A Billionaire's Christmas (The Carolina Series Book 4)

by Jill Downey

  5

  Ella

  Ella Bennett stuck her head through the door of Kyle’s study and frowned when she found him on the phone in a deep discussion. She marched over and stood right in front of him forcing him to look up at her. He rolled his eyes and shrugged as if powerless… Ella responded by putting both hands on her hips and glaring.

  “Listen, I’ve got to go. My wife is standing in front of me with steam coming out of her ears. I’ll call you tomorrow.” He hung up and stood. All six feet of him…even in her irritation she felt heated as she admired his strong broad shoulders, dark hair and deep blue eyes. No Ella…focus.

  “Did I really hear you just say that you’ll call them tomorrow? You promised! No work for the next ten days. This is our holiday and the only vacation we’ve had this whole year!”

  “Babe, one phone call. That’s it. I have to follow up with this client, then I’ll be done until we return.” He walked around the desk and pulled Ella into his arms. “You can’t be mad at me. I promise I’ll be good.”

  Nibbling on her neck she squirmed when he found her most ticklish spot. “Are you finished packing yet, because we have to leave in exactly ninety minutes. I promised Faye we’d pick them up at ten. Do you want to keep your pilot and flight attendant waiting on the tarmac?” They were taking the Bennett’s corporate jet, but they still needed to adhere to the flight plan.

  “It won’t take me long to pack.”

  “I could use some help with the twins. Finn is playing with them at the moment, but he still needs help packing and I still need to shower. Richard had to leave for the airport to pick up his brother.”

  “I’m all yours.”

  Ella was losing the battle…she couldn’t stay irritated with this man for long…dang it! All he had to do was flash that dazzling smile and she caved. Every…single…time.

  “Kyle, I mean it. The world won’t fall apart if you take a little time off from your law practice. Everyone else at your firm is taking off for the holidays.”

  “You are so beautiful when you’re spitting at me like an angry cat,” he said, fully aware he was stoking the fire. He boldly went where others feared to tread.

  She pushed at his chest, but he only held on tighter. “Give me a kiss.”

  “No.”

  “Not even if I tell you that you’re the girl of my dreams? Or that your luscious lips are driving me crazy?” He tucked a lock of her hair behind one ear. Her belly flip-flopped as his piercing eyes pinned her. Geesh…even after three years.

  She blew out her breath, giving in again, but she got in the last word. “You can’t charm your way out of everything Mr. Bennett. Put your money where your mouth is and pack your bag for Pete’s sake.”

  “I’ll go pack then I’ll take over with the twins so you can shower. And I’ll help Finn pack.”

  He released her and she glanced at her watch. “Okay, but hurry.”

  “Yes dear.” He kissed her on the tip of her nose then left. She sighed as she watched him leave. She loved the way he moved. So graceful and sexy. Broad shoulders, great ass, panther-like walk… she never grew tired of it. He had her wrapped around his little finger, but she’d die before she’d ever admit it to him. He was arrogant enough already. She had to stay a step ahead or he’d become unbearable. He was a force of nature…that was for certain. It made him a great litigator and an even better lover. She smiled and headed upstairs.

  “Ella, you should have heard it! Quinn called Everly a putz. It was so funny! She could hardly even say it. It sounded like puths.” Her stepson Finn twirled in a circle holding his hand over his mouth to cover his huge grin.

  “Did you tell your sister that wasn’t very nice?”

  “No because Everly deserved it. She grabbed Quinn’s bear right out of her hands.” Ella suppressed a grin. Just like her father.

  Quinn toddled over to Ella and clung to her leg. “Puths Mama.”

  Crouching down she looked into her daughter’s bright blue eyes, so much like her fathers, now shimmering with tears. “Did you and sissy have a fight?”

  Quinn nodded and pointed a chubby finger at her sister who was clinging to a teddy bear with a stubborn gleam in her eye. “Me baba,” Quinn said.

  Ella picked Quinn up and hugged her. “Let’s find another toy to play with.”

  “Dad!” Finn exclaimed, running to greet Kyle.

