Romancing the Holidays: Twelve Christmas Romances - Benefits Breast Cancer Research Read online

  He swiped to another screen. “Here is a list of all the permits we’d require, though. They would be similar to the ones we’d have to obtain to build new structures here, but since this is already standing, they might be issued more swiftly.”

  She reviewed the long list, then swiped back to the drawings. “There’s no chance we can keep this a single-family dwelling?”

  “We could, but we’d have a more difficult time finding a buyer who’d want a four- to six-bedroom home in this neighborhood.”

  She studied the proposed flats a moment longer before glancing around the room. They could still maintain the historical character of the home and house more people if she went along with his suggestion. Plus, she’d be less likely to upset Adam’s dream of turning this space into condos. “Let’s move forward with this idea. I’ll speak to the alderman about preserving this home and see if we can fast-forward the permits.”

  “And I’ll run the plans by our engineers to make sure they’re viable.” He tucked the tablet away and signaled for her to descend the stairs first.

  She’d just gotten to the first floor when her phone rang. She checked the number before answering. “Hello, Emilia. Did you find a new bridge strategy for this weekend’s tournament?”

  “No,” the hoarse voice on the other end replied. “I woke up this morning with a fever of a hundred and two. The doctor says it’s the flu, and he doubts I’ll be better by Saturday.” A coughing fit prevented her from saying anything more.

  Maureen’s heart sank. Not only did she feel miserable for her dear friend, but now she would have to withdraw from the tournament she’d been looking forward to for weeks. She fought to keep the disappointment from bleeding into her voice. “You just rest and feel better. Can I bring you anything?”

  “No, I don’t want you to get this. Lia’s stocked my freezer with her cooking, and I can always call out for pizza.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. I just feel horrible for letting you down.”

  “Nonsense. It’s not like you planned on getting the flu. Besides, there will be other tournaments. Call me if you need anything in the meantime.”

  “Thank you.” Emilia hung up, leaving Maureen to finally absorb the self-pity she’d been holding back.

  Rupert cleared his throat. “I couldn’t help but overhear, but it sounded like you might have to withdraw from your bridge tournament this weekend.”

  “Emilia has the flu, poor thing.” She indulged in a few more seconds of disappointment before trying to focus on something positive. “I should send her some flowers, especially since I’m the one who suggested Adam steal her only child away for the weekend.”

  “A good idea.” He shifted his weight from side to side and fiddled with his tie. “As for the tournament, I could step in for Emilia, if you’d like.”

  She paused from searching for the number of her florist and shifted her attention to him. “You play bridge?”

  “I’m probably not as keen on it as you and Emilia are, but I’ve been known to play a hand or two in my day, as well as studying the strategy of the game.”

  Just like the other day when he’d brought her that tip. “Are you sure that’s how you want to spend your Saturday?”

  “I couldn’t imagine anything more exciting.”

  She laughed. “You must be pretty bored to consider a bridge tournament exciting.”

  “You make it exciting, especially by outwitting your opponents. Besides, I get to spend the day with a lovely, intelligent woman.”

  His smile lit up his warm brown eyes, and her heart did a strange flip-flop. “You’re making me blush.”

  “I only speak the truth.” He opened the front door for her. “What time should I pick you up?”

  “There’s no need for you to bother—”

  “It’s no bother at all. The drive will give us a chance to solidify our strategy.”

  “How does eight sound? I’ll have a quick breakfast whipped up for us, and we’ll be able to get there in plenty of time before the tournament starts at nine.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” He turned and locked the front door. “It seems we both have full agendas until then.”

  Indeed, and part of it included sorting out the fluttering in her chest that started when Rupert offered to step in as her partner for the tournament.

  Chapter 4

  Maureen hugged the oversize, gaudy trophy and grinned. “Thank you so much, Rupert. You have no idea how much today meant to me.”

  A smile played on his lips as he recounted the day. He couldn’t have cared less about winning. He’d just enjoyed the company. Winning was a bonus that made her happy, which in turn made him happy. “You came prepared to win.”

  “And we did.” She held the trophy out in front of her and lovingly stroked the shiny surface of the cup. “Champions.”

  Her joy warmed him from the inside out, despite the snowy night. Traffic moved at slower pace, which gave him more time to work up the nerve to suggest dinner. But with each mile that crept by, his courage faltered. She was technically his boss. And she’d shown no sign she thought of him as anything more than a good friend. By the time he pulled into her driveway, he’d concluded once again that now was not the time to tell her how he felt.

  Coward.

  “Do you want to come inside?” she asked.

  Her question caught him by surprise, and before he could carefully craft an excuse why he shouldn’t, he found himself nodding. A few seconds later, he was scrambling out of the car to open the door for her.

  “Thank you,” she said as she got out, the perfect specimen of grace.

  At least, until her shoe slipped on the ice.

  Rupert lunged to catch her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close to him.

  His breath caught when he realized how wonderful she felt in his arms.

  She doth teach the torches to burn bright, he thought as he gazed down at her face.

  If Shakespeare had been alive today, he might have attributed that line to Maureen, for he couldn’t imagine anyone more suited for that description.

