The Christmas Match: Castle Ridge Small Town Romance

by Burton, Allie

  She treated him like a one-night stand. Like he didn’t matter.

  Indignation stung, resembling rejection. He wanted to throw on his clothes and find her. He tossed back the covers, jumped out of bed, and stalked toward the bathroom.

  He cranked the hot water in the shower and quickly washed. The water was as hot as his anger. Why would she leave him? What time had she gone? It was early morning. Now he understood how some of his dates had felt, although he’d always made it clear what the score was. He didn’t do permanence.

  The thought struck a sour note. He wanted to be with Dani. Cuddle with her, never leave her side. And she’d left him.

  He punched the water off and leaned against the tiled wall for support. Taking in misty gulps of air, he calmed himself and tried to think. He never wanted to stay with a woman overnight. He wasn’t a cuddler. Dani made him feel different. Always had.

  Fear spiked through his chest, causing an ache mid-center. What was he thinking? Feeling? He didn’t want to know or analyze, not until he’d talked to Dani and could read her expression.

  After toweling off and throwing on clothes, Luke stomped out of his room with the intention of marching to her house and demanding answers. What if he woke Bri?

  That’s why Dani had snuck out of his room in the middle of the night. She was a mother and wouldn’t leave Bri home alone overnight. Dani hadn’t woken him to say goodbye because he’d been drunk. She was being considerate.

  “Good morning, Luke.” Isabel stood by the front desk wearing a chef’s hat and really high heels. Dark shadows were under her eyes. She must be working long hours.

  “What’s good about it?” He snapped. He’d known Isabel well in high school and they’d talked a little since his return.

  “Wow, you must’ve woken up on the wrong side of the bed.”

  “Or an empty one.”

  Her eyebrows rose to the edge of the white hat. “Do tell.”

  “I don’t kiss and tell.” Luke spotted Williamson crossing the lobby heading to his office. His dark thoughts thundered. His lips curled into a snarl. “Not like Williamson.”

  “Does this have something to do with Danielle sneaking out of the hotel late last night?” Isabel’s teasing tone threw a curve.

  She’d seen Dani leaving. A dent in Dani’s reputation, unless he could squash any rumors. “You saw her?”

  “I’m a chef and I worked a holiday party last night. I see a lot of things I shouldn’t, working at odd hours.” Isabel smirked in a suggestive way.

  Luke sucked in a sharp breath. Did she think Dani had been with him or Williamson? The guy had hinted he and Dani were together, and Luke had seen the two of them on the couch last night. What did Isabel, Dani’s best friend in high school, know?

  “What do you know about Dani and Williamson? In the present tense?”

  “I said I see a lot. Doesn’t mean I tell.” Isabel and Dani had always stuck together.

  Dani’s sweet sighs and her incredible tongue tickled his recent memories. The thought of her being such an excellent lover because of something Williamson taught her revolted his stomach. If Isabel wouldn’t give Luke answers, and he couldn’t go to Dani’s house and demand an explanation, he’d go to another source.

  Without knocking, he stormed into Williamson’s office. The man sat behind his desk with a steaming cup of coffee in his hand, reading spreadsheets or something equally boring.

  His suave appearance alone increased Luke’s blood pressure. In the past, this man had been engaged to Dani. Last night, he’d been all over her. Tensing his muscles, trying to control his temper, Luke threw out the challenge. “What are your intentions toward Dani?”

  Coffee splashed over the rim of Williamson’s cup. He raised his head and glared. “Who are you? Her father?”

  Luke pounded his fists on the desk, palms down. “You know who I am to Dani.”

  “I know who you used to be to Dani.” The man set down his coffee and sat back in his chair. He sounded so reasonable. “In high school. That was a long time ago.”

  Williamson’s reasonableness ticked Luke off more. He used to be reasonable. Everything inside him tensed. He was normally so in control. Of his skiing, of his emotions, of his relationships. Dani messed with his mind. His emotions resembled a crazed skier going back and forth across the mountain.

