A Holiday Proposal (6 page)

Chapter 7

W
hy was Todd standing in her doorway?

Holly took a breath and let it out in a puff. One more surprise today and she might need to crawl into bed and pull the covers over her head.

“May I come in?” Todd looked past her and smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Matthew. I heard you were here.”

“Oh?”

Holly looked from one man to the other and gulped, backing away from the door. The tension between the men could be cut with a scalpel. “Come in, Todd, before all the heat escapes.”

Todd sauntered past her. “Thanks. April told me that she’d seen the two of you walk over here. What’s going on?”

Holly whirled around. “Nothing. Matthew walked me home, and we were visiting.”

The three of them stood in a triangle, with Matthew across from her and Todd to her left. She wished Matthew was the one standing beside her. She’d thought for sure he was going to kiss her a moment ago, and surprisingly, she was sorely disappointed by Todd’s interruption. “Why are you here, Todd?”

“Just checking on you.”

“Oh.”

Matthew went to the door. “I should be going.”

Holly stepped toward him and grasped his arm. “Please stay. I’m sure Todd will only be here a minute.” The last thing she wanted was to be alone with Todd. Besides, Matthew had made her visit a place in her heart she hadn’t ventured to in a very long time.

Matthew eyed the man in question. “I think it’s for the best. I don’t want to tread where I don’t belong.” He pulled a card from his jacket pocket. “My numbers. Call me if you need anything. Even if you just want to talk.”

She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Okay.” What did he mean he didn’t belong here? She’d told him to make himself at home. “Well, thanks for the sandwich and—”

“Anytime.” He pulled the door open and left without even a backward glance.

Suddenly the apartment was cold and uninviting. She’d never felt that way about the place. What had changed?

She whirled on Todd. “What do you think you’re doing? That was unbelievably rude! Matthew is my friend.”

“Like me?” Sarcasm laced his voice. Todd dropped onto the couch and patted the space beside him. “Join me.”

“No.” She crossed her arms and glared.

“Come on, Holly. You barely know that guy. I only wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“You could’ve been a little nicer about it. Matthew is sweet and wouldn’t harm a fly.” She looked past Todd and noticed her glass half-full on the counter, a reminder of the moment Todd had shattered. “As you can see, I’m fine. I think you should leave.”

“Come on, Holly. Don’t be that way. How about a drink and then I’ll leave?”

“Fine, but then you go.” Holly plodded into the kitchen and filled a glass from the tap. “Ice?”

“No, thanks.”

She trudged back to the couch and thrust the glass at him, splashing a little over the side.

“Careful!” His eyes flashed and he grasped her wrist instead of the glass. “Sit with me.” He tugged her and she lost her balance, falling down close beside him, spilling the water onto the couch.

“Todd!” Good thing it was only water. She wiggled away enough to create a few inches between them. What had come over the man? Didn’t he hear a word she’d said to him the other day? If only Matthew were still here. “How about the weather, huh? I can’t believe the load of snow we got this week and it’s only early November.”

He set the glass on the floor and reached for her hand. His thumb gently caressed the top.

Holly jumped up. “I don’t think you were listening when I said I only want to be friends. This is
not
how friends behave. I want you to leave. Now.”

“I’m only trying to be your friend. That’s why I came to check on you, but you’re behaving like I’m the enemy.” His brow furrowed. “Why are you so jumpy?” He stood and placed a hand on her forearm.

Her heart pounded in her chest. Fear surged through her veins, but she refused to let him see the effect he had on her. She yanked her arm away and raised her chin. “Maybe because you are acting like a jerk. Friends don’t behave this way.”

Todd took a step back. “Sorry. Relax, Holly. I saw you earlier at the hospital, and you looked like something was bothering you. I had a patient, so I couldn’t stop and talk. I didn’t mean to upset you. What’s going on? Are you okay?” He eased closer to her and cradled her cheek with his hand. “Talk to me, Holly.”

Her stomach tightened at his touch. The memory of his kiss at her parents flashed across her mind. “I’m fine.” She met his eyes and held his gaze. “Todd, I asked you to leave. This needs to stop.” She rushed to the door and yanked it open, no longer caring about the cold air coming inside. “I feel like this is somehow my fault. I didn’t mean to give you the wrong impression when I invited you to lunch. You were the one who suggested our little ruse to get my mom to stop pushing me toward marriage. I thought you understood there is no room in my life for a relationship right now.”

