Her Christmas Temptation: The Billionaire Who Bought Christmas / What She Really Wants for Christmas / Baby, It's Cold Outside

Jack gestured for her to go first. “My mother’s name is Liza. My sister is Elaine. Then there’s my aunt Gwen and my cousin Melanie, Hunter’s sister.”

Kristy repeated the names to herself as they made their way along the hall and down the main staircase. Garlands of fresh cedar adorned the railing and banisters. The charming scent filled the air.

A small group of people stood chatting in the great room. Hunter asked Jack a question as they walked through the door. Kristy could see Cleveland in a conversation in the middle of the room, a crystal tumbler in one hand, and Dee Dee parked by his feet. He was sporting a Santa hat, perched jauntily atop his head. Leaving Jack behind, she moved closer to Cleveland, then she crouched down slightly.

“Dee Dee,” she sang softly to get her dog’s attention.

Dee Dee raised her head, but didn’t come to her feet.

“He’s spoiled her,” came a female voice next to Kristy.

Kristy straightened and smiled at the young woman. “I may have to leave her here when I go.”

She was a brunette, twentysomething, and she arched a finely sculpted eyebrow. “You’re going somewhere?”

“London,” said Kristy easily. Then she held out her hand. “I’m Kristy Mahoney.”

The woman gave a gentle handshake. “Not Osland?”

Kristy shook her head.

“Well, I’m Elaine Osland. We appear to be sisters-in-law.”

“It’s good to meet you.”

“You, too.” Elaine took a sip of her martini, watching Kristy closely. “I hear it was a small wedding?”

“About as small as you can get.”

“In Vegas?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Out of the blue I take it?”

“It was a whirlwind courtship.”

“That’s not like Jack.”

“It’s not like me, either.”

“More like his grandfather.”

Kristy laughed, but it sounded nervous even to her ears. “Really.”

“I hear you’re into fashion design.”

“I am. And what do you do?”

Elaine waved a dismissive hand. “Let’s talk about you.”

Kristy paused. “I take it you’re the interrogation committee?”

Elaine had the good grace to grin sheepishly. “That’s because you haven’t met my mother yet.”

Kristy glanced around the room.

“In the green sequin jacket,” said Elaine.

The woman’s shrewd eyes met Kristy’s gaze, and Kristy quickly looked away.

“Any tips?” she asked Elaine.

Elaine chuckled. “Stand up straight, don’t let her intimidate you and always tell the truth.”

“Are there any electrodes or heart-rate monitors involved?”

“Only if you make her suspicious.”

“Suspicious of what?”

“Your motivations for marrying my brother, silly.”

“I had no motivations.”

“See, she’s going to wonder.”

“It was a crazy weekend romance in Vegas,” Kristy told Elaine honestly. “He took me on a balloon ride, and I was a goner.” She wasn’t even lying about that part.

She felt a hand on the small of her back and knew immediately it was Jack.

“Everything okay here?” he asked.

“The electrodes haven’t come out yet,” said Kristy.

“We’re just having a chat,” Elaine put in, giving her brother a quick hug.

“You be nice,” Jack warned his sister.

“I’m always nice. I hear you fell in love on a balloon ride.” She cocked her head to watch his expression.

“You heard right,” said Jack. “It was over the Grand Canyon, and I was charming as hell.”

“Hmm,” said Elaine.

“Don’t ‘hmm’ me,” Jack retorted.

Elaine glanced back and forth between the two. “Only two days?”