  His groin tightened, thinking about last night and how being with Dani had not been very long ago. “At least I didn’t poach another guy’s girl.”

  Well, he hoped he hadn’t. He had to find out the truth about Williamson and Dani’s relationship.

  “You. Left. Her.” Williamson stood and paced around the desk. The harsh glint in his eyes showed his anger toward Luke. “She’d recently lost her mother. Her brother was away at school. Even her best friend was studying in Paris for the summer.”

  “So, you tricked her into getting engaged.”

  Williamson grabbed Luke’s arm putting pressure in the hold. “She was alone and pregnant and needed someone. I was there for her.”

  “How could I be there for her when I didn’t know?” Luke tossed out the question in anger. Remorse hit an instant later. Before he left he should’ve promised a future to Dani. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he thought about Dani being pregnant with no one to confide in. Williamson had been her friend since grammar school. She’d turned to him.

  Luke slumped against the desk and ran his fingers through his hair. He hadn’t put himself in her position. Or Williamson’s. She’d confided in the guy and he’d helped her through a rough patch. Luke didn’t know how far they’d taken the relationship in the past, but he needed to know the truth about the present.

  “Sorry I confronted you.” Luke stepped into the starting gate. If he was going to make something, although he didn’t have a clue what, work with Dani he needed answers. “I need to know what your relationship is with Dani now.”

  “Why do you want to know?” Suspicion laced each of the man’s words.

  He winced. “I’m not sure. It’s just…” He refused to tell Williamson about last night. “I want the chance to get to know Dani again.”

  “Really?” Williamson crossed his arms and studied Luke like he was studying film of a competitor. His glance narrowed and his mouth pursed.

  Seconds passed in silence.

  Luke shifted, stared at the ground, then back at Williamson. He felt as if he was being judged.

  The man’s expression cleared. “I’m her boss. That’s all.”

  The pull on Luke’s ribs lessened. If they were going to be honest, he wanted the man to know what he’d seen. “I saw the two of you on the couch last night. You left the door open.”

  The episode was what started his drinking and, combined with the pain medication he was taking, had begun his journey into belligerence.

  “That was a mistake. I was hoping…” Williamson’s cheeks reddened. He swung around and took a position behind the desk. “Doesn’t matter. She’s not interested in me. Never was.”

  “What about your engagement? Did you know she was pregnant with my child?”

  Parker rubbed a hand across his temple and sat in his chair, picking up the paperwork he’d been studying. “You need to ask Danielle. I’m not telling her secrets.”

  Luke’s shoulders slumped. His weary body ached. He was tired of secrets. Would Dani ever forgive him for abandoning her?

  * * *

  Luke began his assault on conquering Dani’s forgiveness that morning. The first step. The second step he wasn’t so sure about.

  He knew he wanted her forgiveness.

  He knew he wanted to get to know their daughter.

  He knew he wanted to make love to Dani again.

  And he knew he’d have to leave town to continue his career.

  His mind churned with confusion and mixed-up emotions. He refused to contemplate the future or worry about the past. He focused on the present. Together, they’d figure it out.

  After stopping at t
he grocery store, he knocked on her front door and then rubbed his cold hands together. The chilly morning had made him more alert. Or was that the thought of being with Dani?

  Bri answered with a smile. “Hi. Is Mom expecting you? Because she’s still sleeping.”

  “It’s a surprise.” He handed her the bouquet of mixed flowers. Dani had always loved varying colors and shapes in a bouquet. “I’ve brought breakfast.”

  “You have?” Bri opened the door wider and let him in. She wore jeans and a sweatshirt and her long hair was wet.

  Jealousy streaked through him. Had Bri opened the door for her mom’s boyfriends frequently or was she just being friendly?

  “What kind of breakfast?” she asked.

  He shook off the negative thoughts. This was about winning Dani, and Bri, over. Of getting to know each other again. “Homemade pancakes and fruit.”

  Making himself at home, he headed for the kitchen with his grocery bags. He’d been in this house so many times in high school it was a homecoming. They’d done their homework in this kitchen, watched movies on the couch, and once made love in Dani’s bedroom down the hall. His groin tightened, an immediate response whenever he thought about Dani since last night.