  The surprise faded from her expression, melting into something he couldn’t read. For the first time ever, she appeared to see him as something more than her company’s right-hand man. She seemed to see him as just a man and pressed her hand over the spot where his heart frantically beat.

  His blood rushed to places that threatened to compromise his secret admiration of her, so he reluctantly let her go before she could see what kind of effect she had on him. “Careful,” he mumbled as he looked away.

  “I guess we have a few icy patches under the snow,” she said, her voice unusually high and breathy.

  He looked up. In the twenty-plus years he’d known her, he’d never seen Maureen Kelly flustered. And perhaps she wasn’t. Perhaps the rosy glow in her cheeks was due to nothing more than the cold. Perhaps the way she kept sweeping her hair behind her ear was nothing more than an attempt to make sure it stayed in place. Perhaps the twitchy way she pressed her lips together was her way of making her lipstick wasn’t smearing. He could make excuses all night. It was far better than getting his hopes up only to have them shot down.

  She sidestepped around him, her movements cautious. “Would you like a cup of tea?”

  How about a shot of whiskey?

  But he nodded and walked alongside her, ready to catch her if she slipped again. “Tea would be lovely.”

  He rested her hand on his lower arm while they navigated the fresh snow that had fallen while they were away. It covered the circular drive and the brick stairs that led to the front door, painting the world in white. Christmas was a mere three weeks away, but Mother Nature had already created the ideal holiday card image. All it lacked were the twinkling lights on the Christmas tree peeking through the window and the welcome wreath on the front door.

  “I’m surprised you haven’t started decorating for the holidays,” he said as they entered.

&n
bsp; “I’m still trying to force myself to do it.” She scratched a sleepy Jasper behind the ears.

  The giant white dog moved to him and placed several licks on his hand. He forced himself not to wipe with his handkerchief right away. “But you love the holidays.”

  “I do, but when none of my children can come home for Christmas, I find myself asking what’s the use.”

  The sadness in her voice pleaded to his knight in shining armor complex, and he swooped in to rescue her spirits. “That’s not entirely true. Adam will be here.”

  “Yes, but Frank has a game on Christmas Eve, and Ben is in the middle of his season, too. Gideon is shooting a new movie, and poor Caleb might be deploying in the next few weeks, and Ethan’s on tour, and…” She threw her hands up in the air. “My boys are all grown up and don’t have time to come home for Christmas anymore.”

  A frown tugged at Rupert’s mouth. If her boys could see how much their mother missed them, they would probably find some way to come home for a day or two.

  “I’ll probably just join Emilia at Adam and Lia’s place for Christmas. It’ll save me the time and expense of decorating.” She pulled off her high-heeled shoes and dropped them at the foot of the staircase. “Assam or Darjeeling?”

  He discreetly cleaned Jasper’s dog drool off of his hand. “You wouldn’t happen to have an oolong?”

  “You’re in luck.” She pulled out the familiar teapot and filled it with hot water before retrieving a canister from one of the cabinets. “I have a fresh supply of Tung Ting.”

  He noted that she only added enough leaves for one cup. “Aren’t you going to have any?”

  “No, I’m going to have this instead.” She exchanged the tea canister for a brandy snifter and a bottle of Hennessy X.O. “I’d offer you some, but I know you have to drive home.”

  “Are you suggesting an Englishman can’t hold his liquor?” he teased.

  “Certainly not.” She flashed him one of her brilliant smiles and fetched another glass. “Care for some?”

  “Just a smidge. As you said, I do have to drive home.” Although part of him wished he could stay.

  Of course, the longer he remained in her company, the greater the risk of him exposing his feelings. And that was teetering into dangerous territory.

  Once she poured him a glass, he held it in his hand and swirled the cognac around to warm it. “I wish there was a way to give you the Christmas you want.”

  “So do I.” She stared into her glass. “But it’s part of life. For almost thirty years, those boys were my world. And now…” She gulped her cognac in one gulp.

  Worry revived his inner knight. “You visit them regularly. After all, weren’t you just in Seattle for Jenny’s baby shower?”

  She nodded. “I know it’s selfish of me to think I could keep them all here, but the travel is good for me. It keeps me from wallowing this big, old house alone.” She rubbed Jasper’s thick white fur to console him. “No, I didn’t forget you,” she said to the dog, adding, “Besides, it leaves me more time to devote to causes that are important to me.”

  “Such as bridge tournaments?” He blew on the surface of the trophy and buffed it with his sleeve.

  She slid it across the counter, out of his reach, and sank onto one of the barstools at the island. Jasper huddled beside her on the floor. “And historic preservation.”

  “Yes, I received the notice from the city yesterday that the Humboldt Park property was now a protected historic site. You work quickly.”

  “It helps to know the right people.” She pointed at the teapot. “Do you mind if I—?”

  “Help yourself. I’m still waiting for the Hennessy to reach to the proper temperature so I can fully enjoy it.”

  She rolled her eyes and poured the tea. “You Brits and your propriety.”

