The Billionaire's Lessons in Christmas

by Holly Rayner

  Holding the enormous bear, Chase smiled at the girl, his eyes moist with tears; for a child to share the biggest toy in the room was the ultimate display of Christmas spirit.

  “Thank you,” he said.

  “Give him a big hug,” the girl said, crossing her arms as she waited for him to comply.

  Not knowing what else to do, Chase wrapped his arms around the bear and grinned at the girl who, satisfied, rejoined her family as they played with the stuffed animals.

  “Cute, right?” Annabelle said, and Chase grinned.

  “Not exactly what I had in mind, but yes, very cute.”

  “Look, we’re starting from the ground up here. Today we’re going to let you have the fun kid experiences you never got, and we’ll finish it out with some more general Christmas fun. Deal?”

  “Deal,” Chase agreed, giving the bear one more pat before setting it back down on the bed.

  They enjoyed the space for a little longer before heading back out to admire the work put into the Christmas trees. When they exited back out onto the street, the snow had stopped falling.

  “Well, so much for a white Christmas,” Chase observed.

  “For now,” Annabelle said with a sly grin.

  Chase tried to get an answer out of her for what that meant, but Annabelle refused to give away any of her secrets. After a few blocks they reached another hotel, and stepped in, out of the cold.

  They were met with the entrance to what looked like a gingerbread contest. Chase provided another generous donation at the front, and inside they were treated to monolithic gingerbread creations celebrating the theme of global unity. An enormous gingerbread Eiffel Tower stood over the room, along with many other creative designs.

  “Could your mom bake something like that?” Chase asked.

  Annabelle laughed. “Probably, but I think she’d pull all her hair out trying to get this level of perfection. Look at this one! Every piece of cookie perfectly fits into the next. These are genius!”

  Chase listened as Annabelle talked excitedly about the amount of work that would go into a towering gingerbread sculpture of people of various nationalities holding hands. They were made entirely of candy, and Annabelle was sorely tempted to steal a piece, but thought better of it, lest the masterpiece collapse.

  Chase’s stomach had started growling, reminding them they’d skipped breakfast, and after exiting the exhibit, they found a food truck down the way that was serving hot dogs and fries.

  “Have you ever had one of these?” Annabelle asked, and Chase shook his head. “You can get anything on top—mac and cheese, guacamole, anything.”

  “Yuck!” Chase said, eyeing the truck.

  Annabelle crossed her arms defiantly. “That’s what you thought about the cookie dough this morning. Today is a day of new things, Frost. Get on it!”

  Chase put his hands up and laughed. “Okay, okay, anything to avoid being called ‘Frost.’ That’s when I know I’m really in trouble.”

  “And don’t you forget it,” Annabelle laughed.

  They spent the early afternoon in Westlake Park, where Annabelle insisted they ride the Christmas carousel, and the two of them laughed at how silly they were as the only two adults surrounded by children. The kids didn’t seem to mind, and one boy even recommended that Chase wear his safety belt, just in case.

  When the ride was over, they headed to a small cart and bought two hot ciders, taking a seat at one of many outdoor tables as they warmed their hands on the hot paper cups.

  “How did you know about all this stuff?” Chase asked, taking a tentative sip of the beverage.

  Annabelle sipped hers, too, though it was far too hot, so she held it in her hands instead.

  “I don’t know, the internet? I did some of these things as a kid—my parents would take us into the city for a treat. I remember holding my first teddy bear in that room and wanting to sneak it out.”

  “But you didn’t?”

  “Nope. My mother could see what I was thinking and whispered into my ear. Something really wise like, ‘Your actions affect others, so be mindful. There are other children who would be hurt were you to take this gift from them.’”

  Chase looked thoughtful as he glanced around. All around them, holiday shoppers were darting in and out of stores, purchasing last-minute gifts. Children were laughing as the carousel whirled around and around. An elderly couple had opted to play chess, with their full mittens on, just enjoying being outside.

  “Your parents sound like good people,” he observed.

  “They’re the best.”

  “Are they why you opted to stay in Bluewater? The few times I’ve been there, it doesn’t seem like there’s much to do for a young woman such as yourself.”

  “You mean a young, single woman?”

  “Well…”

  “It’s okay. You’re not wrong, at least on that end. There isn’t much to do, but my family means everything to me, and I wanted to be close to them.”

  “Seattle is close. Haven’t you considered living here? You’d make an exceptional tour guide,” he said, smiling.

  Annabelle smiled back at him, taking a sip. The cider was finally just the right temperature, and it warmed her body as well as her spirit. “I’ve thought about it. I’ve even applied to a few places here, though I’ve never been called back for whatever reason. I guess I just haven’t found my place yet.”

  “What about the dating scene? Have you found anyone in Bluewater that keeps you there?”

