Snowed in with the Reluctant Tycoon

by Nina Singh

  “It’s not like it was really noticed when I was gone,” she added, shocking him. “As long as I returned home at a reasonable hour.”

  He waited in silence, giving her a chance to continue or stop. Though he was itching to know the truth behind that statement. He almost breathed a sigh of relief when she started speaking again.

  “As you know, I was the middle child,” she said, and highlighted an item on the page she was studying. “Sometimes, often, actually, that might be why I was easy to overlook.”

  “So you sought refuge here.”

  She nodded. “Books always gave me a whole other world to call my own. And even during the busy months, I always found it peaceful here.” She finally looked up at him then. His breath caught at the depth of feeling shining in her eyes. “My sisters always had something that needed tending to. Tammy being the oldest was always on the brink of something new. The twins were so small, and they were double the work. And Janie...well, you’ve seen Janie.” She blinked as if pushing away a thought. “My parents were always busy with one or all of them at once. I thought it best to just try to stay out of the way.”

  He didn’t quite get her last point about her next older sister but didn’t dare interrupt her.

  “Me, I had my books at Hammond’s Toys,” she added.

  Justin wanted to kick himself. He hadn’t fully grasped her connection to this place. No wonder she was so invested in the success of the store. Still, he’d never, ever made a business decision based on anything but hard-core facts and data.

  Logically, there was no reason to start doing anything differently now.

  So why did he feel like such a lowly heel?

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  A CHILLY GUST of wind met Carli and Justin as they stepped outside later that afternoon. The light, barely noticeable flurries of earlier had turned into a steady snowfall.

  Justin had tried really hard to focus on the plans for the store Mr. Freider had been discussing with them and on the figures he’d presented. But his usual sharp focus had failed him. He couldn’t stop thinking about what the store manager had said to Carli. That Warren had somehow done Carli wrong. And then all the things Carli had revealed to him as they sat over the binders.

  “Aunt Carli! Mr. Justin!” A child’s voice rang out. Across the street, in what looked to be the town square, stood a short squat figure in a thick coat and a bright red hat. Ray. His mom sat reading on a bench a few feet away.

  Justin felt an automatic and genuine smile. Carli immediately started walking to them, and he followed.

  “Hey, little man,” she said when she reached her nephew. “What are you up to?”

  His mother stood and gave them a warm greeting.

  “We got some hot chocolate and a doughnut. And then I wanted to build a snowman. There it is.” He pointed to a bowling-ball-size pile of snow in the center of the square. “I just started.”

  “He wanted to enter the snowman contest. But he was told he’d have to wait a few more years before being eligible,” Tammy offered.

  Ray’s lip quivered. “It’s not fair. Both Aunt Marnie and Aunt Perri are doin’ it.”

  “They’re quite a bit older than you.” Carli looked up at her sister. “They’ve entered again, huh? Those two can’t resist finding ways to compete with each other.”

  “Don’t I know it.”

  Carli addressed Justin. “It never goes well. We’ll just have to pray that neither one finals if the other doesn’t.”

  Justin lifted an eyebrow in question. “Or?”

  “Or you’ll see fireworks in the middle of December.”

  Before he could comment, he felt a tug on his pant leg. “Wanna help me build a snowman, Mr. Justin?”

  The question took Justin aback. He’d never actually built a snowman. Or a snow anything for that matter. Not even as a child. But how hard could it be? You just had to make three big balls of snow, then stack them.

  He shrugged. “Sure, why not?”

  Carli was staring at him with something akin to surprise on her face. “What?” he asked her. “Do you now doubt my snowman-making ability the same way you doubted my mechanical skills?” He wiggled his eyebrows at her in mock offense. That earned him a giggle from all three of his companions.

  “Maybe we should hold our own little competition then?” he challenged.

  “Yeah!” Ray chimed in, excitement ringing in his voice. “It’ll be Aunt Carli and Mom against me and Mr. Justin. Boys against girls!”

  “And who’s going to judge?” Carli asked.

  Ray looked over to the toy store. Mr. Freider stood by the window working on a Yuletide display. He gave them a friendly wave. “Mr. Freider will!”

  Justin held his hands up. “Wait a minute. We need some kind of wager, or it’s hardly worth it.”

  “Losers have to shovel Mom’s walkway after the nor’easter,” Tammy offered.

  “Agreed.” Justin gave Ray a fist bump. “Let’s get started.”

  About thirty minutes later, he was definitely regretting his decision. The women had a medium-height structure that they’d clothed with Carli’s scarf and decorated with various items from Tammy’s handbag. It sported a trendy pair of sunglasses and a bright hair bow.

  He and Ray had barely managed to form two balls of snow, and the one they tried to put above the other kept rolling off. Ray looked to be on the verge of tears. But to his credit, he was trying to keep it together.

  Justin knelt to his height. “Don’t worry. I have an idea. Trust me, okay?”

  Ray gave him a brave nod.

  They called Mr. Freider out to commence with the judging. He took one look at the males’ creation and crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Is your snowman laying down?”

  “That’s a snow turtle!” Ray informed him.

