Have Yourself a Naughty Little Santa (13 page)

“But how, over all these years, have you had no crime?”

“We’ve had a spot here and there, but nothing like this. That thug who swiped that purse was not from here. And he wasn’t visiting, either. He came with a purpose. I suspect the dude driving the Suburban was with him. It stinks to me.”

“Do you think the word is out about Evergreen being an easy mark?”

He shrugged, then frowned. He turned to Brit, who had gone back to her desk and hung up the phone. “Any more from Land’s Edge?” Ricco asked her.

She shook her blond head and smiled at him. “No, but Pey was sure pissed when they made the offer. He’s still grumbling about some big-ass outfit just thinks they can walk in here, slap down a few bucks, and buy off the town.”

Ricco nodded. “Can’t say that I blame him.” He looked down the hall and said, “I have some info for Jimmy.” He squeezed Kim’s arm and said, “I’ll be right back.”

She opened her mouth to say she wanted to come along, but she thought better of it. She supposed he’d say no so that he could do his cop thing in private.

Before Ricco had completely disappeared down the hall, Brit said, “He never stays.”

Kim turned, not prepared for Brit’s solemn tone. Catty, sure, but solemn? “I’m sorry—?”

Her full pink lips turned down in a melancholy frown. Her big green eyes looked evenly at Kim. “He’s like his father. Can’t stay in one place more than a month or with the same woman for more than two nights.”

Kim didn’t know what to say. “I’m…um…sorry it didn’t work out for you two.” Sort of. Okay, not really. ’Cause if it had, she’d be minus several orgasms at the moment and not eagerly anticipating more later.

“Don’t be sorry. We all grew up with Ricco and know how he is. Of course all of us girls hoped we’d be the one to make him want to hang up his hat. But he only comes around this time of year. Then poof, he disappears until the holidays roll around again.”

Kim wondered about something. “Okay, I get he’s got a severe case of wanderlust, but if you don’t mind me asking, if he’s jilted every girl in town at least once, why do you all go crazy over him when you see him?”

Brit smiled a dreamy smile and hugged herself. “Have you been to bed with him?”

Kim’s cheeks flushed. Brit smiled knowingly. “How can you not welcome him back with open arms? We all want more.” She sat back and closed her eyes, as if imagining Ricco’s hands and mouth on her body. Kim warmed thinking the same thing. “And besides, he’s always such a gentleman in the end. We all know going into it what it’s about. Our bad if we get all clingy. Ricco hates that.”

Kim began to feel like a number. Not that she hadn’t known it to begin with, and not that she didn’t plan to walk away first, but…“Just who has he slept with in this town?”

Brit smiled and shrugged. “The easier question is who
hasn’t
he slept with?”

“Not as many as you think, ladies,” Ricco said, coming down the hall. He gave Brit a look that said,
“Naughty girl.”
She blushed and practically puddled on the floor.

He grinned that million-dollar-Hollywood smile of his, tipped an imaginary hat Brit’s way, took Kim’s hand, and dragged her out of the office.

She didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, punch him, or shove him into the nearest closet and have her way with him. “Don’t believe everything you hear, Cinderella.”

“Oh, trust me, Prince
Charming
, I take everything I hear with a grain of salt.”

He squeezed her hand and smiled down at her as they passed Jeff, who watched them with a smirk on his face. A funny jumpy feeling rolled around Kim’s belly. Kind of like she was nervous or afraid or her adrenaline was spiking. It was an oddly exciting sensation and one she only felt when she was swooping in for the final strike in a takeover. She’d never experienced it with a man before. And she wasn’t sure she liked it.

As they exited the building to the bustling center of town, Kim looked up at him and said, “Even if it were all true, we know we’re both turning into pumpkins in a week, so what’s the big deal?”

Ricco stopped and let a smiling, happy family pass by. His eyes focused on Kim and he smiled, but not one of those dazzling killer smiles. This one was…pensive.

“I think, Cinderella, you’re all bluff.”

A shot of adrenaline juiced through her. “I guess you’ll find out soon enough I never bluff when it comes to the bedroom.”

