Christmas Paradise

by Gale Storm

  “Not so, sweet thing.” He leaned against the counter as he looked at her. “The man has serious woman problems."

  Tarry felt a flush of pure heat sweep across her face. Damn, Michael was going to cause her a problem.

  “How do you know that? You've only known him twenty-four hours,” Ramona asked.

  He grinned. “The symptoms are obvious to anyone who has experienced the situation recently.” He raised his arms, his look challenging as he smiled at the two women. “A man who has been denied his heart's desire is known for his sarcasm and moodiness."

  “Well, no matter.” Tarry shrugged as if it was of no importance to her. “I'm sure Tyrone is big enough to work out a solution with time.” She lifted the tray of Christmas sweets she had prepared and walked past him into the living room.

  It wasn't until after the evening meal that things calmed down to a point that Tarry was able to talk with John Huxley, her favorite brother. They were making extra beds in the attic when she finally gathered her courage to ask him.

  “Well?"

  “Well, what?” John asked.

  “What do you think of him?"

  “Of whom?"

  “Tyrone, of course."

  “What am I supposed to think, Tarry?"

  “For Pete's sake, Johnny, you know what I'm talking about. Do you like him? Does the family gossip bother you?"

  “Tarry, you're thirty years old. On New Year's Day you'll be thirty-one. Why should it matter to you what we think?” John Huxley flipped the sleeping bag out on the foam pad, looking up, meeting her worried gaze. “But if it makes you feel any better, it doesn't bother me at all. In fact, I would say it is high time you had a fuller, richer life. To be honest, sis, we all wanted to meet him, check him out, so to speak, make sure he's good enough for our big sister. But none of us is likely to pass judgment on any relationship you might decide to have with him or any man.” He straightened the bag. “I don't have to ask you how you feel about him. It's so plain even a blind man could see it. But how do you feel about it, sis? He's very different from you. In fact, I would say an exact opposite."

  Tarry smiled fondly at John. He was her most observant brother, and she had known she couldn't hide anything from him. “I'm not sure when it happened, Johnny, but I'm in love with him. I know it's all wrong. He's a man that must create to be happy, and part of creating is being with people. We are opposites in some ways, yet in others we think alike. We have nothing in common, yet we do. We're both intelligent enough to realize that it might not be enough to make a relationship work. Neither of us knows what to do at this point. I'm just beginning to be aware of everything we missed by living on this mountain, John."

  “So, what do you feel we missed?” A concerned frown marred her brother's handsome face.

  “Oh, things like sharing your first date with your parents. Having girlfriends to gossip with, or an adult to guide you during the times when only a parent can provide the nervous, protective bit. Showing off my new dress to Mom. Rushing home from college to show my family my new fraternity pin or an engagement ring. Silly things, I guess, but sometimes I miss them. And I've realized for the first time I wasn't the only one who suffered because of the isolation I kept us in."

  “Dad and Mom wanted us to grow up independent, Tarry. I can remember Dad telling David he would be stronger by being independent. But you never had any of those girlish dreams fulfilled, did you?” John studied her in understanding. “You made sure the rest of us had everything, though, didn't you, Tarry. You were Mom and Dad to us for fifteen years. You never let any of us down, and you've always been there for us. Are you doing what you want with your life now?"

  She smiled as she looked into his soft brown gaze. “I don't know. I don't really know any other way to live. Who really gets to do what they want, anyway?"

  “I seem to remember a big sister of mine telling me it never hurts to try.” John Huxley spoke so softly Tarry barely heard. “You told me to go out and become a physician if that was what I wanted. And look at me now!"

  Her gaze rested on her youngest brother's face, and a feeling of love and understanding filled her chest. He reached out and hugged her; then he swung his arm, swatting her playfully on the bottom as they moved to the door, “By the way, how's the ribcage now?"

  “It's healed, just a little soreness now and then, especially if I sleep wrong."

  “If you're in pain, let me know. I can give you something for it."

  “I'm fine, Johnny. Thanks, anyway."

