High Country Christmas

by Cynthia Thomason

  He’s planning to ask me to my brother’s wedding, and I don’t know what else. Obviously Ava could not give Sawyer that explanation for fear she’d think they were in a relationship, and right now she was a bit upset that Noah had told her he wanted time alone. “I don’t know,” she said. “Why do you think he’s planning something?”

  “Fourteen years of knowing him,” she said. “Don’t let him talk you into anything, Ava, okay? You and I are friends first, not you and my dad. If he wants me back at Chapel Hill, you tell him no.”

  Ava smiled. “Does that mean you actually like living at Sawtooth?”

  Sawyer sniffed loudly. “I mean this place has its problems. It’s certainly not perfect, and the rules are ridiculous. But it’s better than being under the thumb of the demon housekeepers.”

  “I doubt you have anything to worry about,” Ava said. “I believe your father will let you stay here as long as you want to.”

  Sawyer rubbed a finger under her nose. “At least my coming here accomplished something,” she said.

  “What’s that?”

  “It forced my dad to come to me for once. Instead of forcing me to go back to him.”

  “You’re right,” Ava said, marveling at the simple wisdom of Sawyer’s statement. “That’s a very interesting point.” She patted Sawyer’s hand, stood and went to Becky’s side of the room for a brief conversation. “Have a good night, girls. See you later.”

  As she walked back to her apartment in the administration building, Ava thought about Sawyer’s words again. Yes, Noah renting a home and coming to his daughter was a bigger accomplishment than he probably even realized. Ava considered it a major step forward in improving their relationship. And just maybe, it predicted more changes to come.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  NOAH HAD ARRANGED a perfect evening. Dinner at Brickstones, a bottle of wine for the adults, prime rib for everyone. The fire burning in the stone fireplace next to their table was warm and cozy, the ceiling lights soothingly low. The music from a solo guitarist mellow and sweet. The Christmas tree was twinkling over a smattering of wrapped gifts. And Noah looked so handsome in dress jeans, a button-down shirt and suede jacket.

  Even the conversation seemed made to order. Noah asked Sawyer about her classes, and she answered without inserting her usual sarcasm. Ava discussed some activities that were coming up at the school for the holidays, and she asked about Noah’s plans for Christmas. At that point the conversation began to deteriorate.

  “I might be busy Christmas Eve,” he said. “Other than those plans, I’ll be staying right here, in my little place next door. What could be more Christmassy than the town of Holly River?” He looked at his daughter. “Sawyer, I’m hoping you’ll stay with me, at least on Christmas Day. You’ll need to tell me pretty soon what you’d like for Christmas if I’m to get any shopping done.”

  “Why bother?” she said. “Your work will probably call you away and you won’t be here for the holiday anyway, despite what you just said.”

  Ava held her breath. Oh, no, Sawyer, we’re having such a lovely evening.

  His voice low, he said, “Sawyer, I’ve never missed Christmas with you, and you know it.”

  “First time for everything. I’ve learned not to get my hopes up.”

  Frowning, Noah called for the check. He walked the ladies to his truck and drove back to the school in silence. When they arrived at Sawyer’s cottage he said, “I’m going to show Ava the house, Sawyer. One of the rules of the school is that a visitation must be performed at the home of the parent before any resident is allowed to stay any length of time. Ava has to see my place before you and I can have a holly, jolly Christmas.”

  “Whatever.” Sawyer climbed down from the truck and headed to the front door of her cottage.

  “See you soon, kiddo,” Noah called after her.

  She flung a dismissive wave over her shoulder without turning around to look at him. Noah put the truck into reverse.

  Ava couldn’t hide her disappointment in Sawyer. “Thank you for a lovely meal,” she said. “It was delicious, and at least one of us should tell you so.”

  “My pleasure,” Noah said. “And you’re welcome. I’ll just pretend I’m saying that to Sawyer as well.”

  “You told her we were spending some time alone tonight.”

