Читать книгу Christmas Secrets - Barbara Dunlop - Страница 17

“I know she’s here,” Cole said to Luca as he pulled open the steel door of the Coast Eagle hangar. “And she’ll have to be polite.”

He knew Amber wouldn’t dare step out of line at the Coast Eagle children’s Christmas party. She’d have to listen to him.

He walked inside.

Carols chimed from unseen speakers, while soap bubbles drifted around them like snow. White lights and colored balls domed over the ceiling, swooping down in swirls and shapes to meet the concrete floor, which was covered in artificial snow.

There was a giant Christmas tree in the center of the hangar and a forest full of lighted trees and friendly elves. A cookie-decorating station took up one big corner of the room. Another group of elves painted Christmas shapes on the children’s faces. And, of course, Santa was in his castle, posing for pictures and handing out presents.

The festive scene jarred with the frustration swirling inside Cole’s head. In the three days since the hearing, a group of lawyers had poured over Samuel’s will. This morning, they’d all agreed that Cole was a beneficiary, entitled to half of Samuel’s estate.

Cole didn’t want an inheritance. When he’d come forward and announced himself, he hadn’t the slightest inkling he’d be included in the will. He wasn’t here to take anything away from Zachary. Still, he’d use the position if it gave them leverage.

“There she is,” said Luca. “Beside the Christmas-tree forest.”

Cole spotted her. As always, he was immediately struck by her beauty. She wore a bright red dress with white piping. It clung to her slender curves.

He was here to talk. But talking was far down on his wish list. For starters, he wanted to haul her off somewhere and kiss her senseless.

“Mr. Henderson,” Sidney Raines greeted him cheerfully, shaking his hand. “I heard the estate was settled this morning in your favor.”

“Call me Cole. It’s nice to see you again, Sidney.”

Of all the vice presidents, Sidney was easily the more savvy and most reasonable. Cole also liked Max. He was less impressed with Julius, and he was prepared to fight long and hard against Roth.

“It’s probably early on to broach the subject,” said Sidney, glancing around the huge building, “and I realize this isn’t the time or the place, but have you given any thought to what role you’ll take on in the company?”

“It isn’t the time or the place,” said Cole. “But you’re right to ask the question. Would you be able to meet over the weekend?”

“Absolutely. You just name the time and place.”

Cole took out his cell phone. “If you give me your cell number, I’ll call you later on.”

Sidney dictated his phone number, then bowed out.

“It’s a good question,” said Luca.

“I know,” said Cole as the two men started toward the brightly lit forest.

“Do you have any idea what you are going to do?”

Cole’s thinking hadn’t made it past the first couple of moves. “I’m going to find a permanent president.”

He worked fourteen-hour days taking care of Aviation 58. He had to get back there as soon as possible. But he’d accepted that he now had a role in protecting Zachary’s inheritance.

The closer they got to Amber, the more beautiful she became. No surprise to Cole.

Zachary was in her arms, also dressed in red and white, a goofy little hat on his head. Cole couldn’t help but smile at how Zachary reached for the twinkling lights of the closest tree. He’d really missed the little guy.

But then Amber saw him.

Her smile instantly disappeared, and her blue eyes went cold. She took a step, and it was obvious she was going to flee.

Cole quickly crossed the space between them, wrapping a hand around her arm and keeping her close.

Luca wisely hung back.

“Everybody’s watching,” he cautioned her in a low tone. “Smile. Pretend it’s all good between us.”

“Go away.”

“Not a chance. Smile.”

Zachary zeroed in on Cole.

“Gak baw,” he called, lurching toward Cole.

Cole reflexively reached for him. His arm brushed her breast, and the contact sent a surge of energy through his body.

He ordered himself to calm the heck down. “You heard the decision on the will?”

Amber put a brittle smile in place, but her tone was flat. “Congratulations.”

“We have to talk.”

“I don’t have time. I promised Zachary we’d decorate some gingerbread.” She reached for the baby, but he turned his head, clinging tighter to Cole.

“It’ll be easier if I come with you,” said Cole.

“No, it won’t.”

“I’m on your side.”

She scoffed out a laugh. “Is that a joke?” Then she held out her arms to Zachary. “Come on, pumpkin.”

