Christmas Choices (5 page)

“Yes, I picked out a lovely shade of yellow. It reminds me of the dining room at your house. I think it will set a pleasant mood in the café. By the way, the men who worked on the furniture said there was little smoke damage. They guarantee no smoke smell.”

“That’s good, I was worried about the furniture. Your grandmother picked it out. Hmm, yellow would look nice in there, especially when the sun filters in during the early evening. I picked the yellow for the dining room at home. Did you know that? Your grandmother thought it was too bright. Good choice, Rhian.”

“Thanks, Grandfather.” She smiled at the thought of her grandmother possibly protesting this color choice. “Listen, I went by yesterday and watered your tree for you.”

“You didn’t have to do that for me, baby doll. I hope I’ll be home for Christmas. I’m glad the guy your dad hired is working out. Joe was by the other day and said he used him to build his new garage. He was really pleased with him.”

“I think he’ll get the job done just fine. He seems to know his business, so don’t worry.” She shook her head, realizing the futility of her words even as she said them. “I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

“Sounds good.”

“I love you.”

“Love you too, baby doll. I’m not worried with you watching out for the cafe. You know how much it means to me.”

“I know, it means a lot to me, too. Goodbye, Grandfather.”

“Goodbye. See you tomorrow.”

Rhian sighed as she clicked her phone off. She would have to stay and oversee things until her grandfather was doing well enough on his own
.
Frustrated, she looked out over the gardens and wondered why her father had to be so controlling.

S
everal hours later, her phone rang. She picked it up and her heart skipped a beat when she heard Kellen’s voice.

“I just wanted to let you know most of the supplies are ordered now, so I can start tearing down the burned-out part of the kitchen. A dumpster will be delivered today about four-thirty. Denny came by and I hired him. I hope that’s okay with you, Boss Lady.”

“Why did you hire Denny, Mr. Slade?” She found it rather odd, as most folks who didn’t know him thought he was slow. Rhian differed from that opinion, but she wondered what Kellen thought.

“He came by and was excited that I’m fixing the cafe. He’s very fond of your family and offered to help if I needed someone. We talked for a bit and he knows more than what you obviously give him credit for.”

“I think he’ll do a great job,” she replied. Her heart softened at how perceptive and welcoming he was to Denny. “Thank you for hiring him.”

“No problem. I wanted to let you know I have a hard hat for you in the bed of the truck. So, I guess I’ll see you later.”

He hung up before she could reply. Rhian sat down on her sofa and mulled over the morning. She knew her father wouldn’t approve of him any more than her grandfather did. Why did she have feelings for this man? Why was she sitting on her sofa feeling so lousy when she could call her best friend Deanna and go out for a couple of drinks? She grabbed her phone and hit speed dial.

“Rhian? I was just thinking about you. What’s going on?” Deanna sounded bubbly as usual.

“I was wondering if you were up for a girls' night out?” She crossed her fingers.

“Oh, you must have read my mind. Where do you want to go?”

“Somewhere with some good blues. You game?”

“Oh, there’s a new blues club in town. I went last week with Billy. The house band was awesome. How about you pick me up in thirty minutes?”

“Thirty minutes it is. Let me change and put on some makeup. See you soon!” She hung up the phone and browsed through the clothes in her closet. She knew she had more than thirty minutes to get ready—Deanna was always late. Rhian found this endearing about her.

When she pulled up, Deanna was already coming down the walk. “Hey, girl!” Deanna said as she opened the door and climbed in. “You look great tonight.” She reached over and gave Rhian a hug, air kissing her cheek.

“You look amazing as always. What did you do to your hair? It looks great.”

“I had my stylist try a different color. Do you really like it? You don’t think the bangs are too much?” She frowned and gazed at Rhian with her big, blue eyes open wide and her bottom lip stuck out.

Rhian broke into laughter. “Oh my God. Will you stop with the pouty lips and big puppy dog eyes already? It cracks me up. You look just fabulous and you know it.”

Deanna sat back and sighed. “Well now, all’s right with my world. My best friend loves my hair! Why are we still here? Let’s get this show on the road. All those cute boys aren’t going to wait.”

