Together for Christmas

by Debbie Macomber

  “You and I both know who he loves.”

  She hadn’t expected Brandon to be so candid. “There is the baby—”

  “Jumping into a marriage destined to end in divorce won’t help the baby.” He lowered his voice in a way that demanded an honest answer. “Would you take him back?”

  “No!”

  “You’re done with him no matter what he does, no matter how much he begs?”

  “He won’t beg. You know Kyle. Once he’s made up his mind, that’s it. He’d never embarrass Noelle, my parents or your family by backing out. Whatever else he might be, he’s a man of his word. But I’m done with him.”

  “And now you’re all mine.”

  The zap she’d experienced earlier, the one that left her feeling slightly giddy, struck again, like a lightning bolt out of the clear blue sky. Which made no sense. She was still in love with Kyle—although their relationship was completely and totally over.

  Assuming it was basic chemistry, the kind that could come out of nowhere even with a complete stranger, she shrugged off her reaction. He was merely referring to what she’d said earlier. “Or so they think. I’m sorry I went that far. I had no right to drag you into something that could have long-term repercussions inside your own family. But...it won’t turn out to be a big deal. I let both him and Noelle know it’s not serious. We don’t have to go around holding hands or anything. Maybe a smile or two at the wedding—that’s all.”

  “You’re saying you implied we’re not making love, just having sex.”

  “Exactly. But I made sure they knew it was mind-blowing.” She tried to joke a little herself but the images that flashed through her head—images of Brandon’s mouth on hers—made her words anything but funny.

  “There’s only one problem,” he said.

  “What’s that?”

  “If you told them it was casual, they already know you were lying.”

  For some reason, she was having difficulty catching her breath. “What makes you say that?”

  “Honey, you’re not capable of casual.”

  She’d certainly been more circumspect than he had. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t play the same game of Catch Me If You Can. “How do you know? I’m just as capable of being free and easy as anyone else.”

  “You’re speaking from experience? You’ve had other ‘free and easy’ relationships?”

  She thought of the two men she’d slept with. Both had been long-term, steady boyfriends. “Not yet,” she admitted. “But after what I’ve been through, I’m not looking for a commitment. I think everyone understands that. Emotional entanglements are too...sticky and...and confining.” The memory of Kyle coming forward to tell her he’d been with Noelle made her want to bang her head on the steering wheel again. “Not to mention painful,” she added. “And when they don’t work out you have to deal with regret for getting involved in the first place.”

  “I couldn’t have said it better myself.”

  “Why shouldn’t I have my fun just like everyone else?” she asked, warming to her defiance. “I’m an adult. I can do whatever I want.”

  “Now you’re getting me excited.”

  She heard the humor in his voice but chose to ignore it. “Maybe I’ve been playing it too safe. Maybe I wouldn’t be the one nursing a broken heart if I was willing to take a walk on the wild side once in a while.”

  “I’ll buy that.”

  Again, she ignored the subtle smile in his voice because she loved feeling empowered. Just the idea of breaking the rules and getting away with it seemed to revive her flagging spirits. She could fight back if she wanted to!

  But her enthusiasm dimmed as fast as it had dawned when he said, “Great. Come on over. Venus is out tonight. I’ll show you.”

  Shit. She’d gone too far. She’d merely wanted him to respect her as someone equally competent to make that choice. Instead he’d called her bluff.

  Suddenly feeling the need to backpedal, she searched for a good excuse. “I would, but...you’re not the right kind of guy for my first hookup.”

  “Are you kidding?” he said. “I’m the perfect guy. And I’m volunteering.”

  “That’s kind of you, but...it wouldn’t be...smart.”

  “Define smart.”

  “We wouldn’t gel. We’re not...compatible.”

  “Because...”

  She swallowed hard. He knew he appealed to women, knew she was no exception. What would he accept that would allow her to save face? “I’d be a boring partner for a thrill-seeker like you.”

  “That’s like saying you have to wash your hair,” he said flatly. “If you’re stepping up your game, you’re really going to have to do better.”

  “It’s not as lame as you’re making it sound.”

  “It’s worse. Face it. You’re all talk.”

  “No, I’m not,” she said. “Think of the women you’ve been with. The variety. The experience. I’d be...meat and potatoes when you’re used to caviar.”

  “Olivia?”

  It wasn’t hot outside. As a matter of fact, it was a bit chilly. Yet she was sweating. “Yes?”

  “Why don’t you let me decide what turns me on?”

  Because she’d long ago eliminated Brandon as a romantic possibility. She knew she couldn’t remain as aloof as he did. He seemed to sense the same thing, seemed to understand that she wasn’t good at dealing with someone like him. “You’ve never even acted interested.”

  “Do you remember prom?” he asked.

  Of course she did. That night was tucked away in a special file in her brain, one she accessed every now and then so she could relive his good-night kiss. No one else had ever kissed her in quite the same way.

  But she didn’t want to think about that now. She was too scared. And not just because of her recent experience with Kyle. She’d been scared of Brandon from the beginning. “That was years ago.”

