Holly And Mistletoe

Liar, a voice in his head yelled. He ignored it.

“Some. People who come into my store are nice. I know my landlord, of course. I’ve made a couple of friends.”

She looked away from him as he spoke, and he knew in that instant she was lying. She hadn’t made a lot of friends, but she didn’t want him feeling sorry for her.

He thought about the women his brothers had married. All of them were terrific and friendly. He had a feeling if he mentioned Holly to them, they would take her under their wings and draw her into the group. Or at least help her feel less alone. But Holly might not want him interfering.

Before he could ask or offer, she rose and collected their dinner plates. “Would you like some coffee?” she asked.

“That would be great. Oh, and some of those cookies you brought.”

She gave him a quick smile, then headed out of the room. He watched the sway of her hips as she walked, and felt a stirring deep inside. He ignored it, just as he ignored the flicker of interest and the sensation of being intrigued. It had been a long time since a woman had caught his attention.

He reminded himself there was a price to be paid for getting involved. A price for caring. He wasn’t willing to pay that again. But that wasn’t what this was about. Holly was keeping him company. Nothing more. Soon she would leave, and he wouldn’t have to see her again. Bad enough to risk getting involved with any woman. Worse to risk the heart of an innocent.

Chapter Three

Holly brought in coffee and a plate of cookies. While she’d been in the kitchen, she’d removed her apron. Jordan tried to ignore her curves and his body’s natural reaction to them. Aside from the fact that they were strangers, he was in no condition to act on any impulses, however pleasant the fantasy.

“I didn’t know how you liked it,” she said as she set the tray on the table across his bed. “There’s milk and sugar.” She motioned to the small containers next to the plate of cookies.

“Black is fine.”

She picked up her cup, added milk, stirred, then took her seat. “How do you feel?” she asked.

He shrugged, then grimaced as muscles in his back protested. “Like I was thrown off the side of a building.”

Instead of smiling, she grew solemn with concern. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“Yes, it is.” She leaned toward him and placed her cup on the table. “I shouldn’t have asked you to go back and rescue Mistletoe. When I think about it now…” She swallowed. Her blue eyes darkened with an emotion he couldn’t read. “You could have been killed.”

“I wouldn’t have gone in if I’d been in that much danger.”

“Really?”

He nodded. “I like what I do for a living, but I don’t have a death wish.”

She gave him a faint smile. “She’s all I have left from my mother. Mistletoe was a gift to me the Christmas before Mom died. I’m very grateful for what you did.” Her voice was husky.

Somehow, in all the moving around, her chair had slid closer to the bed. Now, if she leaned forward as she was doing now, her hands rested on the edge of the mattress. A single strand of blond hair hung down by her cheek. The wisp brushed against her skin, but she didn’t seem to notice. His gut clenched as he wondered if she was going to cry. He freely admitted he was a typical male, completely knocked off balance by female tears.

“Just doing my job,” he said lightly.

She responded with a smile. “What made you want to do that rather than become a police officer like the rest of your family?”

He pushed the controls and lowered the bed a little, then tucked one hand behind his head. “When I was about eight or nine, a house in the neighborhood caught fire. I watched the fire department at work. I’d never really understood what my father and uncles did. I knew from television they were supposed to catch the bad guys, but Glenwood isn’t a hotbed of criminal activity. The sheriff’s department acts more as a deterrent than a crime-solving organization. But I could see what the fire fighters did, and I was impressed. That stayed with me.”

He reached for his coffee. That wasn’t the only reason. Growing up, he’d also watched his old man. By the time he was twelve, he knew he didn’t want to be anything like his father. Earl Haynes had a reputation for being a ladies’ man.

Jordan swore silently. It wasn’t just the women his father flaunted. It was the disrespect for everyone else. No one mattered, and nothing was important but Earl’s pleasures. He often hit the boys for no reason, then told them to consider themselves punished in advance of their next mistake. Jordan’s brothers had been able to look past the man and carry on the family tradition of law enforcement, but not Jordan.

He could feel his anger building. Even after all this time, his father still got to him. He wondered if that would ever change.

