Deck the Halls

by Leah Sanders

  You are beautiful.

  Kate held up her phone to show him.

  She was right. The dress was beautiful, and Cleo looked beautiful in it. “She really does,” he said. “Your design is perfect for her!” And you are perfect. He knew better than to say it out loud. Kate would be leaving in a matter of a few short days. It wouldn’t be fair to either of them if they got too involved. Too attached.

  Deep down, though, he knew it was already too late.

  “So, lunch?” He lifted a hand toward the diner. “Dan’s is the best in town.”

  Kate quirked an eyebrow like she didn’t quite believe him.

  “It probably won’t kill you,” he said with a smile.

  KATE’S GRIN FELT LIKE it was permanently etched into her face. She was certain she must look like The Joker as she strode through the corridor on the way to Mrs. Hall’s suite. Today was her favorite day.

  The new-found confidence resounded in her knock on the door. She could hear faint voices from behind the door, then it opened slowly. Jake peered at her in such an odd way, she hesitated, second guessing the confidence she’d had just a moment before.

  “Come in, Kate, come in. Don’t stand in the doorway like a security system salesman,” Mrs. Hall said, waving her hand dismissively. She lounged on the settee, sipping a glass of red wine.

  Kate stepped over the threshold, past Jake, and he closed the door behind her. He looked a little paler than usual. She couldn’t resist a knowing smile and made a mental note to congratulate Bernard, the pillow chocolate guy, on a job well done.

  “What did you bring me?” Mrs. Hall nodded at the garment bag draped over Kate’s arm.

  The question drew Kate back to her task at hand. A flutter of butterflies danced in her stomach at the thought of presenting the gown to Mrs. Hall. She tried to suppress them. After all, Mrs. Stradley had taken Kate’s vision for the gown to a higher plane, and after the success with Cleo’s gown earlier that day, she was convinced that even Mrs. Hall would be pleased. She drew in a deep breath and let it slowly release.

  “Kate?”

  “Yes. This is your gown for the Christmas ball.” She strode toward the settee, holding up the garment bag by the hanger, preparing to unzip it.

  “Where did you get it?”

  “I picked it up at a local shop the other day, and then—”

  “No.”

  “—I hired a— what?” She couldn’t have said what it sounded like she said. Mrs. Hall loved to look at gowns by any designer. She would never just reject it off the cuff. Without even looking at it. Would she?

  “No.”

  “No?”

  “Really, Kate, don’t be exhausting.” Mrs. Hall took another slow sip from her glass and pinched the bridge of her nose as if she were fighting a headache. “You know better than anyone, I would think, that Cynthia Skye-Adams cannot be caught wearing something off the rack of a local shop. No matter how upscale its clientele. It won’t happen.”

  “Mrs. Hall, I think if you just look at the dress—”

  “No.”

  “No?”

  “Is there an echo in here?” Jake sat down in the chair across from his mother and offered Kate a snide smirk.

  Kate glared at him.

  “Ooo… death glare.”

  “Oh, shut up, Jake,” his mother interjected.

  “You won’t even look at it? It’s really beautiful, I think you’ll be pleased.”

  “Kate…” Mrs. Hall took a long, slow sip of her wine, and then settled her gaze on Kate. “I’m sure you spent time scouring the racks for the dress you thought I’d least despise, and I’m sure you feel you have found the perfect gown. But I’m telling you now — and this will be the last word on it — and I will say it slowly, so it can sink all the way in… I. Will. Not. Wear. That. Gown. Put it out of your mind.”

  She set her glass on the end table, stood to her feet, and held out her hand toward Jake.

  “Hand me my phone. I’ll have Paige overnight me something from my Christmas line.”

  Kate’s heart fell into her stomach, crushing the butterflies that had been there only a moment before. “I can do that for you, Mrs. Hall,” she said, but her voice lacked spirit, and Mrs. Hall only rolled her eyes.

