Snowbound with an Heiress

by Jennifer Faye

  The more she thought about the idea, the more she liked it. She just wondered what Jackson would think of the idea. After all, it wasn’t like they had to move in together. She could get her own place. They could go slow and see where things were headed.

  Slow? Like they’d taken things so far? It sure hadn’t been very slow, but she wouldn’t change any of the events that got them to this point—well, that wasn’t exactly true. She could have avoided the whole Shawn debacle. And she was certain that Jackson would have preferred to skip the accident. But at least he was safe and they were happy together.

  She slipped out of bed and put on her fuzzy robe. She quietly padded out of the room and headed for the desk. Her mind was buzzing with thoughts of New York and ideas for her next screenplay. She wanted to get started on notes for it. She decided it was going to be a holiday rom-com.

  She opened her laptop and typed in the password. She paused as she realized this would be her second romance. What was up with that? She always thought she would work on a serious drama that dealt with tough issues, but for some reason, it was matters of the heart that spoke to her. Jackson’s image came to mind and she smiled. He’d definitely had an influence over her.

  And then she realized what she could give him for Christmas—herself. She could wrap up a piece of paper that said something about her being New York–bound. She liked the idea. She just hoped that he would, too.

  But first, she had to get some writing done. When her computer booted up, it automatically loaded to her email. It was one thing to skip town and not take calls, but totally sealing herself off from life was another thing altogether. As long as she kept up on her emails and listened to her voice mails, she let herself buy into the illusion that she was on top of things.

  The top email in her inbox was from her agent. There was a high-priority flag. Her agent really needed to take some time off and enjoy the holiday. After all, it was Christmas Eve.

  The subject line caught and held Serena’s attention:

  Call me ASAP! Damage control needed!

  Damage control? For what? She hadn’t been in town for days. There was no way she could have done anything to require such a message. And then she noticed that there was an attachment.

  Her agent wasn’t an alarmist, so dread was churning in her empty stomach. Her finger hovered over the open button. She knew that once she looked at it that it would cast a cloud over this wonderful holiday season. Was it so wrong for her to want this bit of heaven to last just forty-eight hours more? Besides, who would be looking at the tabloids over the holiday?

  She closed her email and opened a new word processing document. She put the email out of her mind and instead concentrated on the idea that had come to her last night while she’d been kissing Jackson.

  One of the hardest things for her to write was the opening line. It carried so much weight. It had to snag the viewer’s attention. It had to set the tone for the entire movie.

  And so Serena typed out a sentence that would be read as part of the heroine’s thoughts...

  This was to be a Christmas unlike any other.

  It was okay. It gave an idea of what was to come. But it didn’t pop. It wouldn’t stand out and make the viewers forget about their popcorn and soda. Nor would it draw them to the couch to sit down and find out what happened next.

  Her mind wandered back to her Christmas present for Jackson. Her mind started playing over all of the various messages that she could write. It could be a long letter, explaining what their time together had meant to her and how she’d been able to regain her trust in her judgment and in men. But that seemed like too much.

  Perhaps she should tell him how much fun she’d had with him and that she didn’t want it to end. Something like: This wasn’t an ending but rather a beginning.

  And then she realized the best route was the simplest one. Nine little words would tell him everything he needed to know.

  She opened a blank document and started to type. She played with the font size and the color until she ended up with:

  My ♥’s in New York...

  so I’m moving there.

  She made it so the font filled the page and then she printed it. She searched the desk until she found an envelope. Now all she needed was to dress it up. After all, it was a Christmas present of sorts.

  But she had no wrapping paper. She would have to be inventive. Her gaze strayed to the Christmas tree and latched onto the red velvet bows attached to the end of random branches. One of those would be perfect.

  And so she decorated the envelope and placed it beneath the Christmas tree. Now she couldn’t wait for Christmas. She hoped this present would make him as happy as it did her.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  ALONE AGAIN...ON Christmas Eve.

  Instead of getting upset over finding the spot next to him empty, Jackson just smiled. He knew last night when Serena got her stroke of genius that it wouldn’t be long until she headed to the keyboard to start her next screenplay.

  He was proud of her for following her dreams, even though she didn’t know for sure how they would turn out. She may be famous, but she was known for her acting, not her writing. There was no guarantee that any production company would get behind her screenplays. But he was excited to know that his interview might help pave this new road for her.

  He grabbed his phone to see if his agent had sent him the interview. His fingers moved over the screen until he pulled up the email with the attached video. A smile pulled at his lips. After they’d talked on the phone, Jackson had followed up with an email. He made sure to tell his agent to add music at the beginning as well as some visual narrative. Nothing was to be overlooked. This was that important to him.

  Jackson played the video. It was just as he’d imagined—no it was better. And the most striking part was Serena Winston. She was a star, even when she wasn’t on the big screen. Beyond her undeniable beauty, there was an air about her—the kind that princesses and queens possessed.