“Jordan? Are you feeling all right?” Holly’s voice was concerned. She rose and touched her palm to his forehead. With her other hand she took his wrist and felt his pulse. “Slightly elevated,” she murmured, “but you don’t feel hot.”

She pressed the back of her hand against his cheek, then touched his earlobe. He figured if she kept that up much longer, he could really show her an elevated pulse.

“Do you want a painkiller or are you due for some other medication?”

“I’m fine,” he said. “Relax.”

He was fine. Since getting out of the hospital, he’d grown used to the dull ache in his body. He’d wanted to give up his prescriptions altogether, but he needed the medication to sleep at night. During the day he did without.

She released his hand, sank back in her chair and continued to study him. Gone was the blushing innocent. He liked the contrast of competence and shyness almost as much as he liked her freckles.

She gave him a half smile. “I should leave so you can get some rest.”

“I’d prefer that you kept me company. It gets pretty boring lying here all day.”

“You’ve got Louise.”

Rather than answer that, he reached for his coffee.

Holly opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say anything, there was a noise from the kitchen. She stood up and turned toward the sound.

“I’m back,” Louise called.

Figures, Jordan grumbled to himself.

Holly glanced at her watch. “Goodness. I didn’t realize how long I’d been here. You must be exhausted. I’m so sorry. You should have said something.” She twisted her fingers together. “My only excuse is that I’ve been spending too much time on my own. Mistletoe is a sweetie, but she’s not much for conversation.”

She was babbling. He liked it. It meant she was nervous and unsure of herself. Better than that, it meant she liked him. He wanted her to like him.

He heard footsteps in the hallway, then Louise stepped into the room. Her eyebrows arched in surprise.

“You two seem to be getting along. Everything all right?”

“It’s my fault,” Holly said quickly. “After dinner I—”

Jordan didn’t know how else to shut her up. He reached out and grabbed her hand. She turned and stared at him. He ignored her.

“Everything is fine,” he told the housekeeper. “How was your class?”

Now both women were staring at him. He figured he had Holly’s attention because of the incredibly hot sparks arcing between their clasped hands. He’d never felt anything like it before, and he sure as hell didn’t know what it meant. He also wasn’t going to let go, because he had a feeling if he did, she would bolt. He wanted to make sure she was going to come back and see him again.

Louise stared at him because his question was the first civil comment he’d spoken since she arrived. For a moment he wondered if it was really so necessary to be such a bastard around her. Then he reminded himself of all she’d done and how many lives she’d torn apart, and he knew she deserved all that and more. The fact that she was doing a nice thing by looking after him was something he would have to learn to ignore.

“The professor barely looks old enough to have to shave every day, but he lectures real nice,” Louise said cautiously.

“I should go,” Holly said, tugging her fingers free.

Jordan didn’t want to let her go. For one incredibly stupid moment he wished he could stand up and kiss her. If he’d been on medication, he would have said it was the drugs talking, but he hadn’t had anything since the previous evening. So it was the boredom or the pain. Or maybe it was the fact that outside his family, he didn’t have many friends. He liked Holly. She was someone he could be friends with.

Even as he thought the statement, he half expected to be zapped by lightning. Sure, he wanted to be friends with her. That’s why he’d spent half the evening staring at her curves.

“Come back tomorrow,” he said without thinking.

Holly’s full lips turned up at the corners. “I’d like that,” she said softly.

He smiled. Her reaction was instant. Her mouth parted, and her breathing increased. He saw the faint tremor that rippled through her body. He’d never much wanted it, but apparently he still had it. The infamous whatever that made Haynes men popular with the ladies. Years before he’d used it to get whatever he wanted, but he’d grown up and the game had lost its appeal.

He turned off the smile, and Holly blinked, as if she were awakening from a spell. She gave him a quick wave and walked from the room. Louise followed. Jordan was left alone in the silence.

He would have to be careful. Despite his preoccupation with her curves, he liked Holly and he would be grateful for her company. But only as his friend. He didn’t want anything more. He knew the truth about romantic entanglements. He’d learned it from an expert. Despite all the songs and movies about the joys of falling in love, the truth was that love hurt.

Holly walked into the kitchen to collect her purse.

