Falling For You At Christmas: Shellwater Key Tale

by Kristin Wallace

  Yes, moving out would be a smart move. Cassie couldn’t afford to screw up again, and mistaking the man’s kindness for anything other than common concern would be the latest screw up.

  Tomorrow, she’d get out of Jared’s way and let him proceed with his life, unencumbered by the hormonal, pregnant lady who imagined a man like him could love her.

  Chapter 3

  She woke with the sun. Cassie was surprised she’d managed to sleep at all, considering the turmoil running through her mind when she’d climbed into the canopy bed again. Exhaustion must have won out over mortification. Packing didn’t take long since she hadn’t brought much. She’d only planned to stay a few days, and nothing in her closet fit anymore.

  Heaving her small suitcase down three flights of stairs took a great deal more effort than she’d imagined. Jared Latham had carried her luggage like it was a bag of feathers. Of course, he had those big, strong shoulders and firm thighs, not to mention the perfect butt, which must help in the lifting.

  You aren’t going to think about Jared’s fine rear end or amazing eyes anymore, Cassie Stevens. You are going to be a good girl. A prim and proper mother-to-be.

  Shutting off the valve on her overactive hormones, she concentrated on not falling down the stairs. By the time she made it to the lobby, she was sweating like a pig and probably smelled like one, too. She lumbered toward the front desk, praying Jared wouldn’t be there. Surely he had someone else who handled check-ins. He couldn’t be tied to the desk all day.

  “Cassie?”

  Oh come on.

  Her eyes squeezed shut, and then she swiveled toward the man who was currently driving her crazy.

  Jared had paused as he came out of an office behind the desk. His gaze immediately went to her suitcase. “You’re leaving?”

  “I think it’s for the best.”

  “Because of me.” His features twisted in a grimace.

  Cassie shook her head. “No, because of me. I intruded on your home, and that led to a little more closeness than either of us counted on.”

  “Don’t go.”

  The quick staccato of his command seemed ripped from his throat. The words reached out and gripped the space where her heart had shriveled and died.

  “Please, I’ll feel horrible if I’ve chased you off.” Jared moved to her in three quick strides. “It’s completely my fault, and I promise nothing will ever happen again.”

  That wasn’t the declaration she’d imagined. The urgent plea was Jared being a gentleman and trying to take the blame.

  “Like I said last night, we both got carried away,” Cassie said, wondering why his rejection hurt so much. “I’m not angry with you, but I think we can both agree that living together is a bad idea, even for a couple of days.”

  Jared firmed his lips and then sighed. “Fine, we’ll both take credit for last night, but there is still no need for you to go. As it happens, another guest is checking out this morning so you can have that room. I’ll have your bags sent up as soon as it’s ready.”

  “You found a room? How convenient.”

  Had Jared kicked someone else out? Maybe he’d made it so the other guests fled the premises. Sent a noxious smell through the air vent or turned up the heat until the room was sweltering. Perhaps he’d released a hundred flying roaches, and they’d driven the poor guests out into the street.

  “Computer glitch,” Jared said, with a completely straight face so there was no way to divine evil intent. “I didn’t realize anyone was checking out today.”

  Switching to a private room would mean staying at the inn. No mad scramble to find another place. Staying meant running into Jared Latham every time she turned around, of course. Remembering how close they’d come to kissing on his couch. And how much she regretted that he’d stopped.

  “I don’t know,” Cassie said.

  Amelia Lamb sailed out from the dining room. “There you are. We’re all waiting for you.” She paused when she spotted Cassie’s suitcase. “Oh, did you find another room somewhere?” Amelia asked, the disappointment clear in her tone.

  Cassie was gratified to know that at least someone seemed upset at the prospect of her leaving.

  “Yes, she does have another room.” Jared jumped in before Cassie could answer. “One will be opening up very soon. Cassie brought her things down so we could make the switch.”

  She jerked her head in his direction. If she didn’t know any better, Cassie would suspect Gentleman Jared had just manipulated her into accepting the other room. She couldn’t very well insist on leaving now. What reason could she give that wouldn’t seem rude or stupid?

