Covert Christmas

by Hope White

“He needs my help, Mom,” Bree said. “I can’t turn my back on him.”

  * * *

  Bree and Scott returned to the resort around dinnertime. She suggested they order room service, but he said he wanted to sleep and would order it later.

  He was dismissing her for the evening, at least that’s how it felt. So she went back to her place and straightened up, then took Fiona for a walk on the resort property. She kept Scott’s room in her sights as she passed by. A soft glow emanated from behind the sheer curtains. Figuring he was awake, she considered swinging by, but stopped herself. She didn’t want to seem desperate, because she wasn’t.

  He’d been clear that he wanted some space, the night to recover from the day’s events. She couldn’t blame him.

  The resort’s Christmas lights clicked on, bathing her in a soft glow of green, red and white.

  “Look at that, Fiona,” she said. “It’s almost Christmas.”

  “What are you doing out here?” Aiden said, locking the barn and heading toward her.

  “What does it look like?” Ease up, Bree. He’s your brother and he loves you. “Fiona needed a walk. The lights look great.”

  “Think we need more?” he asked.

  Awesome, they were talking about work, having a normal conversation.

  “More? Hmm. I think the split rail is perfect, but—” Bree turned and studied the building “—maybe more on the lodge itself?”

  “I purposely didn’t put a lot up there because the guests can’t see it from their windows.”

  “Yes, but think about how it will look if they take a walk, or even how pretty it would look to frame the outline of the building with a row of icicle lights in front.”

  “Huh, now there’s an idea. I don’t suppose you’d want to climb up there and string them along the roof?”

  “Not in my job description.” She winked.

  “Speaking of your job, I heard you took off early to help that guy.”

  “Scott.”

  “Whatever. Mom called.”

  “And we were having such a nice conversation about Christmas lights,” Bree muttered.

  “I’ve given up on the lectures.”

  She smiled at him. “Really?”

  “Don’t look so pleased. I’m still your boss and you still owe me thirty hours a week.”

  “I know that, Aiden.”

  “Good. I’ll walk you back to the cottage.”

  Bree wasn’t going to win an argument about wanting to stay out a little longer. Aiden obviously had things to do, but he wouldn’t leave her until he knew she was safely home.

  Her brother needed a distraction, and not a business distraction. She’d told her friend Billie she planned to play matchmaker with Aiden, only she hadn’t found the perfect woman to counter Aiden’s strength and obstinate nature.

  She’d worry about that later, after Scott’s situation was resolved.

  “Thanks,” she said to Aiden as she approached her porch. She motioned Fiona into the yard and shut the gate. No reason the dog couldn’t enjoy another hour of fresh air.

  “Be good,” Aiden said in that brotherly tone.

  “Of course.” She went inside.

  Locking the door behind her, she realized how much she craved Christmas in her own home. She decided to pull a few things out of her storage closet to get in the spirit of Christmas. Tonight she’d check strands of lights to make sure there weren’t any burned out bulbs and who knows, maybe she’d hang some tomorrow. With all the craziness going on, it would be nice to focus on something normal.

  Heading for the kitchen, she heard Fiona burst into a round of aggressive barking outside. Must be a bear, or coyote. She went to the sink to pour a glass of water.

  And noticed a strange car out back.

  Shivers trickled across her back. Listen to your fear; respect it. The most important lesson she’d learned in self-defense class.

  The floorboards creaked behind her.

  A man was in the room.

  Focus and visualize your next move. Do not let him sense your fear.

  “You need to come with me,” a deep male voice said.

  She took a slow, calming breath.

  “If you come willingly, everything will be okay.”

  “Who are you?” she said, readying herself for battle.

  “I’m a problem solver. Becket’s a problem and you can help me solve it.”

  He touched her shoulder.

  She spun around and delivered a palm strike to the nose to disorient him.

  “Ah!” The guy instinctively reached for his nose.

  She went on the offensive, delivering three quick punches. He gasped and stumbled back.

  Bree took off for the front door. Her phone, where was her phone? Racing through the cottage, her heartbeat pounding in her ears, she rushed down the front steps and glanced briefly over her shoulder—

  And slammed into another man’s chest.

  FOURTEEN

  “No!” she cried, her eyes pinched shut as she struggled to get away. She would not be brutalized by these men, not in front of her home with her dog on the other side of the fence, and her brother a few hundred feet away.

  She slammed her boot against the top of his foot.

  “Ouch, Breanna, stop. It’s me.”

  She opened her eyes and was looking up at Scott.

  “A man,” she gasped, gripping his jacket. “There’s a man in my house.”

  “Get Fiona and go get security.”

  Adrenaline clouding her thoughts, she didn’t move for a second.

  “Come on.” He led her to the fence and opened the gate. Fiona barked and danced around him. “I know, girl, I know,” he said, petting her head. “Go to the resort and find security, now!”

  Bree took off, commanding Fiona to pace beside her. They sprinted across the property, Bree panicked not only about her own safety, but also Scott’s. She needed to get help, and fast.

