Mistletoe in Maine (9 page)

“Get your rest now, sweetie,” Carol said. “Santa comes tonight!”

“There’s no Santa. I know that.”

“No one’s ever too old to believe in the Christmas spirit. I still do.”

Ashley scrunched up her face. “Then why won’t you believe in my Christmas moose?”

“What’s so special about this moose anyway?”

Ashley shrugged under the covers. “You never believe in good stuff anymore.”

“I believe in you,” Carol said with a smile. “And you’re pretty special.”

She scooted down under the covers, pulling them up to her chin. “That’s not the same thing.”

Carol kissed her on the head and said nighty-night before switching off the light. Once again, she saw it. Some sort of bright light streaming in a tiny beam through the thick woods. She tiptoed toward the window and peered out.

Ashley sat up partway in bed. “What are you doing?”

“Just watching that snow pound down. Weather’s really picked up out there.”

Down on the ground floor, Carol decided she should investigate. What on earth could it have been? This was the second time she’d seen it. She hunted around the house but couldn’t find any of the others. Locating a large flashlight in the kitchen, she took it to the front hall, where she tugged on her overcoat and boots. Carol walked out the back door and trudged through the snow, which was nearly to her knees by now. The beam of her flashlight dissected the forest, drawing her closer and closer to the faraway light. Something rustled in the bushes, and she turned her beam on a dark shadow skirting away. “Oh!” she cried a second later as a red fox skittered across her path. She held up a forearm to shield her face from the blistering winds. Eventually, she could make out a structure. It was a small brown barn set deep in the trees, with its door slightly ajar. She was nearly to it when a growl came from the woods. Carol swung the beam of her flashlight over her left shoulder to encounter a huge, black bear. “Ack!” she croaked, beelining for the barn. She leapt through the snow, bounding over drifts, then threw herself inside the barn, slamming its door behind her.

“Carol?” Paul asked, looking up from where he stood waxing a vintage automobile.

“It was a bear!” she cried, still huffing and puffing. “A huge, black beast, with huge white teeth!”

“Where?” he asked, walking to her.

“Out there! In the woods! It was after me… I—” She felt dizzy, fearing she’d pass out.

He stepped forward to steady her. “I’ll let you in on a little secret,” he said, looking in her eyes. “That big, old bear was likely more afraid of you than you were of him.”

“I doubt that,” she said, feeling the blood rush back into her face.

“What were you doing outside anyway?”

“I saw a light…in the woods. Through Ashley’s window.”

Paul motioned to the single bulb hanging from a rafter above them.

In the backseat of the old Mustang and under the part of the car still covered by a tarp, Daniel and Amy huddled in their parkas. “Who’s he talking to?” she asked.

“Shh!” he whispered. “They’ll hear us.”

“This was a great idea, Danny. Really great,” she hissed back.

He held her by the chin. “Amy, do you love me? I mean
really
love me?”

“You know I do.”

“Then puleeze stop talking!”

“That’s funny,” Paul said to Carol. “Did you hear something?”

“Only the thump-thump-thumping of my heart.”

Paul patted Carol’s arm, then released her. Now that she was safely out of the wild, she was looking better already. “No harm done, there. You’re okay. The bear’s okay.” He grinned reassuringly. “We’ll all survive together.”

He eyed the back of the car, which appeared to bounce.

“She’s a beaut,” Carol said, admiring the hood. “Sure don’t make ’em like this anymore.”

“Nope, they don’t.” Paul oiled up his rag and put the finishing touches on his wax job, giving it some muscle. “She was my first. Bought her after saving up from my first few jobs in high school.”

“It’s wonderful you kept her all this time. She appears in mint condition.”

“Almost. But not yet. I’ll get her there, though, by April twenty-ninth.”

“What’s April twenty-ninth?”

“Daniel’s eighteenth birthday. The boy doesn’t know it yet, but this is going to be his present.”

Inside the car, Daniel beamed from ear to ear. He gave Amy a silent high five. Despite her efforts to control it, she giggled.

“Now I
know
I heard something,” Paul’s voice boomed from outside.

There was a yanking noise, then the sound of cloth sliding across the surface of the car. Little by little, light invaded their dark space.

