by Sierra Brave
As they approached the sleigh, Carolyn stopped short and gave a laugh, pointing at the horse. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Someone must have really stepped into it recently.”
“You have no idea,” Davis said in a mumble.
The two Banks shared a look Scarlett didn’t understand and Carolyn cackled as she moved forward. The horse grunted indignantly, but Davis calmed her with a hand on her muzzle.
“Simmer down,” he said.
The ride back was silent but cozy. Davis wrapped his arm around Scarlett even as he held the reigns. Carolyn rode in the seat behind them, seemingly losing herself in the cool wind and familiar scenery. As the sleigh came to a stop in between the area connecting Davis’s large backyard with the rental cabin’s much smaller front yard, he steadied the horse and went to help his grandmother. Mrs. Banks shooed him away, insisting she wasn’t an old nag.
“Come on, Gram,” he said in exasperation.
“You just walk your young lady to the door and come back for me.” Her voice was authoritative.
“Yes, ma’am,” he replied in a tone that made it clear he knew arguing would do no good. Clearly, Mrs. Carolyn Banks was a woman who expected to have things her way.
Pursing her lips, Scarlett tried her best to restrain the laugh obstructing her throat. After Davis helped her to her feet, she bid the Banks matriarch good-bye.
“Dinner is at 7:00 p.m., Scarlett…sharp,” the old woman said in a tone that made Scarlett feel this was more of a summons than an invitation.
Surprised, Scarlett stared into Carolyn’s kind eyes. “Ma’am? It’s Christmas Eve.”
“I’m old, not senile, young lady. I well know what day it is. I give my grandson a hard time but his happiness is actually pretty high on my list of priorities, and you, my dear, put a smile on his face.”
“Oh, geez,” Davis said, grabbing Scarlett’s hand and tugging her along.
He escorted her all the way to the door and stood waiting as she fumbled in her pocket for the key.
“I’m really sorry about all of that…like I said, Gram always says whatever she wants.”
Producing the key, she tilted her head, grinning at him. “It’s okay. There’s something charming and oddly familiar about the way she speaks. I could swear I know that voice…not the actual voice, more like an acquaintance of wording.”
She pushed the key into the key-hole, turning it and pushing open the door. Davis reached out, touching her back. Even through her heavy coat, she felt the electricity buzzing between them.
Turning to face him, she smiled. “Well, good afternoon, kind sir. Thanks for the sleigh ride. It was my first.”
“Happy to oblige, my lovely lady,” he said, taking her gloved hand and giving it a peck. “You will come tonight. Won’t you?”
The amusement shaping her expression melted away with a burst of fear. Her heart was still tender after the shredding Robert had given it. Davis had applied a little balm but the scars were still fresh. She wasn’t in any hurry to open those wounds. Christmas Eve was a time for family. She didn’t belong at their dinner. “Davis…I don’t know. You and I have been having a great time but I leave in two days, and do you really want to complicate things?”
His face fell and filled with disappointment. “It’s already past complicated for me. I don’t just fall into bed with any woman I meet. I knew there was something special about you right off and if you can’t see that…”
Scarlett’s tummy was doing flips and she was sure her feet would fly right out from under her, forcing her head-over-heels if she allowed him to go on talking. Interrupting, she said, “I’ll think about it.”
Resigned and with a voice full of sadness, he said, “Yes, ma’am.”
He tipped his hat before turning and heading down the stairs. Scarlett stepped inside the cabin, throwing a last look over her shoulder and finding Carolyn Banks eyeing her pensively. The look on her face gave Scarlett the shivers. What was it about that woman?
Chapter Three
This is so absurd. Why am I doing this? Clutching one of the six bottles of wine she’d brought to get her through her four-night getaway, Scarlett wagged her head at her actions. Here she was, on the rebound, all alone on the holidays and interloping on her one-night stand’s family celebration. Had any person in the history of the entire world ever been as pathetic as she was? Standing at Davis’s door, she wrestled with the decision to knock. This is crazy. There’s still time to bail. I could just turn around and walk back to the cabin. That’s what I’ll do… She took a step backward and then another and was just about to turn on her heels when the door latch clicked and the door swung open.