“I guess we’re on the same page there. Neither do I.”

And his words hurt.

“A
RE YOU STILL INTERESTED IN THAT SNOWMOBILE
ride?” Ricco asked as they made their way around the wooden promenade.

Kim thought about it for a minute. Yes, she was, but she decided she didn’t want to go alone. A guided tour would be better suited to her motives. And who better than the resident town stud? But she couldn’t muster the courage to tell him she’d changed her mind. What if he rejected her? Too much time together did that.

“I am, but right now I think I’ll just look around town. Maybe tomorrow.”

Ricco stood looking down at her for a long moment. “It’s kind of hard to get lost around here.” He pointed toward the center of town. “The promenade makes a big circle around the ice rink and central park and the gazebo, with the side streets off every block or two. Ezzy is at the southern end, Sierra side, right now we’re at the northern end, Sierra side, but if you get turned around, ask any shopkeeper for directions back to Ezzy’s and they’ll point you in the right direction.”

Kim nodded. Okay, so he was ready to part ways. So was she. Their interest in each other was relegated to a mattress, condoms, and no clothes. Anything more and things could get messy. And she was all about staying squeaky clean. She was glad she hadn’t asked him to go out on the snowmobile. She’d hire a guide.

“Great, well, thanks.” She stepped backward, away from him. Ricco stood staring at her, his face unreadable. “I’ll see you later? Maybe?” she managed to ask. He nodded, his face blank. Okay, she was really digging herself into a hole here. “Look, I totally get it if you want to just say
sayonara
right here.”

He cocked a brow, leaned against a wooden post, and crossed his arms over that wide chest of his. “Do you?”

Kim opened her mouth to say their time, great as it was, had come to an end, but when her body flared at just imagining the things he could do and had done to her body, she slowly shook her head. “Uh…um…”

Ricco unwound those long limbs, and his lips broke into that dazzling smile. He pushed off the pole and said, “Let’s keep our options open then?”

“Sure,” she squeaked out.

“Then I’ll see you later.” He turned and walked down the boardwalk, and she watched, speechless, as every woman, from the blue-haired grandmother types to teenaged girls, turned around to watch him in that naughty Santa suit of his, sauntering down the street as if he’d been the cock of the walk. Her belly did that jumpy thing again. “Jesus.” She was losing it.

For several long minutes Kim stood there in the cold, staring after Ricco until his tall Santa-suit-clad body disappeared into the throng. She looked around, expecting to see every eye on her, laughing and pointing an accusing finger at her and giving her a number to pin on her back.

She felt like she had as a child, watching her parents leave yet again, wanting desperately to call them back but knowing they had no use for her.

“Did my son pull his Houdini act on you so soon?”

Kim jumped and turned to face Leticia Maza. The woman was taller than Kim by a good six inches, and though her face was serious, her green eyes held compassion in their smoky depths. “It was mutual,” Kim responded.

What Leticia did next shocked Kim to the core. She took her hand and pulled her along, walking with her as a mother would a daughter. “Enrique is, as you know, the youngest of my four children. He was raised by women who adored him. We gave him everything he wanted…and when we resisted?” Leticia threw her head back and laughed. The sound was warm and deep and resonated with love and pride. “When we resisted, that boy knew just how to twist us around his little finger.” Leticia patted Kim’s hand. “I admit, I am to blame.”

“But why doesn’t he ever stick around?”

Leticia’s step faltered, and Kim steadied her. “Though Ricco’s father was not around very much, the one lesson my son learned was never to stay in one place with one woman too long.” She patted Kim’s hand and smiled at her. “He isn’t even aware of what he does. He just does it. He’s always been that way.”

“Why are you telling me all of this?”

Leticia shrugged. “I thought you might want to know it isn’t you. It’s him.”

And for some reason that made Kim feel better. They continued to walk along the bustling boardwalk. The sights, sounds, and smells of the little town mingled into a warm welcoming hodgepodge of feelings and vibrancy. Leticia made no movement to release Kim’s arm, and oddly, Kim didn’t want her to. She’d never had the benefit of a mother who took the time to discuss feelings, much less strive to allay her fears.

