Holly, Ivy, & Intrigue

by Celebrate Lit Publishing

  “Yes, ma’am. It sure is good to see you again.” Tyler stopped unloading to greet his former tutor with a gentle half-hug.

  “Well, I wanted to come out and tell Kelsey I’ll be leaving tomorrow for a visit with my sister in Rome.”

  Tyler blinked. “Not Italy?”

  “No, silly. Rome, Georgia, and just for the weekend. I’m glad I caught you, too, Tyler. Look at you.” Hannah smiled up at him with open admiration. “Did you keep growing after college?”

  “I sure hope not, Miss Hannah.”

  “Oh, listen to you, trim as a young sapling.” Hannah poked Tyler’s flat stomach before turning toward the open garage. “What’s this? Kelsey’s treasures from Frank’s barn?”

  “Yes, ‘treasures’ is exactly right, Miss Hannah,” Kelsey said. “Look at this tabletop desk.”

  Hannah shuffled over to examine the piece, opening the lid and looking inside. “Oh, my. That would do nicely for my stationery and correspondence. You know how I love to write my letters.”

  Kelsey stood back, opening her hands with a smile. “It’s yours, then. Your Christmas gift.”

  “What? No, child. You bought it for the store.”

  “But I don’t have your present yet, and this is perfect. What color would you like it?”

  Behind her glasses, Hannah’s eyes crinkled with imaginative delight. “A nice light blue.”

  Kelsey clasped her hands under her chin. “Exactly what I had in mind! See, it’s meant to be.”

  “I can think of some other things that are meant to be.” Hannah shifted her speculative gaze between the two young people. “I tried to get you two in the same room together five years ago, but you were always running off and hiding, Kelsey. I find it fortuitous that your paths have crossed again.”

  “Miss Hannah!” Kelsey felt the awful red streak her face again.

  Tyler chuckled, but Hannah’s tone reflected contemplation, not teasing, as she added, “Maybe even providential.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  “I really thought this hutch might be marked down, since it’s painted this fall-ish butternut color,” Althea Markham said.

  Kelsey looked up from the text she prepared to her landlord—asking for an extension on the lease past the weekend parade and tree lighting—to see the formidable matron stand back from said piece of furniture, clutching her designer purse to her side. Outside on the square, a family embarked for a carriage ride from the Gold Museum. “Not yet, but we have our semi-annual sale the beginning of February.”

  “I just pictured it in my den displaying my pottery when the family came this Christmas.”

  Kelsey worried her lip. Althea always looked, never bought. She was hardly a loyal customer. But … “I can give you ten percent off.”

  “Mmmm.”

  The doorbell jangled as Nicholas Standard entered. Kelsey’s eyes opened wide, but seeing she had a customer—if one could call it that—Nick waved and made a show of browsing down the aisle.

  “I’m just not sure.”

  “You can take it home to try if you like.”

  Kelsey waited while Althea rearranged her display, cocking her head in contemplation, then photographing the hutch. Saying a prayer, she pressed ‘send’ on her text.

  “That’s more than I should spend.”

  Was the woman waiting for Kelsey to give it to her? Ding, ding. Out of patience. Thankfully Nick had completed his circuit and stood nearby, hands in his pockets. “I’ll give you some time to think it over.” Kelsey turned her attention to the developer. “Can I help you?”

  “I think we can help each other.” Nick glanced pointedly at the window. The repairman had promised to replace the plywood with glass tomorrow.

  “Oh? How so?” Kelsey’s gaze strayed, and she wished Althea a Merry Christmas as the woman sailed out the door.

  Rocking on his heels, Nicholas broke into laughter. “I think I just did. Need rescuing much?”

  “Apparently! Some people can’t be pleased. But if you’re here for coffee, I already had mine.”

  Nick took his hands out of his pockets and came to lean on the desk. The faint scent of expensive cologne tickled Kelsey’s nose. “No, I’m really here on business. You’ve heard of the retreat center I’m developing on Highway 60?” When Kelsey nodded, he continued. “Well, my decorator bombed on the lodge décor. She wanted to go modern. I told her I’d find the furnishings myself. I see several items I’d like you to tag for me.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “Get your ‘sold’ stickers, and I’ll have one of my guys come Monday to pick the stuff up.”

