Holiday with You

by Claudia Burgoa

  “I appreciate your concern, but—”

  “This is important, Colin,” she interrupts. “This Audrey sounds like fun. She spent yesterday with you guys.”

  “Which you girls missed,” I remind her. “It’s a family tradition, and you couldn’t be bothered to come.”

  “We had to work,” she says defensively. “Business is booming. We can’t just cancel a job because my brothers want to cut down a tree. As I told Mom, we’re not even in Denver. We’re in Steamboat. We could’ve found a tree last Monday, but you think your job is more important than mine. In any case, I’ll be home soon. In the meantime, I want to make sure you don’t screw this up.”

  Jesus, when did I say my job matters more than hers? I never said such a thing. No one goes to cut a tree on Monday, though. I don’t set her straight because we can spend hours arguing, and she’s never going to be wrong. Even when she’s not right.

  “There’s nothing to screw up,” I argue. “Are you familiar with the concept of one-night stands?”

  “Yes,” she confirms. “You sleep with the other person, and that’s that. You don’t buy them coffee during the week, take them dinner with your daughter, or include them in a family tradition, like choosing the Christmas tree.”

  “This is different,” I say. “She’s stranded in Winter Valley due to work. I’m being hospitable.”

  She snorts. “Yes, let’s call you Mr. Hospitality.”

  Why is everyone obsessed with Audrey? She’s beautiful, I’ll give them that. Yesterday, I wanted to kiss her badly because she’s so hot. The accidental caresses aren’t enough. There’s undeniable chemistry between us. I won’t dispute any of it, but nothing can go beyond a long-distance friendship. They should leave it alone.

  “Listen to me, Colin. Just because your marriage failed doesn’t mean you should stay single forever. I’m sorry things didn’t work out with her,” she says, and we can all agree that no one in my family ever liked Remi. “Closing yourself to a relationship because you’re afraid to fail is worse than failing.”

  “So according to you, I should have a long-distance relationship because that’s going to go well,” I conclude. “This woman is here temporarily, and then it’s on to the next project.”

  Audrey reminds me of Remi.

  When we started, we had a lot in common and seemed so perfect together. She was a hard worker with a lot of focus and ambition, and I admired that about her. It’s probably what I liked the most about her. She submerged herself into work to the point that she almost delivered our daughter in the middle of a meeting.

  Remi chose not to take maternity leave. She only took a couple of weeks of personal time off to recover. Everything I had loved and respected about her was what drove us apart.

  Her career was her number one love.

  “You and Remi weren’t a good match. You weren’t great for each other. Your ex wasn’t in love with anyone. She had an unhealthy relationship with her job. It seemed like she had the husband and kid to check off a couple of items on the to-do list of her life plan. It was a part of her look-how-perfect-I-am project. Accomplished, loving, and gorgeous,” she continues, and I hate to admit everything she says is true. “From what Colt says, Audrey fits perfectly into your life. She might not be the right person, but how will you know if you don’t give yourself a chance? You can’t sit around and think love will stumble upon you.”

  She laughs. “Or I’m wrong. Maybe it rammed into you.”

  Arguing with her is pointless. “Being in the business of partying and crashing weddings doesn’t make you an expert in relationships.” And why is Colt gossiping about Audrey? Morgan, I’d expect. They’re like teenagers.

  “I’m a wedding planner,” she groans, and I smirk.

  It’s so easy to tease her.

  “Wedding planner, crasher, it’s all the same. You help people have their dream party, and if you’re smart, after a couple of years, you can help them with their divorce celebration,” I joke, knowing she’s frustrated. “Where’s your perfect match, Clarissa? I don’t see you putting yourself out there either.”

  There’s a long silence. “Just because you don’t see me dating doesn’t mean I’m not doing it. That’s the advantage of living in the city. It might not be as big as New York or LA, but I have privacy.”

  Not having everyone knowing her business is refreshing until she finds herself alone in a place where no one will care if she lives or dies. I have experienced the joy of not having nosy neighbors. I also missed a lot because I was gone from home.