  “I did. The visitation isn’t just an excuse. You actually do have to check the place out.”

  “True. I hope Sawyer believes it. She was certain that we were planning some sinister plot that concerns her.”

  Noah smiled. “In case you haven’t noticed, Ava, my daughter can be something of a drama queen, a fact I’ve pointed out to her a number of times.”

  “Well, maybe a little.”

  Noah drove off campus and down the quarter-mile road that led to his rental house. Every one of Ava’s senses was alive with expectation. For what? She didn’t know. She’d passed this house hundreds of times, but she’d never really looked at it. And now that she was going into the driveway, the only thing she knew for certain was that she wasn’t thinking about seeing the house. She was thinking about that other night with Noah and she wondered if the same was true of him.

  In a moment she and Noah would be alone in the tidy stone structure. She took a deep breath and wondered what the next minutes, hours of her life would be like. And then, suddenly, the air in front of the truck was sparkling in the headlights.

  “It’s snowing,” she said, her voice soft and reverent.

  He looked at her, smiled. “It was predicted. Just an inch or two.”

  “It’s beautiful, the kind of thick, heavy snow that coats and sticks to the trees and makes the world pure again.”

  “And sticks to the sidewalks and driveways, too,” he teased. “Which reminds me, if Mr. Crocker, who rented me this place, doesn’t have a snow shovel in the garage, I’ll be heading to the hardware store tomorrow.”

  She flashed him a pretend scowl. “All that talk of work is ruining my snow high, you know.”

  “Sorry.” He reached over and covered her hand with his. “I’ll bet it’s still a balmy fifty degrees in Chapel Hill right now.”

  “Which is why I love the mountains.” As they approached the house, Ava noticed multicolored lights in the bushes. “Oh, Noah, you put up decorations.”

  “Just a few. There’s a tree inside as well.” He sent her a smile. “I have a friend in the tree business.”

  He parked the truck in front of the house and turned so he was facing her. His eyes were dark in the low light from the dashboard, but they still reflected that deep intensity that seemed to reach all the way to her heart. He raised his hand and cupped her cheek.

  Was he going to kiss her? And was he assuming too much to think that she wanted him to? No. Ava had found herself looking at his full lips throughout the evening, remembering the kiss in the barn, anticipating the next one, knowing she was taking a chance and still wanting to experience Noah again.

  He curled his hand around her nape and pulled her close. When his lips touched hers it was déjà vu, complete with the tangle of emotions every time this happened. But all at once Ava didn’t care that she’d let him kiss her in the barn or that they were kissing now. She didn’t care about anything but the feeling of his lips on hers, his mouth, hungry and possessive, his fingers slipping into her hair and up the back of her scalp.

  He moved his head, gently yet persuasively, deepening the kiss. Her senses reeled with the magic of the moment, the snow, the darkness, her feelings. Mostly her feelings. A groan escaped from deep in her throat. He was everything she’d remembered and much that she was only now experiencing. If emotions could soar, hers did. She was lost in the feel of his mouth, the scent of his breath on her skin, the solid pressure of his hand on her back.

  When he stopped, his gaze leveled on hers. Ava touched her lips, feeling
the dampness that lingered on them. And then he said the strangest, most baffling thing.

  His voice hoarse, his lips curled in a smile of pure satisfaction, he said, “I’m not sure if I’m lost in the memories of that one night in our past, or if I wish tonight were a first.”

  “I’m not sure either,” Ava said. “But we can’t relive the past, can we? Nor should we automatically believe that the past determines the future.”

  “That’s true,” he agreed. “But I’m a man who loves kissing, and I sure did love that kiss of yours.” He remembered his first kiss. It was in the fifth grade. How it confused and excited him. He remembered the kisses he shared after the prom with the girl he was sure he’d end up marrying but didn’t. He remembered the first kisses he’d experienced with Mary Kate, his wife, kisses that held promise and yet grew tired and compulsory after a short time.

  “I’m not sorry at all that you and I met once before, and I’m absurdly happy that we found each other again...”

