Winter Dreams

by Robyn Neeley

“Only because I went with mom.”

  “Second, how in the world did you two fight about your dad? Blake doesn’t like him?”

  “I don’t know if he even knows him. Blake was pissed I didn’t tell him all of the names of my family members in town.”

  The exaggeration felt good. This whole fight was a bunch of nonsense, so why not take it to the next level of crazy?

  “That seems weird.” Corrine was always one for pointing out the obvious.

  “Apparently Uncle Myles is the president of the board of directors at North Platte River Bank. I guess I knew that, but honestly, it slipped my mind. I just think of him as a pharmacist. That news was apparently a personal affront to Blake because he runs the bank, or is going to run the bank.” She shook her head. “I get lost. Anyway, then it got really interesting when he found out who my dad was. That’s when he kind of went off the deep end. So, I followed. Hence, no more events.”

  “I see. So you two called off your little arrangement?”

  “It was implied.”

  “How so?”

  “We yelled and I stormed off. I doubt he showed up to pick me up tonight anyway. He’d have to be mental to think I’d go with him anymore. We might run into a cousin of mine who knows a guy who knows a guy who knows Blake,” Halle mocked.

  • • •

  Blake’s day had been a blur. One big, irritating whirlwind that he had no choice but to be a part of—except he really did have a choice. He hadn’t slept well—barely any—since his fight with Halle. One minute he thought he was perfectly justified and then the next he knew where he went wrong. He shouldn’t have jumped down her throat about her being less than forthcoming about her family ties in town.

  He’d knocked and rang her door bell two nights ago, standing on her porch like an idiot. He’d stood there for at least ten minutes before giving up.

  Halle was calling off their deal. No more escorting her to the holiday commitments he had. No more waiting to see what she’d say or wear next. That wasn’t what he wanted to happen. Ah, hell. I don’t know what I want anymore. That was a lie. He could feel wanting and needing Halle down to the very core of his soul. What he didn’t know was what to do about those feelings.

  “Mr. Ellison? Jerry is on line one.” The intercom line cut into his thoughts.

  “Thank you.” Blake hit the blinking line. “Jerry. Do you have the Adams’ application?”

  “I do.”

  “What’s the deal with it? Why was it denied? And why can’t I get a copy of it?”

  Jerry cleared his throat. “That matter has been handled, sir.”

  “What matter?”

  “After I received the loan application, I received a visit from Mr. Adams personally. He implied that if we gave a loan to Ms. Adams, he wouldn’t continue banking with us.” Jerry’s nervous voice came through on the phone. Blake pictured him sweating profusely at his desk.

  “Did he give a reason why?”

  “No.”

  “Why wasn’t this brought to my attention?” Blake was doing his best not to yell. He knew Jerry had the bank’s best interest in mind, but still. That was a pretty big incident to not know about.

  “I know how much business your family does with Mr. Adams in many capacities. I didn’t want it to become a big deal for you or your family. And, to be honest, Ms. Adams’ approval was right on the cusp anyway. It wasn’t hard to justify a no.”

  “If something like this happens again, Jerry, I want to be notified. I take threats to my business seriously. Understand?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Blake disconnected and leaned back in his chair. Crossing his hands behind his head, he closed his eyes. Edward plays a little dirty. Blake knew that family dynamic all too well. He was in the middle of the underhanded part right now.

  For the most part, his family played nice. They helped each other and rallied when necessary. But when they disagreed, boy, they disagreed.

  Grandpa had kept the peace among the siblings and other relatives who had stake in the various businesses. Since his death, though, things were falling apart. Namely, Blake’s already shaky relationship with his father. His father wasn’t considering his side of things.

  Halle apparently understood more than Blake had given her credit for. She really would have been the person to talk to about his issues. She would have understood. He was a good judge of character. He’d been right about Halle, and she wasn’t anything like her dad. Maybe that is why he was drawn to her in the first place—he recognized his own plight in her eyes.