  He looked into her eyes before opening the door. “Let me give you some brotherly advice, Tarry. You don't have to work to hard to make Tyrone jealous. Michael seems like a swell guy and one I could like, but don't jeopardize the real thing with Tyrone."

  “I'm not doing anything to encourage Michael, Johnny. You know I wouldn't even know how to do something like that."

  “I've found women have a natural talent for getting under a man's skin. You're under Tyrone's skin...” John dropped his arm around her shoulder. “...and not surprisingly, more than he can handle for the moment. Just be yourself, things will work out."

  Tarry was encouraged by his words and felt her face radiate her pleasure as they came down the stairs. Gary caught her hand at the bottom, pulling her into the living area. “We're going to sing Christmas carols. Will you play the guitar, Tarry?"

  “Sure.” She took her guitar from its place by the wall and made herself comfortable on the floor. At midnight, Tyrone called a halt to the singing.

  “If we're to let Santa arrive before dawn, we had better take our leave of the Christmas tree."

  “Which means, of course, we have to put the children to bed,” her brothers chimed in unison. Instantly, Tarry found herself being lifted by Dwayne and David and carried up the stairs like a sack.

  “Put me down.” She wiggled wildly, but there was no escape. “I am not a child."

  She heard Gary making the same protest as Tyrone threw him over his shoulder and followed her brothers. She giggled. It was absolutely wonderful to be with people again. Amazing that she had survived so long without them.

  Chapter Ten

  The sound of sleigh bells woke Tarry the next morning. She opened her eyes to stare at Gary. He was in pajamas, his hair tousled as if he had just lifted it from the pillow. She was reluctant to move, knowing from experience how cold the rest of her bed would be, but to stop the bells she reached out and caught them.

  “What are you doing?” She yawned as she caught the strap.

  “It's Christmas. I've been given the order to wake everyone."

  “Well, I'm awake."

  He grinned at her. “You're the last one, Tarry. I'm surprised you didn't hear me before. David said you're always the first to come downstairs on Christmas, but not this year. I was,” he informed her importantly.

  Tarry stretched as she sat up. She had slept fitfully, as her dreams had been wild. She placed the blame on the combination of the hot cider drinks that Dwayne had handed her during the evening and the excitement of having so many people home with her.

  She waved at Gary as he went out the door. “I'll be down in ten minutes. No one can open anything until I get there."

  He laughed as he shut the door.

  Tarry stood, feeling tired and blurry-eyed. Rubbing her fingers across her eye sockets, she went to the dresser. The mirror reflected a tiny woman. The shirt she had on swallowed her petite figure. She ran her brush through her lengthening hair. As she encountered a tangle, she frowned. She should have kept it short. With a tug she abandoned the process and walked to her closet. She removed a green silk blouse and the pair of black velvet breeches she had bought especially for this morning. Then, she opened her door and went across the hall to the bathroom. She could hear voices downstairs and knew that Gary was making sure everyone was getting impatient to open the packages. She yawned, pushing against the door and shutting it with her eyes still closed. She took two steps in and stopped dead in her tracks.r />
  Tyrone was sitting in the tub. He lifted a cynical eyebrow at her gasp of surprise.

  “Most people knock first,” he teased, enjoying her embarrassment. Tarry held the clothes close to her chest as she made to step back, but he was quicker and caught her wrist. “Where do you think you're going?"

  “I'm sorry. I was yawning. My eyes were closed.” She tried explaining, always looking at a spot above his head. “Let me go."

  “Gracious, Tarralee, you'd think you've never seen a naked man before, which by the way is totally impossible with a household full of men. You don't have to look so shocked—it's me, after all."

  “Tyrone, please, I didn't know anyone was here. I didn't think. I just—” He stood; and she stared into his face, afraid to look anywhere else, forgetting to finish her sentence at his sudden movement.

  “Tarralee, remember, honey, we were lovers. There aren't many secrets between us."

  “The optimum word in that sentence is were.” She yanked at her hand, but he had a firm grip and had decided not to release her.