  Heart pounding, Kelsey jumped up.

  “I have one condition.”

  Dropping the pen she reached for, Kelsey paused. “What’s that?”

  “You have to show me your back room so I know if there’s anything I missed.”

  “I do have a few things back there from the Jackson farm.” Kelsey led the way and waited while Nicholas poked around.

  “This it?”

  “Except for a few smaller items I’m refinishing before I bring them in. But I’m having trouble believing this.”

  Nick turned to her. “Why? You have great taste, a lot like mine. I have a Master’s of Business Administration, you know, so we have some professional training in common. And I like the idea of my décor being locally made.”

  “Well, thank you. I guess I figured there are just so many places you could go …”

  “I want to come here.” He walked up and stood close to her, gazing into her eyes. “And I’d love to show you why. Once you see the lodge, you’ll understand. We could go out to eat afterwards or something.”

  Kelsey’s mouth went dry. “I’m sorry … are you asking me out?”

  “I certainly am.”

  Kelsey’s phone vibrated in her pocket. Nick’s blue-eyed, confidently grinning, direct approach left her so flustered she pulled out her cell to read the message, just to buy a couple of goldfish-gasping seconds. Jim had texted, No need to extend the lease payment. You must have a Christmas benefactor. Someone deposited cash in the account earlier this week.

  Her mouth fell open. Double whammy. No Christmas-benefactor-nit-picking way.

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  Tyler couldn’t explain the rush of pleasure he experienced when Kelsey popped out the front door of The Flea An’Tweak, her dark curls dancing over a fitted red coat. He didn’t know what he was doing here, and he didn’t know why this ridiculous sense of excitement swelled inside his chest. He only knew it felt like something had been missing since their trail ride. Kelsey.

  “Hey!”

  She looked happy to see him, waved as she inserted the key in the lock. “Hey yourself! What are you doing here?”

  “I came to give you a push for another item on your winter bucket list. Oh …” His enthusiasm plummeted when Nick Standard followed Kelsey onto the sidewalk. Neither did he have any idea why the man irritated him so much. Maybe because he resembled the guy who had stolen his last girl.

  “Hi, Tyler.” Nick flashed a grin and eyed Tyler’s bag. “Been shopping?”

  Tyler swallowed. “It’s for Kelsey.”

  “OK, well, I’ll see you Sunday at three, right?” Nick turned to Kelsey. She nodded. She actually nodded. “Do you like Italian, or do you want to try that new French bistro? I hear they have good music on the weekends.”

  “Sure, I’d love to try it.”

  “I can’t wait.” Standard leaned forward with a hand at Kelsey’s back and brushed a kiss against her hair. Pretending to be French now? Tyler wanted to toss him and his city ways onto the street for Carl the carriage-drawing Clydesdale to stomp. But he recognized tit for tat. When he’d left the store Monday, he’d confirmed horseback riding plans with Kelsey in front of Nick.

  As Nick unlocked his Mercedes with a chirp, Kelsey waved. Her gaze followed the progress of the white carriage behind him. The family inside the slow-moving vehicle waved back. Tyler noticed the flush on
Kelsey’s cheeks, a pulse of excitement that he suspected had nothing to do with his unexpected appearance.

  She whirled toward him, eyes sparkling. “Is that it?”

  “What?”

  “My bucket list item. Is it a carriage ride?”

  “Now that would hardly be daring, would it?” Tyler offered her the bag. “These are my mom’s.”

  Kelsey held up a matching white hat, scarves and mittens. “What am I supposed to do with them?”

  “Wear them ice skating?”

  “Right now?”

  “No time like the present.”

  To his relief, she laughed. “Okay, but you have to feed me. I get hangry when I skip meals.”

  “We can go to the French bistro this minute.”

  Kelsey wagged her head at him as she looped her arm through his and squeezed. “I’ll take a hot dog from the food truck.”

  If his jealousy gave her confidence with him, maybe some good could come from this unwanted contest with Nick.

