A Magical Christmas

“This thing is called a wedding,” Jackson said mildly, “and over and done with isn’t the phrase I would have picked.”

Kayla rubbed the lipstick from Tyler’s cheek. “The answer is no, we haven’t set a date, but it’s on my to-do list.”

“June.” Jackson spoke firmly. “I’ve blocked out the whole place. We’re going to get married at Snow Crystal, in the orchard behind the house.”

“Oh!” Thrown, Kayla’s eyes flew wide, and she pressed her hand to her chest. “Seriously? That’s—well—” she breathed “—married?”

“You’re wearing my ring,” Jackson said softly. “I’m ready to make it official.”

She glanced down at the diamond sparkling on her finger, and when she spoke her voice sounded strange. “I’ll check my schedule for June.”

“I’ve already blocked it out in your calendar. It’s the only way I’ll get priority over your job.”

“That’s not true! But June—” Breathless, visibly flustered, Kayla started to pace again. “It’s not long. I’m not sure I can organize everything by then. There’s a lot to do.”

“Not for you. You’re not organizing your own wedding.”

“But—”

“You’re not organizing your own wedding, Kayla.”

“Then who will?”

“We will. Gramps, Grams, Mom, Élise, Sean—your family.” He spoke the words with quiet emphasis, and Kayla stopped in midstride, her eyes shining. She met his gaze, and something passed between them.

Elizabeth gave a soft sigh of satisfaction, and Jackson stood up and pulled Kayla into his arms.

“Get a room.” Tyler zipped his jacket. “And do it fast before Kayla books them all out because you’re sure as hell not staying with me. I’d better go and find your reporter.” He walked out, and Brenna stood up, too.

“Congratulations.” She walked across the room and hugged Jackson and Kayla, happy for them and envious at the same time. They didn’t share only friendship, they shared everything.

She’d never had that closeness with anyone, and it wasn’t because she hadn’t tried.

She knew that Élise treated sex as little more than an athletic workout. If rumor was correct then Tyler was the same. She didn’t know if she was different, more old-fashioned, or whether it was simply that she’d been in love all her life, and that had affected the way she related to other men.

The few physical relationships she’d experienced had been fun at the time, but there had been no deeper connection.

For her, love wasn’t fleeting or temporary. It wasn’t something that could be cured by absence or willpower. It couldn’t be found in a glance or a single night. It was deep and permanent. Loving Tyler was as much a part of her as her limbs and her hair color. She couldn’t switch it on or off.

“I have a class to teach.” She kept the smile on her face as she stepped out of the door and made sure it didn’t slip until she was safely clear of everyone.

“So now tell me the truth.” Waiting for the room to empty, Jackson blocked the door as Kayla tried to walk past him.

“The truth about what? How I feel about the wedding? I’m thrilled. Nervous, of course, and a little overwhelmed because I have a million things to do and—”

“Not the wedding. Why did you book Forest Lodge?”

“Oh, that—” She didn’t meet his gaze. “I already told you, I had a flurry of bookings and—”

He slid his fingers under her chin and forced her to look at him. “Honey, do you think I’m stupid?”

“You think I’m inventing guests?”

“No, but I think you could have chosen to put them somewhere other than Forest Lodge. You know how much Brenna loves that place. She was hurt that you’re making her move, and on the surface it’s a mean thing to do, especially this close to Christmas—”

Kayla winced. “Jackson—”

“—but I know you’re not a mean person, so there has to be something else behind it and given your ‘brilliant idea’ that she moves in with Tyler, I’m assuming the two are linked.”

“It is a brilliant idea. I’m so glad I thought of it.”

“Yeah, but you didn’t think of it two minutes ago. That isn’t how your brain works. You are a master problem solver. You analyze every possible solution. You started that meeting knowing exactly how you wanted it to end. So my question is, why are you trying to throw Tyler and Brenna together?”

Kayla opened her mouth to refute that accusation and then caught his eye. “Because Brenna has been in love with him her whole life, and nothing ever happens. It’s infuriating.”

“You can’t interfere, sweetheart.”

Her face fell. “I feel guilty. We’re so happy. I have you, and Élise has Sean, and Brenna loves Tyler so much, and he’s blind and stupid.”