  “That situation can change.” He released her wrist as he stepped from the water, his hands clasping her shoulders in a solid grip

  “Tyrone...” The heady sexual awareness was alive again, and she knew no way to avoid it. His shoulders gleamed from the water; his expression was watchful as his fingers formed a mold of her shoulders.

  “You'll catch cold.” She breathed at last.

  “I doubt it. You've been avoiding me like a fever since I arrived. You're making your brothers very curious. More curious than they would be even if we openly went to bed together."

  She closed her eyes, not believing this was happening.

  “You can avoid the issue all you like, Tarralee, but eventually you're going to have to come to terms with me."

  “Please, let me go. This isn't the time or place to discuss this.” Her shirt had wet spots on it now from his damp skin. Her throat felt tight as his eyes continued to hold hers.

  “For once I agree with you, sweetheart.” He dropped his hands, reaching over her head and catching a towel. “But we will talk about us, Tarry, very soon.” He wrapped the towel around his waist. The stark white color was a surprising contrast to the deep tan of his legs and chest, drawing her gaze in fascination. “I'll assume you want the bath.” He grinned at her flustered expression. “You may have it, luv, if you'll give me a kiss."

  Her eyes flew to his. “That is ridiculous."

  He shook his head as he stepped close to her. “A poor, innocent, tiny backwoods woman. Amazing you weren't eaten by your dogs long ago.” He bent his head and dropped a gentle kiss on her open lips. “Now, give me a Christmas kiss, Tarry."

  “You'll leave?” she asked breathlessly. He nodded, and she stood on a tiptoe and pecked him on the cheek. She glanced back into his faded eyes and saw the familiar mocking deviltry she thought might never be focused on her again.

  “Hardly worth the effort. I think you need a lesson.” His arms encircled her, lifting her off the floor as his lips took possession of hers. It was a fiery kiss and would have led to more, but an imperious knock sounded on the door as it was thrust open. Gary, John, and Michael stood there. They all watched as Tyrone dropped her back to her feet.

  “I believe you need to install a lock on that door.” Tyrone commented dryly as he strolled nonchalantly into the hall. Tarry knew her face was scarlet as she rushed to push the door closed. The gall of the man. She wished with every ounce she weighed she could get back at him as he deserved.

  She was leaning heavily on the door when someone pushed against it. Tarry groaned. Now what? “Yes?"

  “Santa arrived while we slept, Tarry, please hurry.” Gary's young voice broke in his excitement.

  “I'll be right out, give me five minutes.” She broke all speed records in dressing, washing her face and hands. Then she was out the door before any more interruptions could occur. Ramona greeted her at the bottom of the stairs with a cup of tea and a muffin.

  “I thought only children were excited about packages; but I'm not sure who is more excited, your brothers or Gary."

  Tarry managed a smile as she turned then almost dropped her teacup. There was a mountain of presents surrounding the tree.

  “Sit down, Tarry, before you fall down.” David caught her arm and calmly pushed her into the soft cushions of the couch. Dwayne had saved her tea and muffin.

  “Where...” She looked at her brothers. “When, who..."

  “It's the magic of Christmas, Tarry. Did you really think we hadn't learned your secrets over the years?"

  Tarry laughed and clapped her hands. “Let's begin."

  Ramona joined her on the couch, and for the next two hours they watched as each package was opened. Tyrone acted as Santa as he passed gifts to each member of the household, one at a time. Then everyone would admire the gift. Her brothers had given her clothes, as she had given them. Ramona and Charley received jam and baked goods from Tarry and a bonus check from Tyrone. Gary got a spacesuit and toys, a homemade saddle blanket and Mark Twain's books Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer from Tarry as she had once promised him. Tarry was too excited to notice what Tyrone received, although he seemed to open as many packages as the rest of the gathering. Finally, when there was only one present left beside the tree, Tyrone had Charley help him lift it and set it in front of Tarry.

  She glanced at him as she chewed her lip. It was from him and it was huge. She had no idea what it could be. “It's too big."