  Annabelle laughed. “No, although there’s one guy I went to school with, his name is Will. Everyone’s convinced that we’ll get married someday.”

  “But not you?” Chase asked, his gaze probing.

  Annabelle sighed. “I wish I agreed with them. He actually admitted feelings for me just the other day, and I turned him down. It felt terrible, but there’s just no chemistry with him. He’s just a friend,” she said, shrugging helplessly.

  Was she imagining things, or was Chase hiding a smile?

  “Anyway, what about you? You’re a mega billionaire, not too bad to look at, fancy apartment. Why did Chase Frost have to bribe some nobody from Bluewater to fake being his girlfriend? You must have women lined up out the door to date you.”

  “I do,” he said, and he chuckled at Annabelle’s lifted eyebrow. “I mean, you could say I have a line of women out the door. It’s not me they’re waiting to be with though; it’s my money. They’re very hopeful my money will fall in love with them and take care of them forever.”

  “That must be hard,” Annabelle observed.

  Chase waved the observation off. “Not really. Work has been my greatest mistress all these years, and I’ve truly enjoyed growing my company.”

  Annabelle sat quietly, sipping at her cider. She wondered how much of Chase’s speech was an act. The man had a house that looked totally unlived in. His fridge was barren. He never shared a meal with anyone. She didn’t care how much he enjoyed his work; that had to be unbearably lonely.

  “What are you thinking about?” he asked after a moment.

  “Our next destination,” she lied.

  He grinned. “What is it this time? Santa’s workshop? Are we going to go sit on someone’s lap and tell them what we want this year?”

  Annabelle crossed her arms. “Might I remind you that you’ve had several Christmas gifts already, without even realizing it? I’ve managed to give you at least three things you don’t already have. I think that’s pretty good so far!”

  Chase sat back, realizing the truth of her words. “Wow, you’re sneaky.”

  Annabelle’s grin was wry. “You don’t know the half of it. Anyway, childhood nostalgia time is over. The rest of the day is going to be Christmas proper.”

  “Great, and I assume we’ll be walking to this next part of the adventure, too?”

  “How would you experience the city if you never walked it?”

  “Touché.”

  “Now come on,” she said, grabbin
g his hand again. They had forgotten to bring gloves, and the warmth from their ciders had already disappeared. “We have a journey of discovery ahead of us.”

  SIXTEEN

  Annabelle dragged Chase several blocks until they reached what appeared to be a tiny Swiss village, with wooden rooftops and tiny, chateau-style booths. The air smelled like cooking sausages, and Annabelle took a deep breath, inhaling it all.

  “This is the Kriskindle market. I bet you they’ll have a few things here you don’t already have,” she said, flashing him another grin.

  “You might be right,” he agreed, gazing around him.

  It was a cozy scene. The shopkeepers were chatting and laughing with people walking by. Hand-crafted wooden ornaments were on sale in a booth next to another that was selling a variety of wreaths. The essence of Christmas wasn’t only hanging in the air, it was saturated with it, and Annabelle couldn’t keep from smiling.

  “Shall we browse?” she asked. She hadn’t released Chase’s hand yet, and she wondered if she should. He didn’t seem in any hurry to let go, so she decided to simply enjoy the sensation of walking hand in hand with a handsome man through the market.

  “Whatever you say. Something smells really delicious.”

  Annabelle shook her head. “You’ll have to hold on a little longer, I’m afraid. I have a Christmas Eve dinner planned that will fill you up for days. Still, we could get a drink.”

  Chase laughed. “We’ve already done cocoa and hot cider. What else is there?”

  Annabelle smiled cheekily. “Mulled wine, of course.”

  “Now we’re talking,” Chase said, following her lead as she made her way over to a little hut that served as a bar.

  Annabelle ordered them a pair of festive souvenir mugs filled with spiced hot wine, and they sipped as they strolled from place to place, observing the wares on offer. They stopped at a wooden ornament shop.

  “Can I interest you in an ornament, sir? We do engravings on the spot.”

  Chase glanced down at Annabelle before he perused the collection, and picked out a piece of oak shaped like a Christmas tree.

  “Would you like it engraved, sir?”

  “Just put, ‘For all you taught me today,’” he said, and when his eyes met Annabelle’s, her heart caught fire.

  Perhaps it was the wine, but Annabelle felt warm and fuzzy all over, and had no desire to quell the sensation in any way. The old shop keeper made quick business of burning the lettering into the tree before handing it to Chase.

  He turned to Annabelle and held it out to her. “A small token of my appreciation for putting up with me today. It’s been a bigger treat than you’ll ever know.”

  Annabelle beamed up at him, accepting his gift and running her thumb along the burned lettering. It still felt warm from the laser.

  “Don’t sweat it,” she replied.

  They walked by a few other shops before Annabelle glanced at her phone and realized they had to leave if they wanted to catch the last event she had planned.

