Holly Pointe & Mistletoe : A heartwarming holiday romance

by Cindy Kirk

  Stella nodded. She did understand.

  “Kevin and I were fraternal twins. I was the oldest.” Sam flashed a smile. “By two minutes. We didn’t look anything alike, and we were different on the inside, too. But he was my best friend.”

  “How were you different?” Stella kept her eyes on Sam’s face as she sipped her coffee.

  “I was the quiet, reserved one.” A smile hovered on the corners of his lips. “Kevin was outgoing and gregarious, the life of every party. But never obnoxious or over the top. He loved people and life, and it showed.”

  “It was unfair for him to die so young.”

  “There was a lot of anger and shock with the initial diagnosis.” Sam’s eyes grew distant as if he was looking back. “I think my parents and I took it harder than Kevin. He was the kind of guy who, corny as it sounds, made lemonade out of lemons.”

  “How did he do that?” Stella couldn’t imagine how anyone could find the positive in a diagnosis that could eventually take your life.

  “Well, he said he was glad he had time to put his affairs in order.” Sam hesitated. “He—” he broke off.

  Stella merely sipped her coffee and waited.

  “He said if he’d died in a car accident, he wouldn’t have had time to let all the people in his life know how much they mattered to him. The outpouring of affection from those he knew—or had known in the past—amazed and comforted him.”

  Stella felt the familiar tightening around her chest and forced herself to take a couple of calming breaths. “But surely he was angry. He was taken far too early, before his life had really begun. My parents were in their early fifties, and I felt they were gone way too soon. I was so angry.”

  “I think yours is a normal response. I certainly felt that way.” His chuckle held no humor. “Kevin saw rage as counterproductive to making the fight back to health. Then, when that didn’t happen, to enjoying what time he had left.”

  “He sounds like an amazing guy.”

  “He was one of the best men I’ve ever known. He showed me how to live. And how to die.” Sam’s gaze settled on the framed picture of her parents on the desk, the one taken on their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.

  Stella braced herself for questions, but instead Sam just sipped his coffee. They sat in comfortable silence for a minute before Sam continued.

  “It was Kevin’s shortened life expectancy that led him to buying the horses. Even back in high school, he had this dream of a whole herd but planned to wait until he and Lucy were married and settled. Instead of waiting, he took the money he’d saved and bought three.”

  Stella tried to hide her surprise. “He bought horses.”

  “Not just any horses, Icelandic horses.” Sam laughed at her confused expression. “They’re amazing. Very friendly, and they love people. I inherited them from Kevin. You’ll have to come out to my place and see them. If you have time, I’ll even take you skijoring.”

  “What is that?”

  “Think of it as cross-country skiing with the horse pulling you.”

  “It sounds like fun.” Stella set down her mug and picked up the plate with the cake. “Name the time. I’ll be there.”

  “You’ll have to dress warmly.”

  Stella rolled her eyes. “I’m in northern Vermont. In December. Of course I’ll dress warmly.”

  “It needed to be said.” Sam appeared to be trying to hide a smile. “You are, after all, a Florida girl.”

  “A former Florida girl.”

  His gaze sharpened. “You’ve decided not to go back?”

  “I’m still weighing my options.” Stella thought of her friends and the job that could be hers if she came through with this article. “I’m enjoying my time here, but I keep telling myself that my life is there.”

  “No job. No apartment. No boyfriend.” Sam’s tone remained light and conversational while his gaze had turned sharp and assessing.

  Though it was a statement, she heard the question hidden in the comment. “Nope. No boyfriend.”

  Was it only her imagination, or did his shoulders relax?

  “Good,” he said.

  “Why good?”

  “Because.” He stood, then sat beside her on the sofa, lifting the plate from her hand and placing it on the coffee table. “I want to kiss you again. If you had a boyfriend, I would keep my distance.”

  He sat so close that the heat from his body ignited a fire in her own. “You didn’t ask me in the courthouse if I had a boyfriend.”

