Page 35 of The Meaning in Mistletoe
“The truth?”
He folded his arms in front of his chest.
“I heard you were inquiring into the Windsor property.”
Jack straightened, his hands falling to his sides. “How’d you hear about that?”
“I know everything there is to know about that house. Your dad made it part of my job to stay informed.”
Seething, Jack tried to keep his anger in check, pressing his fingertips into his palm. Of course his father would have his ex-girlfriend keep tabs on him. It wasn’t enough that he’d lured her away after Jack turned down his job offer, knowing full well he’d already bought her a ring. The entire scenario still made him sick to his stomach.
“So, you flew all the way out here from New York to… what? See if the rumors were true?” If his father thought that Jack finally doing something with the property meant he’d forgiven him—or worse, wanted anything to do with the company—he was in for a surprise.
“Jack, I’m living in LA now. I thought Lucy told you.”
“Lucy? Why would she know anything about it?”
She stared at him with a puzzled expression. “Because we’re working together. We have been for several months. Honestly, Jack, I thought you knew.”
Every light, color, and sound blurred together as her words trampled over him.
And in that moment, Jack wasn’t sure if he knew anything anymore.
Chapter 17
Sunlight tiptoed through the gap in the curtains, tempting Kat to greet the new day. With a groan, she yanked the covers over her head, refusing to stir from the comfort of the silky soft sheets.
Today, she’d committed to meet up with Jack to finish the display. But how could she face him after how she’d behaved last night? He’d tried to reconnect after his conversation with Ashley, but Kat had avoided him, an immature reaction at best.
Seeing Jack with his ex had forced her to confront the depth of her feelings for him. Not to mention the foolishness of falling for someone who lived hundreds of miles away. What was she thinking?
Clearly, she wasn’t. And that was the problem.
The tantalizing aroma of Belgian waffles wafted into the bedroom, reminding Kat that she’d promised Trudy she’d join them for breakfast.
After shoving the covers aside, she hastily dressed and trudged down the staircase, attempting to rouse a dollop of enthusiasm.
“Good morning, dearie!” Trudy set a glass jar of homemade strawberry preserves on the artfully arranged dining table brimming with enough food to feed Santa’s entire workshop. “We’re thrilled you could join us.”
As Kat eased herself onto one of the floral-upholstered dining chairs, she noticed the smiling couple sitting across from her.
“Kat, I’d like you to meet Elle and Graham Dalton.” Trudy’s delight was evident in the soft creases around her eyes. “They first stayed with us last spring, and I told them they simply had to come back at Christmastime.” A timer trilled, and she clapped her hands. “The muffins are ready!”
As Trudy dashed into the kitchen, the pretty young woman smiled warmly at Kat. “Trudy made Christmas in Poppy Creek sound so idyllic, we couldn’t think of a better place to spend our honeymoon. Plus, we’re also here for a friend’s wedding.”
Great. Newlyweds. Just what she needed when her heart felt like it had been trampled by a herd of reindeer. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you. Coffee?” Elle passed her a ceramic carafe.
“Yes, please.” Kat filled her mug to the brim, ignoring the way the couple subtly leaned toward each other as though their chairs weren’t close enough already. Or the way Graham kept casting adoring glances in his wife’s direction as if the way she buttered her toast deserved a standing ovation.
She stared down at her own plate of perfectly plump and golden waffles. Who would’ve thought such a mouthwatering meal could leave her feeling so melancholy?
“So, Kat,” Elle began, apparently intent on small talk. “Trudy says you’re in town visiting your sister.”
“Yes, I am.” For some reason, the ability to make lively conversation had escaped her.
“How long are you staying?” Graham asked, scooping a heaping spoonful of strawberry preserves onto his generous stack of syrup-soaked waffles.
