A New Tradition (3 page)

The thought of getting mauled by a coyote definitely wasn’t on my Christmas list. And he did have a point about my shoes.

“I’d love a ride, thank you.” I nodded and smiled.

“Here.” He took Henry and tucked him inside my coat. “This way he will stay warm and you can hold onto me so you will stay safe.”

Within minutes we were on our way back to the cabin.

“If you need anything, you know where to find me.” He steadied the snowmobile as Henry and I got off. “Merry Christmas, Sabrina. It was nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too.” I tried not to smile too much, but the feel of his torso felt nice beneath my hands as I had held on tight…extra tight. “Merry Christmas, Wynn.”

Chapter Three

“Henry,” I put him down in the cabin, and then peeked out the window, watching Wynn drive off on the snowmobile, “I should yell at you for running off. But who am I to stand in the way of love?”

He whined as if he understood what I was saying.

I went back over to the boxes to find all the other decorations for the house. Before I put up the artificial tree and the other knick-knacks, I put the salmon I had brought for tonight’s dinner in the oven and some rice on the stove.

With a glass of wine and a little holiday music, I had the cabin decorated in no time. It wasn’t exactly the way mom did it, but it was close enough.

While my dinner finished cooking, I got out my laptop and the Bassett files and placed them neatly on the old country-style table my father had made out of an old barn door. I wanted to make sure that everything was ready for tomorrow. I turned on my computer to make sure the internet modem was up and ready. It worked perfectly. I was able to check my emails just before the oven timer went off.

“It’s time.” I pulled the salmon out of the oven and turned the stove off.

Henry followed me upstairs to the bedroom where I had taken my bags. Carefully, I pulled out my Holly Golightly black dress that I wore every time I watched Breakfast At Tiffany’s, pulled my long black hair up into a bun, styled my bangs to the side, and securely bobby-pinned my tiara in place.

We went back downstairs with my DVD in hand. With the movie in the player, I filled my plate, grabbed my wine, and settled on the couch. Propping my feet up on the coffee table, I sat my plate on my lap.

Sigh. . .

“This is cozy.” I took a bite, but didn’t even swallow before there was a knock at the door. Henry jumped down, running to the door, pawing at it. “Who in the world is here?”

I sat the plate on the coffee table and peeled back the curtain to see if I could see anyone. Instantly, I knew it was Wynn when I saw the snowmobile parked in front.

Swinging the door open, a rush of snow and cold air hit my shoulders, reminding me I had on my Breakfast at Tiffany’s costume.

“Wynn.” I felt around my head and pulled off the tiara. “What are you doing here?”

“I thought you might need some of this.” He eyed me suspiciously while holding up a thermos in one hand and Eliza in the other. “But I see that you are busy,” he strained to see inside, “with a date?”

“Date?” I looked down and laughed. “Just Henry. Come on in.”

Henry danced around my feet and jumped up on Wynn trying to get to Eliza as she squirmed in Wynn’s arms.

“Are you sure?” He asked before he stepped in.

“Yes.” I held the door open as he stomped his feet on the door frame, knocking off any snow. “You are just in time for a salmon dinner and movie night.”

Eliza and Henry ran around the room like they were playing tag. Wynn followed me into the kitchen.

“You can throw your coat over there.” I pointed to one of the chairs at the table.

I tried not to stare at him as he rubbed his hand seductively down the kitchen table.

“This is pretty cool.” He knocked on it.

Taking a plate out of the cabinet, I placed the extra salmon I had made and a scoop of rice on it. “My dad made it. He actually brought this old cabin to life. Just like you’ve done with the Turner cabin.”

“I guess I never really answered your question about the cabin.” He walked over and took a wine glass from the wine cabinet. He gestured toward the bottle. “May I?”

“Yes, of course.”

I watched as he worked his way around the kitchen; swift, full of grace and virility. He got his own napkin and fork as though he knew exactly where everything was.

“What?” His firm mouth curled as if always on the verge of laughter.

“I’m sorry. I was just watching how comfortable you are here.” As if I minded. I couldn’t have planned a better night if I tried. The Rum and Monkey was a distant memory. “I mean, I don’t even know you.”

