A Silver Cove Christmas

by Jill Sanders

  Financial problems were his forte. Not only had he worked in the field all his life, but he loved crunching and finding hidden numbers. People, on the other hand, he knew little about.

  Which was one of the reasons he was still single at forty-two. Not that it was out of the norm for someone who’d focused on his career first and his private life second. Well, okay, actually, third, after his love for traveling. He didn’t get to travel as much now that he ran his own business, but he still allowed himself these kinds of small trips a few times a year.

  Early in life, he’d chosen the military after the woman he’d expected to spend the rest of his life with had left him at the altar. Brokenhearted, he’d joined up and had spent the next four years getting the shit kicked out of him in as many ways as possible. If it wasn’t training or bullets flying by him, it was seeing some of his closest friends die in his arms.

  So naturally, after getting out of the army, he’d chosen the safest path possible. Finance. Following in his father’s footsteps, he’d learned everything he could and had moved up in job after job.

  Glancing out of the window on the train, he noticed that the sky was dark gray, a sign that snow wouldn’t be too far off. The weather app he’d checked before leaving said they were due for more snow later in the week.

  He finished hitting send on the last email, to one of his long-standing clients. The man’s marriage was strained, and he wanted information on the state of his finances. Rory had sent him an update, which he hadn’t been too happy with. The man was in politics and had married a woman half his age, who he had been cheating on since before the ink had dried on their marriage license. Rory knew that the wife would take everything that she deserved. Still, his loyalties were with his client, until his invoices stopped being paid.

  He closed his computer down and rubbed his eyes and forehead just as the train slowed.

  Looking out, he noticed Ben Rothschild standing on the platform. Rory had worked for the younger man’s father at his first job. The man’s father Rory had little respect for, but the young Rothschild he’d liked immediately. So much so, he’d followed him when he started working for Elite Resorts International, the job Rory had left almost four years ago to start his own business.

  When he stepped outside, he tucked his jacket closer around him as the wind whipped around. Setting his suitcase and laptop case down, he shook Ben’s hand.

  “It’s good of you to come.” Ben wrapped him in a one-arm hug.

  “Well, you have a way of being persuasive.” He shook his head when he stepped back. “I’ve been dying to spend some time at East Haven since you took over.”

  “I didn’t take over; my wife, Sarah, is still in charge.” Ben smiled.

  “Right, I’d forgotten. She was Harrison’s granddaughter. It’ll be nice to meet the woman who finally convinced you to take the leap.”

  “She’s waiting at her mother’s place. They’ll have dinner ready.” Ben picked up his suitcase and Rory grabbed his laptop case.

  “You have a daughter now as well. Aurora?” he asked.

  Ben’s smile tripled. “Yup, you’ll meet her too.”

  “Congrats, man.” He slapped Ben on the shoulder as they walked through the train station.

  “Thanks.” Ben glanced over at him. “You never had any kids, did you?”

  “Nope, chose a career instead of changing diapers.” He chuckled. They walked in silence as they made their way to Ben’s car. There was a light drizzle of rain as they stepped outside.

  “So, tell me about your mother-in-law. What kind of business does she have?” he asked after they were on their way.

  “She’s owned Serenity’s Attic for twenty-some years. It’s kind of a jack-of-all-trades kind of place. They do everything from yoga classes and massages to selling oils, lotions, clothing…”

  “A hippie store?” Rory glanced over at Ben, who just chuckled.

  “Yeah, you could say that. But it does pretty good business. Usually in the low or mid six figures a year.”

  Rory whistled. “So, how much did they lose?”

  “Twenty grand.”

  “That’s not too bad.” He’d seen much worse over his four years of investigating fraud.

  “It would have been more, but Crystal hired Kayla, her now… um, I guess, niece-in-law…” Ben was silent for a while. “She’s married to…”

  “I get it.” Rory chuckled.