  “Hey buddy. We’ve got to pack your bag. Grab one of your sisters and let’s move this party to your room so Ella can take a shower.” He held out his hands to Quinn and she happily went with him.

  “I guess I get the rotten one. Come here you little rascal,” Finn said, picking up Everly, who stuck her thumb in her mouth and smiled at her big brother adoringly.

  Ella watched them file out, her heart aching with love. This was what she’d dreamed of since she was a child. Having grown up in foster care, she’d longed for a big family…a house full of laughter and love. With a precocious nine-year-old and two-year-old twins, along with their two lab mixes, there was never a dull moment. Her mouth curved into a smile.

  “I’m so glad we’re taking our jet so Lucy and Charlie can go,” Finn said from the back seat.

  Ella turned to glance at Finn. “Me too! I hope they get along with Penelope’s pug Archie.”

  “They love everybody!” Finn said proudly.

  “Yes, I hope Archie feels the same.”

  “Don’t worry Ella, I have it all figured out. I read some stuff about how to introduce them and I have it all under control.”

  Ella smiled, “That’s a relief. Since you’re our resident dog whisperer, we’ll have to rely on you, buddy.”

  They pulled up to Jesse and Faye’s beach house and Kyle tooted the horn. Tyler, their nephew, came out first carrying an army duffle bag, followed by Faye pulling her suitcase on wheels, then Jesse. Tyler looked like he’d just gotten out of bed—his usual style—thick dark hair messy and spiked up with gel, and a huge grin plastered on his gorgeous face.

  Faye was her typical elegant self. Tall, willowy and beautiful, fair like her mother in contrast to her brothers’ dark hair and complexions. She wore a long skirt, tall boots, and carried a winter parka. She looked over her shoulder at something Jesse said and they laughed. Ella wished she had her camera ready to capture the look of pure love on each of their faces in that moment.

  Authentic and grounded, Jesse provided the stability Faye had been searching for her entire life without even knowing it. Jesse had on jeans and a leather bomber jacket; he carried one suitcase and tugged another behind him. Ella hoped he’d packed a warmer coat for Montana.

  There was lots of excited chatter as they crawled into the Mercedes passenger van and buckled in. The dogs were delighted to have so many people to shower with affection.

  Kyle called back to Finn, “Make Charlie and Lucy sit, buddy.”

  “I’m trying Dad. They’re excited.”

  The twins, tucked in their car seats, jabbered away to Aunt Faye.

  “Yo dudes, do you realize this will be only the second time I’ve been in an airplane?” Tyler said. “First time was for the movie premier, now this.”

  “See, being a Bennett isn’t all bad,” Kyle said.

  “Talk to me after this trip,” Tyler said.

  “Look, I know my dad can be intimidating but he’s softening in his old age. Lighten up on the swearing and slang around him for all of our sakes. That will go a long way toward making peace.”

  Tyler grinned. “Yes sir…I’ll try.”

  “Good. Thanks.”

  Faye was quick to defend Ty. “I must say, Tyler has been very good about censoring himself around the kids.”

  “I agree, and it’s been duly noted,” Kyle said.

  Finn held up a hand, comically serious. “Quiet everyone, let Tyler have his moment. Dad just gave him props.”

  Tyler ruffled Finn’s hair, “Smart as… um smart aleck.”

  “Almost got ya,” Finn said impishly, bringing lau
ghter to the family, even the babies who hadn’t a clue what everyone was laughing about.

  They arrived at the airport and unloaded on the tarmac next to their private jet. After unloading their luggage, the airport employee hopped into the van and left to park it the long-term parking area.

  Their regular pilot and flight attendant were waiting and the tower cleared them for takeoff within minutes. In four hours, they’d be landing in Big Sky Country for a holiday they’d not likely forget.

  6

  Penelope

  Penelope was pacing nervously waiting for Griffin’s return from picking up her in-laws at the airport. Giselle and James Bennett came from a completely different world than she had. James, as the patriarch of the billionaire Bennett dynasty, was like an island unto himself. Aloof, hard to read, and closed off from mere mortals, she’d only met them briefly right after their daughter had been born. She hadn’t figured out Giselle yet, but her mother-in-law had seemed less than impressed with her as a daughter-in-law. Her movie star status held no weight with this family. Penelope actually liked that.

