Our First Christmas

by Lisa Jackson

  “You’ve met?” Nate asked.

  “Of course. She’s here for you,” Anya said. “I guess she couldn’t wait to see you.”

  “And you’re all right with this?” Nate said. Dani knew she should say something, but her tongue was made of lead.

  “I think it’s a fabulous idea,” Anya said. “She promised me it’s going to be a spectacular spread.”

  Nate choked on his tea. Luckily, Dani had turned hers down. She still couldn’t bring herself to touch the china.

  “Nate’s ex-girlfriend is going to spread what?” Victoria shouted.

  “Nate’s what?” Anya said. She frowned, looked at Dani again. “You said you were from a magazine,” she said.

  “I am,” Dani said. “The Softer Side.” She turned to Nate. “We’re doing a feature on A Southern Christmas and I want to get you and your sculptures into the feature,” Dani said.

  “That’s Nate’s ex,” Victoria said. “And I tackled her.”

  “You’re Nate’s ex?” Anya said. “The one who—”

  “Would you like some tea, Anya, love?” Mrs. Pennington said.

  We overthrew your tea once before, we can do it again! Dani wanted to shout. “I’d better go,” Dani said. Before she scalded them all.

  “Why didn’t you tell me who you were?” Anya said. She was following right behind Dani.

  “I wanted to see Nate first,” Dani said. “I’m sure you understand.” She’d learned that from Adel. Whenever Adel had to tell someone something that they didn’t want to hear, she always added, “I’m sure you understand.”

  “Where’s your handsome sidekick?” Anya asked.

  “Who?” Nate said.

  “She’s traveling with a gentleman friend,” Anya said.

  “He’s just the photographer,” Dani said. A little flush of guilt invaded her cheeks. This wasn’t Sawyer’s fault. She didn’t mean to be so dismissive.

  “You two must come to the wedding,” Anya said. “Mustn’t they, Nathaniel?” She turned to Dani, beaming. “It’s going to be at his grandmother’s house on Christmas Eve.”

  Dani felt as if she’d been slammed by a pack of reindeer. She could not possibly have heard that right. His grandmother’s house? Ruth’s home? Dani wanted to cry. She loved Ruth’s home. It was her favorite house. How could he? She wanted to beat someone. She wondered where Sawyer was.

  “I doubt Dani wants to—”

  Anya suddenly grabbed Dani’s hands. “This is the best thing that could have happened,” she said.

  “It is?” Dani and Nate said.

  “Yes! Time to heal. And because of you, Nate was single again when I came to town. It was meant to be. You’re our Christmas angel.”

  “Please, don’t say that,” Dani said. “I came here—”

  “For the article, right. But you really came to see Nate, didn’t you?” Anya said.

  “Yes,” Dani said.

  “To tell him you wish him well. And to see for yourself. No matter how painful it was for the two of you, it was meant to be. Nate has me now. And you must be thrilled that his artwork is being recognized on an international scale now.”

  “I’ve always believed in Nate’s talent,” Dani said.

  “Of course you have. I’m sure if you had the connections I do, he would have been a star already.”

  “Anya,” Nate said. “Let’s not—”

  “He’s so down to earth,” Anya said. “I love that about him.” Anya strode over and stroked his cheek. Nate didn’t take her hand away. “Will we see you at the gala? Or as we’re calling it—our wedding?”

  “I wouldn’t miss it,” Dani said. Because it’s not going to happen. “But remember, I want to feature Nate in my article. So of course I was hoping to see a lot of him before that.”

  “Of course,” Anya said. “I think you should.”

  “I don’t think I have the time,” Nate said.

  “Why? Your grandmother and I have the gala and the wedding all in hand. The exposure will be wonderful, darling.”

  Darling. Gag, gag, gag, gag, gag.

  “Wonderful,” Nate said. He looked as if he was going to be ill.

  “Take as many pictures of my man as you need to,” Anya said. Then, Anya gave Dani a look. It was the equivalent of a school-yard taunt. Take a picture. It lasts longer.

  “The magazine would love it if I got a picture of a true Southern bride,” Dani said. Then she stopped and placed her hand over her mouth as if she couldn’t believe that had slipped out. “Sorry,” she said. “You’re not exactly a Southern bride, are you?”

