make you go home,” she finally whispered.

He whispered back, “I know you're right. Do you want me to?”

She bit her lip, unable to say anything, and just looked at his mouth.

He took her upper arms in his hands and drew her against him. She moaned at the hard warmth of his body against her thighs, her belly, her breasts. One hand he kept flat against her lower back, the other he used to cup her face.

“Kate,” he whispered. “I can't stop thinking about you.”

She leaned her cheek deeper into his hand. “Maybe it's sex you can't stop thinking about.”

His fingers moved through her hair, caressing her. “You and sex seem to be all wrapped together in my mind.” He pressed his hips into hers. “See?”

She couldn't mistake his erection. He leaned down and kissed her far more gently this time, running his tongue along her lips and dipping between to explore her mouth. She clung to him, standing on tiptoe to mold herself against him.

Then his hand slipped down over her butt, cupping her, bringing her even closer. She rubbed against him as if she couldn't wait to be touched. He kissed her cheek, her forehead, the other cheek, and she dropped her head back as he made his way down her neck. She was lost in sensation, in need, and was dangerously close to no turning back.

T
ony was on fire, like his skin was aflame and only the coolness of Kate would ease his desperation. She tasted like the sweetest peach; he could have licked every inch of her skin. He nibbled on her neck, bit gently where it met her shoulder, felt her shudder in his arms.

And then he let his hand cup her breast from below, felt the thin bra, the hard point of her nipple, and imagined what she'd look like without the oversize shirt.

Would she look the same naked? He wanted to know. He wanted it too much.

He groaned and broke the kiss.

She looked up at him with those plaintive lavender eyes, tender and moist, those eyes he'd once looked into and known he could deny her nothing. Desire made her lips part, made her moan—

He realized he was still holding her breast, and for just a moment, he let himself feel the hardness of her nipple against his palm. He wanted to bury his face between those breasts and give them both pleasure.

But he let her go. “God help me, I'm regretting stopping already.”

“Me, too,” she admitted reluctantly, then reached up to run her fingers through her tangled hair as if she didn't know what to do with herself.

He watched the sight as if in a daze. Her shirt caught on her breasts, emphasizing them by firelight. Her blond hair practically glowed, reflecting the flickering light.

And then she smiled at him. “Let me get your coat,” she said, going into the kitchen.

He followed her. “I'm going out the back door anyway.” He shrugged into his coat and pulled on his boots. “Sweet dreams.”

He went out into the snow, thinking he could use a little cooling down.

But as he walked, hands in his pockets, cowboy hat keeping the worst of the snow from his face, he realized that he felt . . . lighter, more content, ever since Kate had shown up in Valentine Valley. It was as if without her, his life had been more routine, quiet, sad. Not that he'd ever shown that to Ethan. Tony had known that the failure of his marriage had left a deep hole in his heart, but he hadn't imagined how just being with Kate again on a regular basis would change him. It was dangerous, he knew. He should back off right now—but could he?

F
or several days, all Kate did was work at Tony's, conduct internet research on her client, decorate her house and a Christmas tree with some of her childhood ornaments with Ethan, squeeze in some walks with Barney, and attend Joe's basketball game. The research filled up her time, and she was glad to have it. She felt . . . better, more like herself, more in control of her career. It kept her from the yawning precipice of wondering if she was failing after all she'd put into her law career, wondering about everything it had cost her.

And then there was Tony, always watching her when no one was looking. The fact that he desired her after everything they'd been through made her feel wanted and important. But it was scary, too, because she knew that with one wrong move, one or both of them could be terribly hurt again. And she'd vowed never to risk another divorce. And if she didn't find a man she could trust that way? Then she wouldn't marry.

While she was at work, she thought often about the widows' suggestion that Tony's Tavern needed to be on Facebook. Tony didn't want to hear this again, she knew, but she wanted to be of help besides serving. There had to be some big, extravagant event he'd want to advertise, a way to convince him he needed to use social media. But what?

Through all this, Ethan spent a few extra nights at her new place, and she almost felt like a regular mom. But this left Tony alone more than he was used to, and she wanted to ask what he did with himself. She couldn't be so personal, though; not after the intimacy they'd shared. But she hoped he didn't feel bad about Ethan seeming to choose her for a while. The only unusual thing was Ethan declaring that he liked having two different homes. It countered the ski club dilemma, which he still hadn't brought up to her. And although she was glad he was so easily accommodated, something about Ethan's assertion nagged at her, though she couldn't think what.

