Page 4 of Christmas Replay (Majestic Falls: Christmas Spice #4)
Cliff
I paced, unable to contain my energy without the movement.
I was glad I’d arrived before Alissa, since I wasn’t sure of the house’s condition.
I hadn’t been here since my mom and dad had moved, but the service I contracted had it in perfect condition.
The fridge and pantry were stocked, as well, since I’d paid them to do that this week, too.
All that was left was for the woman of my dreams to get here.
She’d insisted that I head up here ahead of her so she could wash off the coffee scent that permeated her clothes from working around it all day.
She’d had to pack her bag, too. I seriously hadn’t considered that.
I’d thought I’d ask her to come along, and we’d basically drive off into the sunset.
Just showed where my brain had been. On her and nothing else.
Which was strange since I was usually so methodical.
When I saw the beams of her headlights slashing across the driveway, I forced myself to take a few breaths and get myself centered, just as I would before facing a jury.
Before heading to the door, I glanced around the space where we’d live for the next few days.
Homey and relaxing. White twinkle lights glowed from the tree I’d had the service put up.
It wasn’t my family’s decor, but that would change next year, and it was perfect for now, giving the ambiance I desired.
Various other touches here and there enhanced the holiday spirit.
Everything was perfect, just missing Alissa.
I swung open the door and gave her a wave so she’d know she was at the right place. While my house and yard were lit up and stars twinkled in the clear sky overhead, overall it was dark around here. As the car shut off, I hurried outside.
“Hi.” She looked a little shy and unsure.
“Hi. I’m glad you found it okay. Any trouble?” I took her bag when she opened the car’s back door.
“No, between the GPS and your directions, it was pretty easy.” She leaned into the car and my eyes went immediately to her jeans-clad ass. I quickly averted my gaze when she emerged with her purse and a square container. “I made cookies yesterday, so I figured I’d bring them along.”
“Yum. I love cookies. All cookies.”
“You don’t look like it. I mean…” She made a chagrined sound as her cheeks pinkened.
“Thank you.” I reached for her hand as we headed for the house. “You don’t look like you love all the cookies either.”
“Well, that’s only because I work my ass off running back and forth all day at the coffee shop. And I have a lucky metabolism my grandma always assured me will go away.”
I shut the door behind us and set down the suitcase then reached to help her off with her coat. “Will she be missing you for Christmas?”
I hadn’t thought that she might have plans with family. Last year, she’d said she’d intended to curl up in a chair and read.
“No. She passed two years ago. It was just her and me—oh gosh, I shouldn’t tell you that. I meant to say, I have a huge family that will definitely hunt you down if you’re a serial killer, all of them in the special forces. They know things,” she ended on an ominous whisper.
“I’m sorry about your grandma,” I said after hanging up her coat. Taking her hand, I brought her farther into the house, so we weren’t lingering in the entryway. “And thanks for the heads up on your family. I’ll watch my back, but I’ll repeat I’m not a serial killer.”
“Sure, sure. Well, I’m a black belt, too.”
Something told me to explore that. Call it lawyerly instinct. “Karate? Judo? Tae kwon do?”
“Smartassery, actually. It’s a difficult level to achieve.”
My laugh burst forth, and I knew I was going to fall deep and hard for this woman. I hugged her to my side and kissed her temple. “Are you hungry? We didn’t share a sandwich this year.”
“I could eat. I snuck a couple cookies on the way, but they’re not exactly holding me over. That thing about oatmeal filling you up…total lie.”
“I think you’d have to eat a lot of cookies to get enough oatmeal for that.”
She just stared at me for a long moment.
“There were two containers,” she deadpanned.
“Oh, well, okay. We need to hunt down all those liars then. Maybe your special forces family will help. What are they? SEALs, rangers…”
“SEALs, of course, but I’m pretty sure they’re in on the oatmeal lie.
So what are we eating?” She leaned against the kitchen island while I went to the fridge, and she glanced around.
A few years ago, my parents had invested a bunch in opening up this floor, creating an open-concept of the kitchen, living room and dining room.
Their designer had done a great job because, while it was open, it also remained three distinct spaces.
“Oatmeal,” I answered, matching her deadpan while I pulled out the casserole that had been warming in the oven. She peered over as I pulled the foil off the cheesy broccoli and chicken. I hoped she wasn’t anti-vegetable.
“That looks delicious. I never considered putting broccoli in my oatmeal. Inventive, Cliff.”
I winked quickly at her. “I always keep them on their toes at work. Always new ideas.”
Somehow, though, I had a feeling it would be Alissa keeping me on my toes. It was something I looked forward to experiencing for a long, long time.