Winter Magic: 4 (The Hawks Mountain Series) (7 page)

His mind buzzed with Aunt Sarah’s suggestion. Bring Andi into his house to work with Aunt Sarah? What nonsense. Then again, Sarah knew the workings of the gala as well as he did. And after all, Sarah was his mother’s only sister and wanted to see the foundation endure as much as he did.

Having Andi here day in and day out would be rough on his libido, but he was a mature man who had always prided himself on his will power. And, if worse came to worse, he could always work in town to escape temptation.

He glanced out the window, made his decision, and then hurried after his aunt.

THE FAMILY ROOM of The Wishing Place had been decorated by the children for Christmas, and Andi loved it. Gingerbread men cookies, hand-crafted ornaments and colorful paper chains hung from the boughs of a giant tree that filled an entire corner of the room. Beneath it, a toy train made endless circles around the trunk. Single electric candles sat on the sill of each window, and the mantel was festooned with stockings bearing each child’s name in garish gold glitter.

Andi leaned back in the large overstuffed chair and settled a book in her lap. The children, their eager faces alight with excitement, surrounded her on the floor, waiting for her to begin reading.

She picked up the book, opened to the title page and read, “Santa’s Merry Christmas.” As always, she explained the pictures for the littlest ones as she went along. “Here’s a picture of the Christmas Village. Right here,” she said, pointing to the largest house in the illustration, “is Santa’s house. And here,” she pointed to a smaller house next door to Santa’s, “is where the elves live.” She held the book up and swung it from side to side, so everyone could see the colorful depiction of the author’s image of Santa’s hometown.

The children
ooed
and
ahed
, then settled back to hear the story.

“Is there a real Santa’s Village?” seven-year-old Danny asked, his cherubic face glowing with hope. Danny had leukemia and was scheduled for his first chemo treatment. He and his parents were staying at The Wishing Place waiting for a hospital bed to open.

Andi nodded. “Well, I’m sure there is.”

His grin widened. “Can we go there?”

What did she tell him? “We’d probably have to ask Santa first. I’m pretty sure you can’t go there unless he says it’s okay.”

“Will you ask him?” Danny was on his knees, his eyes centered on her.

As she stared down as his expectant expression, Andi had an idea. “Yes, I’ll ask him.”

The children cheered loud enough to be heard blocks away.

As Andi continued to read, the colorful illustrations began to catch her eye, and the idea grew and began to form in her mind. The more form and definition the idea took, the more the excitement built in her. She finally had her idea for the theme for the Christmas gala. And from the abundant Christmas decorations in Jonathan’s office and, for that matter, the entire house, she had no doubt that he’d love the idea as well. Besides, The Wishing Place was the group that would benefit from the gala this year, and The Wishing Place was Jonathan’s pet project. Maybe they could even incorporate the children in it somehow.

As the day wore on, the idea grew and expanded. She couldn’t wait to tell Miranda her ideas for how she could turn the ballroom of the Lodge on the Lake into Santa’s village.

WHEN ANDI HAD finished reading stories to the kids, she decided to stop by her sister’s hospital room on her way home. Since Miranda’s infection from the ruptured appendix hadn’t been brought totally under control yet, the doctor wanted to keep her for a few more days, and her sister was depressed. Maybe Andi’s idea for the theme would help cheer up Miranda.

Recalling the last few hours at The Wishing Place and Danny’s excitement, Andi grinned. Working with the children always lifted her spirits, but finding the perfect theme for the gala had been a bonus she hadn’t expected. Absolutely nothing could ruin her good mood today.

She stepped quietly into her sister’s room. “How’s the invalid?”

Miranda opened her mouth to speak, but the bedside phone rang. Careful not to dislodge the antibiotic IV hooked up to her arm, she picked up the receiver. “Hello. Yes, Nancy. Yes.” She glanced at Andi. “Oh, dear. All right. I’ll take care of it.” Replacing the phone in the cradle, Miranda pleated the crisp white sheet’s hem and avoided her sister’s gaze.

Something obviously wasn’t right, and, when Miranda wouldn’t meet her gaze, Andi had a feeling that it somehow involved her. “What is it?”

