Merry Christmas, Paige (14 page)

Daniel Cross was a fit man at fifty-five. Six-two, there wasn’t a gray hair on his dark head. He lived life to its fullest. Their island home was his baby.

Next, Paige was introduced to his Aunt Betty, her new husband, and a couple of cousins Nathan hadn’t seen in some time. They spoke briefly before moving to the next person.

Nathan’s mother, Naomi Cross, looked at them and smiled. The image of grace and elegance, she wore a chiffon dress. Not a hair out of place, her ebony hair combed in an updo. Always the perfect hostess. In truth, his mother was the financial genius to their wealth. She was bright and cunning when she needed to be.

“Oh my.” Her startled cry made Paige lick her lips again as they approached. “Are you all right, dear?”

“Yes.”

“I’m afraid to touch you,” his mother said.

Nathan smiled when Paige leaned in for a hug. “Thank you for allowing my family to join yours for the holidays.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way. We have a full day planned.”

Nathan saw the weariness in Paige’s face. “Mom, I think Paige needs a little rest before we overwhelm her with the frolics of the Crosses.”

“Yes. Of course. How inconsiderate of me. Cami?”

The little girl peeked out from behind Janis. “Yes, Nana?” She ran to her daddy and they embraced.

“Can you please show Paige to your father’s room? He needs to help your papa with the pig.”

There was a moment of awkwardness and then Cami stepped forward. She stared up at Paige, who looked as if she would burst into tears at any moment. When his daughter reached for Paige’s hand, Nathan breathed a sigh of relief, and he swore Paige did too.

“Nana said I should say I’m glad you’re feeling better, Dr. Weston.”

“From the mouths of babes,” his mom murmured out of the corner of her mouth.

“Call me Paige.”

“Nana, is that okay?” Cami yelled over her shoulder.

“Yes, dear.” His mom stifled a chuckle.

“Can Janis come with us?” his daughter asked.

“Certainly,” Paige responded.

“Janis, you can come too.”

A grin rose on Janis’s face as she joined them.

His mom greeted Evelyn and Susan. “I’ll show both of you to your rooms and we can all convene in the parlor. Maybe we could chat before the celebration begins.”

“Thank you for allowing us to barge in on your celebration,” Evelyn said. “We do appreciate the opportunity to spend Christmas with Paige.”

“Say no more. It’s our pleasure.”

As his mom walked off with Paige’s family, his father approached. “Your mom has been scheming.”

“Pardon me?”

“You should be prepared for anything today.”

“Something you want to share with me, Dad?”

“Nope.” He slapped his son on the back. “Just be ready for anything.”

Nathan stood bewildered. One thing he and Paige didn’t need was more surprises.

Chapter Fourteen

Paige looked down at the little girl holding her hand. None of them spoke, including Janis, as they headed for the big house. Perhaps
big
didn’t appropriately describe the Crosses’ mansion. It was more like a hotel. If she remembered right there were at least twenty bedrooms in the manor. Nathan’s family’s wealth was mind-boggling.

“Daddy says you’re coming to live with us.”

Every muscle in Paige’s body tensed. Did she dare ask? “Would that be okay with you?”

When the child didn’t answer immediately, Paige swallowed her silent cry of disappointment. The one child she wanted desperately to accept her only stared up at her with an unreadable expression.

Seconds felt like minutes until Cami spoke again. “He said we’d be BFFs.”

Paige couldn’t withhold her surprise.
Best friends forever
. That was one response she hadn’t expected. Tears misted her eyes. “I’d like that.”

“Janis too? Can she be our BFF too?”

Janis squared her shoulders. The fear of rejection on the young girl’s face was hard to miss.

“Yes. Janis too.”

The tension in Janis’s shoulders eased, and she smiled.

Cami gave Paige’s hand a jerk as she continued forward. “Okay.”

“Okay?” she asked.

“Okay. You can move in with us.”

Just like that? Lord. She had forgotten how accepting children could be.

As they entered the house, two massive fans spun slowly above them. The colonial columns at the end of the entryway reminded her of the southern mansions she had toured in New Orleans. Yet everything in this estate was fresh and new and elegant.

“Nana said we could ride the elevator.” Cami released Paige’s hand as she skipped around the corner. “Do you want to?”

Paige glanced at Janis. “Sure, that sounds like fun.”

“She loves riding the elevator,” Janis said softly. There was an awkward pause and then she cleared her throat. “Nathan said you wouldn’t mind me staying on as Cami’s nanny.”

Turning the corner, Paige saw the elevator slide open and Cami race inside. She peeked out. “Hurry up, slowpokes.”

Janis and Paige picked up the pace.

“The way Nathan speaks of you, you’re part of the family, not a nanny.” Paige didn’t miss the emotion welling in Janis’s eyes.

“I love them both. Nathan has been so good to me.”

Paige grasped Janis’s hand and squeezed it before letting her go. “I hope we can be BFFs soon.”

The big grin on Janis’s face was priceless. “Me too.”

They stepped into the elevator and Cami pushed a button. The doors moaned closed and the elevator began to move. The unsteady floor stole Paige’s breath. A moment of dread paralyzed her.

