Page 11 of A Very Crumbleton Christmas
The tree stretched all the way to the ceiling, and its scent hung heavy in the air. Judging by the open cardboard box on the floor next to it - and the fact that about eighty per cent of the tree’s branches were still bare – Jack Jones must have only just started to decorate it.
‘Or one of his staff, more likely!’ she murmured.
Near the tree, standing at an awkward angle away from the walls, was a familiar-looking, empty bookshelf. She recognised the heavy piece of furniture from the back room of Geraldine’s antique shop. So – Lee hadn’t been pulling her leg after all!
Caroline shivered. The few minutes she’d spent pottering around outside had left her chilled to the bone, though she had a feeling the shivering had more to do with getting an eyeful of a certain movie star in a seriously clingy wetsuit!
Wrapping her arms around herself, she shot a longing look at the handsome wood burner set inside the immense stone fireplace. Sidling over to it, she turned her back to the flickering flames and started to toast her bum.
She shivered again. To think – somewhere above her head, Jack Jones was having a shower!
As though in answer to the thought, the distant sound of a rich baritone singing a Christmas song reached her ears. Someone was clearly enjoying their shower! Caroline grinned as her brain began to work on catchy headlines for a tell-all exposé…
Spotted! Hollywood Hunk Dons Wetsuit for Christmas Dip - Caught Crooning Carols in Shower Serenade!
Breaking: Star Caught in Wet and Wild Christmas Swim – Shower Carols Included!
Caroline giggled and shook her head.
‘Stop it!’
She wasn’t about to start gathering snippets for an all-access story… no matter how much her journalistic senses were tingling with potential. That sort of thing really wasn’t her style. Besides, for whatever reason, the man had trusted her enough to let her into his house. It was only fair to return the favour by being a model guest. She’d simply sit and wait for him to reappear.
Caroline glanced at the collection of cosy sofas gathered around the fireplace, all three of them angled to make the most of its warmth. They weren’t in the best shape – and one of them looked decidedly worn. There was even a small tear on the armrest, barely covered by a fleecy tartan blanket.
Well… she had three to choose from and there was no one around to watch… so she might as well give them all a trial run!
Bouncing down onto the nearest one, Caroline snuggled into the corner. Not bad – but it was a bit too spongy for her taste. She scrabbled to her feet again and made for the deep-blue monster directly opposite the fireplace. This sofa was absolutely vast – and would probably make an excellent spot for an afternoon nap. In fact, the sight of it was making her more than a bit jealous. Her own settee was a tiny two-seater, and it was impossible to stretch out on it properly. She always ended up with a cricked neck or a dead leg after nodding off on it.
‘Still not quite right,’ she murmured from her prone position. It might be vast, but it needed more cushions to burrow into.
Hauling herself back to her feet, Caroline dived onto the third and final sofa. It might be the most threadbare of the lot – complete with that little rip, but…
‘Perfect!’
Grinning at the fact that she’d basically just turned into the Goldilocks of sofas, Caroline ran her palms over the worn cotton covers and let out a contented little sigh. She’d be happy to spend her entire life in this spot. It was the perfect distance from the wood burner – not too warm, not too cool, and she could see the dancing flames through the little glass windows. But it wasn’t just that which made this her top sofa pick - she also had an unrestricted view of the sea through the windows on the opposite side of the room.
Fire and waves all in one view? Count her in!
With another happy little sigh, Caroline slipped off her shoes and tucked her feet up underneath her as she snuggled back into the cushions.
‘Comfy?!’
Caroline whipped around, only to find Jack Jones staring at her from the doorway.
CHAPTER 4
JACK
Jack had been standing there for several long moments, watching as his unexpected guest settled into his sofa.
Hisfavouritesofa.
He’d had to bite his lip to stop himself from laughing when she’d stared lovingly at the fire and let out a happy little sigh. When she’d turned to glance out of the window at the swirling snowflakes and crashing waves beyond, he could swear she was about to pass out from a joy overload. Not that he could blame her, of course… the view had the same effect on him.
When she’d slipped her shoes off and tucked her feet up underneath her, Jack hadn’t been able to hold back his snort of laughter any longer. It was a bit of a shame, as the peaceful tableau had ended abruptly.
Caroline Cook snapped to attention. The look of mortification on her pretty face left him caught somewhere between wanting to giggle and wanting to know howanyonecould be quite so cheeky.
