Heart of Christmas (Curiosity Bay #4)

14. Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

MacGregor

I pulled off the navy-blue gloves and left them on Audrey’s kitchen counter. It was hard to believe how quickly my feelings for Audrey came back.

Who was I kidding?

They’d never left.

And her mom was a hoot. It was apparent how much they loved their kids, and it reminded me so much of my family.

The weirdest part of the entire thing was that I knew that years ago, just from how Audrey talked about her siblings and parents that night.

Nine hours.

That’s all it took to know that Audrey was my person all those years ago.

There were just so many things that had lined up and made me shove every nonsensical thing right out the door.

Audrey was captivating, enchanting, intelligent, and strong. Of course, she was beautiful, but so were many women. What mattered most to me with Audrey was our connection, which had never wavered, even all these years later.

I looked around her kitchen to see the Christmas potholders dangling from her cabinets and smiled.

Never in a million years did I think I’d be standing in Audrey’s kitchen, reminiscing about our kiss.

About wanting more kisses.

But it wasn’t realistic, and I knew that the moment I stepped foot on the flight coming out here. I think all I’d hoped for was a chance to discover what had happened all those years ago.

Now that I knew, I wasn’t sure what to do about it.

I ran my fingers down my chin and neck and let out a groan as I pulled out my phone. So far, all the flights were booked, and everyone was trying to leave the area due to the weather delays. My best shot was to head to the airport and fly standby.

First thing this morning, I’d tried to book a flight out of SeaTac Airport, but it was a mess and impossible.

Earlier today, my brother texted that the tree hadn’t dried out yet and that Jasper was fine, but he missed me.

Would my dog be okay for another couple of days?

My mouth twisted into a sour pucker as I thought about my options. What was the point of spending the night in the airport hoping someone didn’t make a flight when I could see about staying at the hotel I’d been at and booking a specific flight a day or two from now after the rush?

Jasper popped into my head again. Yes, he would be fine. This was for the greater good of both of us. I glanced around Audrey’s house and smiled. It wouldn’t hurt that I might bump into her now and again.

That was it. That was the plan.

I walked to the guest bedroom and grabbed my suitcase. I was completely energized when I got to the front door. If nothing else, I’d spare myself the headache of hanging around a crowded airport with a bunch of grumpy holiday travelers.

I shoved my suitcase in the backseat, slammed the door thinking how lucky I was not to sleep in the cramped bench seat, and opened up the driver’s side, glancing at Audrey’s house again.

Maybe it wouldn’t be the last time I saw it.

The mere thought spun my spirits in the right direction.

I wasn’t ready to leave. Simple as that.

Like that morning so many years ago, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye.

As I carefully backed the rental car out of her driveway, careful not to get stuck, I wondered how Audrey would react. There was undeniable chemistry between us, but what could or would we be willing to do about it?

Not wanting to waste time finding a place to park, I spotted the hotel and pulled up to the valet. Hopefully, enough people had checked out since the ferry was coming back online in an hour or so.

I slipped the valet a twenty and hauled my suitcase out of the backseat as he gave me a ticket. Several groups trickled out of the lobby, which made me feel good about my chances.

Rushing through the small crowd, I approached the counter, where a friendly woman greeted me.

“Reservation?” she asked cheerily.

My chest constricted, worried they were still booked.

“No. I don’t have one. I did, but I checked out before the storm hit, and then the hotel was full when I tried to check back in. I was hoping with the ferries back on their schedule, a room might be available?”

“How many nights?” she asked.

“Two, and then I ought to return home to my dog.”

She smiled as she typed in the request, glancing up at me. “What kind of dog?”

“A corgi-question-mark mix. He’s a rescue,” I said, thinking back to the little guy.

“Adorable, and you’re in luck. We have a suite available, but it’s not overlooking the water. It faces the main street in town. Is that okay?”

“Perfect. I’ll take it.” I slid out my identification and debit card, relieved I didn’t need to hang out at the airport.

She took my cards and entered the information before giving me the room key and directions.

I rolled my suitcase through the lobby to the row of elevators and nearly bumped into someone who looked just like Audrey before remembering I’d met her once before.

Her eyes narrowed on mine, and her expression turned rigid. “Weren’t you at Mae’s wedding harassing Audrey?”