  “Not to sound cynical, but ten percent of those engagement parties you organize won’t make it to their destination. Fifty percent of the weddings will end in divorce,” I inform her. “If you don’t mind, I have to get ready to pick up our parents from the airport. Why don’t you pester someone else?”

  “Be that way, big brother,” she grunts, and the line goes dead.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Colin

  This is some kind of conspiracy. Even my kid is relentless about having Audrey around.

  “Come to the city with us,” she invited last night while we were clearing out the table. “You have to meet Nana and Papa.”

  I should’ve stopped her, but my brothers supported the notion and hello, peer pressure. I’m at the airport outside arrivals, waiting for my parents next to Perry and Audrey. Not only that, but to keep Perry entertained, we’re playing I Spy.

  “Daddy, look at the pup!” Perry points at a service dog. She jumps with excitement as she hits me with the usual request. “Can I have one, please? Santa can get me one!”

  “Santa doesn’t bring puppies.” Audrey takes that one for the team. “Can you imagine what would happen if he put animals inside his big red sack?”

  Perry looks at her and sighs deeply.

  “They might get lost or hurt. We don’t want that to happen to any of them,” Audrey explains further.

  “Thank you,” I mouth.

  She’s so incredibly patient with my daughter. Audrey might be gorgeous, even hot, but what I like the most about her is the way she is with everyone—especially Perry.

  “Do you have a dog?” Perry asks, and I can hear the gears moving. This kid is a mile ahead of us.

  If our new friend has one, like Oliver does, she can visit her often. It’d be like having a dog without the responsibilities.

  Audrey nods and shows her a picture. “His name is Dough.”

  “Like cookie dough?” I ask, looking at the image of a big yellow lab.

  She grins and nods. “Yes, it’s ridiculous. Stan chose the pup and brought him home. I got to pick the name.”

  “Where is he?” Perry and I ask at the same time.

  “He moved out with Stan,” she answers. “Since he acquired him and paid for most of his expenses, he got to keep him.”

  A seed of jealousy sprouts at the thought of her sharing a dog with another man. I don't like that she’s had that closeness with someone else, even if that’s unfair.

  “Sorry.”

  “It’s okay,” she says, but I can sense her sadness. “He's a spoiled dog who loves to play catch and naps in the evenings.”

  “Daddy, Audrey needs a dog too,” Perry says with authority. “We could get one and share it with her.”

  “You’re sharing a dog?” I am so distracted by the interaction of my girls that I don’t notice when my parents come out of the arrival gate until Mom asks that ridiculous question.

  Wait, where did that come from? They’re not my girls. Audrey isn’t mine. We’re definitely not sharing a dog.

  But what if? the voice whispers again, and if it had a face, I’d punch it.

  “Mom, I didn’t see you guys,” I confess.

  She glances at Audrey. “Of course. You were busy.”

  “Nana, Papa!” Perry’s voice attracts the attention of everyone around us.

  “How’s my favorite Squirrel?” she asks, giving her a tight hug.

  “Welcom
e home, Dad.” I give him a side hug since he’s carrying a cooler.

  Mom can’t leave Arizona without bringing something for supper. She swears we’re starving without her, and for some reason, every time she’s back home, she prepares food the night before and makes my father carry it around.

  “Mom, Dad, let me introduce you to Audrey. She’s visiting Winter Valley, and we’re showing her the area while she waits for her car to be fixed.” Turning to Audrey, who is observing the scene a few steps away from us, I wiggle my fingers. She extends her hand, and I grab it, pulling her closer to me. “Audrey, these are my parents—”

  “Mr. and Mrs. Bradford, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Perry and your sons talk about you all the time.”

  “It’s good to meet you,” Mom says, hugging Audrey. “I’m glad I made enough food in case we had visitors. Elisse told me to be prepared.”

  Of course, she did. My sisters should mind their own business.

  “Why don’t we get your bags while you head to the car with Perry?” I suggest, grabbing the cooler from Dad and handing him the keys. “I brought the SUV. It’s parked in Short Term on the west side lot.”

