Winter Wonders

by Delia Latham

  He managed a laugh. Raine always used that phrase when referring to the cabin she and her husband both loved, located on the property adjacent to Paradise Pines. She was known for her cheery references to her home. “Good night, everyone, I’m off to the woods,” or “Sorry I’m late. Got lost in the woods.”

  Brady pulled in a deep breath, huffed it out again, and shrugged. “If Winter says yes, then we’ll pick the two of you up…in the woods.”

  12

  Winter loved the pretty, Tudor-style exterior at Maddy’s Restaurant. Inside, polished wood floors, white-linen-covered tables, and candle-lit centerpieces lent an inviting warmth. “This is lovely!” She clung to Brady’s arm, but directed her comment to Raine and her husband, Dec. “It’s bigger than it looks from outside.”

  “Maddy’s is a favorite for us, and one of the few really upscale restaurants in Cambria.” Raine grinned. “Food’s good too, which makes it even better.”

  A young hostess led them to a booth at the back of the dining room. The space was made semi-private by half-walls hanging with grapes and grapevines. Combined with the candlelit centerpieces, the tiny twinkle lights tucked into floral displays turned the booth into a sort of fantasy arbor.

  When the hostess walked away, Dec addressed Winter. “Raine says you made adoring fans of the Chrysalis girls today.”

  Between Raine’s striking beauty and her husband’s rugged good looks, the couple were almost a visual overload of perfect bone structure. Dec proved quiet, but pleasant. Winter had liked Raine from their first meeting, and Dec seemed the only possible match for her in the entire world.

  What a ridiculous thought. Hard pressed not to roll her eyes at her own uncharacteristic romanticism, Winter made an effort to pull her thoughts from their current path.

  “Oh, I wouldn’t go that far.“ She smiled, hoping the others hadn’t noticed her little mental vacation. “But I hope they had a good time. I certainly did.”

  “Good. Life hasn’t handed those girls a bowl of cherries. You never know the impact a kindness like the one you showed them will have on their lives.”

  Brady nudged Winter. “Did you bring that camera? I’m sure Dec would love to see your pictures of the workshop.” Mischief twinkled from his gaze in little bursts of sapphire. “All of them.”

  Raine gaped. “You wouldn’t!”

  Winter grinned as she brought out her digital camera. “Oh, I couldn’t possibly hoard all these delightful photos. I’m certain Dec will enjoy them.”

  With a puzzled, sideways glance at his wife, Dec accepted the camera and began scrolling through the pictures. “The girls look beautiful, and their smiles are so open and genuine. You did a great job with them, Winter.”

  Before she could thank him, his eyes widened and he sucked in a breath between his teeth.

  Winter bit back laughter, and Brady made a choking sound into his hand.

  Raine rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched nonetheless.

  No doubt about it—Dec had found the pictures of his wife’s makeover.

  He looked up with a grin, despite the confusion in his eyes and the crease in his brow. “I won’t even attempt a guess at why.” He shot an apologetic look in Winter’s direction. “I’m sorry, but please tell me you don’t seriously think this is better than my wife’s usual look...”

  By now, Winter and the others were laughing hard.

  Between bursts of uncontrolled mirth, Raine set about explaining her strange appearance to her husband.

  A sweet voice interrupted their laugh-fest. “In the words of the psalmist, ‘Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.’” Miss Angie’s smile lit up the dim corner. “It’s good to see you all having such a wonderful time.”

  “Miss Angie!” Brady stood to give the woman a brief hug. “Would you like to join us? I’ll pull a chair over.” He indicated an empty table only a few feet away.

  “Perhaps I will, dear. I need to speak with you about something.”

  Winter and Raine dabbed at damp eyes with the corners of linen napkins.

  Dec shook his head, shot them an amused roll of the eyes, and then turned to the newcomer. “I haven’t seen you in a while, neighbor. You look amazing, as always.”

  “Oh, my. You’re too kind, dear boy.” Miss Angie smiled her thanks and took the seat Brady scooted up to the table. “I have an idea I’d like to run by all of you, but especially Brady, since he’d have to take on some work to make it happen.”

