Cute family . Madison liked Scott Thompson already. A hardworking father, who still made time for his two daughters. She jotted a few notes in her notebook.
Cole shut off the truck and turned to face her. “I’ll set up out here and take some exterior shots first, I’ll meet you inside.” He jumped from the truck and tossed his camera bag over one shoulder.
Madison nodded. She gathered her purse and notebook and climbed out of the truck.
“Madison Grey? Come on in.” Scott opened the front door as she approached. He waved to Cole. “Just let yourself in when you’re done.”
“Hello.” Madison smiled. Scott didn’t look a day over thirty, with his sandy blond hair and hazel eyes. He was taller than she’d expected. Six foot two inches, she would guess. “Mr. Thompson, a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for inviting us into your home.” She extended a hand.
“Please call me, Scott.” He led the way into the living room.
“You have a fantastic home, Scott.” Madison admired the spiral staircase leading to the upper levels of the home.
“It’s a bit extravagant for me. My wife picked it out. She loved the staircase and the open foyer and the big yard for the girls.” Scott’s gaze landed on a photo of a beautiful woman in a flowing blue sundress sitting on a swing in their yard.
“She was beautiful.” Madison smiled at the picture. Melissa Thompson had passed away two years before, after a six-year battle with cancer.
“She was incredible. You know, you think over time, it would get easier, but this time of year…” Scott gave a sad smile.
“I can’t imagine how hard a loss like that must be.” Madison surveyed the other framed family photos on the fireplace.
“I’d be lost without the girls. Here they come.”
The sound of giggling filled the foyer as the two young girls raced into the living room.
Emma and Amelia Thompson looked like him but had their mother’s dark hair and blue eyes. The combination was striking.
“Girls, come meet Madison. She’s going to be hanging out with us for a few days.” Scott waved them over to join him on the couch.
“Are you the new nanny?” the youngest, Emma asked from her hiding spot behind her father’s leg.
“No she’s writing a story about us, aren’t you?” Amelia said.
“Yes, I am. If that’s okay with you girls?” Madison sat in an armchair across from the girls.
Amelia nodded. “Sure. Emma likes to have her picture taken.”
“So do you.” The other little girl pouted, folding her arms across her tiny frame.
Madison laughed. “Cole is outside taking pictures, but he will be in soon.”
Cole entered the living room. He rubbed his red hands together for warmth.
“Uncle Cole!” Emma ran and jumped into Cole’s arms.
He caught her and spun her around the living room. The action was so natural. Madison swallowed a lump in her throat. An unexpected reaction to the sight.
“You’re their uncle?” He hadn’t mentioned he knew any of the bachelors. She shot him a quizzical look.
He nodded and shrugged, tickling Emma.
The little girl squealed in delight.
“Cole is Melissa’s brother, my brother-in-law.” Scott shook Cole’s hand and slapped him on the back. “He’s the only reason we agreed to do this. Good to see you.”
Madison watched the familiar exchange between the two, and her eyes drifted back to the photograph of Melissa. The two could be twins.
Scott took Emma from him and set her back on the floor.
“Dad, now that Uncle Cole is here, can we eat the cookies we baked?” Amelia tugged on her father’s shirt.
“It’s only nine o’clock in the morning. Isn’t that too early for cookies?” Scott smiled at his daughter.
Amelia looked disappointment.
“It’s never too early for a cookie.” Cole winked at Scott. He turned to Madison. “You eat cookies for breakfast all the time don’t you?”
Amelia’s eyes were hopeful as she looked between the adults.
“All the time.” Madison nodded and smiled.
Scott shrugged and shook his head. “Okay then. I guess I’ve been outvoted. Let’s go into the kitchen.” He led the way.
Emma trailed behind and slid her hand into Madison’s. She gestured for her to come closer.
Madison bent lower. “Yeah?”
“I’ve already eaten three.” The little girl giggled.