  “That kiss was spontaneous.”

  She lifted her face and shivered when he gently brushed back a lock of her hair with the tip of his finger. “And what is this?”

  “This,” he said as his mouth lowered to hers, “is deliberate.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Sam told himself to take this slow, but even the talk of Kevin over the past hour hadn’t been enough to lessen the desire racing through his blood. The thought of kissing Stella again had been all he’d thought of during their time at the courthouse.

  She tasted like chocolate cake, and when her hand wrapped around his neck, he could have danced a jig. But he was too busy pressing his mouth to hers again and again.

  This melding of lips wasn’t one-sided. She kissed him back, her mouth opening to his when he slid his tongue across her lips. When it slipped inside, his blood flowed like molten lava, and his pulse throbbed hard and thick.

  His control nearly shattered when her fingers dipped inside the collar of his shirt.

  “I want you,” Sam groaned, his voice a gruff rasp.

  They were no longer sitting up. She was on her back, and he was practically on top of her. And still they continued to kiss. Long, dreamy kisses interspersed with ones that had him wanting to tear off his clothes—and hers—so they were flesh to flesh.

  His erection strained against his zipper, and she moved her hips beneath him, her legs separating just enough for his hardness to rub her in the place that had her arching upward, her fingers digging into his shoulders.

  Sam slid his hand beneath her bottom, bringing her even more fully against the length of his erection. He continued to kiss her, to murmur sweet words as she molded her body to his.

  While fighting to retain control, Sam continued the grinding rhythm that had Stella moaning as if the pressure inside had suddenly become unbearable.

  Still, he continued the hot, rhythmic stroking, letting her squirming set the pace while bringing her closer and closer to the edge.

  He scattered kisses across her face, then took her mouth in a deep kiss that mimicked their lovemaking. She surged against him and cried out.

  He continued the stroking until she sagged back. His body ached for completion, but tonight had been for Stella. He sensed that she wasn’t ready to dive into a full-blown relationship that included sex.

  Hopefully, tonight would help her see just how good it could be between them.

  “I can’t believe I—” Her hands dropped from his neck to lie limply at her side. The earlier patches of color on her cheeks were now fire-engine red. “I don’t know what got into me.”

  “It sure wasn’t me.” He rolled off her, gesturing with one hand to his fully clothed body.

  “You didn’t—” She sat up and licked her lips. “I mean, you kind of got the short end of the stick.”

  He chuckled. “I’m not sure I like that description.”

  The red on her cheeks deepened even further if that were possible. “I meant—”

  “I know what you meant.” Sam couldn’t help it. He kissed her again, reveling in the taste of her. “I should be heading home.”

  Her gaze fixed on his crotch as he stood. “It isn’t fair that I—”

  Leaning over, Sam tipped her chin up. If she kept looking at him there, he wasn’t going to be able to control himself. “Another time perhaps.”

  Grabbing his coat from the coat tree, Sam paused, his hand on the knob. “Don’t forget to deadbolt the lock once I leave. The town i
s safe, but you can’t be too careful.”

  Stella reached him just as he opened the door. Her hand on his arm stopped him from stepping into the hall. “You’re forgetting something.”

  He stepped to her. “A good-bye kiss?”

  “That sounds wonderful.” An impish gleam filled her eyes as she gestured with her head. “But I was referring to the cake.”

  “Ouch.” Derek grimaced as he and Sam rode the horses on a road that flanked the edge of Sam’s property. “It was all about the cake.”

  Sam had forgotten about his plans to go riding with Derek the next morning until his friend had banged on his front door at eight a.m. “Yeah, she didn’t want me to forget it.”

  “Did you at least get a good-night kiss?” Derek slanted a sardonic grin in Sam’s direction. “As a chaser for the one in the courthouse earlier in the evening?”

  “You heard about that?”

  Derek shot him a pitying look. “I don’t believe there is a single person in the county who hasn’t heard about Holly Pointe’s city administrator locking lips with our new social media person.”