  “I think of it as making sure I enjoy everything as it was meant to be enjoyed.” He stopped swirling the brandy long enough to inhale the butterscotch aromas filled with hints of citrus and dried currants. “Almost ready to drink.”

  “You’re a very patient man.”

  “Yes, I suppose I am.” He regarded her as she spoke. He had been patient. And he could continue to be so if it meant he could enjoy her company at the proper time. “The structural engineer reviewed the plans and emailed me a few hours ago that everything looked appropriate. Of course, we’ll need to get the city to sign off on them.”

  Maureen grinned over the rim of her teacup. “Leave that to me. I want to have this all greenlighted before Adam returns.”

  “I get the sneaking suspicion you enjoy going behind his back on certain matters.” He had never forgotten how she’d initially subleased the space for La Arietta to Lia for a fraction of the price it could’ve yielded, and then threatened to block Adam from giving the space to a stuck-up ponce of a celebrity chef.

  “I have to keep the boy on his toes and remind him who’s really in charge.”

  Although she said it in a teasing manner, the words bore their full impact on him. A subtle—and perhaps unintentional—reminder that she was his boss.

  He took a sip of cognac and allowed it to burn all the way to his stomach. “Have you chosen a designer yet?”

  “No, I haven’t, but I want someone who can update the property while still maintaining the period character. I’d love to do a combination of a restoration with the renovation.”

  He listed several designers he’d worked with over the years who might fit her needs. “But I think the best person would be Gretchen Sternhold. She’s a lovely young lady who’s making quite a name for herself working on some of the North Lawndale greystones.”

  “Then it seems I’ve found my designer. Once again, you’ve proven yourself to be indispensable, Rupert.”

  The compliment served to stroke his ego a bit, but still not enough for him to jeopardize his position.

  They drank in companionable silence for a few minutes before he finished off his cognac. “If you’d like, I can reach out to Gretchen as early as tomorrow morning and see if she’d like to sign on for the project.”

  “That would be lovely. Thank you.” She took his empty glass and placed it in the sink, Jasper on her heels. “But it can wait until Monday. I’m sure I’ve monopolized enough of your time this weekend.”

  “It’s always a pleasure to spend time with you, Maureen.”

  She tilted her head to the side, wearing that same unreadable expression from earlier. The one that sent his blood rushing. The one that signaled that he might have overstepped his bounds.

  Then a slow smile lifted the corners of her mouth. “The same.”

  The jump in his pulse must’ve sent the alcohol straight to his brain because his legs felt unsteady and his tongue refused to form a coherent sentence. He drew in a deep breath to regain his composure.

  Focus on safe subjects. Work and the weather.

  “I look forward to working with you on this project. But for now, I should probably return home before the storm intensifies.”

  She peered out the window. “I think it already has. The snow’s getting heavier.”

  “All the more reason for me to leave.”

  He turned and made it halfway to the door before she called out his name.

  “If you’re worried about getting home safely, you can always stay here.”

  His trousers protested from the effect her suggestion had on him. He’d give anything to stay the night with her, but he regretfully knew what he had to do. “Thank you, but if I leave now, I should get home before the worst of it hits.”

  “If you insist.” She walked with him to the door and stopped him from leaving by grabbing his hand. “And thank you again for filling in for Emilia. We should do this again sometime. We make a great team.”

  He glanced down at how well her hand fit in his, and his chest tightened. They would make a good team. She knew him better than anyone. She calmed him. She excited him. She left him feeling whole when he was with her and lost when she was
n’t.

  Yet he still hid his cowardice behind the mask of civility he’d worn for so long. “Call me whenever you need someone to fill in for Emilia.”

  Then he pried his hand from hers before he gave into his baser instincts and took her up on her offer to stay the night.

  One day, I’ll tell her.

  The ache deep inside reminded him that each day he gave into his cowardice, he was losing a day with her. One day soon, he promised himself.

  But for now, he could start by giving her the one thing she wanted for Christmas. He’d get all seven Kelly boys home for the holidays, and he’d use any means necessary to do it.

  Chapter 5

  Maureen opened up the interior designer’s drawings on her phone while she rode the elevator to the main office of Kelly Properties.

  Her breath caught.

  Gretchen had captured her vision perfectly.

  She released her breath with a squeal of delight. So far, everything was going to plan, but she also knew Adam would more than likely discover what she’d been up to this morning, which was why she decided to come into the city and rescue Rupert until her son’s temper had cooled down.

  The door opened, and she walked out, her attention still fixed on the sketches on her phone. She could walk to Adam’s office in her sleep. It was the same office her late husband had used, and she’d probably walked a hundred miles from all the trips she’d made to see Mike when he was working.

  This time, however, she ran right into a surprise roadblock.

  A hand grabbed her by the elbow to steady her. “So sorry about that,” the ever-polite British voice said.

  She looked up at Rupert and smiled. “I would apologize, but I’ll call it a pleasant surprise, bumping into you like this.”

  “I’d refrain from the pleasant part of it until after I meet with Adam. He just called me to his office.” The worried expression on his face suggested it most likely involved the Humboldt Park property.

  She refused to let him take the heat for her decision and looped her arm through his. “Let me handle this, Rupert.”