Trading Christmas (7 page)

H
eather Springer wrapped her arms tightly around Elijah's waist, the sound of the wind roaring in her ears. She laid her head against his muscular back and relished the feel of his firm body so close to her own. Three other Harleys, all with passengers, zoomed down the interstate on their way to the white sandy beaches of Florida.

Try as she might, Heather couldn't stop thinking about the bewildered look on her mother's face when she learned Heather had made her own plans for the Christmas holidays.

The least her mother could've done was let her know she was flying to Boston. It was supposed to be a big surprise—well, it definitely was that. Actually, it was more of a shock, and not a pleasant one. Heather had hoped for the proper time to tell her mother about Elijah. That opportunity, unfortunately, had been taken away from her.

Heather sighed. She was grateful when Elijah pulled into a rest area near Daytona Beach. He climbed off the Harley and removed his helmet, shaking his head to release his long hair.

Heather watched as the other motorcycles pulled into nearby spaces. Heather was proud that Elijah led the way in this adventure. Being with him during the holidays was thrilling, and she wasn't about to let her stick-in-the-mud, old-fashioned mother ruin it.

Elijah was different from any boy Heather had ever dated. The others paled by comparison, especially Ben who was traditional and frankly boring. All he thought about was school and work and getting his law degree. For once, just once, she wanted to think about something besides grades and scholarship money. She wanted to
live.

She'd met Elijah at Starbucks, and they'd struck up a conversation. That was in early October, and after meeting him everything had changed. Never before had she been in love like this. It was exciting and crazy and new. Elijah's world was completely unlike her own, and she knew their differences were what made him so attractive. He was dark, wild, dangerous—all she'd ever craved. She wanted to share his life, share everything with him. Heather felt pleased that he was introducing her to his friends, but she'd noticed he wasn't interested in meeting hers. That hadn't bothered her until recently. Heather didn't know the other bikers and their girlfriends very well, but she liked them and hoped for the chance to connect.

“Feel that sunshine,” Elijah said. He closed his eyes and tilted his face toward the sun.

Heather removed her own helmet and slid off the Harley. “It's not as warm as I thought it would be.” She didn't want to complain, but she'd assumed the temperature would be in the seventies; it was closer to the fifties. This wasn't exactly swimming-in-the-ocean kind of weather.

“Once we're in the Miami Beach area you'll be hot enough,” Elijah promised. “Until then I'll keep you warm.” He circled her waist with his massive arms.

She turned in his embrace, kissing him lightly.

“I thought we'd hang out here for a while,” he murmured.

“That sounds good to me.” Heather didn't want to admit how much her backside ached, especially when the others didn't seem to have any such complaint. She'd heard one of the girls comment that Heather was walking oddly and then giggle. Heather pretended not to hear. She wasn't one of them, but she badly wanted to be. Given a chance, she'd prove herself, she vowed.

Soon the eight of them were sprawled out on the grass. Elijah lay on his back, his head resting on Heather's lap. She sat leaning against a palm tree.

“You okay?” Elijah asked.

“Of course.” She tried to make light of her feelings, rather than confess what she was really thinking.

“You've been pretty quiet.”

Heather slipped her fingers through his hair. “I suppose.”

“I bet it's your mother.”

Heather sighed and realized she couldn't hide her thoughts any longer. “She might've said something, you know.”

Elijah nodded. “You couldn't have known she was planning to fly in for Christmas.”

Heather twirled a lock of his dark hair around her finger. “She didn't even hint at her plans. It's like she expected me to abandon everything just because she showed up in Boston.”

“Parents are unreasonable.”

“Yeah.” Still, the sick feeling in the pit of her stomach refused to go away.

“It's better with just you and me,” he whispered.

Heather didn't bother to mention that there were three other couples tagging along. In the beginning, it was supposed to be just the two of them. But as soon as word got out, several of Elijah's friends had asked to join them. He'd agreed
without discussing it with Heather. She hadn't said anything, but she was disappointed.