“Is your husband ill?” Kim asked. She didn’t know why, but she wanted to know.

“Yes. He has come home to make peace with his son.”

“How does Ricco feel about that?”

“You saw his reaction.”

“I can’t say that I blame him.” The minute the words left her mouth, Kim regretted them. She was a hard case in business, but she didn’t mean to be to Leticia. “Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. It’s true. But Enrique doesn’t have much time, and I know if Riccito doesn’t make his own peace with his father, he will always regret it.”

“But what if he’s already removed himself emotionally? Why go there?” She’d done it. And had no compunction with regard to zero contact with her parents. She hadn’t spoken to them in three years. The last time was when her aunt Tilly had passed away. The meeting had been extremely unpleasant, and most uncomfortable. What was the point of making peace when there was nothing there? She completely understood Ricco’s refusal to see his father. The man had deserted him and his family—not once, but repeatedly. She looked at Leticia.

“Why didn’t you divorce him?” Kim’s eyes bugged out of her head. She slapped her hand across her mouth. “Sorry, I…this town has made me say and do things I don’t normally do.”

Leticia smiled and stopped in front of what looked like a saloon. “I’m meeting the mayor for lunch. Would you like to join us?”

Would she?
“I’d love to.”

As they entered the 1850s-style saloon, it took Kim’s eye a minute to adjust to the dim light of the room. While it was on the main promenade, she recognized it as the place the locals came to hide.

And who should be leaning up against the bar chatting happily with a beautiful redhead? None other than Mr. Ricco Maza. Gone was the Santa suit. Now he was clad in black leather cowboy boots, snug-fitting Wranglers that did naughty things to his ass, and a sweater that was supposed to be bulky but hugged his muscular chest and arms. He smiled at his mother, and when his gaze rested on Kim, he scowled. Wow, the guy moved quick. “Ignore my son, Kimberly.”

Kim forced a smile. “You have a son?”

Before Leticia could comment, Ricco strode up, gave his mother a hug, and kissed her on the forehead. He nodded at Kim and said, with his arm slung around his mother’s shoulders, “Pey’s been waiting for you. He’ll be right back.” He set Leticia down at a round table and turned back to Kim. “Are you hungry?” he asked.

“I invited Kimberly to have lunch with Peyton and me. You’re welcome to join us,” Leticia informed him.

Ricco dragged a chair from the small table next to them and pointed to the one near Kim, saying, “Have a seat.” When both Leticia and Kim were seated, Ricco sat as well. The tall redhead strolled up to them with an overconfident and overexaggerated swivel of the hips, pad and pen in hand and a big, shit-eating grin slapped across her big glossy lips. Kim resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Despite the redhead’s obvious intentions toward Ricco, she didn’t seem concerned about Kim as competition. Indeed, let’s-be-friends vibes oozed from her bombshell body.

“You want your regular, Leti?”

“Of course.”

Kim didn’t bother to look at the menu. She just looked at Ricco and asked, “What’s good?”

He grinned and said, “Everything.”

Kim flushed and said, “I’ll have what Mrs. Maza is having.”

Once the order was taken, Peyton came in and was introduced to Kim, but it was almost as if she wasn’t there. The conversation turned hushed and dire. The town was in trouble. Big trouble. She did everything but scribble notes on her napkin.

“That dang Land’s Edge is coming in with another offer. I told Jerry we weren’t interested, but he managed to get Donna and John’s attention.”

“Why on earth would the Tomlinsons be interested in talking sellout?” Ricco asked, anger lacing his words.

“Because,” Leticia began, “the nursery is going under. With the snow, their utility bills have been outrageous the last four years.”

“Mistletoe doesn’t pay that good,” Peyton added.

“Why don’t they go solar?” Kim asked. “The feds and the state are offering huge rebates as incentives. A sixty-thousand-dollar setup after rebate is less than thirty grand, and the fed offers some really attractive low-cost and very long-term financing.”

All three sets of eyes stared at her, and she wondered why on earth she’d offered that tidbit. It was her job to capitalize on the dire straits of the residents, not help them out.