  I wonder if she knows her dad interfered with her application. Blake doubted it. If she’d known, he would have seen the confrontation on the news. He laughed. Halle wasn’t afraid of confrontation and she wasn’t afraid to call people on the carpet, when it served her purpose. She picked her battles. She was smart like that.

  Dammit. I miss her. Blake opened his eyes. And that was the truth. How can I miss someone I barely know?

  They’d spent a considerable amount of time together at the events and he’d come to expect her by his side. When she wasn’t at the fundraiser, he was absolutely miserable. He kept expecting her to come up beside him with a new drink and whisk him away from a conversation he didn’t want to be a part of in the first place. No such luck.

  All the questions as to why Halle wasn’t there had sucked also. Had she really made friends with that many people this month? He’d held a steady grin and told them she had a prior commitment. Blake left out the part about the other engagement probably involving his face on a dartboard.

  He’d really messed it up this time. And he did care about her.

  There isn’t any going back and changing what I said now. That thought hit him hard. It was done. It was over. He wasn’t going to see her again.

  Chapter Nine

  Halle knew the next event was at the Feed Wyoming center on Third Street. She felt bad for dodging Blake last week, mostly. So they had a fight. People fight. She should have grown a pair and told him to his face that she wasn’t going to the next gathering.

  Alas, she couldn’t muster the courage to tell him face to face, or call him. Truth be told, she didn’t know if he’d think their deal was off or not. She couldn’t bear to see him mad, hurt, or dressed up with nowhere to go. Sad eyes, or rather any state of Blake’s eyes, were her kryptonite. He should have gotten the hint, but who knew when it came to men.

  Today, however, she could act the way she wanted to; needed to. She could man up and be an adult to deal with the situation. And she needed to do good for someone else anyway. Her life needed a purpose. Today, that purpose was feeding the homeless.

  Halle found a parking spot close by and strode toward the front door, her head held high. She entered, looking for someone in charge to get her started on an assignment amid the activity, when her eyes unwittingly locked with Blake’s. Time stood still and the noise receded. She only saw Blake. The man who had been a total ass the other night. Anger flared in her belly and made its way up to her throat. She wasn’t there for him. No. She was there because she’d made a commitment to help people.

  She diverted her eyes and looked for anyone else she might know to talk with . . . anything to not have to talk to him. She wasn’t dumb. She knew Blake would be there. She just wasn’t ready for the feeling that seeing him in the flesh brought. He means nothing to me. I need the loan. She grimaced. I’m such a loser. I can’t believe I’m here. She thought about making a beeline for the front door and just calling this what it was: stupid.

  But in the back of her mind she had to admit she thought that coming today would enforce their original agreement. Even though she had tried hard to think of another way, Halle had no other means or opportunity to get the money. Maybe I can act like nothing happened, like we didn’t fight, and still get the loan. She strapped on an innocent expression and headed to Blake. If she was going to fake it, she was going to fake it real good.

  He had his hands on his hips, still staring a
t her, when she reached him.

  “What?” She shrugged her shoulders. “Just because you’re an ass doesn’t mean the homeless have to suffer any more than they already do.”

  Smart and sassy had always won the day before. It would do the trick again.

  • • •

  Her cinnamon smell calmed his racing heart. He honestly hadn’t expected Halle to show up or to see her ever again. Does this mean we are back on for our arrangement? The damn business deal. He should have just asked Halle to go with him to the first event as a date and not made it business. Why do I make everything about business? That thought scared the crap out of him. Was he more like his father than he thought? He swore under his breath.

  Blake pointed to the kitchen doors. “Grab an apron and put your hair in one of the nets.”

  He may as well keep it business until he knew what her showing up meant. Halle walked past him and found the kitchen.

  Blake was lost in the options of his next move to get his perfect outcome when his mom approached him.

  “Was that Halle Adams, daughter of Edward Adams?”