  “I will handle this myself, Kate. If you had done your job in the first place, we wouldn’t even be having this discussion. Clearly, it requires my personal touch.” She tapped on her phone and pulled off her clip-on earring before nestling the phone to her ear. “You should go on to bed, Kate. You look exhausted. We’ll need you fresh in the morning. Be here at 8:00 — Paige? Drop everything, I have a priority one assignment for you.”

  Kate turned to go, taking her garment bag and crushed spirit with her.

  “Want me to tuck you in?” Jake asked, waggling his eyebrows suggestively.

  “Jake,” Kate said. “You look a little pale. I hear dark chocolate is good for that kind of thing.” Then she strode to the door and left without another word.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Fill the Meadcup, Drain the Barrel

  WHEN THE ELEVATOR DOOR SLID CLOSED behind her, Kate slumped to the floor against the wall of the elevator and let the tears fall. It had seemed so perfect, the plan to get Mrs. Hall to recognize her talent. Foolproof even. But she wouldn’t even look at the dress. Wouldn’t hear Kate out before rejecting her.

  And now she was back to square one.

  There was no hope. It was never going to happen for her.

  The bell chimed and the door slid open to the basement. Kate didn’t move. She just sat there with her face buried in her hands.

  “Kate?” Luca’s voice surprised her. “Kate, are you okay? What happened?” He swept in and dropped to his knees beside her. “What is it? Did someone hurt you?” The fear in his voice was evident. He grabbed her arms, and she lifted her face.

  She was a hot mess. She knew it. Probably had mascara everywhere, but she didn’t care. Her dream was dead, and right then, she was just struggling to keep her head above the flood of despair her life had become.

  “What’s wrong? Tell me,” Luca said. His eyes pleaded with her to answer.

  Kate shook her head. “She wouldn’t even look at it.” A fresh wave of tears filled her eyes, blurring her vision.

  “Oh, Kate, I’m so sorry.” He slid into place beside her and wrapped his arms around her.

  Kate allowed herself to lean into his embrace, letting his warmth envelop her.

  The doors slid closed again.

  They sat there in silence for several minutes until Kate felt like she could breathe again.

  “There’s an author staying in the resort this weekend,” Luca said, offhandedly.

  “Oh yeah?” Kate said, dabbing at her eyes with her sleeve. That was a random piece of information. “Who is it?”

  “Promise you won’t tell anyone?”

  She nodded, still confused about why he was bringing it up.

  “Wendy Knight.”

  “That’s cool.” Was he just trying to distract her? Interesting strategy.

  “Well, I was thinking,” Luca began, a sly smile curling his lips, “I bet if we explained the situation, she’d write Mrs. Hall into a book and kill her off for you.”

  Kate snorted in laughter. Immediately, she covered her face with her hands. So embarrassing.

  Luca laughed. “Was that a snort?”

  She shook her head. Still hiding her face. “No!”

  “I mean, I’d send Bernard, but people like that are usually so constipated from the rectal-cranial inversion, the special chocolates are just a relief to them.”

  “Stop! Oh, stop!” She laughed, dropping her hands but trying desperately to keep herself from snorting again.

  “What time do you have to meet her tomorrow?”

  “Eight. But I don’t think I can face her.”

  Luca still had his arm around her shoulders, and he was slowly rubbing her forearm with the other hand.

  Kate closed h
er eyes and rested her head on his shoulder. She felt completely safe and understood here in his arms. Like nowhere else in her world.

  “Did you say she didn’t even look at it?” He slipped his arm off her shoulders and took her hand.

  Kate nodded and sniffed, staring at their entwined fingers. “She wouldn’t even let me take it out of the bag. Which is really unlike her. I’ve never known her to refuse to even look. It’s weird.”

  “Well, if she hasn’t seen it yet, there’s still hope. The key is presentation. In a place where she has no other option but to see it.” He stood suddenly, pulling her up with him. “Come on, I have an idea.” He pressed the button and the elevator doors slid open.

  LUCA STOOD AT THE front entrance, eyeing the storm clouds gathered over the resort. It was going to be one of those days; he could feel it.

  As if on cue, the elevator doors on the other side of the lobby slid open, and Mrs. Hall appeared with the look of someone on the rampage. The click of her heels on the wood floor echoed in his ears and sent a chill down his spine. He followed her path to the front desk where she slapped her hand on the counter to demand Renate’s attention.