  “Hmm.” Raine directed a teasing gaze at the lodge hostess. “What have you got up your sleeve, Miss Angie? No, let me guess…you’re going to party hearty and need Brady to shore up the walls before the music starts.”

  Everyone laughed, but Miss Angie just raised a couple of white eyebrows. “And what is so funny about that? Do you all think this old woman has forgotten how to party?”

  Winter smiled. “I don’t. I think you’ve still got a lot of fun left in you, Miss Angie.”

  “Thank you, dear.” The woman gave a regal nod and then smiled. “Actually, Raine wasn’t too far off. I thought it would be nice to have a Christmas party at Paradise Pines this year.”

  Raine squealed. “I can’t think of a better venue to celebrate Christmas.”

  “I think so too. But it’ll be quite chilly in the evenings by then, and I so wanted everyone to be able to enjoy the grounds and hear the ocean during the event. So…” She made a wry face. “Brady, do you think you could build a large gazebo on the south lawn? Just for seating and atmosphere. And outside the gazebo, I’d love to have some sort of heating source. Perhaps you could build a fire circle, so everyone can stay warm. What do you think?”

  “Well, you know I’ll do anything you ask, Miss Angie.” Brady’s eyebrows drew together, and Winter could almost see the wheels turning in his mind. “But I’m not sure a single fire circle would provide adequate heating, especially if you’re planning on having a good many people there.”

  Raine’s eyes widened. “Oh, I know! We could have a bonfire.”

  “That sounds like a lot of fun, but we’d have to look into the legal issues.” Brady shook his head, and a tiny crease appeared between his brows. “I’m almost certain bonfires are not legal on the beaches in Cambria, but Paradise Pines is private property, so who knows? We could certainly look into it.”

  Winter laid a hand on Brady’s arm. “Bonfires are wonderful fun, I agree. But if it turns out that they’re not allowed, I have an idea.” She bit at her lip. “I mean, I’m just a guest at the lodge, so my opinion doesn’t really count—”

  “Of course it does!” Miss Angie’s protest was echoed by everyone at the table. “What are you thinking, dear?”

  “Well, you mentioned a large gazebo. I don’t how much of an investment you want to make in this, but beautiful fire pits are available that can be installed in a gazebo. Maybe put a small one—or two, depending on the size—in the gazebo, and then scatter a few around the lawn, with seating surrounding each one. Outside conversation areas, all with a fire pit at the center for warmth. These could be brought out every winter, so you could look at it as an investment, rather than a frivolous expense.”

  She glanced around the table, encouraged to find everyone focused on her suggestions, welcoming her input as if she were one of them. Their willingness to accept her tightened her throat. She’d never felt so much at home anywhere with anyone as she did at Paradise Pines and with these people.

  “I love that idea!” Excitement pinked Miss Angie’s cheeks and put a sparkle in her beautiful blue eyes. “It’s perfect, and if I’m not mistaken, probably a great deal safer than a bonfire—although that sounds like tremendous fun. What do you all think?”

  Everyone gave a thumbs-up on the fire pits, and Winter found herself unable to stop smiling. Why did their acceptance warm her to such a degree? She hadn’t exactly been without friends and favor in Cornelius Cove or in Hawaii.

  But that wasn’t really true. The people she called f
riends in Cornelius Cove were mere acquaintances—individuals in the same line of work, or whose favor she sought because they sponsored KCCN. None were really friends. Not like this group of Cambrians, whom she’d known for such a short time.

  “I’ll do some research online, Miss Angie. If necessary, I can make a run into San Luis Obispo. Either way, I’ll come by the lodge within a few days and bring pamphlets, or print out some information for reference.” Brady hesitated and then smiled at Winter. “Perhaps Winter and Kai will join us and help you decide which direction to take with the fire pits.”

  “Perfect. I’m so grateful for Winter’s suggestions. This will, after all, be a birthday party for her and Kai, as well as a Christmas gathering.”