She'd had their first Christmas together all planned out. Once they reached Miami or the Keys, she'd make this Christmas as special for him as her mother had always made the holiday for her. They'd decorate a tree, sing carols on the beach and open small gifts to each other.

Thinking about her mother depressed her.

“You've got that look again,” Elijah muttered, frowning up at her. “Sorry.”

“Forget about her, okay?”

“I'm trying, but it's hard. I wonder what she's doing and who she's with.” The thought of her mother all alone tugged at Heather's heart, and despite her best efforts, she couldn't stop feeling guilty. She steeled herself against those emotions. If anyone was to blame for this fiasco, it was her mother, not her!

“You've got to let go of this, or it'll ruin everything,” Elijah warned.

“I know.”

“You said you and your mother were tight.”

“We used to be.” Heather knew that nothing would be the same again, and she was glad, she told herself fiercely. Well, maybe not glad exactly, but relieved that her mother knew about Elijah.

“It's time she understood that you're your own woman and you make your own decisions.”

Elijah was repeating the same things she'd told her mother, the same things she'd been saying to herself from the moment they left Boston. “You're right.”

“Of course I'm right. She can't dictate to you anymore, you know.”

Heather agreed in principle, but that didn't do a thing to ease the knot in her stomach. “I'd feel better if I talked to her.”

“You already did.”

That was true, but Heather had lingering doubts about their conversation. She'd been shocked and angry when she'd learned her mother was in town. Everything she'd worked toward all these weeks was in danger, and she refused to let her mother ruin her plans.

Elijah studied her, his gaze narrowed. “You've changed your mind, haven't you?”

“About what? Us?” Heather pressed her hands gently against the sides of Elijah's bearded face and stared down at him, letting her love for him fill her eyes. “Oh, Elijah, about us? Never.” As if to prove her undying love and devotion, she lowered her mouth to his.

Elijah was a seductive kisser, and he brought his muscular arms around her neck and half lifted his head to meet her lips. His mouth was moist and sensual and before long, any thoughts of her mother vanished completely.

When Elijah released her, Heather kept her eyes closed and sighed softly.

“Are you still worried about your mother?” he teased.

“Mother? What mother?”

Elijah chuckled. “That's what I figured.”

Oh, how she loved her motorcycle man.

“You ready to go?” he asked.

The prospect of climbing back on the Harley didn't thrill her, but she tried to sound enthusiastic. “Anytime you say.”

Elijah rewarded her with a smile. “And the guys said you'd be trouble.”

“Me?”

“College girls generally are.”

“So I'm not your first college girl?”

He laughed, but the sound lacked amusement. “I've been around.”

She ignored that. She didn't want to hear about any of his other women, because she was determined it would be different with her.

They were good for each other. With Elijah she could throw away her good-girl image and discover her real self. At the same time, she'd teach him about love and responsibility. She didn't know exactly how he made his money, although he always seemed to have enough for gas and beer. But Heather wasn't concerned about that right now; she was determined to enjoy herself.

In one graceful movement Elijah leaped to his feet and stood. As soon as he was upright, the others started to move, too. He was their unspoken leader, their guide to adventure. And Heather was his woman, and she loved it.

Elijah offered Heather his hand, which she took. She brushed the grass and grit from her rear and started back across the grass and the parking lot to where he'd parked the Harley.

Elijah gave Heather her helmet. “You don't need to feel guilty about your mother,” he said.

“I don't.” But she did. “Still, I think I should call her.”

“I thought you said she doesn't have a cell phone.”

“She doesn't.”

“Do you know where she's staying?”

“No…but—”

“It's out of the question, then, isn't it?”

Heather was forced to agree. Even if she wanted to, she realized in an instant of panic, she had no way of reaching her mother.

“H
ow
much?” Faith Kerrigan couldn't believe what the airline representative on the phone was telling her. According to what he said, her flight back to California would cost nearly twice as much as her original ticket.

