I want to be here with him, and Perry, and his crazy, nosy family.
But I can’t. Fairy tales don’t exist. Even if they did, they end.
I have to hope when I go back to LA I’ll be able to carry this feeling with me and make it last. It’ll have to be enough. My days here are numbered.
“What’s that frown about?” He smooths his thumb over the flat line of my mouth.
All his focus is on me as genuine concern radiates from him. Has anyone ever cared about me this way?
“I—” I don’t want to admit I’m thinking about how fast the days are going by.
He turns me so we’re face-to-face, then sets down the brush and wraps his arms around me. “Whatever it is, put it on me. I don’t like you carrying so much stress.”
His forehead creases as his hold on me tightens. He’s a dad and a business owner. He has enough to deal with, yet he wants to help me.
I’m not sure I know how to let go of my troubles. I’ve grown used to their weight, though I’m not sure I realized how heavy they were until I arrived here.
“Before, I wanted my car fixed so I could get my job done and get out of here.” The words tumble out.
His lips turn up. “I thought you were going to kill Morgan when he told you it wouldn’t be fixed until at least New Year’s.”
I feel my mouth curve upward. Guess it isn’t a revelation I wanted to jet out of this town. “I considered it . . . for a second.”
He pulls me closer, his expression turning serious. “And now? Are you as eager to leave?”
“It’s going by too fast,” I whisper.
“I know.” He kisses my forehead with that same reverence he did our first morning together.
Who’s going to do that to me when I’m gone? Worse yet, who is he going to give those kisses to when I’m nothing but a distant memory?
“You’re frowning again,” he says as if he can’t stand to see me unhappy.
“I like the forehead kisses,” I confess. Too much.
“And you usually look unhappy about the things you like?”
I snicker. He has a sense of humor I want to see more of. Because I’m a glutton for punishment. The more pieces of him I have, the harder this will be in the end.
“Apparently.”
He seems to file away everything about me too. I wonder if he’ll fill the drawers I occupy in his mind with someone else once I’m gone.
“Stop thinking so hard about the unknown,” he says as if inside my brain. “We’re here now. I like being with you. Let the moment be enough.”
Can I do that? Can I get outside my own head and just be in the present?
“I’ll try.”
My phone chimes with a text. Automatically, I twist and reach for the device.
Hot Mama: I’m here.
My eyes bulge as I stare at Colin.
“What is it?” He stiffens, on high alert.
I show him the screen. “My mom. She’s here.”
“In Winter Valley?”
“Sounds that way.” I drop my head back and look at the ceiling. “Where is she going to stay? The B&B is booked.” Panic bubbles to the surface.
He tilts my chin back down. “With us. I told you we have plenty of room.”
Though his words should calm me, they have the opposite effect. As soon as my mom sees me, she’ll know I’m sleeping with him. She’ll know I . . . Nope, not going there now.
“I need to find her.” I scramble around, looking for my clothes and shoes.
“Unicorn, you can’t go out in the cold with wet hair.”
Oh. I forgot about that.
“Text her directions to my parents’,” he says, plugging in the hair dryer.
“Your parents?” I squeak.
“Yeah. Tell her we’ll be there in a few.” He shrugs.
“How are you so calm?” I’m nearly out of my skin with excitement and worry. I’m about to introduce the Bradfords to my mother, the most important person in my life.
“Let’s get your hair dried.” He turns on the hair dryer, effectively drowning out my concern.
My real life is about to collide with my magical life. Will that make the magical one more real?
Chapter Twenty-One
Audrey
“Mom.”
I practically run into the Bradfords’ kitchen in search of the voices coming from that direction.
She bolts from her chair and throws her arms around me. I bury my face in her neck and inhale her familiar scent. Until this moment, I didn’t realize how much I needed her.
“Hi, sweetheart.” Her voice cracks on the words, and she clings to me.
We’ve only counted on each other for as long as I can remember. She supports me in my work, saw me through my breakup—even if she does still talk to Stan—and never holds back on her opinions. That can be annoying, but at least I know she’s always honest.
I pull back but don’t release her. “How’d you get here?”
“I hitchhiked with a trucker, borrowed a mule, and skied into town.” She winks. Smarty-pants.
“Did the mule kick?” I grin.
She lifts her chin. “As a matter of fact, he did.”
“I see you’ve recovered from your journey.” I glance around to find Mrs. Bradford and Colin observing us.
“The hospitality in Winter Valley is legendary.” She gives Mrs. Bradford a meaningful look before holding me at arm’s length. “Looks like this town has been good to you too.” Her gaze darts past me to Colin.
His flannel shirt I’m wearing makes me far too warm.
He steps behind me. I’ve become so aware of him in the past few days that I feel when he’s close.
“I’m Colin Bradford. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Reed.” He offers his hand, and my mother swoons when she finally takes a good look at him. Or maybe it’s his voice that does the trick.
“Lovely to meet you as well. Thank you for taking care of my daughter.”
“Mom!” My entire body is on fire like I’m about to make a speech in front of a thousand people. But this is worse.