“They’re already mortgaged to the hilt,” Leticia said. Then she added, “I hope you understand that what we discuss here does not leave the table.”

Kim’s eyes widened innocently. “Of course,” she hastened to assure her, then raised her eyes to Ricco’s dark ones, which calmly regarded her. She felt her cheeks flush as she looked away and asked, “I’m confused how your system works. How does this Land’s Edge even get an offer presented to the powers that be?”

“It goes before the city council for a vote. Both of the Tomlinsons are part of the six-member council board. Leti and I, as well as Chief Connor and Ray, Esmeralda’s husband, are also on the council,” Peyton explained.

“So you speak for the town then?”

“Yes.”

“Is the offer bad?” Kim asked.

Peyton nodded and bit into his roast beef sandwich. Kim toyed with her chicken salad. Her stomach was getting jumpy again, except this time it wasn’t because of Ricco. “It wasn’t great, even if we were in the market to sell out. But we’re not.”

“Why does this company want Evergreen?”

“Casinos.”

Kim’s eyes widened. She knew damn well that Nick had given no indication of a casino in the buyout proposal. “Are you sure?”

Peyton nodded and set his sandwich down. “I’d swear it.”

“But you have no proof?”

“I don’t need it. The local tribes have been making noises for years. They want a piece of the casino pie. Can’t say that I blame them, but what will happen is, they get the casino, then contract it out to be managed. And that leaves Evergreen in a lurch.”

“How so? It sounds like a windfall to me.”

“Hardly, Miss Michaels. If the casinos come to town, we turn into the Las Vegas version of Christmas. We happen to like the no crime, small town, family value system we have going here. We live by what this country was founded on, and the casinos will take that away. No thanks.”

“But what if you can’t make up this year what you’ve lost the last five years?”

He pointed to the big window and to the boardwalk beyond. Tourists continued to fill up the space. “Look outside. Once 82 opened, the masses poured in. It’s Christmas for us. Literally and figuratively. People love coming here. We are the reason for the season, and there is nowhere else you can feel it like you do here. We are charmed, Miss Michaels. And so long as we keep that charm, we keep our trade, and we keep our homes.”

“So long as the weather holds and we don’t give guests a reason to leave town, we’ll weather the storm,” Leticia added.

Peyton wiped his mouth with a napkin and then pushed his plate away. “Exactly. We must keep up this level of occupancy through New Year’s. Anything less?” He shook his head. “And we’re sunk.”

“We had two incidents today,” Ricco said.

Peyton nodded. “I heard. A mugging and an erratic driver?”

Ricco nodded and finished his hamburger. “The Suburban was deliberate. I got a partial. But the only Suburban in the state with that beginning sequence was reported stolen in Fremont yesterday.”

“How coincidental is that? A mugging and an asshole driving a stolen truck down the middle of town?”

Ricco shrugged. “We were due. But I think we need to keep a heads-up. With as many people as we have in town right now, there could be more. Hell, for all I know, someone let the secret out. We need to lock our doors.”

“Ricco, the only time I lock my door is when I go to Auburn,” Leticia said.

“Mom, make it a habit. The real world is getting closer to Evergreen every day.”

“But—”

“No buts. Be smart and be safe. Lock them.”

The conversation turned to the Christmas parade and Leti’s excitement over having her granddaughter play the Virgin Mary. Peyton asked Kim what she was doing in Evergreen, and she explained, “I’m having a bit of a working vacation.”

“What line of work are you in?”

“Real estate. I have a client who’s interested in a property here or in South Lake. When I leave here I’ll head south and see what I can see.”

“If your client is looking for peace, quiet, serenity, and nice folks, Evergreen is your place. Reindeer Lake is beautiful year-round.” He smiled and continued, “You will not find a more naturally beautiful landscape anywhere in the world. Summertime, this place is green and lush, and that lake is teeming with fish. And during the holidays? Well, you can’t find another place as warm and as welcoming. If you don’t already know, our Christmas parade is world renowned. Three years ago we were featured in
Living
and
O
. This year
Town & Country
is coming in for next year’s Christmas edition.”