Eve's Christmas Wedding

by Caroline Mickelson

  Hunter nodded. "Interesting." He took a sip of his coffee, a thoughtful look on his face. "Is he a politician? An actor? Or a corporate tycoon? Let me guess, his press office is giving you the run around?"

  "I don't know if he has a press office. For all I know, he may not actually exist." Eve felt suddenly very foolish but it was too late to backpedal out of this conversation now. "Let's just say that he lives in a world of his own."

  Hunter leaned forward, his voice a stage whisper. "Mafia?"

  Eve laughed, she couldn't help it. "I wouldn't go that far." She looked around the coffee shop, taking in the carefree holiday shoppers who were enjoying a cup of coffee. This whole situation was insane. Staci had dragged her into this, and now she was doing the same to Hunter. She turned her attention back to him. "Basically I want this whole situation to disappear so I can head out of town for the holidays. I need your help."

  Hunter watched her for a long moment before he finally spoke. "Then I'm your man."

  To her absolute mortification, Eve blushed. She lifted her coffee cup and took several long sips as she struggled to regain her composure. "So you'll help me research this person and figure out what's going on?"

  Hunter smiled, clearly amused. "Absolutely. There's no one else I'd rather play cloak and dagger with than you, Eve."

  Yes, well, wait until he found out who the client was. She could just imagine his mirth then. The smart thing to do was just get this over with. She reached into her briefcase and pulled out the file that Staci had given her. "We'll see if you're still saying that once you read this." She slid the file across the table.

  Hunter took it but didn't immediately open it. "Why call me for help? I'm sure you could have found any number of people to help you sort this out."

  Eve shrugged in what she hoped was a casual manner. "Take a look at the file. I think you'll see why the situation isn't as cut and dry as you might think."

  She watched as Hunter opened the file and read through it. His facial expression didn't change as he perused Staci's notes. She took the opportunity to study his face while he read. He hadn't changed at all. The way he carried himself was pure bad boy, as if being a sexy rogue was his true identity. But when he spoke, his words were those of a man with a quiet and impressive intelligence. When at last Hunter closed the file and looked at her, she noticed his eyes were filled with humor.

  "So this is someone's idea of a joke," he said. "What's got you so concerned?"

  "A couple of things, chiefly Staci. She's expecting, and her baby is due on the twenty-third. Obviously, she won't be in any shape to oversee a wedding on the twenty-fourth. But she's beyond adamant that I cover for her."

  Hunter studied her. "Why don't you then? Isn't that what partners do?"

  "I'm heading out to Hawaii the week before so, no, I can't cover it. I refuse to change my plans. Staci knows that I go to Hawaii this time every year."

  "Since when?"

  Since she'd been stood up at the altar and gone on a solo honeymoon, but that wasn't Hunter's business. "It's not just that, look at the details. The bride's name is Kris Kringle, for goodness sake. The maid of honor is Carol Claus, and two of the bridesmaids are named Holly and Jolly." She flipped open the file and pointed to the cashier's check clipped to the inside. "This is issued from The North Pole Savings and Loan on behalf of Santa Claus."

  Hunter grinned. "I forgot how cute you looked when you were all fired up."

  Eve ignored his comment. "Focus, Hunter. We've got a problem here."

  Hunter took a long, slow sip of his coffee before he spoke. "Actually, I don't think you do. It's just a harmless holiday prank. Why are you taking it so seriously?"

  "I'm not. But Staci is, and the fact she's getting so worked up about the whole thing has me worried. It's not good for her, or for the baby. And not only is she my business partner, she's also my best friend."

  "I remember."

  "Trust me, I've tried to talk her off the ledge but she insists that she spoke to Santa Claus himself." Eve knew how silly this all sounded and she appreciated that Hunter was hearing her out instead of laughing at her. But he'd always been a good listener. That had been one of his many charms. "She says he told her things about her childhood Christmas's that only the real Santa could possibly know."

  Hunter leaned over and touched her lightly on the arm. "You do realize that Santa Claus doesn't really exist, don't you, Eve?"

