Winter Dreams

by Robyn Neeley

  She didn’t turn around and slap him. She didn’t cringe from his touch, but she didn’t seem to fully embrace it either. Not like she had before. Her body felt tense under his touch. He clenched his jaw. Knowing she was not comfortable with his touch made his throat tighten. Business partners it was. Or were they even that much now?

  “Halle.”

  His mother had found them.

  “Hello, Mrs. Ellison.”

  “Carol. Please.”

  Blake glared as his mom hugged Halle. He rolled his eyes. His mom always had an agenda. And this one wasn’t so hidden. She wanted Blake and Halle together. A great public relations couple is how she’d put it last night to him. His family could make anything about business.

  “I’m so glad you made it,” his mom continued. “Blake, why don’t you introduce her around.” She waved with no purpose to the room.

  Blake gestured to the bartender for a wine for Halle. Then, because why the hell not, he chugged the rest of his beer and signaled for another.

  The women chatted pleasantries for a few minutes, but all Blake could do was focus on Halle. She radiated beauty in an otherwise drab setting. His mother turned to leave and Halle sipped her drink.

  “How’ve you been?” Blake asked.

  It was a simple question, but he wanted to know. He’d driven by Just Dandy too many times to count in the past couple of days but never stopped in. When he’d first met Halle, he didn’t know what he was going to do in his business life. Now she’d turned his personal life upside down.

  “The shop has been busy. Long hours.” She sipped her wine again. “’Tis the season. I have a break now though. For a day or two at least.”

  “You’ll have time to relax and recoup.” Blake smiled at her, hoping to see hers in return. “When do you open again?”

  “I’m closed until January second.” She stared at him. Hard. There seemed to be something she wasn’t saying.

  She still needs that loan. Everything came together in an instant. This is why she showed up at the shelter and why she is being so nice now. Women didn’t get over fights that easily. She was probably still pissed at him. Her need for the money was keeping her anger at bay.

  “About your loan . . .” he started but was cut off.

  “Blake,” Her eyes diverted to the crowd and she spoke quietly. “We don’t need to talk about that tonight.”

  He needed to settle a lot of things tonight. He studied her beautiful face. Something is different. She looked at him like nothing else mattered in the world.

  “Hold on,” he said and looked around, finding his dad, mom, and Myles.

  He headed toward them, vaguely aware that Halle was following. He slowed his breathing and made sure his voice would be even when he reached them.

  “I’ve made a decision,” he announced to the group. The room stopped. “I won’t be taking over the bank,” he looked at Myles, “but I’d like to consult and still have a presence. The bank means a lot to me, but it’s not where I want to be every day. For now.” He switched his focus to his dad. “I will be taking over the ranch.”

  His sister, Candace, sidled up to the group. Good. She’ll back me up.

  “No,” his father snipped. “We’re selling the ranch. That decision is final.”

  Candace piped up. “I vote with Blake.”

  He nodded at her words. “That means we keep it. Candace and I have sixty-six percent together. Majority.” He was thankful his grandpa hadn’t included his mom in the ownership or this would be a stale mate.

  “That ranch isn’t profitable, only a burden. You’re not thinking right for wanting to spend your time and energy on it. I raised you better than that.”

  “Actually, it was Grandpa who raised me better than that. He taught me to go after what I want in life. Follow my instincts.”

  “Your instincts are wrong,” his dad spat the words.

  “Boys,” his mother commanded. “This is a party. Not a business meeting. We’ll discuss this later.”

  “There’s nothing left to discuss. The matter is closed.” Blake eyed his father and then turned to Myles. “We’ll talk Monday about how I can still be active with the bank.” And with that, he walked away.

  His grandpa would have understood. Maybe eventually they all would.

  Halle understands.

  • • •

  Halle stood in wonderment as Blake announced his intentions to the group and it didn’t escape her how his father rebuffed him. I know that kind of dad. Way to go, baby, stand up for what you want.

