“Yep, that’s new since you’ve been home.”
Kinsley was surprised that he remembered. It was touching, sort of. She wasn’t sure what to do with that. It was much easier hating Gunner than being conflicted about him. She laughed inwardly. Who was she kidding? She was super conflicted about Gunner. She’d thought it would get better with the passage of time. Fat chance of that happening! A shiver ran down her spine. She should’ve thought to grab her coat before rushing out like a nincompoop.
He gave her a searching look that caused a longing to well in her chest. “You sure you don’t need my help?”
“I’m all right.” Her stubbornness was going to be the death of her.
He shrugged. “Okay. Suit yourself.”
Her heart sank when he turned to go back inside. She gritted her teeth thinking that if she had to, she’d crawl back to the steps.
He turned back around. “Just teasing.”
His dark hair was spiky on top, giving him a tousled reckless look. Sheesh! He was handsome with his prominent cheekbones and chiseled features. Add to that combination his piercing blue eyes, and he was irresistible. No, not anymore. She had to summon the strength to resist him. She and Gunner lived in two different worlds. He’d hurt her once and would do it again if she let him.
Clutching the handrail, he came down the steps and made his way towards her. He lost traction, his arms waving wildly before he regained his balance. Cautiously, he moved a few more steps in her direction. She held her breath, watching. Slowly, he made his way toward her. When he got a couple feet away he flashed a grin, and she caught that familiar reckless glint in his eyes that had first stolen her heart. He skidded the remaining distance, hitting into the car as he caught himself to keep from falling.
She laughed despite herself. “You’re going to help me? From the looks of things, I should be helping you.” How easy it was to slip back into their easy banter, to pretend that nothing had changed.
He turned around and leaned against the car, flashing a boyish grin that sent her insides into a tailspin. “In those shoes? I hardly think so.”
“My shoes are perfectly fine,” she countered as she shoved him, almost knocking him down.
“Hey,” he protested. He gave her a sidelong glance. “You look good, Kinsley.”
The compliment blind-sided her. She should’ve been appalled, but was strangely pleased. “Thanks,” she finally said. “You look good too,” she admitted. Too good. The instant the words left her mouth, she regretted saying them. Great! Now Gunner would think she still had a thing for him.
“Me?” he asked innocently. He cocked a lopsided grin as he looked down. “In this old thang. Aw, shucks, I’m not much.”
She rolled her eyes. “It was a polite compliment. Don’t let it give you a big head.”
“Nah. No chance of that happening with you around, cutting me down to size.”
She blinked a few times, unsure how to respond.
Gunner folded his arms, his tone going nostalgic. “Remember when we used to come out here and play freeze-out?”
She chuckled. “Those were the days. You wouldn’t go inside even when you turned into a popsicle. Your toes were so blue that Mama was afraid you were frostbitten.” Things had been simpler then, before the pain and fighting. When she and Gunner broke up, she not only lost her boyfriend but her best friend. She rubbed her arms. “Speaking of which.”
“Yep, it’s colder than Scrooge’s heart out here.” Gunner blew out a long breath, watching it turn to a puff of smoke against the frigid air. Something else they used to do. Kinsley did the same.
“My puff was bigger than yours,” Gunner bragged.
Her eyes narrowed. “Was not.” They both tried again. Gunner’s puff was bigger, but no way was Kinsley going to admit it.
Gunner looked her over. “You’re freezing.” A glint of mischief streaked through his eyes. “Would you like for me to keep you warm?”
The bubbles of attraction that rose in her took Kinsley off guard. “No!” she said more forcefully than the situation warranted.
Gunner let out a hearty laugh. “Well, in that case. I’d guess we’d better head in before we turn into popsicles.” His lips formed a determined line. “Let’s do this.”
She chuckled, surprised at how fast her animosity against him was fading. “All right. Here we go.”
He took hold of her arm as they moved forward a few paces. “Easy does it,” Gunner warned. They made it to the steps before Kinsley’s feet slipped out beneath her. She let out a cry as she went down, taking Gunner with her.