“That's if I can find you a seat,” he added.

“Oh.” Faith could feel a headache coming on. She pressed her fingertips to her temple, which didn't help.

“Do you want me to check for an available flight?” the man asked.

“I—no.” Her other option was to wait until there was a rental car available, with a different agency if necessary, and then drive back to California. The fees couldn't possibly be as steep as what the airlines wanted to charge. One thing was certain—she couldn't stay in Leavenworth. She hauled out Emily's phone book and began to call the local car rental places.

This entire Christmas was a disaster. If only she'd talked to Emily before she booked her flight. Oh, no, she groaned to herself, that would have been far too sensible. She'd wanted
to surprise her friend. Some surprise! Instead,
she
was the one who'd gotten the shock of her life.

Sam, Tony and the other dwarfs tiptoed around the house as quietly as possible, not wanting to intrude on the curmudgeon. What an unlikable fellow he was! But at least he'd been kind enough not to cast them into the cold dark night. She reminded herself that he'd only delayed it until morning—which made it difficult to maintain much gratitude.

Faith hadn't seen Charles yet. The den door was closed and she could only assume he was on his computer, doing whatever it was he found so important.

“It's time we left,” Sam announced once she was off the phone.

Faith still didn't know what she'd do, but the problem was hers and hers alone. Santa and the small troupe of dwarfs gathered around and watched her with anxious expressions.

“Are you sure you'll be safe with
him?
” Tony motioned toward the closed door. Judging by the intense look he wore, he seemed to welcome the opportunity to share his opinion of Charles—with Charles himself.

Faith resisted the urge to kiss his forehead for being so sweet. “I'll be perfectly fine, don't you worry.” She hoped she sounded more confident than she felt, but she wanted to send her friends off without burdening them with her troubles.

Sam hesitated, as if he wasn't convinced he should believe her. He scratched his white beard, frowning. “You have a way back to California?”

“Not quite, but I'm working on it. I've called the car rental agency, plus several others. I'm waiting to hear back.”

Sam's frown deepened. He seemed about to suggest she join them, but Faith knew that would be impossible.

“You go on,” she insisted, “and if I run into any trouble, I'll give you a call.” She had his cell phone number. Faith still
felt his reluctance, but eventually, after conferring with the others, Sam agreed.

Smiling bravely, she stood on the porch and watched as they climbed into the rental van and backed out of the driveway. She waved until they were out of sight. Her heart sank when she could no longer see them. Soon, far sooner than she was ready, she'd be facing Charles with the unwelcome news from the airlines. Perhaps he'd offer a suggestion, but it was all too clear that he wanted her gone.

Already the two oldest Kennedy children were outside, frolicking in the snow. “Wanna go sledding with us?” Thomas called out to her. He walked toward the park, dragging his sled behind him. His younger brother Jimmy followed, tugging his own sled.

“Maybe later,” Faith shouted back. She didn't have the heart to tell him she probably wouldn't be in town much longer.

The cold cut through Faith and she rubbed her hands up and down her arms. She hurried back into the warm comfort of the house, leaning against the closed door as she considered her limited options. She was so deep in thought that it took her a moment to notice Charles standing on the far side of the room.

“Santa and his elves have left?” he asked. “Why were they wearing those outfits, anyway?” He sounded both curious and a touch sardonic.

“Oh—we went to a rest stop and they got changed. We decided it would be part of Emily's Christmas surprise.”

“Uh-huh.”

Faith avoided eye contact.

“What about you? You're leaving today, too—aren't you?”

Faith raised her index finger and swallowed. “There's…a small problem.”

“How small?”

“Well, actually it's a rather large one.” She told him how much it would cost to change her flight. “
How
much?” He sounded as appalled as she was.

“The way it was explained to me is that this would be a new ticket. But the representative said that even if I was willing to pay the change fee, it was unlikely he could find me a seat. I could fly standby, but he told me there are hardly ever any standby seats at this time of year.” Faith knew she was giving him more information than necessary, but it was critical that he understand her position.

