by Carol Henry
“I don’t need anyone’s money. A trust fund was set up—between that and the life insurance policy that will eventually be available, all Nina’s needs will be covered.”
Gabriella tried to squirm out of his hold.
“Well, whaddya know,” he slurred. “Mistletoe. How convenient. Bet you were just waiting for me here, huh, Ella. Well, I’m here now, babe. What are we waiting for?”
Babe? If she weren’t so upset over Charles’ behavior, his words would have been laughable. For him to think she was still interested and wanted to kiss him—mistletoe or no mistletoe—was ludicrous. And he had to be drunk to think she’d waited just for him to notice she was standing under the mistletoe.
Keeping her voice low, but loud enough for him to understand, she tried once more to get him to release his hold.
“You gave up all rights of kissing me when you all but told me to ‘kiss off,’ Charles. Remember? Now, let me go.”
She tried again to pry herself away from him.
“For the record,” Gabriella continued, “I made the right choice. You did me a huge favor. I have no idea why you think I’d want you back. I still have Nina. Did you think your rejection of her would impact my decision to keep her?” His hold loosened slightly. Gabriella took advantage and turned away,
“Not so fast,” he snapped, and swung her back against his chest. “We have unfinished business.”
“No. We. Don’t. We’re finished, Charles. I suggest you go find Jennifer and ask her to take you home. You’re drunk.” Gabriella didn’t know what he was trying to prove, but she didn’t care. He was making a spectacle of them in front of the Hempsteads.
“I can see you’re after more than I was willing to hand out,” Charles grinned, undeterred. “I see the way you look at Hempstead. He doesn’t like gold-diggers, Babe. Once he finds out you’re only after his money, he’ll dump you so fast you’ll wonder what happened.”
“Unlike you, of course. I told you I don’t need anyone’s money.”
“You really don’t know who Chad Hempstead is, do you?”
“I notice you know Miss Newell well enough,” Gabriella raised her eyebrows and continued. “It didn’t take you long to find someone else.”
“Leave Jen out of this,” he hissed between clenched teeth.
It crossed Gabriella’s mind that perhaps Charles and Jennifer had been an item at one time, perhaps they still were.
“Gladly. Now if you’ll excuse me, I think we have nothing more to say to each other.”
His grip on her loosened, and this time Gabriella was able to break free.
Although heated, their argument was achieved in low tones. Gabriella was pleased to note she was able to break away without causing a major scene.
But she hadn’t counted on his drunken state, or anticipated his actions.
“Oh, but we have a lot more to say,” he said in a much louder tone.
Gabriella looked behind her and was dismayed to see he had drawn attention to their argument, after all.
“I think not,” she said, keeping her own voice low, hoping he’d do the same. “You’ve shown me the kind of person you really are, Charles. And it was never a matter of money.”
“No?” Charles asked, raising an eyebrow. “Not about money? Then why are you here making lovesick eyes at Hempstead? Your chances with Mr. Celebrity won’t get you very far once he finds out you’re after his money.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, and I don’t care. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to join the others.”
Charles grabbed her and wrapped his arms around her waist—this time his lips descended, finding their unwilling mark. Repulsed, Gabriella froze. She shoved at him—he tumbled backwards into the doorframe. She glared at him with a sense of overwhelming loathing and shame that she’d ever considered herself in love with Charles. She turned to walk away and was drawn into a strong, comforting pair of arms. Stunned, she looked up into Chad’s cold blue eyes now glaring at Charles.
“I think you owe Gabby an apology, Denton.”
“A mistletoe kiss doesn’t warrant an apology, Hempstead,” he slurred. “Mind your own business.”
“Gabby is a guest in our home, so that makes her my business. Take care, Denton. It’s clear you’ve blown your chances when you broke it off with Gabby.”
“Broke it off? You’ve got it all wrong, Hempstead. She chose her sister’s baby over me.”
“Good choice. Now be a good boy and move on.”
Charles glared at Gabriella, a snarl distorting his otherwise handsome features. “You’re welcome to her and her baggage. As long as you have enough money to support them, they’ll be in the palm of your hands.”
“Shut up, Denton. Say another word and you’ll be sorry.”
