“At least that would put me out of my misery.” Her voice cracked, sadness seeping out of it, and the sound tore at his heart.
“Don’t say that. Don’t even think it.”
She picked up the pace, staring straight ahead.
“I’m in law enforcement, Charley. Don’t make me use it.”
She flicked him a look of uncertainty. “You wouldn’t.”
“For your safety, you better believe I would.”
She faltered, came to a halt, and turned toward his car. Her fists were clenched and her beautiful face was marred with black streaks of mascara. I did this was all he could think.
Charley opened the door and climbed in. She put on her seat belt, but refused to look at him.
Jack realized he was only two minutes away from the inn. I have two minutes to make it right. He opened his mouth, ready to explain how everything went wrong with his breakup with Lisa, but he worried he’d sound too defensive, therefore guilty, and she’d bolt from the car. He needed to clarify his statements, and that was going to take time.
He slowed the car to buy him a little more time, and then he dove right in. “Lisa and I dated for a little under three months,” he began, keeping his eyes on the road. “I knew about a month ago that our relationship was going nowhere. I had planned on breaking it off with her, but I got involved with a complicated case, and it never seemed to be the right time.” He cast a glance in her direction. “We had dinner the night before I came up here because it was my birthday, but it was no celebration. We were fighting the minute we sat down. By the end of the night, I had ended it.” He pulled up to the B&B and parked. He didn’t make a move to get out, hoping Charley would do the same.
She glanced at the front door, then tucked her chin, staring at empty her hands. “So you didn’t invite her up here?”
“No. In fact, I told her she couldn’t come because I was working. That’s what ignited our fight. I had no idea she was going to show up.”
“Why did you take her call if you had already broken up with her?”
“I was in the middle of something, and I picked up without checking to see who was calling.”
“What did she want?”
“To make sure I made it up here safely.”
Her brows knitted together. “Why would she care—if you had broken up with her?”
The more he tried to explain, the bigger the hole he kept digging for himself. “I don’t know. I was very clear.”
“Yet, she drives all the way up here knowing you clearly ended it?” Charley puffed out a small ironic laugh. “You weren’t clear with me all those years ago, and I got the hint.”
He knew how bad it looked, and he didn’t know how to get past it. “Charley, let’s not do this.”
“Do what? Revisit the one thing that messed with my head for the past fourteen years? Something isn’t adding up, and I’m not going to spend the next fourteen years trying to figure it out.”
“Charlotte—”
“No. You don’t get to call me that.” Her voice became suddenly sharp. “I can forgive you for not being forthcoming about your breakup with her, but the phone calls and her following you up here? This whole time I thought you were only with me, but you weren’t. Whether you really ended it or you only think you did, she didn’t get the message.”
“How is that my fault?”
“You’re the one who doesn’t know how to end relationships.”
“That’s not true.”
“Isn’t it?” She eyed him. “Stellar job on breaking up with me.”
“You’re not being fair. I was a kid.”
“But you’re an adult now, and it appears like nothing has changed.” She took a deep breath, lowering the temperature. “I can’t do this again, Jack, I just can’t.” A tear rolled down her cheek but her voice remained steady and in control. “I think what’s best for us—for me, is to end this now and forever.”
His heart plummeted. “You can’t mean that.” His voice cracked as he looked at her, but his emotion didn’t seem to move her. It was as if she’d suddenly nailed a barrier up against him.
“I’m sorry, but I do,” she said barely above a whisper. “We’re through, Jack. It’s over.” She got out of the car, then looked back at him one last time. “And that’s how you break up with someone.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Right when Charley came barreling in the front door, Mary ambled out of the living room. “Evening, Char—” Mary’s smile disappeared the second she saw Charley’s tear-streaked face.
Charley forced a polite nod and hurried up the stairs, taking two steps at a time. She flew into her room and barricaded herself safely behind the door. Only then did she allow herself to break down in uncontrollable sobs.
After everything she’d been through as a teen with Jack, and then last year with Hunter, why had she allowed Jack into her heart so swiftly? She knew better. People didn’t change. They only learned how to hide their deception better.
Ten minutes later, she heard a soft rap on her door. The guy just doesn’t get it. “Go away, Jack.” She ripped a tissue out of its box and wiped her nose.
“Charley, honey, it’s me, Mary.”
Great. Just what I need. She desperately wanted to tell her to go away too. She wanted to be left alone and remain alone for the rest of her life. Why wasn’t anyone getting that?
“I’m not my best right now,” she called, her voice hoarse.
“That’s why I’m here. Will you please open the door?”
She couldn’t resist how sweet and caring Mary sounded, reminding Charley of her own mother’s tenderness when she’d fallen into a depression after Jack had moved away.
“It will only take a minute,” Mary said.
Against her better judgment, Charley cracked open the door and saw her standing there with a tray of comfort food. “Thank you, Mary, but I’m not hungry.”
