Читать книгу Mills & Boon Christmas Delights Collection - Джанис Мейнард, Rebecca Winters - Страница 30

Chapter Twenty-One

Several hours later we returned to the house, each of us laden like a mountain mule with Christmas decorations and various items for the house itself, including a clutch of goodies to make the master bedroom into the retreat it should be. We also had a list of items being delivered tomorrow, including decorative cushions for nearly every room, another couple of throws, plus a few scented candles for the bathrooms which, although gorgeous, had weighed a bloody tonne so we’d opted to test the courier’s muscles on those rather than ours.

‘What about the tree?’

‘Emmet promised he’d saved me a good one for you. When do you want to get it?’

Michael looked at the clock in the hall. ‘Is now any good? Or do you have to be somewhere?’

‘No, I booked out the whole day for you today.’

A smile spread on his face. ‘Great.’

***

Emmet, my contact, had been true to his word, picking out a huge, gorgeously thick pine that let out its delicious scent as Michael manoeuvred it into the back of the pickup.

‘This brings back memories.’ I could hear the smile in his voice, even though he was mostly hidden by the tree.

‘Good ones by the sounds of it.’

‘Very good ones. I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed all the little things like this.’ He came around the tree and gave it another shake to make sure it was secured.

‘Despite your initial worries, I think you’re looking forward to hosting Christmas now, aren’t you?’

He stopped beside me. ‘I really am. We try and get together pretty often but Christmas was the one time everyone ensured they were there…until I met Angeline, of course.’

I felt his mood change a little. ‘But before? Tell me about your Christmases.’

He moved and I felt him relax again. ‘They’re full of noise, but in a good way. Lots of laughter, banter, catching up. We eat way too much, play board games, have crossword puzzle races with boys against girls, and there’s probably the odd glass of booze or two.’ I could see him grinning at the last part.

‘Just the odd one.’

‘Obviously.’

‘It sounds wonderful Michael. I’m so glad you’ll all be getting that again this year.’

‘Me too. Do you know, I even made some mince pies last night as a trial run, now that I can find everything in my kitchen. Even more amazingly, they’re actually pretty edible.’

I wrapped my arm around his automatically and gave it a squeeze. ‘That’s great. And this,’ I turned and pointed at the tree, ‘is going to look beautiful in your living room. I’m so excited to see it when it’s done. Will you send me a picture?’

He stopped tying the rope. ‘You realise that leaving me alone with this and all the stuff we bought today is going to result in a tree looking like the decoration fairies went on a bender and threw up on it, don’t you?’

‘That’s not exactly the image I was hoping for in my mind.’

‘It’s the one you’ll be getting if you leave me unsupervised.’

‘I think you probably have more skills than you think you do.’

I heard the low laugh in the darkness. ‘Oh, I’ve got skills, just not in this department.’

I was playing with a branch that had fallen off another tree, and at his comment, gave him a tap on the side of the thigh with it. ‘Behave.’

He gave the tree a last wiggle and turned to me, his face lit only by distant streetlights. He lifted my hand with the branch still in it, and turned his head to face it.

‘Adding to your toolkit I see?’

‘My tool – ’ I flung the branch down as I realised what he was referring to. ‘I told you none of that stuff was mine.’

I could see his teeth white in the half-light.

‘Stop grinning. Perv,’ I said, pulling open the door of the pickup as Michael’s laughter followed me in.

‘Did I just blow my chance at getting you to help me wrangle this thing into something presentable?’ he asked, pulling his own door closed behind him.

I pulled the seat belt out and plugged it in. ‘Possibly.’

‘But the children will be so disappointed.’ It was actually pretty impressive just how much feeling he forced into this statement.

‘Oh wow,’ I said, turning in my seat. ‘You’re actually sneaky enough to use your nieces and nephews?’

‘I prefer the word resourceful.’

‘I prefer a word I’m too ladylike to say.’

He laughed and turned over the engine. ‘I’m pretty sure I could probably get you to say it.’

I gave a huff. ‘If anyone could, it’d be you.’

‘That’s not a compliment, is it?’

‘Not really.’