So much for not making a scene. Gabriella scanned the room and was appalled to see everyone watching the trio under the mistletoe. She wanted to lay a finger aside of her nose and disappear up the chimney into a puff of smoke. Lord, to have those carefree days of only a few months ago would be heaven. She was exhausted from trying to keep up with everything, and now this.
“She’s only after your money, Hempstead. How’s that for a kick in the pants?”
Chad raised his arm and punched Charles in the nose. Gabriella gasped at the loud crack resounding around the library just before Charles landed against the wall and slid to the floor. Her gasp was nothing compared to the sound of the collective gasps behind her. Transfixed by the sight of the now oozing dark-red blood flowing from the middle of Charles’ face, Gabriella was further dismayed when Jennifer, as if in slow motion, rushed to his side, plucking tissues from her handbag to mop up the blood. Charles untangled himself and stood like the drunk he was. From out of nowhere, Dennis appeared at Gabriella’s side, his arm circling her shoulders in comfort. Chad turned to the two of them, anger still evident in the cold glare of his expressive eyes.
“Touch her, Long, and you’ll get the same.”
“Calm down, Buddy. You’re acting just like Dean Reynolds. She just needs a comforting arm right now and I don’t think you’re showing any restraint at the moment.”
“Dean Reynolds?” Gabriella asked. She looked from Chad to Dennis. “Who’s Dean Reynolds?”
Was that a giggle she heard coming from the direction of Sheila and Jodi?
“Oh, he’s a real character,” Sheila said, the humor in her voice puzzling Gabriella.
The angry glare Chad directed at his sisters was even more puzzling. Just who was this Dean Reynolds character?
Chapter Nine
Every eye in the room focused on Gabriella in the now crowded alcove. Jennifer Newell shot livid daggers her way. The others, not quite knowing what had just transpired to cause Chad to punch Charles in the nose, stood gawking at the scene unfolding. Jodi and Sheila’s grins didn’t make any sense. And Helen, God love her, looked giddier than a schoolgirl on her first date—she absolutely beamed. Gabby wanted to sink into the woodwork.
Jennifer wrapped her arm through Charles’, and tried without much success, to tug him to her side. “Oh, my poor darling. Let me help,” she all but simpered.
“Shut up, Jen,” Charles snapped, his teeth clamped together. “Leave me alone.” He pushed her aside, but Jennifer held strong a moment longer before giving up, only to turn on Gabriella.
“You!” she spat. “This is all your fault.” Jennifer swung her head from Gabriella to Charles and back again. “Oh. My. God. Charles. Of course. You’re the father of her baby, aren’t you? That’s it. We’re through,” she hissed between clenched pearly white teeth framed in a deep red that perfectly matched Charles’ still oozing blood. “I’m out of here. Chad, take me home.”
“Wait. Jen. There’s no need to get upset,” Charles tried to soothe the distraught Jennifer. “That baby is not mine. It’s not hers, either. It’s her sister’s. Come on, I’ll take you home.”
“You’re in no shape to drive,” she said.
Gab
riella had to hand it to Jennifer. She staunchly turned her back on Charles. Shoulders drawn back, head held high, she walked off leaving him in shocked disbelief.
Charles sneered at Gabriella—if looks could kill. He stalked off, following Jennifer. Gabriella’s eyes connected with Chad’s. His smile was tentative. He nodded, then followed Charles—as did Dennis. Left alone, not knowing what to make of it all, Gabriella turned in the other direction and approached the Hempsteads.
“I’m so sorry, Helen, Chadwick. I’m afraid it was all my fault. I didn’t mean to ruin your party.”
“Nonsense, my dear,” Helen said. “It wasn’t your fault at all. Mr. Denton had no reason to accost you. Why, I witnessed the whole thing.”
Gabriella noted the hint of a smile on Helen’s serious face and was reminded of Jodi and Sheila’s giggles.
“Why don’t you call it a night and go get some rest. I’m sure the men will work it all out.”
As Gabriella attempted to leave, Jodi and Sheila were right behind her.
“Are you all right?” Jodi asked.
Both women looked at her with concern.
“I’m fine. Really,” Gabriella shakily assured them.