His face hardened. “What about Matthew? The two of you looked cozy.”

She crossed her arms. “Seriously, Todd, jealousy doesn’t suit you. Please leave.”

“Fine.” He stormed past her and stood on the stoop outside the door. “Don’t flatter yourself, Holly. I don’t need to be jealous of anyone. There are plenty of women interested in me.” He stomped down the stairs without a backward glance.

Cold air breezed around the room and she slammed the door. “Good riddance.” What had given him the idea she was interested in him? Her stomach churned with worry. Would Todd do something stupid? She’d never seen him behave so poorly. She rushed to the window, almost too weary to look out, but compelled nonetheless.

* * *

Matthew lifted Ava into his arms and put her into her car seat. “Did you and Mommy have fun?”

“Yes. I had a cookie.”

He clicked the straps in place—finally competent at the task. “Yum. Did you save me one?”

Ava giggled. “No, Unca Matt. Mommy said you eat too many sweets.”

Matthew lifted his head and raised a brow at his sister sitting in the front seat. “She did, huh?” He closed the door and noticed Todd storming down the stairs from Holly’s apartment. His gut tightened. What had him looking like the abominable snowman?

He walked over to April’s side of the car. “I’ll be right back.” He tossed her the keys. “Warm it up?”

“Okay, but what’s wrong? You have that look on your face.”

“I’m not sure. Hang tight.” Speeding footfalls crunched toward him. Matthew whirled around in time to see a right hook headed for his face. He leaned away and turned his head, effectively avoiding the blow. “Whoa, Todd. Cool down.”

Todd thrust his left fist up.

Matthew evaded the punch with a spin and a leg sweep.

Todd dropped to the hard pavement and lay sprawled on his back.

“Care to tell me what that was all about?”

“Stop!”

Matthew glanced toward the voice. Holly waved her arms wildly and ran toward them. She slid to a halt on a patch of compacted snow. “What are you doing?”

“Me?” Matthew pointed to his chest.

“No—him.” She looked down with disgust. Then her face sobered. She dropped beside Todd. “You okay?”

He groaned and rolled over. “Fine.”

“Good. Go home, Todd.”

“Figures you’d take his side,” he mumbled and staggered to his feet.

Matthew watched the man limp away with a hand on his back. “I hope he’s all right.”

“You didn’t mean to hurt him?” Holly crossed her arms.

“Of course not! It was self-defense.”

She grinned. “Just messing with you. I saw the whole thing from my window. I’m sorry you got caught in the middle. I’ve never seen Todd behave like that before.”

“Good. I’d hate to think your boyfriend was like that all the time.”

“My what?” Holly shook her head. “Todd is
not
my boyfriend.”

A smile tugged at his lips. “Cool!” He sobered. “I mean, really? That’s too bad.”

She grinned. “Mmm-hmm. See you around, Matthew.” She waved to his sister and niece. He watched her stroll back to her apartment before he pulled out of the parking lot.

“What was
that
about?” April sat staring at him wide-eyed.

“Seems you were right. Todd isn’t her boyfriend.”

April shook her head. “That’s why he took a swing at you? I will never understand men.”

Matthew ignored his sister and focused on the road. Holly made it clear she was intent on pursuing her career, and she had some serious family issues. Getting involved with her was probably a very bad idea, but he couldn’t make himself stop thinking about her.

“So what are you going to do about Holly?”

“Absolutely nothing, other than be her friend. Speaking of friends—have you heard from Jessica lately?”

“You mean, besides lunch at her parents’?”

“Yeah.”

“No. Why?”

“Just curious.” It wasn’t his place to share about Jessica’s miscarriage. If she wanted people to know, she’d tell them. At least she hadn’t been showing yet, so she wouldn’t have to deal with so many questions. But it was awful for her nonetheless.

“Mind if I ask you a personal question?”

“Shoot.”

“Do you ever feel like Mom and Dad played favorites with us, or that you didn’t measure up?”