I peeked across at him as he concentrated on the traffic, waiting to pull out into the flow. His baseball cap kept the hair out of his eyes, although it was still curling down over his collar. However, the untidy not-quite-beard had been trimmed back to a length of stubble that now lent him the air of almost groomed, rather than hobo. And the smile that he wore beat the hell out of all of it.

We drove along for a few minutes, not talking but easy in the company of just the radio on low, the station’s playlist full of festive favourites.

‘So, what were your Christmases like?’

I looked away, not wanting to remember the fraught and brittle atmosphere that would begin the day and would inevitably dissolve into either silence or screaming at some point around the Queen’s Speech.

‘Nothing like yours sadly. Although I always wished they could be. I had this image of a big family dinner with everyone laughing and smiling. It was ridiculous really as I was an only child, as my mum had been, and most of the remaining relatives either lived abroad or wanted nothing to do with us anyway. But it was a nice thought.’ I smiled over at him but his face was serious. He dropped his hand from the steering wheel and took mine within it for a moment.

‘I’m sorry you had such a rough time, Katie. I really am.’

My throat suddenly felt too tight to speak so I gave a little nod instead and squeezed his hand back, hoping the gestures conveyed at least some of what I wanted to say.

A few more minutes passed and Michael’s hand had by now returned to the wheel as he manoeuvred the pickup around a junction. Eventually he spoke again. ‘You aren’t seriously going to abandon me with this tree, are you?’ He glanced over momentarily, before switching his eyes back to the road, wipers flicking away the snow and almost beating in time to the Christmas song playing in the background. The light from the dashboard showed hints of concern on his features. ‘I know all this – today and everything else you’ve done in the house – I know it’s all way over what you normally do. I really, really do appreciate it, even if I’m not that good at saying it very well. I’ll never be able to thank you enough for bringing Pilot into my life either.’

‘Well, that’s definitely a two way street. Knowing he now has a wonderful home with someone who’s nuts about him is more reward than I could ever ask for.’

Michael pushed his bottom lip out momentarily. ‘I wouldn’t say I was nuts about him.’

‘Oh really?’ I crossed my arms.

He cleared his throat. ‘All right, I’m completely nuts about him but don’t go spreading that around. It hardly goes with my reputation.’

I blew a raspberry. ‘That’s what I think to your reputation.’

His eyebrows shot up as he laughed. A ringing over the sound system interrupted the radio. Michael peered at the GPS screen and pressed a button on the steering wheel.

‘Hi Gerry.’

‘Hi Mike. How are you?’

‘Yeah, not bad, thanks. Yourself?’

‘I’m good. You still getting that house in order for the big family Christmas?’

‘Pretty much there, actually.’ Michael smiled, including me in it momentarily, then quickly switching his eyes back to the road. ‘Finishing touches now. Got a bloody great tree in the back of the truck as we speak.’

‘Good to hear. It looked like a bomb had hit it last time I came round.’

Michael winced and I realised that he’d actually been far more bothered about the state of his house than his initial declarations had claimed. ‘Yeah. Sorry about that. You’ll have to come round and see it in its new incarnation. And meet Pilot, of course.’

‘Sounds good to me. Who’s Pilot?’

‘I sort of got another dog.’

‘About time! Puppy?’

‘No, just over eighteen months. Rescue dog. A…friend found him for me.’

‘Even better! Buy that friend a beer.’

I wrinkled my nose and Michael chuckled.

‘So what can I do for you?’

‘It’s about this dinner dance thing that Solway are hosting…’

Michael groaned.

‘I know. I know. But listen to me Mike. I know you’re not a big fan of stuff like this but this one you need to come to.’ The man’s voice was serious now and Michael picked up on it.

‘Why? What’s going on?’

‘Nothing especially. But I do know for a fact that the other guy you’re up against for this project is going and he’s kind of a schmoozer. Solway really like you but if this guy shows up and starts sweet-talking everyone…’

‘Yeah, I get it.’

‘So, you’ll come?’

‘I’ll think about it.’

‘Mikey lad, you need to do more than think about it. You need to do it. I’m going to be stuck working with this other clown if he gets the job and that is not a prospect I relish.’

‘Enough said, I’ll come. Although I don’t think I ever replied one way or the other to the invitation. Won’t it be a bit late to say yes now?’