  I switch my attention to Audrey. “Do you want to go with them or come with me?”

  “I’ll help you,” she says without hesitation. My parents walk toward the exit. “Do we even know what their bags look like?” Audrey’s question makes me laugh.

  “You’ll see.” I take her hand, and we make our way toward baggage claim.

  I find number sixteen immediately. Thankfully, the bags are already on top of the belt. I sigh when I notice there’s not one but four flower-embroidered bags approaching us.

  “Can you hold this for a moment?” I hand her the cooler. “Let me pick up the bags, and then we can organize ourselves.”

  “They are colorful.” Audrey sounds a little in awe. Instead of taking the cooler by the handle, she grabs it by the bottom as if it was a small child.

  “Just like my mother.” I get ready to snag the bags.

  They’re heavier than I anticipated. Knowing Betsy Bradford, she’s carrying about a dozen presents for her grandchild.

  I grab the first two, set them next to Audrey, and then chase the other two. As I snatch the fourth one, I see a guy pulling his luggage from the corner of my eye.

  Audrey’s peeking inside the icebox, so she isn’t aware of her surroundings. It’s as if I’m watching an accident on the television, and they’ve set it on slow motion.

  The man swings his arm high and with too much force. His elbow knocks the edge of the cooler, and Audrey loses her balance.

  I try to reach her before she falls, but I’m too late. She’s landed on the floor, and Mom’s marinara sauce is no longer on the spaghetti, but on her . . . along with the meatballs.

  “Are you okay?” I hurry toward her.

  She looks at her turtleneck and her jeans. “I think so?”

  “You have trouble with gravity,” I say, pulling her to me. “You look cute in red, but try another shade next time.”

  “Don’t you dare laugh,” she growls.

  I can’t resist the temptation. Cleaning the spaghetti noodles from her shoulder, I caress her cheek and bend, kissing her. It’s only a taste, and it intensifies the thirst I have for her.

  “You okay?” I whisper.

  “Yeah.” She stares at my mouth. “I think so.”

  Everything goes downhill from there.

  Audrey gets kicked out of the B&B. She forgot to extend her stay, and all the rooms are reserved. She’d looked at me skeptically when my brother called to deliver the news, but said nothing. I was grateful not to have to explain why there’d been practically no guests during her stay so far, and now it was fully booked.

  Morgan picked up her bags, but her clothes are at the cleaners, and the only thing she can wear while her clothes are in the washer is the unicorn onesie.

  “I can’t go downstairs like this,” she says, staring at the washer. “Why did I listen to you?”

  “Now it’s my fault?”

  “You told me to leave my coat in the car, that it wasn’t that cold,” she claims.

  “It was warm,” I say. “Who knew you’d want to take a shower with marinara sauce.”

  She runs a hand through her wet hair. “Thank you for letting me take a real shower. I . . . what am I going to do now?”

  Perry suggested she stay for a slumber party, and though I’d love to have Audrey crash with us—in my bed—I think it’s best if she goes to my parents' house. It’ll be safer. Won't it?

  Chapter Sixteen

  Audrey

  This is the nightmare before Christmas.

  And I’m dressed like a unicorn.

  It’s different when it’s by choice. Getting looks from strangers in an airport doesn’t bother me, but the parents of the man I’m . . . I’m what? Dating? No. Sleeping with? That only happened once, so a big fat no. Hanging out with? That’s about the best assessment, though it feels . . . off.

  “In case you haven’t noticed, everyone is pretty taken with the unicorn.” Colin’s deep rasp in my ear makes me wish we could move the status of our relationship firmly into the sleeping-with-multiple-times column.

  And does he mean he’s taken with me?

  Obviously, his brothers are. It only took a day to fix the coffee situation at the B&B, and Morgan promises he’s called in a favor to get the parts to my rental car fast and cheap. Except they’re still not here.

  Maybe he doesn’t have as much pull as he thinks he does.

  None of them do at the B&B. I can’t believe I forgot to extend my stay. I’m usually organized down to the letter, but for the past few days, I’ve been . . . distracted.

