“This is a chef’s dream kitchen.” She wanted to peek inside each cabinet. “Do you enjoy cooking?”
Mischief gleamed in his eyes. “Let’s just say I can cook, but I prefer to leave it to others.”
He had the means to do that. But so did she to a lesser extent. “I have a freezer full of healthy meals I ordered so I only have to heat them up if I’ve had a busy day.”
A pretty poinsettia centerpiece sat in the middle of the large dining table that seated sixteen. The style was more casual than formal but screamed quality. Interestingly, the lodge felt more like a family home than a party palace, given Wes’s single status and reputation.
“That’s a big table,” she said.
“I wanted to have room for everyone.”
Something clicked in her brain. “Aren’t there just six of you?”
“Six of us known as the billionaires of Silicon Forest, but there’s also Henry Davenport and Brett Matthews who are close friends.”
She did a quick calculation in her head. “Sixteen spots for when everyone is paired up.”
Wes’s cheeks turned an adorable shade of pink. “It seemed like a good idea.”
“It is.” Wes had his parents and his friends. Two separate support groups. Two families. One by blood. The other by choice. If only everyone could be so fortunate.
She ran her fingertips over the smooth wood. “You want your family at the same table.”
He opened his mouth, but no words came out. He nodded.
Paige went into the great room, past the leather couch with a colorful red and green throw tossed over the arm, to the stone fireplace. No logs burned, but she imagined wood crackling and flames dancing. “I love the fireplace.”
“I designed it myself,” he said, proudly.
“You’re a man of hidden talents.”
“I know what I like. What I want.” He raised his chin. “I make it happen.”
His drive—determination—appealed to her. “You nailed this.”
On top of the wood mantel, silver and gold ornaments and tall red candles sat on top of pine branches. A single stocking with the letter W embroidered in red on the white cuff hung below.
Seeing only one stocking surprised her. “Do you spend Christmas here?”
“Christmas Eve.” He straightened a throw pillow on an oversized chair. “Hood Hamlet is where you can experience a quintessential small-town Christmas. The church puts on a Nativity pageant with kids playing the various parts, and the brewpub hosts a Christmas Eve buffet. I eat there so my staff can have the night off. I invite whoever will be on their own to join me.”
Paige was tempted to raise her hand, but she was on call and didn’t want to be this far away from the hospital. Not that she expected an invitation. But being asked might be nice, even if she would say no.
“We have a big breakfast on Christmas morning. That afternoon, I’ll drive back to Portland for my family’s Christmas dinner,” he added. “At least that’s what I used to do. The last two years have been different.”
Because of the cancer. “You’ll get your traditions back, and maybe make a new one or two.”
“I’m planning on it.” His gaze met hers. “Starting today.”
Her heart bumped.
Paige didn’t want to look away, but self-preservation made her turn her head. White lights twinkled on the tree, a thick red ribbon acted as garland, and multicolored shiny balls hung from the branches. A large gold star sat at the top, shimmering from the natural lighting coming in through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The decorations were simple, but the effect was charming.
“Your tree is beautiful.” The sharp pine scent told her the Christmas tree was real, not artificial like the small one she still hadn’t set up. “Did you cut it yourself?”
“No.” He half laughed as if sharing an inside joke with himself. “The house was decorated when I arrived last night.”
“If I lived here, I might keep a tree up all year and decorate it for each month or season.” She touched a branch. No needles came off. “The bowed window was made for a Christmas tree.”
“It was,” he admitted. “I asked the architect to include an area to showcase a Christmas tree.”
She would have never thought of doing something like that. “You do know what you want.”
He nodded. “I’m comfortable at my place in Portland, but the lodge is home. We came here when I was younger. I always felt Hood Hamlet was where I’m meant to be. Except work has me in Portland.”
“You might live here permanently someday.”
“I hope so.” A wistful expression formed on his face. “I shouldn’t complain. Weekend getaways are better than nothing.”
Ideas on how he could spend more time in Hood Hamlet ran through her head, but it wasn’t her place to tell him what to do.
Wes headed into the kitchen and picked up a platter from the counter. “I forgot to offer you a cookie.”
Gingerbread cookies, some decorated and others plain, filled the platter.
“Help yourself,” he offered.
Paige was tempted except… “It’s still morning.”
“Cookies have similar ingredients to pancakes or waffles,” he explained in a matter-of-fact tone. “Eggs, flour, butter. Some have milk.”
“You could say the same about cake.”
“I do during other times of the year, but cookies are one of the five food groups of Christmas along with fudge, eggnog, candy canes, and fruitcake. So you need to have one.”
“Okay, I’m convinced.”
“That was easier than I thought it would be.”
“You’re persuasive about cookies.” She picked up a gingerbread man and bit off an arm. “Delicious.”
He bowed. “Thank you.”
“Wait.” She glanced from the cookie to him. “I thought you let others cook.”
“I do, but baking was a team effort.” Wes sounded proud.
Paige didn’t blame him. She took another bite but couldn’t help but wonder who else was part of the team. He’d said he wasn’t dating anyone and needed a plus-one for the benefit dinner. Unless he had met someone since then. The thought bothered her, way more than it should.