  “Anyway, Kayla stepped in and changed everything up. Set up some new security firewalls and the flow of cash going out stopped.”

  “Sounds like she earned her paycheck.”

  “And then some. She and Crystal almost died.”

  “What?” Rory frowned.

  “Long story, but the short of it was that a crazy woman in town thought her husband was having an affair with Crystal or maybe it was Kayla…” Ben was silent again. “Anyway, she showed up one night and—here’s where you’re kind of screwed—the woman shot the only computer with all the business financials on it.”

  Rory groaned. “No backups? Paper trails?”

  “Paper trails, yes, tons and tons of paper. But, nothing showing where the money would have gone. Well, none that Kayla or Crystal have found in the past six months.”

  Rory wondered if the trip was going to be worth it.

  “Hey, don’t worry. I promise you a couple things: one, you’ll enjoy where you’re staying and two, you’ll be eating some of the best food around. Not only is Crystal a top-notch cook, but Adam Carriveau just got back from his vacation with his wife. They sailed up to Canada. Took almost two months off. Lilith, Adam’s wife, is Sarah’s best friend. They had postponed their trip north until after Aurora was born.”

  “Sounds like you’ve dug yourself in deep around here,” Rory said, looking out the dark window. He’d been up to the area once before, but it had been years ago. From what he could remember, the scenery was gorgeous. Now, however, it was too dark to see anything but his reflection in the glass. He was looking forward to spending some time away from the city.

  His doctor had gently suggested that he do something to lower his stress levels. One of the other reasons he’d decided to take Ben up on his offer.

  He’d been having some minor health issues and he’d had to see a doctor more than he wanted to. Nothing major, but slight pains that hadn’t been there before. He still worked out four times a week, went running when he had free time, and ate as healthy as he could. At least when he wasn’t on the run and grabbing fast food.

  “If you’re going to dig yourself into a place, this is the place to choose,” Ben was saying as they drove through the small picturesque town. Rory watched classic homes go by outside the window. Then they drove straight through the small downtown area. It looked like it could be on a postcard.

  The car stopped in front of a massive house that was lit up with Christmas lights. “Come on,” Ben said after he turned the car off, “they’ll be waiting for us.”

  Rory stepped onto the sidewalk and tried to take in everything he could about the place. “Some place.” He shook his head.

  It was a massive three-story colonial that took up the entire block. He normally didn’t get in the holiday spirit until after Thanksgiving, but it was hard not to feel excitement for the season when looking at the brightly decorated house.

  Since the rain had turned into sleet, he quickly followed Ben up the stairs and shook the water from his jacket and hair on the front porch.

  “This place was built by the Holley family. It’s recently been designated as a historic landmark,” Ben said, opening one of the massive glass doors, which had a large wreath covering the stained glass.

  “Doesn’t she lock her doors?” he asked. Ben turned and smiled at him and continued to walk inside. “No wonder someone’s stolen from her,” he said under his breath.

  When he stepped into the house, he was instantly hit with the smells of the holidays. It was like someone had baked gingerbread cookies right before h
e walked in. He looked around and realized how old the building must be. There were high arches decorated with molding and classic Gone-with-the-Wind-style stairs leading up. Even the carpet and furniture looked like he’d stepped back a few centuries. Every inch of the place was classically decorated for the season, as if he’d stepped directly into the television and right into It’s a Wonderful Life.

  She may run a hippy store, but she cared more about her home and belongings than any hippy or want-to-be-hippy he’d ever met.

  Ben hung his jacket up on a coat rack and then offered to take his. “You can set your bag there.” He nodded to the base of the stairs. “I’m sure Crystal will show you to your rooms after dinner.”

  Rory was still looking at those impressive stairs when he felt his heart kick. There, at the top of the stairs, stood the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on.

  Her long blonde hair reached all the way down to her hips. She was wearing a long white sweater skirt with a bright red belt that hugged her slender waist. When she started to move, he noticed her bare legs and he literally forgot time and place.