  They found the portable ice rink in the park not too crowded for enjoyment. Tyler paid for hot dogs and cokes, and while they sat on a bench to eat, Kelsey told him about someone depositing her rent.

  He smiled at the joy wreathing her face, a nice change from tears and worry. “Looks like it’s lifted a load off you.”

  “It surely has. I suspect my parents or Miss Hannah, although I’ve tried to keep my financial struggles from both. I want to prove I can make it without their intervention. I’ll get them to ‘fess up and repay them as soon as I can.”

  “Maybe you should leave it alone. I’m guessing they don’t want to be repaid. The success of your business is worth a helping hand now and then.”

  “I guess.”

  “I can’t tell you how many times my folks bailed out Chestatee Excursions in the early days. But … I admire your determination to be independent.” Tossing his wrapper, Tyler pulled the white hat out of the bag. He waited until Kelsey finished her last bite before drawing the knit brim over the crown of her head. Her curls sprang out like corkscrews, while her long lashes framed wide hazel eyes fixed on him in sudden alarm. Cute? He was beginning to find that an understatement. “Skate rental time.”

  The skates sported thick blades for amateurs, but Tyler didn’t mind at all that Kelsey’s wobbly legs made her cling to anything within reach—including him. She palmed the guard rail on one side and his hand on the other as they inched their way around the rink, while “All I Want for Christmas is You” jangled from the loudspeakers. When he finally convinced her to leave the rim, he turned and reached for both her hands. He wanted her focus on him, not the slick surface, and not the city slicker.

  “You can skate backwards?” she cried. “How are you so good at this?”

  A surge of pride that he’d impressed her faded as he recalled how others had discounted both his athleticism and his practical know-how once they realized it wouldn’t lead to wealth or fame.

  Sensitive to the change in his expression, Kelsey reached for his elbow. “What’s wrong?”

  The motion sent her skates toe-to-toe with his. And her face nose-to-nose with his.

  “Oh,” Kelsey gasped.

  Securing her with an arm, Tyler whispered, “Nothing’s wrong.”

  With Kelsey so close, Tyler realized he’d been lonely longer than he’d let himself admit. Her heart belonged in this mountain town. Maybe he wanted it to belong to him, too?

  He could tell from Kelsey’s startled expression it was too early to really lay one on her, but forget that French air kissing. The moment was too perfect to let pass. So, he sealed it with a chaste peck on her sweet, warm lips.

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  Kelsey couldn’t stop thinking about Tyler and the kiss at the ice skating rink. She thought about it between ringing up sales when weekend customers flooded her store before and after the parade. During church, she prayed for God to remove her attraction to the man if she offered nothing but a passing flirtation to a bored bachelor. But her mind still returned to that moment as Nicholas Standard revved the engine of his black Mercedes on the curvy road to the resort. The rustic beauty of the lodge ought to have captured her, especially when Nick consulted her on what furniture should go where and introduced her to his employees like she was royalty.

  Dinner proved totally elegant. When Nick’s blue eyes focused on her like lasers over the candlelit table, Kelsey started getting mad. Because she should be enjoying this. Even if Nick only saw her as a means to a business end, this was the type of date she’d always dreamed of. And Tyler Jackson had to go and ruin it with a kiss—no, a peck—that was just enough to tantalize and confuse her.

  He hadn’t even said anything after it happened. He’d just joked and played, stealing her scarf and making her thump after him to get it. He bought her hot chocolate and tipped her nose with the whipped cream. Basically, he flirted like a high schooler, without saying anything about his intentions, and waved her off with thanks for a fun evening when he walked her back to her car. And he hadn’t texted or called since.

  “So you’ve heard of my mill-to-loft apartments in Gainesville,” Nick was saying. “I want to do more of that, regenerating the old and abandoned for today’s purposes.”

  “A lot like what I do,” Kelsey observed, finishing the last of her Hachis Parmentier, the French version of shepherd’s pie.

  “Exactly. But on a bigger scale. You ate that fast. Still hungry?”

  Kelsey wouldn’t admit that she still was, lest Nick again offer her a bite of his Blanquette de Veau. She had no desire to sample veal ragout, especially out of his bowl.

  “You should try something more exotic. I’ll order dessert when the waiter returns. Anyway, what was I saying?”