  “How did you manage to figure all this out this morning? You’ve filled an entire day!”

  Annabelle laughed at his awe of her tour guide abilities. She knew how to do her research quickly and effectively, and make it up on the spot if she had to.

  “Just lucky, I guess. Now stop dawdling and pick up the pace, mister. After this next one we need to get home to make dinner.”

  “I was just slowing it down for you, with those little legs of yours. I’m happy to outpace you, if you wish.”

  “Hey, my legs may be short, but I can powerwalk with the best of them.”

  “Prove it,” he grinned, taking long steps and leaving her behind.

  Realizing that Chase was already half a block ahead of her, Annabelle jogged forward until she reached him, then slowed down to a brisk walk.

  “Show off,” she grumbled, and she heard his chuckle as they continued onward. “Anyway, you have no idea where we’re going, so you have to go at my pace.”

  “That’s the point. I was taking it easy on you.”

  “I don’t need sympathy from some fancy businessman. I can take care of myself.”

  “Oh that I completely believe, Belle,” he said, casting a glance down at her as they nearly raced to the next destination.

  When they arrived and stepped inside, Chase blinked with surprise. “You’re finishing out this day by taking me to the mall? How anticlimactic.”

  Annabelle slapped Chase’s shoulder and pressed ahead. The billionaire didn’t seem to notice the crowd of people in the center of the mall’s enormous atrium. Slowly, it seemed to dawn on him that people were gathering for some kind of event.

  “Tell me you’re not going to make me talk to a mall Santa,” he begged, and Annabelle laughed.

  “Now, now. I’m not that cruel. Come on,” she said, reaching for his hand again.

  This time he saw her reach and met her halfway, the two of them linked as they gently pushed through the crowd.

  “Why do I feel like I’m at Times Square close to midnight?”

  “Because it feels like there’s something magical about to happen?” Annabelle said.

  “More like, because we’re squished like sardines, and it feels like I can’t breathe.”

  “Do you suffer from claustrophobia?” Annabelle asked, her tone laced with concern as she glanced up at him.

  “No, but big crowds aren’t really my thing,” he said, gazing around.

  Annabelle squeezed his hand a little tighter. “Just take a chance on this one. I think you’re going to like it.”

  He squeezed her hand back; a gesture of trust. “Based on the rest of the day, it’s hard to imagine I won’t.”

  Annabelle stopped in the center of the crowed and faced Chase. “Should be any second now,” she said.

  He stared at her even as her gaze drifted around the mall. Around them, they could see floor after floor of shoppers who were standing at the balcony, looking over. After a moment, Chase realized why.

  Christmas music began playing, and a moment later, an indoor snowfall started up. Chase hadn’t even noticed the small orchestra assembled in a corner of the plaza, but as he gazed up, tiny snowflakes landed delicately on his face, and he burst out laughing at the sight of snow falling inside the mall.

  Annabelle tilted her face up and stuck out her tongue, catching a few flakes. “It tastes just like real snow!” she said, and Chase laughed again.

  They stood together as the mall grew cold, the swirl of snowflakes surrounding them like a bubble. Chase gazed down at Annabelle, who, after a moment, realized he was watching her, and she met his gaze.

  “Thank you for this,” he said, reaching out and gently straightening her scarf for her. “It’s exactly what I needed, and I never even knew it.”

  Annabelle felt breathless, and she fought to ignore the tingling sensation of his fingers just barely brushing against her neck. Her smile was warm.

  “Merry Christmas Eve, Chase.”

  “Merry Christmas Eve,” he agreed, and the two of them laughed with the people nearby as they played in the snow they so rarely got to see.

  After a while, the snowfall ended, and the shoppers returned to their last-minute buying. Annabelle and Chase strolled the city streets, making their way back to Chase’s apartment once more.

  Back inside the penthouse, Annabelle made quick work of turning on all the lights they’d hung the night before, and she tossed her scarf on the sofa, placing her jacket behind one of the kitchen chairs.

  “All right, Mr. Frost. It’s time to make a traditional Christmas Dinner. And the very last surprise of the day is that you are going to help me cook it.”

  Chase scrunched his nose slightly. “That sounds like a lot of work.”

  “Oh shut up, and go wash your hands.”

  Chase raised his hands in defeat. “All right, all right! I’ll be back in a moment.”

  Annabelle nodded with satisfaction. She had won many of the day’s battl
es with him, which was refreshing on so many levels. He had been funny and biddable, laidback and open-minded. In truth, she could hardly believe that Chase Frost was capable of having a day like the one they’d just shared.

  Apparently, she’d been mistaken about him.

  As Chase cleaned up, Annabelle began pulling out cookware and nearly everything from the fridge. Chase returned shortly, and she set him to work slicing and dicing potatoes before boiling them in a pot.