by Erica Penrod
Hilary got out of the car and her last glimpse of Griff replayed in her mind. There was a recurring sadness there she hadn’t seen since the first day in the hotel lobby. She’d done that to him, and pain tore through her chest unlike anything she’d experienced before. Hilary marched in the direction of her apartment door, knowing she never wanted to feel this way again. She wouldn’t hurt anyone she loved. It was time to take control of her life. Conversations needed to be had—the first one was with Sam. They didn’t need to sit down face-to-face. She’d ask him to email his proposal and stipulations. Hilary would make her decision, and soon.
Relief rushed over her, and she hustled to the apartment only to stop dead and stare at the package on her doorstep. A grin spread across her face as she fumbled for the keys in her pocket. Hilary quickly opened the door, picking up the box on her way inside. A minute later, she had the container open and held the gift in her hand. Her breath quickened as her heart rate accelerated, hoping for anything that would lead her back to Griff. Hilary lifted the lid and smiled at the two little charms to add to her collection: a globe of the earth and a doll with long braids and bows.
Hilary looked up at the heavens. “I hear you loud and clear.”
Chapter Sixteen
Griff glared at the man in the mirror. He had a room full of Christmas presents and a broken heart, and both were because of her. He should’ve known Hilary would leave; anyone he ever cared about disappeared. Carl and Lucinda were the exception, but eventually, death stole them too.
The dog moped all day long and whined at the door for five days in a row. “Max, she’s not coming back. You’re better off to just forget about her.” Sad puppy eyes stared longingly at Griff. He walked over and scratched the dog’s head. “I know, boy, but there’s nothing we can do.”
Griff couldn’t explain what had happened to Max, even if he did speak dog. He didn’t understand how his and Hilary’s argument had escalated so quickly and why he’d said he wanted to take a break. His arms ached to hold her, and he longed to hear her laugh, but every time he picked up the phone to call her, fear of rejection seized his body. If she didn’t want to take a break, she would’ve called or texted. Griff took her silence to mean one thing—she didn’t love him.
* * *
Christmas Eve morning, Hilary hummed to herself as she tidied up the front desk. She’d been plotting and planning for days on how to get back the man she loved. The door began to whirl, distracting her from thoughts of Griff. Hilary watched and waited to see the latest guest arrive. “Hi, Cindy.” Hilary smiled at the familiar face. “Welcome back.”
The cute little lady shuffled to the front desk. “It’s good to be back.”
“How long will you be staying with us?” Hilary tapped the keys and brought Cindy’s information from her previous stay up on the screen.
“I’m here just for the holiday.” She wore the same coat and scarf, but this time her copper hair was topped with a red Santa cap. “One night, please.”
“You’ve got it. Would you like me to use the same card as before?”
Cindy nodded. “Yes, and if you don’t mind me saying, you’ve got a glow on your face I didn’t catch last time I was in town.” A grin deepened the lines on her face. “Someone must be in love.”
Hilary laughed. “How would you know?”
“When you’ve been around as long as I have, you recognize love when you see it.”
“Well, you’re half right. I’m in love, but I’m not sure the feeling is reciprocated anymore.” This was something Hilary planned to remedy as soon as she could get away from the hotel.
“Why is that?” Cindy raised a brow.
“Because I acted like an immature adolescent and probably ruined my one shot at true happiness.” She wasn’t completely hopeless yet, but everything might change in a couple hours after she cornered Griff.
“No, I’m sure you didn’t. You’d be surprised how forgiving a man can be.” Cindy’s red lips parted in a smile. “Especially one who’s in love.”
“Cindy, I hope and pray you’re right.” Hilary wanted nothing more than to be back together with Griff.
“Trust me.” She put a hand on the counter. “Go after your young man.”
Hilary grinned as she handed Cindy the key to her room. “Same room as before.”
“Thank you, dear.” Cindy grasped the handle of her suitcase. “You know, sometimes you don’t have to travel the world to chase your dreams.” She winked at Hilary. “Sometimes they’re standing right in front of you.”
Goose bumps freckled Hilary’s skin. “That’s exactly what I was thinking.”
* * *
She was in a hurry. A last-minute check-in towards the end of her shift had Hilary in a panic. She’d stopped by her parents’, promising to return in a couple hours to celebrate Christmas Eve. A note was left on the desk for any guest to inquire at her parents’ apartment if needed. Hilary threw on her coat and raced towards the door. If she left now, she might have a chance.
As she got to the door, it began to spin. Oh no, not another guest. Hilary would have to direct them to her parents. She waited and drew in a breath when she saw the tattered woman before her. “Suzie, is that you?”
A muffled sound escaped the woman’s mouth, and she nodded. Her hair was all askew, and a purple bruise swelled over her right eye.
“Are you okay?” Hilary draped her arm over the girl and led her to the love seat. “Tell me what happened. Do I need to call the police?”
Suzie slowly turned her head left to right. “No.” Her voice cracked as she spoke though a fat upper lip. “He’s long gone, and so is everything I own.” Black tears blazed trails down her face. “He was some jerk I met last week. I-I didn’t know where to go.”