  After Blake walked away she wasn’t certain what to do. She was sure he wouldn’t be in a mood to talk if she followed him. But even so, she shouldn’t stay around this group any longer. As she turned to leave, she heard his father declare, “We raised a fool, Carol. He’s got no business sense.”

  Halle felt anger start at her toes and settle behind her ears. How dare he. She whipped around and zeroed in on Blake’s father. “You, sir, aren’t paying attention to your son at all. Do you even know him? Don’t you understand what he just tried to tell you? Show a little respect for the wonderful man he’s become, apparently despite you. He obviously wants to be a part of the bank and other endeavors. But he also needs to figure things out for himself. And if being outside, working hard, is what he needs to do right now, then so be it. That doesn’t mean he’ll never do something else or come back to the bank.” She took a deep breath to slow the tidal wave of words.

  She needed to end her rant before she really said something she’d regret, although she was sure that had already happened. Good thing I have no chance of ever being a part of this family.

  “Shame on you.” She spun on her black heels and headed for the door. No dinner for her—she would have to settle for whatever she had in her cupboards, but that was okay. It was worth it.

  Halle looked around for Blake but couldn’t spot him in the crowd. He probably left. She didn’t blame him. After that reaction, she understood why he wouldn’t stay in the same room. At least his sister supports him.

  She wanted to see him. She wanted to comfort him. She wanted to let him know everything was going to be okay. The anger that bubbled in her subsided and was replaced with a sad, sinking feeling. You can be whoever you want to be, Blake. I know you have the strength to stand up for yourself. Stick to your guns.

  She resigned herself to leaving. The void she felt leaving Blake, however, was stronger than ever.

  • • •

  Blake stood outside in the cold. He needed fresh air after that debacle with his father. What was I thinking? That my father would support what I wanted? He huffed. Fat chance. The one good thing about tonight was that Halle was there. Maybe he’d still have a chance to tell her how he really felt.

  Blake wanted her with him at every event. He wanted her by his side for everything in life. He knew the path he wanted for his life now and it wasn’t complete without Halle.

  Sometimes he saw a glint in her eye he thought looked like more than friendship or business. Sometimes he swore he saw an attraction—maybe even love. But only sometimes, and it certainly hadn’t been there the last couple of times he’d looked into her eyes. Except tonight. Tonight had definitely been different.

  Just do it. Just go tell her how you feel. If it didn’t work out, he could wake up tomorrow knowing for certain and pick up the pieces from there.

  He was walking around the corner to the front of the house when he saw Halle coming out the front door. He stopped in his tracks. She was leaving.

  There must be a way to win her over. Blake needed time. There had to be a way for them to have forever.

  Chapter Eleven

  Halle sifted through her mail at the shop. She wasn’t open, but she wanted to switch her displays around and pack up Christmas. She had some New Year’s decorations to replace them. Another year, another struggle. Halle wasn’t sure what this year would bring, but like clockwork, her restlessness had subsided and now she was plain tired. Ma
ybe I should go see the beaches of Europe. Except if she spent money on a plane ticket, all she’d be doing was the same thing she was doing in her store—trying not to think about Blake Ellison.

  A familiar logo stopped her cold. The bank. She had a letter from the bank. She felt her heart rate increase while it was breaking. He hadn’t even come by to deliver the news. A signature on a piece of paper would officially end her communication with Blake. Halle clenched the envelope close to her chest. Now any hope that he’d hand deliver the loan approval as an excuse to see her had vanished. Wishful thinking.

  “What’s shakin’ good lookin’?” Corrine sauntered to the counter.

  I’ve got to put a bell on that back door or start locking it.

  Halle loved talking to Corrine, but right now she wanted to wallow in a pity party for one.

  “Anything good?” Corrine peered at the pile of mail, spying the bank name before Halle could hide it. “Did you get the loan?”