Jackson closed his hands over her shoulders. “He is neither blind nor stupid. Emotions aren’t as easy to control as you wish they were. You can’t force feelings. They’re either there or they’re not.”

“You’re a man. You don’t understand.”

“I understand more than you think. I grew up consoling women who were in love with Sean.” He smoothed her hair with his hand. “You can’t make one person fall in love with another. That isn’t how it works.”

“I know that!” She scowled at him. “Do you think I wanted to fall in love with you? I didn’t! It derailed all my plans.”

“Yeah, that turned out really badly.” Smiling, he lowered his head and kissed her. When he finally lifted his head, she blinked dizzily and locked her hand in the front of his shirt.

“You always do that when you’re losing an argument.”

“I wasn’t losing anything.”

“What were you saying?”

“I was saying that a person can’t interfere with other people’s love lives. What happens between two people is a personal thing.”

“What if two people are perfect for each other and nothing ever happens?”

“Then maybe it’s not meant to happen. They’ve known each other since Brenna was four years old. If something was going to happen, surely it would have happened by now.”

“It would have done if your brother wasn’t so blind.”

Jackson gathered her against him. “He isn’t blind.”

“Don’t defend him.”

“I’m not defending him. I’m just saying he’s not blind.”

“Then why hasn’t he made a move?”

“It isn’t a conversation I’ve had because I figure it’s his business, not mine.” He eased away from her and gave her a pointed look. “But I’m sure he has his reasons.”

“Are you telling me you’ve never thought they’d be perfect together?”

Jackson hesitated. “They have plenty in common, that’s true, but Brenna is the settled type. I wouldn’t exactly describe Tyler as settled, and I wouldn’t want either of them to be hurt.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck. “But you think they are good together.”

“They’re best friends. But there is a difference between being friends and being lovers. You can’t make it happen because you’d like it to.”

“Maybe not, but I can help things along by at least putting them in the same place. Sometimes people need a little help to see what’s right in front of them.”

“Presumably my mother is also in on this, given that we are about to be visited by ‘hordes of relatives from England,’ none of whom we’ve heard of before?”

Kayla pulled away from him and picked up her purse. “She wasn’t in on anything, but maybe she thinks Brenna and Tyler need encouragement, too.”

“All right, what’s done is done—” Jackson pulled her back to him and this time his eyes were serious “—but promise me you’ll leave it alone now.”

“I really do need Forest Lodge. I thought you’d be pleased that we’re so busy.”

“You haven’t promised.”

“Heads on beds. That was my brief when you gave me the job last Christmas.”

“We’ve come a long way since then.” He stroked his thumb over her cheek. “You’re not going to promise, are you?”

“I’m going to try really hard, but if I hang extra bunches of mistletoe around the place, you’re not to blame me.”

He shook his head. “What you’ve achieved here is beyond impressive. I still can’t believe that last Christmas I was awake at night wondering if we’d even have a business left in a year’s time.”

She slid her arms around his neck. “I love you.”

“I love you, too. But the only relationship I want you invested in is ours. Got that?”

“Mmm.” She pressed her mouth to his. “Maybe. But what about all the mistletoe? Shame to waste it.”

“I’m sure we can put it to good use.”

CHAPTER SIX

TYLER FINISHED THE run, delivered the reporter back to the main house for a debrief with Kayla, took a bumps-and-trees class he’d committed to in a weak moment and ended his day rescuing a toddler who had face-planted in a snowdrift.

By the time he arrived home, he felt like a bear with a thorn in its paw.

“Dad!” Jess shot out of the den, Ash and Luna at her heels. “Is it true?”

“Is what true? That I’m never skiing with a reporter again? Yeah, that’s true. They ask me stuff I wouldn’t tell my mother, and then wonder why I want to bury them in a snowdrift.” He shoved the dogs down. “How many times do I have to tell you not to let the dogs into my den?”

“Grandma says Brenna is coming to live with us?”

“Not live, exactly.” He dropped his gloves on the table. “But how would you feel about her staying awhile? I should have checked with you first, but she was in a bit of trouble so I wanted to help out.”

“Dad, you don’t need to ask! I love Brenna. It will be so cool having her here. Especially over Christmas. Christmas is always more fun when there are lots of people around. It will be great, hanging around the Christmas tree in our pajamas.”