  “Yes…” Cassie said, bowing to the inevitable. “Yes, I am moving to my own room. I felt so bad about kicking Tara out of her bed and disrupting Mr. Latham’s privacy.”

  “I didn’t mind,” Jared said. “I’ll miss seeing your toes every night.”

  Amelia’s head had been swiveling back and forth between Cassie and Jared, but at his statement the older woman focused in on Jared. “Toes?”

  Jared’s mouth curled at one end. “Holly Berry Red. My new favorite color.”

  “Nail polish?” Amelia guessed, her own lips stretching into a grin.

  Cassie obligingly wiggled her toes in her sandals. “My Christmas indulgence.”

  Amelia’s grin widened. “I like it. It suits you.”

  “Because it takes some of the focus off my ginormous belly?” Cassie stretched out in an attempt to see her feet, a failed effort that resulted in her almost tipping over. Thankfully, Jared caught her before she did a face plant in the middle of the lobby.

  “Thanks,” Cassie muttered. When his hands lingered at her back, she arched a brow in question. She’d thought they weren’t supposed to be touching any more.

  Jared made no move to release her. “No problem.”

  “Well, now that you’ve been saved from a terribly embarrassing fall, you should come and eat breakfast. You’ll need a lot of strength today,” Amelia said, watching them with a twinkle in her eyes.

  Since Cassie needed to move away from Jared so as not to get any ideas about why he still hadn’t stopped touching her, she moved toward Amelia. “Why do I need a lot of strength?”

  “For the Christmas tree decorating contest,” Amelia said. “All the businesses on The Strip compete for the best tree, and that includes our inn.”

  “The rules say the guests staying on The Strip can participate in the decorating, along with the owners and employees of the stores and restaurants,” Jared said, following behind them. “It’s a lot of fun.”

  “That does sound like fun,” Cassie said, distracted from her attraction to Jared by the prospect of making merry. Between the baby, the emotional turmoil over Matt dumping her, and her family’s exodus for the holidays, Cassie hadn’t bothered to decorate a tree for her little condo. “When does it start?”

  “In two hours,” Jared said. “You have plenty of time to eat and get ready. Your room should be prepared by then, too. I’ll come get you all when it’s time.”

  Amelia took Cassie’s arm and led her into the dining room.

  The moment they were out of earshot, Amelia turned with a wide grin. “I’m sensing some real sparks between you two.”

  “Then you need to adjust your senses,” Cassie said firmly. “There’s nothing going on.”

  “Are you sure? I could have sworn our Mr. Latham looked positively hungry back there.”

  “Maybe he skipped breakfast.” Cassie pulled away and strolled away, avoiding any further questions.

  Her new friends were all waiting at the same table where they’d sat last night. Henry Stuart jumped up when he saw them, pulling out a chair for Cassie and Amelia. His hand brushed Amelia’s back, and the woman’s cheeks colored, just like the night before.

  “Mr. Stuart, are you married?” Cassie asked.

  A shadow passed across his face. “I was married years ago, but my wife refused to put up with my mistress anymore, so she left
me.”

  “Mistress?” Cassie choked out in unison with Amelia.

  Henry shook his head “My dealerships. She got tired of competing with my ambition.” He gripped his fork tighter and stared into his plate. “Can’t say I blame her. I should have paid more attention to my family.”

  Cassie reached over and took his hand. “I’m sorry.”

  “Well, it was my own fault in the end,” Henry said.

  “Perhaps.” She could see the regret in his eyes even now. “Did you know Amelia’s husband passed away three years ago?”

  “Cassie!” Amelia gasped. “Oh my goodness.”

  “What?” Cassie sent the older woman an innocent smile. Amelia had been doing her own share of matchmaking. Turnabout was fair play. Besides, she could tell the former nurse and the King of the Deal liked each other.

  The Shepherds, meanwhile, were watching the action with avid interest.

