A Christmas Affair Page 7

  He nodded and walked out.

  An hour later he was still sitting in his car. It was so cold the one tear he’d allowed to fall had frozen on his cheek. Wes was trying to figure out what had happened to his plain, calm life. He didn’t know the precise moment he’d gone insane, but he had a feeling it was the first time Maria had walked into his office and attacked him.

  From that day on, a few marbles had fallen out of his head each day, a few more each sleepless night, until he didn’t have a single one left.

  He was a brain-dead fool in love with a woman who thought she only wanted an affair.

  Maybe he was the one who was blind, because he couldn’t see an affair as ever being enough.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  MARIA SPENT THE next two days cooking. Since the accident, it had become a tradition to give all their friends cakes for Christmas. Several neighbors were coming over Christmas Day for dinner. And most important of all, she wanted Blade’s first Christmas with his new family to be perfect. Her future brother-in-law had never celebrated the holiday and his excitement was contagious. For over a hundred years, the Davises and the Hamiltons had been feuding. Now, thanks to Blade and Dakota’s love, that was finally over.

  Early on the morning of Christmas Eve, Blade had called to say he’d be home before dark. With the weather promising to be dry and sunny, Dakota had no worries this time about him making it in. So plans went into full swing: Dakota would decorate and Maria would cook.

  Maria and Dakota had Christmas Day to plan, too. They’d have dinner tomorrow and open presents, but first, there were gifts to wrap, and tons of details to get everything ready.

  Maria tried to push thoughts of Wes aside. She wanted to invite him, but didn’t know where they stood. If she mentioned him again, Dakota would only start asking questions, and Maria didn’t have any answers.

  The only thing she was sure of was that she wouldn’t be having her wild affair before Christmas. He hadn’t even called since he’d left two nights ago.

  She told herself she wouldn’t think about Wes, but he kept creeping into her mind as she baked. The gentle way he kissed her. The way he tried so hard to be what she wanted. She knew the way he smelled of starched shirts and shaving lotion and how he felt, but she didn’t understand what he truly wanted. Maria had picked the wrong kind of man to have her wild affair with. She’d ended up hurting them both.

  Two facts finally surfaced in her muddled mind: she did love him, and he’d probably never speak to her again. He had to think she was crazy. Maybe she was.

  Just as the late-afternoon sun shone through her kitchen window, warming Maria’s face, the phone rang.

  Maria made no effort to answer it. It was probably her future brother-in-law calling. Since Wes hadn’t called in two days, he probably wasn’t calling now.

  Dakota dashed from where she’d been decorating the tree. She answered the phone with a jolly hello, then grew serious.

  Maria waited.

  When Dakota hung up, she said, “Strange. Blade said he’d be in Crossroads at five and wants to meet all of us there. Even Grandmother.”

  “What time is it?” Maria asked.

  “Four thirty.”

  “Can’t he just drive on home?”

  Dakota moved closer to the kitchen. “No. He was very determined. You, me, Grandmother, all have to be at the courthouse at five.”

  Maria pulled a cake from the oven. “You and Grandmother go ahead. I’ll stay here and cook.”

  “No. He said it was important that we all come.”

  “All right.” Maria shrugged. “I could use a break anyway. I’ll get my coat.”

  “Wash the flour off your cheek, too.” Dakota added, “And put on that Christmas sweater. Maybe he’s got a present for us all and I’ll want pictures. I plan on giving Blade a book of pictures of his first Christmas.”

  Fifteen minutes later Maria was wedged between Dakota and Grandmother, wishing she’d stood her ground and stayed at home. Blade probably had some big surprise for Dakota. This was between them, not her. She’d just be in the way.

  She was happy for her sister, but today, Maria felt like she was a walking storm cloud. The last thing she wanted to do was rain on her sister’s happiness. Plus, she didn’t want to go to town. There was a chance she’d bump into Wes, and she wasn’t ready to face him. He was probably still mad at her. Probably didn’t want to see her. Not now. Not today.

  Maybe in a hundred years or so.

  Dakota slowed and said, “There’s Blade on the county office steps.” She described the scene, as she always did for Maria. “He’s standing next to the sheriff and he’s smiling. I’m getting so excited. I’ve got a feeling he’s got a surprise for me. He’s given me no hints about my Christmas present.”

  They pulled up and Dakota jumped out. Maria locked arms with Grandmother and they followed. They both knew they were simply witnesses to the surprise.

  She heard Blade laugh as he urged Dakota up the stairs. “I just need you to sign a few papers, honey. It won’t take long.”

  “What’s going on?” Dakota asked.