Thinking of Brenna in her pajamas, Tyler unzipped his jacket. He hadn’t dared think about what it would be like to have Brenna living here. “Maybe it’s not a great idea.”

“It’s a great idea. It will be like being a family.”

Which presented him with a whole new problem. “Do you mind it being the two of us normally? Do you miss your mom and half sister?”

Jess shrugged, and her sweater slid off her skinny shoulder.

Tyler felt a rush of frustration. “Is that a yes or a no? Whatever you’re thinking, say it straight-out. I can take anything, but don’t give me door slamming, hormones or one of your shrugs. You know I don’t speak teenager.”

“I’m not giving you hormones! And I don’t miss Mom.” Jess pulled Luna into her arms and buried her face in her fur. “Living with her was too stressy. And if I’m honest, Carly doesn’t feel like my sister. I mean, she was only weeks old when Mom sent me away, so it’s not like we know each other. I wasn’t even allowed to hold her in case I dropped her. I don’t hate her or anything, I just don’t feel anything much. I guess you think I’m a bad person now.”

Tyler, who had been judged by people for most of his life, heard the insecurity in her voice and frowned. “I think you’re a great person.”

Jess looked up at him. “I guess I worry about what other people think about me having a half sister I never see. Mrs. Kelly in the store asked how the baby was doing. When I said I didn’t know, she looked all disapproving.”

He was willing to bet the disapproval had been aimed at Janet, not Jess, but he hunkered down next to her and made a fuss of Luna. “I’ve had more practice ignoring advice than giving it, but I’m going to give it anyway. Don’t live your life worrying about what someone else is thinking about you. Firstly because most of the time people are thinking about themselves, not you, and secondly and most importantly, because how you choose to live your life is no one else’s business. You get on with your life and let them get on with theirs.”

“What if they’re all judgy?”

“Then that’s their problem.”

“I guess I don’t want people thinking bad things about me.”

“The people who matter are those closest to you, and the person who matters most is you. As long as what you’re doing feels right to you, and you’re not hurting anyone, I don’t see that there’s anything to worry about.” He stroked his fingers over her cheek and stood up. “Let’s go help Brenna move her stuff. Friends. Family. They’re the people who count, Jess. Keep them close.”

“Do you think there’s something wrong with me that I don’t feel anything?” She blurted the words out. “Because I’ve kind of wondered about that. Like maybe I’m cold and unfeeling or something?”

He cursed under his breath and dragged her into his arms. “There’s nothing wrong with you, honey. Carly arrived, and you were sent away. That’s going to make things complicated. No one would blame you for resenting her a little bit.”

“That’s not it.” Her voice was muffled against his chest. “I don’t resent her. If anything, I’m grateful. She’s the reason I’m here, and I’d rather be living with you than with Mom. And I guess I feel guilty because maybe I’m supposed to be sad or something.”

“Right.” Tyler’s throat felt scratchy and raw. “Well, then, that’s good because everyone is happy. You don’t have to feel guilty about that. Now let’s stop talking about deep stuff because it’s making my head ache. Tell me about your day.”

“Mine was good. Better than yours.” She sniffed and pulled away. “Tell me about the reporter. Grandma was worried you might kill him.”

“I tried. He got away.”

Jess laughed. “He was a good skier?”

“He was lucky.” Aware that she hadn’t really answered the question about her day, he made a note to tackle it later. “Let’s go pick up Brenna.”

“Both of us?”

“Sure. She looked pretty sick about having to move out of Forest Lodge, and seeing you might cheer her up.” Reasoning that a third person in the mix would be better for all concerned, Tyler scooped up his keys. “Let’s go before she trudges all the way over here with her cases. We can help her pack up the lodge if she hasn’t already done it. Zip your coat up because it’s freezing out there.”

“I’m not three years old, Dad.”

“Good. Because there is no way I’d be changing your diaper and mashing up your food.”

“I stopped wearing diapers when I was two years old.” Jess grinned. “You don’t know a thing about babies, do you? Can we take Ash and Luna? I don’t like leaving them.”

“Jess, we’re driving two minutes down the track. They’re not going to die of neglect in two minutes.”

“Yes, but it’s snowing, and anything could happen. They might worry about us, especially Luna. Huskies are a social breed. She likes to know where I am at all times. They’re family, and you said family is important.” She grabbed the dogs, and Tyler resigned himself to another drive with panting dogs.

