Holly And Mistletoe

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.