  Glancing at her watch again, she hoped he’d get home soon. Griffin would have to turn right around to meet the rest of the gang, whose flight was two hours behind the parents’ arrival. She spotted the car driving up the snow-covered lane. James was seated next to him and Giselle sat in the back seat.

  She blew out a breath. Here we go.

  Giselle held onto Griffin’s arm as they walked toward the house. Penelope opened the front door and stepped back, inviting them in. “Welcome! Walt will get your luggage. We thought we’d leave it up to you on where you want to bunk down. You can either sleep in the guest suite in the main house or in one of the cabins. Obviously, you’ll have more privacy in the cabin.”

  Giselle ignored Penelope’s suggestion and turned to Griffin, “Is that where you prefer us to sleep Ma vie?”

  “Maman, I want whatever makes you feel most comfortable,” Griffin said.

  James interjected, “I think it would be a bit too much togetherness to stay in the main house. That’s just my opinion.”

  “But how are we to get to know notre petite-fille?”

  “You’ll get to spend plenty of time with your granddaughter, wherever you decide to sleep. I promise,” Griffin said reassuringly.

  Giselle expelled her breath dramatically. “I suppose your father would be happier in a cabin.”

  “Whatever Giselle. I’m not going to be blamed for getting in between you and the baby. Do whatever you want.”

  She smiled, “Then it is settled. We’ll sleep in your home if you’re sure.”

  Penelope groaned inwardly. They’d talked about it and agreed to give his parents a choice, but they’d mistakenly assumed they’d choose the cabin. She plastered a smile on her face and said, “Lovely.” She and Griffin exchanged a worried look. Archie sniffed at Giselle’s feet, his body all wiggles for the new arrivals.

  “This is Archie,” Griffin said. “Penelope’s other baby.”

  Giselle’s eyebrows arched. “What is it?”

  “Maman! Archie is a pug and part of the family. Be nice.”

  “He’s so ugly he’s cute,” she said. She let her lips curl up briefly.

  Walt appeared at the door. “Which cabin should I park their luggage at?”

  Penelope replied overbrightly, “Walt they’ll be staying right here with us so you can put their luggage in the guest room.”

  “Yes ma’am,” he said. Walt kept a straight face but raised an eyebrow at her. She responded with a tiny shrug of one shoulder.

  “This is Walt Hardy. He’s our ranch manager and dear friend. He keeps the place going. He lives on the premises in one of the cottages, so you’ll be seeing a lot of him. Walt meet Griffin’s parents, James and Giselle Bennett.”

  He tipped his cowboy hat and said, “Pleasure.”

  Giselle smiled at Walt. Her voice was heavily accented since she’d grown up in France, only learning English upon coming to the states after she’d married James Bennett. “Ahh a real live cowboy. My pleasure, monsieur.”

  “I’ve kind of taken a shine to your son,” he said.

  Giselle nodded her head. “Yes, he is my youngest, mon plus beau bébé de la famille.”

  “In case you didn’t pick up on that, I’m the baby of the family…the beautiful one,” Griffin said, eyes twinkling. It was all Penelope could do to not roll her eyes. No wonder he was so self-assured.

  “Where is mon bébée?”

  “I just put her down for a nap. She’ll probably sleep for another hour or so. That will give you time to get settled in,” Penelope said.

  “Come on Maman…Father, I’ll show you to your room. Follow me.”

  “Can I get you anything? Something to drink or eat?” Penelope asked.

  “I’d like a bourbon on the rocks when we return,” James replied.

  “Nothing for me, merci,” Giselle said. Her eyes scrutinized her surroundings, taking in the decorations and massive tree. She noted the mistletoe and tsked.

  Josie appeared, drying her hands on her apron. She greeted the guests warmly. “What a pleasure to finally meet Griffin’s parents. Penelope only deserves the best and we were so very happy that he is such a good person.”

  “Well, she is very lucky. Many women have tried to capture the heart of mon beau fils.”