It registered in her mind that Gunner had fallen on top of her. She became aware of Gunner’s weight and his warmth as opposed to the cold, wet concrete against her back. Light from the front porch reflected against Gunner’s strong jaw as he gazed down at her. Time seemed to slow as the past collided with the present. Gunner was so close she could feel his warm breath on her face. Her heart pounded wildly as she looked at his lips, wondering if he’d kiss her. If he did, she didn’t know if she’d have the strength to resist him. A teasing glint touched his eyes. “This is a mighty interesting situation,” he drawled.
Laughter gurgled in Kinsley’s throat as she instantly caught the reference. Jimmy Stewart from It’s a Wonderful Life. Gunner used to say that all the time when they were teenagers. His weight pressed on her chest. “Maybe you should get up so I can breathe,” she squeaked.
“Nah. I kinda like this spot.”
Her breath hitched when he touched her hair. “I’ve missed you,” he uttered.
Confusion swirled inside her as she went stiff. “Gunner, we can’t do this.”
His eyes held disappointment. “That’s too bad,” he said softly. He glanced toward the far end of the porch. “We could always go over there under the mistletoe.” A smile played on his lips. “Although I might be taking my life into my own hands.”
She grunted. The last time they were under the mistletoe didn’t end so well.
The front door opened. “What in the heck is going on out here?” her mama exclaimed.
Kinsley’s face flamed despite the cold. Gunner moved off her and stood, offering his hand. Kinsley took it, getting to her feet. “It’s not what it looks like,” Kinsley said quickly, seeing her mama’s shocked expression. She wiped the ice and snow off the back of her jeans. “Gunner was helping me across the ice and we both fell.”
Her mama’s hand went to her hip. “Uh, huh.” She gave Kinsley a sharp look. “I don’t know what they’re teaching you in New York City, but here in the South, we ladies take things a little slower.”
Gunner’s eyes widened, then he sniggered.
Kinsley wanted to shrivel up and die. “We weren’t doing anything.” Geez! “Tell her, Gunner!”
He held up his hands, amusement dancing in his eyes. “I plead the fifth.”
“You’re impossible!” she growled. Holding onto the handrail for dear life, she managed to walk up the stairs. She noticed that Gunner stayed close behind her as if to offer help. She had to admit that it was impressive how he’d gotten her luggage and came back to help her across the ice.
When they got inside, Kinsley turned to Gunner. “Thanks.” The word came out formal and stiff. All of Kinsley’s past grievances with Gunner came rushing back with a vengeance, making her disgusted with herself for letting her guard down.
He seemed to sense her change in mood as he nodded and said curtly, “You’re welcome.”
An awkward silence passed. Kinsley picked up her purse and looked around. “My luggage?”
“Your daddy took it up to your room while the two of you were outside … together,” her mama said. The look on her mama’s face said it all. She could hear her mama’s thoughts almost as if she’d spoken them out loud. Haven’t I taught you better than that?
A heat wave blasted over Kinsley. The feeling intensified when she glanced at Gunner and saw his amused expression. She lifted her chin. “Well, I’m off to bed.”
She looked at her mama. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, honey.” Her mama smiled. “I’m so glad you’re home.” She gave Kinsley a tight hug. A second later, Kinsley looked at Gunner. “If I don’t see you again, have a Merry Christmas.” And a nice life, she added mentally.
“Oh, I’m sure we’ll see each other again soon.”
The certainty in his voice stirred heat in her stomach. As she was trying to think of a witty comeback that would put Gunner in his place, he winked. “Good night, Kinsley.” His eyes held hers. “Welcome home.”
3
Thankfully, the Magnolia Blossom Inn was located only a handful of houses from Kinsley’s, meaning that she could just walk to it rather than driving on the slick, ice-covered road. Having forgotten to pack snow boots, Kinsley borrowed a pair from her mama.
“Thanks for the snow boots,” Kinsley said as she stepped into the kitchen.
“You’re welcome.” Sue Ellen’s laptop was in front of her, and she was munching on a slice of buttered toast. She glanced back at the stove. “There’s some bacon left if you want it.”