  Renate, ever the sweet and patient soul, put down the schedule she was working on and approached Mrs. Hall with a gentle smile. “Bonjour, Madame Hall, how may I help you this morning?”

  “I need to know what room my assistant—Kate Curtis—is staying in.”

  Luca’s ears perked up.

  “I’m sorry, madame, I’m not allowed to give out that information. The privacy of our guests is—”

  “Nonsense. I am paying for that room, and I demand to know.”

  Renate cast a glance to Luca across the room, meeting his gaze. He nodded and moved toward them.

  “I understand, Madame Hall,” Renate said. “Have you tried calling her?”

  “What kind of question is that?” Mrs. Hall’s voice lowered, as if to hide her aggravation from onlookers. “Why would I be down here with you if I hadn’t already exhausted all other means of contacting her?”

  “Is everything all right here?” Luca asked as he stepped in beside Mrs. Hall.

  She glanced at him, and the anger flashing there caused him to take a step back. “Luca, isn’t it? Aren’t you in charge here?”

  “I’m one of the managers. Is there anything I can help you with, madame?”

  “I need to see Kate. This woman…” The word dripped off her tongue like acid. “…refuses to give me information that is on my own account although I am rightfully entitled to know it.”

  “What is it that you want to know?”

  “Her room.”

  Luca turned to the computer and pretended to look up the information Mrs. Hall was asking for. “Oh, I see that she is housed in the staff area. I can give you her room number, but it will do you no good. The area is off-limits to guests.”

  “Ridiculous! I have to see Kate right away. She isn’t answering her cell phone, and I have no way to contact her.”

  That news sent a shot of concern through him. Kate had been upset the previous night, but when he left her at her room, she seemed to be doing much better. They had discussed his idea and she had said it was good. What had changed?

  “Perhaps if we call her room?” He picked up the phone and dialed her extension. It rang several times, but Kate didn’t answer. Mrs. Hall glared at him with impatient expectation.

  Renate nudged him lightly with her elbow, and when he looked at her, he traced her gaze to the entrance of the hall leading to the service elevator. Kate was peering around the corner at him. He frowned and shook his head slightly, then cast a glance toward Mrs. Hall, hoping Kate would understand his meaning without drawing the attention of Mrs. Hall, but when he glanced back toward the hall, Kate was gone.

  He returned the phone to the cradle, shaking his head.

  “I’m sorry, madame. She isn’t answering.”

  “Then I want you to go check on her.” Mrs. Hall glowered straight into his eyes, directing the full force of her intimidating stare on him.

  “I can do that for you, madame, of course. Is there anything in particular you’d like me to say? A message perhaps?”

  “I prefer to give my messages in person, Luca. Just make sure she’s still alive and tell her to answer her phone! I am not—” Her voice had raised several levels in volume, and she seemed to realize it, glancing behind her and lowering to a whisper as she turned to face him again and said through her teeth, “—inclined to play nursemaid to the sick.”

  “I’ll do that right away,” he said. “Will you wait here, or shall I ring your room when I have news?”

  “I will assume that if I hear from Kate, you will have done what I’ve asked. If I hear from you at all, I will be very disappointed in the service at this resort.”

  She spun on her heel and charged back the way she had come.

  Renate released the breath she had apparently been holding. “I believe that means she won’t be waiting here.”

  “Did you see which way she went?” Luca asked as he strode toward the corridor Kate had been in only a moment before.

  “No, I think maybe she ducked back into the elevator. I’ll check the back hall. Are you checking downstairs?”

  “Yes.” That was all he had time to say. He ducked into the corridor and sprinted for the elevator.

  Outside Kate’s door, he listened for a brief moment before knocking.

  “Kate?” He waited for a response. “It’s Luca. Everything okay?”

  He heard a crash on the other side of the door and a string of curse words, then, “Hang on, I’m coming.” More unsettling thumps, and then the latch rattled in the door, and it opened suddenly.