‘No. I got Wendy to put you down as a yes ages ago.’

‘Did you now?’

‘I did. And I put you down for a plus one. Old Ed Solway is a sucker for a pretty face and whilst Wendy seems to think you’re the best thing since sliced bread, I know for a fact you’ll do nothing for him. Why don’t you bring that organiser lassie? She sounds great and you said she was hot.’

‘OK Gerry, I’ll see you there. Got to go!’ Michael hurriedly pressed another button on the steering wheel and the radio came back on.

I was looking out of the window, the snow now drifting at the sides of the road cast a glow, making the surroundings lighter than usual.

After a moment or two, Michael spoke. ‘I didn’t exactly say that you were hot.’

Can anyone say pin and balloon?

‘Of course not.’ I kept my voice neutral.

‘I mean, not that you’re not hot. You are. You’re gorgeous. But what I meant…’

I looked away from the window, towards him. We were stopped at a four-way temporary traffic light. Michael pulled on the handbrake.

‘I didn’t want you to think I’d been talking about you.’

‘But you have.’

‘Well, yes. But in a good way. In a really good way, actually.’

‘OK.’

He checked the traffic. There were still two more ways to go before our direction went back to green.

‘Look, I know what you think of me and the fact I’ve not been averse to one-night stands.’

‘Michael I know you better now and I’m not judging you. You’re single and enjoying it. Find a pretty girl to take to this thing and have a good night. It sounds like it could really be beneficial.’

‘But I don’t want to find a pretty girl to take. I’d like to take you.’

We both remained silent as that sentence filtered through our minds.

‘That didn’t come out right either.’ The light changed and he pulled away. Hitting the indicator, Michael pulled into a layby, knocked the pickup into neutral and turned to me.

‘I’d love it if you would come with me to this thing. It’d certainly make it a lot more fun.’

I smiled, preparing my answer but before I could say anything, Michael continued. ‘I’m not asking for anything more than the pleasure of your company, as a friend,’ he leant over and took my hand, ‘which I hope is what we are now.

I was running out of proverbial balloons to pop. Michael, however, seemed to misread the look on my face for the second time today. Typical that when I didn’t want him to know what I was thinking he could read me like a book but now…

‘Obviously I know you’ve just come out of a relationship, which isn’t easy. I just wanted you to know that I wasn’t suggesting…’

‘Of course not.’

His face fell. ‘Of course not, as in you’re not interested?’

Boy, could he be more wrong?’

‘No, I meant that I understand what you’re saying. You’re right, we are friends and because of that there’s no pressure on either side.’ I fixed on a bright smile and hoped the low light would keep him from seeing the truth of it. ‘Which means you can just concentrate on impressing this Mr Solway man and getting the contract.’

Michael straightened his cap unnecessarily. ‘But you’ll come?’

‘I will. Thank you. Wait! When is it?’

He pulled a face. ‘Umm, it’s kind of tomorrow evening.’

‘Kind of?’

‘Actually tomorrow evening. I understand entirely if you can’t come?’

‘No. It’s not a problem.’ I whacked on that bright smile again and forced all thoughts of Michael as more than a friend out of my head. It was a ridiculous thing to consider anyway. I was pretty sure we had different ideas on what we’d like the future to hold. And what if we did try and something went wrong? How awkward would that make things for Janey? He was right. We had got to a place where we could call each other a friend, which in itself was a real achievement. I trusted him. He said what he meant, even if it led to us disagreeing. But at least I knew where I stood with him, which was a trait I valued, especially after recent events. Yes. This was good. It was stupid to think anything else would be better – that heavenly face and body aside.

I knew exactly what had happened: I’d been so caught up in falling in love with his dopey dog, and his beautiful house, that I’d begun to think –

‘You’re awfully quiet over there.’

‘I was just wondering what to wear for tomorrow.’

He nodded, not taking his eyes off the road. ‘I see. Well, it’s not black tie but it’s pretty formal.’

‘OK. Thanks. I’m sure I can find something.’

Michael dropped me back at my flat as the time was getting on and I had an early client.

‘Don’t forget Mary will be coming tomorrow at ten to deliver the new curtains for the living room. She’ll help you put them up. She always likes to check everything is OK with them and that her client is happy before she leaves so she’ll take care of you.’

