Adam assessed the extra tree with a wry smile. “I suppose this isn’t needed, then.”
“Nonsense.” Maureen rushed to his side and placed a kiss on his cheek. “We can make room for it in the dining room. I even think I have an extra tree stand in one of these boxes.”
While she searched through her supplies, Adam sent him a puzzled glance.
Rupert did his best to ignore it. What he did in his free time was none of his employer’s concern. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t completely squash that inner fear that Adam would find out about his feelings for Maureen.
“Here we go.” Maureen pulled an older tree stand from a box and motioned for Adam to follow her into the next room. “Let’s give this tree some water.”
Adam followed her, but he cast one more questioning glance as he left.
Rupert ran his finger along his collar. Now would be as good a time as any to leave, but whenever he considered the cowardly route, his blood burned. After years of playing the part of a friend, he was finally making some headway. Maureen seemed to finally see him as something more than that. And if he ran away now, he might as well kiss his progress good-bye.
So he decided to up his game.
By the time Maureen and Adam had returned, he’d turned on the sound system, piping Christmas carols throughout the lower level of the house.
Her eyes sparkled. “I’m finally starting to get into the holiday mood.”
“Good,” he replied, handing her a box full of ornaments, “because a light as bright as yours should never be dulled.”
“Oh, Rupert,” she said with a bashful giggle before taking the box and carrying it to the tree.
Adam watched the exchange between them, his expression unreadable now.
Anxiety wrapped around Rupert’s gut and squeezed it.
“I know this isn’t all your Christmas stuff, Mom,” Adam said at last. “Bates, can you help me bring down the rest?”
“Of course.” He followed his employer up the stairs, reminding himself that he had every right to be here.
Adam didn’t speak until they were safely within the attic and out of earshot from Maureen. “What are you doing here?”
“I suspect the same thing as you.” He made his way through the stored treasures, searching for the other boxes. “I was quite distressed to find your mother hadn’t even bothered to decorate for the holidays, so I decided to nudge her in the right direction.”
“I want my brothers’ arrivals to be a surprise.”
“They will be.” He found a box and pulled it from the shelf. “And now, they will have the Christmas they’ve come to expect from your mother, even though she’s not aware of what lies in store for her.”
Adam caught him by the arm as he tried to escape the attic. “Tell me the truth, Bates. What were you doing here?”
He longed to tell Adam that his mother was a grown woman, a widow of more than five years, and could do whatever she pleased, but that reply lay lodged in his throat like a wad of poorly chewed steak. “I’m here to help an old friend whose family had become too busy with their own lives and families to check in on her.”
Adam took a step back as though he’d been slapped. He released Rupert’s arm, his expression a mixture of ire and guilt. “I’m here.”
“Yes, and perhaps I should’ve mentioned to you my plans beforehand, but I know you are busy with your wife and trying to coordinate everything else for the holidays, and I wanted to help where I could.” He sidestepped Adam. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I believe your mother would appreciate having her favorite Nativity scene set up on the side table to the left of the fireplace.”
Chapter 10
Adam hung back while his mother and Bates laughed over the tangled strings of holiday lights and Jasper’s attempts to add to the chaos. A strange feeling formed deep inside his chest as he watched them. He hadn’t seen his mother this happy since his father was still alive.
Bates knew what kind of tree she preferred. He knew where she traditionally placed her decorations. He knew how she liked her coffee. He knew what her favorite take-out order was, as evidenced by the lunch he’d had delivered to the house. He knew how to draw a smile from her. And he knew how to revive the joy he’d been missing in her since his father had passed away.
But it was more than discovering how well Bates knew his mother. It was the secret glances he’d caught them exchanging. The shy smiles and the discreet yet innocent touches that provoked a sense of warm intimacy between them. They’d been friends for years, but lately, he was beginning to sense that they were treading into new territory.
The problem was, he wasn’t quite sure how he felt about it. He wanted his mom to be happy. And Bates was a man he respected, who treated his mother with respect. But his loyalty to his father’s memory prevented him from fully embracing the idea of them as a couple.
The joy in his mother’s face as she teased Bates about being too OCD in the way he spaced the lights served as a swift kick to his gut. He was being selfish to think his mom would never move on and find love with another person.
But what would he tell his brothers? Would they feel the same? Adam doubted Ethan or Gideon would have any problems with Bates. Neither should Ben, Caleb, and Dan. Out of all his brothers, Frank might be the hardest to win over since he had been so close to their father and the most gutted over his death.
He waited until his mom stepped out of the room to make a pot of tea before approaching Bates. “You’ve done her a world of good.”
Worry flickered across his face. “I have?”
Adam nodded. “Keep up the good work.”
It was his way of giving them his blessing.
Then he made his way to the kitchen and rubbed Jasper’s back. “It looks like Bates has everything under control,” he told his mother. “I’m going to go home and whip up a dinner for Lia.”