  Oh, great. Who told her? “Nothing gets by you.”

  At least he wasn’t the last to figure out who she was.

  “Wonderful. I wanted to invite her to dinner.”

  Warning bells sounded in Blake’s head. Dinner? No. No. No. He didn’t want his mom interfering with Halle.

  “There she is.” His mom peered behind him and a sick feeling took over more of his stomach. This was not good.

  “Hello again.” Halle’s tone was polite.

  “You can go over there,” Blake pointed to the far end of the tables, “and serve the potatoes.” Just walk away, Halle.

  “Nonsense. You’ll stay here,” his mom counteracted. “We’ll serve the drinks and replenish the empties together.”

  “That sounds great,” Halle said, looking straight into his eyes.

  Now she’s just screwing with me. She came here to make my life miserable. Well played.

  “Perfect.” His mom couldn’t have been more obvious. “I’ve been meaning to ask you to Christmas Eve dinner tomorrow night. We’d love to have you.”

  Halle didn’t wait a beat before she answered. “I’d love that. Thank you.”

  “Excellent.” His mom looked to Blake, then Halle, and back again. “I’m sure you two have things to discuss. I need to get some spoons for the potatoes . . .” His mom faded into the background like her words.

  Blake shook his head and rubbed his hand down his stubbled chin. “What are you doing here, Halle?”

  “For starters, you invited me. This was part of the agreement. Remember?”

  “I do. I also remember going alone to the fundraiser.”

  Ha. Don’t have an answer to that, do ya? He wanted an answer, though. Did she hate him or was she only mad? Or—the hair rose on the back of his neck—did she ever care?

  “I needed a break.” Her words weren’t as strong as her last ones.

  “That was not part of our deal.”

  “I realize that. But, neither was a history lesson about my family.” She cleared her throat. “Fine. Our deal is off. But, your mom invited me to Christmas Eve dinner. So…” Halle winked. “See ya there.” She walked away from him, finding a spot by the drinks.

  • • •

  “Halle.”

  “Hi, Dad. How’s Europe?” Halle cursed herself for not looking at the caller ID on her cell phone before answering.

  “It’s grand.”

  She rolled her eyes. Of course it was.

  “Hopefully someday you can see these magnificent waters.”

  Someday she’d like to. Sans her father of course. Vacationing with him would be hell, no matter the color of the sand and water.

  “Merry Christmas,” she said in an effort to switch topics. “I’m glad you called. I need to give my notice. I’ll be moving Just Dandy next month.” She held her breath and waited.

  “To where?”

  “I’m not sure yet. If I don’t find a place to buy I might build, which would take me longer to move. I should know by the end of December.”

  “And where are you getting this money?” The calmness in his voice was eerie.

  She hated how cool and collected her dad could be. Blake was different. He tried to hide it, she knew, but she could tell when he was mad, irritated, or adoring. She missed him. She rested her hip on the front counter and surveyed her store. How was she going to get all this stuff moved herself?

  “I have my ways.” She worked to keep her voice just as airy. “It doesn’t concern you.”

  “I should say it does. You’re my daughter. What you do in the community concerns me.”

  Halle paid attention to his tone, trying to hear any indication of how fast this conversation was going to deteriorate.

  “Well, it shouldn’t. Anyway, I will have the money and be moving in January. You’ll be able to rent this space for February.”

  “You won’t find a good price on a building right now. Rates are high, or do you have that taken care of with your ways as well?”

  Here it comes. Halle braced her cell phone between her ear and shoulder as she reached under the counter for her beads and necklace making kit she kept at the store. She was going to have a lot of frustration to work out this afternoon.

  “We’ve talked about this, Dad. I’m moving out. We’ll talk more about this when you get back; go have dinner or something.”

  She heard shuffling on the other end of the phone and a muffled female voice, Leigh, the new wife speaking. She liked Leigh. Her dad and Leigh hadn’t been together long and she only had about fifteen years on Halle, but her dad seemed happier. And that made Halle happy.