Miranda kept her gaze averted to the sheet she continued to work with her fingers. “Nancy said that Jonathan Prince called a few minutes ago.”

“And
 . . .
”

She threw a wary glanced at Andi.

The pinched expression on Miranda’s face brought a sick sensation to Andi’s stomach, and this time it had nothing to do with the smell of the hospital. “What?”

“Prince wants me to set up an office in his house until the arrangements for the gala are complete. He wants me there first thing tomorrow.”

“But you said the doctor wanted you to stay another few days to make sure the infection was gone.”

“Right.” She grabbed Andi’s hand. “Andi, you have to do this for me.”

Confused, Andi shook her head. “I don’t understand. Do what?” Just as the words passed her lips, it dawned on her what Miranda meant. She actually wanted Andi to take her place again, only this time she’d be exposed to Jonathan on a daily basis.

She pulled her hand from her sister’s and backed away from the bed. “No. Absolutely not.”

“Andi, please. I’d gladly do it myself, but
 . . .
” She gestured to the apparatus leading to her arm, the other end attached to a pole on wheels. “I’d look a little odd dragging this thing behind me.” She had the grace to look ashamed. “Did I mention, the doctor thinks I’m going to have an extended stay in this place? They can’t seem to find the cause of the infection. He says anywhere from a week to ten days, depending on how long it takes to locate the infection and treat it.”

Miranda’s voice sounded weaker, but Andi wasn’t sure if it was intentional or actually due to her condition. “But you said—”

“I know what I said, and I sincerely thought I’d be out of here, and you could go about your business. I really thought you would only have to pretend to be me that one time,” Miranda said, desperation coloring her tone. “Who knew that I’d develop complications? Believe me, had I the choice, I would never have come here to begin with.”

Despite wanting to run from the room, Andi felt as if the floor had just dropped from beneath her, and she was left scrambling for a handhold. “I know that, but perpetuating this masquerade is crazy. I barely got through the other day. That I didn’t flub it was nothing short of a miracle. What if I’m not as lucky this time?”

“Oh, for goodness sake, Andi. What if this happens? What if that happens? What if the sky falls tomorrow? You’re always so cautious. That’s why you never have any fun.”

Andi couldn’t argue with her sister on that front. Since childhood Andi had always been the more cautious of the twins. “I don’t know,” she said, running true to form.

An impatient sigh issued from Miranda. “You’re my older sister. You’re supposed to look out for me.”

“Older?” Laughing, Andi leaned against the wall and stared down at her sister. “Give it a rest, Miranda. Don’t you think you’ve worn that five minute jump I have on your arrival a bit thin?”

Miranda’s full lips formed into a rebellious pout, the same pout that had gotten her what she wanted for most of her life, either from their parents, from Andi, or from the current man in her life. The only one it had never worked on was straight-laced Aunt Laureene, but then nothing ever made the slightest impression on her, unless, of course, it was Biddy or Gussy, whose wishes were her aunt’s command. Well, this time it wasn’t going to work on Andi, either. She couldn’t spend the rest of her life being Miranda’s savior.

But hadn’t she wanted an adventure, something far removed from her humdrum teaching life? Hadn’t she always wanted to be more like Miranda, less pragmatic and more live-for-the-moment? This was her chance for all of that, if she was brave enough to throw her fears to the wind and go for it. But could she?

And what about Miranda?

What about Miranda indeed? Wasn’t it past time that Andi stopped holding Miranda’s hand when her latest venture failed, and started living her own life? Andi had spent half her life picking up the pieces for her sister. The time her aerobics class bombed because she knew nothing about physical fitness. The time she failed to get her real estate license because she didn’t know the difference between a hip roof and a fiduciary responsibility.

But even though Andi wanted her adventure, this pretense Miranda wanted to perpetrate against Jonathan Prince had catastrophe written all over it in gigantic, capital letters.

“Miranda, be reasonable. I don’t know anything about party planning. That I sounded knowledgeable the last time was nothing short of miraculous and only thanks to Nancy’s coaching.” Uneasiness lay in a heavy ball in the pit of Andi’s stomach.

