The Christmas Match: Castle Ridge Small Town Romance

by Burton, Allie

  “Maybe we can carpool next time.”

  Her suggestion made his pulse race. Did she realize what she’d said?

  “I had the tree delivered. It should be on the back deck. Would you mind bringing it in while I get the stand out of the box?” She set her bag down by the hall leading back to the bedrooms, and took off her coat.

  He appreciated the jeans hugging her curves. Curves he’d caressed last night.

  “Why don’t you cut your own tree?” That’s what his family and hers used to do.

  “You try cutting a tree with an aging parent and a child.” Dani arched her brows and angled her head in a you’ve-got-to-be kidding expression. “It’s not easy.”

  His shoulders sagged, as if carrying the weight of her burdens. Her life hadn’t been easy. Luke wanted to do everything he could to make her happy. “I’ll get it.”

  Without taking off his coat, he stepped out the back door and pulled the cold, fresh air into his lungs. He missed this place. Wind blew through the pines, whispering secrets. His secrets.

  He loved the small community of Castle Ridge, and how it was nestled in the mountains. He loved the people. Loved Dani.

  The wind blew with blizzard force, almost knocking him down.

  He loved Dani. Always had and always would.

  He’d move mountains, or back to these mountains, to be with her and Bri.

  Gripping the trunk of the tree, he lifted. The large Christmas tree wasn’t heavy, because he practically floated inside the house. “Where do you want the tree?”

  “By the fireplace.” Dani pointed with the tree stand. Her take-charge attitude about certain things amused him. Some things never changed.

  “We always have the tree by the fireplace. What about by the picture window?” Bri stood in the kitchen, stirring a pot.

  The smell of the warm milk and evergreen reminded him of Christmases past. Happy and homey Christmases. Their last year together, they’d celebrated Christmas together. First going to her house for brunch with her dad, and then his house for dinner with his parents.

  He glanced between both of them. “Which will it be, ladies?”

  “What do you think, Luke?” Dani set the tree stand next to the fireplace. She quirked her head in his direction, with a slightly pleading expression.

  He knew what she wanted.

  “Yeah,” Bri flashed him a pout. “What do you think?”

  He swiveled between his lover and his child. His heart rotated. He wanted to do everything to make Dani happy, but Bri was his daughter. “Um…”

  Dani’s laugh soothed the tension. “It’s hard saying no to your child.” Her laughter stopped short and she frowned. “You win, Bri. Put it by the window.”

  His breath caught and he held it, suspended in time. The truth had sort of slipped from Dani’s lips. He wished it had. He wanted Bri to know. He’d need to talk to Dani about the possibility. About lots of possibilities.

  “Yay!” Bri waved the wooden spoon around.

  “Next year, we can put it back by the fireplace.” Sticking the tree in the stand, he realized he wanted to be around next year. “Where are the lights?”

  “You’re volunteering to do the lights?” Dani’s incredulous tone surprised him.

  “Yay, again!” Bri spooned powdered chocolate into the pot. “Mom hates doing the lights. She plugs them in and they work, and when she puts them on the tree, they don’t. That’s what the hot chocolate is for. I drink it straight. Mom always puts alcohol in hers.”

  Chuckling, he could imagine Dani getting upset about the lights not working to her specifications. “I’ll take a shot in my hot chocolate.”

  Luke spent the better part of an hour putting on the lights, while Dani and Bri sorted through ornaments. The entire time, he solidified plans for the future in his head. Then, he sat down to drink his hot chocolate laced with alcohol and watched them decorate.

  He hadn’t had a family holiday in forever. He’d been too busy training. His brother had moved, and after his parents died, he’d never had a family to spend Christmas with. Luke didn’t have a home.

  This felt like one.

  The crackling fire was nothing compared to his personal warmth. He glowed with the knowledge of his love.

  “Remember this ornament?” Dani’s eyes shone. “Grandpa got you this when you took your first step.”

  “I remember the ornament. Obviously, I don’t remember my first step. Mom, look at this!” Bri held up a bee ornament. “You bought me this when I won the fifth-grade spelling bee.” She carefully hung it on the tree, trailing a finger across the yellow and black stripes.