On Friday afternoon, she was finishing up her side work as Nicole and Erika took over for the evening shift. Lyndsay came by and sat at the bar. Kate put her apron in the linen bag in the kitchen, grabbed the beer she'd left under the counter, and joined Lyndsay at the bar.

“Drinking on the job?” Lyndsay said, smiling.

“It's my shift drink. We're allowed to have it as we finish up the shift. Right, Tony?” Kate included him in the conversation because he was obviously listening. She sipped her beer and watched him, keeping a smile hidden.

“Sure.” The phone rang, and he rolled his eyes. “Has to be the tenth call in the last ten minutes.”

“It's Friday during the holidays,” she said.

He cradled the phone against his shoulder and walked away.

“Speaking of holidays, you doing anything tonight?” Lyndsay asked.

“Nope, although I'm not sure what Ethan has going on.”

“All the stores are having a Christmas open house. Special sales, goodies—anything to make us shop. Do you want to stroll around?”

Kate nodded. “That sounds wonderful. Let me change, grab something to eat, and I'll be ready.”

“Food you cook?” Tony said, from where he stood at the POS. “Is that wise?”

“Hey, I've gotten pretty good over the years,” she said, slightly lying.

He glanced at her, smiling. “You and Ethan seem to go out to eat a lot on the weekends.”

“Just a boy's exaggeration.” But she briefly turned her head away from him so her eyes wouldn't give her away. “Hey, Tony, does Ethan have plans tonight?”

“He's spending the night at Brad's.” His brows lowered. “He didn't let you know? It is your time with him.”

“Don't get all frowning-dad on me. It's no problem. It actually frees me for a girls' night out.”

She and Lyndsay smiled at each other.

Kate stir-fried chicken and vegetables when she got home, then dressed in warm jeans and tall furry boots. Her parka was well lined and would keep her warm between stores. She met up with Lyndsay outside, and they walked toward Main Street.

“Oh, have you been to Leather and Lace yet?” Lyndsay asked. “Whitney owns it. Really beautiful lingerie.”

“I haven't. Let's go!”

The store was in an old Victorian on Fourth Street just off Main. There were golden balls hung from varied-length ribbons in the large plate glass windows that bracketed the front door, and solitary candles in the upper story. Inside, Kate fell in love with the old-fashioned displays—the antique dressers and buffets, the way the lingerie was draped across hat boxes and large, old-fashioned jewelry boxes. The Christmas decorations were old fashioned, too, like little ceramic elves set up amidst pine boughs and, of course, plenty of lights strung everywhere. There was a tray of tiny little European chocolates for the open house.

The lingerie itself was elegant and sexy, and just for a moment, Kate thought of wearing it for Tony.

Damn, he was on her mind too much in Valentine Valley.

“What do you think of the leather necklaces?” Lyndsay asked, pointing to the jewelry section. “Josh Thalberg makes those each individually.”

“Wow, I've heard about his work, but I've never seen it. I think I remember something from last year—didn't he get famous for a while?”

“His picture did. Women drooled over it, and some even came to town looking for him.”

“I remember him as being a private guy. That must have been difficult. Well, with all that notoriety, I just have to own one.”

As Kate was making her choice, Whitney spotted them and came over. “Hi, ladies!”

“No baby on your hip,” Kate said, smiling.

“Not today, but believe me, sometimes Livvie comes to work with Mommy.”

“What about Daddy's work?” Lyndsay asked.

“Oh, he's already had our precious baby up on a horse—while I covered my eyes and tried not to look.”

They all chuckled.

“Josh's leather work is incredible,” Kate said. “I'm having a hard time choosing just one.”

“Thanks. You should see the beautiful Baby's First Christmas ornament he carved for Livvie. I'm such a wuss—I cried when I saw it.”

They chatted a few more minutes, then let Whitney get back to work. Kate and Lyndsay each made a few purchases before heading to the next store, La Belle Femme. There, they were offered ribbon candy as they browsed through the uniquely designed women's clothing. At the Vista Gallery of Art, they sipped punch and strolled through four seasons' worth of landscapes from the Roaring Fork Valley and Glenwood Springs, all the way down to Independence Pass.

Out on Main Street, shoppers were out in force, along with carolers and Dickens characters. When Scrooge was led past them by the Ghost of Christmas Future, several little kids hid behind their parents. In the distance, they could hear the sleigh bells from the horse and wagon giving people free rides through town.