“How long are you going to loiter at the door? Everyone knows you’re here now so you might as well join us.” The tight ponytail on the top of Melly’s head bobbed as the younger girl gave her a tongue-lashing.
“Hush now, Melly!” A very tall silver fox scolded as he slipped up behind her. “Please forgive my little filly. I taught her manners but apparently she forgot how to the use them. She’s a might possessive when it comes to her big brother.”
“Daddy!” Melly protested, poking out her bottom lip.
“Stop your sassing and let the pretty lady inside before your brother gives your britches another dusting.”
“Daddy!” the girl squealed again, absently reaching back to cover her bottom with her hands while her cheeks turned a rosy hue.
Scarlett looked back and forth between father and daughter—surely this was a joke.
“He did not!” Melly said.
“Oh, that’s right; you got to pull the apple cart instead.” He gave her ponytail a gentle yank.
She sulked, folding her arms over her chest as she mumbled, “It wasn’t an apple cart.”
“Please come in, Scarlett.” The handsome, older gentleman had the same smooth, gentle manner Davis did but he was clearly far more skilled with the ladies. He gave her a subtle nod and a charismatic smile as he stepped back to allow her entrance.
Davis stood from the chair where he had been sitting at a table in a large breakfast nook and strolled over to meet her. Looking around, Scarlett realized she’d come to the back entrance just off of the kitchen. “This is my daddy, Jonah, and you already met Melly and Gram.” He stepped in, taking her hand and guiding her into the large, open living room.
Nervously, Scarlett nodded. “Charmed…thank you for having me. This is for you.” She held up the bottle.
“Ah! Wine…what a good girl you are!” Jonah Banks said with a wink.
What a crowd! Just how many pairs of eyes were crawling all over her, anyway? There were definitely more people than she had expected to see. Why did I think coming here was a good idea? These people don’t even know me—I was asked out of pity because it was obvious I was alone. I slept with Davis once. We aren’t even dating. All these people know I don’t belong here. I’ll just have a glass of wine, stay long enough not to be rude and get out of here.
The large den and adjacent dining area were packed with people of all ages, though most were middle-aged or small children. Other than Davis, no one appeared to be in their late twenties like her, although a handful of teenaged boys were hanging out by the bar where someone had set up a nice spread of appetizers and finger-foods.
She gave the goodies a onceover—lots of fruity deserts along with a few savory-looking snacks. The teens appeared to favor the cheese puffs but the scrumptious-looking apple tarts turned Scarlett’s head. Unfortunately, she was in no mood to have a bunch of strangers critiquing her for what and how much she ate.
Scanning the other side of the room, she noticed a slender blonde with a flat rear-end who appeared to be about Melly’s age. The two huddled together near the hearth, giggling while looking at something in a magazine. At least they weren’t pointing at her and laughing. Anxiety bubbled and brewed in Scarlett’s tummy as Davis led her around, introducing her to aunts, uncles and cousins—both close and distant—as well as several sma
ll family units he referred to as family friends. Everyone seemed to mix and mingle as if they had known each other forever, making her outsider-status even more conspicuous. What if they started asking her questions about her relationship with Davis? What was she supposed to say?
Scarlett looked over her shoulder, spotting the door. She could just turn and rush out. It wasn’t as if she was ever going to see any of these people again after the next couple of days. Her throat dry, she stood frozen as Davis’s hand smoothed out her sweater across her back.
“Here you go, dearie.” Gram stepped between Scarlett and the escape route.
Scarlett smiled as sincerely as she could under the circumstances as Carolyn lifted up a large mug garnished with a peppermint stick…probably hot chocolate. If only there was a shot of Kahlua inside, she’d have her favorite winter drink.