  She swiped her key card and rushed into the southeast entrance. Grabbing the nearest wall phone, she dialed the security office. No one answered.

  She rushed to the front desk, Fiona obediently sticking close, and spotted Nia working on a computer. “Nia, find Harvey, or Aiden, or both.”

  “What’s going on?” Nia pressed buttons on her phone and held the receiver to her ear.

  “Someone broke into my place.”

  Nia refocused on the phone. “Harvey, it’s Nia. Someone broke into Bree’s cottage.... No, she’s here with me.”

  “Scott’s over there,” Bree offered.

  “Scott Becket is at Bree’s—”

  “What was he doing there?” Aiden’s angry voice said as he approached.

  Bree whirled around. “I don’t know. I went inside after you left and there was a guy in my kitchen and he said he’s a problem solver and Scott’s the problem, but I’m the solution and...and...”

  “Whoa, take a breath.” Her brother pulled her into a hug. “You’re okay now.”

  She pushed against his chest. “Yes, but no, but Scott went inside to check it out and he could be in trouble. You’ve got to help him, Aiden.”

  Aiden glanced calmly at Nia. “Where’s Harvey?”

  “On his way to the cottage.”

  “Good. Call 9-1-1.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Aiden looked at Bree. “It’s handled, okay?”

  It wouldn’t be okay until she knew Scott was safe. She also knew her brother had combat training and could help Harvey neutralize a dangerous man.

  “You have to help them, Aiden.”

  “Bree—”

  “Why won’t you help, because it’s Scott and you don’t care if he gets hurt? How can you be so sel
fish?”

  “You are my priority, Bree, not some stranger who keeps putting you in danger,” Aiden said.

  “Coward.”

  Nia gasped. Bree regretted the word the minute it came out of her mouth, but she couldn’t control her frustration.

  Aiden held her gaze, his bright blue eyes filled with what seemed like shame.

  “I’m sorry,” Bree said. “I’m upset, please forgive me.”

  “If you promise to stay here, I’ll go help Harvey.”

  Bree studied him, trying to figure out what was going on inside that head of his.

  “I’m waiting,” he said.

  “I promise.”

  He nodded at Nia. “Keep an eye on my sister.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Aiden marched down the hall, ripping the radio off his belt. Fiona started to follow him.

  “Fiona, right here,” Bree said.

  The retriever rushed back to her master.

  “I shouldn’t have said that,” Bree whispered.

  “No kidding,” Nia muttered.

  Bree snapped her attention to the twenty-six-year-old concierge. “I’m worried about Scott,” Bree said, “and Aiden was an Army Ranger so why wouldn’t he offer to help? I mean, what am I missing?”

  Nia fiddled with the computer. “Let’s see, he was an Army Ranger and now in civilian life he avoids violent situations.” Nia glanced up at Bree. “You do the math.”

  “Wait, you mean he’s having PTSD issues?”

  Nia nodded.

  “How could I not know this? And how did you know?”

  Nia shook her head.

  “Nia? Tell me.”

  “A couple of months ago I came in early to work out before my shift and was doing a few laps around the property. I heard a man shouting, a frightening sound. It was coming from Aiden’s cottage. His bedroom window was open so I peeked inside.” She sighed. “He was having a nightmare. It was horrible.”

  “What did you do?”

  “I pounded on the front door to wake him up. When he finally made it to the door, he looked confused and disoriented. I realized I didn’t have a valid reason for knocking.”

  “His nightmare.”

  “I didn’t want him to know that I’d heard him, so I made something up about the chocolate tour in Seattle for our guests.”

  Bree glanced down the hall where Aiden disappeared. “You think violence triggers the nightmares?”

  “It’s a logical assumption.”

  “He should talk to someone, Reverend Charles, or a counselor.”

  “Your brother is a proud man. That would be admitting he has a problem.”

  “No wonder he dislikes Scott.”

  “What do you mean?” Nia asked.

  “Scott represents violence and vulnerability.”

  “A traumatic combination.”

  A police cruiser pulled up in front of the resort, lights flashing, but no siren.

  Officer Carrington rushed into the lobby. “There was a call for breaking and entering?”

  “Yes, my cottage. Come on, this is the quickest way.”

  “Bree, you promised to stay here,” Nia said.

  “I’ll keep my distance, promise.”

  Bree motioned to the cop and they headed down the hall and out the back. In the distance, Bree could make out the silhouette of Harvey’s security truck, but not much else.

  “Is the intruder still on the premises?” Officer Carrington asked.

  “I don’t know, but I think Scott went inside to check it out and Harvey and my brother went to help him.”

  “Wait here.”

  She watched him jog across the property and approach her cottage, withdrawing his firearm. As Fiona danced around her legs, Bree kept her eyes trained to her house. She wanted to go there so badly, but wouldn’t break her word to Aiden, especially after realizing what he was risking by being there.

  Please, Lord, don’t let the intruder hurt Scott or cause my brother any more emotional pain.

  Understanding her brother’s condition helped Bree make sense of his behavior this past week. It also flooded her with compassion that countered her frustration with his overprotectiveness.