  She pulled back. "Of course I do. But I need proof of that. For Staci's sake. She starts unraveling every time I tell her that we need to just run this file through the shredder and forget the whole thing."

  "I guess it wouldn't be smart to get on Santa's bad side."

  "Very funny. So will you help me? Please?"

  To her immense relief, her ex didn't hesitate. "Absolutely." He reached for the file folder. "Can I take this with me?"

  "By all means, please do." Eve reached into her briefcase and pulled out a business card. "Here, take this so you can get in touch with me."

  His eyes locked on to hers. "No need. I've got your number memorized."

  Her eyebrows rose. "Still?"

  "There are some things a man never forgets."

  Eve had no idea what to do with that, but a small, traitorous part of her heart delighted in his words. "Wait, are you able to get off of work?" She'd been so wrapped up in this North Pole nonsense that she hadn't given any thought to whether or not he was in the middle of a story.

  "I'm between assignments." He grinned. "Besides, scoping out this Santa Claus story is a nice change of pace. Now, can you meet me back here first thing tomorrow morning? And bring an overnight bag with a change of clothes." Hunter stood and slipped his jacket on.

  Startled, Eve stared up at him. "Why?"

  A slow smile stretched across his far too handsome face. "Because I'm going to set up a meeting with this Santa Claus character. My guess would be that it's more than a day trip. With any luck we'll end up at the North Pole."

  Eve watched as Hunter threaded his way through the tables and left the coffee shop. For several long minutes she sat and stared at the door. A trip to the North Pole? What had she just signed up for?

  Chapter Three

  "Are we lost?"

  Hunter glanced sideways at his companion. Eve was curled up in the SUV's passenger side seat, a blue and green tartan blanket tucked neatly around her legs. She wore a white knit cap and matching gloves lay next to her handbag. Her hands were demurely folded in her lap. Only a trace of unease in her voice betrayed her uncertainty. They'd been driving for hour upon hour, and the view out of the front windshield only showed one snowy hill after another. Hunter didn't blame her for being concerned. "We're just fine," he assured her.

  She raised a delicately arched eyebrow but didn't ask for clarification of just what 'fine' meant. Which Hunter greatly appreciated, because he didn't have a clue as to where they actually were, despite how certain the female GPS voice sounded. Still, it wouldn't help to worry Eve. At least not any more than she already was. He'd always appreciated her calm demeanor and the way she took life in stride. But maybe that hadn't been true, maybe he'd only been looking at the surface. Because when she'd ended their relationship by giving him an ultimatum between her and his career, she'd been anything but calm. He shook his head to chase away the memory. He'd been a fool to put his work above his feelings for Eve. His stupidity had cost him dearly.

  But he was here with her now. That brought a smile to his face. She'd needed him, wanted his help, reached out to him. That meant something. Even if he didn't know what exactly, it had to mean that at least she hadn't forgotten him. It was a start. And he'd take it.

  "Hunter, up ahead is a sign. Can you make it out?"

  Hunter's eyes followed the direction that Eve was pointing. Light snow flurries were falling but not strongly enough that he couldn't see through them. The sign was half the size of a roadside billboard. The words 'Candy Cane Cabin' were spelled out in red and white candy cane insp
ired letters against a green background. A huge black arrow was positioned directly under the letters. "Candy Cane Cabin? Yep, that's where we're supposed to meet Staci's client."

  Eve double checked the map. "It isn't on here, and the GPS doesn't seem to recognize it." She glanced at him. "What do you think?"

  "I think we go in and clear this whole thing up."

  Hunter didn't bother to turn on his signal as he directed the car in the direction the sign pointed. He would be grateful for the chance to stretch his legs after a long ride. After an early wake-up call, they'd left the city just as the sun was raising. He glanced down at his watch. It was now approaching dinner time. He certainly hadn't expected it to be such a long day. As a seasoned journalist, Hunter knew full well that this was likely a scam, but to what purpose, he couldn't figure out. The man on the other end of the telephone had been so full of sincerity that Hunter couldn't shake off the feeling that he'd really spoken with Santa Claus. At least in his own mind.