The baby stayed firmly latched to Cole.

Cole couldn’t help feeling sympathetic. “As much as I hate to think about it, I must look like Samuel. Or maybe I sound like him, or smell like him.”

“Zachary loves me, too, you know.”

“Of course he does.”

“He’s known me since birth.”

“It’s a case of mistaken identity,” said Cole. “Somewhere in his subconscious, he sees me as family.”

“You are family.”

Cole was growing more and more conscious of the interest in their conversation. Nobody had dared come within hearing distance, but there was a lot of pointing and whispering going on amongst the staff.

“Let’s go decorate some gingerbread.”

“Why can’t you just leave?”

“If I give him back, he’s going to make a scene.”

“Was that your plan? I mean today’s plan—use Zachary against me?”

“There was no plan.”

“Do I strike you as stupid?”

“Amber, please. Gingerbread. Let’s just do the gingerbread.”

There must have been a note of desperation in his tone that got her attention because she glanced around, seeming to become aware of the onlookers.

“Right,” she agreed. “Let’s go.”

They moved casually to the rear corner of the hangar. People eyed them speculatively as they did so, but held back. Luca disappeared, obviously understanding that Cole needed to speak with Amber alone.

“Mr. Henderson, Ms. Welsley, Merry Christmas!” called a middle-aged woman as they passed.

“Merry Christmas,” Cole automatically returned.

“Notice you got top billing,” Amber muttered.

“I’m carrying the little rich kid.”

“You are the little rich kid.”

The greeting seemed to break the ice, and they were bombarded with well-wishers all along their route.

Amber was right. While the employees were completely polite and respectful to her, Cole was getting the lion’s share of the attention.

Finally, they came to the cookie-decorating station. The attendants quickly cleared a stand-up table for them, spreading out a new paper cover and bringing an assortment of gingerbread, sugar-cookie shapes, icing and colorful candies.

“Go for it,” said Cole. “Pretend you’re completely absorbed in the cookies, and maybe people will stay away.”

She stared at the tabletop without moving.

“The tree,” Cole prompted. “Decorate the tree with the green icing.”

Amber picked up a plastic knife.

He focused on keeping his expression agreeable as he spoke. “I’m going to need your support.”

She gave another strained smile as she iced the sugar cookie tree. “Like that’s going to happen.”

“I didn’t know about the will.”

“Yes, you did.”

“How would I know? Tell me how I would know.”

“There were ten people in the first reading. Obviously someone leaked the details to you.”

“None of them knew I existed.”

“So you say.”

His voice rose. “I don’t just say. It’s true.”

“The red candies?” she asked him sweetly. “Or the blue and white?”

He took a calming breath. “The red.”

“I like the blue and white.”

“Seriously? You want to argue about candies?”

“I don’t want to argue about anything. I want you to go away. Preferably far away. I hear Alaska’s nice this time of year.”

Cole shifted Zachary in his arms. Happily, the baby was fascinated by the lights, the sounds and the people moving around.

“If you’ll listen to what I have to say, you’ll understand why you need to help me.”

“No, Cole. If I believed what you had to say, I might be inclined to help you. But that’s never going to happen. I’m never going to trust you again.”

“I want what’s best for Zachary.”

“You want what’s best for Cole. And congratulations, you’re halfway there.”

Cole regrouped. “Roth can still take control of the company.”

She dropped a handful of blue and white candies on the freshly iced tree and pressed them firmly down with her palm.

For a moment, he thought she’d crush the cookie.

“I can see you’ve done the math on the share ownership,” she said.

“Do you have any influence with the minor shareholders?”

She flashed another phony smile. “None whatsoever. I’m the lowly assistant director of finance and the stepsister of a flaky trophy wife. Why would anyone listen to me?”

“We can still help each other.”

“Have a cookie, Cole. It’s all you’re ever going to get from me.”

She suddenly scooped Zachary out of his arms.

It took the baby a second to realize what had happened. Then he immediately opened his mouth and let out a cry.

If not for the staff members surrounding them, Cole would have gone after her. Instead, he watched her march away and disappear into the crowd.