  Henry arched a brow. “If I say I’m happy to hear that, I’ll sound like the worst human being on the planet. But if I deny that finding out this lovely woman is unattached makes me happy, I’d be lying.”

  Rick Shepherd coughed into his napkin while Juliet gulped water. Amelia turned as red as Cassie’s nail polish.

  Mission accomplished, Cassie turned her attention to the menu and breakfast.

  * * *

  Two hours later, Cassie stood on the front lawn of the inn as Jared and Jesús maneuvered the biggest Christmas tree she’d ever seen into a red stand. Everyone had come outside to witness the arrival, including more guests Cassie had only seen in passing during meal times. Inez and Gabrielle were there. Tara was practically jumping up and down on the grass in her excitement. Beside her was an older couple. The man had thinning hair and a slight hunch to his shoulders. The woman sported a red Christmas sweater with Santa on it, despite the eighty-degree weather. She had the loveliest shade of silver hair, cut in a sophisticated bob.

  The woman turned, and Cassie figured out where Jared Latham had gotten his to-die-for blue eyes.

  When the woman smiled, Cassie felt obliged to waddle over and introduce herself. “Hello, you must be Tara’s grandparents,” she said, choosing to identify with the little girl rather than her distracting father.

  “And you must be the woman who slept with my son last night,” the older woman said.

  Cassie jerked so hard she about went into labor on the spot.

  “Nicky!” the man next to her exclaimed with a surprised grunt.

  The woman made a face, like she’d just realized what she’d said. “Well, that came out wrong, didn’t it?”

  “Cassie slept in my bed,” Tara said with a giggle, as even she had understood her grandmother’s unintended reference.

  “And it was all totally innocent,” Cassie added, with a little more volume in case anyone nearby had overheard.

  Well, innocent except for the almost kiss on the couch, but Cassie wasn’t going to think about that anymore.

  “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to imply anything untoward had happened,” the older woman said, her cheeks coloring in embarrassment. “I’m Nicole Latham, Jared’s mother, of course. This is my husband, Peter. Jared told us about the mix-up and your lost reservation.”

  “I should have invested in a new computer system years ago, but there was always something else that was more urgent,” Peter Latham said.

  “It’s all right,” Cassie said. “No harm was done, and Tara’s bed was very comfortable. I slept like a baby.”

  At the reference, Mrs. Latham’s glance inevitably slid down at the baby to come, a million questions in her eyes.

  Cassie rested her hands on her extended stomach. “Baby Stevens should be making an appearance in a few weeks, but since I was alone I couldn’t resist taking a little vacation just for me before she gets here.”

  “Your family couldn’t be with you? Your uh…” Mrs. Latham’s question trailed off, but the silent inquiry was loud enough.

  Cassie’s hands tightened protectively. “No, everyone seemed to have plans that didn’t include me or my baby.”

  Mrs. Latham lifted her gaze, and her expression softened. “Well, you poor dear, but you came to the right place. We’ll make sure you have a wonderful Christmas. The tree decorating contest is always fun, and it’s gotten quite competitive over the years. Bragging rights for the year, you know?”

  Cassie smiled. “I’ll do what I can to make sure your inn has reason to brag.”

  “All right everyone, it’s time to get started,” Jared called out as he waded through the knot of guests.

  He and Jesús had carted out several boxes of decorations, and they were spread out in a circle around the tree. Everyone pressed closer to get a better look.

  “Okay, the theme this year is Christmas carols,” Jared explained. “We can use anything in these boxes or whatever we might have inside. If you have an idea, ask me or my mother, and we’ll let you know if we have what you need.”

  Juliet Shepherd raised her hand. “Are we allowed to buy anything?”

  Jared shook his head. “It has to be whatever we have on hand or whatever we can make. Now, if you brought something special that you’d like to donate, we can use that. We have two hours to finish our tree.”

  Amelia was looking Cassie’s way. “Might I suggest the theme of our tree be Away In A Manger?” she asked with a wink. “It seems appropriate.”

  The other guests swung around to stare at Cassie’s stomach. Uncomfortable with the scrutiny, she tried to smile.

