Escaping Christmas (3 page)

Sleeping wasn’t an option at this point, so she returned to the living room and the flat screen TV. Alex opened the cupboard beneath it and found a wide assortment of movies. She scanned the titles, choosing a comedy. Drowning out the howling wind with laughter sounded like a great idea. Glancing toward the fireplace, her lips pulled to a frown. She regretted not letting Zach start a fire. Alex had grown up having servants do those things.

She pulled the quilt around her, grabbed the remote off the end table, and settled in. Her eyelids grew heavy as her busy day took its toll. The next thing she knew she was awakening with new energy. Everything seemed brighter in the daylight and today was no different. The scary shadows of the night were replaced with morning sunshine shimmering across the snow, reflecting like diamonds. A smile broke across her face. This was exactly what she needed, a change of scenery that didn’t remind her of the past. Today was about new beginnings.

Alex folded the quilt and made a beeline for the kitchen. Her stomach was growling in protest of a missed supper. She opened the refrigerator and found some eggs, cheese, and milk. A simple egg sandwich sounded delicious…and fast. Placing everything on the counter, she fired up the coffee maker. Soon, she was inhaling the comforting smells of a fresh brew. Alex flipped on the radio. She needed some background noise to fill the spaces in her mind.

After building the perfect egg sandwich, she sat at the small kitchen table and thought about what to do with her day. She would write, naturally, but what? She wasn’t happy with the direction her outline had taken while at home and trashed it. She lifted the steaming mug to her lips and sipped the strong coffee and sighed with satisfaction. The first thing on her list would be a new outline. Her thoughts went to conversation the night before. Zach said he would stop by and check on her. She would get dressed first. She didn’t want to get caught looking like a bag lady.

Her cell phone rang and she groaned in protest. She wouldn’t answer it.
But what if it’s important?
She groaned again and grabbed the phone angrily from the charger.

“Hello,” she grumbled.

“Hey, baby. I heard you were in Colorado,” he slurred. The blood drained from her face. He’d been drinking.

“Owen?” Her heart raced, the adrenaline flowing full steam ahead. Her mind whirled with confusion. Why was he calling her? How dare he? She pushed back the urge to throw the phone at the wall. He was invading her space, weaseling his way into this new experience. “How do you know where I am?”

“I talked to your mom and she told me you were in Colorado. And then a little research through some connections and voila! I found you.”

Silence.

“Alex?”

“I’m here. What do you want, Owen?” The shock was wearing off, but not the anger.

“I want to see you. I made a mistake and I need to talk to you.” His voice was like silk and goose bumps ran across her skin. He knew how to work an audience, even in a drunken state. She hadn’t known him to be much of a drinker, but then, it was obvious she hadn’t known him as well as she believed.

She fought against the urge to listen to what he had to say. “I made a mistake too and I got over it. Go sleep it off.” She could almost smell the alcohol through the phone. “Oh, and give my regards to your wife.” She hung up on him. The trembling started in her hands and moved throughout her body like lightning. Damn him!

Chapter Four

Tears pooled in Alex’s eyes. Her attempt to hold them back failed and she was soon overcome by sobs. She quit fighting. This is what she was here for, to cleanse him from her thoughts and banish him from her heart.

She stopped, swiping at the moisture on her face. What was that noise? Whatever it was, the sound was getting closer until it was outside her door. Zach?
OH NO!
She ran for the bathroom. Her face must be red as a fire engine. She only had to look into the mirror for confirmation. Alex knew she would have to answer the door. He was already leery of her staying by herself. Turning the spigot, she splashed her face with cold water. Her head lifted when the loud knock echoed through the cabin.

She gazed at the reflection in the mirror and let out a sigh. Maybe, he would be polite enough not to ask. Another knock indicated his impatience. Alex turned the latch and opened the door.

“Hey, shouldn’t you ask ‘who is it?’ first,” he chastised.