I froze before the elevator, pressed the up button, and nodded. “That’s me. You’re Emily, right?”

Her arms whipped across her chest, and she shifted her weight to her right leg as her brows arched.

“What are you still doing here?”

“Harassing your sister,” I answered, smiling to see if she was as fiery as Audrey.

“Wait a second…”

“Yeah?” My brows arched.

“Are you just checking in?”

I nodded.

“Where’d you spend last night?”

My brows scrunched together as I tried to hide my smile.

She took my silence as her answer, and relief spilled through me the moment the elevator dinged. I stepped on and drew a breath as I spun to see Emily glaring at me with a finger waggling.

“I find it strange that I never heard of you before Mae’s wedding. Audrey never gets mad. Yet, she looked like she wanted to toss you off the pier with a Christmas tree stand attached. Something had to have happened between you two, and I’m going to get to the bottom of it.”

I nodded as the elevators slid shut and breathed a deep sigh of relief.

By the time I got to my room, I started second-guessing my choice. If I had to bump into Emily again, staying at the airport might be the better option.

The door shut behind me, and I rolled my suitcase by the window and shoved the curtains aside to see the quaint island town blanketed in snow. The flakes had stopped, and some bright blue skies sparkled in the distance. Probably in a day or two, there’d be little evidence that the island had shut down from a snowstorm.

I craned my neck to see Baubles and Curiosities and noticed a woman looking like the one who wanted to take revenge on me at the elevator stop in front of the coffee shop. She turned around, glared at the hotel, and then marched inside.

I chuckled, wondering what Emily planned on telling Audrey about me.

Not one to let the grass grow under my feet, I quickly slid my suitcase onto the rack, stuck the room key in my wallet, and headed out the door.

I’d always prided myself on keeping my cool. It was the one thing I had on my side, but something about Audrey made me think I might lose that ability. It didn’t take much, maybe just a sideways glance or a roll of the eyes that made me believe my charms didn’t necessarily do the trick, and I’d become a bumbling fool with absolutely zero chance of getting the girl.

I could definitely say the same about her sister Emily. Brad didn’t seem like he wanted to annihilate me, and her parents seemed amused by the whole encounter, but I couldn’t say the same about Emily.

Not that I could blame her sister. The wedding encounter didn’t exactly go smoothly. Audrey did look like she wanted to dunk me in the ocean with a heavy weight of some sort. Emily was right about that.

Within a few minutes, I walked outside, feeling the chill blast onto my cheeks. I looked both ways and crossed the street, going to the coffee shop where I hoped Audrey would still be.

As I pulled on the door, the thought occurred to me that Audrey and her parents might not be at the coffee shop any longer, leaving just Emily and me.

Alone.

Not a good thought to have with scalding coffee in reach.

When I stepped inside, I spotted Audrey talking to her sister while her parents chatted to themselves. They’d all camped out at the far table, and I breathed a sigh of relief the moment Audrey’s gaze found mine. We Wish You a Merry Christmas rang through the area, and I knew this was where I needed to be rather than some terribly uncomfortable airport chair.

A wry smile curled along her mouth as Emily turned to see who Audrey was looking at. I waved and approached the counter to order a coffee and muffin.

As I waited for my coffee, I heard Audrey’s voice come up behind me.

“Hello, stranger,” she said, sending a thrill up my spine. “I thought you’d be on the ferry by now.”

The barista called my drink, and I grabbed it before turning to see Audrey.

“I had a change of plans.”

Her brows rose with the knowledge from Emily already in hand. “My house too small for you?”

I chuckled as mischief crept into her gaze. “Since I couldn’t get on any flights, hanging out at the airport on standby didn’t sound all that appealing.”

“What about Jasper?” she asked.

“My brother promises me that he’s doing well. I should be able to book a flight a couple of days out. I’d planned on going back to my room to do that.” I looked over Audrey’s shoulder to see Emily staring back. I raised my coffee and smirked.

Audrey chuckled. “What’s that look for?”

“I don’t think your sister approves of me.”

“She doesn’t know you, and last I’d left it, you needed to be taken down a notch or two.”

“Did you straighten her out?” I teased.

