The Christmas Match: Castle Ridge Small Town Romance

by Burton, Allie

  “And Mike came out of the girl’s bathroom.” Bri’s laughter tinkled, lightening his thoughts.

  Luke didn’t hear Dani’s response. He wasn’t really focusing on the conversation. He was focused on the feeling of being part of the conversation, part of their family. It had been so long since he’d had the experience.

  “Will you excuse me? I need to use the bathroom.” Bri set her napkin on the table and stood. Her championship medal clanged around her neck. “I’ll be right back.”

  “Do you think I should go with her?” Dani’s nervous question brought a chuckle from him.

  “She’s thirteen. She can handle going to the bathroom by herself in a nice hotel.” He appreciated she’d asked his opinion. This was how it was being a parent. Everyday events. Simple questions and concerns. Melancholy hollered through him like a lone Alpine horn. He’d missed so much.

  He enjoyed the responsibility, the helping to shape a person’s destiny, the love.

  “We haven’t stayed at any really nice hotels.” A reminder they’d had a tough life. Not full of fun and partying.

  How would he have handled raising a child alone? “You’re good with her.”

  “Thanks. At times it’s been a struggle.” Her gaze held memories and mysteries from the past.

  The hollering inside him grew louder, disrupting his earlier satisfaction. He’d missed Bri’s first steps and her first day of school. Her illnesses and injuries. He wanted to know everything about his daughter.

  “You’re great with her, too.” Danielle tossed him a crumb of a compliment that he didn’t believe.

  If he rearranged his life, would Dani let him be part of hers and Bri’s?

  He hadn’t spent enough time with Bri, and he certainly hadn’t spent any time alone, except for when he coached her. As a coach, not a Dad. He wanted to be a real dad. He wanted her to know he was her dad. He wanted to protect Bri and Dani.

  Everyone, from the ski team and their parents to the townspeople, spied on them when they were together, suspecting their real relationship.

  His smile disappeared, thinking about what Ryder had said.

  How many negative comments had Dani heard about being a pregnant teenager and a single mother? Did she believe she was being watched all the time? That her actions were under scrutiny?

  “Sometimes I worry about Brianna spending so much time alone.” Dani leaned forward in her chair, guilt written on her face. “You know, with my work and school.”

  He grabbed Dani’s hand and squeezed. “Don’t feel guilty about doing what you needed to do. The fact you’re finishing school shows her how important college is. How you can accomplish your goals even if you’re…delayed.”

  Her eyebrows rose in arches. “Really? Some people believed I should’ve quit school.”

  “How much do you have left to get your degree?” Even though they’d spent a lot of time together, they mostly talked about Bri. Not about Dani. He wanted to change that.

  “I graduate this May.” Pride rung from her voice.

  “What do you plan to do with your degree once you graduate?” He wanted to know Dani and he wanted to know her plans. Would she be searching for a job in another town or state? Would she be free to travel with him around the pro ski circuit?

  Crazy thoughts. In high school, they’d talked about her coming with him, knowing it wasn’t feasible. Dani had to graduate and he couldn’t afford to have a girlfriend in tow. Too much of a distraction.

  She’d worked hard and gone against the odds to get her college degree, she wouldn’t want to give up her career to travel with him.

  And what about Bri? She had stay in school and Castle Ridge had a great district. Plus, the girl had skiing potential. If she wanted to turn pro, she’d need to work hard and the Castle Ridge ski team was a great start.

  All the air evacuated his lungs. If he wanted to be with Bri and Dani, he’d have to think about a career change. About retiring from skiing. About giving something up. He became queasy. If he didn’t ski, what would he do? More importantly, who would he be?

  “My degree’s in in hotel management. I love working at the Castle Ridge Lodge, but I want more responsibility. Become a manager.” Her gaze lit. “Or I could run a Bed & Breakfast on the side of the mountain. People are always asking about different places to stay.”

  “Castle Ridge has places like that?”

  “No. I’d love to build one and run it.”