She shot him a quick look. “No, not really. In fact I think they are the opposite. They try hard to be so fair it’s ridiculous. As far as measuring up, I don’t know. I’ve always felt loved by them. What about you? Did something happen to bring this on?”

“Not with Mom and Dad. Just thinking about someone else.”

“You mean Holly and Jessica?”

“How’d you know?”

“Don’t get me wrong. Jessica was a great friend in high school, but she was also a diva. If everything wasn’t revolving around her, she’d find a way to turn attention in her direction. Her mom played right into her hand. From what I noticed, Holly refused to compete. I figured it didn’t bother her. Was I wrong?”

“Yes.” He let the new info seep in as he turned into his driveway. “So, if this was a long-standing problem for Holly and her family, why is it all of a sudden becoming such an issue?”

Jessica’s miscarriage.

He killed the engine, but remained seated. Fortunately Ava slept soundly in her car seat. “One more question. Do Holly and Jessica get along?”

“Actually, they do. Jessica thinks the world of her little sister, and from what I’ve observed the feeling is mutual. I think their mom is more of the problem.” She released her seat belt and got out.

Matthew opened Ava’s door.

Her eyes fluttered open, and a tiny smile lit her face. She held her arms out to him. “Carry me, Unca Matt.”

“Sure thing, kiddo.” He undid the straps and lifted her out.

Ava snuggled into his neck. “I love you, Unca Matt.”

“Love you, too.” His heart warmed toward the bundle of sweetness he held as he climbed the stairs to his home and closed the winter weather out. Too bad he couldn’t close out the coldness from Holly’s heart, as well. He hurt for her and her sister. But more than that, he longed to help her. Why, he didn’t know, but suspected it had to do with his teenage crush and the fact he couldn’t let go of the old feelings.

Chapter 8

H
olly stood at the front window of her apartment with her arms wrapped around her middle. She had to do something about the disaster her life had turned into. She’d been distracted at work today and almost made another mistake. It didn’t help that Todd wouldn’t give her the time of day. They’d been such good friends before that fateful lunch at her parents’ house. If she could go back in time for a do-over, that was one choice she’d nix. It would have been much better to be honest about her single status and deal with her mother’s matchmaking.

Now the mess was dragging her down and threatening to take her job with it. She grabbed her keys from the kitchen counter and marched to the door. Time to clear the air—at least with her mom. Todd could wait...forever—she was done wasting brain cells thinking about him. Not all friendships were for life. She’d done all she could to mend the rift and he’d refused.

She grabbed her coat from the hook by the door, slid into her boots and tucked gloves into her pocket, then tromped down the stairs to the parking lot below.

She slid into her older-than-dirt red Honda Civic and started it up. The engine purred to life. She patted the dashboard. “Way to go, Lucy.” Good thing no one could hear her talking to her car, or they’d think she was nuts. Maybe she was—after all, she was heading to the lion’s den. Hopefully her mother would be in a pleasant mood. Or maybe not, considering their last conversation.

She backed up then pulled her car onto the road. A minute later she made a right onto Front Street. Stuck behind a line of cars, she crept forward in the slow-moving traffic. Red taillights burned bright. She pressed the brake. Looking to her left while waiting for pedestrians, she noticed a familiar pair of figures on the hillside. A smile tugged at her mouth.

“Why not?” In no rush to go see her parents, she pulled into an empty parking space, slid on her gloves and got out.

Matthew had invited her to go sledding Monday, so surely he wouldn’t mind if she joined him and Ava now. Holly trotted across the street and slogged up the hill to where the duo stood. “Hey, there. Sledding again, I see.”

“Every day this week.” A wide grin covered Matthew’s face. “I like to give April a break. It’s tough having the use of only one arm when you have a three-year-old.”

Her heart skipped at his thoughtfulness. She was drawn to this man way too much for her own good. “That’s nice of you to help out. Mind if I join in the fun?”

“What do you say, Ava?”

His niece plopped onto the front of the sled and patted the space behind her. “Again!”

“May Holly go down with you this time?”

The little girl looked up at Holly with a somber expression. “You, too.”

Matthew chuckled, and then squatted and held the sled in place. “I’m not sure we’ll all fit.”

