The Christmas Match: Castle Ridge Small Town Romance

by Burton, Allie

  “That’s not what you were saying last night.” He wiggled his eyebrows in a comical way, resembling a cartoon character, trying to make her laugh.

  “You should leave.” Less demanding, but firm.

  “I’m not here to tease you, or for a repeat.”

  Her ego crushed beneath the weight of his words. “Why not? Wasn’t I good enough for you?”

  His wiggling eyebrows froze and then arched into mountains. The green orbs rounded as if understanding dawned. “That’s what last night was about.”

  Her chest hollowed, realizing what she’d told him by her words. She sank back into the chair. “W-what?”

  “I said you weren’t very good, and you thought I was referring to your kissing.”

  Doubts dug in deep and fast into her midsection. Last night had she made the biggest—second biggest—mistake of her life? “What were you referring to? Or do you even remember last night because you were drunk?”

  “I wasn’t drunk. The pain medications made my actions clumsy. I remember everything.” He filled his plate and sat down at the table, taking his time answering. “When I said you weren’t good I was referring to our pretend dating.” He poured syrup on his pancakes, soaking them in the thick, sugary liquid. “I saw you and Williamson together last night.”

  Raising his head, his glance pinned her.

  Her cheeks heated, remembering when Parker had tried to kiss her. “W-when?”

  “In his office. He was all over you.”

  Closing her eyes, she tried to cool the hot sweat of embarrassment. Luke had seen Parker try to make a move, yet he hadn’t seen her push him away. “Were you spying on me?”

  “No.” Luke sounded so calm, not angry or jealous. Did he not care if she kissed Parker right before sleeping with him? “I was coming from the spa.”

  “That wasn’t what it seemed.” She pushed her plate away, wanting the pancakes and wanting Luke, needing to explain. Well, she didn’t need to explain. They didn’t have a relationship, but she also didn’t want him thinking she was a total sleaze. She’d wanted him to believe she’d had experience other than himself and she’d wanted to prove she was a good kisser.

  “I know.” He shoved a bite of pancake into his mouth.

  Her gaze narrowed. He wasn’t jealous of what happened between her and Parker. Which was nothing. She didn’t know exactly what Luke saw last night. “He’s my boss and a good friend. There’s nothing between us.”

  Hopefully, she’d made that clear to Parker.

  Luke sliced his pancakes with precision while she waited for him to accuse or insinuate or say something to make her upset. “I won’t misinterpret again.”

  She puffed out the breath she’d been holding, completely flabbergasted. She’d made a major misinterpretation because she’d been angry and hurt. And jealous of the countless women he’d kissed. “About last night…”

  “Last night was incredible.”

  Her lungs caught. Pleased pleasure sung through her veins. Her inexperience hadn’t showed. She’d proved to him she was good at kissing and sex. Of course, she’d still been only a one-night stand. She couldn’t let him know what his praise meant to her fragile ego.

  “Thanks for putting my ego to rest.” She spoke with sarcasm, although she actually meant what she said. “Last night can’t happen again. Won’t happen again.”

  “You’re right. That date only rolls around on the calendar once a year.” He kept his expression straight, but the twinkle in his glance showed his teasing.

  “You know what I mean.”

  “Do I?” He pointed his fork at her. “Eat.”

  With her fork she dug into the fluffiest pancakes and put a bite in her mouth. She didn’t want to talk about the two of them having sex. She didn’t even want to think about the possibility of being only a one-night stand. She also didn’t want to contemplate making love again. “Good pancakes.”

  “Thanks.” He scooped a bite of pancake with syrup dripping. “I got this recipe from the head chef at a four-star hotel in France.”

  “A chef willing to give away secrets?” She kept her tone light, but the pancakes had soured in her stomach. “Must’ve been female.”

  “Male. And over forty years old.”

  “You could charm a grandparent.” One of the things worrying her most. If he could charm her once into his bed, could he charm her again? And how would that affect her heart?

  Not that last night had been his fault. She’d been the instigator.