  The bedroom door creaked as it opened. Jackson pressed Pause on the video. Then he turned off his phone. There was no way that he was letting her see it. Not yet. This was special and it was his Christmas gift to her.

  Serena poked her head inside. “Morning, sleepyhead.”

  Gizmo squeezed past her, ran into the room with his tail wagging, jumped on the cushioned bench at the end of the bed and then hopped on the bed.

  “Arff! Arff!”

  “He’s been waiting for you to get up. It seems that Gizmo approves of you, which is saying something because he doesn’t take to many people. Usually he hides.”

  Gizmo rushed up to Jackson and before Jackson could move fast enough, Gizmo licked his cheek. “Yes, Gizmo. I like you, too. And it’s okay, sometimes I want to hide from people, too.” After wiping the wet kiss from his cheek, Jackson turned his attention back to Serena. Their gazes met and he smiled. “I don’t even have to ask what happened to you. I can see by that glint in your eyes that the writing is going well.”

  “It is. And this screenplay is going to be even better than the first one.”

  “It better be.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Because I was the inspiration, remember?”

  Her cheeks grew rosy. “I remember.” And then she pulled a white pastry box from behind her back. “I have a surprise for you.”

  His empty stomach rumbled its anticipation. “And what have you been up to besides writing?”

  “I drove into the village.”

  “Did you sleep at all?”

  She nodded. “But I’m an early riser.”

  “You couldn’t have gotten much sleep.”

  She shrugged. “That’s what coffee is for. And that reminds me. I picked up some more dark chocolate while I was in the village. I don’t kno
w if it’s as good as what you bought at the Christmas market, but it was all I could get at that hour of the morning.”

  He arched a brow. “I take it you really like the cocoa?”

  “Oh, yes. What could be better? Chocolate and fresh pastries.”

  He climbed out of bed. “You don’t have to convince me.” He threw on some clothes and headed for the door. He paused to place a kiss on her lips. “Well, what are you doing standing there? We have some cocoa to make.”

  It didn’t take long until he had the milk warmed and the chocolate melted into it. With two steamy cups and a box of pastries, they returned to the great room. Serena had started a fire while he was taking care of things in the kitchen. And she’d thought to turn on the Christmas tree lights. It was a very cozy setting, even if the cabin was quite large.

  She turned to him on the couch. “Do you know what the best part of a chilly morning is?”

  “There’s a best part?”

  She smiled and nodded. “Snuggling together under a blanket.”

  He reached for the throw on the back of the couch and snuggled it around Serena before draping what was left over his legs. Gizmo decided it was a good idea and joined them on the couch.

  “You know I could get used to this,” she said.

  Jackson leaned toward her and pressed his lips to hers. He didn’t say it, but he could get used to this, too. This relationship was so different from the others in his past.

  Serena was more than willing to meet him halfway, like her thoughtful trip to the village for breakfast food or her attempt to cook dinner, even though it was a struggle. It didn’t matter to him if she’d burned the food, he’d have still loved it, just because she put herself out there for him.

  He deepened the kiss. She tasted sweet like chocolate and it had never tasted so good. His hand cupped her face. He never wanted to let her go.

  And yes, he knew that their time together was almost at an end. He had a flight back to New York in less than forty-eight hours. When he’d flown to Austria, he hadn’t wanted to come. He’d been fully focused on his career and he’d wanted to be any other place but the Alps, where no news ever happened. Instead he’d found something more important—happiness.

  He pulled back so that he could look into Serena’s eyes. “Do you know how happy you make me?”

  She smiled at him. “How happy is that?”

  “So happy that I think I want to give you your Christmas present right now.” When she frowned, he realized that they’d agreed to forgo presents. “Listen, I know we said that we weren’t going to exchange gifts, but this is special. And I hope you really like it—”

  “But we can’t open gifts.”

  “Why not?”

  “It’s not Christmas morning.”

  “Oh.” He hadn’t realized that she was a stickler for tradition. And he really didn’t want to wait. “Can you make an exception just this once?”

  “I suppose.” A big grin lit up her face. She looked excited, like a little kid on Christmas morning after Santa left a sled full of presents under the tree. “I got you a present, too.”

  He struggled to keep from smiling. “You broke the agreement.”

  “You broke it first.”

  “True enough.” He smiled at her, causing her stomach to dip. “I think you’re really going to like my present.”

  “Open mine first—”

  “Not so fast. Maybe we should flip for it.”

  “Or maybe you should be a gentleman and let the lady go first.”

  He sighed. “I guess you have me there.” He motioned with his hand. “Okay. Go ahead.”

  She smiled in triumph. “You’re really going to like it. The present is under the tree.”

  He turned but he didn’t see anything. “Are you sure?”

  “It was right there.” She stood and walked over to the tree. She got down on her hands and knees. She looked all around, even under the tree skirt. “It’s not here.” And then she turned around. “Gizmo.”