Janis gave her a strange look. “You okay?”

“Yes.” But she wasn’t okay. Her hands shook and her knees felt weak, until Cami looked up at her and took her hand. The child’s touch and show of caring helped to calm Paige’s fear.

When the doors slid open, Cami gave her a tug and pulled her forward. “This way.” Nathan’s daughter giggled. “We have a surprise.”

Janis’s grin disappeared. “Cami! Uh. Remember what your Nana said.”

“But BFFs don’t keep secrets. You said so.”

“Yes. But this is a little different. This is your Nana’s surprise.”

No more surprises. Paige had had enough this trip. “Anyone want to tell me what’s going on?”

Janis didn’t answer as she opened Nathan’s bedroom door. When Paige entered, she could smell his essence as if he stood before her. God, she loved that man.

“Naomi asked that you open your present before you come downstairs.” She pointed toward a box wrapped in white tissue paper lying upon the large bed.

“I want to see her open it.” Excitement rang in Cami’s voice.

“No. It’s time that we allow Dr. Weston—”

“Paige. We’re BFFs now.”

Janis’s mouth curved into a smile. She scooped Cami’s hand in hers. “Paige needs a little time to herself.”

Cami’s chin drooped. She pinched her lips together.

“Let’s go and count your presents. As soon as everyone is settled, you’ll be able to open them.”

Cami jumped several times. “Yippee!”

Janis looked at Paige. “When you’re ready, you can join us in the living room.” She pulled the door closed behind her and Cami.

Paige released a weighted sigh. She was exhausted, mentally and physically. A soft knock on the door made her turn around.

The doorknob twisted and Naomi stuck her head in. “Decent?”

Paige chuckled. “Yes.”

Her future mother-in-law stepped into the room, her sight pinned on the gift. “You haven’t opened your present.”

“Not yet. Would you like me to wait for the others?”

“No.” Naomi’s response was short. She sat on the bed. “Please. Open it now, and then we’ll chat.”

Paige moved across the room and picked up the gift. She ran a finger beneath the taped seam and the paper loosened.

“I hope you don’t think that I’m being pushy or presumptuous, but both you and Nathan have been deprived long enough.”

Paige raised the lid and moved aside the tissue paper to reveal a white chiffon gown. It looked like a wedding dress. Shocked, she stared at Naomi.

“I’ve made all the arrangements for the two of you to be married on the island—this evening.”

Paige’s jaw dropped. “Today?”

“Yes.”

Anxiety skittered across her skin. “Does Nathan know about this?”

“Oh dear, you know the men of the family are the last to hear anything.” She winked and smiled. “No. I wanted to speak to you first. I know what my son wants. He’d marry you in a heartbeat.”

“But Cami—”

“She’s aware of the plans. She’s okay for now, but you’ll have to have patience with her after her mother gets a hold of her.” The smile she wore faded into a frown. Clearly, there was no love lost between Nathan’s mother and his ex. “So, will you accept my present?”

“Thank you—”

“I hear a
but
coming.”

“I need to speak with Nathan.” What if this wasn’t what he wanted?

“About what?”

Paige spun around to see Nathan walking through the door with their bags in his hands. “Speak to me about what?” He set their bags on the floor.

“I’ll leave you two alone.” Naomi rose from the bed.

“Mom?” Nathan grumbled.

She kissed him on the cheek, before she whispered, “She’s a keeper, son.” Standing at the door, she turned back to face them. “Don’t be long. Cami has waited all morning to open her presents.”

When the door closed behind his mother, Nathan turned to Paige. “Dad said she’s up to something. I thought I’d come and warn you.” He frowned. “I’m too late.”

Paige was speechless.

“What did my mother say or do?”

Without a word she extracted the dress from the box and held it up for him to see.

“Beautiful. Looks like a wedding dress.” He shot her a look of concern and a multitude of insecurities rushed through her mind.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “She can be presumptuous at times. I’ll inform her that you want to choose your own gown.”

“I love the dress.” And she did. It was a silk charmeuse strapless gown. Metallic embroidery, rhinestones, crystal beading and sequin design along the bodice were gorgeous accents. The chapel train in the back was simple but elegant. In fact, the gown was almost the image of the one Paige had chosen years ago. Naomi had remembered. A lump of emotion nearly released the tears she held back.

“Then what’s the problem?”

She swallowed hard. “Your mother has offered the island for our wedding.”

He shook his head. “That woman. Of course where we marry is up to you as well.”

“No. I don’t think you’re getting the point here.”

His frown deepened. “Which is?”

There was no other way to say it. “Your mom has arranged for us to be married this evening.”

“She’s what?” His voice dropped like a lead balloon.

“Married. Today.” She spoke each word slowly.

There was a pregnant pause before he grinned like a schoolboy.

Goose bumps raced across her skin.

He reached for her, pinning the gown between them. “What did you say to her?”

“I said I had to speak with you.”

He brushed his mouth lightly over hers, tickling her lips. “Will you marry me tonight?”