  Winter blinked. How could Miss Angie have known she and Kai were born on Christmas day? She opened her mouth to ask and then remembered…Miss Angie had found her purse at the crash site. She’d probably looked up Winter’s identification for the EMTs and the hospital in San Luis Obispo.

  The older woman stood, a smile wreathing her face. “Thank you for letting me interrupt your meal. Perhaps I’ll invite you all over one evening next week and you can help an old woman plan a party.”

  “You, old? Never gonna happen, Miss Angie.” Brady shook his head and gave her a one-armed hug.

  For a moment, Winter was sure something passed between the two—a holding of glances just half a second too long…something. But then, wasn’t that a bit of a stretch on her part? She dismissed the errant thought almost as soon as it skimmed through her mind and tuned back to what Brady was saying.

  “You’re always welcome at my table, wherever it happens to be.” He slid Miss Angie’s borrowed chair under the other, still-empty table.

  “Thank you, dear. Now you young people carry on. You were having a grand time when I happened by. I love seeing folks laugh. After all, a very wise man once said a merry heart does good like a medicine.” She waved at a woman across the room. “I see Betsy is waiting for me. Have a wonderful evening, all of you!”

  Winter’s gaze followed the lodge hostess across the room. “She’s incredible. I’ve never met anyone quite like her.”

  “I’m pretty sure there is no one quite like her,” Raine offered. “She’s one-of-a-kind wonderful.”

  “Perfectly said, my little Rainedrop.” Dec kissed the tip of his wife’s nose.

  Raine fluttered her eyelashes in an exaggerated, flirtatious gesture. “Oh, what you do to me, wood carver!”

  Winter laughed along with everyone else, but something almost painful pinched at her heart. Would she ever have that kind of easy devotion, shared with someone she loved? At the thought, she sat up straighter, and blinked a time or two. Since when had she even wanted that? When had she ceased thinking of love and marriage as unnecessary and detrimental to her career?

  Her gaze flew to Brady, only to find him watching her. Something in his eyes made her stomach clench, and her heart slide to a stop before rushing ahead at full speed.

  The answer to both of her questions could be summed up somewhere between the moment she and Kai crash landed in Cambria…and the look in those sapphire eyes, right now, in this moment.

  

  

  Brady drove Dec and Raine to their cozy cabin in the woods before taking Winter home to Paradise Pines. He drove slowly up the long drive to the lodge, reluctant to end the evening.

  Winter slid her hand through his arm as he walked her up the outside steps leading to her apartment. “Would you be interested in coffee before you leave? I love sitting out on the porch swing in the evenings, listening to the ocean and enjoying the smell of the pines.”

  “I’d love a cup of coffee.” Brady sent up a silent prayer of thanks. Miss Angie’d had him install the porch swing as part of the hurried facelift he’d been administering when Winter and Kai made such a grand entrance.

  Funny thing about that…

  He’d returned while the brother and sister were still in the hospital, hoping to work harder and faster than he’d planned, and get everything finished before they were released. But when he showed up at Paradise Pines, he found not a single thing needing attention. He’d stood on the lawn, studying the perfect exterior of the building. Had he actually finished the job and then forgotten…lost a day or two somewhere? But he knew he hadn’t.

  An image filled his head…Miss Angie bending over Kai’s injured leg, translucent wings swaying behind her. A sweet smile in his direction, a long, slim finger placed over smiling lips.

  She had wanted him at the lodge when Winter and Kai arrived. The repairs hadn’t been needed at all. Somehow she’d made him see what she wanted him to see, and let him make unnecessary repairs, just to be sure he was nearby when that plane came crashing through the nearby trees.

  “Brady?” A soft voice interrupted his puzzled reverie, and cool, silky fingertips touched his cheek. “Are you OK?”

  He gathered his thoughts and found himself looking into a pair of gray-green eyes clouded with concern.

  “I’m fine. Just woolgathering.”

  “You’re sure?”

  Her concerned gaze didn’t waver, and he found himself unable to look away. Before he knew what he intended to do, he’d slipped one arm around her waist and drawn her close. “Absolutely sure of one thing.” His voice didn’t sound like him, but who cared? “You are without a doubt the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen.”