  Josie’s warm face creased with her smile. “Ah si, but she is most beautiful too!”

  Penelope was beginning to feel like she wasn’t there as they talked about her and even worse that Giselle hated her as much as she’d feared.

  She cleared her throat. “As you may have guessed, my beloved Josie can be a slight bit biased when it comes to me. She’s my surrogate mom and my house manager. She and her niece live in an apartment at the back of the house.”

  “Yes, I’m available if you need anything at all. Please don’t hesitate to ask. My niece, Malena is in town right now picking up a few things, but she’ll be back shortly.”

  “Very good. Thank you. I’ll follow my son and get settled in then.”

  When they were out of hearing range, Penelope said, “What have I gotten myself into?”

  “Don’t worry, querida. Give it time. Everything is uncomfortable at first. You’re strangers after all. Give her time.”

  “Ugg!”

  “She’ll be so focused on the new bebita and her grandchildren that she’ll forget you’re even here.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  Walt returned from dropping their bags off. “Do you want me to add more wood to the fire before I head out?”

  “That would be great Walt. Thanks,” Penelope said. “I can’t believe she didn’t make any comments about all the Christmas decorations.”

  “Give her time,” Josie said. “She hasn’t seen her son for a few months and they’re not settled in yet.”

  “I guess. I’ll have to toughen up or I won’t make it through the next ten days.”

  Josie patted Penelope’s arm. “Yes, but it will be easier once everyone else arrives.”

  Penelope chewed on her bottom lip. “I suppose you’re right.”

  “She’d better be nice, or she’ll have Josie to deal with.”

  “Thanks mama bear.” Penelope hugged Josie.

  “I’d better get back to the kitchen. I have a feast to prepare.” They had decided on a standing prime rib roast with red wine sauce, garlic sauteed spinach, pommes puree or Paris mash, which was not your typical mashed potato. This one was made with heavy cream and tons of butter; the consistency was more like softly whipped cream. Malena was picking up a couple loaves of crusty French bread from the bakery. Before dinner they’d serve shrimp sautéed in a lemon butter-caper sauce with brie and crackers for appetizers. Dessert would be Josie’s famous lava cakes.

  “Thanks, Josie, let me know if you need me.”

  “I will chica.” She smiled at Walt who came back in with an armful of wood. “Walt will you be dining with us to
night?”

  “Hell no,” he said, then grinned sheepishly. “No offense Pen. I’ll let the dust settle first.”

  “I don’t blame you the least little bit Walt…in fact, I envy you.”

  “You’ll be fine. I’ll be around.” He tipped his hat and was gone.

  Griffin breezed back in. “I’m heading back to the airport.” Glancing at his watch he said, “As it is, I’ll probably be late. Mom and Dad are settling in and unpacking. They’ll be out shortly. Gotta go.” Griffin leaned down and planted his warm lips on hers. She wanted to cling to him and beg him not to leave her alone with his parents, but she knew that was childish. She was a big girl. She could handle them.

  “You look like a deer in the headlights. I’m sorry I have to leave you Pen.”

  He looked so worried about her that her heart melted. “I’ll be fine. Go.”

  “I’ll be as quick as I can.”

  “Go!”

  “Love you.”

  “Me too.”

  Then he was gone.

  7

  Faye

  Faye Bennett gripped her fiancé Jesse’s hand tightly as they went through a rough patch of turbulence. She wasn’t afraid of flying in general, but she did get anxious when a plane bounced around like it was a bucking bronco, as it was currently doing. She’d traveled all over the world before returning to the town she’d grown up in. Her frequent flier miles were up in the hundreds of thousands. Maybe her luck had run out. She squeezed her eyes tightly shut as the plane dropped suddenly.

  Jesse closed the book he’d been reading and gave Faye his full attention. “Hang on babe, it’s fine.”

  “Hold me,” Faye said.

  He wrapped his strong arms around her and pulled her against his chest. Mm… cedar, soap, a hint of aftershave... nice distraction...much better.

  “Just think…you’ll be spending a whole week with your dear ole ma and pa.” He said in his thick southern drawl.