  After they drove through a patch of evergreen trees, they pulled into a clearing.

  "Oh, how charming," Eve said, her voice wistful. "Look, Hunter, isn't it the sweetest place you've ever seen?"

  Hunter looked through the windshield at a log cabin with brightly painted window boxes. The stone fireplace was smoking and a soft golden light shone through the diamond cut window panes. Eve was right. The effect was charming. He pulled the SUV to a stop and put it into park. "I don't see any cars."

  Eve shot him a look that he couldn't decipher. "But there's a light on," she pointed out. "So someone is here."

  Something in her tone of voice warmed Hunter's heart. He didn't know where in the world they were, and he knew even less about where they were going, but he was with Eve, so ultimately he was right where he wanted to be. "You want to wait here?" he asked, but she was already out of the car and trudging up to the cabin by the time he caught up with her.

  "There isn't a house number," Eve said.

  Hunter gazed around the porch. There was a black wrought iron bench and a small table but everything else appeared to have been moved into storage for the winter. A quick glance told him that the logs used to make the cabin were of a high quality aged wood, and that the workmanship was top notch. But despite how well constructed the cabin was, who would choose to live out here in the middle of nowhere?

  He watched as Eve knocked on the door several times to no avail.

  She peered in through the window. "The fire's blazing. Someone has to be here."

  Hunter stepped around her and tried the door knob. It opened easily at his touch. He pushed the door open a bit further. "Let's investigate."

  Eve's eyes were wide but she didn't try to stop him. "You first."

  He laughed. "Sure, I'll be the canary we send down into the mine."

  "It's your idea to break and enter." Eve stood back. "After you."

  He entered the hallway and called out but no one answered. There didn't appear to be anyone home. They fanned out to inspect the cabin. Hunter glanced at the stack of wood near the hearth and glanced at the stone fireplace. Logs had recently been added, judging by the size of the blaze.

  Scouting out strange locations was nothing new to him. He'd learned over the years to trust his initial gut instinct when it came to unfamiliar places. Nothing here was setting off any alarm bells. The cabin was likely just what it looked like. Someone's home. Only the someone had stepped out momentarily. He gazed around at the Christmas decorations that bedecked every single free inch of surface or wall space. Whoever this someone was, they certainly loved Christmas.

  "Hunter, can you come here?"

  He followed the direction of Eve's voice and found her in an open combined kitchen and eating area. This room also had a large stone fireplace and yet another toasty fire crackled in the hearth. Eve stood beside a wooden farmhouse table with a gingerbread house in the middle of it. She was staring at something on the counter.

  He joined her. "What is it?"

  "Look." She pointed to an envelope with their names written in a bright green ink on the front of it.

  Hunter reached out and took the envelope, examining it front and back. It was made of a heavy card stock. He slid a finger under the flap and opened it. A bright red and white stripe card featured two elves carrying a load of presents. "Hello Hunter and Eve," Hunter read aloud, "A thousand pardons for having to miss our meeting. But Christmas time being what it is, I'm needed here at the North Pole. Might I suggest that instead of rescheduling our chat about my niece's wedding, that you both travel here so we can meet?"

  He paused to look at Eve. Her face was a mix of surprise and skepticism, which mirrored exactly how he felt.

  "Is that it?" Eve asked.

  "No, there's more." He resumed reading the message, "There's a bottle of Pinot Grigio chilling in the fridge. I know that's your favorite, Eve. Why not enjoy getting reacquainted while you wait for my sleigh to arrive?"

  "His sleigh?" Eve pulled out a barstool and sank onto it. "This makes no sense. What do we do now?"

  Hunter re-read the note without answering. He turned it over and inspected the back side before replacing it on the counter. He met Eve's perplexed gaze. "I think the wine sounds like a good idea."

  "Hunter!"

  He smiled as he made his way over to the large stainless steel refrigerator. True to their mysterious host's word, a bottle of Pinot Grigio and a cheese board were on the shelves. He took both out and placed them on the counter. "I wonder where the glasses are?"

