Chapter 12

CHAPTER TWELVE

I t smelled like Christmas died. She officially killed Christmas. She was a Grinch and Max was well… Max. The irony was not lost on her there. She had watched the movie enough times to remember the villain’s cute pooch and hers shared the same name.

Ivy swung the oven door open to a face full of angry smoke that one at one time would have been beautiful little Christmas tree cookies and reindeer. Now black blobs of yuck stared back at her. She grabbed a mitten and reached in for the tray.

The hiss of grease was the only prelude to the flames that suddenly burst to life from the stove to her right.

“Oh Lord save me from myself!”

Ivy flinched and nearly fell backward over Max. “Watch out, Max!” She tossed the charred cookie tray on the counter. Ivy shoved him behind her as she picked up a lid from the countertop and beat back the pops of grease. A lick of yellow danced high as she inched closer to turn the stove off.

She tossed the pan in the sink, ready to grab the extinguisher when a flame flared too high. “Oh for Pete’s sake, what else can go wrong!” Blood rushed to her head.

With Max sprawled on his back at her heels, she did a lunge and pivot that rivaled Olympic skaters, snatched the extinguisher and nailed the curtains with a blast of foam.

The sink was next.

Once. Twice for good measure. From the side, smoke still clogged the kitchen and she nailed the charred blob of cookies too.

“I give up.”

Didn’t trouble come in threes? She held her breath, waiting. “Please God, send help or a sign I don’t belong here and I’m out.”

With her heart still lodged close enough to her stomach she couldn’t tell which hurt more, Ivy looked around for her phone. This was out of hand now. What sane woman left her B&B in the busiest time of the year? “Come on Gran, pick up!”

“Give me the juicy stuff after the beep.”

She didn’t smile this time at her gran’s cheery recorded message. “Gran. You have to come home. This place needs you.” She turned to make sure no one was within earshot before continuing. “I know what you’re trying to do and it isn’t going to work. Maybe I’m not cut out for this B&B stuff. I can’t seem to get anything to go right. It’s been one thing after another. And Rocco. Why didn’t you tell me about Rocco? And back to Aspen. Gran, Aspen and I—It’s just, I don’t know. But I’m—It’s just crazy.” The beep cut her off.

“Damn it!” She hugged the phone to her chest. What good would talking with her do anyway?

Ivy tossed the charred, smoking cookie tray on the counter with a loud clank.

“Please God, give me the strength if nothing else,” she whispered. The job in New York was a blessing in disguise.

She didn’t have time for crazy. Plans were made to be kept and she had everything planned out. There was only one way to get back on track and that boiled down to her new job. If she could somehow manage that, then everything would fall into place. It had to.

Then why did her gut churn like a windmill at the thought? She worked hard to shove away the unsettled feeling. Action. She needed something to occupy herself, and since cooking didn’t seem safe for anyone at the moment, she moved around the kitchen and opened all the windows.

Proof of her failure still fumed from the sink. It would take forever to rid the place of the stench and now she had to find out what to feed these people.

Cold air rushed in and for a second she considered closing the windows again.

How late could she leave and still catch a flight out of Anchorage? If she hurried, she could catch a bus. She paused and considered that for a minute but flicked it aside just as quickly. These were nice people. And it would not be nice of her to char her gran’s reputation along with the damn cookies.

Ivy exited the kitchen and made her way to the side to open more windows by the dining table.

“Are you okay, Ivy?” Mrs. Howard’s stomach came into view from the second floor by the railing before the woman as Ivy turned.

“I’m fine, Mrs. Howard. Everything is okay.”

“We smelled smoke and Thomas is in the shower. I thought I would check. I’m pregnant, not helpless like he’d have you think. What happened?”

Before she could answer, sirens and flashing lights came up the drive in a hurry.

Sharp jabs of pain hit Ivy between the eyes. Crap. She pressed her thumb and middle finger to the space with a low groan.

Where was a closet to hide in when a girl needed one? She flicked the curtain to the side of the front door and cringed. “And there came the third problem of the trio,” she groaned. Okay, so she might have overreacted in her rush to speed dial.

Shit. Aspen, in full fire gear, and six of his men rolled to a stop in her drive. They must have ignored every stop sign and red light between here and town.