  Sam scowled. He didn’t like the idea of Stella being the subject of public gossip. “We weren’t that obvious.”

  “You haven’t answered my question about the good-night kiss.”

  Derek, Sam realized, was like a dog with a bone. He was glad that he’d conveniently forgotten to mention everything that had gone on before the end of the evening. No matter how good his friendship with Derek was, there were some things best kept private.

  When the silence lengthened, Sam realized Derek was waiting for an answer. “I got another kiss.”

  Actually, the attraction between him and Stella had exploded. Even when he told himself to take it slow, the connection only grew hotter and more intense.

  “Mel likes her.” Derek gave Vixen a pat.

  “Your sister likes Vixen?”

  “Not the horse. Stella.” Derek made a sound of disgust. “Where’s your head this morning?”

  Back in Stella’s apartment, Sam thought. On her sofa, feeling her soft curves against the hard planes of his body, hearing her soft, breathy moans as he stroked . . .

  “Are you okay?”

  Sam jerked his thoughts back to the present. “Stella and I talked about Kevin last night.”

  Derek smiled. “Did you tell her how he listened to Christmas music year round? Or how we had to watch A Christmas Story and It’s a Wonderful Life every year?”

  Sam chuckled. “Remember when he added Elf to the Christmas lineup?”

  “I thought Zach was going to lose it that year.” A smile of remembrance lifted Derek’s lips. “Zach ended up loving Elf.”

  “I think about Kevin a lot at this time of year.”

  “I miss him, too, man.” Derek cleared his throat. “You might want to, I don’t know, touch base with Lucy sometime. This time of year is difficult for her, too.”

  “I thought she’d find someone else by now.” The second after the words left his mouth, Sam realized how they sounded. “I didn’t mean fall in love and get married. But to my knowledge, she hasn’t even dated.”

  “Kevin is a tough act to follow.” Derek lowered his voice, though they were the only ones for miles. “I remember when he and Lucy started dating. I didn’t see that coming.”

  “Because they seemed so different?”

  “Yeah, even back in high school, I had her pegged for the big city. I thought once she finished high school, she’d go to some college, then settle in New York or Boston.” Derek blew out a breath. “Instead, she and Kevin went to UV and returned to Holly Pointe.”

  “I see what you’re saying about Lucy, but Kevin was the one I always thought would settle in New York City. He loved the lights, the fast-paced lifestyle, and the parties.”

  “Now that you say that, I agree.” Derek’s gaze grew thoughtful. “I wonder why he did stay here? The techy stuff he did as an independent contractor could have been done anywhere.”

  “I believe he stayed because of Lucy. Don’t get me wrong.” Sam lifted one hand. “If he’d wanted to move to the city, I think Lucy would have packed up and moved. But she liked it here, and he could work anywhere.”

  “He couldn’t have had these beauties in the city.” Derek gave the horse another pat. “I’ve never ridden a more surefooted horse that gives you such a comfortable ride.”

  “For over a year he was able to enjoy them.” Sam wished it could have been decades.

  “You have any plans for tonight?”

  “Nope.”

  Derek cocked his head. “What? No plans with Ms. Carpenter?”

  “No plans.” Sam had already decided to text Stella this weekend, but that asking her out when they’d just spent the evening together might seem pushy. “What are you doing?”

  “I’d hoped—” Derek paused.

  Something told Sam he’d regret asking. “You hoped what?”

  “That you and Stella . . .” Derek circled a hand in the air, appearing faintly embarrassed.

  Sam grinned. “I have to say I find this sudden interest in my love life heartwarming.”

  “Shut up.” Derek scowled. “I’m just happy to see you getting involved with someone on a more personal level. You’ve shut yourself off from people since Kevin died.”

  “Hardly.” Sam tamped down a flicker of annoyance. “In case you’ve forgotten, I’m a city administrator. I see and interact with people all the time.”