Zachary’s cries were soon swallowed by the cheery carols and happy shouts of the other children.

Luca appeared beside him. “Didn’t look like that went too well.”

“She has got to be the most stubborn woman on the planet.” Cole’s gaze fell to the slightly mangled cookie. He picked it up and took a bite.

“Fighting with Amber makes you hungry?”

“It makes me something, that’s for sure.”

He crunched down on the sweetness. Fighting made him want to grab her and squeeze her tight, kiss her hard and press their bodies together. It didn’t matter what insanity swirled around them, he couldn’t forget the night they’d made love, and he couldn’t quell the overriding urge to do it all over again.

Amber wasn’t going to crack.

It was nearly ten o’clock at night. Zachary had barely napped during the afternoon. He’d fussed through dinner and pouted through his bath. She’d even given him an extra bottle, going through their entire bedtime routine a second time in the hope he’d catch on.

Now he was in his crib, kicking his feet and sobbing. His covers were on the floor. His head was sweaty, and his hands were wrapped tightly around the painted bars.

Her phone rang over the noise, and for a crazy second she hoped it was Cole. If he called her and asked to come over, it wasn’t the same as giving in, was it?

Unfortunately, the number was Destiny’s.

She moved into the hallway, and Zachary’s cries increased behind her.

“Hi,” she said into the phone.

“How’re you doing?”

“Not great.”

“Is that Zachary?”

Amber leaned against the wall of the hallway, sliding down to sit on the plush carpet. “He doesn’t want to settle.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Not your fault. Not even his fault. Honestly, I feel like sobbing right along with him.”

“Luca said you saw Cole today?”

Amber knew she should remember his annoying behavior, her anger and his new set of lies. But instead she remembered his touch, his voice and those now-familiar gray eyes.

“At the kids’ party,” she answered Destiny. “Wait, when did you see Luca?”

“Earlier tonight.”

“Why?” What was going on?

“Nothing’s going on. I like Luca, Amber. I’m not giving him any information. He’s not even trying to ask. We both know we have to be circumspect.”

Amber clunked her head back against the cool wall. “I’m sorry. You’re entitled to a personal life.”

“He did say something, though.”

“What’s that?”

“He said that by not helping Cole, you’re de facto helping Roth.”

Amber gave a slightly hysterical laugh. “I thought you were going to say something much more personal. Like you had beautiful eyes or he wanted to see you naked.”

“Oh, he definitely wants to see me naked.”

Amber firmly pushed her own problems away. “You should let him.”

“Excuse me?”

“You want to. I can hear it in your voice.”

“There’s nothing in my voice that says—”

“Go for it. Your celibacy won’t help me. In fact, it’ll probably distract you from helping me.”

“You want me to have a one-night stand?”

“I had one.” The memories rose one by one in Amber’s mind.

Into the silence, Destiny’s tone turned reflective. “You think you’re the better for it?”

“Not at all. But I’m stuck in the middle of a preposterous circumstance. You’ll be fine.”

“You want some company? Need some reinforcements?”

“You don’t need to come all the way over here.”

Not that Amber wouldn’t welcome the support. Maybe Destiny could take a turn holding Zachary. He was still crying, and it was all but impossible to steel herself against his sadness.

“I’m five minutes away,” said Destiny.

“You are?”

“Just left a meeting at Bacharat’s. You know, that private lawyers’ club? You’re on my route home.”

“Then, yes, sure. Stop by.”

“Sounds good. It might take me a few minutes to park.”

“See you then.” Amber disconnected the call.

Feeling a bit lighter, she headed back into Zachary’s bedroom. He had pulled up on his feet and was gripping the top of the crib rail. His cheeks were flushed red and damp with tears.

“Oh, sweetheart,” she said out loud, lifting him into her arms. “How can I help?”

He cried harder.

She racked her brain. “What about some music? Want to watch videos?”

Zachary seemed to have a fondness for country and western, especially the drawling male singers.

With no better ideas, she carried him to the living room and tuned in the country station. It didn’t fix the problem, but at least it gave something to blend with his cries.

Then the knock came on her door.

“I know you’re too young to understand,” she said to Zachary as they crossed the living room, “but my arms are about to get a rest, and that’s a very good thing.”