  “I don’t know. More than likely. Blake’s a man of his word.” She couldn’t muster a smile. The loan felt like a consolation prize. And one she didn’t even need.

  She’d been avoiding the talk she knew her friend would want. To talk about Blake, and all that was Blake, would be to admit he was no longer a part of her life.

  “I like him.” Corrine took the envelope and opened it.

  “You do?”

  Halle tried not to think of her whirlwind month. She tried not to focus on how Blake had made her feel and how dull life seemed now without him. There was something depressing about knowing they had no more events to attend and no reason to contact one another.

  “Yes. Granted, I don’t know him well.” Corrine paused to scan the letter. “You got the loan by the way.”

  “Terrific,” Halle deadpanned.

  “When he came in to apologize, the way he looked at you. That face, my friend, was the expression of a smitten man.”

  Halle crinkled her nose in disbelief. “No. I doubt that.”

  “I know love when I see it. Blake loves you. I see it all the time when I’m fitting wedding dresses and tuxes. I can tell the ones who are truly in love. That’s why I check out the legal announcements in the paper, to see if I was right.”

  Halle shook her head in amusement and crossed her arms. “Thank you for trying to make me feel better. That is what you were doing, right?”

  “The point is that one of you is going to have to grow a pair and open the lines of communications. Geesh. Do I need to go to the bank, pretend to open an account, and throw a fit so the bank president will come talk to me before you two can have a conversation? Because I’ll do it.”

  She laughed. The thought of Corrine throwing a fit was both hilarious and mortifying. “I sincerely hope you’re joking.”

  “Try me.”

  Halle waved a hand to settle Corrine down. “Point taken. The good news is that I don’t think you’d find him at the bank. He quit on Christmas Eve.”

  “Then you better call him.”

  “I’ll let you know what I decide to do. I’m not moving buildings by the way. I sort of reached an agreement with Dad about the store.” Halle was happy to have a relevant topic to switch to.

  She didn’t have it in her to joke around about Blake. They’d both received what they’d wanted. The deal had worked out and he clearly didn’t love her. If he did, he would’ve said something by now. The only thing she was left with was a loan she didn’t need and an aching heart.

  • • •

  Blake had spent every minute of the last couple of days outlining duties he would and would not continue at the bank with first Myles and then the managers. He’d also agreed to stay on until his predecessor could be found, provided that didn’t take an unreasonable amount of time. That seemed only fair. While he knew he’d made the right decision for his life, it was going to be odd not coming to the bank every day. He never expected to miss it.

  The second right decision to end this year on a solid note? Halle. He loved that woman. He’d never been in love before, but he was determined to do it right. He was going to surprise her at Just Dandy.

  He knocked on the front door using the neck of a bottle of wine, holding a bouquet of lilies behind him. The closed sign was out, but he’d seen her car in the parking lot. He glimpsed through the front window and saw a figure heading toward him. The door opened and the sides of his lips turned upward.

  “Hi,” she said breathlessly with a stunned look on her face. She backed up to let him in. “What are you doing here?” Her eyes were locked on his as she swiveled to stay facing him and let the door close.

  “Hey, Blake.” Corrine called out from the front counter.

  “Hey.” He didn’t take his gaze from Halle.

  “I was just leaving. I’ll see myself out. See ya later.” Corrine slid through the back door.

  “Bye.” Halle’s voice was barely above a whisper and she, too, didn’t move a muscle.

  “I came to . . .” Shoot, he wasn’t ready to just jump right in. He looked down at his hand grasping the wine and remembered the flowers he held in the other. “Bring you these.” He swung the bouquet in front of him.

  Halle’s eyes reluctantly moved off of him to his hand.

  “Aah,” she sighed and smiled. “Thanks.” She took them and found a vase under the counter.