  “I’m sure your little magazine won’t care,” Anya said. “It’s not like anyone has ever even heard of it.”

  “Anya,” Nate said.

  “It must be a letdown. You reject the best man on the face of the earth just to make something of yourself in New York—”

  “I didn’t reject, I just delayed—”

  “Anya—Dani—”

  “And instead Nate stays here and launches his artistic career beyond your imagination while you—what? Write articles for a magazine people use to line their birdcages?”

  “Anya, please,” Nate said.

  “It only takes one little article to launch a magazine to the top,” Danielle said. “Say a picture of an alligator in a Santa hat, or—hey, here’s an idea—a British girl trying to steal a Southern gentleman.”

  Anya snorted. “As if anyone is actually thinking such a thing. Nobody is stuck hundreds of years in the past!”

  “I’m sorry. Have you not met Ruth Hathaway?” Finally, Anya’s face let in a bit of emotion. Dani had struck the nail on the head. Ruth Hathaway was as miserable about this upcoming marriage as she was. Every year she still hung lanterns on her porch on the anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride. One if by land, two if by sea. Dani touched Anya’s arm. “Don’t you worry about a thing. Ruth loves me. I’ll put in a good word for you.”

  “Would you?” Anya said. “Would you really?”

  “Dani,” Nate said.

  “I mean it,” Dani said. “I really want to help.”

  “I do want Ruth to like me,” Anya said.

  “She’ll grow to love you,” Nate said.

  “You say that, but I know her blessing would mean so much to you.”

  “Leave it to me,” Dani said. “I’m at your service.”

  “I’m sorry I said that thing about birds shatting on your magazine.” And I’m sorry if I want to dump all of your parents’ tea into the Cape Fear River. “I really would appreciate it if you’d help me win over Nanna Hathaway,” Anya said.

  Nanna Hathaway. Who did she think she was? Dani had never even called her Nanna. Dani swallowed her anger, tilted her head, and smiled. “What are Christmas angels for?”

  Chapter 6

  Dani called her parents the minute she pulled out of the drive. Her father answered right away. Soon she was on speakerphone. Dani stopped short of telling them that the Penningtons were using the good china. She didn’t want her mother to have an attack.

  “You should have told us you were coming,” her mother said. “We would have stayed.”

  “I’m sorry. It was spur of the moment, and I thought it would be nice to surprise you,” Dani said.

  “Hop on a flight now,” Pauline said. “It’s not healthy for you to be there.”

  “I’m on assignment,” Dani said. Page one: Break up the wedding.

  “Darling, it’s been two years,” her mother said. “I think it’s good that you’re going to get some closure.” She didn’t want closure. She wanted Nate back. But she wasn’t going to start a fight. Her parents were the ones who had to deal with attitude from the locals after Dani turned down Nate’s proposal. She couldn’t very well tell them that it had all been a giant mistake. Surely they would be happy for her when she and Nate were officially back together. “What kind of assignment?” her mother asked as if she had just heard the statement. Dani filled them in. “I don’t like it,” her m
other said. “If we left town for Nate’s wedding, you certainly shouldn’t be there.” So that’s why they’d left.

  “Your mother’s right,” her father said. “Why don’t you cover ‘A California Christmas’ instead?”

  “It wasn’t my idea in the first place,” Dani said.

  “So what was it like seeing Nate again?” Pauline asked.

  Like coming home. And finding out the British had invaded all over again. “It went fine,” Dani said. “Look—I’d better go find a hotel.” Dani didn’t want to talk about Nate anymore. Especially when they sounded as if they didn’t want her near him. They said their good-byes, but before Dani could hang up there was a click and Pauline was on the line.

  “You’re off speaker,” she said. “I’m going into the kitchen.”

  “I really have to go.”

  “Don’t do it.”

  “Don’t do what?”

  “Danielle, you can’t fool me. I can hear it in your voice.”

  “I love him, Paulie. I’ve never stopped.”

  “Nonsense. Breaking up with Nate was the best decision you’ve ever made.”