  Luke’s deep laughter reverberated inside her, soothing her shame and her pride. Smiling back, she remembered their camaraderie and chemistry. Best friends had added to the intensity of their romance. Going to school, skiing, dating, and kissing—which had led to other things.

  Her smile flattened. Without any of the things above, she’d slept with Luke again.

  She couldn’t let him take over and upset her life again. And Brianna’s life, too.

  * * *

  Danielle was under an emotional siege.

  The first day of breakfast had kicked off three days in a row of Luke cooking in the morning for her and Brianna. He’d teased and cajoled until Danielle had given in every time. She knew he hoped to be serving her breakfast in bed at some point. He’d hinted at it enough. So far, she’d resisted.

  Her cheeks flamed, remembering the simple touches, the friendly hug here, a short kiss there, lots of laughter. She hadn’t succumbed to his charm assault. She knew Luke was trying to wheedle his way into her bed for his short stay in Castle Ridge, and instead he’d chipped away at her heart. And her daughter’s heart.

  Brianna thought of him as her mother’s special friend, enjoying spending time with both of them and yet, hinted they shouldn’t invite her along.

  “Don’t come for breakfast tomorrow.” Danielle had stated this morning. “Brianna’s Christmas break starts and we get to sleep in.”

  “The reason I come for breakfast every morning is so when I spend the night—” He winked. “—Bri won’t think anything of it.” And he’d placed a mouth-watering, cheesy omelet in front of her.

  Danielle would’ve said no to him coming over to the house the past few days, except they were pretending to date. And it was easier at her house, because the town gossips didn’t see them together. And she’d enjoyed every minute.

  Except today she’d agreed to go shopping with him for a Christmas present for Brianna.

  From him. Her father.

  The expensive trendy boutique on Main Street they currently browsed was one Danielle never frequented. She couldn’t afford designer jeans and hand-knit sweaters. She squirmed under her thrift store winter coat.

  Danielle was helping him pick his first gift for his daughter. A simple gift. An inexpensive gift. Nothing that would draw attention to their connection.

  They’d done several things together during the last three days, as a family. She gulped. Brianna didn’t know about the family part. They’d gone to a movie, slipping in late, put the outside Christmas lights on the house, and attended a school choir concert. They’d entered separately because Brianna had to be there early and Danielle hadn’t saved a seat for Luke. He’d stood in the back.

  Luke held up a thin, silky, sophisticated sweater in black. “What about this?”

  She shook her head. “Brianna enjoys lots of colors.”

  He didn’t know that. He didn’t know anything about his daughter. Which wasn’t his fault. Guilt about everything Luke had missed dug into Danielle.

  “Buying a gift for Bri would be a lot easier if you let me buy her skis.” He tossed the sweater onto the shelf and the shopkeeper glared. “I know about ski equipment. Not about teenagers’ taste in clothes.”

  “No skis.”

  They’d discussed the equipment issue a few times over the past three days. He’d argued he could afford it and she said she wouldn’t accept his charity. He’d told her he wanted his daughter to have the best equipment to take her to the top, and she�
�d protested Brianna was one of the best already and her current skis and bindings and poles worked for right now.

  Luke picked up a floppy hat and put it on his head making a funny face. “How about this?” His silliness broke the tension.

  The purple hat had crochet flowers of yellow and pink. Brianna would love it.

  “For you? Or Brianna?” Chuckling, Danielle snapped a picture with her phone.

  “Did you take my photo?” His teasing-threatening tone had her laughter doubling.

  “Yes, and I’m going to post it online.”

  “Give me that.” Joining her laughter, he lunged for the phone.

  She held the phone high and dodged away. “What will the snow bunnies say about the mountain playboy when they see him wearing a girly hat?”

  “There weren’t that many snow bunnies.” He wrapped his arms around her and play-wrestled her beside a rack of jeans. The wrestling reminded her of the time before they were dating in high school, how they’d pretend-fight to get close to each other, too afraid to show what they felt.

  Her phone trilled and they stopped their playfulness. Their grins held.