“She’s not working tonight?”
“She worked the brunch shift, but decided to take a night off. The long hours and holiday rushes are zapping her energy.”
A hopeful smile started to appear on his mother’s face, but he cut it off before she jumped to conclusions. “And no, she’s not pregnant.”
The negative test the other night still mocked him. Lia was still late, but she continued to attribute it to stress.
“Then be a good boy and take care of her.” She kissed his cheek. “And don’t worry so much. Amazing things happen when you least expect them to.”
He wasn’t sure if she was referring to his hopes of starting a family or her blossoming relationship with Bates, but he nodded just the same.
“It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” came on over the speakers, and she bounced with glee. “Appropriate now, don’t you think?”
He breathed in the scents of cinnamon candles and pine boughs, absorbed the lighthearted beat of the song, and soaked in the familiar decorations and trimmings that turned his family’s home into something grand for the holidays. “Absolutely.”
He waved to Bates as he left. “See you in the morning.”
And as he made his way to his car, he found himself whistling along with the tune that was playing inside.
Chapter 11
Maureen stood behind Rupert and admired the crackling fire he was stoking. “The perfect finishing touch.”
And yet, as she glanced around the living room that was draped in holiday cheer, her heart sank. It didn’t chase away the loneliness. It just reminded her that her boys wouldn’t be home this year.
Rupert noticed. “You’re not allowed to pout at Christmas,” he scolded.
“Hard not to do this year.”
“Then please allow me to cheer you up.” He took her in arms and swayed to the soft music playing the background.
She rested her head on his shoulder without giving it a second thought. It seemed so natural, so comforting.
So perfect.
The butterflies in her stomach started to make a re
turn, only to be squashed when she realized what song was playing.
“I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”
And without explanation, she started tearing up again.
Rupert hugged her as they danced. Even without looking her face, he knew she was upset.
“This was my mum’s favorite song,” he murmured. “My father was in the army during the war, and she said she played the Bing Crosby recording so many times that first Christmas he was away, she ruined the record.”
Maureen chuckled and lifted her head to look at him. “And let me guess—she bought a new one?”
“You forget this was during the air raids when such luxuries were hard to come by.” His face split into a grin. “She bought every bloody copy she could find on the black market.”
She laughed again.
“Whilst some women would do anything for a pair of silk stockings, my mum only wanted the comfort of Bing.” The twinkle in his brown eyes chased away the last of her gloominess.
“Any reason why?”
“She said it was because his voice reminded her of my father’s.” He picked up the pace of his dance steps and started singing along with the song. “I’ll be home for Christmas, If only in my dreams.”
He was so off key that she couldn’t help but laugh again.
“Obviously, I didn’t inherit my father’s voice,” he said with a shrug.
The song switched over to “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” and he easily transitioned into a brisk foxtrot.
“You may not have a career as a singer, but you are an excellent dancer, Rupert.”
“And here I thought all those dance lessons I was forced to take during my teen years were complete bollocks.” He leaned forward until his nose touched hers in a playful manner, the corners of his eyes crinkled from grinning.
“Such language!” she declared as she fanned herself.
They laughed together and continued to dance around the living room.
It was the most fun she’d had since…
Since the bridge tournament two weeks ago.
And suddenly it hit her. She was falling even harder for him.
Only this time, she lacked the guilt she’d felt earlier.
“Maureen?” he asked.
That was when she realized that they’d stopped dancing.
She looked up at him. “Rupert, I…”
Her courage fled. What if I’m reading too much into this? What if he only wants to be friends?
His hold on her loosened, and he stepped back, his gaze focused on their shoes. “I should probably go. I have work in the morning and—”
She silenced him by placing her hand over his heart. The frantic beat matched her own.
Their eyes met, and she caught a glimpse of the same uncertainty, the same longing.
He reached out, his fingertips grazing her cheek, and stared at her as though she was the most beautiful woman in the world.
It was just the confirmation she needed before rising on her tiptoes and brushing her lips against his in a hesitant kiss.
A second later, he reciprocated with a kiss at least ten times more passionate than hers. His strong arms tightened around her, pulling her close. Every touch spoke of yearning, of love, of things she’d never expected from him and yet felt as natural as breathing. Youthful giddiness pounded through her veins, awakening the desire she’d long thought dormant. She wanted him.
She might even be in love with him.
But all this left one unanswered question. How long had he been hiding his affection for her?
When their lips finally parted, they were both breathless.
Doubt clouded his expression, and he started to pull away until she stopped him again.
“Stay,” she whispered before kissing him again.
Chapter 12
Rupert woke before dawn. At first, he experienced nothing but the same bliss he’d fallen asleep to, holding Maureen in his arms. She’d been every bit as passionate as he’d expected her to be, and by the end of the night, they were both left sated and exhausted.
But panic soon followed.
He’d slept with his boss.
Or to be more precise, he’d slept with his boss’s mother.