“Hi, Zach.” She attempted a smile and gazed down, avoiding eye contact.

He stepped forward, closing the distance between them. His warm fingers, freshly removed from his gloves, lifted her eyes to his. “You okay?”

His face was full of concern and question. The tears spilled over again and he pulled her to him, not saying a word. The smell of exhaust, aftershave, and the outdoors distracted her. She wiped away the tears as she rested her head against his chest. The freezing temperatures of his trip transferred to her cheek. She pulled away.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

She shook her head. “I had an unwanted phone call, that’s all.”

“Boyfriend decided to back out on you?”

Her eyes shot to his. “About two years ago.”

She waited for him to say something, anything. Embarrassment creeped up to her face again.

“I’m sorry. I assumed you had a husband or boyfriend joining you. I really stuck my foot in my mouth, didn’t I?”

Alex swiped a stray tear. “It’s okay. You had no way of knowing. Every time I try to put it behind me something else happens.”

“I could kick his ass.” He released a small, teasing smile.

“I would enjoy that too much.”

“I know what you need…a ride on my snowmobile. Go get in some warm clothes,” he ordered, shutting the cabin door behind him.

“I really shouldn’t. I have work to do.” Spending time with him was dangerous. She shivered, and it wasn’t from the cold in the room. Her heart raced whenever he was near. She couldn’t deny the attraction and the last thing she needed was another man to cry over when she returned home.

“You should. I came up here to tell you there’s a storm coming in tonight. I’m riding out to tell my other tenants and you’re coming with me. No arguments. Get ready.”

Why did she like the way he took charge? She exhaled and considered the offer. “Okay, but I can’t be gone long. I really have to get to my manuscript.”

“Honey, you’ll have plenty of time. You’ll be snowed in, and it could be a week or more with the sound of this one.”

Her legs went to jelly at the endearment.
Stop it! He probably uses it on every woman he knows.

“
Have you ever been on a snowmobile?”

“No. You won’t drive too fast, will you?”

“All you have to do is hold on and I’ll do the rest.”

Alex blushed at his wink. Did he know her thoughts didn’t go to a snowmobile? If her heart raced any faster it would explode.

Obviously, he didn’t realize the power he had with that face. The last thing she wanted to do was ride on a motorized monster in the middle of a snowstorm, but to her amazement she was agreeing. “I’ll be right back.” She concentrated on walking out of the room, opposed to the full out run she was fighting. Distance, she needed distance.

Alex escaped to the privacy of her bedroom. Covering her face with her hands, she attempted to gain some control over her embarrassment. Had he noticed the heat in her face? The deep breathing wasn’t calming her nerves either. She was still shaking and it wasn’t with fear. She yanked her dresser open and pulled out her long johns, slamming it shut with frustration. She was acting as if she had never been around a good-looking man. Okay, so he was a little more than good-looking—and that was only his face. She barely knew the color of his hair under his stocking cap. But that didn’t matter. She wasn’t here for that, or so she kept trying to tell herself.

She emerged in a heavy sweater, jeans, and snow boots and glanced his way. “I’m ready. I just need to grab my coat and gloves.” The way his eyes followed her as she passed by left her skin tingling. She didn’t dare look at him again. He was at her side, taking the coat from her hands and holding it open for her. Her attempt to ignore him was lost. She stared at him in awe. His good manners were incredibly sexy. Alex knew someone else who had impeccable manners and that didn’t end well.
Stop! He feels sorry for you, that’s all.

Zach interrupted her thoughts. “Do you have a hat?”

“Yeah,” she said softly. Where was her voice? “It’s over there.”

He moved first. Alex reached for it, but he held it firmly, slowly pushing her hair behind her ears. She forgot to breathe while he gently placed the hat on and smoothed her hair. The unexpected contact sent goose bumps across her flesh.

“Umm, thanks.” She finally exhaled. “I guess I’m ready.”

He grinned and made a sweeping motion toward the door. “Your chariot awaits, my lady.”