He took his plate and wine, walking into the family room and sat on the couch.

“Before I tell you anything, I need you to explain why you are dressed up.” He took a sip of wine, and then sat it on the coffee table. “And spending Christmas Eve alone.”

“My parents are on a once in a lifetime trip to England. I have a very important, life-changing meeting in the morning, so I opted out of going to any other family member or friend functions.” I sat down next to him and smoothed out my black ball gown. “I was looking forward to coming to the cabin for a little relaxation and some time with Audrey. My girlfriends and I started having our annual Audrey Christmas Eve movie and going out for karaoke at the Rum and Monkey tradition years ago, but like I said, I have a life changing meeting in the morning.”

“On Christmas?” His brows drew together in a frown.

“Like I said, life-changing.” I took a bite. “Of course my girlfriends begged me to stay at home, but I didn’t want to chance having too much to drink and not getting up in time for my meeting.”

“You aren’t going to be going anywhere in this storm. Especially in that old Mercedes of yours.” He rose in one fluid motion and went over to stoke the fire.

I tried not to stare at him and turned my attention to Holly Golightly as she held her coffee cup and doughnut while she admired the jewels in Tiffany’s window, with Moon River playing in the background.

“You do kind of look like her.” His words made my heart swoon. I could feel his sexual magnetism that made him so confident. “I’m sorry. Did I offend you?”

“No, not at a-l-l (I draw out the word into several syllables). It’s just that I feel so silly dressed like this when I only do it once a year.” I picked up my wine glass. “Here’s to a new tradition.”

He picked up his glass and we toasted. He sat his glass on the table and with his powerful hands he yanked me up to my feet.

“Let’s not waste a good song or dress.” He pulled me to him and led me around the room as we danced to the instrumental version of Moon River.

His steady gaze traveled over my face and searched my eyes.

My body tingled as he swept me weightlessly around the room.

“You have obviously had dance lessons.” I had to break the silence or my body was going to melt right then and there.

“My parents sent me to the finest schools.” He danced me around to the couch and pulled away, bowing down. “Thank you, Ms. Golightly.”

“No, thank you.” I tried to do my best accent, sad that the dance was over. “So tell me about you.”

I had to know more. There was no way this handsome stranger was going to come into my life and leave in a couple of hours, never to be seen again. My desire to learn everything about him burned a place in my heart.

“I’m a bit of a loner.” He sat back and melted into the cozy couch, relaxed. “My parents sent me to the finest boarding schools and on to Harvard for my higher education. They are busy living their lives as I continue to do what I know best.”

“What’s that?” My heart, and body, ached for him. What a sad story. I couldn’t imagine having that type of relationship with my family.

“I bury myself in my work.” He stood up, his body towering over me. A brief shiver rippled through me. He walked back into the kitchen, reappearing with the bottle of wine. “I bought the old Turner farm about six months ago.”

“Oh, so you are from around here?” I had to know how he found out about the property.

“Nah, I’m a California boy.” He twirled a little curl from his golden locks around his finger. “I just love it on the east coast and had my realtor looking for a nice, secluded cabin.”

“What business do you do?” I had to know everything.

“I’m in financing.” He was illusive. “Want some more wine?”

“Sure.” I could tell by his tone that he wasn’t comfortable talking about his personal life.

“What kind of business can’t wait until after Christmas?” He questioned.

“I own my own design business.” For some reason, I felt comfortable telling him about my life. It felt like I’d known him for years. “I’ve been working on this deal for two years. I’ve been doing a little work here and there for this company, but nothing worth a lot of money. And I finally got a full project from them. Since I own my own business, it will be a big help.”

“Still, can’t it wait until after Christmas? Because you aren’t going anywhere in this storm. It’s only going to get worse throughout the night.”

“He insisted it be tomorrow, which is fine because we are using Skype.”

“Hey, that’s how I see my parents.” He laughed. His smile sent my pulse racing. “Oh, this is my favorite part.”

Don’t take me home until I’m drunk. Very drunk indeed.