“Let me see that flashlight,” Paul said, shining its bright beam into their hideaway.

“Well, I’ll be,” Paul went on. “It seems we have some stowaways.”

Amy gulped.

“What?” Carol asked with surprise.

She peered into the backseat to spy the two teens nervously huddled together.

“Hi, Dad,” Daniel said between clenched teeth.

Paul huffed. “Out of the car. Both of you.
Now.
”

Carol sat on the sofa under a big throw blanket, the lights of the Christmas tree twinkling merrily nearby. The fire before her had burned down to a soft glow, and all was nice and cozy in this warm space. Paul had asked her to accompany Amy back to the house so he could have a father-and-son chat with Daniel. Carol hoped he hadn’t been too hard on the boy. It was tough being young and trying to find alone-time with your girlfriend, especially in a place as bustling as this one. Amy had headed straight up to bed, apparently embarrassed by the whole ordeal. But Carol had told her not to worry. Things would work out in the end. After all, it was the holidays.

Carol eased back in her seat, enjoying the peaceful low crackling of the fire. Her kids had long since gone to bed, and Beth had made her excuses to leave a while ago. Zach and Velma had disappeared upstairs shortly after dinner, and no one had heard from them since.

The back door creaked open, and Daniel entered with a glum look, shaking off his boots. He told Carol a quick good night, then headed up to bed himself.

“Kids,” Paul said, coming in behind him and shutting the door. He shook his head at Carol, then carefully removed his snow-encrusted parka.

“Everything go all right?” Carol asked with concern.

“As well as it could go,” Paul said, sitting down to unlace his boots.

“You’re a good dad. I hope you know that.”

He looked up. “I try, but thanks for saying so.”

He tugged off his boots and set them by the back door. “This has been quite a day!”

“You can say that again,” she said, recalling their magical sleigh ride.

“I think I’ll have a drink. Can I fix you some eggnog?”

“Eggnog would be great.”

The minute he’d gone, Carol leapt off the sofa and rushed to the small mirror hanging by the desk in the front hall. “Oh Gawd,” she mouthed, studying her complexion in the mirror. “I look as white as the snow, and not in a good way.” She quickly pinched her cheeks, first one and then the other, until they bloomed bright pink. She bit into her top and bottom lips too, until each felt plump and moist. Then she gaped at her hair, which was in a tangled mass around her ponytail holder. Yanking out the rubber band, she hung her head upside down. She heard Paul whistling in the kitchen and raked her fingers through her hair in a panic. She flipped her hair right-side up, admiring the sultry way it fanned about her face in the mirror. “Much better,” she told her reflection with a smile before darting back to the sofa. Her bottom met the cushion seconds before Paul entered the room, two eggnogs in hand.

He stopped walking and cocked his head. “You look very lovely.”

“Why, thanks!” she said under the blanket.

He twisted his lips in concentration, then handed her a glass. “Did you…do something different with your hair?”

She casually fingered to her tresses. “Just took it down,” she said in a manner she hoped sounded matter of fact.

“Hmm, yes. I see.” He took a seat beside her, and Carol remembered that moment from this afternoon when he’d wiped her tears away. Actually, he’d done that twice. Once in the kitchen, then again during their sleigh ride. Carol wasn’t sure what Paul seemed to like so much about her, but he clearly found something. It was written in his eyes each time he looked at her and smiled. Exactly like he was doing now.

“How’s the eggnog?” he asked.

She took a sip and was overpowered by the bourbon. “Wow! Strong! Strong but good.”

“If you’d like me to add more…?” he offered, reaching for her glass.

She pulled it back. “No, it’s perfect.” She took another sip. “Really good.”

“What are your kids getting for Christmas?” he asked.

“Ashley asked for a sports game, and Will’s getting a new iPod. How about Daniel?”

“I got him a laptop to take off to school with him next year.”

“Great idea.”

“What about you?”

“Me?”

“Isn’t there something you wanted for Christmas, just for yourself?”

“Oh no, I never really…”

“Come now, there must be something you wanted?”

“Well, I wanted to come here. Have a white Christmas with the kids.”

He chuckled warmly. “That’s too easy. You’re already getting that.”

She studied him, unsure of what he wanted her to say. “I’m not sure I understand.”