Man, he was going to be so mad when he didn’t find a fire. But, damn. Him in a uniform, Lord save me, the man made her press her thighs together despite how embarrassing the whole situation was. She’d have to change her panties after this.

She swung the door open as soon as Aspen’s feet hit the welcome mat. He smiled down at her that momentarily had her questioning her entire life up to that very second.

Her heart stopped working. Her mouth seemed to fail her too because she just stood there. Taken aback by the easy glide of his warm, sexy grin. It had her forgetting the events of the last ten nightmarish minutes. Now that was a Christmas miracle.

Okay, she needed to get her reactions to him under control. ASAP. She bowed her head slightly and cleared her throat in an effort to hide how seeing him standing on her doorstep just because she called affected her.

He’d come for her. That sat up there with sainthood in her book.

“Where’s the fire, Ivy Sunday?” He stepped past her when she pointed to the kitchen and several men followed.

Kids descended the stairs, their eyes wide with surprise.

“Everything okay?” Mr. Howard stood at the top of the railing with a worried look and freshly wet hair.

“Yes. False alarm,” she answered as Aspen exited the kitchen a few minutes later.

“Sooo cool!” cut in one of the kids, his little expression that of wonder as he poked his head through the railing.

Ivy bit at her lip. “Don’t you ever get tired of playing the hero?”

Aspen held up two of the waterlogged chicken legs. “Well, this chicken could have used one. I guess we can’t march to the beat of these drumsticks anymore.”

Mrs. Howard laughed beside her and a perplexing amount of embarrassment and relief fought for dominance. She didn’t know whether she wanted to hug the life out of him, laugh or cry or pull him up to her bedroom. All options seemed like the logical pick.

Aspen stepped to the side of her and tossed the chicken in the basket beside the registry desk.

“Let me get out of your way. For now.” He pulled her to the side. “I’m always only a phone call away. You know that right?” He leaned in and whispered only for her. And he meant it. Looking into his eyes, she saw the sincerity of his words reflected back at her. He stood close, closer than she remembered a second ago, and he rested a hand on her the small of her back

“Thank you, Aspen,” she said with a heavy sigh. “I’m closer than I realized to losing my cool. I can’t believe Gran left me here to deal with everything.”

Mrs. Howard ushered her kids to the living room and settled them down with some books and board games by the fire.

Aspen cupped her cheek. “You all right? When did the guests start arriving? I can stay a while. Help out.”

“I don’t know what I am right now, honestly. Everyone arrived about ten minutes before hell broke loose and everything went up in smoke. At least there was no damage. Curtains can be replaced. For a girl who has no luck, I had some tonight. ”

“True. You were lucky, Ivy Sunday. But I don’t think your pajamas were.”

“What?”

He pointed down.

She hung her head. “These were my only pair.” Soot and grease smeared her left leg while her other was soaked with foam.

“I think you’re adorable in anything you wear. My fave is your birthday suit.”

She knew he was trying to make her smile and leaning against the wall with him leaning over her like he owned her didn’t make her want to smile. It made her want a repeat of this morning.

“I especially find the little patches of burned cookie on your face sexy as hell and have me hard under all this gear.”

Her mouth fell open.

“But we can leave how I would like to offer to help clean you up later. Right now another van just pulled up behind and I don’t think you want to greet more guests in your pajama bottoms.”

Aspen rubbed at one of the spots he mentioned and she briefly wondered how he managed to keep it all together so effortlessly while she couldn’t manage to get one thing right lately.

“I’ll welcome the new guests that just pulled up while you change.”

She followed his gaze to the entrance. “What am I going to do, Aspen? I don’t even have enough food in the house for these people. No trees. The place is a mess. More so now and I look like an old alley cat.”

He angled her to him and away from the door and her panic attack ebbed to manageable levels, but her heart rate was still skyrocketing into dangerous territory.

His lips found hers and strong hands settled on her hips, pulling her close. He wasn’t lying about the hard-on he sported. The thick ridge of his cock pressed into her and she gave a little gasp into his mouth.

She had no idea how, but he made her forget all her troubles.