“Who else made the cookies?” she asked.
“Nora. She keeps the lodge clean and me fed. She’s married to Jim, who is the caretaker.” Affection filled Wes’s voice. “We have a Christmas tradition of baking cookies whenever I’m up here in December.”
“That’s a tasty tradition.” Paige ate the rest of the cookie.
“It is.”
“So, is attending the festival another one of your traditions?” she asked.
“This is its third year, but a new experience for me. I’ve never been.”
She realized why. He'd been sick the past two years in December. “You must make the most of it.”
“I'm planning to.” He glanced at his watch. “Our ride to town should be here shortly. Do you want to put your bag in your room? Hang up your clothes?”
She remembered her dress for tonight. “Please.”
“There’s a guest room above the garage with a separate entrance, but I’m giving that to Blaise and Hadley, who got married last month.”
She followed him up the wide staircase. “Newlyweds.”
He nodded. “One of four couples who married in the past five months. Three are staying here.”
“That’s…”
“A lot.” He laughed. “Adam was first. Next was Kieran. Then Mason. And finally Blaise. The last three caught the garter at the previous wedding so if that string continues, Dash will be next.”
“You mentioned he has a girlfriend.”
“Raina,” Wes replied. “She’s great. Perfect for him. But they’ve only been dating a couple of months. Time will tell.”
So that was what Wes had meant about him and Henry being the only single ones remaining.
“You’re in the guest room next to me.” Wes pushed open a door that had been
ajar. “If you need anything, please let me know.”
Paige stepped inside to find not a bedroom but a mini-suite, complete with a sitting area and a bathroom. She’d grown up comfortable. Her parents had well-paying jobs so money had never been an issue, but this house was on another level. Wes and his friends lived in a different world. She didn’t want to be intimidated, but she was.
“Hangers are in the closet,” he added.
“Thanks.”
“Come downstairs after you’re finished.” With that, he left the room.
Paige hung her dress and carried her toiletry bag into the bathroom. She didn’t know whether or not to expect gold-plated fixtures, though those wouldn’t fit the decorating scheme. She was happy to see a more rustic décor in soothing brown tones with wood-paneled walls, tile floor, and his and her vessel sinks on a wood countertop.
Back in the bedroom, she removed her gloves, hat, and scarf from her suitcase’s side pocket, swung her purse strap over her shoulder, and went downstairs.
Wes tilted his head as if listening to something. “I hear our ride.”
Paige hadn’t heard a car. She pulled on her hat and gloves. “I’m ready.”
They went outside. Hers was the only car parked on the driveway. “Our ride…”
“Is waiting for us on the street.” He led her down the driveway. She couldn’t see the road because of the bushes and trees.
A bell jingled.
That was odd. “What…?”
“You’ll see in a minute.”
When she reached the end of the driveway, she froze. “It’s a…”
“Sleigh.”
A black horse wearing a harness covered with bells stood in front of the red and green sleigh decorated with garland. A driver in an old-fashioned stove-top hat, a cape, and a long scarf smiled at them.
“Is this our ride?” she asked.
He nodded. “Have you done this before?”
“No.” She wiggled her toes because that was about to change. “Is a horse-drawn sleigh ride part of the Christmas Magic celebration?”
“It’s part of yours.”
Her pulse skittered. “Thank you.”
Paige’s voice sounded husky. She cleared her throat.
He held her hand. No skin touched because of their gloves, but warmth flowed up her arm.
“Hop in,” he said.
She did and then sat on the padded bench.
Wes climbed up and sat next to her, his side against hers. “Not a lot of room.”
“It’s fine.” Who was she kidding? This was perfect. “The day’s only beginning, but I feel as if I’m starring in my own holiday movie.”
Complete with a gorgeous hottie who was a billionaire.
He covered them with a thick blanket. “Warm enough?”
“Now I am.”
The sleigh glided along the street. The horse’s bells jingled, offering the perfect soundtrack. The only thing missing was snow falling from the sky, but the clear weather was better for the town’s celebration.
She glanced at Wes’s profile. So handsome and strong. “Do you do this often?”
“Sleigh rides?”
“Make people’s wishes come true,” she clarified.
His cheeks reddened. Or maybe that was from the cold.
“It’s something new,” he admitted. “But I’m enjoying myself.”
“Well, let me say, you have mad skills.” She stared at the winter landscape, but only felt warmth flowing through her veins. “We haven’t arrived at the celebration, and today’s already enchanted.”
Was it wrong she felt that way about him, too?
He tapped the tip of her nose. “I hope you feel that way once you see the town.”
As Paige enjoyed the scenery—and Wes—she lost track of time. “This reminds me of Narnia in the wintertime.”
“You’ve been there?” he joked.
“Many times, thanks to the books and movies.”
The sleigh rounded a corner, and she fell into Wes. He held on to her.
Heat rushed up her neck. “Sorry about that.”
“Not your fault.” Holding on to her, he stared at Paige. “I didn’t realize this would be a theme park ride. You okay?”
Was she?
Her mouth was dry.
Her heart rate had doubled. Maybe tripled.