“I brought you the most delicious mac and cheese. It’s a secret recipe from a very well-known chef.” Mary stepped closer to the door and lowered the tray so Charley could see the dish for herself. “Did you know pasta is one of the best endorphin-inducing foods you can eat? One bite will make you feel so much better.”
Charley smelled the Gruyere and sharp cheddar cheeses, tempting her to let Mary in. She honestly didn’t want company, but maybe if she took one or two bites, Mary would leave her in peace. She let out a sigh. “Come in.”
Mary sashayed in and set the tray on the table by the window. “I also brought you a pitcher of iced tea since I hear you love it so much. Oh, and a few sugar cookies for dessert.” She unloaded the items on the table and set the tray aside.
“Did Jack put you up to this?” She narrowed her eyes on Mary.
“Of course not. I haven’t seen him. Is he in as bad shape as you?”
Charley slumped into a chair at the table. “I don’t know and I don’t care.”
“And I think you don’t mean that.” She pulled out the chair opposite her and made herself at home.
“I trusted him and he lied to me.”
“Jack lied?” Mary said as if it were impossible.
“He didn’t tell the whole truth. Same thing.”
“Is it? Sometimes people don’t tell the whole truth because they don’t want to lie.”
“I know the difference between little white lies and big, fat, hurtful ones. He has a girlfriend.”
“Jack?” Mary looked completely bewildered. “Our Jack?”
“Your Jack, if you want to claim him. He’s not mine anymore.” She crossed her arms. “He probably never really was.”
“I’m sorry, Charley.” Mary pushed the mac and cheese closer to her. “It’s just...so hard to believe. I see the way he looks at you and that’s head-over-heels in love.”
“Yeah, well. I’m
guessing it was all an act.” She stared at the mac and cheese, then reluctantly took a bite. The flavor of cream and deliciously baked cheese exploded in her mouth—all she could think about was how much Jack would love it.
“Some act. So he has a girlfriend and he’s dating you?”
“Not exactly.” Charley shoveled in another mouthful of the best mac and cheese she ever tasted. “He said he ended it before he left Denver, but she drove all the way up here tonight, so she obviously doesn’t see it that way.”
Mary cocked her head with a perplexed expression on her face. “If he ended the relationship and she came up here anyway, then isn’t that her problem?”
“It should be.” She set down her fork and eyed Mary. “But she believes they’re still together.”
“Ah.” Mary nodded. “So now you’re trying to figure out whom to believe.”
“No, I’m worried they’re both telling the truth. Jack never officially ended our relationship when we were in high school. He stopped calling one day, and I was left to figure it out on my own. I don’t know anything about Jack’s ex-girlfriend, but what if he’s done the same thing to her? What if he thought it was over, even said it was over, but he never conveyed it properly to her?”
“It’s possible, but to me he seems pretty direct. Maybe this woman doesn’t want it to be over. Jack’s a solid, sturdy, level-headed guy who thinks before he acts, who cares about others, and who can be very charming. What woman wouldn’t want that?”
She wanted that. But she also wanted to be right. “He should have told me about her. I felt blindsided, like the way I’ve felt too many times before.”
“Do you think that’s why Jack chose to keep it from you?”
Charley stopped mid chew. Could it be that simple? Had Jack decided not to say anything in order to protect her feelings? He’d seen how hurt she’d been by Hunter, and he had sincerely sympathized with her. Had she misjudged the whole situation?
“If he thought the relationship was over, what reason would he have to bring it up?” Mary asked.
“Either the endorphins from your mac and cheese have kicked in, or you’re making too much sense for me to ignore what you’re saying.”
“I’m pointing out my observations, is all.”
She wanted to believe Mary. She wanted to believe that things could be right with Jack again—if not for her own insecurities. “I’m trying to move forward, but I have trust issues.”
“Then work with what you know. What does your gut tell you about Jack?”
“Putting aside what happened tonight, deep down I know he’s the kind of man I want to be with.”
“Can you see yourself with him long term?”
A tiny smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “That’s all I’ve ever seen.”
“Then trust in that intuition of yours. It’s rarely ever wrong.”
Charley let the wisdom of Mary’s words wash over her. She was angry with Jack because he blamed Lisa for his own shortcomings, but wasn’t she doing the same thing? She had blamed him for making her insecure when in reality her insecurities were of her own making. If she wanted to move forward, she needed to have faith in herself and in her instincts again.
But that was easier said than done.
* * *
Mary came back into the kitchen to find Joe cleaning up. She grabbed dirty mixing bowls and cookie sheets off the counter and stacked them next to the sink to be washed. “This one’s more complicated than I imagined,” she said, feeling a little anxious.
“More players?” He drizzled soap on one of the cookie sheets and took to scrubbing.
She let out a long sigh. “An ex-girlfriend who wants to remove the ‘ex.’”
Her husband processed the new information before he spoke. “I’m not worried. Jack and Charley are meant to be together.”
“No doubt, but it seems like everyone can see that except Charley.”
“That’s why she’s the Scrooge.”
She nodded. “Our boss might have known she needed our help, but it’s still up to her to do something about it. Charley, Jack, Jack’s parents, his ex-girlfriend. There are a lot of moving parts.” She eyed Joe. “What if I miss something?”