* * * * Madison’s arms ached under the weight of the nine-foot pine tree box as she danced from one foot to the other outside the local children’s hospital. Every year the Thompson family set up a Christmas tree for the children too sick to go home for the holidays. She blew the tassel from her elf hat out of her eyes and waited for the automatic door to open. This assignment was already turning out to be more hands on than she’d anticipated. So much for just observing. She caught a glimpse of herself in the glass door as they entered and sighed. Samantha would be proud. The green velvet elf hat the Thompson family insisted she wear looked ridiculous. No one had taken her protests seriously, and she’d even been forced to wear the matching hat. The ligaments in her forearm felt like they were about to tear, and her fingers were slipping from the corner of the box. She wondered how she’d gotten stuck carrying this heavy thing anyhow. Where was Cole? She hadn’t seen him since they arrived in the parking lot. “Are we planning to put this down soon?” She called over the top of the box to Scott.
“A little further. We set up in the main cafeteria.” Scott wasn’t struggling under the weight. “This way, Madison.” Emma pointed the way down the hall. She skipped down the tiled hallway.
“Okay,” she mumbled, straining to make it the extra remaining steps to the cafeteria.
“Here is fine.” Scott gestured for her to put her side down.
She placed her end on the floor with a thud and stepped back, rubbing her throbbing arms. She would be sore tomorrow. She glanced around the cafeteria. Cole was nowhere in sight. Typical man. Never around when there was work to do.
The young girls unloaded bags of decorations onto the cafeteria tables, and Madison took a seat to catch her breath.
She removed her elf hat and shook her long dark hair. Damn that thing was warm.
“You better put your hat back on before Santa gets here.” Amelia warned as she untangled a set of colored lights.
“It’s a little early for San…” The words died on Madison’s lips as the sound of Ho Ho Ho came bellowing down the hallway followed by squeals and giggles from the children.
Emma’s eyes widened. “Too late he’s here!” Her mouth fell open in awe as she stared at the cafeteria entrance.
Madison turned. Her eyes met Santa’s, and he winked. Oh my God! Cole? Dressed in red velvet with a white fur trim and beard, fake belly and black shiny boots he was almost unrecognizable.
“Quick Madison, put this on before he sees you.” Amelia handed her the hat. Madison sighed and put the hat back on. Instant heat. Cole must be sweating in that full suit. Scott fastened the tree in the stand and waved at Santa.
“Okay everyone, it looks like the tree is all set. Let’s grab some decorations and get to work. Ho Ho Ho.” Cole grabbed a set of lights.
Madison remained seated as the young girls ran to join the others. She studied the scene before her, and her heart swelled. Pajama clad children laughed and danced around the tree as Santa teased and tickled them. Sadness filled her heart at the thought that this was most likely the only tree these children would see this year. The prospect of going home for most was slim. Bringing Christmas to them was their only option. Tears sprang to Madison’s eyes at the goodhearted nature of the Thompson family. The Melissa Thompson Foundation generated cancer research funds in the millions every year, but Scott still felt it wasn’t enough. His girls may be privileged, but they were far from spoiled. Their kindness and generosity proved overwhelming.
Her eyes met Cole’s
, and she swallowed the lump in her throat. He smiled and gestured for her to join them.
Madison hesitated. The assignment requirements were to observe, nothing more. Decorating a tree had not been in her holiday plans. Too many memories.
She bit her lip. Maybe it was time to make some new memories. After all, these children were making the best of their sad situation. Her problems paled in comparison. She grabbed a set of silver bulbs and joined the group by the tree. “Okay Santa, where should I start?” Her eyes met Cole’s, and her pulse raced at the kindness she saw. She had to give him credit. It took a special kind of person to don a Santa suit. Maybe Cole Harris wasn’t so bad after all. Even more reason to keep her distance.
* * * * Cole folded the Santa suit and placed it into a duffel bag. He slid into his jeans and buttoned the top. Grabbing a hand towel, he dried the sweat from the back of his neck and bare chest. Man that suit was hot. He pulled his sweater over his head and raked a hand through his hair. Every year he said he wouldn’t do it, and every year Scott talked him into it. In truth, it wasn’t hard. He would do anything to honor his sister’s memory, and the foundation was a huge contributor to the children’s hospital.