  The woman had the most gorgeous long legs. His eyes traveled up and down her entire body as she made her way down the stairs.

  As she stopped at the foot of the stairs, he noticed the painted red toe nails at the end of those legs and felt his entire body react to the woman standing in front of him. Her hand was resting gently on the wood railing, which had been decorated with holly vines. His eyes moved up and met hers as a slow smile caused a slight dimple to the left of her sexy red-painted lips. His eyes zeroed in on the spot as daydreams about kissing just there filled his mind.

  “Rory, this is my mother-in-law, Crystal Holley. Crystal, Rory Sinclair.” Ben made the introductions. Rory was slightly shocked that this was the mother of the woman Ben was married to. The woman looked to be in her early thirties, easily.

  Crystal moved towards them and came to a stop less than a foot from him. Her blue eyes met his.

  “I’ve been waiting for you,” she said softly.

  Chapter 2

  Crystal had instantly lost her breath when she’d spied Rory Sinclair at the foot of her stairs.

  The man was easily six-two. His dark hair was neatly cut extremely short, however he had a full day’s growth of dark hair covering most of his face. There was a deep dip in his chin, causing her heart to flutter at the thought of dipping her tongue into the spot. His brown eyes watched her every move as she made her way down the stairs.

  There were a few things she’d learned over the years. “Never deny instant attraction” was near the top of that list. She’d seen the heat in his eyes as he watched her. When their hands touched, after Ben introduced them, she felt the instant spark and smiled.

  They followed her back into the kitchen and now Rory was sitting across the table from her, clearing his second plate of food. He’d tried to ask her questions about her accounting software while he’d eaten, but she’d simply waved his questions off and told him that work could wait until tomorrow.

  “Mr. Sinclair, you’re welcome to join my early morning yoga class. We start around six,” she suggested.

  “In the morning?” His dark eyebrows shot up, causing her to smile.

  “Yes, it’s early enough that others can attend and still get to work on time.” He shifted in his seat and she knew he was uncomfortable. “Maybe you prefer something a little more low key?” she suggested.

  “What did you have in mind?” he asked.

  “We have several wonderful massage therapists. I can pencil you in tomorrow morning, before we begin?”

  He relaxed and nodded. “That would be wonderful.”

  “Great.” She smiled. “How does eight o’clock work for you?”

  He nodded again. “Ben was telling me your computer was… shot?”

  “Yes, a very unfortunate incident.” She got up and carried several empty dishes to the sink. Another thing she didn’t believe in was clutter. She never put off what she could do at the moment. Especially when it allowed her to move about. Sitting still for more than half an hour was not in her best interests. Mentally or physically.

  The only time she allowed herself more downtime was when she was holding a sleeping Aurora. Then she figured she could sit in one spot for the rest of her life.

  Glancing over at her granddaughter, she smiled as the little girl played and tried to scoot around the portable crib that sat in the kitchen.

  “Here.” Strong hands took the dirty pan from her. “Let me help.”

  She moved aside for Rory and took up the dishtowel and started drying each clean plate or pan he handed her.

  “You’re good at this,” she said.

  “My mother insisted I know how to do everything domestic around the house, since my father never lifted a finger around the place.” She could tell he was joking and smiled.

  “Wise mother.”

  “I’ll tell her you said so.” His brown eyes sparkled as he looked down at her. There was a musky scent to the man and she instantly desired to enjoy it further.

  “You’re lucky to have her around still. I lost both of mine years ago.”

  “I’m sorry,” he said, glancing at her as he handed her a pan.

  “Thank you,” she said softly.

  “Mom?” Serenity said from behind them. She’d almost forgotten they were still there. “I think we’re going to head out. Aurora and I are beat.”

  “Oh, okay dear.” She set the pan down and rushed over to pick up the sleepy baby. “Just one more kiss before you go.”