“Take a deep breath. It’s all going to be okay. I’ll send a couple of the men back to the fire station with a list for Kade. He’ll bring food while you and I can take care of the rest. You’ve done this before only it’s me here to help instead of your grandparents. Go on, take a shower and change. It will help calm your nerves.”

Only if he joined her! Right now, her panties could use a change. She’d creamed them the second he’d grabbed her by the hips and kissed her like he wanted to tongue fuck her all night long.

She placed a hand on his chest and rose to her tiptoes. Eye to eye reiterated, “I don’t even have Christmas trees for the kids, Aspen. It’s three days until Christmas and the lots are all empty. I tried. I called. Nothing. I’ve ruined Christmas for kids I don’t even know.”

“What about the ones your gran ordered? Didn’t they deliver?”

“The Ivy Effect struck and you already know the rest.”

“The Ivy what?” He looked as puzzled as she felt. “It’s okay. We’ll figure something out even if I have to paint myself green and wrap lights around me. ”

“Sexy,” she purred.

She turned to climb the stairs but paused as the door opened with a flurry of snow. Aspen smiled up at her “Thank you,” she mouthed.

With that, she turned and made her way to her room at the end of the hall.

Fifteen minutes later she pulled on a clean pair of socks and managed a sloppy ponytail that looked presentable enough, she supposed and made her way to where she heard lots of laughter and smelled the coffee.

Aspen stood closest as she entered the kitchen. Catching her entrance he tossed a pen to the top of her planner and fetched the coffee pot from the machine. Thank God that hadn’t gone up in flames. He topped off several guests’ mugs while offering her a fresh cup. “Ivy Sunday, let me introduce you to your newest guests.”

Aspen slipped from the stool hugging the large kitchen island she favored in the long line of places to sit and slipped a hand into the back pocket of her jeans as she came to stand beside him.

Twelve faces turned her way—six adults, three young children and three teenagers. All new to Dixen except one couple she had known since childhood. She got a cursory glance from the teenagers before they returned to their smartphones. At least she wouldn’t have to worry about entertaining them.

“The Murphys just arrived all the way from Maine on the recommendation of a friend and you’ve already met the Howards. And this year the Wilbers decided to come for a visit all the way from Ontario,” Aspen offered.

The Wilbers, who’d been visiting the B&B since her grandmother and grandfather opened the place to guests and had become dear friends of her grandparents. They often visited for other holidays and gatherings over the summer and spent enough time here she grew up thinking they were family.

“Yes. Hello, everyone. Welcome to Dixen. I’m sorry for the mess and the lack of Christmas spirit that you were promised.” Gahh. Tears threatened but she beat them back.

Instead, she opted to swallow her emotions and reached out for the extended hands and welcomed the warm hug from Mr. and Mrs. Wilber.

“Hello, dear. It’s so good to see you again. We’ve missed you these past few years.”

Truth be told, she didn’t realize how much she missed them until this very minute. “Mrs. Wilber, I didn’t see your name on the registry this year. I’m so glad you both came after all.”

“Us too, dear. Your gran wasn’t about to let us stay home this year. We welcomed a new grandbaby into the family last year so we stayed close to home.”

“Congratulations!”

Their faces, all smiles and filled with so much hope she could almost reach out and touch it made her wish the hardwood floors would open up and let her fall through. She’d let them all down. They had traveled so far and had paid for a Winters holiday and she gave them nothing but burned chicken and cookies instead.

She opened her mouth to say something, what that would be she didn’t know. Apologizing seemed like the right place to start and then probably offer to order takeout. Food always soothed. Did Mr. Hardt still deliver?

“We’re so glad we made the drive up. I was just commenting to my wife that this is the most festive place we’ve ever visited.” Mr. Howard stood and pulled a stool out for her and she happily thanked him.

“I’m afraid I don’t understand. Festive? I wouldn’t call this place festive.” She was pretty sure she’d left the paint buckets on the dining room table and the rolled-up lights dumped on the porch.

Aspen wound an arm around her and leaned closer until his lips brushed the shell of her ear. She felt his strength as she pressed against him. Only for support, she assured herself and not because it felt so good to be in his arms. “About the trees. I have that covered.”

She looked at him hopefully. No way.