  “I think that’s a wonderful idea,” Jared’s mother said before Cassie could come up with a response.

  “You can’t put me on top of the tree, though,” Cassie quipped.

  The joke worked to dispel the tension, and then everyone got to work.

  The contest turned out to be more like an outdoor party. There was much laughter as they unearthed decorations. Lights went on first, while several of the women began making strands of paper garland in the shape of stable animals. Cassie found some old pewter ornaments depicting characters from the Nativity in one of the boxes. Tara donated one of her dolls, and Jesús crafted a makeshift manger out of wood scraps. Jared’s parents found lawn decorations of Mary and Joseph in a storage room. Inez brought out an angel tree topper.

  The sight of Mary and Joseph bowing over Baby Jesus struck Cassie in the chest with the force of a sledgehammer. She stared down at the benignly smiling couple. What had they really been thinking the night of the Savior’s birth? Had they been scared out of their minds? Had they felt completely alone and unequipped? They’d been looking at raising the Son of God, which seemed like a much more monumental task than bringing an ordinary baby into the world.

  “You’re going to be all right, Cassie,” Jared murmured in her ear.

  She twisted toward him. “How did you know…?”

  “The utter terror you’re feeling right now?” Jared finished for her, with incredible gentleness.

  Cassie could do nothing but nod as tears were threatening to spill down her cheeks again. If she started crying now, there was a chance she could wind up falling to the grass and weeping.

  “It’s the same feeling every parent experiences,” he said. “You might be doing it by yourself, but you’re not alone in being scared.”

  “Maybe, but at least Mary and Joseph literally had God on their side,” she said. “What do I have?”

  “I think if God is capable of creating a Son to save us all, He’s strong enough to be there for you and your daughter, too,” Jared said, slipping an arm around her shoulders. “There’s also a chance your dad and stepmom will change their tunes once the baby’s actually here. Holding that helpless, little human changes you in ways you won’t believe.”

  “I notice you left my ex out of that scenario.”

  Jared’s expression turned dark and a little dangerous. “I’m not sure there’s any redemption possible for a man like him, but maybe I’m wrong. I hope I’m wrong for your sake and your l
ittle girl’s.”

  He placed a hand on Cassie’s stomach, and the baby practically reached out of the womb to touch him back.

  She gasped at the swift, urgent kick and laid her palm over his. “Oh…did you feel that?”

  “Yeah.” He grinned. “Maybe she likes me.”

  Her mommy sure did, and that made Jared as dangerous as a cobra. Instinctively, Cassie took a step back. “Or maybe she really liked the waffles I had for breakfast.”

  A cloud passed behind Jared’s eyes, and he sent her a rueful, apologetic half-smile. “Gabrielle’s waffles are delicious.”

  Despite the fact that Cassie had backpedaled, she still mourned the loss of Jared’s touch. She almost grabbed his hand and placed it on her belly again, but was saved when a little bell rang in her ear.

  Juliet Shepherd shook the bell again. “You two can make sheep eyes at each other later,” she said, although her eyes shone with teasing humor. “We have a Christmas tree to finish.”

  Jared swiped a hand across his mouth. “Yes, we do, and not much time to get everything done. I think there’s one more box inside. I’ll go get it.”

  He turned on his heel and marched up the front steps like a fire was licking at his heels.

  “Should I apologize for interrupting or did I come at an opportune time?” Juliet asked, arching one eyebrow.

  “Heck if I know,” Cassie muttered.

  A pain hit on the underside of her belly, and she winced.

  Juliet’s teasing expression turned more serious. “Everything all right?”

  “I think Baby Girl has her own opinions about our inn keeper.” She patted her belly. “I’m sorry, baby, but I’ve already told you he doesn’t belong to us.”

  Juliet laughed loudly enough to attract attention from those closest to them.

  “What?” Cassie asked in bemusement.

  She leaned closer. “Honey, I think if you wanted him to be, Jared Latham could definitely be yours.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Cassie sputtered. “We just met.”