  Luke took another sip of hot chocolate, letting heated anticipation slide down his throat. He needed to talk to Vivienne and tie up a few contracts first, because he needed to know what promises he could make before declaring his love to Dani.

  The fire roared and the tree lights twinkled. Dani stood on a stepstool to reach the higher branches. Her butt stuck out, and he wanted to grab it. Other body parts heated. He might not be able to tell her of his love, but he could demonstrate later tonight. Showing her anything at the moment wouldn’t be appropriate, with Bri kneeling below, concentrating on the bottom of the tree. Both of their faces were intent on making the tree perfect.

  He’d never felt so content and satisfied and merry. Not after winning a major race. Not after signing a big deal. Not even after winning Olympic gold.

  He sloshed the hot chocolate over the rim of his cup. What if Dani didn’t feel the same? She’d said she only wanted an adventure.

  “Aren’t you going to help, Coach?” Bri sent a soft smile his way. She wanted to include him. “You can put the star on top.”

  His lusty thoughts clicked off when he considered his daughter. Soon, she’d be calling him Dad.

  “I bought a new star for the tree.” Dani took out an unopened red box, her movements mechanical.

  “A new star?” Bri sounded offended. “What about the handmade one we always use?”

  Dani shot him a look. Worry shimmered in her eyes. She pivoted toward Bri. “You never liked the handmade star. You said it was silly.”

  Luke watched the tennis match. His two ladies went back and forth. It wasn’t an argument. More of an interesting exchange.

  “You loved it, Mom.” Bri dug in a box and pulled out a wad of tissue paper. “You said it held special meaning to you.”

  Dani waved a hand in front of her face. Her cheeks reddened and her gaze darted around, avoiding him. “No. No. Not special.” She clearly was hiding something.

  He leaned forward to see what Bri was getting out, what had Dani upset.

  The star Bri held was constructed out of crudely-cut metal triangles and put together with screws. A metal spring coil would anchor the star to the tree. Red plastic melted into the shape of a heart had been glued to the center.

  The image brought back the smell of high school shop class, and Dani’s perfume. His heart melted like the red plastic, softening around the edges. His eyes prickled and he blinked, trying to control himself.

  They’d made the star in shop class together.

  * * *

  With her chin resting on her hand, Dani stared dreamily into space the following morning. Visions of being with Luke danced in her head. Decorating the tree with Luke had brought hope of being a real family one day. Her body warmed thinking about the future. A future with Luke.

  He’d insisted on using the old star. Their star.

  At first, she’d kept the tree topper with the hope the glowing light might bring him home. Then, the star had been part of their family tradition. Now, finally, the star had brought Luke home.

  “Hello?” A woman tapped on the front desk with her key card.

  Danielle hadn’t even heard her approach, so lost in the dream.

  She plastered on a welcoming smile, until she recognized the woman standing before her. Luke’s agent. The one who’d kissed him on the lips. Her smile faltered. “Can I help yo
u?”

  “Yes. Can you do something about the cold temperature?”

  Danielle glimpsed out the large picture window, seeing the snow covered slopes. They were located in the mountains. Of course it was cold. “Excuse me?”

  “The temperature in my room.” The agent tapped the card harder against the wooden counter. “I’m Vivienne Tucker in room one-twenty.”

  Her room was right next to Luke’s.

  The old Danielle would’ve thought convenient, but Luke had explained their relationship. And Danielle believed him. Her dreaminess floated on. “Oh, sure. I can call maintenance right away.”

  “Also, I sent paperwork to the front desk’s printer.”

  “Sure. Let me get that for you.” Danielle walked to the printer hotel guests were allowed to use and picked up the papers. She scanned the contract with Luke and a Japanese company’s name—Akio—printed on it, and gaped.

  With shaking hands, she held the paperwork out to Luke’s agent. She’d overheard Luke say the commitment was for eight months. He hadn’t signed the deal yet, although it appeared he was planning to. Planning to leave. Her daydreams swooshed away in a blast of cold snow.