Rhian pulled out into traffic and headed toward downtown Savannah. She loved this city and the old trees lining the cobblestone streets of her neighborhood. “Don’t you love how the city decorates for Christmas?”
If my father didn’t smother me so much I probably wouldn’t feel the need to escape. Oh, who am I kidding? It’s not just him, it’s Kellen too.

“Yep. But I don’t think anyone loves it as much as you do.” She reached over and tapped Rhian’s arm. “You could be a damn elf. Let’s just have fun tonight and stop talking about Christmas.” Deanna laughed.

R
hian pulled up to the club and handed her keys to the valet. She placed the ticket in her pocket as blues flowed out the front door.

She grabbed Deanna’s arm. “Come on, let’s get a drink and hit the dance floor.” They made their way to the bar where a young blond-haired man mixed drinks.

“He’s cute.” Deanna fluttered her big blue eyes at him. “So, what does a girl need to do to get a drink around here, handsome?” she asked in her sweetest voice.

Rhian rolled her eyes as the bartender turned to look at Deanna and almost dropped the drink out of his hand.

“What do you want, babe?” he asked, his full attention on her. He set the drink down so hard it splashed down the dress front of a pissed-off brunette.

“Well, how about a dirty martini for me and...?” She glanced at Rhian, going into full Southern girl charm mode.

“I’d like a bloody Mary with two olives, please.” Rhian bit her bottom lip, trying to hold back her laughter. The bartender drooled over Deanna, his eyes bulging. It reminded her of a cartoon character. She leaned over and whispered, “Guess that hair is working better for you than you thought. In a minute, his tongue will fall right out of his little old mouth.”

She giggled at the thought, grabbed her bloody Mary, and turned to watch the crowd on the dance floor. She had sipped most of her drink when the band launched into Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Pride and Joy.”

“Deanna! I love this song, come on.” She grabbed her friend’s hand and pulled her onto the dance floor. Rhian closed her eyes, slowly moving her body to the rhythm of the music.

A feeling swept over her that she was being watched. She opened her eyes and looked around the club. Kellen sat at a back table. When their eyes made contact, a smile formed on his lips.

Rhian felt her entire body flush from the heat of his stare. She turned quickly to face Deanna and realized her friend now danced with a young man just as smitten with her as the bartender. “Deanna!” she yelled over the music. “I’m leaving. Are you coming with me?”

“What do you mean leaving? We haven’t been here but what, twenty minutes? I thought you wanted a girls’ night out?” She pushed her bottom lip out again. “I’m having fun.”

“Fine, we can stay a little longer, but I really don't want to be here late.” Rhian could feel Kellen’s eyes on her back; she wished he would just leave. What was he doing here anyway? She made her way back to the bar to order another drink. When the bartender set it down, she sipped some, trying to force herself to relax.

Rhian knew she had to leave Savannah soon. Every time she saw Kellen, the attraction intensified. She wanted to talk to her grandfather tomorrow and then get her airline tickets. If she stayed, things would get more difficult than just dealing with her father’s wrath. She was determined more than ever to make it to Italy.

A shiver swept over her as she felt a warm breath on the back of her neck. She stiffened, recognizing the voice instantly when she heard it.

“Rhian, would you care to dance with me?” His deep voice vibrated through her body.

“Why, Mr. Slade?” she asked, without turning.

“Because I want to share a dance with you,” he breathed into her ear. His hand slid down her arm, his fingers laced through hers. “Please.” He gave a gentle tug and she found herself off the stool and following him onto the dance floor.

He put his arm around her, brought her hand up against his chest, and they moved slowly to the music. Rhian glanced up into Kellen’s eyes and felt something she had only dreamed of. He gazed down at her and her feelings for him grew stronger. She closed her eyes.
Stick to the plan. Stick to the plan.

***

K
ellen held her, reeling from being this close to her
.
He didn’t want these feelings; he wanted to be the cold-hearted bastard he had conditioned himself to be all these years.
She would never love me. How could she? No one could ever love me
.