He dried off his hands and turned toward her. “You won’t because you’re always up for a challenge. Plus, you have me. Why don’t I keep an eye out for Jack’s parents in the morning, get them settled, and be on alert for any unwelcome ex-girlfriends?”
“Thank you, honey.” She gave him a kiss. “You are my rock.”
“More like a sturdy oak. I like to get watered and fed.”
She laughed, then opened the cookie container and fed him one. “All right then. Let the challenge begin.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Jack started out of his room a half dozen times. He was going to march down to her door, demand that she see him, take her in his arms, and tell her to stop being so foolish. They belonged together. Period. But he knew he couldn’t do that. He couldn’t force Charley to believe him. If only he could rewind the last few days...
Jack’s cell rang and he jumped for it, only it was Lisa. Unbelievable. He immediately blocked her number. Why was she still calling him? He couldn’t understand it. He knew she expected to always get her way, but this was borderline stalking. What had gotten into her? A month ago, she would have never followed him on an investigation. She would have accepted their breakup and probably told him it was his loss. Now he didn’t even recognize her.
Santa’s mailbox suddenly popped into his head. No. He had jotted down her name and thrown it into the mailbox, but he’d only done it to get the door to open. Besides, he didn’t believe in Christmas magic. Don’t even consider it.
Then again, he was back with Charley. By Christmas magic? And Mike could very well be his uncle. Jack huffed out an irritated breath and paced off a few brisk steps.
What if Felicity is right? She said it was all connected, which meant if he had suggested Lisa as a Scrooge, it was his fault that she showed up. What had he been thinking?
Well, for one, he’d thought he was doing her a favor. She was obsessed with social media and being the center of attention. She put value in expensive gifts over forming a real bond with someone, and he suspected it was all because she had yet to find her true passion. He’d figured, like Braca and Captain Wollin’s brother, Lisa could benefit from seeing things with a different perspective. He’d also assumed the town hosted one Scrooge at a time. Had he known that wasn’t the case, he would have never suggested her.
He pinched the bridge of his nose. What did it all mean? How was everyone connected? Had he and Charley been drawn into something he wasn’t seeing? He’d come to St. Nicholas for answers—now he had more questions and no answers.
Jack went into the bathroom and splashed water on his face. What did it matter, the how and the why? The only thing he cared about was getting Charley back. Maybe he should stand outside her door and pour his heart out to her. With his luck, she wouldn’t be in her room. She refused to respond to his texts and his calls. He needed to get her attention.
He opened his laptop and turned it on. He didn’t want to speak to her through her blog because it was such a public forum, but what other choice did he have? He pulled up The Cold Hard Facts and reviewed the latest comments. Many were inquiring about who he was, which felt very surreal to him. He scanned each comment, hoping Charley had replied to one or two, but she hadn’t. She’d said she was done with him forever, and he was starting to believe that she meant it.
“I can do this.” He laced his fingers together, turning his palms out for a good stretch. He was not a wordsmith. Clearly, if he were, he wouldn’t be in his present predicament. What should I say? Give me another chance? Please come back? Staring at her blog for inspiration, he saw Reality Check had posted a new comment.
Jack sat up straight
, clicked on the comment, and couldn’t believe what he was reading.
You say it’s done, and you think you’ve won, but have you lost to hate? I heard your plea, Jack is the key, this isn’t up for debate. Never say forever, unless love is your lever, he is your soulmate.
“What!” Jack flew back in his chair, cradling his head in his hands. She’s going to think I wrote this. She’s going to think I’ve been Reality Check all along and that I kept that from her too.
He shot out of the chair and paced, worried about how she’d react when she saw it. He reread it again, attempting to calm down, only then realizing that the comment also painted her in a bad light. It portrayed him as the good guy, and she appeared to be messing it up. “That’s just fantastic.”
He stared out the window, wondering how Reality Check knew about their private conversation. Only he and Charley had been in the car when she declared their relationship done forever. Jack scrubbed his weary face. Was he ever going to find a logical explanation for anything going on in this town?
He reread the comment one last time. “Yup, she’s definitely going to think I wrote it.”
* * *
“He didn’t write it,” Charley protested through the phone, staring at the comment on her blog.
“Who else could it be?” Liv sounded exasperated.
She knew Liv was only trying to protect her—that’s what best friends did. “The author already identified himself. It’s Reality Check.”
“Jack is Reality Check.”
“No, he’s not. Jack and I have been through this already. Turns out there’s a retired trucker named R.C. who frequents the diner we’ve been eating at and his handle is Reality Check.”
“A trucker?” Liv’s voice was laced with serious doubt. “Why would a trucker care anything about you and Jack? It’s got to be Jack. He’s a police detective. Reality Check is the perfect username for him.”
“I thought that, too, but I swear, Jack had no idea about the first comment Reality Check left, and he was furious about being identified by name in the second.”
Colorado Christmas Magic Page 21