  “I know. But I’ve wanted you ever since. I’ll be here if you change your mind,” he said and hung up.

  * * *

  Olivia pressed her good hand over her face. She wasn’t sure what had just happened, how she and Brandon had rounded the corner from “acquaintances who’d once had a class together and went to a school dance” to “I’ve wanted you ever since” in such a short time. She figured it was her fault. She’d sent the wrong signals, especially when she’d had to let Brandon know she’d been telling others they were having sex. She supposed it was natural for him to take advantage if he sensed an opportunity. But she couldn’t accept what he’d offered, no matter how reckless and angry and fatalistic she might be feeling. One night with him would be enough to set her recovery back by months.

  Somehow, her life just kept getting more complicated....

  She told herself to head back to her parents’ house and turn in. She had so much to do in the morning. She had an early appointment with the events coordinator at the Pullman Mansion, where they were having the wedding and the reception. She also had to track a shipment of candy jars she’d ordered on the internet to find out why they hadn’t yet arrived. And if those jars weren’t going to make it in time, she needed to come up with an alternative. After that, she was scheduled to meet with the florist to see about adding lights to the centerpieces, and then the DJ so she could provide him with a playlist. All before the rehearsal dinner.

  This wedding had to go without a hitch, had to run more smoothly than any event she’d ever planned, or she’d get the blame for anything that went wrong. After all her efforts, she certainly didn’t want to be accused of sabotage. If she wanted to let her parents down, she could’ve done that by refusing to handle it in the first place.

  Too bad she didn’t have internet, or she could work on her computer right here, she thought with a frown. Her parents had service, but she was still dragging her feet about returning there. She
preferred to wait until Kyle had gone and Noelle was in bed, and she didn’t think she’d let enough time pass for that to have happened.

  Briefly she considered renting a room at one of the two bed-and-breakfasts in town. They’d have internet. But she didn’t dare spend the money. Her savings was off-limits. Besides, one of Kyle’s best friends owned The Gold Nugget. That crossed it off her list right there.

  Sexy Sadie’s, a local bar fashioned after an old-time saloon, caught her eye. It was down the street. The place wasn’t usually crowded on weeknights but Thursdays were busier than Monday through Wednesday. She watched several people come and go, was contemplating stopping there for a drink, when her cell phone rang.

  It was Kyle. She almost didn’t answer. They had nothing to say to each other. But if he was at her house, her mother, father or sister had likely asked him to pass on a message. She had to stop thinking of him as her ex and start thinking of him as her brother-in-law.

  “Ick,” she muttered but, with a sigh, hit the talk button. “What can I do for you?”

  “You can answer one question,” he replied.

  This didn’t sound as though he was planning to pass on a message. “Does Noelle know you’re calling me?”

  He didn’t answer. “Are you already with Brandon?”

  “No.”

  “Are you really seeing him?”

  She curled her fingernails into her palms. Making up a relationship that didn’t exist was pathetic. She should never have done it. Look what had happened with Brandon as a result! Just the thought of him lying in his bed, waiting for her, made her yearn for more than the memory of that one kiss all those years ago.

  “No!” she said, as much to herself as him.

  He seemed surprised by the energy of her answer, but he was probably too relieved to comment on the intensity behind it. “Thank God.”

  “Not that it should matter to you,” she added, feeling more sane.

  “I know, it’s just... I believed you.”

  After the doubt Brandon had shown that anyone would be convinced they were seeing each other, she knew she should feel vindicated. But he obviously understood who she was better than Kyle did. Which was odd. “Even though I’ve been living in Sacramento for the past few months?” she said.

  “He’d be willing to make the drive. He has a thing for you. I could sense his interest the whole time you and I were together.”

  Strange though it seemed, given their limited contact over the years, she’d always had a thing for him, too. She’d just never allowed herself to entertain the possibility of letting it go anywhere. “Jealousy’s making you blind.”

  “I’m not blind to anything! He likes tall blondes.”

  “Doesn’t mean he likes all tall blondes.”

  “I’m telling you we almost got into a fight at Thanksgiving because of the way he kept looking at you.”

  Olivia hadn’t noticed anything amiss, nothing beyond the usual push-pull she felt whenever Brandon was around. He’d shown up for dinner, but he’d stayed only long enough to eat. As far as she was concerned he’d done nothing wrong.

  “He didn’t even speak to me,” she said.

  “He might try now.”

  “So you’re...what? Giving me fair warning?”

  “I’m letting you know that getting involved with him wouldn’t be a smart move. You remember how he treated your sister—”

  “I like that better than how you’ve treated my sister!”

  “Ouch,” he said but she ignored him.

  “Besides, that was years ago, when he was home from college for the summer. And she was stalking him, Kyle. She spied on him with another woman. That would make anyone angry.”

  “That’s not the way she tells the story. She says he was pursuing her, leading several women on at the same time.”

  Because she didn’t want to admit the truth. He’d discover that was a common occurrence. “I believe Brandon.”

  “Over your own sister?”