“Come on, then, although where Brenna’s luggage is going to fit, I have no idea, and if Ash howls or scratches my car, I’m taking him to the pound.”

“I know you don’t mean that because you and Uncle Jackson were the ones who rescued Maple.”

“Yeah, well, Maple was cute and vulnerable. Ash is a bruiser.”

Jess buried her head in Ash’s fur. “Ignore him, sweetie, he loves you, really.”

“I do not love him.” Relieved to see her smiling again, Tyler walked to the door. “He’s a smelly, rabid apology for a dog.”

“He is not rabid!” She followed him to the car. “I saw Dana today. She’s going to help me train him.”

“That is the first piece of good news I’ve had today. That animal is in dire need of training, that’s for sure, and no one has more experience with Siberian huskies than my cousin. Fasten your seat belt.”

“She said if I go over there she’ll teach me about sledding. That would be so cool. I’d love to take the team out in the forest. Have you done it before?”

“Yeah, but it’s too slow for me. When they breed a turbo-charged husky, I’ll try it again.”

“But a whole team of dogs pulling you through the forest—that’s so cool. Tourists pay a fortune for it. If Dana’s your cousin, and she’s your grandfather’s sister’s granddaughter, what relationship is she to me?” Jess sprang into the seat next to him, and the dogs piled in after her, smacking Tyler in the face with wagging tails.

“Probably second cousin or—I have no idea. Don’t ask difficult questions. Save them for Grandma. And get those dogs in the back. Last time I checked, neither of them could drive a car.” Shaking his head, Tyler reversed out of the space and drove down the track. The snow had accumulated during the day, but the roads that ran through the resort had been plowed and the snow was piled thick and deep at the side of the road.

Jess whooped with delight. “So much snow. Will I still be able to race tomorrow?”

“Yes, providing the visibility is good.” He pulled up outside Forest Lodge.

Through the huge glass windows, he could see a lone suitcase sitting in the middle of the floor.

“Brenna obviously hasn’t finished packing, so let’s get inside and help her.” He sprang from the car and the dogs followed, sending snow flying as they bounded up the steps of the lodge.

Opening the door without knocking, Tyler walked in, and the dogs pushed past him.

“Sit. Sit.” He grabbed Ash by the collar and pushed the dog’s rump down onto the wooden floor. “Stay. If you mess this place up my brother will kill me, and then I’ll kill you.”

Jess unwound her scarf from her neck, sending snow flying. “If Uncle Jackson killed you first, you wouldn’t be able to kill Ash.”

“Then you’d have to kill him for me. Stay with them and make sure they don’t jump on the sofa.”

“It says on the website that well-behaved dogs are allowed in the lodges.”

“Exactly. Ash and Luna are the worst-behaved dogs on the planet. That’s why they’re living with me and not Grandma.”

“Because they played rough with Maple?”

“Yeah, well a miniature poodle and two bruiser huskies aren’t a good mix. They treated every game like football, and Maple was the ball. Brenna?” Where the hell was she?

He knew she was upset, which was why he hadn’t fought against Kayla’s all too obvious manipulation of the sleeping arrangements. He didn’t want Brenna upset.

“I’m up here.” She finally appeared above him on the sleeping shelf. “What are you doing here?” Her face was partially in shadow, but he thought her eyes looked a little red.

Had she been crying?

No. He’d never seen Brenna cry. Not once. Not when she’d fallen and broken her ankle skiing, nor when those idiots who she refused to name had pushed her into a ditch.

But he knew how much she loved living in this particular lodge.

He remembered how excited she’d been when she’d first moved in. She’d chosen to sleep on the shelf, rather than in the master bedroom, and that decision hadn’t surprised him. Brenna would have slept on the forest floor if that had been a practical option.

“Thought you might need some help packing up the rest of your things.”

“It’s done.”

“Great! So tell me where the cases are, and I’ll get them loaded up. Room’s all ready for you.” He’d given her the room that was farthest from his, and he’d put Jess in charge of making up the bed and making the place welcoming.

“That’s it. That’s the case. You’re looking at it.”

Tyler stared at the single small suitcase standing forlornly on the hardwood floor. “Everything you own is in that?”