“You came to the right place. Let’s get you in a room and get you cleaned up.”
“I don’t have any money.”
“That’s okay.” Hilary helped her from the couch. “It’s my gift to you.”
Suzie touched Hilary’s arm. “Thank you.” Tears continued to fall down her cheeks, but a light flickered in her eyes.
They walked carefully to the front desk, where Hilary grabbed a room key. She put Suzie in the room next to her parents’ suite so Mom could check on her. “You’re welcome, and Merry Christmas.” She opened the door and helped Suzie to the bed. “Just one minute and I’ll be right back.”
Hilary went to her parents and explained the situation. Her mom handed Hilary a pair of pajamas and a robe, along with a plate of food. “Thank you, Mom.”
Back inside Suzie’s room, Hilary helped her change into the pajamas. Suzie was too weak for a shower, so Hilary brought her a warm cloth to clean her face. She put the food on the nightstand. “I’m going to be gone for a couple hours, but I’ll be back tonight. My parents are next door, and if you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask. Here is my number too.” She jotted down her digits on the complimentary notepad. “I will be back to check on you.”
Suzie dabbed at her face with the washcloth. “I don’t know what to say. You’ve done so much for me.”
Hilary paused at the door. “You don’t have to say anything. I’m happy to help.” She smiled. “Besides, that’s what Christmas is all about. Now get some rest. I’ll be back soon.”
* * *
The clear night illuminated the way for Griff, but the cold bit at any exposed flesh and managed to make its way through his extra layers of clothing. This would take all night. Why he’d let Hilary talk him into gifts in the first place, he’d never know. The bed and cab of his truck were chock-full of presents. Hilary had arranged dinner for the Abara family with a neighbor before the breakup, hopefully giving Griff time to unload the cargo without being seen.
His arms were loaded and he was making his way to the front porch when he saw headlights. Crap, maybe something changed and they were coming back early. Griff hurried to the door to unload. The car that pulled in was all too familiar. Hilary. His heart d
ropped and the presents felt like a load of bricks. What was she doing here?
Griff placed his load on the porch. He ignored the sounds in the background and the thunderous clap of his heart.
Her voice stopped him in his tracks. “Griff, wait.” Hilary jogged up beside him. “I’m sorry I’m late. I had something come up at the hotel.”
Her presence beckoned him to come closer. The bond between them tethered him to her no matter how Griff protested. Hilary might not be in love with him, but he was irrevocably in love with her. He’d lived with loss before, and somehow, he’d manage.
“Griff, please.” She touched his arm.
A mixture of pain, heat, love, desire, and regret raged through his body. He shrugged away. “I’ll take care of it.” He picked up a package. “Go home, Hilary.”
Hilary turned him towards her. “No, I’m not going anywhere. At least, I’m not going anywhere without you.” She gathered boxes in her arms. “We don’t have much time, so I’m going to talk and you’re going to listen as we unload this truck.”
At least some things hadn’t changed; she was still bossy. If only her feelings for him were as obstinate. “Fine, help unload the truck, but I don’t have to listen to you.”
A smile spread across her face as they walked back to the house. “Deal.”
He didn’t understand why she seemed so chipper. He’d said he wasn’t listening to her. She practically skipped to the porch, and when he stole a glance, her eyes were bright and her grin hadn’t faded. They quickly added to the mound and went back for more. Between the two of them, a couple more trips would be enough, and he could make his escape.
“I’m so sorry, Griff.” Hilary’s arms contained the five boxes of pajamas. He remembered wrapping those with her. “I’m so ashamed of how I acted.”
“It’s over and done with.” He mumbled through the pain. “Let’s just get this done and we can go our separate ways. The sooner, the better.”
“I can’t do that.” She quickened her pace to keep up with him. “I’m in love with you.”
Griff stubbed his foot on the bottom step, and a gift ski jumped from the pile in his arms and landed gracefully on the porch. Hilary laughed, and he scowled at her.
“I haven’t heard from you in five days, and you tell me you love me.” He dropped the presents and was glad he’d carried the packages with coats wrapped inside instead of something breakable. “I know I’m no expert, but that isn’t love.”
“You’re the one who said he wanted a break.”
Griff cringed inside, knowing she was right. He’d only made things worse. Anger coursed through his veins, even though the emotion was directed more at himself than Hilary.
“But I acted like such a jerk, and if you’d just let me explain—” Hilary reached for him.
“No.” He pivoted. “I said I don’t want to hear it.” He stormed back to the truck, and she followed. He couldn’t risk the pain he’d felt over the last several days ever happening again.
“I said I love you, and I’m sorry.” She stood in front of him. “I never wanted to hurt you again, so I had to take care of something before I spoke to you.”