She winks.
She knows. She so knows we’re sleeping together.
“What? I’ve heard all about what you’ve been up to.”
Mrs. Bradford is a traitor too. I should’ve skipped the hair drying so they had less time to gossip. But then I wouldn’t have experienced the luxury of Colin taking care of me.
Huh. My mother had described what was happening between us accurately.
“She’s a special woman.”
Oh. My. Word. They’re talking about me like I’m not even here. And he thinks I’m special?
Now I’m the one swooning. Or have I stopped since I crashed into him? Ugh. I’m blaming it on my mother. Swooning is contagious.
“We love having her around,” Mrs. Bradford adds. “Perry chatters nonstop about the unicorn.”
They do? And she does?
For years, I’d only been useful to the people around me for what I could do for them. Yet his mother’s words hold a certain sincerity as though I have brought this family a little joy. It’s nothing compared to what they’ve brought me.
“Where is Perry?” Colin asks, looking around for his daughter.
“With the boys. They’re teaching her tricks of the trade,” Mrs. Bradford says with pride.
I love how close they all are and how they are involved in one another’s lives. I want that for my own kids if I ever have any.
“That could be dangerous,” Colin mutters affectionately. “Dad with them too?”
“Yes. In the garage. I think they’re working on Audrey’s rental.”
A sinking feeling turns my stomach inside out. “Did the parts come in?” My disappointment is evident.
That warm, familiar hand lands on my shoulders for a quick squeeze. And it helps. A lot. I’m getting used to his support.
“I’m not sure, honey. They’re like little boys when they start talking about cars. It m
akes my eyes glaze over.”
We all laugh.
“Me too. Give me a spa and a massage any day,” Mom says.
“You never answered how you got here,” I press. She and Mrs. Bradford exchange a look. I narrow my gaze and point at Colin. “Did you know about this?”
He holds up both hands in innocence. “It’s as much of a shock to me as it is to you, Unicorn.”
My mother beams at him when he uses my new nickname. “I thought you’d just be happy to see me.”
“I am . . .” But so many miracles seem to be happening lately. Surely, I’m running out of favors.
“Good. Now, Betsy was about to offer me cookies when you interrupted.” Mom gives me one last hug before she lets go.
“What time is it?” I ask desperately.
“Almost three.” Mrs. Bradford looks at me strangely as if my panic seems unnecessary.
“Crap! It’s cookie time at the B&B. Do we have any leftovers I can take for the afternoon snack?” I scramble around the kitchen, searching the boxes stacked on the counter for cookies.
Damn Colt for dropping his duty on me. Except I like it, and I don’t want to keep falling down on the job.
“Honey, you don’t have to—”
“I want to,” I insist, setting aside a half-empty box of frosted sugar cookies.
I pause. One’s in the shape of a unicorn and no doubt painted by a four-year-old little girl I adore.
Colin joins me, opening the lid to a cardboard container. “Then let’s see what we can scrounge up.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Colin
It’s strange to stay at home alone when the party's at my parents’. It made sense when Mom said, “Sorry, Colin, we need the room for Audrey’s mother. Elisse and Clarissa will be here on Wednesday. Unless you want to stay in one of their twin beds, you should go home.”
I didn’t love the idea because I had plans to sneak into Audrey’s bedroom.
I tried a different alternative, but the B&B is almost at full capacity. I checked, and this time, it’s not some stupid prank my siblings pulled like they did yesterday. The only available room is booked for tomorrow, and as Mom said, there’s no point in moving Audrey's mother from one place to another. Our goal is to make her feel at home.
Perry insisted on staying with her grandparents again because she wants to spend more time with Audrey. I know everyone insists I shouldn’t be worrying about her feelings, but what if she gets the wrong idea?
As much as I would love for Audrey to stay, she’s leaving after the new year. The whole buying the B&B isn’t going to happen. I tried to explain that to her during dinner, but she wouldn’t listen. Instead, she told me she’s been looking at everything from the wrong perspective. I have no idea what she means, but since tomorrow is my day off, I offered my help.
Not that I can do much for her.
Does she know Winter Valley Bed & Breakfast is designated as a historical building and can only be restored, not changed, according to the guidelines?
That could be a way to convince her boss not to buy it and to leave her alone. The second option is to stall her for a few years and keep her around. After all, she has remote access and can do her job from anywhere. I have an extra room that can become her office, and . . . why am I thinking about moving her into my house?
Not only into Winter Valley but into my house. It doesn’t take a genius to understand what’s happening to me. I can deny it, but it’s pointless. I’m rapidly falling for Audrey Reed. She’s filling the void I’ve felt for so long. She’s combing through my soul and untangling the knots left by a past too hard to understand—erasing the anger.
I don’t know when I stopped loving Remi. For sure, it happened when she ignored the most important person in my life, our daughter. Maybe we fell out of love before Perry came to us. I don’t hate her anymore, but I’ve lived with the resentment too long, and I almost missed Audrey.
I’m hopeful, but dare I try to figure out what’s happening between us?