  The dog’s ears lowered and he put his head between his paws.

  “Don’t look so innocent. It’s not going to work this time.” Serena got to her feet. “Gizmo, how could you do this?”

  The pup let out a whine.

  Jackson didn’t want to see the whole day ruined. “It’s okay. It’ll turn up. I can give you my present.”

  “No.” And then, as though Serena understood how bad her response sounded, she said, “I’m sorry. I’m just frustrated. I have to find your gift. I can’t believe this happened. That dog is such a thief.”

  Jackson laughed. “I can’t argue with that.”

  “Please help me look for it.”

  “What am I looking for?”

  “You’ll know it when you see it. It has your name on the front.”

  Jackson got down and looked under the couch and then he checked under the armchair. “You know, you could make this a new tradition—hunting for your Christmas present. I’m sure Gizmo would be glad to help.”

  “Oh, no. When we get back to the States someone is going back to doggy school. Huh, Gizmo?”

  He whined and put his paw over his head.

  Jackson chuckled. “I’d like to help you, buddy, but I think she means business.”

  And sadly, he wouldn’t be around to see Gizmo’s transformation from an ornery puppy to a well-behaved dog. But more than that, Jackson was going to miss Serena. She was a ray of sunshine in his otherwise bland and gray life.

  But before all of that, he had his present for her. While Serena was off searching the kitchen, Jackson pulled out his cell phone to forward her the video. Luckily they’d been talking over lunch yesterday about how to keep in touch and she’d given him her email—GizmoPuppy007@mymail.com. He smiled at the address. He didn’t think he’d ever forget it—or her.

  * * *

  “I have it.”

  Serena ran into the great room, waving the envelope around.

  “Where did you find it?” Jackson asked as he stood next to the Christmas tree.

  “Under the bed. I also found my wallet. I didn’t even know that it was missing...again. I must have put it down when I got back from the bakery and he found it. I also found my hairbrush and one of your socks. He had quite a collection.”

  “Well, bring it over here.” When she approached him and held out the sock, he smiled. “Not that.”

  She dropped the sock on the floor. “Did you mean this?”

  “Yes.” He snatched the envelope from her fingers.

  She automatically grabbed for it, but he held it out of her reach. “Hey, that wasn’t fair.”

  “Ah...but see, it has my name on it.” He pointed to where she’d scrolled his name with a red pen.

  “But...” The protest died in her throat. What was she going to say? That she was having an attack of nerves? How would that sound? “Oh, go ahead.”

  She didn’t have to tell him twice. He jabbed his finger into the corner of the envelope and started to rip the seam open. Talk about an overgrown child.

  He pulled out the folded piece of paper. His face was void of expression as he read it. His gaze moved to her and then back to the paper. For the longest time, he didn’t say anything.

  “I don’t understand.” His eyes studied hers.

  Was he serious? She didn’t think it was that hard to understand. But if he really needed her to break it down for him, she could do it in three words. “I love you.”

  Jackson took a step back as though her admission had dealt him a physical blow. “No, you don’t.”

  AKA, he didn’t love her back. And by the horrified look on his face, he didn’t want her moving to New York, either. Her heart plummeted down to her toes. She blinked repeatedly. She would not cry in front o
f him. She moved to retrieve the note from his hand, but he took another step away from her.

  With his back against the tree, he said, “You can’t love me. It’s too soon.”

  Each denial that passed by his lips was like a dagger stabbing into her fragile heart. Her vision blurred. She blinked away the unshed tears and then summoned a steady voice. “I think what you mean to say is that you don’t love me.”

  “I... I...”

  “Save it. The truth is written all over your face.”

  “I tried to tell you that I wasn’t ready for a relationship.”

  “Was that before or after we made love? Or perhaps when you offered to do this interview? Because I never heard those words. You made it seem like—well, it doesn’t matter because I obviously read everything wrong.”

  “I never meant to hurt you. You’ve been great. I really appreciate everything you’ve done—”

  She glared at him. “Stop with the kind words.” The last thing she could stand now was him being all nice to her. He was yet another man who took what he needed from her heedless of her feelings. “The truth is you think that the time we’ve spent together was a mistake. One you wish you could forget.”

  “Serena, I...” He hesitated as he stared at her, seeing that she meant business. “Okay. You’re right. I did things and said things that I shouldn’t have done. Our time together was great. You’re great. But it can’t last. You’ve got to understand. I still love my wife.”

  The words were pointed and drove straight into her heart. For a moment, she couldn’t breathe. So this was it. There was nowhere to go from there. She struggled to keep it all together. She forced herself to take one breath and then another. The last thing in the world she wanted was for him to see just how deeply his words had hurt her.

  Serena reached for the note she’d written him and finally snatched it out of his hand. “Now that we’ve cleared the air. You should go.”

  She didn’t need him to stay and make this worse. There was no way she could compete with a ghost. The ghost would win every time because he could switch up his memories to make his late wife perfect.