  I’m not sure how I feel about crashing with Colin’s parents. Fish and guests stink after three days. I don’t want to stink.

  “Audrey?” Colin’s face is full of concern. “I promise no one cares what you’re wearing.” He wraps his arms around me. “They’ll probably make fun of you a little, but that’s just what we do.”

  “I love my onesie, but I’d prefer to choose when to wear it, not be forced to.” I drop my forehead to his chest. His woodsy scent calms me. “Everything is falling apart,” I whisper.

  He strokes my hair. “So what if the airline doesn’t have your other bag? That means you get to lounge in your pajamas. Most people would kill for an excuse to do that.”

  I lift my head, unable to stop the snicker that escapes me. “True . . . but I’m intruding on your family. I wanted my mom to come for Christmas. Now that there’s nowhere to stay—”

  “We have four houses for you to choose from. I don’t recommend Morgan and Colt’s, but if your mom is a bit of a daredevil, she might want to give it a try.”

  I seriously want to cry. Happy tears. Relieved tears. This man handles every situation with ease. I’m so used to solving all the problems, and it’s nice for someone else to take the stress. Not someone. Him.

  “Thanks.” It’s too simple a word to show my gratitude, but it’s all I can come up with.

  “Daddy! Daddy!” Colin stiffens at the sound of Perry’s urgent cry. She appears at the bottom of the stairs, beaming. “Change of plans. We’re all staying at Nana and Papa’s.”

  The blood drains from his face. “We are?” he asks carefully, his grip on me tightening.

  “Yeah! I know it’s our year to have the tree at our house, but there’s more room there for everyone.”

  Little Miss Cupcake has it all figured out, doesn’t she?

  Morgan and Colt flash by with the tree in tow. If they keep moving it, there won’t be any pine needles left on the branches. I smile to myself. Perry has everyone wrapped around her tiny fingers, especially her uncles.

  “Guess we’re playing musical chairs, house version,” Colin mutters.

  “Does she always get her way?” I ask, even though I already know the answer.

  “Always.”

  While the boys moved the tree
, Perry and I wait for my clothes to finish washing. Once they’re in the dryer, she insists we take off for her grandparents’ house.

  We make the short walk holding hands, dressed in our onesies. I appreciate she didn’t want me to feel awkward.

  “It’s more interesting now that you’re in town.” Her declaration causes my steps to falter, but I keep moving.

  What do I say to that? When was the last time anyone thought I made anything more interesting?

  “I’m pretty sure it’s this town that has that special something.” Or someone.

  “We’re here.”

  The house reminds me of the library and the B&B, a snow-white Victorian with a wraparound porch and ink-black shutters. Colin and Perry’s home is the cottage version of this.

  I love how the whole town has unique architecture yet fits together seamlessly.

  Perry drags me up the front walk. I hesitate when we reach the steps. They’ve been swept off, but I’m wary. Gravity and I are not friends.

  “I’ve got you.” Perry blinks down at me from the top of the steps with a kindness I’ve only ever seen from her father.

  I grip the wood railing with my free hand, using it for most of my support. I don’t want to drag her down with me if I fall. Gingerly, I take the short steps one at a time until I’m on the solid decking of the porch.

  “You made it!” she shouts, holding my arm up in victory.

  Her smile is contagious, and I can’t help but return it. “Thanks.”

  “Teamwork is the dream work.”

  “I taught her that.” Morgan sticks his head out the front door. “Are you two coming in or practicing the stairs all day?”

  Perry races inside. The bare tree in the large front window keeps me rooted in place. It’s picture-perfect. I can imagine it all lit up and twinkling with special ornaments hung on each branch.

  And this family is letting me be a part of it with them.

  I stomp off my boots, eager to get inside.

  It’s chilly from the house being locked up for the winter, but a fire blazes in the hearth in the living room. Luggage litters the foyer, including a fairy suitcase and a leather bag that I feel certain is Colin’s. Perry refused to let him leave their house without their belongings.