  The minutes passed slowly, Fiona anxious to either go for a walk or go home, and Bree anxious to know if the three men she cared about were safe.

  Someone got in the truck and it headed toward her. Harvey pulled into a nearby parking spot. She rushed to the driver’s side window.

  “It’s okay, he’s gone,” Harvey said. “I think Officer Carrington is going to want a description from you.”

  “Aiden?”

  “He’s still there, told me to find you and bring you back.”

  “And Scott?”

  “By the time he got into the house the guy was gone.”

  She and Fiona climbed into the front seat for the short drive.

  “I’m sorry,” Harvey said.

  “What? Why?”

  “I should have told your brother about you hanging from the rafters, but I didn’t want to put one more thing on his plate. I should have known they’d come after you in your own place.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. The only people to blame here are the men after Scott.”

  They pulled up in front of her cottage and got out. Aiden was waiting on the front porch.

  “Your friend is fine,” Aiden said.

  “Thank you so much.” She went up and gave him a hug.

  “Pack a bag.”

  “Why?” she said.

  “I want to move you into the resort where you’ll be safe.”

  “No.”

  “What are you trying to prove here, Bree?”

  Scott stepped out onto the porch and she hugged him, as well.

  “Are you okay?” she asked.

  “Fine, frustrated that he got away, but fine.”

  “I’m so glad you were here when I came running outside.” She broke the embrace and looked at him. “Why were you here?”

  “I wanted to apologize for sending you away earlier. I was a little harsh.”

  “Like that’s ever worked with my sister,” Aiden muttered.

  “She’s not buying your idea about moving into the resort?” Scott said.

  Aiden shook his head.

  Scott tipped her chin with his forefinger so she’d look into his eyes. “We want you to be safe. There’s better security at the lodge and—”

  “I won’t be bullied out of my own home.”

  “Then you need tighter security,” Aiden said. “I’ll call Quinn and get his approval to install a foolproof security system tomorrow.”

  “Until it’s up and running, I’m not leaving your side,” Scott said.

  “If anyone’s staying close, it’s me,” Aiden countered.

  “Let’s make it three and have a slumber party.” Harvey marched up the stairs into the house and Fiona enthusiastically followed him.

  “Wait, wait, wait,” Bree said. “I don’t need all of you here.”

  “Yeah, well—” Aiden walked up to her and hesitated “—maybe we need to be here.” He disappeared into the house.

  “Come on, let’s get you inside,” Scott said, scanning the property. “Officer Carrington is still going through the house, but he’ll take your statement when he’s done.”

  “It was the salt-and-pepper-haired guy—Rich.”

  They stepped into the house and Scott shut the door, took her hands and said, “I am truly sorry for any pain I’ve caused you.”

  “It’s not your fault, but thanks.”

  * * *

  The next morning Scott awoke to the smell of cinnamon and nutmeg. He stretched and opened hi
s eyes.

  And saw Aiden glaring down at him holding a cup of coffee.

  “Morning, sunshine,” Aiden said.

  “Yep” is all Scott could get out. He was still a little groggy from his awkward night’s sleep on the living-room sofa. Aiden took the second bedroom upstairs and Harvey slept in the recliner.

  “Security company is sending someone to install the alarm system today,” Aiden said and sipped his coffee.

  “That was fast.” Scott sat up, gripping his head. The headache was back.

  “Coffee might clear up that head of yours, especially Bree’s coffee,” Aiden said.

  “Is she baking?”

  “Very astute. Yes, she bakes when she’s anxious. We can always tell when she’s having a bad day because she comes into work the next day with plates of sweets.”

  “Today’s gonna be one of those days, huh?” Scott rubbed his temples.

  “Looks like. Come on, you look like you need a strong cup a joe.”

  Scott stood up, thankful that he wasn’t dizzy and the bruised ribs didn’t hurt too much. He had to stay sharp, had to make sure “Rich” didn’t get to Bree again.

  Scott followed Aiden into the kitchen and hesitated in the doorway. Not only was every counter filled with cookies, brownies, muffins and small cakes, but Bree was nowhere in sight.

  “Where’s your sister?” he asked.

  “Upstairs changing. Guess baking is a dirty business.”

  “Huh.”

  Scott poured himself coffee and sipped. The brew tasted delicious, with a hint of something that tickled his tongue.

  “Wow,” he said, eyeing the mug.

  “She’s got many hidden talents.” Aiden put his mug in the sink. “Anyway, I’ve got a meeting. She should be down shortly.” Aiden started for the door.

  “Hey, Aiden?”

  “Yep?”

  “Thanks for letting me stay.”

  Aiden glanced at Scott with more of a pleading expression than an angry one. “Figure this thing out so she’s safe, okay?”

  “That’s the plan.”

  With a nod, Aiden headed down the hall to the front door.

  “Hey, you’re not leaving without a hug.” Bree’s voice carried from the top of the stairs. “Thanks again.”

  “Security company is coming between ten and two,” Aiden said.