  “Hello?” Bad international connection?

  “I’m here.” He cleared his throat. “We’ve been talking, Leigh and I, and we want to give you the building as a Christmas present. You won’t have to move.”

  Halle’s head shot up and her cell phone bounced on the floor. She scrambled to pick it up.

  “Are you dying?” She tried to find her voice. Did I hear that correctly? Surely not.

  “No.” He hefted a booming laugh. “It’s crazy to leave a location you’re established in. I know you want your independence and I know you are as bullheaded as me.” He paused. “And, I happen to be in a very giving mood.”

  Thank you, Leigh. Halle made a mental note to get her something very pretty for Christmas.

  “So that’s it? You’re just gonna sign over the building to me free and clear?”

  “Yes.”

  “No strings?”

  His pause was longer than she liked. “Yes.”

  I don’t know if I totally believe that. “Thanks, Dad. I’ll think about it.”

  “Very well. Merry Christmas.”

  Merry Christmas indeed. Halle set her phone on the counter and stared at it. Did her dad just give her a building? For real? Frankly, there was a fifty-fifty shot this was another way to manipulate her life, Leigh’s good intentions notwithstanding.

  Surely there were down sides to this deal she wasn’t seeing yet. Or, maybe, getting married and being on vacation made her hard-hearted father almost human.

  If she took her dad’s offer she wouldn’t need the loan. She wouldn’t need Blake. But I want Blake.

  Chapter Ten

  Halle slipped on tight black pants and a dark green glittery top. She wanted to sparkle. It was probably going to be the last time she’d see Blake; she wanted to show him what he would miss out on. She took extra time picking the outfit herself and working on her hair—curling it and using a red flower in the back to pin half of it up. Not that it mattered in the grand scheme of things. The big picture didn’t care if her hair was done. She’d gotten everything she wanted. She could take her dad up on his offer to give her the building and be perfectly content. Except, emptiness drained any celebration out of her.

  Her restless, end of the year feeling was back with a vengean
ce and it was making her queasy. She gave herself a pep talk as she applied mascara and brown tones of eye shadow to make her green eyes pop. She was attending the party because Blake’s mom had invited her. There was nothing weird about her going. And, if she sensed Blake was interested in more, she’d capitalized on the moment. No backing down. She vowed to keep her big mouth in check and hope that the holiday spirit would inspire Blake to see her as more than someone he struck up a mutually beneficial deal with.

  She felt sick.

  • • •

  Blake froze with his beer half way to his lips. Have mercy. Halle strolled through the foyer dressed to stop a man’s heart. Her top shimmered in the twinkling lights from the two large evergreen trees his mom insisted flank the main doors. Her black pants and heels showed off her long legs and curves. I have to get to those curves. He put his beer back down by his side and swallowed hard. His breathing slowed. He kept his face neutral toward the man he was talking to, hoping his reaction to seeing Halle wasn’t plastered on his face.

  When he couldn’t get her out of his mind before, it was because she was so different and kept surprising him with her confidence. Now, after he knew the truth about her roots, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. Her. Plain and simple. He admired everything about Halle. There wasn’t one thing he could name over the other . . . she was the whole package. He also kept thinking about their kiss. They’d only shared one kiss but it was enough to hook him forever.

  Unfortunately, right now, he had no idea where he stood. She’d been nice but rigid at the homeless center. Tonight would hopefully be different. She showed up. That was a good start.

  He decided to be proactive. He headed toward her and let the smell of cinnamon and vanilla fill his senses as he stopped in front of her.

  “Hello.”

  “Merry Christmas.” Her familiar green eyes warmed his soul.

  “Merry Christmas,” he returned. “You’re going to need a drink.”

  “More than likely.”

  He wanted to lead her to the bar. Would she welcome his hand on her lower back as a guide? Screw it. He had to find out, and the quickest way to do that was to put his hand there and see what happened.