  “Yes. Absolutely. Look, I appreciate all the brotherly love, but—”

  “Brotherly love?” he broke in. “Would you just...stop? Please? Do you think this is any easier for me?”

  The desperation in his voice surprised her.

  “I screwed up,” he went on. “And now I’m paying the price. But I don’t want you to suffer any more than you already have because of my stupidity.”

  Somehow his words made her even angrier than if he’d said he adored her sister and always had. “If you’re having second thoughts, I’m not the one to talk to.”

  There was a long silence. Then he said, “I realize that.”

  “What is it you hold against Brandon, anyway?” she asked. “It can’t have anything to do with him mistreating Noelle, because you didn’t like him before he threatened her with a restraining order.”

  “You know how he is. He’s stubborn and egotistical and...and difficult to get along with.”

  She wrapped her arms around herself and stared out at the town she loved so much. Kyle had cost her even this. She’d planned to come back but now...she felt as if she’d been cast adrift, as if Whiskey Creek was no longer her anchor. “How does that affect me?”

  “He can’t commit, and as much as you’re trying to pretend you’re not looking for love, I know you too well. He’s not the kind of man you need.”

  As if Kyle was any better! He’d set himself up with that statement. But this time she let it go. “Have you talked to him recently?”

  “I don’t need to.”

  “Maybe you’re going by dated information. Maybe he’s matured and you’re missing out on having a great brother.”

  “I’m not missing out on anything.”

  “You could cut him a little slack, you know. He’s in your wedding party.”

  “For the sake of my parents.”

  She understood how familial obligation played a role this weekend. She doubted she’d even be attending the wedding were it not for Nancy and Ham. “Now you know why I’m here.”

  “I knew that before.”

  Again, the door opening and closing at Sexy Sadie’s caught her eye. “I have to go.”

  “Wait—”

  “For what, Kyle? Get some sleep. You’ll need to be in top form this weekend.”

  He’d dared to call her, so she knew he wasn’t with Noelle. Her sister was probably in bed, getting her beauty rest. That meant she could return to her parents’.

  But Olivia couldn’t go back there quite yet. Telling herself she’d have just one drink, she drove down the street and parked in front of the bar.

  Six

  BRANDON’S PHONE WOKE HIM. “Hello?” he muttered, squinting to see the time displayed on his digital alarm.

  He was pretty sure it read 1:10 a.m.

  “Brandon?”

  Olivia. He recognized her voice immediately—although he could tell there was something wrong. “Yes?”

  “I’m sorry, Brandon.”

  She sounded genuinely distraught. “For what, honey? It’s okay that you didn’t come over. I wasn’t really expecting you.”

  “I meant for b-bothering you in the middle of the night.”

  When she sniffed, he gripped the phone harder. She was crying. “That’s okay, too. What’s wrong?”

  “Um...do you think... Would it be too much trouble... I hate to ask this, but...”

  “Where are you?” He was awake enough to hear that she was slurring her words. That, together with the loud music in the background, indicated she was at a bar. But, if so, where? In Sac? Or in Whiskey Creek?

  “S-s-sexy S-S-Sadie’s!” she announced, laughing. “I think I’m drunk. I was only going to have one drink, but... I don’t know what happened.”

  “You had more.”

  “Yep.”

&nbs
p; He’d assumed she left town. He’d known she’d never show up at his place. “Do you need me to come get you?”

  “Would you?” She seemed infinitely relieved.

  “Of course.” He rolled out of bed and began to dress. “Where’s your car?”

  “Out front. But I don’t think... I don’t think I should drive, Brandon. It wouldn’t be safe. I might hurt some...somebody. I wouldn’t want to hurt anybody.”

  “You’re not going to get behind the wheel, sweetheart.”

  “No, but... I shouldn’t have called you. Today’s the first time we ever really talked since prom so...it’s rude, right? To do that to a new friend?”

  “Is that what we are?”

  “Aren’t we?”

  He smiled at her distress. “Of course we are.”

  “Okay, good. Anyway, I’d call someone else but...all my other friends belong to Kyle.”

  “They what?”

  “They’re his friends. Callie and Eve and Riley and Ted and Cheyenne...”

  She seemed to lose her train of thought before she could name all the members of the tight clique Kyle had belonged to since grade school. Rattling them off by memory wouldn’t be that easy to do sober, since there were at least ten.

  “Losing them, along with everything else, must’ve been hard.” Her own friends had gotten married or taken jobs elsewhere, but most of Kyle’s had remained here in Whiskey Creek and were as close as ever. A lot of people envied the support and friendship they gave each other. He doubted they liked her any less, but he could see why she could no longer hang out with them.

  “Cheyenne’s so nice,” she was saying. “Even with that monster of a mother. Can you believe she grew up living in motels and clunker cars? That she had to beg on street corners? What kind of life would that be?”

  He found his shoes and headed to the kitchen for his keys. “Cheyenne’s nice,” he agreed.

  “And here I am wallowing in self-pity because my boyfriend got my sister pregnant. I should be more grateful.”