Page 10 of There's Only One Sleigh
I’m having a hard enough time not getting any ideas of my own without my family playing holiday matchmaker. “Is Sam counting down the days until Santa comes?”
As expected, my nephew lights up and it’s impossible to get a word in around the list of things he asked Santa for and what cookies he’s going to eat and how many presents he’s going to get. My mom gets suckered in by her grandson’s excitement, but Natalie gives me a look that says she knows I derailed the conversation on purpose.
Maybe it’s wrong to use Sam’s holiday excitement against my pregnant sister, but I can’t let Natalie get it into her head that I’m into Whitney. Even though only one of my sisters is married, all three of them are convinced I need a wife in my life.
My dad, who has sisters of his own, assures me this is typical sister behavior, so I should just smile and nod, but it’s been a while since a single woman around my age showed up in Charming Lake. If I give off even the slightest vibe, this will turn into the matchmaking version of a shark feeding frenzy.
Sam keeps us distracted until Donovan comes downstairs, carrying a briefcase in one hand and a suitcase with the other. I don’t even have to hear his footsteps on the stairs to know he’s coming. Natalie’s face softens and her eyes shine with love andcontentment. It’s an expression I only see when she looks at her husband or her son, and it always punches me hard in the chest.
I want that. I want to look at somebody like that, and I want to see it reflected back at me. Came close twice, I think, but the first woman I thought I’d spend the rest of my life with decided she wanted a life that didn’t include erratic hours and fending for herself during storms. The second woman wanted a life that included a guy she met on the dating app she kept telling me she wouldabsolutelydelete.
It’ll come. In the meantime, I have my family and my community. When I need a little extra gas in the emotional tank, time spent with Mel, Elsa or Sam does the trick.
“Whitney says I need to leave five minutes earlier than I planned,” Donovan says, putting his bags by the door. “So I have ten minutes.”
“Remember not to put your wallet and phone in your briefcase during the flight,” Natalie reminds him.
“Losing my phone and wallet is what stranded me here with you.” Donovan bends and kisses the top of his wife’s head. “It’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“I’m going to head out,” I say, pushing myself to my feet. I’ll get out of the way so he can say goodbye to his family. “Natalie, if you need anything—no matter what it is—call me. Donovan, have a good trip. And Sammy, come give me a kiss. I have to go be the fire chief now.”
My nephew makes siren sounds as he runs to me. The kiss and hug are rushed because he’s more interested in his dad’s imminent travel, though.
I kiss Natalie and my mom and then shake Donovan’s hand before letting myself out. For my sister’s sake, I wish they had longer to say goodbye today.
But for my sake? I can’t wait for the man to be in the air so I can have Whitney back.
Chapter
Nine
Whitney
Other than grabbing a mug of coffee from the kitchen, I stay in my room with my phone and laptop ready until Donovan’s jet is in the air. While he’s known to send a lot of emails in flight, the urgency of any travel glitches is behind me until he lands and I can handle the flow of normal business communications from anywhere.
Like a fire station, I think as I pull on a blouse and top it with a pant suit. The way I keep anticipating seeing Rob again when every bit of my focus should have been on my boss is a little annoying, but alotundeniable.
It’s also really hard to deny it’snotonly because he’s my partner in this opportunity Donovan has given me, since I had yet another very steamy dream about him last night. I woke up about four o’clock, flushed and aching, and I had a hell of a time going back to sleep.
Today’s going to require alotof coffee, so my first stop is the General Store. Beth looks unusually thrilled to see me, and when I try to give her my order, she holds up her hand.
“Wait. I want you to try something.” Then she goes to the corner and I hear the coffee machine working. The last time I stopped in, she asked me questions about my usual coffee order when I’m at home, but considering the equipment she has at hand, I don’t get my hopes up. I have no idea what she’s making, but when she hands me an extra-large cardboard cup, I take it. “I think you’ll like this one.”
I take a sip, which feels awkward with her staring expectantly at me. Then I close my eyes and savor the sweet taste ofalmostperfect coffee before swallowing it.
“I can’t believe you did this for me.”
Beth scoffs, as if it’s no big deal. “Good coffee makes people happy.”
Since I’m smiling and she’s currently one of my favorite people in the world, I can’t deny it. “I appreciate this.”
“How close am I? What do I need to tweak?” She waits, but this coffee is so good, I’m not about to complain. “Come on. Be honest with me.”
“Maybe next time just a hair less sweetener,” I tell her, but then I feel like an ass. “But it’s practically perfect. This is delicious, I promise.”
Beth grins, and then turns to spin a real honest-to-goodness Rolodex. After flipping through some cards, she pulls one out and makes a note on it. I’m curious how she has me filed since I didn’t remember giving her my last name, and I lean in so I can read the top of the card upside-down.
Whitney from NYC.