“Thanks.” Kinsley was too keyed-up to be hungry, but she knew she needed to eat something. She tried not to think about all that she had riding on this meeting. She just needed to get through it. The fact that A. G. Wells was even meeting with her was a good thing. She reached for a slice of bread and put it into the toaster as she leaned back against the counter.
“Did Daddy leave already for work?”
“Yep, he had some clients coming to meet with him this morning.”
Kinsley’s daddy was an insurance agent. His office was in the downtown section of Remember. “How’s his business going?”
“Great, just super busy.” Sue Ellen reached for her mug and took a sip of coffee, looking at her computer screen.
“How’s your job going?” Kinsley reached in the cupboard for a plate and placed it beside the toaster.
“Really well. The Inn’s always busy during Christmas. Hopefully, it’ll slow down after the New Year.” Her fingers flew over the keyboard making a rat-a-tat-tat clicking sound.
For as long as Kinsley could remember, her mama had worked as the manager of the Magnolia Blossom Inn. She took great pride in her work and was good at what she did. “Is Lillian Yates in town?” Kinsley asked, even though she already knew the answer. Lillian came to the Inn every year during this time.
“Uh huh,” she said absently, her primary focus on her computer screen.
Kinsley nodded. Lillian was an eccentric billionaire who not only owned the Magnolia Blossom Inn, but also the town of Remember. While Kinsley was grateful that her inn provided her mama a job, she’d never been too keen on Lillian. The woman was eccentric, bordering on crazy. Kinsley’s toast popped up. She removed it and placed it on the plate. She reached for a butter knife and slathered on a thick pat of butter. Next, she placed a couple slices of bacon beside it. She poured a glass of orange juice and sat down across from her mama. “Have things settled down with Lillian’s treasure?”
Sue Ellen sighed. “Yes, thankfully. That was crazy last Christmas.” She slid her computer aside and leaned back in her chair, giving Kinsley her full attention.
Kinsley took a large bite of the toast. “How’s the couple doing who found the treasure?”
“Great. In fact, they’re staying at the Inn right now.”
Kinsley took a large swig of juice. “Really?”
“Yeah. It’s kind of a neat story. The two have since gotten married.”
She pushed out a laugh. “I’m sure Lillian’s thrilled. She probably attributes the couple’s union to her treasure,” she said dryly.
“I’m not sure what Lillian thinks about it, but I think it’s a neat story.” Her mama probed her with inquisitive eyes. “So … what’s on your agenda today? I know you didn’t borrow my snow boots just so you could go walking.”
Kinsley tried to figure out the best way to answer. She didn’t want her mama to think she’d come here solely for the meeting with A. G. Wells, even though she had. Still, no sense in hurting Mama’s feelings. “I thought I’d go visit the Inn.”
Sue Ellen cocked her head. “Really? That’s not like you. You normally steer clear of the Inn, especially when Lillian Yates is in town.”
Heat crept up Kinsley’s neck. “That’s not true. I’ve got nothing against Lillian.” The look on her mama’s face told her she didn’t believe a word she’d said. Her beef with Lillian had started the summer of her junior year in high school, but that was a lifetime ago—stagnant water under a very old bridge. Kinsley thought Lillian was a coot. She’d hidden her jewels in a box and then posted clues to its whereabouts on a blog so people could search for it. As far as Kinsley was concerned, the treasure was a way for Lillian to keep a foothold in the media. Rumor had it that Lillian told the couple where to find the treasure, just so someone could actually find it. That, in and of itself, was loony.
“What’re you doing at the Inn?” Sue Ellen pressed.
No sense beating around the bush. “I’m meeting with an author.” She held her breath, waiting for her mama’s response.
A furrow appeared between Sue Ellen’s brows. “Really? What kind of author?”
“Fiction.” She took another bite of her toast. The crumbs went down the wrong way as she coughed, reaching for the juice. She drank to clear her throat. “I’m hoping to persuade the author to allow me to adapt her book into a play.”
Sue Ellen pursed her lips together. “The author’s meeting you at the Inn?”