“Sure we will.” Holly snuggled up close behind Ava. “See, I don’t take much room.” She felt Matthew squeeze in behind her with a grunt. He slipped his arms around her waist. She tingled at his touch and wondered at her response.

“One...two...three!” He pushed off and they crawled forward.

“Faster!” Ava squealed.

Holly used her hands to help push them along, trying hard to ignore Matthew’s warm breath beside her ear. About halfway down the slope they passed another sled.

“Whee!” Ava giggled and clapped her mitten-covered hands.

They coasted to a stop. Ava bounded off, and Holly rolled into the wet snow then stood. Maybe sledding wasn’t such a good idea, after all. Cold seeped through her jeans. She turned and offered Matthew a hand.

He grasped it and nearly took her down as he pulled up. “Want to go again?”

“Thanks, but no. I didn’t plan to play in the snow, and I’ll have to run home and change if I get any more wet.”

Ava tugged at his jacket. “I’m cold.”

“How about some hot chocolate?” Matthew squatted and scooped up his niece.

“With whipped cream.”

“Sure.” He looked to Holly. “Want to join us? My bakery is only a little ways from here.”

“Why not?” She’d been meaning to visit his place, and hot cocoa sounded perfect. Besides, she enjoyed being with him. Surely her jeans would dry in the warm bakery.

Matthew reached down and grasped the sled with his free hand. “Where were you heading when you stopped?”

“Thought I should clear the air with my mom.” She didn’t mind sharing, since he was fast becoming her only confidant regarding family issues. “You think I’m doing the right thing?”

“It’s certainly not the wrong thing. How are you and your mom doing?”

“We haven’t spoken since she hung up on me yesterday. I can’t handle having her angry with me. It eats me up inside and messes with my head.”

“I understand.” He pushed open a glass door. “Here we are. Take a seat and I’ll make us some hot chocolate.”

The scent of cinnamon and sugar warmed Holly from the inside out. A customer stood at the counter being helped by someone she didn’t recognize, and a young child peered into the display case.

Ava climbed onto an old-fashioned ice-cream-parlor-style chair and pulled her hands from her mittens. She placed the mittens on the metal table. “I love Unca Matt.”

Holly grinned at the rosy-cheeked cutie sitting across from her. “He’s a good uncle. You’re lucky to have him.”

“Mommy says that, too.”

Holly took in the smallish space and noted the large display case now less than a quarter full—must be a good thing, considering it was nearly four o’clock in the afternoon. She assumed he baked fresh daily. A red-checked valance hung over the storefront window, and the specials were written on a chalkboard sign on the wall behind the register.

“Here we go.” Matthew set three steaming mugs down and pulled a chair over from another table.

“I like your place, Matthew.” Holly looked around again at the utilitarian space. It was clean and tidy, but plainly missing a woman’s touch. “I assume most people take their food to go, since you only have three small tables.”

He nodded. “Yes, it’s too small to seat many people. The kitchen is bigger than the front. Nice for me, but not so much for eat-in guests.”

“I wouldn’t worry. It hasn’t stopped business, right?”

“I don’t think so.”

She sipped the thick, rich drink and closed her eyes. “Wow. This tastes homemade.”

“It’s my secret recipe.”

“Too bad. That kind of secret should be shared.” She winked and took another sip. “You know, the church’s annual Thanksgiving feast is around the corner. I’m on the planning committee. Are you interested in helping? We can always use extra hands in the kitchen, or with setup and teardown. Of course, any donations are appreciated, too.”

“It’s not on Thanksgiving Day, is it?”

“No. The Sunday before, right after church.”

“In that case, sure. I’ll bring a few dozen rolls. Let me know where you need me and I’ll be there, but I’m tied up here until just before the service begins.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks.” Holly downed the rest of her cocoa and noticed Ava giggling. “What’s so funny?”

“You have white stuff on your nose.”

Holly’s face heated and she quickly swiped away the cream. “All better?”

Matthew reached for a napkin. “Except for right here.” He gently pressed the napkin to the corner of her mouth. His eyes twinkled. “That happens to me all the time, too.”