He grinned as he caught sight of his reflection in the bathroom mirror. The Santa beard still hung from his chin. He tugged it off and tossed it inside the bag. He gathered his coat and camera bag and headed back toward the cafeteria.
From the doorway he could see Madison and the girls cleaning up the remainder of the loose decorations and ribbons. She laughed at something Emma said, and warmth flowed through him at the sight and sound. He’d suspected her tough exterior was only an inch thick. Underneath the cynicism was a kind-hearted, warm person. Something—or more likely someone—had ruined the holiday season for her. He suspected it was her ex-husband. Looking at her, you couldn’t tell. She hummed Christmas carols as she worked.
He set up the tripod and positioned the camera. His job as Santa was done, now for the real work. Extended projects and magazine photo-shoots were the next step in his career. This assignment hadn’t been a dream come true. But his portfolio would benefit from a spread in one of New York’s most popular women’s magazines. He snapped a few shots and smiled.
“We are about ready to head out.” Scott said a moment later, hiding a yawn behind a hand. “The girls may still be going strong,” he laughed, watching them twirl until they were dizzy, “but I’m exhausted.”
“Okay, I’ll just grab a couple more, and then pack up.” Cole nodded, focusing the lens for another shot.
Scott glanced in the direction the camera pointed and grinned. “Did you take any of me?”
“Nope.” Cole laughed. His brother-in-law knew him too well. He punched his shoulder.
“I can’t say I blame you this time. She is beautiful and the girls love her.”
Their eyes landed on Madison, where she sat reading a Christmas story to a group of sleepy toddlers.
“From what I’ve gathered so far—she isn’t a fan of Christmas.” Cole shrugged and dismantled the tripod.
“From what I’ve gathered, she isn’t big on you either,” Scott teased. “What did you do? Let me guess, you hit on her already.”
Cole flushed. He couldn’t help it if he came on too strong. He liked her. Smart, sexy and so far seemingly unattainable, what man wouldn’t be attracted and challenged by her? He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the Christmas story about the forgotten elf. “I submitted this…just to meet her.” He handed the story to Scott.
Scott’s mouth dropped. “This is Amelia’s homework. She’s been looking everywhere for this. It’s due at school next week.” He punched Cole playfully in the arm.
“Ow…Well, apparently it needs work.” He grinned.
Scott shook his head and sighed. “I’ll go get the girls. Pack it up.”
“Sure thing. Just a couple more.” He peered through the lens and smiled. There was something about Madison he couldn’t explain, but whatever it was, it made him want to protect her, make her forget her broken heart and help her past the walls she’d built so high around herself. He suspected it would be a challenge, but he had three weeks to prove to her not all men were bad. Maybe he could convince her to give Christmas a second chance as well. Studying her smiling face from across the room, he grinned. Today was a good first step.
Chapter Three
Madison opened her laptop and sat on the hotel bed later that evening. She planned to enter the day’s notes on Scott Thompson and his family and then do some long overdue writing. Her own manuscripts were neglected, with her hectic work schedule at the magazine. Thankfully, she’d yet to hear from M and M publishing regarding her recent novel submission. She lacked the time needed to devote to the editing process.
She flipped through her notebook to the scribbled notes she’d made throughout the day. While her computer loaded, she glanced outside. A light dusting of snow collected on the city below. Despite how depressing the season made her, the sight was beautiful, peaceful, magical. New York during the holidays was a city unlike any other. Her laptop login appeared, and she typed her password. She opened a new word document.
The sound of Cole’s shower running in the next room distracted her, and an image of him in the Santa’s suit flashed across her mind. She smiled. An image of him naked in the shower replaced the previous one, and her smile disappeared. Her cheeks flushed. She forced the image from her mind, only to have it reappear. Dammit. Okay, he’s hot. Extremely hot. She didn’t need to see the body beneath the clothes to know it was perfection. His arms were solid, and his sculpted chest refused to be contained in the white t-shirt he’d been wearing that afternoon.