  Vivienne snatched the papers and her eyes narrowed. “Danielle Marstrand?”

  Danielle glanced at her nametag which only said her first name. “Yes?”

  “I’m Vivienne Tucker.” She held out her slender hand, with sharp, red nails. “Luke Logan’s agent.”

  While Danielle trusted Luke, she wasn’t so sure about this woman. She seemed cold and elitist and cutthroat. She put her hand in Vivienne’s, unsure what to expect. “Nice to meet you.”

  “You went to the junior ski competition that took Luke away overnight.” Vivienne’s bright-red lips pursed.

  “Yes. My daughter is on the ski team.”

  “Brianna.” Vivienne twisted her mouth into a grimace. “Marstrand?”

  Nerves danced across Danielle’ skin. She wasn’t comfortable with how the woman had asked the question, as if knowing the secret. Had Luke confided in this woman? “Yes.”

  Vivienne’s plastic smirk sent a swarm of worry to Danielle’s gut. “How did Bri do in the competition?”

  The woman shortened her daughter’s name like Luke. Danielle didn’t appreciate the familiarity.

  “Brianna took first in the slalom.” Danielle couldn’t stop the brag or the name correction, even though she’d been calling her daughter Bri, too. Luke’s nicknames had brushed off.

  “Of course she did.” Vivienne’s smug expression slashed Danielle’s midsection.

  The slashing tingled in a wound of confusion and fear. Luke had told his agent the truth about Brianna? That must be the reason this woman knew her last name and about Brianna’s skiing. Luke wasn’t supposed to tell anyone, yet he’d chosen this gorgeous woman in whom to confide.

  Vivienne studied Danielle, making her squirm under the intensity. “What do you think of Luke’s temporary return to this quaint hamlet?” The woman didn’t mean quaint as a compliment.

  “Um,” Danielle scrutinized the counter. How much more did this woman know? Did she know about her and Luke’s adventure? An adventure she’d hoped would turn into something permanent? “He’s getting reacquainted with the town and its people.”

  “I’d say.” Vivienne raised one eyebrow suggestively. “You’re sleeping with Luke.”

  The words slapped across Danielle’s already-red cheeks. “Excuse me?”

  Vivienne used a long, thin finger to point. “I’ve seen that starry-eyed expression before. Plenty of times.”

  If Danielle had stars in her eyes they were gone now. Anger brewed and she wanted to tell this woman to mind her own business. She wanted to claim Luke. But could she?

  She clamped her mouth shut unwilling to argue with hotel guests.

  “Luke takes his fun wherever he’s competing or recuperating at the moment,” Vivienne yanked her finger and pointed at herself. “He always returns to me.”

  Burning flared on Danielle’s face and neck and traveled into her chest, scalding her heart. Luke had said his relationship with his agent was professional only, and she’d believed him.

  Her lips trembled. “Why are you telling me this?”

  Vivienne’s expression flashed with compassion. She placed a hand over Danielle’s fist on the counter. “I thought you should know. Luke enjoys making a woman feel special. He’s got a contract with a Japanese company, and he’ll be leaving town soon. He’ll return to the pro circuit and be out of the country for a couple of years.”

  The scalding in Danielle torched into her stomach, making her sick. When Luke had been helping with the tree, he’d acted as if he’d be staying in town. He’d talked about next Christmas.

  And she’d imagined many more Christmases together.

  Her foolish heart broke. Luke wasn’t serious about her, or about being a father. He wasn’t staying in town. He wasn’t hers alone.

  The agent gave a short wave and swaggered away in her high-heeled boots. Those boots stabbed her lungs and punctured her dreams.

  “Hey. Are you okay?” Isabel sauntered over with flour on her cheek. She put a hand on Danielle’s shoulder. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

  She wasn’t even startled. Nothing could startle her after the revelation. “I’m reliving a past mistake.”

  A mistake she’d live with for the rest of her life. Thirteen years ago, Luke’s agent had come between them. If she had been able to contact Luke and tell him about the baby, how would their lives have been different? Would he have left her anyhow like he was leaving her now? Her chest quivered. At least this time she wasn’t pregnant.