“I’m impressed,” Louise said, strolling behind her. “You worked a miracle.”

“It wasn’t very difficult.” Holly smiled at the housekeeper and hoped her trembling wasn’t obvious. Touching Jordan to see if he had a fever was one thing. She could ignore the fact that he was handsome, charming and very close to naked. But when he’d taken her hand and smiled at her, she’d thought she was going to faint.

She drew in a deep breath. It wasn’t fair that one man should have so many good qualities. They should be spread around among several men. Then she wouldn’t have to worry about making a fool of herself in his presence.

“Maybe it wasn’t hard for you,” Louise said, “but I can’t get a lick of cooperation out of that boy. I don’t suppose you’d consider coming here full-time until he’s healed.”

Holly grinned. “Sorry, I’ve got a business to run.”

“Just my luck. Guess I’m stuck with him.” She rolled her eyes. “He forgot himself and was nearly pleasant to me tonight. I’m sure I’ll pay for that in the morning.”

“I don’t understand why he acts like that.”

Louise touched her right earring, separating the dangling silver moon and stars. “Could be any number of things. He’s never come out and said. Glenwood is a small town. People know each other’s business. But he’s carried his anger for a long time. I suppose one day I’ll have to have it out with him, but not tonight.” She smiled brightly. “You coming back tomorrow?”

“You really think I should?”

“Of course. If nothing else, I could use a break from his bad temper.”

“I know it’s difficult. My mother was sick for nearly ten years. When she was feeling good, she was fun and easy to be around, but after days of being in pain she got—” Holly hesitated.

“Cranky?” Louise offered.

Holly smiled. “That’s as good a word as any.”

She glanced back toward the study. Jordan had asked her to come back, and she really would like to spend some more time with him. Tonight had been great fun. Talking with another person was much better than spending the evening alone.

“So you’ll be here?” Louise asked.

Holly started toward the front door with the housekeeper following behind. “Yes. I’d like that very much.”

“Good. I look forward to it, and I’m sure Jordan does, too.” She held the door open.

Holly stepped onto the porch and waved. “Good night.”

It was just dinner and conversation, she reasoned as she started her car and backed down the driveway. It wasn’t really like a date. So what if Jordan was funny, charming and handsome? She was being neighborly. Besides, she’d been so busy getting her business started, she hadn’t had time to meet anyone. Jordan could be her first friend. And Louise, too, although the thought of seeing Louise again wasn’t quite as exciting.

If nothing else, the visit would get her out of the store. Since she’d lost her apartment, she’d been sleeping in the shop. There were plenty of sofas to bunk on. They weren’t that comfortable—but it was only for a few weeks. Stocking her store with inventory for Christmas had taken every last penny she had. When the storm had struck, she’d lost all her furniture and most of her clothes. She couldn’t afford to replace everything, let alone come up with first and last months’ rent. But if she had a good holiday season, she would be fine come January first. Then she would find a new apartment and buy a few things. In the meantime she had the store, and that was enough.

That night, as she stretched out in her sleeping bag on one of the more comfortable sofas, she thought about her evening with Jordan and smiled in the darkness. Her pleasure wasn’t just about how he looked, even though his smile took her breath away. It was that he really took the time to listen to her. No one had ever done that before. She shifted, and Mistletoe meowed in protest. The cat was using her feet as a pillow. Holly could feel the vibration of Mistletoe’s purring through the sleeping bag. The familiar sensation relaxed her.

“Maybe I’ll take you to meet him,” she murmured. “Then you can thank him in person.”

Mistletoe yawned, obviously not impressed.

Three days later Louise opened the front door as Holly climbed the stairs.

“Right on time,” Louise said.

“There weren’t any customers in the store, so I closed exactly at five.” She stepped inside, then set the large basket she was carrying on the floor. “I hope you don’t mind, but I brought Mistletoe.”

Louise eyed the basket. “Is she the cat responsible for Jordan’s injuries?”

“Yes. She’s really very sweet, but she got scared by everything going on.”

“Don’t make excuses. I like her already.” Louise bent down and opened the basket. Mistletoe was curled up inside. Her long gray fur fluffed out around her. Big green eyes stared at Louise. The housekeeper let Mistletoe smell her hand, then scratched behind her ears. The cat purred in ecstasy.