“Forget about Cole and focus.” She scanned her notes and typed in the information about Scott Thompson and his family.
However, despite her best efforts, images of Cole demanded her attention. His wet jet-black hair falling onto his forehead, his big muscular arms pushing it back off of his face. One occupational hazard to being a romance novelist was she envisioned things in slow motion and vividly.
She shifted on the bed and opened the file to her manuscript. Okay time to get serious. She tied her long hair at the base of her neck and stared at the computer screen.
Hot water trickling down the length of Cole’s torso appeared.
Her pulse raced, and her cheeks flushed. What was wrong with her? Why couldn’t she shake the images of her co-worker’s body? Because he is sexier than Brad Pitt, and she hasn’t been with a man in three years. She let out a deep breath. This was ridiculous. She heard the water shut off. Oh thank God.
Feeling inspiration in an area she hadn’t in months, she flipped to a blank section of her manuscript. Insert Love Scene here. Her fingers flew across the keyboard.
Richard turned the tap to hot, and stepped inside the steaming shower. He heard the key in the front door. Mackenzie was home. Perfect timnkiyjvk…
Loud laughter from the room next door startled her. She jumped and put her hand to her chest. She shot a glare toward the wall.
She continued typing. Back space, back space, back space…timing. The sound of her footsteps on the wooden staircase echoed throughout the house. His excitement grew with each click clack of her stilettos. An image of her sexy legs flashed behind his closed lids as the hot water trickled down his face.
More laughter interrupted her thoughts.
How the hell was she supposed to write a love scene with him laughing like a hyena next door? Okay in fairness, it was a deep, sexy laugh, but still. She waited. Just the muted sounds of the voices on the television. She started again…
He ran his trembling hands through his wet blond hair… Blond hair? Hmm. She hit the search and replace function. Find Blond Replace With Black. Much better.
“Ha ha ha.” Came floating through the wall.
“Okay, that’s it.” Madison pushed the laptop aside and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Pulling on her ugg-boot style slippers, she stood and tor
e open the hotel room door. Marching out into the hall, she banged on Cole’s hotel room door.
“This is a surprise…”
“What are you laughing at?” She looked past him to the television. A familiar New York Christmas scene flashed across the screen.
“Home Alone Two.” He moved aside, motioning for her to come in.
She cocked her head to the side and remained in the hallway. “Seriously? What are you, twelve?”
“It’s a classic.” He glanced toward the screen. “This is the part where he sees the bad guys in New York.” He sat on the bed, and once again gestured for her to come in.
“No, I can’t. I’m working.” She held the door open. “I just came over to ask you to keep the laughing to a dull roar if you could.”
He didn’t take his eyes off of the screen. “Sure, sorry.” He gave a quick smile in her direction. He picked up the remote control and adjusted the volume.
“Thanks.” She let the door close and headed back to her room. She wiggled the doorknob. Locked. Shit. She’d forgotten her room key. She glanced at her shorts and ugg slippered feet. She couldn’t go down to the lobby of a five star hotel dressed like this. She rested her head against the door and sighed. She’d call the front desk to have one brought up. Gritting her teeth she pounded on Cole’s door again.
“Change your mind?”
“No. I um…locked myself out of my room.” She shifted from one foot to the other.
He smirked and leaned against the doorframe. “And you want to stay here tonight?”
“No!” Her eyes widened.
Cole laughed.
She felt foolish. Her face flushed. “Can I use your phone?” She pointed to the hotel phone on the desk.
“Sure.” He moved aside to let her in.
“Thanks.” She picked up the phone and hit the button for the main desk.
“Front desk.”
“Hi. This is Madison Grey from room three forty-six. I locked myself out of the room, could I have a key brought up? I’d come down, but I’m in my pajamas.” Heat radiated down her neck under Cole’s scrutinizing gaze on her bare legs. She covered the mouthpiece. “Watch your movie.” She nodded toward the television.
Mistletoe Bachelors Page 3