“Well, not everything. Not my sporting equipment obviously. I keep that in the Outdoor Center.”

He thought of the Canadian ice skater he’d been dating at the time of his accident. Her makeup case had been bigger and heavier than this suitcase. When they’d traveled, they’d needed a separate car for her luggage.

Thinking of it reminded him why he and Brenna were such good friends.

“I love a woman who travels light.”

Something flickered in her eyes, and then she looked away. “Stay there, I’m coming down.” Her voice didn’t sound like her own, and Tyler dragged his hand over the back of his neck and glanced at Jess, but she was making a fuss of Ash and didn’t seem to have noticed a problem.

Panic knotted in his chest.

Please don’t let her be crying.

It seemed like ages before she appeared. Then she walked to the kitchen area, checked the fridge was empty and smoothed her hand over the granite work surface while Tyler watched, trying to find something to say that wasn’t clumsy or tactless.

“I know you love this place.” Now it was his voice that sounded strange. Rough, a little husky, as if he’d been up all night drinking in a smoke-filled room. “I know it’s important to you.”

“The things that are important to me are outside, not inside. Blue sky, snow, powder, the smell of the lake in the summer. I can’t frame those things or put them in a vase. But it’s true, I love this lodge.” She glanced up at the soaring ceiling. “Jackson did so well when he built these.”

“Gramps nearly killed him for spending so much money. They didn’t stop arguing. We had fireworks every day for months.”

“But Jackson was right.” With a last look around the living room with its cathedral ceiling and huge stone fireplace, she walked toward the door and noticed Jess for the first time. “Hi, Jess. I have to stay with you for a couple of nights, until I find somewhere for myself. I hope that’s all right. I promise not to get in the way.”

“You won’t be in the way. And you’re going to stay for more than a couple of nights. Can we watch skiing together?”

“Sure.” Obviously finding the situation a little awkward, Brenna stooped to hug Luna, who licked her ecstatically. “You’ll have to tell me the rules of your house. I’ve lived alone for so long I haven’t had to think about other people.”

Tyler clenched his jaw. The look on her face made him feel as if he’d put his boot on a basket of kittens.

“There aren’t any rules.” Jess gave a wicked grin. “Dad pretends there are, but then we both break them.”

“That sounds like your dad.” Brenna smoothed Luna’s fur. “He’s never been too good with rules.”

“Hey! I’m pretty house-trained since Jess moved in, isn’t that right, sweetheart?”

“It’s not right. You still put your feet on the table when no one is looking, and you drink milk from the carton.” Jess was trying to stop Ash leaping on the sofa. “But he’s trying, Brenna. Sometimes there’s even food in the fridge along with the beer.”

Some of the tension in his shoulders eased.

“Forest Lodge has a great view, but my place is better. You’re going to love it. I’ve put you in the back bedroom. It faces the forest. Jess made the room up for you while I was teaching my final class.”

He glanced at Jess for confirmation, but she wasn’t looking at him.

Had she forgotten?

“Jess?”

“Mmm?”

“You made up the room, right? Because if you forgot, I am selling your skis and enrolling you in after-school history club.”

“I made up the room! Come on, Luna, let’s take Brenna to her new home.”

Brenna picked up her jacket and slid her feet into her boots. “This must be so inconvenient for you so close to Christmas. Don’t let me stop you doing any of the stuff you’d normally do.”

“Last year was my first proper, permanent Christmas here so we’re still making stuff up. I want lots of decorations but Dad says the house is already a mess, so I’m still working on that.” Jess dragged a wriggling, writhing Ash toward the door. “We’re having a real tree, though. We’re going to choose it soon. You can come. We could go after race training.”

“If there’s enough light.” Tyler opened the door and pushed the dogs out into the cold. Jess followed, and he was about to step after her when Brenna put a hand on his arm.

“Are you sure this is all right? Would you be honest?”

“I’m always honest.” But that wasn’t true, was it? Right now, staring down into those soft dark eyes, he wanted to say things that he knew would change their relationship forever. Because of that, he stepped back. “What are friends for? Maybe we’ll watch a movie tonight or something.” He knew he had to do something to take her mind off the way she was feeling, because seeing her this upset was killing him. “After you’ve cooked me dinner.” He chose his words to goad her, and was relieved to see misery replaced by a dangerous gleam.