  The great room of the house had been remodeled, decorated in comfy Colorado style with rich woods, natural stone, and lots of windows. A counter separated the kitchen from the family room. The structure of the room was the same. Some of the furniture and accessories had changed.

  Bright-yellow couches and chairs with maximum throw pillow usage. A patterned, fringed blanket hanging from the back of the couch. Framed photos of Bri sprinkled across the sofa table. In the kitchen, a tile-topped table centered the room, and touches of country—a metal rooster and western-themed sign—sat near the backsplash. He liked the comfy, casual style.

  Interesting that no Christmas decorations were up yet. Dani had always loved the holidays, and the Marstrand home was one of the first with decorations.

  “Who made the pancakes?” Bri followed behind him.

  “Me. Or I will. What time do you need to leave for school?”

  “Half an hour, and I have to dry my hair.” She peered down the hall toward the bedrooms. “And if Mom continues to sleep, make my own lunch.”

  “I’ll make you lunch and breakfast.” He warmed inside. This would’ve been what it was like being Bri’s dad. Helping her with simple tasks, chores, homework. He could picture himself being content with this kind of life.

  Without skiing, how would he have supported them?

  “Wow! You can come by any time.” She plopped the flowers on the table.

  “Any allergies? Likes or dislikes?” The questions emptied out his earlier contentment. He was her father and yet he didn’t know the important things.

  “Nope. There’s deli meat in the refrigerator.”

  “I know my way around this kitchen.”

  “Why?”

  He stilled while his thoughts ran amuck. Does Bri know he’d dated her mother in the past? “I spent a lot of time at your mom and uncle’s house in high school.” He held his breath, hoping he’d saved the slip.

  If he told Bri about her mother’s and his relationship, would she be able to do the math? He wanted her to know he was her father, except Dani would be furious. They’d concocted the fake dating charade to explain his hanging around. Now, he wanted to use the charade to win over both mother and daughter.

  Nodding, Bri took off down the hallway and Luke got to work.

  A few minutes later, he had pancakes cooking on the griddle, strawberries—Dani’s favorite—rinsed and in a bowl, and three glasses of juice poured. He’d started the coffee, too. These scents filled the air, making his stomach rumble. He missed home cooking, having lived in one hotel after the other. He’d never bought a house or found somewhere to call home. What was the point when he traveled and trained all the time?

  Bri came back, and he flipped the pancakes onto her plate. “Do you like strawberries?”

  “My fave.” She sunk into a chair at the kitchen table, eager for breakfast.

  Luke carried the juice and bowl of strawberries to the table. “Your mom’s favorite, too.”

  Bri angled her head with a curious expression. “Aren’t you eating?”

  “I’ll wait for your mom.” Taking a seat across from her, nerves swished in his midsection. He wanted to know everything about his daughter. “What do you normally have for breakfast?”

  “Cereal.” Her laughter reminded him of Dani.

  That was what he’d recognized the first time he’d seen Bri after getting off the slopes.

  “What kind of classes are you taking in school?” Was she super-smart, taking after her mother?

  He’d always had passable grades, even though he hadn’t really tried. He’d rather train than study.

  “Biology, honors algebra, English lit, creative drawing, Spanish.”

  “How are your grades?”

  She angled her head again. A move he began to recognize as quintessential Bri. “Why do you care?”

  The swishing inside rocked executing the giant slalom.

  Her eyes bore into him. The intelligence in her gaze reminded him of how smart and intuitive Dani had been in high school. Even with their practice hours from the ski team, she’d kept straight As in school.

  Bri continued to stare, tracking his movements.

  His pulse rocketed. He blew out a breath, trying to stay calm. Not give any clues. Keep his expression blank. Had he said too much?

  Chapter Nine

  The smell of pancakes and coffee brewing teased Danielle awake. She rolled over and moaned. She’d slept fitfully for the first time in days. Her only dreams had been about what she’d done with Luke.