  “How can you say that?”

  “Because you made something of yourself! You’re a staff writer for a magazine in New York City.”

  “It’s not all it’s cracked up to be.”

  “It’s a heck of a lot better than what you were before.”

  “And what was that?”

  “Nathaniel Hathaway’s shadow.”

  “I was not.” Was she?

  “Dani, I don’t want to argue. But you were, hon. I was so proud of you when you turned him down. Your entire life would have been wrapped up in a boring little bow.”

  “But he’s changed. He’s moving to London.”

  “He’s moving to London for her. He wouldn’t even move to New York for you.” It wasn’t anything Dani hadn’t said herself. She’d just thrown that little fact in Nate’s face. But it hurt to hear someone else say it. Instinctually she wanted to argue, defend herself and Nate. Sometimes the truth was just cruel.

  Sawyer was at the bar, with no less than three women laughing around him. Dani had to drag a stool over, and when one of the women still wouldn’t move, Dani had to put her hand on her shoulder. “We’re on the clock,” she said. “And I need to sit here.”

  The girl turned a perfect pout on Sawyer. He smiled. “Sorry, darlin’. But I’m sure I’ll see you again real soon.” The woman laughed, glared at Dani, and then slunk down the bar with the other two women in her wake.

  “They’re so friendly in the South,” Dani said sarcastically as she sat. She raised her hand, and when the young, hipster bartender came over, she ordered a Dark and Stormy. It was dark rum with ginger beer, and a slice of lime. And it packed a punch.

  “Why are you back so soon?” Sawyer said.

  “Because the British have invaded my parents’ house,” Dani said. Sawyer raised his eyebrow. Dani filled him in. She skipped the part about begging Nate to take her back and Nate shooting her down cold.

  “Nate, your Nate, was in your parents’ house.”

  “Yes.”

  “I did not see that coming.”

  “Did you get the sailboat?”

  “As a matter of fact, I did. Got lucky, too. Apparently it was already rented to a couple, but the woman was getting seasick.”

  “Yes, that is some luck. How big is it?”

  Sawyer frowned. “Why? Does size matter?” He was so deadpan she had to laugh.

  “Because I’m out a place to stay. And yes, it matters.”

  Sawyer raised a single eyebrow. “I’ve no problem in that department, ma’am. But you can always try me on for size if you fancy.” The drink was making him more tolerable. And funny. She actually laughed again. He grinned in response. “I just assumed you’d be getting a suite at the Hilton.”

  “Nate said all the hotels were booked. That’s why the Penningtons are in my parents’ house.”

  “That’s a shame.”

  “Come on. Is there room for me on the stupid boat or not?”

  “Tell you what. Let’s see if you can go the next thirty minutes without insulting me, sarcastically or otherwise. Also, no mention of Nate, or Brits. If you can do that, I’ll let you stay on the boat.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Seriously.”

  For a second she was stung. She thought he liked their verbal sparring. But, whatever. She had been kind of cranky. She wondered how small the boat was. Would she be sleeping close to Sawyer? Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea. Not that she didn’t trust him. She did, actually. His ego was too big to expect anything less than a woman begging him for it. Dani was grateful when the bartender set her drink in front of her. She immediately ordered a second. Sawyer raised his eyebrow again. She’d never noticed before how expressive he was. “He’s slow,” she whispered. “By the time he makes it, I’ll be finished.”

  Sawyer laughed, and soon Dani felt a rush of warmth, and noticed how soft the lighting was in the bar, and Christmas carols were playing, and more than once women had glanced their way just to check out Sawyer. Dani could see how, if you didn’t know him, you’d think he was a catch. And since she didn’t want to spend the night in her car, Dani not only didn’t argue with him, but by the end of her second drink, she was even flirting a little. “You have a great laugh,” Sawyer said.

  “Thank you.” She felt a sudden rush of embarrassment, as if it wasn’t professional to have a nice laugh. Dani was thinking about ordering a third drink, then worried Sawyer would judge her for it, when he beat her to it and ordered a round for them both. Then, they locked eyes. And somehow, Dani forgot to look away. And there it was, undeniable. They had sexual tension. Was he propositioning her? Daring her to let go and sleep with him? It was unbelievably tempting. Her parents weren’t here, Nate had shot her down without even a “I’ll think about it,” she was feeling rather floaty after two drinks, and Sawyer looked damned good in this lighting.