“Thank you,” Scarlett said, grasping the cup with both hands and taking a sip. Her eyes widened as the fluid rolled over her taste buds. No way! She savored the flavor as it rolled down her throat. Smiling at Carolyn, she said, “Yum! My favorite—how did you know?”
“Oh, you just looked like a cocoa and Kahlua kinda girl,” the older lady said with a smile, gently placing her hand on Scarlett’s shoulder and giving it a squeeze. “I think you will really like the holiday meal too!”
Scarlett’s cheeks blazed. Was that a crack about her weight? She searched Carolyn’s expression. Her kind eyes and sweet smile gave no indication of malice. Perhaps Scarlett was just reading more into it than she should. “It smells wonderful.”
“Doesn’t it?” Carolyn smiled and leaned in, whispering as if she were sharing a secret. “From the aroma, you’d never guess there was no meat. Our family’s recipes have been passed down for generations.”
“You’re a vegetarian?”
“We all are,” Carolyn, said gesturing around the room.
“All of you?”
“Surprised?”
“A little…not that I’m much for meat—it doesn’t agree with me,” Scarlett said before admitting, “but I can eat my weight in pasta, breadsticks and salad.”
With an animated facial expression and charisma, Carolyn said, “Good! Because we’ve made a lot of food! There’s roasted pumpkin bisque, eggplant parmesan and a spinach and cheese risotto torte that is to die for!”
“I’m sure it will be—”
Davis interrupted. “Gram, stop hogging my date.”
As soon as his last word escaped his lips, Scarlett’s shoulders stiffened. Was this really a date rather than an offer of hospitality?
Carolyn raised an eyebrow at Davis before shrugging. “Fine, fine…I’ll circulate.” She lightly patted the back of Scarlett’s hand. “You have a nice evening, dearie.”
After dinner, the rest of the evening seemed like a blur. Scarlett struggled to remember the names of all the people pulling her into conversations. With the exception of Melly, everyone was being incredibly gracious toward her—at least to her face—but eyes and whispers followed her as Davis guided her, circulating through all the clusters of conversation and socialization.
Her head spinning, Scarlett asked, “May I use the restroom?”
“Of course.” Davis held her hand as he led her to the hallway and pointed out the bathroom.
Stepping inside, she closed the door behind her and locked it. She sighed deeply and leaned her back against the door. Why had she done this to herself? She ran away to avoid awkward holiday drama only to become another family’s spectacle. What was Davis thinking? Who takes someone to a Christmas Eve dinner on a first date…? Well, second if you counted the horse ride and third if you counted the pounding he had given her right after they met. Ugh…since when do I have one-night stands…? Oh yeah, since that asshole, Robert, broke me into tiny pieces. She grabbed some tissue, dabbing the corners of her eyes. She couldn’t let herself cry! If she did, all those watchful eyes would think she was a head-case. Well, at least I managed to get through a few hours without thinking about Robert. She looked at her watch. It was nearly ten-thirty. She had stayed long enough—time to say goodnight.
She cracked the door, peeking out and breathing a sigh of relief that Davis hadn’t stood there waiting for her to come out. She had already suffered enough embarrassment. As she headed down the hallway, a raised voice stopped her in her tracks and she hung back.
“Just tend to your own business!” Davis’s voice was tinged in anger.
“You know I’m right. I don’t even know why you’re bothering. She’s not one of us and she never will be,” Melly said.
Scarlett could just imagine the snotty expression on the young lady’s face.
“Sounds like someone needs her butt blistered!” This time it was their grandmother speaking. “Your great-grandfather, my daddy, wasn’t one of us either but me and my siblings turned out just fine.”
“Well…that was different.” Melly’s voice was shrill and nasal, like that of a whining child.
“Just hush up before she comes back and hears you!” Davis said.
Scarlett took a couple of steps backward before turning and bolting back to the bathroom. What the hell was that about? Not one of us? What? Mountain people? They weren’t exactly hillbillies. Whatever…she just needed to make her exit. She flushed the toilet, ran the faucet and made a big production of opening and shutting the door with just enough force to be heard but not enough to be obnoxious. Apparently, her efforts weren’t in vain because there were no whispers on her trip down the hallway this time.