Griff exhaled, and his breath rose in plumes and disappeared into the dark. The face he’d drafted in his dreams and tried to sketch in detail was right in front of him: the softness of her lips, the slope of her neck, and the arch to her brows, framing the crowning feature—her eyes. The walls inside him began to fall, one stone at a time, and he panicked. He couldn’t live with the chance of losing her day after day. It was better to get it over with now. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Yes, it does.” She slipped off her glove and touched his face. “I hadn’t told anyone else about Sam’s offer until yesterday. I’ve been so torn between chasing my dream and being here for my parents, I didn’t know what to do.” Moisture filled her eyes. “And then there’s you.” She sniffed. “The last thing I expected was to fall in love, especially so quickly.” Hilary grinned. “Anyway. I’d been waiting for Sam to call the shots, which was the wrong thing to do. Holidays with Hilary is my channel.” She stroked his cheek with her thumb, burning the sensation into his memory. “What you said about Sam sponsoring the show just to get to me was the same thing I’d been fretting over since he proposed the idea.”
Griff furrowed his brow. “Then why did you get so upset?”
“I don’t know.” She shrugged her shoulders. “It shocked me, too. I think I kept everything inside for too long, thinking I had to handle everything on my own until it burst out. I’ve never overreacted like that before, but then again, I’ve never been in love before.” She tilted her head and held his gaze. “Please forgive me.”
He wanted to forgive her, to take her in his arms and forget anything ever happened, but he didn’t know if he was strong enough. Days without her was torture. He didn’t know if he could do weeks and months at a time while she traveled the world. “I forgive you.”
She threw her arms around his neck, but he reached up and took them down. “I forgive you, but I don’t know if you and me together is such a good idea.” His phone vibrated, and he checked the text. “Crap. That’s the Andersons. The Abara family is on their way home.”
Hilary nodded and stepped back. He quickly grabbed all but the last three gifts. She scooped up the remaining boxes, and they hustled to the house. After everything was settled, he went one way to his truck, and she went the other to her car. Griff watched her drive away, and as he eased out onto the road, his heart sank into his chest, knowing Hilary was the love of his life and he’d let her go.
“Go after her.” Lucinda’s voice played through his mind. “You love her and she loves you. That’s all that matters.”
Griff gripped the steering wheel and shook his head. Love was too big of a risk. He was okay alone. He had Max, and they’d been fine before Hilary.
“You weren’t fine, and you know it. Now go after her before I commandeer this truck.”
Lucinda in her physical form wasn’t the best driver; he did not want to see this version take the wheel. “Fine, but if this girl breaks my heart again and I end up more miserable than before, don’t think I won’t find a way to haunt you.”
“Silly boy, I’d love to see you try.”
He laughed out loud and pressed the accelerator. Griff had a girl to catch.
Chapter Seventeen
“What does he think he’s doing?” Hilary pulled to the side of the road as headlights blinded her through the rearview mirror. She watched through the side mirror as Griff got out of his truck. She opened her door and met him halfway. “I thought this wasn’t going to work for you.” She pointed back and forth between them.
“I thought you said you loved me.” He stared into her eyes. “Yet you ran away again. I didn’t think you’d give up so easily.”
She grinned, and his chin jutted back at her response. “Who said anything about giving up? I was just regrouping. I realized I forgot your Christmas present and was headed back to get it before I went to your house and fought my way inside.” Hilary crossed her arms. “You can’t get rid of me so easily.”
Griff moved to her. “I don’t want to get rid of you.” He took her in his arms, and everything in her body and soul aligned with the love in her heart for this man. “I’m scared because you keep taking off on me, but I’m more frightened of a future without you.”
Hilary lifted her head from his shoulder. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Griff kissed her until stars appeared on the back of her eyelids. He held her close and whispered in her ear, “I love you.”
She smiled softly. “I love you too.” Hilary pressed her lips to his. “It’s Christmas Eve. How about we start celebrating?”
* * *
“Before we go to my parents, I need to check on someone.” Hilary squeezed Griff’s hand as they walked into the hotel. “Do you remember Suzie Bethers?”
“I think so.” Griff followed her lead until they were outside
of Suzie’s room. “She was a few years younger than me.”
“She’s been a little down on her luck, and she’s staying here for a little while. I thought I’d better look in on her.” Hilary stopped at a door close to her parents’ suite. “Maybe she’d like to have dinner with us. No one should be alone on Christmas Eve.” She knocked and gave Griff a smile. A few seconds later, the door opened. “Hi, Suzie.”
Suzie smiled softly. “Hi, Hilary.” She didn’t look like the confident woman Hilary had checked into the hotel for the reunion, but this woman, in a simple jogging suit and with her hair pulled up in a ponytail, looked much better than the one Hilary had left a few hours ago. Her purplish eye was more swollen but no longer filled with tears.
“How are you feeling?”
“Not too bad.” Suzie’s gaze darted from Hilary to Griff and then back to Hilary. Her cheeks flushed, and Hilary hoped Suzie didn’t mind she’d brought him.
“Do you remember Griff Bailey?” Hilary didn’t want to embarrass Suzie, although Hilary didn’t think Suzie had any reason to be.
“I think so.” Suzie gave him a shy smile.
“Hi, Suzie.” Griff smiled. “It’s nice to see you again.”
Suzie nodded. “You too.”
“So, you’re doing okay?” Hilary hoped Suzie wasn’t just being polite.