At Monica's Flowers and Gifts, Monica offered a selection of Christmas cookies, which she confessed were from Sugar and Spice next door.

“Don't tell Em I told you,” Monica whispered, smiling toward another couple as they browsed through her consignment crafts made by local artists. “She thought it was unfair to give her bakery more than one store's promotion.” She waved a hand. “Oh, please.”

“How's Travis's new business?” Lyndsay asked. “Oh, sorry, Kate, but did you meet Monica's boyfriend, Travis, last week?”

“I don't think so.”

“He's ex-Secret Service, and discovered Valentine when he helped prep the presidential wedding last May. Now he's starting his own executive protection firm in Aspen.”

“Almost ready to open officially,” Monica said with obvious pride. “Of course, he's done some work
unofficially
in the last couple months. He'd protected the children of a Saudi prince a few years ago, and the man insisted on hiring him again, even though he wasn't Secret Service anymore. Apparently Travis is very good at computer games with little princes.”

Kate was rather astonished. “And a man with such a worldwide past wanted to move to Valentine Valley?”

Monica grinned. “I am rather hard to resist.” As they all laughed, she added, “Are you going to Sugar and Spice?”

“Sure, it was going to be part of our rounds tonight,” Lyndsay said.

“Come at nine after closing. We'll all be hanging out.”

“Thanks for the invite,” Kate said. It still surprised her that Tony's friends wanted to include her. Monica was another person a few years behind her in school, so she'd never known her all that well. But Tony had forged a deep circle of friends in Valentine the last nine years, and she found she envied it. The fact that he didn't mind sharing it with her was more touching than she wanted to admit.

Kate and Lyndsay wandered through the other stores, finishing up their Christmas shopping, to Kate's satisfaction. They showed up at Sugar and Spice about fifteen minutes before closing, only to find many of their friends already milling around, buying snacks and hot drinks, talking about their purchases.

Mrs. Thalberg, who was behind the cash register, called, “Kate!”

Kate approached with a smile. “Hi, Mrs. Thalberg. Hope you guys had a successful open house.”

“We did. But I hear tell you rented a house for the next few weeks.”

“I did, though it was hard to leave my mom,” Kate admitted. “But it's kind of nice to spread out, you know?”

“Of course. Fish and family each start to stink after three days.”

Kate snorted a laugh.

“Benjamin Franklin,” said Mrs. Ludlow.

Mrs. Palmer shot her a wide-eyed stare. “Don't tell me you're goin' batty already.”

“Benjamin Franklin originated that phrase,” Mrs. Ludlow said patiently. “Well, the correct version is actually ‘Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days.'”

Mrs. Palmer rolled her eyes. “Schoolteachers.”

“Hey, Kate, get to the end of the line,” Will teased from his place midway back.

She stepped away from the display counter, both hands upraised. “God forbid I get between a man and his pastries.”

“Cheesecake, thank you,” he said. “But I'll cut you some slack and treat you ladies. What will you have?”

Kate could have sworn Lyndsay actually blushed.

“I'll have peach cobbler and a latte,” Lyndsay said.

“Chocolate mousse cake and hot chocolate for me,” Kate added. “Thanks, Will.”

“A chocolate lover,” Will said. “I like that.”

“Are you blushing?” Kate whispered to Lyndsay as they walked away.

“No! I'm just feeling hot after being outside.”

Lyndsay looked at her like she was nuts, so Kate let it go.

Will joined them at a table with their goodies just as the last of the regular customers left. Emily turned the
CLOSED
sign facing out.

While Kate ate and chatted with Lyndsay and Will, she saw Tony come through the front door, then hold it open for Josh Thalberg. This was the first time she'd seen Josh with the baby, who looked adorable in a pink jacket with a hood that gave her bunny ears. There was just something about big strong men holding a baby that got to a woman.

She noticed Tony glance her way, then do a subtle double take. She wasn't sure what it was about until Will flashed his smile at her, the dimple in his chin emphasizing his strong, handsome jaw. The man was a born flirt.

Was Tony surprised to see her with an eligible man after they'd both forgotten themselves over a kiss? She felt a little self-conscious, then told herself to get over it. She could talk with Will. But she kept feeling Tony's gaze on her occasionally, and much as he was his smiling, genial self, she wondered what he was thinking.