She swung open the door.

Cole stood in front of her, Otis at his heels.

She was stunned. “You’re supposed to be Destiny.”

“I saw her in the lobby.”

At the sound of Cole’s voice, Zachary swung around.

“She said she’d give me ten minutes,” said Cole.

“Destiny sent you up?” Amber didn’t want to believe it.

Zachary reached for Cole.

“You want me to take him?”

Amber caved. “She’ll be up in ten minutes?”

Cole cracked a smile. “I bet he’s asleep by then. He looks exhausted.”

Amber was weak. In fact, she was defeated. “He’s the one and only reason I’ll let you in.”

“I’ll take it.” Cole gathered Zachary against his shoulder and moved into the foyer.

“What’s goin’ on here, partner?” Cole rumbled.

Zachary laid his head onto Cole’s shoulder and his cries turned to shuddering breaths.

She couldn’t resist. She smoothed the sweat from Zachary’s forehead, brushing her fingers across his downy, fine hair. “Poor little guy.”

“You’re very patient,” said Cole.

“Not always.”

There were times when she couldn’t help feeling frustrated and resentful. She was doing everything she could for Zachary, but it wasn’t enough. Sometimes she thought he was being miserable just to make her jump through hoops. But in her saner moments, she knew he was far too young to be manipulative.

“You need to do anything?” he asked her as they walked to the living room. “Hungry, thirsty?”

“Don’t be nice.”

A smirk appeared on his face. “Okay.”

“You know what I mean. Don’t try to ingratiate yourself by helping me with Zachary. It won’t work.”

Otis picked a spot beside an armchair and flopped down.

“Then do you think you could whip something up for me?” asked Cole. “Maybe a dry martini and a few hors d’oeuvres?”

“Shut up and mind the baby.”

Cole grinned. “He’s doing fine.”

“I hate that you can do that, you know.” It wasn’t fair at all.

“Accident of genetics.” Cole lowered himself into an armchair.

It was yet another thing that ticked her off. When she was soothing Zachary, she couldn’t sit down. She had to stand and sway or he’d cry his head off.

“This whole thing is an accident of genetics,” Cole repeated.

“You want some hot cocoa?” she asked. She couldn’t help remembering the last time they’d shared that particular beverage, but she needed something soothing right now.

“I was just messing with you. Don’t go to any trouble.”

But it wasn’t any trouble. “It’ll only take a minute, and I’m having some.”

He hesitated. “In that case, sure.”

She left for the kitchen.

“You need any help?” he called behind her.

“You’re already helping.”

“Points for that?” he asked.

The question stopped her cold. She couldn’t help remembering the last time they’d joked about points. He’d asked to spend the night, then they’d slept curled together in her bed. If only they could go back to that moment, even just for a little while. Because what she really needed right now was a broad shoulder to lean on. Unfortunately, leaning on Cole’s shoulder was out of the question.

She heated up the cocoa and returned to the living room.

“Sorry,” he told her.

“For what?” She set a steaming cup down on the small table beside him and took the end of the sofa opposite to where he sat.

“For making that points crack.”

He obviously remembered the last time.

The sweetened air seemed to still around them. Her mouth went dry, and her heartbeat thudded thickly in her chest. She braved a look at his face, and their gazes held. The ticking of the clock seemed to grow louder.

Cole broke the silence. “The reason I’m here…”

She was half afraid, half excited about what he might say. She distracted herself with a sip.

“The reason I’m here,” he began again, “is because we can’t let Roth win, and that means I need your help.”

She didn’t want Roth to win. But she didn’t want Cole to win, either. Her throat closed up, and her chest pierced with pain.

She had a desperate urge to rip Zachary from his arms. She didn’t care if he cried. She didn’t care if she never slept again. She wanted to hold him every second of every day from now until someone forced her to stop.

“I…” she tried. “How can…” To her mortification, a tear slipped out.

She rose from her chair, surreptitiously swiping the tear away. “He’s asleep. We can put him in his crib now.”

“Sure,” Cole agreed easily, rising with Zachary in his arms, watching her closely.