  Blake swallowed hard. His pulse raced and he was forgetting everything he wanted to say to her. A paper with a familiar logo caught his attention lying on the counter. She received the letter. Blake took a deep breath. How was he supposed to tell her his soul felt at peace with her if Halle didn’t need him in her life anymore? It’s a good thing she knows she got the loan already. Now I’ll find out if she really wants me for me. Blake put one hand in his pocket.

  “Care for a drink?” He held up the bottle of wine he’d purchased on the way over. It was the same vintage they’d shared the first time they’d met.

  “Are you back to day drinking?” Halle laughed and grabbed two wine glasses from under the counter. Blake recognized the glasses from the first time they’d drank together.

  “Oh, ya know, pressures,” he taunted Halle with the answer he’d given her a month ago as she led the way to the familiar sitting area in the middle of her store.

  He sat in the high backed green and pink chair and drank in the sight of Halle as she filled their glasses. She was back in jeans, and a purple shirt peeked out beneath a tan sweater. It felt like he’d spent years without her, not days.

  “Those pressures.” She tsked, crossed her legs, and shifted to look at him.

  She rose her glass in the air, he followed suit to clink hers before they drank.

  “How’s the store? You get the letter?”

  “Yep.” She bit her lower lip and let it slide free.

  Blake focused on her full lips and lost all train of thought. He gathered every ounce of willpower to get back to the conversation and not swoop Halle into his arms.

  “Where do you think you’ll move?” he asked.

  “I’ve gotta funny story for ya.” She paused then spoke quickly. “I’m staying here.”

  “What?”

  “I had an unexpected call from my Dad and he sort of gave me the building.”

  “I see. When did you talk with him?” His head began to spin. She didn’t need the loan? How long had she not needed the loan?

  “We spoke the day before Christmas Eve.”

  “But you still came to the party.” His question was not a question. She didn’t need the loan and she’d still come to the last function. A slow smile spread across his face.

  He had her. Halle was his. Relief blanketed his body and he relaxed back into the chair. She hadn’t come to the party for money, she’d come for him. There was no doubt what he felt for Halle was real. Now, he had to tell her.

  • • •

  Halle was so excited she didn’t know what to do with herself. He’d brought her flowers. Stargazing lilies. Her favorite. He
really paid attention to our conversations.

  She needed him in her life. She loved him. Why is he here? Halle didn’t dare hope for what she really wanted. He could’ve just showed up to wish her well with flowers and wine.

  Halle checked him out fully as he ate up the space in the chair. She could feel the familiar effects he had on her take over. She shook her head slightly; she needed to get it together and tell him her feelings. But first maybe she should see if he had a reason for showing up today.

  “Why are you here?” she asked bluntly.

  All of a sudden Blake was out of the chair and his tall frame overshadowed her. He outstretched his hands. She could see only a smile in his eyes. That is a smile, right?

  “Stand up,” he said.

  She set her glass down and rose. They were face to face, and his scent made her heart skip a beat. She missed that smell . . . the smell that created thrills dancing over her skin until she absorbed it, making it difficult to focus on anything else.

  He captured her hands in his.

  For all of his imperfections and all of his charm, she loved him. Halle looked into his eyes and questioned her own sanity. How in the world did this happen?

  There was silence as they stood there hand in hand. Halle didn’t move—she couldn’t. He moved his hands to her shoulders and she relaxed under his touch as he slid them down, taking hold of her hands again.

  She was close enough to kiss him. What is he doing? Her heart raced as she hoped she knew what he was about to say, what she wanted him to say.

  “Halle.” He nervously chuckled before looking beyond her and then back. This time his face was soft, his eyes caring. “I’m in love with you.”

  The words hung in the air as neither moved a muscle. He didn’t keep going and Halle didn’t know what to say. Was there a but coming? He finally continued and she started to breathe again.

  “I love everything about you, and I love how you give me the strength to be my own person. I stood up for what I wanted because of you.” A grin tugged at his face. “And I heard what you told my father.”

  Before she could explain herself, Blake went on.