  “Noah, you shouldn’t think in terms of ‘you and I,’” she said. “I’m sure you didn’t think much about me, or I you before you roared into my life on your motorcycle. During those years apart we both changed and we lived full lives. We’re together tonight only because of your daughter.”

  Noah was suddenly aware that his life hadn’t been full at all, and despite Ava’s attempts at logical analysis, he didn’t believe hers had been either.

  “So this kiss was nothing special?” he asked.

  She grinned. “I didn’t say that. It was nice.”

  “That was not a nice kiss, Ava. In my mind it was powerful. I remember the effect you had on me six years ago. I left your apartment that night thinking that I was walking away from something pretty spectacular. I wanted to go back, talk to you, explain about my situation.”

  She blinked, took a deep breath. “What happened that night shouldn’t have happened at all. You were married. I was...well, I wasn’t myself.”

  “And yet, here we are together. I’m not going to say I believe in fate, but I can’t help thinking this all means something, Ava.”

  “Noah, don’t. Let’s go into your house, where I’m supposed to record this as an official visitation.”

  “Okay. But if we’re going to be strictly business when we go inside, then I need to get my proposal over with.”

  “Oh, I...”

  He took her hand. “Ava Cahill, will you allow me to be your ‘plus one’ at your brother’s wedding?”

  She pressed her lips together before a smile seemed to appear spontaneously on her face. “I have just one question,” she said.

  “Sure. Anything.”

  “Was this your idea, or Jace’s?” Her grin widened. “Either way I’m going to say yes, but I’m curious.”

  “Honestly? Jace brought it up. At first I couldn’t see myself crashing a Cahill wedding, but then I thought of spending a whole evening with you, and I was immediately on board. I was worried that you would have already accepted a date or would say no.”

  “Well, for the record, my answer’s an official yes.”

  “Great.” He got out of the truck and came around to open her door. He took her hand so she wouldn’t slip on the newly fallen snow and he held it tightly as they walked to his front door where a pine wreath scented the air.

  All at once, it was super important to Noah to have Ava like his house. Yes, he was only renting it, but from the day he moved in, he’d felt a sense of belonging. The solid, hardwood floors, the brick fireplace, the comfortable earth-tone furniture, the sofa built for two. Yes, he’d rented the house to be close to his daughter, but since then the simple structure had come to mean so much more.

  Before going in, she stopped him on the threshold. “I’m a liar, Noah,” she said.

  “Oh?”

  “The kiss was considerably better than nice.”

  He cupped her cheeks with both hands and kissed her again, slowly, leaving them both breathless.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  AVA STAYED AT Noah’s house for almost an hour. She seemed charmed by the place, saying she’d seen the house many times but never imagined that the furnishings would be so nice, the workmanship have such quality. He offered her a glass of wine. She refused. He offered to turn over the television remote control to her. She declined. But when he suggested they go outside and watch the slowly drifting snowflakes, she readily agreed.

  Born and raised in Florida, Noah had never pictured himself dusting snow off patio lounge chairs, but that’s just what he did. Then he spread two blankets on the chairs and they each reclined, their hands joined between as naturally as the snow fell in December. Ava pulled her faux white fur collar up around her neck and made him think of a delicate snow fairy. While they talked, the trees at the end of his property slowly became blanketed in the mesmerizing stars of newly fallen snow.

  “I really should get back,” she said after checking her watch. “It’s after ten.”

  He smiled. “Tomorrow’s not a school day.”

  “No, but I’m thinking I might go another round with my uncle Rudy, and I need to be on my game.”

  The last time Rudy had been in Ava’s office was still fresh in Noah’s mind. Along with the burst of anger toward the bully, Noah had felt an overwhelming sense of protectiveness toward Ava. He didn’t want to think of her alone with the man again, especially on a Saturday when the full office staff wasn’t working.

  “Maybe I should come over in the morning. I was going to check with you to see if I could take Sawyer shopping, but I don’t mind hanging out with you for a while.”