Audrey shook her head and chuckled. “No, not yet.”

I took a sip and laughed. “Thanks a lot.”

“Well, I wanted to hear her first impressions of you.”

“And?”

“The impression wasn’t great.” She chuckled and shrugged.

I felt Emily’s gaze searing into me, and I laughed. “I kind of gathered that.”

“But how about I reintroduce you, and we start fresh?”

“Deal.” I held my muffin and coffee and followed Audrey to the table when her parents saw me.

“Hey, MacGregor. It's good to see you again.” Her dad nodded, and Emily frowned and glanced at her parents.

“You know him?”

“Yeah. Good guy.” Audrey’s dad nodded again.

“Charming man. Did you know he went out and got your sister a latte this morning in the middle of a snowstorm?” Audrey’s mom beamed.

Emily scowled deeper and whipped her gaze back to mine. “No, I didn’t have any idea about that.”

I leaned over toward Emily. “I’m not a terrible person. I promise.”

“We’ll see about that,” Emily said under her breath.

She eyed me like a cat sizing up a particularly annoying mouse.

“Honestly, Emily. It was all a crazy misunderstanding. I thought one thing from years ago, and he thought another.” Audrey’s voice trailed off as her mom started to chuckle.

“It’s all quite funny if you think about it,” her mom said, grinning like the Cheshire Cat.

“Yeah, Mom. Hilarious.” Audrey cocked her head, looking lovingly at her parents.

“Think about the story you could tell your offspring one day. I mean, how long has it been?” her mom continued. “I find it all fascinating.”

I chuckled when Audrey secretly pinched my arm.

Her eyes connected with mine. “What made you skip the ferry?”

“My brother assured me Jasper would be fine another couple of days while I book a flight home rather than do the standby thing.”

Audrey’s mom gasped and looked like she was about to pass out.

“Are you okay?” I took a step forward.

Her mom nodded. “Jasper? Is that your son?”

“No, it’s my corgi mix.” My brows furrowed together as Audrey snickered. “Is there something I’m missing?”

“Unbelievable,” her mom whispered, shaking her head.

“Mom, please don’t.” Audrey eyed her mom, and I had no idea what was happening.

Emily whistled and patted my back. “Jasper, huh? Of all the names you had to pick for a dog. Jasper.”

“Is there something wrong with it? The name?” I asked, seeing the entire family trade secret looks and meaningful nods.

Audrey touched a hairpin holding back her dark hair on the side and dropped her hand when she saw me noticing.

“My mom happens to be a hopeless romantic. It’s a long story,” Audrey said.

Emily brought her gaze back to mine. “How do you know my sister?”

I started to answer, but Audrey’s mom seemed suddenly on cloud nine and started up again.

“They slept together, dear. What was it, Audrey? Over ten years, right?”

Audrey’s eyes widened, and her cheeks turned scarlet.

“Mom, please. Not here.” Audrey shook her head as a customer came inside.

I shifted uncomfortably and glanced at Emily, who looked intrigued.

“Why did I never hear about him?” Emily asked, glancing at me before returning her gaze to her sister.

I took a bite of muffin and couldn’t taste a thing.

“It’s complicated,” she whispered. “Have Mom fill you in.”

“So, do I like him or hate him?” Emily eyed me as I shifted uncomfortably, trying to keep my smile steady.

I’d never experienced what these women could genuinely deliver. Any second, I expected to break out into a cold sweat from the collective gazes of the family.

“Like him until he proves otherwise,” Audrey said wryly.

I chuckled. “That’s the spirit.”

Emily eyed me cautiously with a slow smile crawling on her lips. “Hopefully, you’ll come for the Christmas tree ceremony.”

I nodded. “As long as I’m in town.”

A wishful look darted through Audrey’s gaze, and I couldn’t help but wonder if maybe she was softening.

Audrey’s mom clapped her hands and hopped out of her chair. “Good. Then it’s settled. You’ll come caroling with us after.”

I shook my head. “I don’t sing.”

“Neither does Audrey.” Her mom grimaced, and Audrey scowled.

“I can, too,” she objected.

“Whatever you say,” Emily teased under breath.

And for the first time since arriving on the island, I wondered if I had a chance to make things right enough to try again.