He set down his glass and leaned toward her. “Other than skiing. Was there anything else you wanted to do here? While you’re in Maine?”

“Well,” she began tentatively, “the kids were really bent on dog sledding. I mean, I thought it looked cool too.” She sighed. “That was until I checked out the price.”

“It is a little steep for a group,” he agreed.

“Doesn’t matter,” she said, smiling happily. “The important part is we’ve had plenty of good fun. All of us, together.”

“Yes.” He checked the clock on the mantel. “Looks like it’s getting late. I guess it’s best we get some shut-eye.”

“Good plan,” she said as casually as she could. Carol couldn’t help but feel slightly disappointed. There they’d been, all alone by the glowing fire. Just the two of them, and she’d secretly hoped for another romantic moment that apparently wasn’t destined to be.

Paul got to his feet, then helped her off the sofa. “After all, Santa comes tonight.” He shot her a mysterious grin that made her feel all mixed up inside. She liked him so much and desperately hoped he liked her too. All indications were that he did. But now here he was, forcing them to say good night.

“Yes, yes, he does,” she said, barely able to stand it. He was close enough to take her in his arms. Close enough to kiss her. But some inner instinct told her he wouldn’t. “Santa and that Christmas moose!”

Paul laughed, dark eyes dancing. “We can’t forget Ashley’s moose.”

“I wonder what she means by that?” she asked, looking up at him.

“Maybe that she’s hopeful,” he said softly. “Hopeful of a little Christmas magic.” He stepped closer, and Carol’s heart stilled. “Are you?”

The seconds ticked by like hours as he stared at her with soulful eyes and firelight lapped against them.

“I still believe in Christmas magic,” she finally whispered.

“That makes two of us.” He leaned forward, brushing his lips to hers, and she feared she would faint from the warmth of his mouth covering hers. He was so manly and sexy, and smelled of the great outdoors. “Good night, Carol,” he said, stepping back. “Sleep well.”

She would try, though she didn’t know how. Her silly heart did cartwheels all the way upstairs and danced a jig all over her room before she collapsed in a heap on the bed. She tugged a huge feather pillow over her face and squealed with delight, kicking her feet in the air. She’d never known what it was like to kiss a man. A real man, someone so kind, steady, and caring as Paul. It had been a chaste kiss but something so tender and wonderful that she never could have imagined it happening to her. But it had! And right here at Christmas! In beautiful, unforgettable Maine! Carol sighed, pulling the pillow against her chest and rolling happily onto her side. What a wild, wonderful day this had been. As long as she lived, she would never,
ever
forget it.

Chapter Eight

Carol awoke to the sound of yapping. She sat up with a start, frightened by the bunny ears all around her. Then she remembered where she was. She reached over to the nightstand and checked her cell for the time. Five thirty a.m.?

“Mom! Mom!” Ashley called, bursting through her door and into her room. “They’re here! They’re really here!”

“Who?” Carol groggily looked around as the commotion continued.

Will came in next. “A whole bunch of dogs,” he said, dashing to the window. “Look outside!”

Carol clambered to her feet and padded over to the window beside her two kids. To her delight, five dogsleds with teams were parked outdoors in the dark.

Velma poked her head into the room with a bright grin. “Guess who’s going dog sledding?”

“All of us!” Zach said, appearing beside her.

Daniel and Amy emerged from separate rooms, then held hands, grinning in the hall.

Beth arrived next in a fluffy white robe. “Santa left a note,” she said with a smile.

A few minutes later, the group had scrambled into their clothes and suited up for the snow, which drifted lightly. Carol watched in awe as two team managers gave directions and Paul helped the group split up in pairs.

“Can I have my own?” Will asked with a hopeful look.

“I don’t see why not,” Paul said. “Beth can ride with Ashley.”

“Sure!” Beth kindly agreed.

“That is…” Paul turned to Carol. “If it’s all right with your mom?”

“Are you sure he’ll be okay?” Carol asked uncertainly.

“I manned one of these at his age,” Daniel interjected.

“He’ll do just fine,” Paul said with a reassuring look.

Will beamed at Paul and Daniel, then took up his post. Paul seated Velma and Zach in their sled next, then helped Beth and Ashley into theirs.