“She’s beautiful,” Louise said.

“A purebred Persian, and she doesn’t hesitate to remind people that she’s special.”

Louise stood up. Mistletoe sniffed the air, then stepped out of the basket. Her round belly hung low.

“Has she been eating too many table scraps or is she pregnant?”

“Pregnant,” Holly said. “It’s only a couple of weeks until she’s due. I’ve been coming here every night, and I didn’t want to keep leaving her alone. You’re not allergic, are you?”

“Not at all.” Louise bent over and petted the cat. “Aren’t you a pretty girl? Now, you go bother Jordan. There’s a sweet cat. Yes, you go shed cat hair all over his sheets.” Mistletoe arched into the caresses. When Louise straightened, the animal began to explore the foyer.

Holly took a deep breath. “Something smells wonderful. What is it tonight?”

“Spaghetti. I had some frozen sauce. I just defrosted it in the refrigerator, then started heating it about twenty minutes ago.”

In the past three days they’d settled into a routine. For some reason Jordan continued to complain about Louise’s cooking. So Holly took credit for the evening meal, even though she didn’t prepare it. It made Jordan happy, and Louise didn’t mind.

The housekeeper disappeared each evening. Some nights she was at the local college taking courses. Other times she was baby-sitting or studying in the library. Holly privately thought she simply left to get away from Jordan.

“I don’t understand why he’s so stubborn,” Holly said as she followed Louise into the kitchen.

As usual the housekeeper dressed to attract attention. This evening she wore a brilliant orange long-sleeved silk blouse tucked into black jeans. A gold belt circled her small waist. Her dangling earrings—a teapot twirling from one ear, a cup and saucer hanging from the other—swayed with her movements.

Holly admired her sense of style even if it wasn’t what she would have chosen for herself. For the shop Holly favored ruffly blouses and long, flowing skirts. They reflected the era of the store but allowed her to be mobile. Fortunately she’d kept her work clothes at the store, preferring to change into jeans before she went home. She’d lost a lot of casual wear but could still be dressed appropriately at work.

“You really don’t think he’s caught on?” she asked as she leaned against the kitchen counter. The old-fashioned room hadn’t been updated since the early fifties. The counter tiles were alternating light and dark green. The big stove had rounded corners and a storage area on one side. The only modern appliance was the microwave on the counter.

“Even if he has, why would he want to admit it?” Louise bent over and pulled out a large pot. “This should do for the pasta. The sauce is simmering on that back burner. Just give it a stir every fifteen minutes or so. The longer it cooks, the tastier it will be.”

She motioned to a loaf of bread by the sink. “I picked that up fresh this afternoon.” She winked at Holly. “I think he suspects I’m doing the cooking, but he likes pretending you’re doing it instead. He gets to growl at me and have you keep him company every night. What’s not to like?”

“I suppose. I guess I feel a little guilty claiming credit for all your wonderful meals.”

“If it makes him feel better to think he’s eating your food and not mine, let him. The faster he’s feeling better, the quicker I can get out of here.”

“How’s he doing today?”

Louise grimaced. “Pretty bad. The fool got up this morning. The doctor told him to relax. Anyway, he overdid it and spiked a fever this afternoon. I finally convinced him to take an over-the-counter painkiller, and last time I checked, he was sleeping. You might want to look in on him. I think he’ll wake up on his own in an hour or so.”

“That’s fine.” Holly brushed her hands against her skirt, then stared at Louise. “I have another favor to ask.”

“Sure, what?”

She cleared her throat. “Could I use the shower?” She felt her cheeks getting hot, but plunged on before she lost her nerve. “I’ve been living at the store since the fire. There’s a bathroom with a sink but no shower. I’ve been bathing piecemeal, and I really want to be able to wash my hair without having to bend over that tiny sink.”

Louise stared at her for several seconds. “Child, you don’t even have to ask. Why didn’t you say something sooner? There’s five bathrooms in this house, and Jordan’s only using one of them. Come right this way.”