  Mr. Freider bent closer to look at the two uneven balls of snow that Ray and Justin had pushed together. Two black pebbles sat atop the smaller one.

  “Those are his eyes,” Justin added, trying very hard to keep a straight face.

  “I see.” Mr. Freider rubbed his chin, deeply considering. He turned to the ladies’ snowman, then back to their “turtle.”

  Ray actually looked nervous. The poor kid was probably holding his breath, Justin thought.

  “I have a decision,” Mr. Freider declared. “Anyone can make a snowman. But a Christmas turtle? Now that’s something special. The boys win!” he said with a dramatic bow in their direction. Ray squealed in delight and ran over to give him a high five.

  Tammy and Carli protested with outrage. But Mr. Freider stood firm. “I have made my decision.” He shook Ray’s hand and then Justin’s to congratulate their victory.

  It was right then that Justin felt something cold and wet hit the back of his neck. Someone had just fired off a snowball! The culprit was no mystery. Carli had a distinctively smug look on her face. With no hint of guilt whatsoever.

  Well, two could play at that game. He picked up a handful of snow and formed it into a tight ball, threw it right at her midsection. But she was too fast for him. She ducked to the side just in time. Then managed to pelt him with another snowball she’d prepared and had at the ready.

  In moments, all five of them were ducking and launching snow at each other. Mr. Freider even joined in. Justin was marveling at the older man’s accurate aim when Carli smacked him with yet another one. It landed on the side of his head that time. She clearly thought that was hilarious. Her laughter filled the air. Laughter at his expense!

  That was it. Justin gave chase. He caught up to her by the side of the large gazebo that stood in the center of the square.

  Grabbing her by the waist, he pulled her into his grasp from behind. She giggled and squirmed in his arms.

  “You are not getting away.
Sore loser.”

  “Let me go,” she demanded, still laughing.

  But then he turned her to face him. They stood nose to nose, his arms still wrapped around her middle. Her cheeks were rosy, eyes lit up with merriment. Her curly dark hair was in complete disarray, falling out of her wool knit cap.

  She was the most stunning woman he’d ever laid eyes on.

  He knew he should let her go. Knew they were in the middle of a very public square. But even under her thick coat, he could feel the warmth of her skin. The faint scent of her fruity shampoo tickled his nose.

  He was too far gone; there was no way he would be able to stop himself from kissing her.

  So he didn’t even try to resist.

  * * *

  Carli’s laughter died on her lips as Justin leaned in. Before she knew it, somehow his lips were on hers. Her breath caught in her throat at the contact. A heady shiver ran down her spine, clear to her toes. His lips were firm and warm against mouth. Just as she’d imagined. And she had imagined it.

  And now here he was, holding her. Kissing her.

  This was insanity, complete foolishness. She was standing in the middle of Westerson town square in Justin Hammond’s arms as they kissed. The taste of his mouth on hers felt like paradise. Every single cell along her skin tingled with desire. She’d been trying to fight it, but now there was no denying. She was attracted to him like she’d never been to any other man.

  It scared her silly.

  Justin was merely in New England for a business project. He had his own life, and his own business back on the West Coast. Oh, and there was also the small matter of him being heir to the company she worked for. She had to regain some sense.

  With a sigh of regret, she made herself pull out of his grasp. Forcing herself to meet his eyes, she realized Justin looked just as shaken as she was.

  A small hand tugged at the hem of her coat. “Hey. I thought you said he wasn’t your boyfriend. Why you kissing him then?” Ray demanded.

  Heavens, how in the world was she supposed to respond to the child? Not like she had any kind of real answer.

  She looked away, desperate to come up with something she could say. Only to find her sister staring at her, eyes wide with shock. Great, just great. There was no way this little event wouldn’t be shared with every member of her family.

  Mr. Freider muttered something about having to return to the store and walked away. She was certain she’d seen a hint of a smile on the his face.

  Correction, Carli thought. The bit of news about Carli kissing her boss would be shared with every member of the town, not just her immediate family. How could she have been so reckless?

  She took a deep breath, fighting to regain some composure.

  Thankfully, her sister saved her from having to answer Ray when she walked up and lifted the boy into her arms. “Hey, you’re looking pretty wet. Let’s get you home and cleaned up.”

  Carli mouthed a silent thank you. The look her sister returned left no question that they would be discussing the matter in due time. Carli suppressed a groan at that prospect. Nevertheless, Tammy had just saved her from what would have no doubt been a cringe-inducing conversation with her nephew. Now, if only someone would save her from what was sure to follow with Justin.

  * * *

  Justin looked down out his window at Main Street Westerson. The late-afternoon sun shone glaringly on the thin blanket of snow that covered the town. And word was there was more snow expected. The forecast predicted a powerful nor’easter that really just sounded to him like an overblown snowstorm. If he’d experienced any during his childhood, he couldn’t recall. Not that he would. He’d perfected the art of burying his childhood memories over the years.

  He was way more focused on the storm that had been brewing inside him. He’d managed to get in a few hours of work, but it had been like swimming against the current. The events of the morning kept playing through his head.

  The walk with Carli when she’d reacted so strangely to Warren as they’d encountered him. Mr. Freider’s words about whatever had happened between the two of them.

