Page 25 of The Naughty Or Nice Clause

Give my best to Jamie, and I’ll see you in the New Year!

Lyla x

She deleted the sent email and made sure to remove it from Mrs Klaus’ trash. Guilt seeded in her gut as soon as the SENT notification appeared, but if everything worked out…It’ll be a win–win for all. There’ll be a new Mr Klaus, and I’ll get my company.

The guilt wouldn’t go away as she closed the door behind her.His father just died, and I’m scheming to get my company back!She silenced her inner voice by reminding herself that he never should have been involved in her company in the first place. He was the one who had kidnapped her and brought her here without telling her there might be the chance of her getting her memory wiped. His family needed him here; the company was only holding him back. The world shouldn’t be deprived of a Santa Claus. She had to make him see that, and she only had a few days to convince him.If he decides not to stay, then he’ll be none the wiser,she assured herself.

She decided a walk would be the best way to quiet her mind and soothe her conscience. Desperate for some air, she put on her new long black coat over her wide-leg jeans and white jumper. She was glad she’d listened to Mason and gone up half a size in the boots, because they fitted perfectly over her fluffy socks. Heading outside, Lyla walked the property until she came to the stables. Finding a bucket of carrots, she got as close as she dared to the reindeer in their individual pens. The first she came to read ‘Vixen’ on the collar. She sniffed the air as Lyla moved closer.

“Hey, girl, fancy a carrot?” The animal stared between Lyla and the bucket with big brown eyes. Her reaching out was enough to startle the reindeer, who backed away. “It’s okay! I didn’t mean to frighten you,” Lyla said, stopping her approach.

“Be careful,” said Mason from the doorway. “Vixen likes to bite. She gets excited when she sees carrots, and suddenly she can’t tell the difference between fingers and vegetables.”

“We were getting along fine,” Lyla lied, backing away from Vixen. Mason scoffed and took a carrot from the bucket.

“Here, hold it like this,” he said, placing it in her hand and standing behind her so she couldn’t recoil from the creature. “She won’t bite you if you’re confident.” He nudged her forward.

The reindeer stepped closer, sniffing Lyla’s open hand and the treat within. Lyla winced and found herself buried in Mason’s chest, but he held firm, wrapping her fingers around the carrot.

“I never pegged you for being afraid of such a harmless reindeer.”

His breath at her ear made her aware of how dangerously close they were. The chomp of the carrot distracted her and she dropped it and stumbled back, kicking over the bucket as she escaped his embrace.

“What?I’mnot the one who was going to bite,” Mason said, picking up the bucket. Vixen was eating the fallen carrot without a care for them.

“I’m not so sure,” Lyla said under her breath, composing herself.

“Since you’re done frightening the reindeer – I’ve been looking for you. You weren’t in your room,” he said, offering Dancer a carrot while Lyla followed him.

“I couldn’t sleep. Thought a walk would help,” she lied.

“It’s good you’re already dressed. I’ve had a messenger deliver a note,” Mason said, and she noticed that he was paler than usual. She sensed what he was about to say was nothing good, but she let him finish. “The council has got word of your arrival, and they would like to meet you.”

“I was wondering what had you looking so white. It’s not like you’re the one facing the guillotine,” Lyla pointed out.

Donner stuck out her nose, shoving Lyla towards Mason. She glared at the animal, who only went back to eating her straw.

?“Don’t be ridiculous. They wouldn’t use a guillotine.” He winked, and she wondered how many more times today she’d want to slap away his arrogance.

“When do they want to meet?” She tried not to sound nervous, but she doubted she was successful.

“They’ve called a morning meeting. It shouldn’t take too long.” She didn’t know if he was trying to reassure her or himself.

“Could someone have found out you…welied?” She looked back to the house and couldn’t help but doubt them.They seem friendly, but would they sacrifice me for the safety of their village?

“You’re overthinking this. They merely wish to meet you; they’re required to meet every outsider. Tell them what we’ve told my family. We work together in the outside world. We got engaged, and then decided to quickly return due to my father’s passing and had no time to inform anyone.” Mason rattled off the lies like her memory wasn’t hanging in the balance.

“Easy for you to say. You aren’t the outsider.”

“I wouldn’t be too sure. My decision to leave wasn’t popular. There are many who are happy about my return, but some would rather I hadn’t.”

“Is that supposed to reassure me of my safety?”Who didn’t want him back?

“No, but I can assure you that we’ll both feel equally uncomfortable.”

They left the stables, where the reindeer didn’t seem half as scary now compared to what Lyla was about to face. Argyle pulled into the driveway, waving them over, and there was no chance for further discussion.

Chapter Eleven

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