She walked down the hall to the nursery. There, she straightened the rumpled sheets and folded a fresh blanket onto the mattress.

A yellow nightlight glowed in the corner, highlighting the cartoon giraffes, elephants and lions on the wall. Soft stuffed animals decorated every surface.

Cole moved beside her and eased Zachary down onto the white flannel sheet. He pulled his arm from beneath Zachary and stepped back. The baby didn’t stir. Amber covered Zachary with a knit blanket and a patchwork quilt. Then she stroked her palm over his warm forehead.

“Good night, sweetheart,” she whispered.

She straightened, her heart aching all over again. She gripped the top of the crib rail, struggling to draw a breath.

Cole’s strong hand came down on her shoulder. “Are you okay?” he asked softly.

She swallowed. Her voice came out on a pained whisper. “I’m so frightened.”

“I know.”

She shook her head. “No, you don’t. You can’t possibly understand.”

She was going to lose Zachary, and there wasn’t a thing she could do about it.

He gently turned her. She didn’t stop him as he drew her into his arms. It didn’t seem to matter that he was one of the enemies; she accepted the strength he offered.

His voice was deep and steady. “I know you can’t let yourself believe anything I say. But I want what’s best for Zachary. I promise I’ll do what’s best for Zachary.”

She tipped her chin to gaze up at him. She wanted so badly to believe it was true. She needed some hope to hang on to.

Minutes ticked slowly past.

He reached up to brush her chin, his voice low and sexy. “You are amazing.”

She knew she had to pull away. She had to shut this down before it went any further. His eyes were smoldering, his desire completely obvious. His hand crept into her hair. His gaze zeroed in on her lips, and he bent his head.

He was going to kiss her.

She wasn’t going to stop him.

His lips touched hers, warm, soft and gentle.

She stretched up, leaned in, let her arms twine around his neck as he took the kiss deeper. She’d missed him. She couldn’t believe how much she’d missed him.

Her world was dissolving around her, and he felt like the only anchor point. His hand splayed her back, pressing her close. A moan rose up from her chest, and she met his tongue. Flicking flames of desire rose up inside her, heating her body, sensitizing every nerve ending. She needed to get closer, to feel his skin.

But suddenly, he drew back. “We can’t do this.”

She was mortified. What was she thinking? What was she doing, throwing herself into his arms?

He braced his hands around her upper arms, putting a few inches between them. “We need to talk.”

“Talk,” Amber managed to agree.

He put a hand lightly on the small of her back, guiding her from the nursery, down the hall, back to the living room.

She went straight to the far corner of the sofa, struggling to pull her dignity around her.

She could feel Cole’s gaze on her from where he sat in the armchair. But she couldn’t bring herself to look at him. She couldn’t imagine what he thought of her. He’d deceived her, used her to gain information about Coast Eagle, Samuel and Zachary. And yet she’d been willing to leap into bed with him a second time.

There was something terribly wrong with her.

“What will Roth do?” Cole asked into the silence. “If he wins custody, what will he do?”

Amber struggled to move past emotion to logic. “I expect he will hire a nanny. I hope he keeps Isabel, but I don’t know that he will.” She had to stop for a breath. “Then he’ll use the power of his guardianship to get appointed president of Coast Eagle.”

“He won’t want to be chairman of the board?”

“He wants to be hands-on. He wants to run the company day-to-day. His first plan is to update or replace the entire fleet. He thinks he’ll be able to increase our market share enough to cover the debt.”

“You doubt that?” asked Cole.

“His projections are dangerously optimistic.”

Cole gave a contemplative nod.

Amber forced herself to ask the burning question. “What will you do?”

His gaze was level and honest. “I don’t know.”

“How can I trust you?”

“You can’t. You shouldn’t.”

She scoffed out a laugh at that.

He took a sip of his now-cool cocoa. “All you can do right now is go on what’s certain. Roth’s got the advantage over me, and he cares about Roth, first, last and always.”

“You’re saying you’re the lesser of two evils.”

“I know you can’t bring yourself to trust me yet. But you know for certain you can’t trust Roth.”

“That’s not at all comforting.”

“I know. But it’s all you’ve got.”

Amber knew he was right. She hated it. But it was true.