  To Luke.

  Her skin incinerated, remembering the night before, remembering a night thirteen years ago. How they’d both changed and matured. How her strong emotions for this man, who used to be a boy, hadn’t changed.

  They’d fit so perfectly together. Their rhythms in sync. Each touch inflaming. Each kiss or nibble spiking ecstasy.

  Moaning again, she threw the covers off. She couldn’t lay in bed all day, thinking about Luke and the passionate love they’d made. Feeling every touch and kiss. Reliving her past and present. The entire episode had been a mistake. She’d been angry because he believed she didn’t know how to kiss and she’d wanted to prove to him she was a great kisser. She’d succeeded.

  She noticed the time on the clock and she jerked upright. She was late. Brianna had to leave for school in five minutes. Danielle must’ve imagined the delicious smells.

  She hastened to the bathroom, threw on sweats, and headed into the kitchen. “Brianna, sorry I slept in.”

  Danielle skidded to a stop. She rubbed her eyes at the sight she didn’t quite believe. Blinking a few times, she focused on Brianna and Luke having breakfast together. Had she entered an alternate universe?

  “Good morning, Dani.” His deep tone rumbled into her, creating a stir of desire.

  The desire rolled into a shock wave. What was he doing here? He wore jeans and a ratty old sweatshirt, and still managed to look hot. While she had thrown on wrinkled sweats and her hair stuck up in several places.

  “Hey, Mom.” Brianna picked up her empty plate and took it to the sink. “Mr. Logan made us breakfast.”

  “What?” Another surprised jolt shook her. She glanced at Luke and away. His expression was too intense, too knowing. “Give me a minute to make you lunch, Brianna.”

  “No worries.” Brianna grabbed the colorful cloth lunch bag and waved it in the air. “Mr. Logan already made me a sandwich.”

  “He did?” Danielle was going to faint on the spot. “When did you learn to cook?”

  His mom had been a traditional housewife, cooking and cleaning. Luke’s chores had involved shoveling the snow and mowing the grass. He hadn’t even known how to do his own laundry.

  “Over the years.” His smile hitched and som
ething in her chest hitched too.

  She stood still, afraid to move for fear her legs would collapse. He was fiddling with her emotions. Showing up after last night, making breakfast, acting like a real dad. Did he want more of the same?

  Desire vaulted up a notch. She squeezed her thighs together in a silent no.

  “Gotta go.” Brianna kissed Danielle on the cheek and hurried out of the kitchen. “Thanks, Mr. Logan.”

  Danielle didn’t say anything while she listened to Brianna putting on her coat and boots, and heading out the door. She couldn’t say anything. She was stupefied. Luke was here, cooking her daughter breakfast and making her lunch.

  A sharp pang struck her belly. His daughter, too.

  “What’re you doing? Here? In my kitchen?” Sinking into the farthest kitchen chair, she ran her fingers through her tangled, messy hair.

  Standing, he grabbed a clean plate, his athletic build making him move with panther-like grace, except for the slight limp. “Let me get you some warm pancakes.”

  With his back to her, he poured batter onto the griddle. His wavy blond hair hadn’t been styled and a few strands were out of place. He appeared completely at ease cooking. In her kitchen.

  The sizzling sound reminded her of how they’d sizzled the night before. “Really? Why are you here?”

  “I was tired of hotel food and I thought…” He pivoted, holding a spatula, and stared. He seemed to be at a loss for words. “I thought I’d make a home-cooked breakfast for us.”

  “Brianna and I have a home-cooked breakfast every morning.”

  “Cereal.” He scoffed. “That’s not a meal to start your day.”

  Danielle sat up straight at his criticism. Did he think she wasn’t a good parent? Cereal had vitamins and minerals. And was quick and easy and inexpensive.

  He flipped a couple of pancakes onto a plate and slid the aromatic plate in front of her. He arched his brows several times. “You should be hungry after the energy you burnt last night.”

  She was hungry and it wasn’t for food. She wanted to become one with the chair and disappear. Instead, she jerked to stand. “Get out.”