  Serenity and Ben had purchased an older home on the mainland just a few blocks down from Holley Hall. Still, when they both worked and stayed on the island resort, she wasn’t able to see Aurora for days at a time. They were due to leave the following day, and Crystal already missed the little girl.

  “Mom, you’ll see her on Friday.” Serenity sighed.

  “Not soon enough,” she mumbled as she rained kisses on those chubby baby cheeks she loved so much.

  “I’ll be in touch.” Rory shook Ben’s hand after he’d dried it on the towel. “Let you know what I’ve found.”

  “Sounds good.” Ben smiled. “If you need anything…”—he nodded to Crystal—“she’s got all my contact info.”

  “Night.” Serenity reached up and kissed Crystal on the cheek as she took her daughter from her arms.

  “Night.” It was strange. Ever since Aurora’s birth, her daughter had grown closer to her. Motherhood had given her daughter a respect for what she’d gone through.

  Shortly after Aurora’s birth, they’d had a long talk about being a single mother and raising a daughter while starting a business. Serenity had finally been handed her father’s legacy, along with the entire Harrison business, Elite Resorts International. Her grandfather, Johnathan’s father, had passed on last year, leaving everything he had to his one and only granddaughter.

  Serenity had quickly put Ben in charge of Elite, while she’d continued running East Haven Resort. It had been her daughter’s dream to one day become manager of the resort, the one she now owned.

  Crystal couldn’t have been prouder of her daughter.

  “You have a wonderful daughter and granddaughter,” Rory said next to her. She’d been so lost in her own thoughts, she’d almost forgotten he was standing next to her, still holding the dishtowel in his hands.

  “Thank you. Do you have any children?” she asked, turning back to the task of clearing the table.

  “No, I was never lucky enough to find someone who could deal with my work schedule and my quirks.”

  “Their loss.” She smiled, putting the final dish away. “How about we sit out on the back patio and have some tea?”

  “I wouldn’t say no to some coffee,” he replied.

  “I might have some instant around here, but tea is better for your digestive system.”

  He sighed and nodded. “Tea it is then.”

  She moved around the kitche
n while he stood back and watched her make some tea. She set the mugs and her great-grandmother’s teakettle on the tray and for kicks added the rest of the loaf of gingerbread she’d made that morning.

  He followed her out to the closed-in porch. Her father had sealed in the massive patio area with windows when she was a young girl. She remembered spending half of her summer nights sleeping out here, under the stars of the high glass ceiling.

  “Wow, impressive.” Rory glanced around. “This entire place is amazing.”

  She smiled. “It’s been in my family for generations.”

  “Ben was telling me about it.” He sat down across from her.

  She took her time pouring the tea and cutting off a slice of bread for him.

  “Thank you.” He smiled and took both of them.

  “Ben also mentioned that you were married to Johnathan Harrison. Your daughter Sarah’s father?”

  “Married, no. Johnathan and I never needed a piece of paper tying us to one another.” A look flashed across his eyes and she smiled. “Different times. But, yes, Johnathan is Serenity’s father.”

  “Forgive me, you call your daughter Serenity, but Ben—”

  Her chuckle stopped him. “My daughter was embarrassed by the… free-spirit name we’d given her. She changed her name in high school. Not legally, but everyone around town knows her as Sarah instead.”

  “Yet, Ben tells me they named their daughter a name you picked out.”

  She smiled. “I forced their hand. I convinced them with one fact.”

  “Must have been a doozy.” He sipped the tea. The face he made told her that he liked the brew.

  “Aurora was my great-grandmother’s name. The woman my great-grandfather built this home for. Once I leave this earth, the house will once again belong to an Aurora Holley.”

  He was silent as he picked up the bread and bit into it. “But isn’t Ben’s last name Rothschild?”

  “Semantics.” She chuckled and waved him off.

  “This is amazing.” He looked down at the piece of cake like he’d just realized what it was.