Louise marched out of the kitchen. Holly followed on her heels. She was quickly shown the downstairs bathroom, the closet with fresh towels, then handed a thick terry-cloth robe.

“The boy never uses it, so it’s practically new.”

Holly hugged the robe to her chest. She’d brought shampoo and other toiletries, but she hadn’t thought of a robe. “Thanks. I appreciate this.”

Louise shook her blond head. “I’m the one in your debt. You’re giving me a break by staying with him.” She glanced at her watch. “I’ve got to get going or I’ll be late. I can’t have a tardy on my attendance record. I’ve never been late once this whole semester. Oh, and I might not get home right on time. Several of us are going out to coffee with the professor after class.”

Holly stared at her. “The one so young he doesn’t have to shave every day?”

Louise shrugged. “Oh, Richard isn’t all that young. He’s nearly thirty-five. He just looks young.”

“You call him Richard?”

Louise cleared her throat. “Did I say Richard? I meant Professor Wilson. That’s his name. I’m out of here. Have fun.”

With that, the housekeeper left the bathroom and walked down the hall. Holly stared after her and shook her head. Too much had happened too fast.

She set the robe on a hook behind the bathroom door, then went to collect her toiletries. Once in the foyer, she moved Mistletoe’s basket to one side and picked up her oversize purse. Her cat raced down the stairs and came over to be petted.

“Are you enjoying all this new stuff to sniff?” Holly asked.

Mistletoe purred in response.

When Holly straightened, the cat took off to explore another part of the house. Holly moved through the library, then tiptoed into the study.

Jordan was sprawled out on the rented hospital bed. One dark lock of hair tumbled across his forehead. While he was asleep, he appeared a little younger, although just as good-looking. Her heart did its usual rapid patter against her ribs, but she was learning to accept the fluttery sensation. It was just part of the price she paid to spend time with him.

She reached out and touched his face. He was warm but not hot. If he’d spiked a fever, it seemed to have faded. Also, he was sleeping soundly without the restlessness that accompanies fever.

She studied him for a few minutes, examining the strong line of his jaw, his straight nose, the faint stubble on his chin. Sometimes while they were talking, she had the oddest sensation of being part of a play or a movie. It didn’t feel real. What was she doing here?

But she didn’t dare question her good fortune. Even though she’d never had much opportunity to spend time with men, she’d always dreamed about what it would be like to know one. Jordan was everything she’d imagined the perfect man would be. He was kind, funny, charming and when he looked at her a certain way, she could feel her bones melting. It would be easy to have a crush on him…or worse.

But she wouldn’t. First of all, she’d heard a little about the Haynes brothers from people in town. They had a reputation for being heartbreakers. She might as well try to learn ice skating at a U.S. Olympic team workout. She was completely out of her league. Not only was she a virgin, but she hadn’t kissed a single male since she was fifteen. Talk about being out of the loop.

The second reason she wouldn’t dare fall for Jordan Haynes was that as much as she might daydream about a man, even marriage, she knew it wasn’t in the cards for her. Not because no one would love her. She liked to think that one or two people might think she was special. The real reason was that love required trust, and she’d been let down too many times. She couldn’t imagine ever trusting anyone again.

She pulled the sheet higher up his bare chest, then left the room and hurried down the hallway toward the bathroom. She’d spent the past three days longing for a shower and she was going to enjoy every minute of this one.

A hideous howling broke through Jordan’s dream and jerked him into consciousness. He sat up in bed, then groaned as pain ripped through his muscles. He shouldn’t have gotten up earlier, as Louise had told him gleefully.

He shook his head and tried to figure out what was wrong. His brain was fuzzy, and he couldn’t focus on anything. There’d been a sound. A—

The howling came again. Someone or some thing was being tortured. He threw back the sheet and tried to rise to his feet. The floor shifted. Or maybe it was him. He gripped the nightstand with one hand and the table by his bed with the other, then pushed up. As he locked his muscles, he realized he’d made one fatal error of judgment. He’d forgotten the hospital table had wheels.

It shot out from under him and went flying across the room. Jordan lost his balance and tumbled toward the floor. He braced one arm to save himself, but it gave way and he hit the hardwood on his already bruised shoulder.