A Colby Christmas Rescue (Colby Agency: The Next Generation #1)

Chapter Sixteen

Colby Residence, 7:00 p.m.

Victoria surveyed the buffet and the table in her dining room. Pride welled in her chest. She was so very grateful that her favorite caterer had been able to pull this off on such short notice.

Everything was perfect. The food, the desserts, the lovely drink venues. There was Wine Avenue in one corner, Champagne Falls—a fountain—in another and Everything Else Lane—with nonalcoholic choices—in yet another. The whole setup was so creative.

“It all looks lovely,” Lucas said as he moved to her side.

She smiled up at him. “The decorations too.” Lucas had been the one to oversee that part of the preparations. How he’d gotten holiday decorators on Christmas morning was a mystery. But then, Lucas was a man of many talents.

He’d never failed to accomplish a mission.

“I think we should share a private toast before the guests start to arrive,” he suggested.

“Good idea.”

They wandered to the champagne fountain and allowed the flowing bubbly to fill their glasses.

“To family,” Lucas said as he tapped his glass against hers.

“Family,” Victoria echoed. She closed her eyes and drank deeply. She was so very thankful that her family was home.

Jamie and Luke had arrived just before midnight last night. Victoria and Lucas had been up until two this morning just looking at those beautiful kids and pinching themselves. And listening to the story of all that happened in Nashville. The best part was that their grandchildren were safe, and they were home.

Jim and Tasha had arrived home this afternoon. The kids had gone to have some private time with them. Jim said they planned to tell them about the cancer and how fortunate they were that the treatment appeared to be doing its job. If all continued on this course, by spring Tasha would be cancer free.

It was all they could have hoped for.

“I think Poe is a very nice young man,” Lucas said, drawing Victoria from her deep thoughts.

She smiled. “He is, and I’m quite certain he’s madly in love with our Jamie.”

“Well, of course he is,” Lucas boasted. “She’s brilliant, beautiful and...he doesn’t deserve her.”

Laughter bubbled from Victoria’s throat. “You would say the same thing about anyone who showed an interest in her.”

“I would. And I would be correct in my deduction.”

Victoria nodded. “You would.”

“She and I talked for a bit this morning,” Lucas said before drinking more of his champagne.

“Really?” Victoria had seen the two of them having another cup of coffee after everyone else had left the kitchen this morning. “What did you talk about?”

“I asked her to come to work for the agency.”

Victoria’s heart skipped a beat. So many times she had wanted to ask Jamie that question, but she’d always satisfied her desperate hopes with simply letting Jamie know that she was welcome at the agency if she ever wanted to be there. Not once had Victoria come right out and asked.

“How did she react?”

Lucas inclined his head and considered the question for a moment. “She seemed surprised but not offended in any way. She asked me if the suggestion was only coming on the heels of the fright we had with Luke’s kidnapping.”

“What did you tell her?” Victoria couldn’t wait to hear this.

“I told her that of course any and all things of that nature impacts our feelings, but this latest event wasn’t the reason I asked.”

Victoria’s eyebrows went up. “I’m sure she was surprised by that claim.”

Lucas shrugged one shoulder. “Perhaps, but it was true. I asked because I think we need her. The agency needs her. I’ve stayed on top of what she’s doing for IOA. Like all these suitors, they don’t deserve our granddaughter. She belongs at the Colby Agency.”

Victoria struggled not to allow the sting in her eyes to become evident. “She is the one who should fill my shoes one day.” Her voice wobbled a little, but it was the best she could do.

“Just a few weeks ago,” Lucas went on, “Jim said the same thing.”

Victoria felt taken aback by the news. “I wasn’t suggesting Jim shouldn’t run this agency. He has every right.”

“He is aware of how you feel. You’ve asked him to do this before, but he always defers to your choices regarding agency matters.”

This was true. She’d tried to retire, to turn the reins over to Jim, but he’d always come up with a reason that she should return.

“Do you think he feels as if I don’t trust him or that anyone here doesn’t trust his ability?” The notion twisted inside her like barbed wire. She loved her son. She wanted him to have what she and his father and Lucas had built. Jamie should be working with him and one day she absolutely should step into Victoria’s shoes. But first, Jim would have his time.

“I think he doesn’t trust himself to sit at the top. He loves this agency, and he loves being a part of it, but he does not want to be the one .”

Victoria nodded. “I see. I’m sorry I didn’t realize how he felt.”

Lucas touched her cheek with a fingertip. “Jim doesn’t make that easy.”

