Page 18 of Christmas at Valentine Inn

“You’re prettysickfor being so old,” Rory yelled. He might as well have shoved a knife in my heart.

“Uh, thanks,” I said above the noise of the crowd.

Patrick appeared, startling me. “Rory, we should go.”

I stopped mid-dance step and swallowed down the desire to reach out for him, beg him to put his hands on my hips, or even to do the running man. Anything to prove to me he hadn’t changed. That he didn’t hate me.

Patrick’s eyes slowly roved over me.

I swore I saw the hunger he once had for me flash across those beautiful eyes of his.

“You ...,” he began to say, but then came to a screeching halt.

I bit my lip coyly. I swear I didn’t mean to; he just brought out this come-hither side to me. “I what?”

He cleared his throat. “Good night.” He grabbed Rory and ran off, acting like he feared me.

I guess turnabout is fair play. No one had ever scared me more than him.

THE NEXT MORNING, AT THEcrack of dawn, I sat at one of the long farmhouse tables in the dining hall, sipping coffee and waiting for the Advil to kick in. Surprise, I wasn’t as young as my dance moves the night before would suggest.

Chef Paul and his staff were already at it in the industrial gourmet kitchen behind the swinging door and closed buffet counter. The smell of cinnamon and bacon wafted through the air. It went well with Nat King Cole singing “The Christmas Song” quietly over the surround sound.

I had snuck out of the cottage early, knowing Drake was leaving this morning and I wanted to give the family privacy to say their goodbyes. These days were always hard on Jameson. I would take him out later and buy him anything he wanted.

With each sip of coffee, I felt a little more alive. I hadn’t slept well, thinking about Patrick. I didn’t understand why he was here. He was a big-time partner in a mega successful plastic surgery clinic. Why would he give that up? Was he missing Nina so much he was trying to run away from all the good memories he had of her? Was that why he hated Christmas now too? Mostly, I wanted to know why he had come to the inn, knowing I co-owned it, if he hated me so much. Did he just want to make sure I knew he loathed me? Believe me, I got the picture.

“I thought I might find you in here,” Drake’s voice startled me.

I sat up straight. “I thought you would be saying goodbye to Charlotte and Jameson.”

A heavy sigh escaped him. I knew he hated the separations as much as they did. “I’m headed over there now, but I wanted to talk to you.”

“Me.” I pointed at myself.

“I know that surprises you.” He stepped in. “I know we didn’t exactly start off on the right foot.”

I laughed. “You could say that.”

“I bear much of the blame,” he said graciously.

“I’ll let you own that,” I teased, knowing deep down I wasn’t exactly innocent in this situation.

Drake chuckled and took the seat across from me. “I really appreciate everything you’re doing. I realize it’s no easy task, especially given that you aren’t exactly happy about the groom.”

“He’s kind of growing on me,” I admitted.

Drake offered me a genuine smile. “I’m happy to hear that. I hope we will be friends.”

I rocked my head from side to side. “I’m giving it some serious consideration,” I said playfully, but I meant it. Deep down, I did wish for us to be friends. He was, after all, marrying the best friend I’d ever had, and he had given me Jameson. And judging by how much he and Charlottetalkedat night, I was sure Jameson would be a big brother in no time. I would love whatever babies they brought into my life.

“Good. I hope that means I can give you a bit of advice,” he said carefully.

My nose scrunched.

He held up his hands. “I know. I know. But before you kill me with that deadly glare of yours, I hope you’ll hear me out.”

“This better be good.” I took a sip of coffee. I needed to be more awake for this.

---