Miranda had been born with the soul of an adventurer and with beauty that intoxicated. Andi had been born with the brains and common sense. Even though her features were an exact duplicate of Miranda’s, Andi knew hers came across as no more than comfortably attractive. The proof in that lay in all the men who had walked over Andi’s heart to get to her sister.

How could two people be so alike in some ways, yet so different in others? And how could her sister expect her to go through such a complete metamorphosis and sustain it long enough to fool Jonathan?

“It’ll be a breeze.” Her sister had read Andi’s silence as assent and went on quickly. “As soon as you get some theme ideas, Nancy will lay out everything for you, just like before. We’ll make sure we cover all the bases.”

“Miranda!” Did she have any idea the agony Andi had gone through for an entire day just trying to set up a theme and develop it for her sister? Sure, finding a theme hadn’t been part of their deal, but Miranda had looked so terrible the last time Andi had seen her, she hadn’t the heart to burden Miranda with the task. As always, Andi automatically took on the responsibility of bailing her sister out. So why was she doubting herself? The agony she was still going through because she’d have to call Jonathan tonight and talk to him about the theme?

You have a wonderful theme
, she told herself
.

Yes, but I hadn’t expected to have to actually present it and then put it into motion
, she argued back.

Closing her ears to Andi’s protests, Miranda went on. “It’ll be easy, just like when you helped plan the PTA’s Las Vegas night.”

“A Las Vegas night for a bunch of parents is a far cry from an elegant gala that will have the entire town of Carson and the governor of the state as one of its primary guests, Miranda.” Why was Andi arguing with her sister when she had no intention of doing this anyway? Stepping out of her element was one thing. This was pure insanity.

ANDI STEERED BESS around a sharp turn where the long driveway curved along the line of trees fronting the Prince mansion. Poor Bess choked and backfired. Andi probably should have gotten rid of Bess months ago, but they were like old friends, and old friends didn’t just turn their backs just because one of them grew worn out and tired.

Any more than sisters turned their backs on each other when one was in need,
a little voice goaded her. But she’d sworn this last time was going to be just that—the last time she jumped through hoops to get her sister out of one of her ongoing messes.

However, as adamant as Andi had been, Miranda had talked her into taking her place again, but this wasn’t for one day. This time, she’d be here every day until the day before the charity gala took place—a little less than two weeks away. For the hundredth time, Andi went over the conversation she’d had with her sister the day before. But no matter how hard she tried, she could not find the crack in her resolve that had allowed her to give in to Miranda.

Andi had never been so nervous in her whole life. Fooling Jonathan for a few hours had been one thing. Fooling him for weeks was quite another. But no matter how much she tried to convince Miranda to take over after she got out of the hospital, her sister refused. She’d insisted that once Andi started the project, she would have to see it through. It would take too long to acquaint Miranda with what was happening and bring her up to speed, and, if the gala was not ready to go on Christmas Eve, Miranda and her business would be in big trouble. Besides, now that Andi had committed to doing this, she was going to do it without running back to her sister for help. Her decision didn’t help her nerves, but her newfound determination gave her the courage she’d need to face Jonathan again.

By the time Andi left the hospital, she’d been so rattled, she’d forgotten to call Jonathan with her idea for the gala theme. Now she’d have to go into his study and explain her first blunder and hope that the repercussions didn’t reach Miranda’s business.

Andi glanced down at her tight skirt and high heeled shoes. Correction. Miranda’s skirt and shoes. She felt like she was dressed for a masquerade party and wished ardently for her comfortable sweats and worn sneakers laying on the backseat of her car.

“There’s no problem with you impersonating me, Andi,” Miranda had said empathically. “But never in a million years could I impersonate you.” When Andi looked hurt, Miranda squeezed her hand. “Honey, no offense, I love you, but I’d rather be drawn and quartered than try to emulate your personality. Face it, we’re just too different. Going from spending so much time with you to being with me would blow everything. He’d surely catch on.” Then she had squeezed her sister’s fingers. “You can do this. I know you can. Just think of it as your one great adventure.”

That was it.
Adventure.
That’s the one word that had turned the tide in Miranda’s favor. Her sister could not have chosen a more convincing argument.