  “Don’t be silly,” she said. “Rudy is family. He wouldn’t have hurt me when he showed up before. He just wants to intimidate me, make me change my mind about pursuing legal action against him.”

  “I don’t know what’s going on,” Noah said, “but I wouldn’t want to be on opposite sides of an issue with you stubbornly sticking to your guns. I know you can handle yourself. Still, I’d feel better...”

  “No, Noah. I’ll be fine. Besides he might not even come tomorrow. Take Sawyer shopping. You two need some time alone, and I know she’ll enjoy the attention.”

  So with plans made, Noah took Ava back to her apartment in the administration building. When he parked in front, he leaned in close to her. “I had a great time tonight,” he said.

  “I did, too.”

  He closed the few inches between them and pressed his mouth to hers.

  “No, Noah,” she said, backing away. “Not here. Not on the campus.”

  “Why not? Do you think kissing never happens on these hallowed grounds? Over half your residents are teenagers.”

  “That’s different. You and I aren’t governed by raging hormones.”

  He sat straight. “Speak for yourself.”

  She smiled. “And I have to act like an administrator. What if the security guard drove by? Or one of the cottage parents was out for a late-night walk and spotted us?”

  He opened his truck door. “Okay, you win. Maybe I’ll just peek my head in your office tomorrow when I come for Sawyer. But I promise I won’t come around the desk.”

  He walked her to the door, waited for her to turn the lock and offered his hand for a firm shake. Gallant and much too friendly. Then he reluctantly said good-night.

  Driving back to his house, he thought of Ava, the qualities that made her different from anyone he’d ever met before, the niggling memories that made him remember the last brief time they’d been together. Ava Cahill—an enticing blend of impropriety and decorum. Two Avas. He admired one and he’d become almost spellbound by the other.

  “You’re in trouble, Walsh,” he said aloud. “You, Ava, and a beautiful wintry wedding. And you thought climbing towers was the most dangerous thing you did.”

  He was still smiling when he went into his house.


  * * *

  THE PHONE CALL Noah got from his boss at Maxicom the next morning brought him back to reality with a crash. Just what he needed, a chance to spend a quality day with Sawyer, and he’d have to end it by telling her he’d be gone for five days straight. Seems the snowfall in Tennessee was not as fluffy and serene as what fell in Holly River. Cables had come loose from their poles in the blustery winds, cell service was sketchy. Five towers in all in the central part of the state needed immediate attention.

  He wasn’t going to disappoint Sawyer. Not this time. He called a crew foreman and assigned him the easiest fix. Climbers, because of the emergency nature of their jobs, were usually ready to grab their packed bags and travel to wherever they were needed. Noah’s pal and climbing buddy, Karl, was no exception. “I’ll take care of it, chief,” Karl said. “We should get there by early afternoon, and have it fixed by dark. We’ll see you on Sunday for the toughest climbs.”

  True to his word, Noah stopped at the administration building. Ava wasn’t in her office, but he left a note.

  Good morning, Miss Cahill. Sorry to have missed you. Leaving tonight for Tennessee and a five-day gig. Still taking Sawyer shopping, but she’s not going to like the rest of the story. Good thing I only have one kid, eh? I guess you’re right. Parenting is not my strong suit.

  He grinned when he thought of her reading the note. They had come to agreeable terms about one thing at least. As a parent, he had his faults. But after this five-day trip, he was determined to pick up where he’d left off with his daughter. He hadn’t felt this confident about relating to Sawyer in a long time. He hoped she wouldn’t flip out over this latest trip.

  * * *

  AVA RETURNED TO her office after a quick tour of the campus. She often walked the grounds looking for anything that might be out of the ordinary. On this Saturday morning at barely ten o’clock, she didn’t find anything unusual. The younger children were playing on gym equipment and marveling at the snow that was beginning to melt. The teens were nowhere to be seen. Probably still in bed, she thought.