  A sharp intake of breath made him wonder if he’d pushed it a little too far, a lot too soon. But then she snuggled against his chest and slid one hand behind his neck.

  “Hmm.” The low hum of her voice, combined with her warm breath against his skin sent a jolt of something electrical through his entire body. “Isn’t that odd? I was just thinking the same thing about you.”

  Despite the intense emotion of the moment, Brady chuckled. “Why do you persist in calling me beautiful, beautiful?”

  “Because you are.” She leaned in closer, her lips almost touching his. “Kui mai iaʻu, eʻoluʻolu.”

  Brady waited for the interpretation, letting his gaze roam her face until she gave one.

  “Brady?” A little line appeared between her eyebrows.

  “What was it you said?” he murmured. “Aren’t you going to tell me?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Brady Merckle, are you going to kiss me or…?”

  “As a matter of fact, I believe I am.” He closed the distance between them and slid his lips across hers. Just barely. A butterfly kiss. Gentle and sweet.

  “Oh, that was nice.” Winter’s eyes were closed, her lips dancing upward. “Really nice, angel man. But I think you can do better.”

  She tugged his head close to hers and opened her eyes…just long enough to send a wallop of pure warmth all through his blood. This time she kissed him, and Brady returned the kiss with all the passion and emotion he’d held inside himself for years of being alone.

  Remember who you are, my Son.

  The still, small voice spoke into his conscience with the jarring force of a megaphone, and Brady drew in a quick, sharp breath. With a moan, he took a step backward, setting Winter at a safe distance.

  “Didn’t you promise coffee on the porch swing?”

  For a moment, Winter blinked in obvious confusion, her eyes glazed with…something wonderful. Something so wonderful he made a move to draw her close again, but she swung toward the door, leaving him in a faint cloud of jasmine and roses.

  “Coming right up.” She waved toward the swing. “Have a seat. I’ll be back before you even miss me.”

  The door opened. She switched on a light and stepped inside.

  “Hey, beautiful.”

  She swung toward him. The light behind her lit up her burgundy dress and played against the shiny length of her hair. She glowed, and Brady caught his breath. What was wrong with him? She’d think he’d taken a flying leap off the deep end. But the thought didn’t stop him saying what was on his mind. “I miss you alrea
dy.”

  Her smile lit up his world.

  “Me too, angel man. Be right back.”

  13

  He made it to the porch swing without ever touching the ground.

  Winter returned within moments. She handed him one of the two steaming mugs she’d brought out and nodded toward the empty space on the swing. “Is this seat taken?”

  “It’s reserved for someone really special.”

  She grinned and sat next to him—closer than was probably safe, but Brady made no objection. “Then I think I’ll stake a claim.”

  “Good move.” He lifted his cup. “And good coffee. Thank you.”

  “You haven’t even tasted it.” She made a wry face. “How do you know it doesn’t taste like mud?”

  “I can smell it. And you made it, so I’m sure it tastes at least a little like Heaven’s own brew.” Winter’s soft laughter tugged at his heart.

  “Schmooze.”

  Brady chuckled. “Yeah, I guess I can be a little corny.”

  “I love it, angel man.”

  Tap tap tap. Tap tap tap.

  They both looked up. Winter gasped.

  Brady didn’t make a sound. Was that…?

  A cardinal perched on the rail. He’d rapped on the wood, and Brady had the strange certainty the bird wanted their attention.

  “We’re listening, little one.” Winter must have come to the same conclusion.

  The bird hopped a few steps closer and then opened his beak and started singing. One tune after another. At least three songs, back to back, with barely a pause between. At last, he ended the solo performance with a low churr, churr, churr.

  Brady sidled a glance at Winter and found her gazing back at him, wide-eyed.

  Chip, chip, chip.

  Yet another sound emerged from the cardinal’s throat. He spread his wings and rose a foot or so off the rail, where he hovered, watching the two of them as if expecting something.

  “That was beautiful, Red,” Winter breathed. “I’d give you a standing ovation, but I’m afraid it would scare you away.”