‘Great. Thanks for arranging all that.’

‘My pleasure. Hopefully these will make you happier when you see them.’

‘I’m pretty sure they will. So you’re not round tomorrow?’

I laughed. ‘Believe it or not Mr O’Farrell, I do have other clients. I can’t spend all my time with you.’

‘Well, now that’s a shame.’

I rolled my eyes at him. ‘Don’t worry, I won’t leave you in the lurch with the tree. What time should I meet you tomorrow for this thing?’

He held up a finger as answer and jumped out of the cab, quick strides bringing him round to the passenger side where I had already opened the door.

‘I’ll pick you up at seven, if that fits in with you?’

‘Sounds fine. Then I’ll see you tomorrow.’ I gave him a quick little hug and began walking towards the communal entrance. Michael fell in beside me. I stopped, a question in my eyes.

‘Just walking you to your door.’

‘You don’t need to do that. It’s just there.’

‘Yeah, I know. But I can’t see it from the truck and I want to make sure you get there safely.’

‘Worried you might end up without a date for tomorrow? I hardly think that’s a big concern for you.’ I laughed, knowing that given the chance, I’d be mown down where I stood if word got out this particular man was free tomorrow night.

‘I guess I did a pretty good job of convincing you I really was that shallow when we first met.’ I couldn’t see his expression in the low light but there was a tone to his voice that made me stop.

‘Michael,’ I put my hand on his arm, ‘I don’t think you’re shallow. You’re right, at first maybe I did. But that was what you seemed to want everyone to think. But people that know you know it isn’t true. And you’ve proved to me that it isn’t.’ I squidged the puffy fabric of his jacket under my gloved hand.

He lifted his hand and took mine in it, the gesture saying everything that was needed.

‘Thanks for today,’ he said as we reached my door.

‘You’re welcome. I actually had a lot of fun. And breakfast was ah-maz-ing.’

He laughed. ‘Good. Then maybe we should do it again.’

‘That’d be fun. But I’m not sure your bank account would take it.’

‘I just meant the breakfast part.’

‘Oh. Right, of course! Absolutely. But I’m paying next time.’

‘We’ll see.’

He leant in to give me a kiss on the cheek and I leant back. The moon had pushed itself from behind a bank of clouds and the light, reflected by the snow piled around us, cast a strange, almost magical light. It highlighted the confusion on his face.

‘I said I’m paying next time.’

Michael’s hands lifted to my face, holding it gently, palms resting against my cheeks, his outer fingers spreading down onto my neck. He leant in again, his eyes focused intently on mine. Gently his lips placed a kiss on my forehead and then his mouth moved close to my ear.

‘And I said “we’ll see”.’

The whispered voice, with its lilting accent and hint of gravelly roughness sent heat searing through my body. I half expected the nearby pile of snow to instantaneously melt into a puddle. Kind of like I felt like doing right now.

He stood upright and I took a pace backwards as casually as I could in an attempt to avoid Michael seeing just how well his charm and, let’s face it, downright raw sexiness was still working. Unfortunately my studied nonchalance hadn’t taken into account the step into the building and I tripped backward, landing with a damp thud in the muddy puddle of water that had accumulated in the slightly worn away dip of the step. I hastily pushed myself back up, as Michael put an arm out to help me.

‘You all right?’

‘Of course,’ I replied, not looking up. ‘And you can stop laughing.’

‘I’m not.’

I looked up. His face was serious but I could see the little glint in his eyes as they caught the moonlight.

‘But you’re dying to.’

‘I’m going to choose to refuse to answer that on the grounds that it may incriminate me.’

‘Arse.’

He laughed and wrapped his arms around me.

‘Are you really OK?’

My arms, despite strict instructions from my brain, wrapped themselves around his body: warm, solid…

It was perfectly acceptable to stay here for another hour, right?

‘I am.’ My voice was muffled as he squidged me close.

‘I’d better let you go in and get some sleep.’

I nodded, my hair making a scratchy noise against the fabric of his coat. Reluctantly I pulled away, reached up on my tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek and then unlocked the door.

‘I’ll see you at seven.’

Agreeing, I waved and headed inside.