This was true. She moistened her lips and asked, “What did Jamie say?”

“She wanted to think about it for a bit, but she promised to give us an answer soon.”

At least it wasn’t an immediate no. Victoria finished off her champagne. “That’s all we can ask for.”

“Indeed,” Lucas agreed.

The doorbell rang and they put their glasses on a nearby tray and hurried to answer. Forget Paris. There was nothing like family and friends at Christmas.

Ian and Nicole were the first to arrive. In the next half hour, everyone from the agency who was available had arrived. It was a houseful for sure.

Victoria was so very thankful to see Tasha and Jim. Luke arrived with his parents, looking very handsome in a white suit, shirt and tie. Before she could grab Luke in a hug, he kissed her on the cheek.

“You look ravishing, Grandmother.”

Victoria grinned. “Thank you, Luke. You look pretty amazing yourself.” She hugged him and he kissed her temple and whispered, “I love you.” She peered up at him. “Love you too.” Then he hurried off to say hello to Lucas.

“Luke is right. You look great.” Jim hugged her. “Merry Christmas, Mom.”

Victoria hugged him fiercely. How she loved this man. “Merry Christmas to you and Tasha.” She drew back, reached for her daughter-in-law and hugged her a bit more gently. “You two look incredible.” How very strong this woman was. Victoria was so proud that she was the mother of her grandchildren.

“Thank you, Victoria.” Tasha smiled. “And thank you for having this beautiful party.”

Victoria barely restrained her tears, but she refused to cry considering all the blessings they had received in the past forty-eight hours. Lucas rescued her by coming for hugs of his own.

Lastly, Jamie and Kenny arrived. Victoria lost her breath when she saw the two of them. Jamie wore a pale blue sheath, and she looked stunning. She and her mother were nearly the same size and Victoria suspected the dress was Tasha’s. Kenny looked quite dapper himself in a black formfitting suit, crisp white shirt and black tie. As a couple they were quite spectacular. The perfect power couple with their whole futures ahead of them. She hoped their relationship worked out.

The food tasted as wonderful as it looked. Lucas had set the Christmas music to a soft whisper and the smiles and laughter that filled their home was the perfect finishing touch. This Christmas was all that Victoria could ask for.

“Grandmother.”

Victoria looked around to find Jamie standing beside her. To her gorgeous granddaughter she said, “I hope you’re enjoying yourself.”

Jamie smiled, the expression so big and beautiful it filled Victoria’s heart with renewed pride. “I’m having a wonderful time.” She hesitated a moment, then continued, “I spent some time this afternoon talking with Dad and then with Poe.”

Victoria was afraid to breathe. Of all the things she had faced in her life, this might very well be one of the scariest.

“I’ve decided to put in my resignation at IOA and come to work with you and Grandpa.”

As much as Victoria wanted to shout and jump for joy, she held it back and remained cool and calm. “That is wonderful to hear. And you’re certain about this?”

Jamie laughed. “I am certain. I’ve been thinking about it for a long time. I’d like to be closer to my family. Running around all over the world has lost a bit of its mystique.”

“If you change your mind...” Victoria offered.

“I will not,” Jamie said resolutely. She looked across the room to Kenny. “You should know that Poe is coming as well, but I’ll let him tell you.”

Victoria beamed. “I am so pleased. I’m certain your father and mother are pleased as well.”

Jamie’s eyes turned a little watery then. “They’re very happy about it.”

Victoria hugged her granddaughter. “Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”

Jamie drew back. “Merry Christmas to you, Grandmother.”

“I hope I’m not too late.”

The deep male voice with just a hint of a British accent drew everyone’s attention to the man who’d entered the room.

“Abi,” Jamie said. “I thought you couldn’t come.”

Looking very handsome in a black suit, shirt and tie, Abi crossed the room and pressed his cheek to Jamie’s. “I rearranged a few things.” He looked to Victoria then. “How often does one get invited to a Colby Agency party?” He gave Victoria the same treatment. “Thank you for inviting me.”

Victoria gave him a nod. “Glad you could make it.”

“Well, just look who the cat dragged in.” Kenny appeared next to Jamie. He thrust out a hand. “Merry Christmas, Amar.”

He shook the offered hand. “Merry Christmas, Poe.”

Victoria decided that maybe this party had needed a little jolt of excitement and intrigue.

It was the perfect Colby Agency Christmas, as well as a celebration of the next generation.

Don’t miss the next installment of

the Colby Agency: The Next Generation

coming soon from Debra Webb and Harlequin Intrigue!