  “It’s Brianna.” Concern kicked in Danielle’s gut. Her smile fell. “She should be at ski practice.”

  Luke stilled beside her.

  She clicked on the phone. “Brianna? You okay?”

  “I’m fine, Mom.” Brianna’s voice cracked causing Danielle’s stomach to heave. “I’m at the hospital—”

  “Did she say hospital?” Luke’s skin paled.

  “Brianna’s fine. Shh.” Danielle’s worry didn’t stop. “What’s happening, Brianna?”

  “Coach was taken by ambulance to the hospital.” Brianna sniffed. “I think he had a heart attack. They won’t tell us anything.”

  Shock cascaded down Danielle’s skin in a trail of goosebumps. Worry about the older man seared her conscience. She turned to Luke. “Coach was rushed to the hospital.”

  Luke wobbled unsteady on his feet. “Is he okay?”

  “Brianna doesn’t know.” Danielle tried to calm herself, to force herself to sound smooth and not upset when she spoke to her daughter. “Okay, don’t worry. I’m on my way.”

  Luke grabbed the phone. “We’re on our way.”

  * * *

  Luke sat beside the small hospital bed, listening to the beeps of the heart monitor. Coach’s pale face appeared drawn and haggard. Older than he’d looked even days ago. He drifted in and out of sleep, and Luke wanted to be there when his mentor woke up. The man didn’t have any local family, and he’d always considered Coach a father-figure and friend.

  The stabbing torture in Luke’s lungs resembled the heart attack Coach had suffered. When Luke had heard Bri say she was at the hospital, every moment he’d spent with her over the last few days flashed before him. He’d never realized how tough it was being a parent.

  How you wanted the best for them, worried constantly, hoped they made the right choices. Prayed they didn’t get hurt. He sort of understood Dani’s anti-skiing stance.

  When he and Dani had arrived at the hospital, Bri had run to both of them with tears trailing down her cheeks. The hug had meant more to him than any smile or laugh she’d given him up until this point. He’d felt needed by his daughter. He’d felt loved.

  “Luke.” Coach’s scratchy voice interrupted the memory. His blue gaze flickered open.

  Luke leaned forward. He swallowed the lump in his throat before he could speak. “I’m here. Can I get you something?”

  “I need to ask you a favor.” Coach raised a wrinkled hand with an IV stuck in his skin, dripping a clear liquid into his veins.

  Luke took the man’s aged hand. “Anything.”

  Luke was glad the man was alive. Bri had described the attack and what the paramedics had done. Pounding on the chest, oxygen, electric paddles. As she’d retold the story, he’d felt the pricks and stabs and shocks.

  “I need you to coach the ski team.”

  The request swooshed down his spine similar to a spray of snow. “You shouldn’t worry about the team. Take care of yourself.”

  “First competition is this Saturday. I’ll still be in the hospital.”

  “You don’t know for sure.” The chill from the imaginary snow raced across his skin, making moguls out of goose bumps. Luke didn’t know the first thing about coaching. If he did the favor, he might get stuck here in Castle Ridge. His skin warmed at the thought. Would being stuck here be so bad? “You’re going to be fine.”

  “I didn’t say I wasn’t.” Coach’s cranky tone made Luke feel better. The man sounded his usual self. “I won’t be able to coach, though. I’ve seen you watching our practices.”

  Damn. He’d been caught. He’d thought he’d hidden his interest. “Yeah, so?”

  “The team has to have a coach present at all events. You know the kids on the team. Their strengths and weaknesses. Those kids don’t deserve to have their season cancelled.” Coach’s plea reached out to him and dragged him under. “You have to do this, Luke.”

  If he helped, he’d have more time with Bri. He could help her become a better skier. Except he was a skier, a professional skier, not a coach. He had physical therapy to complete and an injury to heal. His sponsors were counting on him to return to competition. He had contracts and deals and commitments.

  But Bri needed him. The other kids needed him, too. And Dani? Would she appreciate his helping the team or would she get angry because she hated Bri skiing competitively? More importantly, would this invalidate their pretend dating, because he now got to see Bri at ski practice?