  The sheriff took over. “Blade Hamilton has just deeded over Hamilton Acres to Dakota Davis. It’s yours now, Dakota. You can do whatever you want with it. He wanted to do this today because this is the last day of the year that the county offices will be open.”

  “But...” Dakota started.

  Blade’s words were strong and clear. “You can use it as an office, or once you get your degree you can design that housing development you want. The land’s pretty, even if it’s no good for farming. I don’t care what you do with Hamilton Acres. It’s all yours.”

  Grandmother stiffened beside Maria. Her voice came loud enough for half the town to hear. “You know Davises can’t go on Hamilton land. There’s a curse. Our people die when they step foot on your people’s land.”

  The sheriff’s voice had laughter in it. “As of five minutes ago the land no longer belongs to Hamilton. It’s Davis land now.”

  There was silence for a moment.

  Maria whispered, “What are you going to do, Dakota?”

  Her sister laughed. “I’m going to marry Blade. I’m taking him, but I’m not taking his last name. Fair enough, Hamilton?”

  “Fair enough.” Blade laughed. “That settles it. Now we can get married. Sheriff, you think the clerk’s office could stay open long enough to issue us a license? How does New Year’s Day sound for the wedding, honey?”

  Suddenly everyone was hugging. Dakota and Blade had waited months trying to figure out how to make it work. Now the answer seemed so simple.

  When the others moved inside for Dakota to sign the final papers, Maria remained outside on the steps.

  She was happy for them. The one problem they’d had was settled. Dakota and Blade would be married in a week. The old Hamilton house would make a great office downstairs, and there was plenty of room for living quarters upstairs.

  Dakota’s dreams were coming true.

  Grandmother would probably offer to move back to the main house with Maria, but she’d say no. Grandmother loved her space, her life, her independence.

  Maybe it was time Maria lived alone for a while. Grandmother would be close, in her little cottage behind the main house, if she needed help, and Dakota would be just across the lake. The old home with its thick walls and tile floors would be all hers now. She knew every inch, every curve. She’d be fine there alone.

  Strange, she thought: a curse between the families that had lasted a hundred years was over. A Davis and a Hamilton would be living together. And she’d be alone with her dreams. Far safer, she decided, than venturing out and trying to have an affair.

  Blade had finally solved the problem by simply changing the name on the deed. If they could work that prob
lem out, they could work out Dakota’s schooling and Blade’s traveling career.

  Too bad she and Wes couldn’t work anything out. He hadn’t given her what she wanted. A love affair like the ones in her books. He’d gotten too serious, too real. And she’d been a fool to let it happen. Making a practical man into a hero who’d do wild romantic things was too much to hope for. Real life didn’t turn out that way. Living in her dreams was safer.

  She leaned against the banister and raised her face to the wind. It must be sunset. The air was cooling. She could hear people moving about. Probably getting off work or enjoying the calm evening. Christmas Eve. A time for families.

  In the wind, she thought she heard a band tuning up. Maybe not a band. Maybe just a fiddle, a guitar, a banjo.

  Maria grinned. Probably someone’s idea of Western caroling. The hardware store employees used a wagon and sometimes went caroling. Folks would jump on and off as the horses slowly crisscrossed the streets. The Franklin sisters usually offered cocoa to the carolers, so folks tended to congregate in the big old bed-and-breakfast.

  All her childhood memories surrounded Maria, just as bright and colorful as if they’d been yesterday. The band was playing “Jingle Bells,” and there was laughter in the air. The sounds of the evening blended with her memories.

  Footsteps sounded in front of the county offices. Boots.

  “Evening, Maria,” Travis said as he neared. “I was told I’d find you here waiting for your sister.”

  She grinned. “You got your new boots.”

  “Yeah. My uncle Dice gave them to me.” Travis walked up the steps and stood beside her. “You busy right now?”

  “Just listening to the evening. It seems like there are lots of people out tonight. What’s going on?”

  “Folks are getting together over at the gazebo. You want to go over and listen? They plan to sing a few songs, then turn on the lights just when it’s full dark. Folks are excited about it.” He offered his arm like he must have seen Wes do. “Sheriff told one of the kids we have to light up the gazebo so Santa can find Crossroads.”

  “You believe in Santa, Travis?”

  “I’m starting to. You wouldn’t believe the presents I got under a tumbleweed tree at the house. I can already tell what most of them are. The Uncle Elves are the worst wrappers in the world. I got them gifts, too. It wasn’t that hard. None of them own a pair of socks that match.”

  Maria laughed. “You know, I think I would like to join the party.”