We watched in silence for the next couple of hours as Holly and Paul played out their romance on screen.

Chapter Four

Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker. Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' your way.

I reached over and grabbed my cell off the bedside table.

“Hello?” I pulled the old quilt up to my chin. It was a little chilly in the cabin.

“I wanted to see how it was going out there in the middle of nowhere in this storm,” Jenna said from a very static phone line.

“I’m fine.” More than fine, I recalled the memories from last night. A little sadness filled my soul. When he left, he didn’t ask for a phone number or anything. It was apparent he didn’t feel the tingly sensation I had felt. Besides, there was no way he didn’t have a girlfriend. Men like Wynn are the first to get snatched up. I decided not to tell Jenna about him. There was no reason to. “How was the Rum and Monkey?”

“What?” Jenna yelled into the phone. “This is a bad nor’easter. I can’t hear you. Merry Christmas.”

The phone went dead.

“Are you ready to get up?” I reached over and rubbed down Henry’s fur. His back was cold to the touch. “I’m going to check on the fire. We have thirty minutes until the meeting.”

I had to put my magical night in the back of my mind and start to focus on Mr. Basssett.

Pulling back the comfy quilt, chill bumps crept up my legs sending shivers along my spine. The cold wood floor got colder with each step I took. The sunlight shone bright through the windows, reflecting off the snow.

Henry trotted down the stairs, sitting on the hearth.

“Merry Christmas.” I said, putting a few logs on the hot coals before picking him up and walking over to the Christmas tree. “I thought I left this lit up.”

It was a tradition that my mom left the tree lights on all Christmas Eve. The plug was still in the socket. I pulled it out and then replaced it, but the lights didn’t come on.

“Damn,” I whispered. This was not the time to check every single light bulb, I glanced at my clock on the fire place mantle. I had twenty-five minutes until my meeting. “It’s going to have to wait.”

I rushed up the steps and threw on the silk blouse but leaving my Hello Kitty pajamas pants on. Mr. Bassett was only going to see me from the chest up, so as long as I looked professional in the little Skype window, I was good.

Running a brush through my long hair and slapping on some bright red lipstick, I checked my watch. I had twenty minutes to go over the files one more time.

“Gosh, I wish I had some coffee.” I proceed downstairs to grab a little something to eat so my stomach wouldn’t be empty. Opening my laptop so it would be ready, I pushed the power button and waited for the screen to appear before I hunted for some food.

Nothing happened. I pushed the button again. Nothing happened. The battery must be drained.

“If this is a precursor to this meeting, I don’t even want to think how the meeting is going to go.” I had to secure this deal. If I didn’t, I’m not sure how much longer the Design Studio would last in this economy. I took the computer chord out of my bag and plugged it in, pushing the power button once again to…nothing.

“First the tree and now my computer.” I glanced around, realizing that none of the lights were on. Frantically rushing around, I flipped on all the switches. Nothing was coming on.

My dad always told me how to work the breaker panel just in case of an emergency and this was an emergency.

I flipped all the switches in the steal box off and on, but nothing happened.

“The storm!” I screamed, running up to the table and throwing all my files into my bag. There was only one thing to do. See if Wynn had electricity.

Throwing on my dad’s snow boots and my coat, I grabbed my bag. I had ten minutes to get across the woods before my meeting with Mr. Bassett.

The snow was up to my knees, but that didn’t stop me from trying to run through it.

Wynn was right. What kind of man holds a meeting on Christmas? A mean, old, crotchety man. Scrouge, that’s who.

From a distance, there was smoke rolling out of his chimney and the Christmas tree lights sparkled out of the side window, making me question when he put it up.

The Hummer, parked in front of the cabin, wasn’t there yesterday. Who cares? I had to get on this call. He had electricity and I was going to barge in.

Beating on the door, I jumped up and down on my toes to create a little heat throughout my body.

The door opened, but Wynn wasn’t on the other side.

My eyes took in the blonde goddess in her skin-tight red dress that fit perfectly around her busty frame, showing off every single curve that any man or woman would desire.

“Can I help you?” She was a little apprehensive.