  Kate peeked out, glancing to the right and left of Luca, probably checking to see if he was alone. Her eyes settled on him. “Hi,” she whispered.

  “Hi.” He couldn’t help the smile that leapt to his face. Kate was okay. Luca leaned closer to study her face for signs of trouble. “Are you doing alright?”

  She closed one eye in a prolonged wink, then raised a finger to her lips as if about to tell him a secret. “I’m fine, but… I might be… a little bit drunk.” She exhaled the proof into his face.

  Rum.

  “Got into the eggnog, did you?”

  She held up her finger and thumb about an inch apart. “Just a bit.”

  “It’s nine o’clock in the morning.”

  “It wasn’t when I started.” She laughed and swung the door open giving Luca space to enter.

  He stepped past her and surveyed the room, spotting the pile of tiny glass bottles empty on the coffee table. “How much have you had?”

  Kate held onto the wall for support. “Um… I don’t exactly know. I lost count.” She seemed to look off into the distance. “Count. Count. That’s a weird word. Count… Count Drac-u-la…” She laughed at the words rolling off her tongue.

  “I thought you were feeling better. We had a plan.” Luca reached for her arm to help her to the couch.

  “I know. I’m sorry. I just… I just couldn’t face her. Not after last night. I just needed some time to process. You know?” She stumbled, falling forward. Luca caught her, and she gazed hazily into his eyes with her arms draped around his shoulders.

  “You have the sexiest smile I’ve ever seen.” She gazed intently at him. “And your accent—your accent makes my knees weak.” She stared at him a second as if deep in thought, then closed one eye and wrinkled up her nose. “Did I just say that out loud?”

  He lifted her into his arms, carried her to the couch, and set her down gently. “I’m going to make you some coffee.”

  “Mm, coffee. Can it be Irish?”

  “Uh, no. I think you’ve had enough, don’t you?” His cell phone buzzed, and he saw a notification from Renate. He reached for the phone on the end table and dialed the front desk.

  “It’s Luca.”

  “Did you find Ms. Curtis?” Renate asked.

  “Yes. She’s
okay, but she’s not in any condition to see anyone.”

  “What will you tell Madame Hall?”

  “I don’t know yet. I’ll think of something.”

  “Okay, keep me posted.”

  Luca hung up and looked at Kate who was smiling dreamily up at him.

  Coffee. He strode to the kitchenette and started brewing a full pot.

  “Here. Drink this.” He handed her a cup of the steaming liquid and sat down next to her.

  She lifted it to her lips tentatively, testing the temperature. A practice he had noticed before. She cringed when it burned her lips but sipped at it anyway.

  “I have a confession to make,” Kate said, after swallowing the dregs of her second cup of coffee and holding it up for a refill. It’s a Wonderful Life played on the television, and the two of them were sitting shoulder to shoulder, wrapped up in a fuzzy blanket.

  “Yeah? What’s that?” Luca asked. He filled her cup the third time.

  “When I was a little girl, I thought Deck the Halls was about knocking down the walls to make a deck.”

  Luca chuckled at the revelation.

  “Whenever I hear it now, I just imagine punching Mrs. Hall in the face.” She took a long sip from her mug, licked her full lips, and said, “It’s my favorite song.”

  The mischievous twinkle in her eye amused him and he laughed.

  “I can understand that sentiment.”

  She cocked her head and seemed to study him for a long moment, then blurted, “You wanna know something else?” Her speech was clearing up and the coffee seemed to be having the desired effect. It was probably time to get her a little breakfast.

  “Of course.”

  “You’re the first guy who’s kissed me since I was in high school.” She leaned her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes. She sighed contentedly. “I can’t stop thinking about your lips.”

  That was the rum talking, he knew, and though every part of him wanted to reciprocate the confession, he also knew he couldn’t take advantage of the situation, not like this. The realization hit him all at once.

  Kate wasn’t just another girl. She was special to him. Important. He never wanted to do anything to hurt her. And he didn’t want to lose her, but he would do whatever it took to make sure her dream was achieved, even though it would mean there would be no possibility that she could stay.