  “You’re planning to stay in Castle Ridge?”

  “It’s my home.” A shadow of sadness passed across her expression. “I’m happy here. So much will depend on Bri’s plans.”

  “She still has four years of high school.”

  “You left in high school.” Her tone held a slight note of accusation.

  She didn’t say it, but he understood. She didn’t want to lose Bri to skiing like she’d lost him.

  Dani’s sadness filtered through him, bringing the mood down. They’d made so many mistakes in high school. He wished he could go back and have a do-over. Maybe he could start again, make good, from today forward.

  “Mom,” Bri returned to the table and stared at their clasped hands. “Chloe and her parents are staying here overnight. She asked if I could spend the night in their room. Can I?”

  “Aren’t you tired after skiing today?” Concern threaded through Dani’s tone. She worried so much about Bri.

  Possibly too much. Not giving Bri enough independence.

  “I did less skiing today than I do in a normal practice.” Bri peered at him and her cheeks burned. “Besides, this way you two can prolong your…date.”

  “Brianna Elizabeth Marstrand.” Dani raised her voice.

  Luke didn’t hear anything else. Bri’s middle name landed in the middle of his chest like a warm snowball. “Elizabeth?”

  Dani glimpsed at him before turning back to Bri. “Yes, you can spend the night. Use your key to get what you need from our room.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” Bri kissed her on the cheek. “Night.” Bri started to stroll away and veered back. “Good night, Coach.”

  He barely heard. He was processing Bri’s middle name.

  When Bri had walked far enough away, he squeaked, “Elizabeth?”

  Dani bit her lower lip. She squeezed his hand. “I didn’t think you’d mind. Actually, I didn’t think you’d ever find out.”

  The warm snowball melted from the heat inside him. “You named her after my mother?”

  “Brianna’s middle name? Yes.” Dani shifted in her chair. “If your parents had been alive I would’ve gone to them. Your mom was a second mother to me.”

  The heat that had melted the snowball now melted his bones, making him weak. Tears pricked his eyes. Luke hadn’t known he’d always been a part of Bri’s life. He tugged on Dani’s hand and pulled her into his lap. “Thank you.”

  Her gaze shone with answering tears. “Do you want to come to my room?”

  * * *

  Danielle couldn’t believe the question had slipped out of her mouth. Do you want to come to my room?

  Her stomach flipped over upon itself, as if she’d taken a nasty spill on the mountain.

  She’d sounded husky and suggestive, resembling a hussy or his agent, Vivienne.

  Silly, really. Danielle was being prudish. She was a grown woman with needs, and she’d already slept with Luke.

  Danielle stared at herself in the mirror. She’d brushed her teeth and fixed her makeup. She didn’t own any sexy lingerie, so she hadn’t changed out of her jeans and sweater. Asking him to her room was a mistake. Her emotions were so close to her skin, she risked more than making a fool of herself. She risked her heart.

  Even so, she needed to be with him. When he’d learned Bri’s middle name he’d been so emotional. He cared about Bri, and maybe he cared about her, too. Maybe he’d stay around longer.

  She scowled at the clock. She’d asked him for a few minutes to prepare herself. Prepare herself how? The ticking of the clo
ck signaled how much time she had to make her next big mistake. When they’d made love five nights ago, she’d been angry and reckless, wanting to prove to him she was good at having sex.

  Now, she had too much time to think.

  To her, making love was about love. She had strong feelings for Luke. What if she fell for him?

  She remembered the pain from high school. Him leaving a second time would be more devastating. She wasn’t a teen any longer. She was a woman with deep emotions. One of the reasons she didn’t want Bri to know Luke was her father. It would be hard for her to overcome her own broken heart and help Bri, too.

  The knock on her door caused her to jump. Placing a hand on her chest, she felt the pounding beneath the thick sweater she wore.

  She wouldn’t open it. Ignore him.

  That would be childish. She wanted to show him she was a woman of the world. Or at least of the state. She swung the door open and caught her breath.