  Derek shook his head. “Not the same thing. You don’t open your heart to anyone. Not anymore.”

  Even as a part of him recognized the truth in his friend’s statement, Sam forced a joking tone. “Aw, Derek, do you want more quality time with me to talk about feelings?”

  “Yes, I do.” Concern furrowed Derek’s brow. “You and I have known each other practically our whole lives, and I’ve seen you grow colder in these last four years. It’s been subtle, and maybe most people don’t see it, but I do. So if Stella is the person who can thaw you back out, then I think you’re a fool if you don’t at least try.”

  “Point made.” Sam clapped his friend on the shoulder and deliberately changed the subject. “What do you have on tap for tonight?”

  “I’ll be at the school holiday program. The kids are doing a skit, and Cam has a lead role. Why don’t you come? You can watch your goddaughter perform.”

  Going to a school Christmas program was low on Sam’s list of fun things to do on a Saturday night. Still, there was a special place in his heart for Derek’s daughter, and he knew Cam would be thrilled if he attended.

  Not to mention, by embracing the holiday season, he’d be showing Derek that his assessment was off base. Sam cocked his head. “Will there be cookies and punch afterward?”

  “Would it be Christmas without them?”

  Stella sipped some very excellent cappuccino from the corner table in the Busy Bean and scrolled through her list of activities to cover. She nearly groaned aloud at the entry under today’s date.

  Holly Pointe school holiday concert.

  Stella couldn’t recall the last time she’d attended a school Christmas event, but she could already envision this one. Little boys and girls dressed in holiday finery singing loudly and slightly off key. The parents would smile proudly from uncomfortable auditorium seats while videoing every precious moment.

  The older kids would likely appear bored.

  If she was lucky, there might—just might—be a moment or two worth capturing for the town blog. Still, she reminded herself, attending and reporting on these functions came with the job.

  “Krista.”

  Stella’s head snapped up.

  Krista Ankrom stood at the counter, looking ready for the runway in cream-colored wool pants and a pink cashmere sweater. Her coat appeared to be cashmere, too. The twins were with her, studying the selection of scones and muffins that Dough See Dough supplied daily to the coffee shop.

  “Kenny.” There was genuine gladness
in Krista’s tone, and the smile she offered the older man was wide. “How are you doing? How’s Norma?”

  Kenny’s deep rumble of an answer was too low for Stella to hear. But the look of sympathy that crossed Krista’s face told Stella there was a reason Norma wasn’t behind the counter this morning.

  “Give her my best,” Krista told the man, then fixed a sharp-eyed gaze on the twins who’d started shoving each other. “Neither of you are getting a treat if you continue to act this way.”

  Stella thought she heard the word “muffin” from one of the boys while the response of the other sounded like “cinnamon.”

  “The three of us will split a scone.” Krista turned to Kenny. “We’ll take a lemon-blueberry scone, two cups of hot chocolate, and a short skinny vanilla latte.”

  Reetha, the girl behind the counter with the short pixie cut, went immediately to work on the order. As there were no other customers in line, Krista continued to visit with Kenny.

  Unfortunately, the former model lowered her voice so much that Stella couldn’t hear what either one of them was saying.

  When Krista picked up the order and took a seat not far from the window, Stella realized her luck might have turned. Especially when she discovered that instead of scrolling through her phone the way many parents did when with their children, Krista actually focused her entire attention on her sons.

  “I’m not sure we’ll have time to take you sledding this afternoon. Your daddy said something about wanting to take you skating at the lake.”

  It almost sounded as if the couple was sharing custody of the boys. Or was Stella simply reading more into the statements than was actually there?

  “Of course, we’ll both be at the program tonight.”

  Program? Excitement coursed like an awakened river through Stella’s blood. She’d forgotten that the twins were in kindergarten. Krista had to be referring to the program tonight at the school.

  She and Dustin would be there. Which meant Stella would have another chance to observe them together.