“Sorry, we didn’t mean to desert you. We had no idea Charles would purposely set out to humiliate you in front of everyone,” Sheila said.
“I don’t think anyone expected Chad to punch him in the nose, either.” Jodi smiled. “My opinion of my brother just moved up a notch. I think he ranks right up there with Dean.”
“Dean?” Gabriella asked, “Who’s this Mr. Reynolds?”
“Oh. Oh, my. No one,” Sheila stuttered. “Is that Nina I hear?”
Gabriella glanced up, concerned. “I’d better go get her bottle and check on her.”
She wanted nothing more than to kick off her shoes, fall into bed, and call it a night, as Helen suggested. She looked at Chad’s sisters and smiled.
“I am actually tired. And it’s almost time for Nina’s last feeding for the night. If you’ll excuse me.”
Gabriella paused a moment longer.
“Am I missing something?”
“Well…ahem…we did see you and Chad kissing this morning when we were tree-hunting. Our lips are sealed though.” Their smiles were wide and knowing.
“Sheila, Jodi… I…what are…”
“I think you’ve had enough excitement for one day. What do you think, Jodi, our lips are sealed, right?”
“Yep. The folks won’t hear a word from us. ’Course the children might have seen you and Chad kissing, too. They aren’t exactly secret-keepers—they love to share everything at the most inopportune moments. You never know what kids will say.”
“Listen, you two, there is absolutely nothing going on between me and your brother.”
“Yeah, right. Chad just punched Charles in the nose for the fun of it. Sure, like I believe that.”
The two sisters chuckled as they returned to the library. Gabriella’s face burned.
“Those two are as bad as their mother,” Gabriella whispered as sounds of more giggles followed her up the stairs.
****
There was no way he was about to apologize for punching Charles Denton in the nose. He did owe his parents an apology for creating a scene, although it was a struggle to apologize for something he really wasn’t sorry about. He was glad. The jerk had it coming, man-handling Gabby like that—kissing her. Mistletoe or no mistletoe, it was obvious she hadn’t wanted to be kissed.
Dean Reynolds would have done the same.
He was, however, sorry he’d upset Gabby, although she’d looked more stunned than angry when Denton landed against the wall with blood dripping down his chin. And he owed Dennis an apology. Hell, he was only trying to be helpful. And he was grateful that his friend had stepped in and offered to take Jennifer home while he called a cab for Charles. For one thing, he didn’t want Jennifer to get the wrong idea. He might feel sorry for her, but no way was he going to get tangled up with her. Dennis could take care of himself.
Chad couldn’t stop thinking about Gabriella—their shared kiss next to the snow-covered spruce with white fluffy flakes drifting in the crisp afternoon air. A winter wonderland that warmed every inch of his aroused body. And it was a shared kiss—the sparks igniting between the two of them were definitely mutual. He’d wanted to get her under the mistletoe all evening in order to have an excuse to steal another kiss, but that damn Charles Denton had beaten him to it.
Needing to cool off before he exploded, he grabbed his winter jacket, stuffed his arms through the sleeves and wrapped his scarf securely around his neck. He headed out the door. He dug for his gloves—they weren’t in his pockets. The hell with them. He didn’t need them anyway. He headed toward the gazebo.
Had he been a fool? Was Gabriella after his money as Charles suggested? He’d planned to tell her about his writing—come clean. Now, he wasn’t so sure it was the right thing to do. Ah, damn! He should never have come home for the holidays. His life was becoming more messed up than Dean’s. The minute he’d laid eyes on Gabby he’d had a premonition something bigger and more powerful than his mother’s matchmaking was at work.
He’d need a miracle to untangle his emotions and get out of this mess with his sanity still intact.
****
By the time Nina settled back to sleep, all the guests had left and a silent peacefulness blanketed the Hempstead’s home once more. Gabriella was wide-awake after resting, and decided to go to the kitchen to get a cup of tea and some of Ethel’s holiday treats to take back to the library where she could relax next to what was left of the fire. She ran a brush through her hair, slipped into her white terry robe, and tightened the belt. She slipped on a pair of warm, fuzzy slipper-socks and quietly shut the door and tiptoed down the hallway.