Slipping into the roomful of jovial people, she hoped not to be noticed. She scanned the room and mapped her best exit strategy. She had rounded one group of men who were sharing beers and swapping stories, and she was nearly past the older women who were sipping wine when Davis called her name from behind. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath before turning around and offering him a smile.
“There you are.” She feigned innocence as best she could.
Davis tilted his head and brushed the strands of hair covering the side of his jaw away with his hand. He looked her up and down as if he had seen right through her. “You seem a might jumpy. Is everything okay?”
Worry clouded his usually bright eyes. Ah—he didn’t know she was about to jump ship. He was probably scared she heard him arguing with his sister. What did it even matter? Tomorrow is Christmas day. I’ll sit alone by the fire, roast some marshmallows, make some s’mores and get rip-roaring drunk on red wine. Then I’ll pack my car and go home the following day. I’ll never see any of these people again, including Davis.
“I’m fine, just tired.”
Averting his eyes from hers, he looked down while taking her hand in his. “Okay, I’ll walk you home.” He glanced back at her, flashing that shy smile of his.
Scarlett considered the proposal. She could take him up on his offer, take him home and screw him until daybreak. Hell, then she could sleep through Christmas day, but she couldn’t bring herself to use him that way. He was a great guy and seemed to like her well enough but…no. “It’s just across the yard. I’ll be fine. Stay and enjoy your time with your family, please.”
“But, Scarlett,” Davis’s voice rang in her ears as she turned and headed to the door.
“You heard her. Just stop…”Melly’s irritating voice wasn’t far behind. “Our crazy family scared her away.”
Well, that wasn’t true but Scarlett stayed the course, smiling and waving goodbye to those who locked eyes with her as she waded through the sea of people. Finally, she was at the door. Hurriedly, she opened the door and got out of there, making haste toward her rented cabin.
Chapter Four
“It’s going to be a beautiful night for it.” Gram turned her head toward the door Davis was exiting.
He carried a warm quilt in his arms as he walked over to the old porch swing she was sitting on while looking at the stars. Unfolding the blanket, he laid it over her lap as she thanked him. He looked up, taking the heavens in for himself. A
s usual, Gram was right. The night sky was flush with twinkling starts, dazzling like quartz.
“I swear the stars are brighter up here!” she said.
“The stars are the same everywhere. There’s just less pollution hiding them from sight where we are.”
Gram smirked. “I guess your daddy’s money wasn’t wasted when he sent you to that big-city college. You’re smarter than you look.”
“Gee, thanks.”
He grimaced while she cackled and snorted. He didn’t mind, really, especially since her heart was probably breaking.
“Are you sure you won’t come with us, Gram? I don’t mind being ridden.” This was the first Christmas she wasn’t able to run with them. Spry as she seemed, Gram was a lot older than she looked. Her shifting slowed considerably a couple of years back, and gradually the process continued to cause more strain and take more time. Nine months ago with considerable difficulty, she shifted for the last time before losing the ability altogether.
Gram shook her head, stubborn as always. “No, my time to gallop down the mountain has come to an end.”
Davis frowned. “Tearing around this mountain with the cool wind whipping through our manes has been our family’s tradition since long before you were born. Knowing you are sitting at home alone while the rest of us are soaring with the stars would be a disgrace.”
She wagged her head. “Disgrace? Don’t you go sassing me, boy. This time comes for all of us old mares and worn out stallions, so you enjoy it while you can. I’ll be right here with warm blankets, waiting for you all to come back.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Davis said. There was never any use arguing with her once she took that tone.
“Now don’t look so pitiful. Humor an old lady. Sit with me on the porch and talk for a minute.”
Davis’s stomach twisted in a knot. They were already talking. If she wanted him to sit down, God only knew what was coming next. Hesitantly, he sat down next to her, turning his head to face her.
“That’s my sweet boy. You know I rocked every one of my babies and grandbabies on this swing.”