Holly blinked and reminded herself to breathe. “Glad it’s not just me.” She pushed up from the table. “I should be going. Thanks for the cocoa. See you at church.” She waved and glided to the door.

Being with Matthew and his niece made her long for more from life. Never had she considered actually having a family of her own, but little Ava and her uncle made the thought appealing for the first time.

She shook her head as old insecurities crept in. She’d already proven the responsibility of caring for a baby was too much to handle. She’d failed miserably and a life had been lost. Maybe her sister would someday provide her with a niece or nephew to spoil. That would be good enough—it had to be.

Holly got into her Civic, started it up and set out again for her parents’—time to get this over with. Hopefully her mother would accept her apology and things would return to normal. Then again, the norm wasn’t too great either, but she’d settle for that any day compared to the silent treatment.

A short time later she pulled into her parents’ driveway. Taking a bracing breath, she stepped out.

Her dad pulled the door open before she could get there. “This is a surprise. What brings you by?” He pulled her into a hug before moving out of the way for her to pass into the toasty house.

“Thought I’d drop in and see Mom.”

His face sobered. “She’s in Wenatchee with your sister. Won’t be back until tomorrow night.”

“Oh. I talked with Jessica last night. She didn’t mention Mom was going to visit. Is everything okay with her?”

“Yes. She just needed her mom.”

Holly looked around the room and noticed the absence of the smell of cooking food. The place almost always smelled like something delicious. “Do you need anything, Dad? I could whip up a simple dinner for you.”

“That’s nice, but your mom left stuff in the fridge. I’ll microwave it later.” He moved farther into the house and sat on the couch facing the TV. “Want to hang out and watch the news with me?”

“Sure, but just for a bit. It’s been a long week.” Besides, the news depressed her.

After about twenty minutes she stood. “I should be going. Will you tell Mom I stopped by?”

“Will do.”

“Thanks. Love you.” She let herself out and tromped to her car. This was not how she had planned things. Mom was supposed to be here, and they were supposed to have a special mother–daughter moment.

Who was she kidding? They never had those. With a sigh, she headed home—alone.

* * *

Matthew found April in the kitchen struggling to put ground beef in the skillet with one hand. He watched for a moment, ready to spring into action should she falter, then clapped when she finally succeeded.

“Very funny. How about a little help?” She tossed the tray in the garbage and washed her hand the best she could. “I’ll be so happy to have this sling off.”

“When do you get to remove it?”

“I hope Monday.”

Matthew would have taken it off days ago, but kept that thought to himself. His sister was a rule follower and would never consider disobeying the doctor’s directions. “What were you planning to make?”

“Tacos.”

“Sounds delicious.” He pulled lettuce from the fridge. “Guess who Ava and I ran into in the park?”

“No clue.”

“Holly.”

April’s eyes widened. “And?”

“And she went down on the sled with us, then we had hot chocolate at the bakery.” And he’d had a great time. He only wished it had lasted longer.

“Sounds romantic. She might like you after all, little brother.”

He couldn’t stop the hope that maybe his sister was right, but he knew in pursuing the idea he was setting himself up for disappointment. “We were just having a little fun. Holly doesn’t have time for anything other than work. She as much as said so herself.” He frowned. “Although she did mention being on the Thanksgiving committee at church.” What was he doing, entertaining the idea of him and Holly? She’d rejected him in high school, and she wasn’t about to change her mind now. Clearly her job took top priority in her life. Funny, he’d never take her as a workaholic, but it appeared that was Holly in a nutshell.

“Seems to me she has time for whatever she wants to make time for.” April broke up the meat as it sizzled in the skillet.

“Maybe. She asked me to help out.”

His sister smirked. “On second thought, maybe she just wanted to sucker you into helping.”

“Naw. She’s not like that. Besides, it seemed like a last-minute thought. I don’t think she intended to bring it up.” He concentrated on chopping the lettuce and grating the cheese. His sister’s words tickled his mind. Did Holly really stop to see him just to get him to help out at church, and if she did, was that such an awful thing? His brows furrowed. He’d actually convinced himself that she was warming to him and they were beginning to connect. But if April was right, Holly was playing him. He didn’t like to be used. Maybe it was time to take a step back and not get emotionally involved.