Tonight? Was it possible that all her dreams could come true in less than eight hours?

“Yes,” she said abruptly, before the voice of reason in her head could persuade her otherwise. She released the dress, and it slid between them as she threw her arms around his neck. “Yes. Yes. Yes.”

Nathan captured Paige’s mouth with his. She returned his passion, crying out when he hugged her a little too tight. He released her immediately. “I’m so sorry.”

She ran her hands down his chest. “Don’t be. I’m just a little sore.”

How damn selfish was he? Here she had just been through a traumatic event and all he could think of was putting a ring around her finger as soon as possible. “Maybe we should delay the wedding.”

She curled her fingers into his shirt and pulled him to her. “Not on your life, buddy.”

Happiness rose inside him. This was one time his mother’s interference was welcome. Tonight his one true love would be his forever. Gently, he reached for her and pulled her close. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

He leaned in for another kiss.

When they parted she moved out of his embrace. “Give me a second to freshen up and we can watch Cami open her presents.” She headed toward her bags, but he beat her to it.

“You need to take a nap,” he insisted.

“I’m fine. Really. I want to be part of the celebration. Just let me freshen up.”

He placed the bag on the big mahogany bed. The zipper hissed as she opened it and retrieved some cosmetics, a brush and other toiletries. “Won’t take me but a second.” She pivoted, heading toward the bathroom off his bedroom.

Nathan sat on the bed. His mother was amazing. Yet, in all honesty, he knew she had an ulterior motive. He’d lay a bet this quickie marriage was to close any doors to Sylvia’s return.

Paige stepped out of the bathroom. Her makeup had been reapplied, and she wore a smile from ear to ear.

“Ready?” He stood and took her hand, leading her out of the room and down the hall.

From somewhere below they heard laughter. “It sounds like the celebration has begun.” He pressed his lips to her forehead before they started down the stairs.

When they entered the living room all eyes were on them. Soft Christmas music played in the background. Paige tensed beneath his palm pressed to the small of her back.

“Daddy.” Cami ran into his arms and he picked her up. “Can I open my presents now?”

He kissed her cheek and set her down. “Yes, princess.”

When her feet hit the ground she literally dove beneath the tree, along with some of their younger guests. Janis was beside them to assist. Paige strolled over to her mother and sister, who sat on one of the three leather couches in the room. The room was cheery, designed for entertaining and comfort, down to the heap of decorative pillows on the floor for Cami and the other children.

The ripping of paper proceeded as the children began to tear their gifts open. A sea of colorful paper flew into the air. Ohs and ahs and laughter filled the room. Presents were passed out to everyone and the heap of paper grew taller. Even Paige looked as if she enjoyed herself. She watched Cami with a tender expression on her face that squeezed his chest. He couldn’t believe that the two most important people in his life were in the same room together. As his mother rose from where she sat, he realized that everyone in this room held a special place in his life. His mother looked from him to Paige with a single question in her eyes.

He nodded and she beamed from ear to ear. “I’d like to announce that my son and his lovely fiancée have agreed to a wedding tonight on the beach.”

A roar of applause rose. He noted that Evelyn and Susan didn’t appear surprised as they began to chat with Paige. No doubt his meddlesome mother had already discussed her plans with Paige’s family. He strolled across the room and took a seat on the arm of the couch next to Paige. Cami quickly joined them on his lap.

He tapped her on the nose. “How did you ever keep such an important surprise?”

“Nana said I had to or I wouldn’t get to open my presents.”

He glanced at his mother. She shrugged as if she didn’t know what the child was talking about, but he didn’t miss the twinkle in her eyes.

“Daddy?”

He turned back around to his daughter. “Yes, Cami?”

“Does this mean you don’t love Mommy anymore?”

The entire room fell silent.

Nathan held Cami tighter. He had never loved Sylvia, but his daughter didn’t need to know the truth.

When he started to respond, Paige spoke up. “Cami, your daddy will always love your mommy for giving him such a special little girl.”

The relief on Cami’s face meant everything to him, and it was all because of the beautiful woman beside him.

“Cami, I think there are two more gifts beneath the tree for my two BFFs,” Paige said.

She jumped off his lap. “For me and Janis?”

Paige nodded.

Cami ran toward the tree, and Janis retrieved the two gifts Paige had purchased for them.

Nathan snaked his arm around Paige. “Thank you.”

Together they watched Cami and Janis open Paige’s presents.

Cami hugged the doll close to her chest. “Daddy, a new dolly.”

Janis stood up and approached with a big grin on her face. “Thank you, Paige. A girl can never have too many bathing suits.”

“You’re welcome, Janis.” Paige wished her a Merry Christmas and received a genuine hug from her before she rejoined Cami and the other children.

“Is this what you want?” Evelyn asked her daughter.

“It’s all I have ever wanted, Mom.”

“Then I suggest you get some rest before the big event. Susan and I will ensure everything is how you would prefer.”

Evelyn and his mother nose to nose, not a pretty sight.

“Your mom is right, Paige. Give me a minute and I’ll join you. I’ll bring up some breakfast so you have something to eat before you climb into bed.”