Holiday Promise (Hollyberry Harbor #2)

Chapter 5

FIVE

Melody leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to Max’s forehead. “Goodnight, bud.”

He snuggled under his covers a little deeper and smiled. “Goodnight, Miss Melody.”

She straightened and moved over to his lamp, her fingers curling around the metal cord that dangled from the lightbulb. Before she could tug on it, Max spoke.

“Miss Melody?”

“Yeah, bud?”

“Do you think that Dad will take us ice skating tomorrow?”

“I’m not sure.” There were a lot of things she wasn’t sure about, now. For one, she hadn’t in a million years dreamed that Blake would lower himself to her level to play a childish game such as ‘Cookies for Santa’. Not only that, but she hadn’t expected him to win.

“I think he will,” Max said resolutely. He said he had fun today.”

She offered the boy a smile. “I think we all had a lot of fun today. I’ll go get him so he can tell you goodnight, okay?” She turned and sucked in a sharp breath when she found him already standing in the doorway. Her heart thundered, a reminder for the way he’d managed to make her pulse quicken with those looks he’d given her earlier.

Melody ducked her head, murmuring, “Goodnight,” to him as she attempted to pass him.

Blake remained in the doorway for a moment longer than was necessary, making her wonder if he expected her to say something more. But then he stepped aside, only he didn’t give her quite enough room and their arms brushed against one another.

Goosebumps exploded all over her arms and she was grateful that her long sleeves hid all the evidence of his effect on her. She darted into the hallway, feeling a little out of breath even though she hadn’t exerted herself.

Normally, she would head down the hallway to her room, but this time, something made her pause. She stood right outside his bedroom door, her ears straining to hear their conversation. Unfortunately, their words to each other were so quiet and so muffled that she didn’t get anything before Blake’s footsteps approached the doorway.

She gasped and took a couple hurried footsteps away so she didn’t give off the appearance that she’d been spying.

Blake emerged, pulling the door shut.

“Don’t shut it all the way,” she whispered, catching him off guard.

He shot a look toward the door. “What?”

“Leave it open a crack. He likes to see the light from the rest of the house while he falls asleep.”

“But we’re going to bed, too.”

She swallowed hard, fighting the blush that threatened to fill her face. “Actually, I stay up a little longer so I can turn off the lights after he falls asleep.” Why did it feel like she was confessing to something she shouldn’t be doing? What was the harm in letting the boy feel safe while he fell asleep?

Blake’s narrowed gaze did nothing to ease her state of mind. Thankfully, he released the doorknob and stepped away from Max’s bedroom.

Using that as her cue, Melody hurried down the hallway to the make-shift library. It was more like a study than anything else, but the walls lined with shelves made it feel like she’d been transported into a famous fairytale. She plucked a book from a shelf closest to the door and settled into a large chair.

Movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention, and she gasped to find Blake hovering a few feet away. “Can I help you with something?” she asked quietly, never feeling quite this anxious in his presence. She wasn’t sure when it happened exactly, but the feeling was there, and she couldn’t see it leaving her any time soon.

He shifted, leaning his shoulder against the doorframe. “Yeah, you could answer a question.”

“Okay.” She placed her finger in the book where she’d been reading and closed it there. “What do you want to know?”

“That game. The one with the cookie…”

Immediately she blushed, just like she had before. “I’m sorry. I know you don’t like Max playing with his food. I just thought?—”

“It’s fine. We weren’t at the dinner table. But I’m curious. Do you do that sort of thing… often?”

“Sir?”

He cocked his head slightly. “Alison used to play games with Max. You can’t imagine the sorts of messes I’d come home to.”

Alison . It had been a long time since she’d heard the woman’s name. That length of time was the sort of thing that could give power to it. Melody swallowed hard and forced a smile. “Sure. Kids need games and activities like that. The memories they make now are the ones that will build the foundation for the kinds of parents they’re going to be.”

He frowned.

Shoot! Had she offended him?

“I don’t think I’m a very good father.”

She put the book to her side, forgotten. “Don’t say that! Of course you’re a good father.”

Blake shook his head. “I could be better.”

“Well, of course you could be better.”

He shot her a sharp look and she let out a laugh.

“What I mean to say is that we can all be better. None of us is perfect.”

“There are some who come close,” he murmured so quietly she wasn’t quite sure she’d heard him correctly. “I wanted to thank you,” he said, louder this time.

“What for?”

“For being there. For sticking up for my son.” His dark eyes drilled into her, pinning her to her spot just like he had earlier today. She wasn’t sure what it was exactly that was causing her to feel so helpless in front of him. Only a couple of days ago, she’d all but yelled at him. Now, she couldn’t bring herself to meet his gaze for more than a few seconds.

“It was nothing,” she whispered.

“No, it was everything .”

She stiffened, unsure of how to respond. What was she supposed to say to that? His words had to have been the biggest compliment he’d given her since the day he’d hired her. Something told her that the winds had shifted—their dynamic had changed.

But then he continued, shattering that thought to a million pieces. “Hiring you was the best decision I’ve made in a long time. You are an exemplary employee.”

Employee. That was what this was about. He wanted her to know that he appreciated everything she did for him and his son. And why wouldn’t he? That was the kind of boss he was. He made sure his employees knew when he considered them irreplaceable.

Melody nodded. “You’re welcome.” She glanced down at the book, no longer sure she wanted to pick it up and read it. Right about now, her heart had decided that she needed a break. She needed to go to bed and start fresh tomorrow.

If Blake even knew what she’d been thinking a few seconds ago, she would’ve been mortified. Professional. That’s what this arrangement was, and it would never change to something more.

She picked up the book and got to her feet. “You know? I think I’m going to turn in. We had a long day, today, and I would wager my next paycheck that Max is already out like a light.” She placed the book on the shelf, then moved toward the doorway.

For the second time that evening, Blake blocked her path. His full frame made it nearly impossible for her to get past him. For all intents and purposes, she was trapped. A lump formed in her throat and the heat from her belly rose up to her chest and filled her face.

Dang it! Why was she so prone to blushing in the most inopportune times?

His eyes swept over her face, probably noting just how disheveled she’d become after a day of chasing his son around. But then his focus landed on her mouth and lingered there.

Her breath caught in her chest. His scent wafted over her, twisting her stomach and curling her toes. They were only a foot apart. If she really were transported to a fairytale land, this might be the moment he pulled her into him and kissed her.

Melody shut her eyes briefly, willing these inappropriate thoughts to leave her alone. When she opened her eyes, she found that he’d moved aside. She exhaled heavily and let out a nervous laugh. “Goodnight, Blake.” She made it only five steps when she heard his quiet words.

“You can call me Blake.”

She didn’t turn around. She couldn’t even bring herself to acknowledge his request. Did Thomas call him by his first name? Was he being serious?

Nope. She refused to believe what she’d heard. She was tired, and she was beginning to hear things that she couldn’t have possibly heard. Blake was just as professional as the best of them. He wouldn’t say something like that. It was more of a matter of protection.

But the simple fact that she’d wanted it to be true was enough to give her pause. Melody had been working for him for almost a full year and this was the first time she’d looked at him in any way other than her boss.

Heart fluttering. Hands shaking. Melody chastised herself as she entered her room and shut the door behind her. No more fantasies. This was a good job, and she wasn’t about to lose it because she was crushing on her boss.