  The snowball fight. And what it had somehow inexplicably led to. The way Carli had responded when he’d kissed her.

  Justin rammed a frustrated hand through his hair. This was useless. He wasn’t going to get anything done when his mind was a jumble of thoughts about Carli.

  The digital clock on his nightstand read close to five o’clock. A bit earlier than he normally liked to eat but getting dinner would at least give him something mundane to do. He’d noticed a charming mom-and-pop pizza joint this morning on the way to the store. And the walk would do him good. Grabbing his coat, he took the stairs to the first floor.

  Almost everyone he ran into on his way either offered a friendly nod or a smile. Several said a simple hello. This was so not Seattle. Or any other city he’d visited over the years. The townspeople of Westerson were beyond friendly straight to outgoing. It explained Carli’s personality somewhat. She was a product of this town.

  Maybe it was just the approach of Christmas that had all of them behaving in such a manner. This atmosphere couldn’t be a permanent characteristic, could it? He wasn’t going to be here long enough to find out.

  Either way, he was enjoying it now, but he wasn’t the type who could really fit into a town like this. Everyone knew each other. He preferred the anonymity of the big city.

  He made it to the pizza parlor where an early crowd of hungry customers had already gathered. The rich aroma of tangy tomato sauce and yeasty dough made his stomach growl. He’d intended to get a slice or two but decided a whole pie might be in order.

  Someone tapped him on the back as he stood in line.

  One of Carli’s younger twin sisters. “I thought that was you,” Perri told him with a smile.

  “Fancy meeting you here.”

  Her eyes narrowed on him with confusion. What a fuddy-duddy thing to say to a teenager. “It must be pizza Sunday in Westerson, huh?” he asked, motioning to the growing crowd.

  “Nah, it’s always this packed at Diammatta’s. Plus there’s a hockey game on tonight. Pizza and hockey go great together.”

  “I suppose they do.”

  “You don’t watch hockey?”

  “No, not really. I’m more of a baseball fan.”

  She shrugged. “Anyway, I hope this doesn’t take too long.”

  “You have plans?” What was there for a teen to do in a town this small?

  “I wanna go work on my snowman. For the competition over at the tree farm next week. They decide the winner on Wednesday.”

  “I heard about that. You and your sister both entered”

  Perri rolled her eyes. “Don’t know why she bothers. As if she could beat me.” There was no animosity or spite in the way she said it. Just a healthy dose of youthful confidence.

  “Pretty sure you’ll win, huh?” he asked, then thought about his pathetic attempt earlier with Ray. That only had him remembering the kiss he’d shared with Carli.

  Damn.

  The pizza line was barely moving despite several people taking orders behind the counter. Not that he was in a rush; the only thing waiting for him was an empty hotel room and a bottle of beer from the mini fridge.

  “Marnie doesn’t stand a chance,” Perri declared. “She’s been talking smack about it all week. I’ll show her. Wait till you see my creation.”

  “I wasn’t really planning on attending, actually.”

  She looked him up and down. “Well, why not?”

  Justin shrugged. “I wasn’t really invited.”

  “Well, consider yourself invited as of this very moment. By the likely contest winner, no less. Oh, and you should join us for dinner tonight too.”

  It struck Justin how poised this young l
ady was, how composed and confident. She’d met him two days ago. Yet she felt certain he would be accepted and welcome at her house for dinner, without having to run it by anyone else. Whatever Louise and her husband had done in raising their girls, they’d instilled in them a strong sense of self-worth. A rare thing these days.

  The real question was, would Carli feel the same way about Perri’s invitation? He had to admit, he really wanted to see her.

  “Come on,” Perri insisted. “Have pizza at our house.”

  He did owe the Tynan family a meal. They’d so graciously cooked for him his first night here. The least he could do was reciprocate with pizza tonight.

  “I’d love to. On one condition.”

  “What’s that?”

  “The pizza is my treat.”

  She grinned. “I can’t think of a reason to turn that down.”

  Maybe not. But Carli probably might. Would she be angry that Justin had found a way to see her? It was a chance he was willing to take.

  It took close to an hour, but they were finally out the door with several steaming boxes of thick crusty pizza with various toppings. Perri made them rush back to the Tynan house to keep them as hot as possible. Between the steam from the boxes and the near run, Justin was in a sweat by the time they reached the front porch.

  Carli was the one who answered the door. The shock on her face at seeing him on the other side had him questioning the spontaneous decision to come.

  “Look who I found at Diammatta’s!” Perri exclaimed as they made their way in. “He’s treating us.”

  Carli’s mom and dad were already in the kitchen, pulling out plates and cups. “How nice,” both parents said in unison.

  He noticed Carli didn’t make eye contact as he moved past her to put down the pizzas. A whiff of her shampoo wafted to his nostrils, and his thoughts immediately went once again to the kiss they’d shared. It hadn’t been his wisest move, but he’d hardly been thinking straight when he’d kissed her. Hell, he could barely think straight now with her just standing in the same room. He’d thought about that kiss all afternoon, had barely been able to focus on a conference call with his office assistant back home. The way she’d tasted, the way she’d felt in his arms. The way she’d responded.