  Luke relaxed against the doorframe. He wore jeans and a black knit sweater, and a sexy-winsome smile lit his face. His eyes glinted with desire and mischief. He held a chilled bottle of champagne and two crystal flutes.

  Her abs contracted. He looked so good and so sophisticated.

  He’d lived a full life. Left Castle Ridge and traveled the world. She’d been locked into her small life since high school. Only leaving the area for a couple of months with Parker, and when she’d lived with her aunt. Having a child always by her side. She wasn’t complaining, yet she yearned for a bit of adventure.

  His smile quirked in a tease. “Can I come in?”

  She started. She’d been standing there staring like an idiot. What if one of the other parents saw him standing outside her door?

  “Sure. Yes. Of course.” Three answers for three times the nervousness.

  “Champagne?” He popped the cork in a smooth move.

  The noise popped inside her and she bubbled like the champagne. She’d think of this as an exciting adventure. Wouldn’t worry about the end and the heartbreak to follow.

  “What’re we celebrating?” She perched on the edge of the desk chair. Not the bed. Never the bed.

  “The team.” He held a bubbling glass toward her and she took it. “Bri’s first place finish.” He raised his glass high and set it by his lips. His gaze connected with hers over the crystal rim. “Us.”

  Her hand jerked and the light-yellow liquid spilled. “Us?”

  “To the start of a new understanding between us.” He clinked his glass against hers.

  The sound clinked in her head. Understanding? What did that mean? An understanding they were going to have sex, or an understanding that whatever this was between them was more than sex? She hoped for and was scared of the latter.

  Most likely, this would be a heartbreaking adventure only for her.

  She took a sip, needing liquid courage.

  He prowled toward the window and peered out. Rotating, he flashed a wicked smile and took off his boots.

  Taking another sip, she sucked champagne. And choked. He was already getting down to business, taking off his clothes.

  Her widened eyes must’ve given some of her thoughts away, because he winked. “I didn’t want to track snow on the carpet.”

  Except he hadn’t gone outside between dinner and now. He was trying to make her more comfortable. She cleared her throat, relieved she had a little more time to prepare. “Oh.”

  “Since we’re now understanding each other…” He stepped in front of her. Her gaze was at groin level, and she saw the bulge.

  Desire sliced down her spine, and nerves chilled her skin. Was he about to tell her this was a fling? Fun while he was in town? She needed to make him believe that was what she wanted. Even though she wanted so much more. “I understand this is an…adventure.” She threw down her earlier word like a gauntlet. “No commitments.”

  “No commitments.” He almost sounded disappointed.

  Couldn’t be. Luke was a playboy, a man of the world. He’d changed and matured, but not enough to settle down in Castle Ridge with her.

  Luke set down his glass and rubbed his forehead. “I need to clarify something before we continue with this…adventure.”

  Adventure. Her word. Then why did it hurt so bad?

  “You said you sent a letter, and called me in France.”

  “I did.” Standing, she pushed earnestness into her voice.

  “I believe you.” His expression cleared, and yet his head angled in confusion. “Why didn’t you keep trying to contact me?”

  “What was the point? You ignored my first attempts, and I thought…I thought you didn’t want anything to do with me. And if I forced you, you’d resent both me and the baby.” The fear of her emotions took Danielle back in time. When he hugged her close the sound of his heart beating brought her back to the present. “Isabel and Michael believed I was wrong. I’m an awful person.”

  Luke kissed the top of her head. “You’re not an awful person.”

  She sniffled, feeling sorry for herself. Worried her past mistakes still haunted.

  He kissed her forehead. “You were brave.” He kissed her cheek. “You were independent.” He kissed her chin. “You are a wonderful mother.”

  His lips touched hers. A light, tentative kiss. Almost like a first kiss.

  She floated, similar to a twinkling star. Sparks spiraled in her body and across her skin. She responded. Her mouth moved against his, wanting to demonstrate how much she cared for him. About him. Being with him. Showing him without actually telling him.