  “You were speaking of your future plans.”

  Nick snapped his fingers. “Right. People think I’m swooping in to make money and then hitting the road. There’s this resistance to outside influence. Have you noticed that?”

  “Not really. Everyone’s been super nice.” Not meeting Nick’s eyes, Kelsey tucked a stray curl behind her ear.

  “On the surface, yes. They say ‘hi’ to you in the grocery store, whereas they look right past you in Atlanta, but these mountain people are clannish. They really don’t want you putting down roots in their soil.” Nick sat back for a long swallow of wine. “Well, I have news for them. That makes me want to stay all the more.”

  “You want to develop the Jackson farm.”

  “I do. That’s a prime location. People will jump on a subdivision with enough land to preserve the country feel, even if they don’t have horses. But can you imagine how well an event barn would do? Offering barbeque and beer at the end of a trail ride, as well as a venue for corporate functions and weddings?”

  “It’s a smart plan, catering to the tourists and the locals. But what will you do if the Jacksons don’t sell?”

  Nick leaned forward and reached for her hand, surprising her so much she tried to pull away. He held her fingers fast in his. “I’ll find a way to hang around. I owe it to my grandma.”

  “Your grandma?”

  “Yeah, she got some work in this area when she was young, but she was German, and the locals drove her away.”

  Kelsey didn’t know how to react to the disgust that twisted Nick’s face. “Oh … that’s awful.”

  He shrugged. “It was the past. I’m talking about now. I like it here. I belong here. And you give me extra incentive to stay.”

  “Nick, I—I don’t know …”

  “No pressure, Kelsey. I just want to make my interest clear.”

  Freeing her hand, Kelsey crossed an arm over her chest. “Ah, thank you. I’m flattered.” Despite her words, the old warning sensors clanged in her head. Best to shoot straight. “I guess I figured you’d go for a big time career woman.” Or a hot model.

  “We’re like minds, Kelsey. Did you not see that today?”

  “Maybe.” Kelsey dropped her gaze, ran her finger around
the rim of her water glass. As much as Nick had tried to make her comfortable, she still felt out of her element with him. Like a child playing dress-up. “Nick, did you … put money on my coffee tab?”

  He ran a hand over the five o’clock shadow on his square jaw, hiding a smirk.

  “You did!”

  “I told you I believe in payback. For good or bad.”

  “And the December lease payment? Was that you, too?”

  Discomfort flashed across Nick’s face before he concealed it. “I plead the fifth. Just know that I care about you, Kelsey, and I want you to succeed. I hope our relationship develops to where you’ll ask me for help when you need it.”

  He hadn’t wanted her to know he’d paid the lease. Kelsey’s heart melted with gratitude, prompting her to reach back across the table. “Thank you, but I’m going to pay you back.”

  “No, you’re not.” Nick raised her fingers to his lips for a tingling kiss.

  Maybe Angel was right. It was time to give herself a little credit and stop judging men based on her past experience with boys.

  Kelsey’s phone buzzed as the waiter delivered dessert menus. She peeked to see a message from Tyler, asking if he could bring a surprise by her apartment later that evening. And just that fast, she was back on the ice rink in his arms.

  Intrigued just like he knew she’d be, Kelsey gave Tyler a time she hoped would fall after Nick left. But the man lingered over crème brulee and coffee, and when he drove her home he expressed interest in the projects in her garage. He exclaimed over her creativity in the way she’d wished Tyler would, seeming especially impressed by the tabletop desk she was in the process of sanding down.

  “How much for this?” he asked, lifting the lid.

  “I’m afraid that isn’t for sale. I’ve promised it to Miss Hannah for Christmas.”

  Nick ran a hand along the smooth compartments inside, looking up with a glow that would’ve softened her heart under different circumstances. “I’ll give you a great price.”

  Kelsey drew her lips in with regret. “No can do. She’s already seen it.”

  The rumble of a truck engine shifted her attention to the driveway. Tyler. He hopped out of his vehicle and frowned at Nick’s Mercedes, then at the man still examining the desk in her garage. Not knowing how to greet him, Kelsey went to give Tyler a half hug.