  She had a daughter who loved her, and a job that paid well. She’d have her college degree soon, and she’d continue to move ahead and build a good life for herself and Brianna.

  Danielle pulled her shoulders back. She didn’t need Luke. He didn’t know what he was throwing away. He’d never find true happiness going from mountain to mountain and from woman to woman. She was going to demand he tell her what his plans were for the future. No more dreams or fantasies. She wanted to know the truth.

  She refused to not speak up as she’d done as a teen. She wouldn’t let him swoop away without remorse. She’d show him what he was giving up. And to think, she’d been considering telling Brianna Luke was her father.

  “When I saw you come in earlier, you were glowing.” Isabel stood on the other side of the counter, waiting. “What happened?”

  Fury blew a blizzard inside of Danielle, matching the snow falling outside. The same thing that always happened to ruin her mood and her life. “Luke Logan.”

  * * *

  Luke set one of the skis on the living room floor near the Christmas tree. Holding the second ski, he showed Bri the double-core technology and how the secondary core acted independently from the primary core so it didn’t affect the overall flex of the ski. “The whole team is going to improve with these new skis and bindings.”

  He’d persuaded the Japanese company to donate equipment to the Castle Ridge ski team, explaining it would be a great way for them to get started in the American market. He couldn’t wait to tell Dani. If the kids’ times improved, he’d give the new skis the credit. The entire situation was win-win. Bri and her teammates would get the latest technology in skis, and he’d get—

  The front door opened and Danielle stepped inside. She stomped her snow-covered boots on the mat before slipping them off. Snow had started falling when he’d left the hotel to bring Bri the skis. They were expecting a storm tonight. Maybe he’d get stuck at their house.

  Dani unbuttoned her black coat, revealing her cute front-desk attire. The slim skirt and silky blouse clung to her perfect silhouette. A knit beanie covered sable hair he loved running his fingers through. Her expression wasn’t one of a happy woman.

  Maybe her walk home had been cold. Tree branches slapped the window of the house. The wind picked up.

  “Mom!” Bri picked
up a ski and ran toward the entryway. “Look what Luke got me! New skis!”

  Dani frowned. She raised her head and noticed him across the room. Her eyes appeared red from crying. Anger stirred inside of him. He’d have to talk with Williamson about how he ran his hotel and treated his employees.

  “Hey, Dani. You’re home early.” Luke wanted to take her into his arms and comfort her, except she resembled a prickly, iced-over mogul. “Bad day at work?”

  She pressed her lips together, as if trying to stop herself from screaming. “You could say that.”

  He wanted to comfort her. To soothe the stress from her face and tell her everything was going to be okay.

  “Mom, look!” Bri raised the ski. “They’re from Akio, a new Japanese company with the latest technology.”

  A slight grin slipped onto his face. He’d worked a new, better deal for himself and the team. Bri was going to improve her already incredible times. He knew Dani and a lot of the other parents couldn’t afford the type of skis the kids needed to compete successfully. This deal solved everything.

  “Japanese?” Dani’s tone sliced through the pride he’d felt at doing the deal. Her gaze narrowed at him, resembling the sharpest-edged skis. She put on a fake smile. “Wonderful. Bri, would you mind leaving Luke and me alone?”

  Lust kicked him in the groin. Dani wanted to be alone with him, but not for thank you sex. He could tell by her rigid posture and her frown. He ran a worried finger over the binding he held.

  “Um, sure.” Bri glanced between them. She seemed wary about leaving them alone, sensing her mother’s mood. “I’ll be in my room.”

  The second Bri turned down the hallway, he tried to pull Dani into his arms wanting to comfort her. “I missed you.”

  She slipped from his embrace and moved away. “I bet.”

  His gut swirled and nerves attacked. Why didn’t she believe him? He tried to take her hand. “I thought after yesterday…”

  He’d thought they’d been a family.

  “You thought what? I’d just fall into your arms again?” Her chilly voice iced him out.