“Yes, today at ten a.m.” Kinsley glanced at the clock on the wall—nine fifteen. She still had plenty of time.
“Does the author live nearby?”
She shrugged. “I’m not sure. She’s super private. No one knows much about her. The fact that she’s meeting with me today is a huge step forward.”
“What’s the author’s name?”
“A. G. Wells.”
Sue Ellen’s eyes rounded. “The A. G. Wells? The author of Stolen Moments and Mistletoe Memories? And several other novels I can’t think of right now?”
“Yep, that’s the one.”
“Wow.” Sue Ellen shook her head. “If you land that deal …”
“Then I can write my own ticket to Broadway,” she chimed.
Sue Ellen gave her a funny look.
“What?”
“It was good that the timing worked out so well. You just happened to be able to schedule a meeting while you’re in town for Christmas.”
Kinsley tensed. Guilt sliced through when she saw the wounded look on her mama’s face. She swallowed, wanting to say something that would put her mama at ease. But the truth was the truth. “Yeah, it was good that it worked out.” She was a louse, she admitted it!
Sue Ellen nodded, her lips forming a grim line.
Kinsley let out a long breath. “I’m sorry I haven’t come home sooner.” The emotion came out of nowhere, tears misting her eyes. “It had nothing to do with you, Daddy, or Jolene.”
“It’s because of Gunner, isn’t it?”
Kinsley felt like her mama’s probing gaze was unearthing her deepest fears and regrets. Briefly, she considering fibbing and saying that Gunner didn’t have anything to do with it, but she knew Mama could see right through her. “Yes,” she finally said, the admission coming out in a short burst.
Sue Ellen offered a tender smile. “Gunner’s a good man. He still loves you.”
An invisible fist tightened Kinsley’s chest as she threw back her head, her long, wavy, chestnut hair spilling over her shoulders. “If Gunner loved me then he never would’ve married Carol Ann.” She clenched her hand into a fist, detesting the vehemence that rattled through her.
“Carol Ann was a stand-in for you,” Sue Ellen said gently. “That’s part of the reason why their marriage failed.”
“That and the fact that Carol Ann had an affair with her boss,” Kinsley fired back. She’d tried to warn Gunner, had begged him not to
marry Carol Ann, but he did anyway.
Sue Ellen nodded. “Yes, that too.” Her eyes took on a perceptive light. “You’re still in love with Gunner.”
Kinsley jerked. “No, I’m not!” She glared across the table. “How could you even make such a ridiculous assertion?”
“I watched the two of you together last night. It’s obvious y’all are still in love. Also, you haven’t come home because of Gunner.”
“I’m here now,” she inserted, tightening her jaw.
She gave Kinsley a censuring look. “To meet with A. G. Wells.”
She had no defense for that accusation, so she jumped to the next topic. “You’re wrong. I no longer have feelings for Gunner. In fact, I was just about to call my boyfriend Fleming.”
Sue Ellen’s eyes widened. “The director?”
“Yes.”
She frowned. “I didn’t realize the two of you were back together.”
“Yes, we are,” she said quickly.
“Isn’t he the one you caught making out with the actress the day after the two of you broke up?”
Hearing her mama say it out loud made it sound so much worse. The words gushed out, colliding into a jumbled heap. “That was a misunderstanding. Fleming was hurt. He thought I didn’t care about him. We’ve worked through that.”
“O—kay.” Sue Ellen made a face.
“I know what I’m doing,” Kinsley fired back. She shoved the last section of the toast into her mouth. She chewed and washed it down with the remainder of the orange juice. She plopped the glass down with a loud plunk. “At any rate, there’s absolutely nothing between Gunner and me. That story ended a long time ago.”
Sue Ellen pursed her lips, looking thoughtful. “Well, maybe the story needs to be rewritten.”
“Huh?” Kinsley bunched her brows.
“You know better than anyone that a rough draft must be revised many times before reaching the final stage. In this case, maybe you need to rewrite your and Gunner’s story.” She smiled. “This time, make it end the way it should have five years ago.”
The Christmas Bliss Romance Collection Page 20