  No. Of course not. Of course she couldn’t sleep with him. She couldn’t, right? “Penny for your thoughts,” Sawyer said.

  “I was thinking about how I was never going to sleep with you,” Dani said. Sawyer choked on his beer. It was worth it just for that. Dani threw her head back and laughed.

  “You’re messing with me,” Sawyer said. “That’s not nice.”

  “You asked, I answered,” Dani said.

  “You were seriously thinking about sleeping with me?”

  “How I wasn’t going to sleep with you.”

  “Which meant the first thought had to be about sleeping with me.” Sawyer grinned. “You’re worried about being on the boat with me. Because you want to sleep with me.”

  “I was just thinking that you might be thinking about sleeping with me and then I was thinking how it was never going to happen.”

  “Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” Sawyer said.

  “I don’t have a will!”

  “Never said you did.”

  “But you just said—”

  “I’ve been thinking about sleeping with you since the first time I laid eyes on you,” Sawyer said.

  This time it was Dani who almost choked on her drink. She tried to remember the first time he’d laid eyes on her. She’d been late to work that day. Some dirty old man had grabbed her ass on the subway. Then she spilled coffee on her blouse. And the receptionist had handed her messages that were illegible, but she was a young model and Adel was never going to fire her. So the model just stared at her, slightly openmouthed, when Dani tried scolding her about the messages. And then Adel came barging into her office with Sawyer.

  “We want you to do a piece on love on the subway,” Adel said. Adel never said “story” or “article.” Everything was “a piece.”

  “Perfect,” Dani said. “Because some perv grabbed my ass just this morning.”

  “You can’t write about perverts! I’m talking about people falling in love on the subway.�
�

  “Have you ever ridden the subway?” Dani blurted out. Adel glowered. And then somebody laughed. A male, with a nice, deep laugh. Dani’s head snapped up and that’s when she saw him. Sawyer. Hanging in the doorway just behind Adel. He gave her a slow smile. Dani felt her insides lock up, and she couldn’t look away.

  “Fine,” Adel said, in a huff. “I’ll give it to someone else.”

  “We’ll do it,” Sawyer said. He must have been trying to make up for getting her in trouble. In the end, they didn’t find any couples who actually fell in love on the subway, but there were at least twenty women who fantasized about it, and that had been good enough. It actually turned out to be a pretty good article if Dani did say so herself. It certainly didn’t hurt to have Sawyer with her. Women opened up to him like lotus flowers. Maybe she should cut him some slack. Maybe if she were showered with so much attention, she’d be obnoxious, too. And maybe, just maybe, he could pull off his magic with Anya. Lure her away, just briefly, from Nate.

  “I have an evil plan,” Dani said.

  “I think the whiskey has an evil plan,” Sawyer said. “Are we still talking about hitting the sack?”

  “Told you. Not going to happen, Drake.” It was the first time she’d used his last name. She kind of liked it.

  “What, then? Are you going to steal everyone’s Christmas presents from under their trees?” Sawyer asked in a Grinch-like voice, rubbing his hands together.

  “Just one,” Dani said. “But you’re actually the one who is going to do the stealing.”

  Chapter 7

  After three very strong drinks, a walk was in order. Dani always loved looking at the beautiful homes all around the historic district. In her opinion, the best ones were on South Front, and then Third Street. They began on South Front, the street closest to downtown and the river. The houses were mostly from the early 1900s. Victorian and Georgian-style architecture reigned supreme. Front Street had enough land that many of the houses were set up on the hill, away from the sidewalks. Most had rocking chair front porches and upper decks. Some had iron-wrought fences. Many had turrets and were painted in ocean colors: blue-gray, and sea blue, and light aqua. Christmas decorations were classy, and subtle. Hanging wreaths, and lights, and one with a horse and carriage outlined in lights on the lawn. Many of the houses were so large they were being used as bed and breakfasts. Sawyer’s camera was constantly clicking.