  * * *

  Keeping her arm around Brianna’s shoulders, Danielle waited with the other ski team parents in the locker room. Coach was still in the hospital, but a message about the meeting had been sent this morning anonymously. Even so, the entire team and their parents were present.

  “You don’t think there’s bad news about Coach?” Brianna’s voice quivered.

  “No. Luke said last night Coach’s prognosis was good.” That was the last she’d heard from Luke. He hadn’t shown up for breakfast, as she’d requested, and she hadn’t heard from him today.

  She missed him.

  The thought threaded through her mind, tangling and twisting and choking. If she missed him after only one day, how would she feel when he left town forever?

  “I’m glad he was there for Coach.” Her daughter cuddled into her, giving as much comfort as she took.

  Luke stepped into the crowded locker room. She recognized his powerful walk, his determined stance, and the lines of his hair.

  What was he doing here? At the ski team’s parent meeting?

  Fear and fury exploded, ramping up her adrenaline. Her muscles tensed and she let go of Brianna. “I’ll be right back.” Danielle thundered toward Luke. “You shouldn’t be here,” she whispered between tight lips. “No one knows you’re Brianna’s dad. Please leave.”

  Danielle had never had another person by her side to help with her daughter. To attend parent’s meetings and school conferences. To be at doctor’s appointments or ballet recitals. She used to be so alone. The thought of having someone by her side, of having Luke by her side, felt right.

  Dammit. She couldn’t let him become important to her. Or to Brianna.

  “I can’t leave.” His stiff smile showed he was uncomfortable. Clearing his throat, he switched his attention to the crowd. “Thank you for coming on such short notice.”

  She sucked in a shattered breath. Why was he speaking to the crowd? Did he intend to announce his parenthood right now, to everyone? Her head swirled with the scenario and panic slashed through her.

  “Luke!” The whispered-shout drew a few glances her way.

  He ignored her. “I’m Luke Logan and Coach asked me to call this meeting. Without going into specifics, he’s doing well. However, his recovery will take several weeks, possibly months.”

  A few of the people moaned. The ski competition season would be canc
elled.

  Brianna’s jaw dropped. Her eyes shone brighter fighting back tears. Her expression of despondency shredded Danielle’s lungs.

  Luke stepped onto the one of the bleachers in front of the lockers, raising his height higher. “I don’t know if you all know me. I talked to your kids about a week ago. I grew up in Castle Ridge and I’m a professional skier.”

  “You’re the man!” One of the dads shouted.

  Luke’s cheeks reddened and he stared at the ground, trying to gather himself. “Thanks. I’m recovering from an injury.” He flexed his leg. “And since Coach is indisposed, he asked if I’d help with the team.”

  Help? What did that mean? Give a few tips? Watch practice? Actually coach? Not a very committed statement, which figured, coming from Luke.

  “So…I’m going to temporarily take Coach’s place.”

  Of course, Luke stressed the word temporarily. Besides his skiing career, he didn’t commit to anything or anyone. Instead, he’d spend more time with Brianna and she would become more attached. He’d become a father to her and maybe steal her daughter’s love.

  Danielle’s midsection cramped with anxiety. She would grow more attached, too.

  While everyone else erupted in applause and cheers, Danielle shrank into herself. The stuffiness in the room pressed down. How was this going to help the team? He’d coach until he was cleared to ski competitively again, and he’d leave mid-season.

  Breaking more hearts than just hers.

  Chapter Ten

  At Luke’s announcement, Brianna’s grin spread from ear to ear. She danced on the spot. Danielle loved seeing her daughter happy, but not because of Luke.

  She remembered that type of excitement in Luke’s company, and the letdown when he’d left. Luke would be a good coach, and a great short-term father. Would he be around for the long haul? And did she want him to be?

  If Brianna knew Luke was her father, would she want to be with him more? Travel with him? Listen to what he thought, and not Danielle?

  Luke held up his hands to silence the group. “I don’t know all of the kids’ names. I’ve watched them practice a few times and am learning.”