The song finished, and he lifted her chin gently with his hand, intending to thank her for the dance and walk away. But when his eyes met hers, he leaned down and softly kissed her lips. He breathed in her scent and pulled her closer. “Can we get out of here?” he asked, desperate for her to say yes.

“Kellen, please. What do you want from me?” She put her head down so she wouldn’t have to look into his eyes.

“I just want to be alone with you. Please, Rhian.”

R
hian knew she was going to say yes before the words left her mouth. She put her head against his chest, held him close and whispered, “Where?”

“Just somewhere quiet, so we can talk.”

“Give me a minute.” She found Deanna and gave her the valet ticket and keys to her car. “I’ll get the car tomorrow. I have a friend taking me home so you can stay a while.”

“You sure you don’t mind?” Deanna asked, so busy flirting she didn’t even ask who it was.

“No, I’ll call you tomorrow.” She quickly hugged her friend and walked out the door to find Kellen astride his Harley.

She walked up to him, feeling anticipation and fear at the same time. He looked so damn hot on his bike.

He smiled and handed her a helmet. “Do you know how to strap that on?”

“No, I’ve never been on a bike before.” She looked at the helmet he had placed in her hands, handed it back, and let him strap it on her head. She trembled as his fingers touched her skin.

He grinned and said, “Put this jacket on, it’s cold. Climb on, Rhian. Let’s get out of here.”

She wrapped her arms around him and excitement rushed through her. He started the bike and the deep, rumbling vibrated up her body. She took a deep breath when he put the bike in gear and held him tighter as they roared off down the road. The wind whipped around her, cooling her skin. It was so intense, tears formed in her eyes.

As he leaned the bike into a curve she tensed just a little, but he straightened it back up and hit the throttle. He handled the Harley as if it were an extension of his body. She felt herself grow calm as she put her life in his hands.

Lights flashed past them; the vibrations of the engine increased as they flew down the straight road. Rhian saw the sign for a large curve up ahead. She tightened her grip just as she heard him downshift and wind the engine down. They flowed around the corner and she tossed her head back, feeling more alive than she had in months.

By the time they got to her place, she was breathless from the excitement of her first Harley ride.

He waited for her to climb off then put the kickstand down and dismounted with ease. When he removed his helmet, he had the look of a hunter who had zeroed in on his prey. He removed hers, took her hand, and pulled her toward the gate.

“Is there somewhere to sit in the courtyard?”

“On the other side there’s a bench. Wow, I’ve never felt anything like that. It took my breath away when we went around that first turn,” she said, her face flushed with excitement.

He looked down at her. “It’s an amazing ride. I love the feel of the wind in my face. Will it bother anyone if we talk out here?”

“I don’t think so. We can go upstairs if you want."

“No, I think it would be better if we stay out here.”

She took his hand and led him around to the bench on the other side of the gardenia bushes. “What do you want to talk about?” she asked, as they sat down.

“Us. The kiss. Things.” He put his head down. “Look, I’m interested in you. You seem to be interested in me.”

“Kellen—”

“Let me finish, please.”

She placed her hand over his. “Look, before you say anything I want you to know this. I’m leaving for Italy as soon as my grandfather comes home. The trip has been planned for a long time. I need to do this for me, so I really can’t get involved with anyone right now. If I do, I’m afraid I might not want to leave. I need to do this, Kellen. Please understand.”

His shoulders slumped and he dropped his head. “I got it, Rhian. I’m glad you told me. Guess we both want the same thing.”

“What do you mean?”

He pulled his hand out from underneath hers. “I don’t want a relationship right now, either. It would complicate things for me.”

Rhian sighed. “Well then, why did we come here? Did I say something wrong?”

Kellen shrugged. “Easier to talk here instead of the loud club. I just wanted to make sure we were on the same page. I’m attracted to you, but I’m trying to get my business off the ground and that means long hours and little time for relationships. No hard feelings or anything. I don’t want it to be awkward.”

“I agree. Can I ask you something? Why did you kiss me again?”

“Yeah, the kiss.” He averted his eyes and looked up at the sky. “Well, the dance, the music... you’re tempting. Damn, I don’t know, Rhian. It just happened.” He stood up. “I’ll see you later.”