Not that she needed to force him to. The moment she asked him to stay, he gladly accepted. And the adrenaline pumping through him stemmed not from her but from the fear of what Adam would say if he knew. He’d probably be sacked.
Sweat beaded along his hairline, and he rolled out of her bed, taking care not to wake her. The alarm clock read 4:13 a.m. With any luck, he could make it home, shower away her scent, and report to work extra early. Adam would never have to know.
As soon as he thought that, disappointment tempered his movements. He didn’t want this to be a one-night thing. He wanted weeks, months, years of this. He wanted to marry her.
But would Adam—and his brothers—give them their blessings?
He was in the process of pulling on his trousers when she murmured his name and sat up.
“What are you doing?”
He froze, his stomach forming one big nauseated knot. By some sliver of luck, he managed to nod to the clock. “I need to get ready for work.”
“This early?”
“I have to go home and change.” He rushed out of the room, frightened that if he dared to linger, he’d never want to leave.
She called after him. Jasper chased him down the stairs, but he kept running until he started his car and drove away.
Coward!
Fresh snow blanketed the barren streets. In a little while, the plows would come through and mar their beauty, but the scene comforted his frazzled nerves.
He loved Maureen.
He wanted to marry her.
But first, he needed to make peace with the men whose father he’d be replacing.
And that terrified him even more than proposing to her.
He began to solidify his plan as he drove home. Thankfully, her sons would be home for the holidays. Perhaps he could invite them out for a pint and ask their permission. At one point, he found it somewhat hilarious that he’d even bother to ask them before her. Maureen was an articulate, strong-willed woman who’d never needed a man’s permission to do anything. But at the same time, it might go over better with her children if he at least made an attempt to express his love for her to them.
Shite! He couldn’t even speak those words to her. Even when he came, he couldn’t utter those three words he knew in his heart to be true. Damn English repression of emotions.
The hot water of the shower beat down on him as he considered his options.
He needed to tell Maureen he loved her before he did anything else.
After that, he needed to decide what to do next—bring up his proposal to her first or her sons.
Of course, he’d have to find a ring.
And figure out what to say.
And pray he wasn’t jumping to conclusions just because she’d asked him to stay the night.
By the time he arrived at work, he was a jumble of nerves. He couldn’t focus on his to-do list. The words on his screen blurred together until he couldn’t even read his email. He jumped every time his phone rang until he finally did the unthinkable and turned it off.
I can’t live like this, he thought as he raked his fingers through his hair.
It was almost noon, and he’d accomplished nothing.
And then all hell broke loose.
“Rupert,” Maureen said from the doorway of his office, “we need to talk.”
His mouth went dry the second he saw the ire written on her face. He’d only seen her angry a handful of times—mostly when one of her sons had gotten in trouble. Usually, it was Frank who drew this intense of a reaction from her. But the idea that he’d done something to earn that unyielding glare frightened him to the core.
He rose from his chair, his knees on the verge of collapsing, only to have her wave him down.
She closed the door and stood on
the other side of the room, her arms crossed. “You left in quite a hurry this morning.”
He stumbled over his words as he tried to rationalize his act. “I had to work today.”
“You ran away.”
“No, I didn’t. I—”
“Don’t lie to me, Rupert.” She looked away, her face twisted in disgust.
Each throb of his heart delivered a blow to his conscience. “Maureen, please…” he began, but words failed him.
“I thought you could be someone special,” she said, bitterness lacing her words. “I thought you cared. And I was foolish enough to fall for it.”
“I do care for you, Maureen.”
“Then show me.” She didn’t blink as she issued her challenge.
He stood frozen, unable to find the right words when he needed them the most. He wanted to fall to his knees and beg for forgiveness, but she never gave him a chance.
“I thought as much,” she said with profound disappointment and turned to leave.
“I do care,” he repeated. He ran around his desk to demonstrate it with a passionate kiss, but she stopped him by holding her hand out in front of him.
“Are you lying now? Or do you lack the conviction to say what you truly feel?”
He tried to answer, but all that came out were a few incomprehensible stutters.
“Either way is unacceptable.” She flicked her gaze from his head to his feet and back again. “I want more. I deserve more.”
She left the office, slamming the door behind her.
Rupert’s head swam, and he stumbled into the nearest chair before he fell from the vertigo. He’d had paradise within his grasp, and he had been too much of a coward to possess it.
And he doubted he’d have a second chance.
A knock sounded at his door.
He looked up, hopeful she’d reconsidered and returned.
Instead, Adam strolled in. He took one look at him and paled. “Are you okay, Bates? You’re not having a heart attack, are you?”
He replied with a snort of laughter. Oh, the irony of that statement. His heart was breaking, but he doubted it was as fatal as what Adam feared. “No need to call the aid car.”
Romancing the Holidays: Twelve Christmas Romances - Benefits Breast Cancer Research Page 6