  Eve just stared at him as if he'd lost his mind. Did she have any idea how adorable she looked when she was perplexed?

  Without waiting for Eve to garner a guess as to where the stemware was kept, he began a cursory search. "It's not like Santa to forget to leave out wine glasses," he called over his shoulder. "I mean, after all, think of all the glasses of milk that are left out for him every Christmas Eve. You think he'd know better." Teasing Eve was too much fun. He resisted the urge to turn around and look at her. Instead he continued to open and close cupboards. "Good heavens, there's enough hot cocoa mix here to keep an army of elves happy. Oh, good, here are the glasses. And a corkscrew."

  When he turned around, it was to find Eve with her elbows propped on the kitchen counter, her head buried in her hands. He set the glasses down and went to her side. "What is it, love?"

  Just as he thought it would, the use of her old nickname got her attention. She lifted her head and looked at him. "Hunter Nielson, have you lost your mind?" Her gaze swept the unfamiliar kitchen. "Or have I lost mine?"

  He gently rubbed her back. "Neither. I'm just teasing about the elves."

  The uncertainty in her eyes was unmistakable. The Eve he knew and loved was many things, uncertain was rarely one of them. It was past time to put her at ease.

  "We've come this far," he said. "Why don't we just have a glass of wine, enjoy the fire, and spend a little time together. Does that sound so bad?"

  To his amusement, which he was smart enough to keep hidden, a slow blush crept up Eve's cheeks. He liked that she wasn't freaking out at the idea of being alone with him. Because she didn't protest, he opened the wine and filled two glasses. He handed her one and motioned to the sofa in front of the fireplace. "Shall we?"

  "I guess it couldn't hurt."

  He took his glass and the cheese board and led the way to the seating area. "Just relax, everything's going to be fine."

  "What do you think is going on?" Eve asked once they were settled on the sofa. She took a sip of wine. "You don't look worried."

  Worried? Not a bit. He was in his own private heaven. A week ago, he'd never have dared hope that Eve would ever speak to him again, let alone reach out to him for help. Now, here they were, enjoying a glass of fine wine in front of a roaring fire. "I'm not the least bit anxious and you shouldn't be either. This client of yours isn't a lunatic or a basket case, so you don't have to be concerned."

  Eve eyed him speculatively. "You sound so certain."
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  Hunter nodded. He was certain. Certain that this was all some sort of a practical joke, and even more certain that there was no other place in the world he'd rather be than right here with Eve Bennington.

  "So we wait?" She looked around the room. "For what, exactly?"

  A smile stretched across Hunter's face. "A sleigh and eight shaggy reindeer would be my best guess."

  Chapter Four

  By the time she'd finished her first glass of wine, Eve began to relax. Whether it was the alcohol, the warmth of the fireplace, or being alone with Hunter, she didn't know. She nibbled on a cracker and watched as Hunter added a few extra logs to the fireplace. Frankly, it didn't matter what was responsible for her mood lightening up. It felt good to be here with Hunter, even if she didn't quite know where 'here' was.

  Hunter stood and brushed his hands across the back of his Levi's. "Feeling any better?" he asked.

  "Yes, thank you," she said. "That's a lovely fire. It takes cozy to a whole new level."

  A grin stretched across Hunter's face and his eyes sparkled. "Better than the ski cabin in Tahoe? Do you remember that trip?"

  Remember? She'd never forget. Their week together had been heaven on a mountainside. She remembered fun on the slopes, evenings in the front of the fire, mornings waking up together...but she shouldn't go there. The past was the past. She shook her head.

  "You don't remember?" Hunter sat down beside. "Or you don't want to remember?"

  He knew her so well.

  "I remember," she said, meeting his gaze straight on. "You're not an easy man to forget."

  A quiet silence stretched between them. Eve heard the crackling logs in the fire place, her own heart thudding in her chest, and a voice inside of her head, urging her to reach out and caress Hunter's face. How long had it been since she'd felt the warmth of his skin against hers? She closed her eyes. Too long.