Dear God. She moved quickly past him and out the door. The cold wind took her breath and she was thankful. It was what she needed to get her control back. Alex glanced warily at the huge machine.

He must have noticed her apprehension. “It’ll be fun. You’ll see.” Zach grabbed a helmet from the seat and turned to her. “Here, let’s get this on.”

“How dangerous is this thing that I have to wear a helmet? And what will you wear?”

“It’s a precaution, like riding a motorcycle. I’m good. You’re the one with the beautiful face.” He slid it gently over her ears and went to work buckling it. She stopped breathing again. “Now, the goggles.”

When he finished placing the goggles on her, he grabbed an extra pair out of a compartment for himself.

Alex realized two things in that moment—Zach Camden was hot and she would have to avoid him at all costs. After today she would stick to her plan of why she came here in the first place.

“You ready?”

She nodded, not totally convinced. She watched, not moving from her spot, as he straddled the black and red machine.

He glanced over his shoulder. “Let’s go, chicken.”

She looked up in time to catch his grin. She was not a chicken. Alex climbed on behind him and sat on the surprisingly cushy seat, holding on to the cargo rack behind her.

“Put your arms around me, Alexandra, and hold on tight.”

A chill shot straight through her. She was used to everyone calling her Alex. Her name never sounded better on another’s lips.
You are not here for romance!
For all she knew he had a girlfriend.

“I won’t go fast until you ask, okay?” he reassured her before turning the key. The motor whirled over and he spoke loudly over the noise. “The next cabin is up a bit beyond those trees. Are you ready?”

“I suppose,” she answered, elevating her voice. She resisted the urge to jump off into the nearest snow bank.

Alex grabbed around his middle with a bit of fear when he revved the engine. He covered her hand momentarily and squeezed. A sign of reassurance? Her heart melted with the gesture. What had she gotten herself into?

Zach kept to his promise and maneuvered slowly through the pines, heading up the mountain. The climb wasn’t steep and she was soon forgetting her apprehension as they glided across the snow. About ten minutes passed when he cut the engine in front of a cabin slightly larger than hers. He climbed off and held out his hand. He was such a gentleman. She was sure she would melt the snow with the heat coming off of her. Taking his hand, she stood.

“Well, what did you think?” he asked while unbuckling her helmet and lifting it off.

“I think I might learn to like it.” She smiled, feeling accomplished.

“Let’s go. Come meet the Baker’s.” He pulled her along with him.

“Zach…” She struggled against his weight. “I’ll stay here. I’m good.”

“They won’t stand for that,” he warned.

“I don’t want them thinking…”

“We’re a couple?” He finished her thought.

“Something like that.”

“He hurt you bad, didn’t he? I wish I had five minutes with him.” An angry look quickly passed over his face and was gone. “What if I set them straight?”

Alex knew he was teasing her, but she agreed. She would look stupid standing out here alone. “Okay, but remember I can’t stay long.”

“Right.” He knocked on the door.

Mr. Baker opened the door and, to Alex’s surprise, was older than she expected.

“Come on in, Zach, we’re letting all my hard-earned heat out the door. Who do you have with you?”

“This is my friend, Alexandra Storm. Alexandra, Dwight Baker. He and his wife come here every year at this time and stay the winter,” Zach explained.

“We’re true snowbirds,” Mr. Baker joked.

“It’s very nice to meet you.” Alex was still trying to recover from the introduction. She liked the way he said her name a little too much.

“This is my wife, Betsy.” A gray-haired lady with youthful skin held out her hand.

“Pleased to meet you, Alexandra.” A kind smile crossed Mrs. Baker’s lips, immediately putting Alex at ease.

“It’s my pleasure.” She returned the smile.

The cold nose on her hand startled Alex. Zach laughed. “And this is Joey.”

“Don’t be a pest, Joey.” Mr. Baker shooed the yellow Labrador.