  Dwayne laughed. “I'll agree, Tarry, it's bigger than you, but we're all dying of curiosity. Open it, Sis."

  “But I have something for Tyrone, also. It's under the sofa.” Everyone moved back and lifted their feet as he reached beneath the furniture. “I hid it so you wouldn't know,” she explained.

  He grinned as his hand touched the package. Very carefully, he pulled it forward. It was a leather-bound edition of a book she had seen him admire when they had been in a bookstore in Los Angeles. It was called Great Directors at Work: Whose Stage is It? She knew he was proud to be included.

  “We're to open together, Tarry. No fair going alone.” There was a message in the gaze he rested on her, and she immediately began carefully opening her beautifully wrapped package. He took his time watching her.

  When the TV console was uncovered she gasped with surprise. Why on earth would he give her a TV? She met his eyes. Surely he knew there was no way to get reception on the mountain.

  “Open the cabinet doors.” She followed the suggestion and inside she saw the combination DVD and VCR player and on top of that rested a note. She lifted it and gasped again.

  He had given her an entire library of movies. Classics, thrillers, adventure, Disney, Hitchcock, romances and each of his works. Her brothers were thrilled with the gift. Instantly, they dug through the box, whistling when they read the titles.

  Tarry didn't know what to do. She sat on the couch feeling like a fool. He had given her a gift worth a fortune, and she had only given him a book. She found it hard to swallow, or meet his eyes now. At last, when she found courage enough to look across at him, he grinned.

  “I love my book, Tarralee,” he whispered. “Thank you,” he mouthed.

  She felt tears well up in her eyes as she returned his smile. “Thank you, Tyrone. Mine is wonderful, too."

  “Well, I'm hungry.” Charley stood, catching his wife's hand, pulling her toward the kitchen. “We made breakfast hours ago, so each of you come when you're ready.” It was Tarry's nature to pick up, but Tyrone stopped her from folding up the discarded wrapping paper. “You want to go skiing with me?"

  “Now?"

  “Sure, why not? Let them clean up for a change.” He nodded to her brothers.

  Tarry's eyes followed his as she glanced at her brother's backs. They were still engrossed in the movie selections.

  “Sounds good to me.” She dropped the paper as he lifted her to her feet. It took only a few minutes for her to change then she
was back downstairs. When Tyrone appeared in the doorway he motioned silently with his head, and they disappeared into the yard.

  It was exhilarating matching her stride to his as they made their way toward the lake. She had not skied to the lake in some time and had almost forgotten the thrill it always brought her. He was silent, absorbing the beauty around them, and she lacked a desire to break into his thoughts.

  When they reached their destination, she collapsed on a log while he stared out across the frozen white. She was winded and yet felt an electric current of excitement pulse through her body. It puzzled her. She had made this trip every day for twenty-five years, on skis, sleds and walking. She had never felt this way before. Tyrone walked to the edge of the lake and stood staring over the frozen expanse. She was glad that he seemed not to notice her fatigue.

  “This is the most beautiful place in the world. A true Christmas paradise, Tarry, with Christmas-card beauty and the woman I love.” Tyrone spoke softly, still staring out across the lake, at the cloudless peaks. “Just think, Tarralee, if I hadn't come up here to hire you to work on the picture I would never have known about this crystal beauty, the sound of icicles clanging in the breeze.” He turned, a wide grin on his face. “I would never have seen such beauty, or shared it with you. My heart has exploded with a new awareness of what is ultimately of value in our world. It's not money, fame or parentage. It's family, friends, and the natural beauty in each day."

  Tarry returned the smile, looking beyond him to the peaks, slowly running her eyes over their contours. He slid to her side and sat beside her.

  “To think I might never have known you. I can't even remember what my life was like before I met you, Tarralee."

  Tarry shivered. He was doing it again, his charm breaking through her firm thoughts and determined resolutions.

  “I read somewhere that the world becomes more beautiful when you share it,” she mused aloud. “It does appear to glow today."