  As they walked across the street, she added, “Want to tell me what the town square looks like tonight?”

  Travis laughed. “Just like you told me it did. The evergreens by the gazebo have a dusting of snow on them. And there are lights all around. Some are hanging down from the roof of the gazebo like icicles.”

  Maria felt a tear drifting down her cheek. “You don’t have to tell me what I wished it was like. I know no one has taken care of the gazebo for a long time. I know it’s in terrible shape.”

  Travis took her hand off his arm as they neared and put it on the banister. “It’s painted white, Maria, just like you said. Can you smell the paint? Feel the garland circling around the wood.”

  To her surprise, she could.

  Her fingers moved along the railing, bumping into tiny strings of light.

  The band, now sounding only a few feet away, began to play a Texas swing version of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”

  The countdown began. Ten, nine, eight. She heard people moving closer. Seven, six, five. Everyone was laughing. Four, three, two, one. A roar went up and Travis whispered, “The lights are on and working fine.”

  Maria felt the tiny bulb warm in her hand.

  “I know,” she agreed. Her vision was coming true. She could feel people shifting to the music, hear them laughing with the simple joy of the night.

  A hand reached out and touched hers as it rested on the railing. She knew his touch.

  “Dance with me.” Wes’s low voice blended with the music.

  She moved into his arms and they were dancing. She knew she must be dreaming, but for one moment she wanted to believe this dream was real. She could feel his arms around her. Smell the starched shirt. Feel his heart beating.

  He finally slowed his steps and leaned close to her ear. “I’ve decided you’re right, dear one. We should have a wild affair. I’ll be the lover you want me to be, but you have to make one slight alteration to your dream.”

  Maria couldn’t believe he was even speaking to her after what she’d put him through. “All right. I can do that. What is your request?”

  He stopped and the music stopped with him. He stepped away, no longer holding anything but her hand. Then she heard him drop to one knee.

  Maria could see her handsome lover before her in her mind. Dashing. Looking up at her with passion in his eyes. In her mind he’d never fade.

  His voice came low and clear in the cool night air. “For this love affair to last a lifetime, Maria, you’ll only have to wear my ring.”

  She felt a ring slip onto her left hand.

  He kissed her shaking fingers, then rose and held her against him. “I love you. I have no life without you in it. Marry me?”

  “When?” she answered, not wanting to ever be parted from this wonderful man again.

  Wes laughed. “Tonight, if you are willing. I’ve got it all planned. We’re having a destination wedding at the Franklin sisters’ place and it looks like I’ve invited the whole town.”

  “All right,” she whispered.

  “Yes?”

  “Yes.” Maria laughed as a cheer went up.

  “Marry me, Maria?” he asked again, loud enough for everyone to hear.

  “Will you still be my lover in our wild affair?” she asked so low only he could hear. “If so, I think I will.”

  Wes lifted her off the floor and swung her around to laughter from the crowd. She grabbed his face. “Wes, put me down. People are here. They’ll see us.”

  “Of course they will. We’ve been decorating all afternoon. Both churches took their lights off so we could put them up here for tonight. Travis and his uncles painted the gazebo last night. I think everyone who noticed them working came over to help.”

  He kissed her forehead and shouted, “Wedding’s at the bed-and-breakfast. You’re all invited.”

  She held his arm tightly. “Did everyone know about this?”

  “Everyone but you and Dakota. I worried that she wouldn’t keep a secret from you, but Grandmother said she would have no problem. Apparently there are a great many things she doesn’t tell you girls.”

  Wes moved his hand over Maria’s hair. “When the sheriff told me that Blade was going to finally get Dakota to marry him, I figured I had to do something. I could live with making a fool of myself if you’d said no, but I couldn’t live with not trying. Blade was the one who came up with the plan to get you to town.”

  He placed her hand on his arm as they moved off the gazebo and down the street. What sounded like an army seemed to follow them. Like a parade, they all marched down to the Franklins’ place, where all the cakes Maria had given away were waiting.

  “You are not very good at keeping secrets, Wes Whitman.”

  “I know,” he admitted. “I tried but you changed my life so much I had to tell someone before half the folks in Crossroads signed a petition to have me committed.”

  He kissed her cheek as they stepped into the bed-and-breakfast. “I couldn’t see us settling for a short affair. I can only see forever with you.”

  Maria nodded. “I’m beginning to see it, too. Forever just might be the perfect length of time for a wild affair.”

  * * * * *

  ISBN: 978-1-474-07562-6

  A CHRISTMAS AFFAIR

 
© 2017 Jodi Koumalats

  Published in Great Britain 2017

  by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

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