Charles sighed as if this was too much to take in all at once. “Summarize, please,” he snapped—as if she was some freshman in one of his classes, she thought resentfully. “Where does that leave you?”

“Well…I have a rental car…or rather I did until Sam and the dwarfs needed it, so I ended up giving it to them.” Again she explained far more than necessary, ending with the tale of the troupe's appearances at hospitals and nursing homes.

“So, you're saying they've left with the one and only van?”

She nodded. “I have calls into several rental agencies now, and they're all looking for a car for me. But rest assured that once I do have a vehicle, I'll be out of here.”

“Where will you go?”

She didn't have many options there, either. “Back to California.”

Charles had the good grace to look concerned. “You'd be driving at this time of year and in this weather?”

“Do I have a choice?”

He sighed, turned abruptly and walked into the kitchen. “Let me think about this. There's got to be a solution that'd suit both of us.”

She was glad he seemed to think there were other options, because she couldn't think of any. The one obvious
solution—that she simply stay—was as unpalatable to her as it no doubt was to him.

After a few minutes, Charles returned to the den and closed the door. Apparently he hadn't come up with any creative ideas.

Faith's stomach growled, reminding her that she hadn't eaten since yesterday afternoon. Checking out the refrigerator, she found eggs, cheese and a few vegetables. She whipped up two omelets, then timidly knocked at the den door.

At Charles's gruff reply, she creaked open the door just enough to peer inside. “I made breakfast if you're interested.”

“Breakfast? Oh. Yeah, sure.”

She didn't need to ask him twice. Maybe half a minute later, Charles joined her at the table. He stared down at his plate, eyes widening as if this was the most delicious meal he'd seen in years.

He sat down and sampled the omelet. “You cook like this all the time?”

Faith wasn't sure what he was asking. “I know my way around a kitchen, if that's what you mean,” she said cautiously.

“Every meal?”

“Not always, but I do enjoy cooking.”

He ate several more bites, pausing between each one, a blissful expression on his face. “You'd be willing to leave me alone to do my work?”

“If that's a question, I suppose I could manage to keep out of your way.” She'd begun to feel hopeful—maybe they
could
compromise.

He studied her narrowly, as if to gauge the truth of her words. “In that case you can stay. You prepare the meals, make yourself scarce, and we'll both cope with this as well as we can. Agreed?”

Faith doubted he knew how gruff and unfriendly he sounded. However… “I could do that.”

“Good. I'm here to work. The last thing I'm interested in is Christmas or any of the festivities that seem to have taken over this town. Tell me, are these people crazy? No, don't answer that. Just leave me alone—except for meals, of course.”

“Fine.”

“I want nothing to do with Christmas. Got that?”

“Yes.”

She had no idea what kind of work he was doing, but she'd gladly keep her distance. As for the Christmas part, he'd certainly made his point and she didn't need to hear it again.

“I'll probably have my meals in the den.”

“Fine,” she said again. As far as she was concerned, the less she had to do with him, the better.

Charles set his fork next to his plate and seemed to be waiting for something more from her.

“I'm willing to make the best of this situation if you are,” she finally said. Neither was to blame. They were the victims of a set of unfortunate circumstances.

He nodded solemnly as if to seal their agreement. Then he pushed away from the table and stood. “I will tell you that this is one of the best omelets I've had in years.”

She smiled, pleased to hear it. “Thank you.” Then she hopped up from the table, taking her plate and cup. “What time would you like lunch?”

“I hadn't thought about it.”

“Okay, I'll let you know when it's ready. Fair enough?”

“Certainly.” He sounded distracted and eager to get back to his work.

“I'll pick up the groceries,” she offered. “It's the least I can do.”

His eyes brightened. “That would be appreciated. Just be careful of the goat.”

“The goat?”

“Never mind,” he muttered and returned to the den.