Page 5 of Promise Me This Christmas
It was aftertwo when Larkin finally made it back to Bramble House.She felt terribly guilty as she slipped off her boots at the main entry.She could smell spiced cider, and a tray of cookies beckoned in the sitting room, but first she needed to find her grandmother.She didn’t have to look too far.Gran was in the library, reading the latest Stephen King.
“I’m sorry I was gone for so long.”Her grandmother smelled of roses and peppermints when she kissed her, a combination of her favorite perfume and her ubiquitous breath mints.Larkin could see the familiar package on a side table, next to her grandmother’s cell phone.“Are you starving?”
“Not at all, sweet child.You’ll never guess who took me out for lunch.You left the breakfast room this morning so quickly you must not have seen him.”
Oh no.She’d known it was too much to hope that Carson and her grandmother hadn’t connected.She’d hoped that he’d changed enough that her grandmother hadn’t recognized him.After all, it had taken a second look for her to realize who he was.
“Carson Wilcox!”Gran made the announcement like she was giving Larkin the best news ever.“He’s staying at Bramble House until Christmas as well.The two of you used to be such friends.Your gramps and I thought you might end up together.”
They’d done more than hope, Larkin knew.They’d counted on it.According to her mom, Gran had even cried when she heard the two of them had broken up.
“Carson?Gosh I haven’t seen him in forever,” she said, trying to sound normal, as if the very mention of his name didn’t fire up all her deepest emotions.“Where did you go for lunch?”
“He took me to Rocco’s.I had a very nice Caprese salad.”She leaned in closer to Larkin and added in a loud whisper, “He still works on his family’s ranch, but he has his own house.Built it himself.And the best part?He isn’t married.Doesn’t even have a girlfriend.”
“Gran!”She wondered what Carson had thought when her grandmother grilled him about his love life.Oh Lord.She loved her grandmother, but there were times… “You know I live in Denver.So why are you telling me all this?”
“Carson was a cute boy.But he’s matured into a very handsome man.So big and strong.Wait until you see him.You won’t think my idea is so crazy then.”
But Larkin had seen him.Her glance had been brief, but it had been enough for her to know her grandmother was right.The rest of Carson’s face had caught up to the strong jaw, the blue of his eyes had deepened, and he’d filled out into a strong, muscular man.The only thing that hadn’t changed was his dark blond hair.It was still thick and unruly and all the more attractive for it.
“I noticed they put out fresh cookies and beverages in the sitting room.I doubt if the cookies will be as good as yours, but should we give them a try?”
“Don’t think I don’t realize you’re changing the subject.But yes, that’s a good idea.”Her grandmother slipped a bookmark into place and removed her reading glasses.All of this she transferred to her tote bag.
“Don’t forget your mints.”
“Thank you, sweetie.”
There was only one other person in the sitting room, a small man with neatly cropped gray hair.His face was dominated by a pair of dark round-shaped eyeglasses.Those, plus a narrow, beaked nose, gave him an owl-like appearance.He was at the buffet table, helping himself to a cookie, when Larkin joined him.
She gave him a friendly smile, which he didn’t return.She’d been about to make polite chitchat but decided instead to remain quiet.She poured hot apple cider for herself and her grandmother, then took the cups to the chair by the enormous fireplace where her grandmother had settled.“I’ll go back and get some cookies,” she said.“Would you like some grapes too?”They’d looked very tempting in the fruit bowl.
“I’d stick with the fruit if I was you,” the owl-like man said.He was seated on the other side of the room, next to the Bramble-family-themed Christmas tree.Larkin had examined it closely yesterday.All the ornaments were framed miniatures of the various Bramble family members, beginning with the original owners of the house, Henry and May Bell, at a place of honor near the top of the tree.
“Oh?”Larkin asked politely.
“The cookies are awful.Too dry.Not quite burnt, but close to it.”
“Oh dear.Really, Mr.Adlington?”Amy, the woman who had checked them in yesterday, had just appeared with a fresh thermos of hot water.Toddling behind her was a very cute little boy, with her blond hair and blue eyes.He looked around one, maybe a few months older.
“I’m not in the habit of lying.”The cookies could not have been drier than his tone.“When I checked your reviews before booking, I was struck by how many of your guests recommended the freshly baked cookies.I find it hard to believe these are what they were referring to.”He set the cookie back on his plate.“Have you hired a new cook?”
“Jo has been with us since we opened the place,” Amy said.“Well, except for a few weeks at the beginning.And she worked for the previous owner as well.”Amy helped herself to a cookie and took a bite.“Hm.I see what you mean.”
The little boy tugged on her pant leg.“Key?Key?”
His mother broke off a piece of the cookie and gave it to him.He seemed to have no problem with the quality.
Curious, Larkin took cookies for herself and her grandmother.The first taste wasn’t at all bad.“Macadamia nuts and white chocolate?”
Amy nodded.
“They’re nice and crisp,” her grandmother said.“Perfect for dipping into coffee.”
“If I wanted biscotti, I would have bought myself some biscotti.”And with that pronouncement, Mr.Adlington abandoned his coffee and his unfinished cookie and went up to his room.
When he was well gone, Larkin wrinkled her nose.“I guess every Christmas needs a grinch.”