She’d been on edge ever since her sister’s accident, and had finally started to enjoy being a mother. Staying at the Hempstead’s had helped. She was happier than she’d been in a long time. Still, the incident with Charles tonight, had left her emotions raw and in shambles.
The day had started out so well, only going downhill when Charles arrived. And ending with Chad punching Charles in the nose. She was glad the incident hadn’t blown into a full-scale fistfight. She’d never be able to show her face again if it had come to that.
A few embers glowed in the grate, and the smell of apple wood filled the room. Gabriella set her cup and plate of cookies down on the end table, and settled back in the plush cushions. She smiled to herself, resting her head on one of the throw pillows.
The lights were low, and even though the tree lights had been unplugged, the full moon shone through the window. A magical peace filled the room. Something about the coziness of the muted sights and sounds of the night wrapped around her like a protective, warm, secure blanket. A feeling of belonging, of being home made her think of her parents and sister. She missed them all so much.
Restless, Gabriella walked to the window and gazed at the winter wonderland outside. The lake was partially frozen. Lights twinkled on either side of the snow-covered shores, their glow sparkled on the water. With a deep sigh, she turned and crossed the room to the bookshelves.
Gabriella was surprised at the Hempstead’s eclectic selection. Along with classics, business, law, and even children’s books, she was intrigued by the large collection by an author named Bronson B. Brady. After perusing the titles, Gabriella discovered Mr. Hempstead was fond of these detective novels.
She had just chosen one of the many books lining the middle shelf—Detective Dean Reynolds: On Ice—when she remembered Dennis had said Chad had been acting just like Dean Reynolds. So had Chad’s sisters. Book in hand, Gabriella went back to her chair. About to settle in for a good read, she was startled when Chad entered the room. He looked near froze to death from the cold, and her newly acquired motherly instincts kicked in. She ran to his side at the same time he started toward the warmth of the fire. Almost colliding, they stopped in front of each
other. Chad placed his hands on her shoulders to steady her.
“Your hands are freezing,” she said.
“I’ve been for a walk.”
“In this weather?” She clutched the book she held in both hands against her chest. His hands might be cold, but the heat emanating from his body made the glowing embers in the fireplace flicker no warmer than a candle. Her eyes smoldered, but before she could guess at his intentions, she was in his arms. Chad’s lips locked possessively over hers, his strong arms circling her waist. He kissed her as if he couldn’t get enough of her.
Caught up in the moment, Gabriella let the book slip from her hands onto the carpet. It landed with a soft thud.
Gabriella’s feet rose from the floor as Chad lifted her in the air and swirled her around like a music-box dancer. As they slowed, the silent music entwining them reached an end—their breaths mingled, drawing sustaining life from each other. Their hearts beat in unison, a symphony only the two of them shared. Chad held her secure in his embrace, their lips still clinging. Slowly, Gabriella slid down Chad’s now hot, taut body, feeling every muscle, every… everything until the tips of her toes made contact with the carpet once again. She rested her forehead on his chest and listened to his heartbeat… or was it hers? She couldn’t tell. Chad’s chin rested on top of her head, his breath teasing her hair. She turned her cheek into his chest, smelled the fresh outdoors, and blinked back to the present. She didn’t want the magical spell to end. She simply wanted to stay in his arms forever. She had finally come home. Safe. Secure. Loved?
Chad swayed with Gabriella in his arms. Having to let go was the most abysmal idea in the world. Everything about this woman turned his preconceived images of love upside-down. He didn’t know where they were headed, but he had to tell his mother to stop matchmaking already. He could handle things just fine all on his own.
“Who needs mistletoe?” he whispered, and putting his fingers under her chin, lifted her face to his. His own feelings of longing were reflected in her eyes. He couldn’t resist kissing her again. But when he leaned toward her, his foot kicked something on the floor. He looked down and found his face staring up at him from the back cover of one of his books Gabriella had been holding. Glancing back at Gabriella, her eyes closed, waiting for his kiss, he saw red. He’d been a fool once again. Thankfully, the trust fund he’d secretly arranged for Nina had stipulations. He’d chided himself for being so cautious when his lawyer had suggested the cautionary measures. It’s a good thing he hadn’t listened to his heart after all.