  He ran his fingers through her hair. He gripped her chin. He gave her a soft kiss and then his mouth went hard. He gave her punishing kiss before breaking free.

  “I came back, you know.” His raw voice scraped her nerves.

  Of course, he came back. He was with her now. She didn’t want to talk. She wanted to feel.

  He gripped her chin tighter, pinching her skin. Lips that had been kissing her firmed into a thin, angry line. His eyes blazed with a fury she didn’t understand. “I came back to Castle Ridge a couple of months after I hit the pro circuit.”

  Air rushed out of her chest. She couldn’t breathe. He’d come back in high school? “Why?”

  “I came back for you.”

  The intensity of his gaze shot right through her heart like cupid’s arrow. He’d come back for her. He’d missed her. Possibly loved her. Champagne bubbled inside her and suddenly went flat. They’d missed so much time together.

  “You were gone. I was told you were engaged and left with Williamson to get married.” Luke’s grim tone ripped into her. It was as if Cupid’s arrow had been torn from her.

  Like Luke had.

  Fate had taken away their chance to be together thirteen years ago.

  “I went to my aunt’s in Wyoming. Parker left for college. We didn’t tell people about the broken engagement because he didn’t want me to be the center of gossip again.”

  Dropping her chin, he pulled her into his lap and wrapped his arms around her. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you.” The anguish in his tone healed some of her internal wounds.

  Wounds from reading the sports gossip pages about him partying while she’d been dealing with morning sickness. Wounds hearing about his success while she’d gone through eighteen hours of labor. Wounds from a heart never healed.

  “You didn’t know. You have nothing to be sorry for.” She reached around his neck and brought his lips down to hers.

  “I’m sorry I left without telling you how much I loved you. I was a stupid kid. Maybe then…”

  She pressed harder against his mouth. She was done talking and apologizing. They’d both made mistakes. It was time to move forward. To think about the future.

  A future where they could be together as a family.

  A future where they told each other they loved each other every day.

  Love.

  The sparks in her body flashed to a brilliant light. The light stunned. Her h
eart slowed to a beginning-skier pace. Her mind carved around the idea, examining it from all sides.

  She loved Luke. Loved him in high school and loved him now. She’d love him forever.

  But was the word forever in Luke’s vocabulary?

  Chapter Thirteen

  Luke hated driving back to Castle Ridge alone. He followed behind Dani’s car on the twisting highway, wishing he could hear and be part of their conversation. He wanted both cars to speed home to get there faster so they could be together soon, but he also didn’t want them to be involved in an accident because of speed.

  After making love twice last night, he’d fallen asleep with his princess in his arms. How he would’ve loved to spend an entire night with her in high school just holding her. Never a possibility with their parents.

  This morning, Bri had texted her mom she was on the way back to the hotel room and he had scrambled to throw his clothes on and get out before she arrived. He didn’t want to have to run and hide. That was too similar to high school when they’d been making out and been interrupted by her dad.

  Dani had kissed him a final time and invited him to help decorate the Christmas tree when they arrived home. He couldn’t wait to get there. Couldn’t wait to hold Dani in his arms again. To watch Bri in her spirited mood. To be part of their family tradition.

  Their family—the three of them.

  Tapping the steering wheel with impatience, he wore a permanent grin. His chest couldn’t contain his happiness.

  He pulled into the driveway behind them and helped unload their suitcases and Bri’s ski equipment. He hadn’t heard from Akio, the ski manufacturer from Japan, about sponsoring the high school team. Bri did need new skis and so did a lot of the other kids on the team.

  “Not too bad of a drive, huh?” Unlocking the door, Dani sent him an intimate, sexy-as-hell smile.

  Her smile sent heat through his body, even while standing on the cold front porch. “You didn’t have to drive by yourself. You had Bri for company.” He was used to being by himself. In cars, on planes, in hotel rooms. He didn’t enjoy it so much anymore.