I like her because she feels like a safe place in a storm. Like an adventure I could live for a long time. Maybe even forever.
The twist in my heart confuses me. Maybe I can convince her Winter Valley is more than some town she was accidentally sent to. It’s not a destination. It’s a place where we can write our future.
I’ve been listening to her. She doesn’t need someone to take care of her constantly. She needs a partner who will offer her roots, love, and a place she can call home.
She wants a family.
I can give her everything, can’t I?
Perry crosses my mind. What could happen if this doesn’t work?
Audrey isn’t a challenge to be disregarded. She’s the woman I’m falling in love with, and I will work hard to make her fall in love with me too.
The next morning, I arrive at my parents’ around six. It’s my first day off. Christmas Eve is tomorrow, and I have to get a lot of things in place. We’re running out of time, and I can’t give up without a fight.
Mom’s the only one awake. She’s by the stove preparing her morning coffee.
“Hey, Mom.” I kiss the top of her head. “Where is everyone?”
She yawns. “Good morning. Your dad left early to help Morgan. We like Audrey, but we believe she should be here because she’s in love with Winter Valley, not because she’s trying to get a piece of the town.”
“You don’t trust her?”
She shrugs. “I like her a lot. We met her two days ago, and what I’ve learned about her makes me think she’s a wonderful woman. It’s too soon to trust her . . . unless you think otherwise.”
Damn, my mother is too astute. That’s a great way to ask about my feelings without being direct. Morgan and Colt ask why Clarissa and Elisse are so sneaky. Here is the answer. They follow the school of Betsy Bradford, and this woman is one of the smartest people I’ve known in my entire life.
I sigh. “She’s honest. Though her job is important and she works after hours, she knows how to prioritize. It doesn’t take long to get to know her because she’s simple. Even when she’s quirky. There are a lot of things I don’t know about her, but I think we know the basics.”
She nods. “Well, then, I hope you have a plan.”
I kiss her cheek, grab a plate, and take a cinnamon muffin out of the box I brought. “Of course I do.”
“You're a great father.”
Her words stop me. She nods when I look at her in disbelief. I try my best, but I needed to hear that from my mother.
She pats my arm. “Listen to your mother.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “Always.”
Walking by the coffee table where I left the peppermint mocha, I grab it and climb the stairs. The day only has twenty-four hours, but if I use them wisely, I might be able to pull off a Christmas miracle.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Colin
When I reach Audrey’s room, I knock on the door lightly. It’s best if I don’t wake up anyone else. There’s no answer, so I wiggle the door handle and push it open.
“I thought you were asleep,” I whisper, closing the door behind me.
“You came to wake me up?” Her eyes are focused on her computer.
She lies on the bed with her laptop on her lap and her fingers typing almost as fast as she speaks.
“No, I brought you breakfast.” I lift the cup and the muffin. “And I’m inviting you to spend the day with me.”
Her eyes find mine. They aren’t on fire like yesterday, but the underlying desire hasn’t disappeared from her gaze. It’s waiting for just the right words, touch, or kiss to ignite it.
Audrey blinks a couple of times and shakes her head. “I want to believe you, but my gut tells me you’re here for a different reason.”
“The desire to spend another day closer to you isn’t enough?”
The way her eyes trail up and down my body makes me want to take her right here and now. I don’t. My child, my p
arents, and her mother are within earshot.
“No,” she answers. “I call BS.”
“Listen.” I clear my throat. “Christmas Eve is close. I want to make the best of the time we have left together. You’re in charge. We can continue visiting the surrounding area or get to know everyone in town.”
She sucks on her bottom lip and shakes her head.
“It’s a one-of-a-kind place,” I entice her. “If you plan on making this corner of Colorado one of the best destinations in the area, you have to get to know it.”
“I have work to do,” Audrey complains, pushing herself out of bed. “This is the time I use to get ahead of the game while everyone is celebrating the holidays.”
Reaching out, I pull her closer to me and give her a kiss. I love the way she loses herself in this moment with me. Gathering some self-control, I stop us from going overboard and place a kiss on her cheek.
“Please say yes, Unicorn,” I beg her. “At least give us a few hours.”
She huffs as she walks to the trunk with her open luggage on top. “But my job—”
“You are in Winter Valley,” I argue while waiting for her to change clothes.
Though I love her temporary pajamas—my flannel shirt —she can’t go out wearing that with nothing underneath.
I have a plan but watching her bend slightly over her luggage to search for clothes makes me salivate. The shirt hikes up slightly, giving me a perfect view of her perfect round ass. Her silky, exposed skin is giving me a different idea of how today should look. Let’s begin by taking her home and losing the shirt. The rest can be improvised. There’ll be kissing, touching, and sex during our playtime.
And though it sounds like an excellent idea, I understand she might leave and never come back to us if I don’t execute my plan.
She turns around, crossing her arms. “What does ‘you’re in Winter Valley’ evenmean?”
“It’s a different kind of place,” I explain. “We take things one moment at a time. You have to savor every minute you live.”
Holiday with You Page 11