She forced a nod because otherwise, she might ask him to keep his arm around her. Heaven help her, but she wanted to nestle against him.
Cuddle.
Paige gulped.
Concern clouded his eyes. “Sure?”
Okay, she needed to say something. “Positive.”
Wes let go of her, and she immediately missed his warmth.
But she wouldn’t complain. He was giving her a perfect day, one straight out of the holiday movies she loved to watch. She might not walk away with a happy ending when tomorrow came, but she would enjoy every minute she was here.
The sleigh turned on to a busier road.
“Welcome to Hood Hamlet,” Wes said.
She forced her attention to the street in front of her.
Gasped.
Talk about quaint. Charming shops, restaurants, and cafes lined Main Street. People strolled along the wooden sidewalks. A garland hung across the road with a wreath hanging in the center. Red and white lights turned the old-fashioned lampposts into candy canes. Lights, garlands, or wreaths decorated each storefront. Sometimes all three.
Every Christmas wish—a few that Paige hadn’t realized she’d made—had suddenly come true. She heated from the inside out as if she’d drunk liquid sunshine.
She glanced at Wes. “I’m in love.”
Surprise flashed in his eyes.
“With Hood Hamlet,” she added.
“Many feel the same way the first time they see Main Street.”
Physically, they sat close together, but Paige sensed a distance between them. She wanted to bridge the gap.
She wet her lips. “Thank you for inviting me.”
He stared at her before breaking eye contact. “You’re welcome.”
The sleigh stopped in front of the Hood Hamlet Brewing Company. Wes got out first.
Looking oh-so-handsome in his parka, scarf, and hat, Wes extended his gloved hand.
She grabbed hold. Her boots hit the hard-packed snow.
He led her to the sidewalk and let go of her hand. “Ready?”
Paige nodded. Anticipation surged through her. “I can’t wait to see what this Christmas Magic celebration is all about.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Hood Hamlet locals discussed Christmas magic as openly as the weather forecast, no matter the time of year. The idea might sound woo-woo, but the number of visitors in town for the celebration suggested many believed.
Wes had never formed an opinion. Not when mountain rescuers had succeeded against the odds during daring and dangerous rescues. Not when he’d come here last December to rest and suddenly felt better than he had in months. Not even earlier this morning when he and Paige watched works of art being created during the snow sculpture contest.
What convinced him Christmas magic existed was…
Paige.
Turned out the oh-so-serious doctor was a Christmas-loving fanatic. Watching her excitement was as much fun as participating in the festivities. She was the reason for high holiday-movie ratings and decorations going up before Thanksgiving.
Bet she’d decked her condo’s halls for the holidays.
“Best day ever.” Standing next to him in line at the corner of Main and First, she bounced from foot to foot. Her pink cheeks and twinkling eyes complemented her wide smile. “I can see why you want to live here permanently.”
“The town isn’t always jam-packed like today,” Wes explained, noticing how Craig hung back in the crowd. The bodyguard had been waiting when the sleigh arrived at the brewery. “But it’s a great place.”
“The best,” the Hood Hamlet city manager said, roasting chestnuts the
y and people in the line behind them had ordered.
“Hood Hamlet and Christmas will be linked forever in my mind,” Paige said. “But I can’t wait to see what it’s like in the springtime.”
Wes pressed his lips together to keep from inviting her to visit then. Spending time with her was great. He had no idea hanging out with her would be so much fun. They got along better than he imagined, trying each of the activities and then some. But the only reason he’d asked Paige here was to help her out. This wasn’t a date, even if it felt like one, nor had he expected a friendship to develop.
Though friends didn’t seem like the right word given how much he enjoyed having her pressed against him in the sleigh. More than once, he’d reached for her hand only to jerk back as if he might be electrocuted if he touched her.
He shook away the thought. Refocused. “Spring is a great time for hiking and picnics.”
The city manager, whose name escaped Wes, handed Paige a small paper bag of chestnuts. “Enjoy them, but they’re hot.”
“Thank you.” As she moved to let the couple behind them come forward, Paige beamed. She held out the bag to him. “Try one.”
“I bought them for you.”
She nodded. “I want you to go first.”
Based on the determined set of her jaw, Wes had a feeling she wouldn’t relent. He ate one. Soft, not crunchy as he expected. Tasty. “It’s good.”
“My turn.” She bit into hers before closing her eyes as if savoring the moment the way she had during the tasting at Welton Wines and Chocolates. After she swallowed, her eyes opened. “Yummy. I use walnuts or hazelnuts to accent dishes, but I might have to try chestnuts.”
He remembered what she’d said about meals in her freezer. “I didn’t think you cooked.”
“I know how to cook, but sometimes heating a meal is easier.” She finished the rest of her chestnut. “Maybe these will inspire me to come up with a new holiday dish.”
He remembered what Paige had told him about working this Christmas.
Are you spending the holidays with your family?
No. I’m on call this year.
He should invite her to spend Christmas Eve with him. Even if he wanted to, he couldn’t. She had to work. Hood Hamlet was too far from the hospital if she was called in.
The Wish Maker (The Billionaires 0f Silicon Forest Book 2) Page 8