He winked before pulling away to answer a call that came through his radio.

“Yes, dear.” Mr. Howard swooped in to take Aspen’s place. She looked over her shoulder. Whatever feelings he was stirring up inside her spelled disaster for her. At the moment, she didn’t quite care.

Mr. Howard’s strong Texan accent drew her attention as he said, “It’s not the lights and decorations that make a Christmas.”

“Not for us anyway.” Mrs. Howard continued her husband’s thoughts as she stood with a hand on her growing belly and joined them. “While you dressed, we took a small walk around. This is the most Christmas-y spot we’ve visited, just like Mrs. Winters promised on Facebook.”

That made Ivy smile. “We can’t believe how lucky we are to have found such a wonderful place on short notice,” added his wife as she looked at her husband with love in her eyes.

“We’re happy to have you.” Ivy felt compelled to reciprocate the appreciation.

“We wanted snow and a warm fireplace and good people. This place has all of that and in spades,” added one of the Murphys.

“And we want to see the Dixcemberfest,” chimed in the youngest of the Howards, as he and his siblings finished their snack she assumed the Howards brought with them because she didn’t have any peanut butter in the house. Or bread. Now refueled, they hopped down from their stools.

She turned, smiling, “Are you sure? It’s going to be cold and you have to wear the ugliest sweater. Can you guys handle that?”

All three cracked up when she scrunched up her nose with her question.

“Our mom makes us wear ugly sweaters every day,” proclaimed the smallest. “We have lots of practice.” All the ‘R’s were cut and gave his words a cute lisp that warmed her heart.

They were right. The evidence was clear. She’d wager they would give the yearly contestants of the ugly sweater contest this evening a run for their money.

“Kids, I tell ya.” Mrs. Howard looked abashed by her slightly questionable choices of winter wear for her kids.

Mr. Wilber swooped in for the rescue. “The chief told us about your little predicament while you were changing, dear, and we would like to help.” He looked about the place and she caught a twinkle of delight on his face.

Ivy froze. About that.

“There’s no way I could ask that. Besides, you guys are here on vacation. Not to work.”

“It won’t take long if we all pitch in,” Mrs. Howard reassured her.

“Besides, you didn’t ask, dear,” Mr. Murphy countered, smiling.

Mr. Wilber took her hand, “You know, when I was younger I liked to get my hands dirty a bit. It would give us a chance to return a little to the place that has brought us so much joy over the holidays.”

“You guys don’t mind handling lights then? I can take care of the painting and putting in new curtains down here.” Why did she feel like the Ivy Effect was about to rear its ugly head? She had to protest. “You don’t have to do this.”

“It sounds fun. Plus, we can’t sit around all day. And we get to boss around the men for a few hours while drinking some wine.” Mrs. Wilber patted her husband’s hand and nodded as if the deal was done.

Well then. “Follow me. I’ll grab the lights and show you where the ladder is, then I’ll show you where all the extension cords and the like are located.”

Mr. Howard stepped up. “Mighty obliged, Ivy.”

She smiled and could easily see why his wife fell in love with the man. He made being Texan look downright charming.

Ivy wasn’t about to say no twice. She knew enough not to question any offered help too much.

Aspen rounded the corner, phone in hand this time instead of his radio as she turned to lead the way to the porch, her new crew in tow.

She came to a stop in front of him and laced her fingers to keep them from fixing an unruly curl that swooshed across his forehead. “It seems we’re hanging lights, after all.”

“See. Everything works out. Just have to have a little faith, baby.” He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and she leaned into the warm weight of it for a brief second.

“You sound like Jon.”

“We were best friends for a reason, you know.”

“Yeah, lights.” Resounded the youngest again, bounding from one foot to the other between them, his energy as contagious as his holiday spirit. For once since Thanksgiving, she felt the magic that came with this time of year.

“Come on now. Outside. You wanted snow, well, there’s snow.” Mrs. Howard shuffled the kids along briefly, stopping to say, “You take a minute with your man, sweetie. We’ll go ahead and get started. Take your time.” She slipped out the front door without another word and frankly, Ivy was tired of telling everyone she and Aspen were not an item so she went with it.

“What was that all about?”

“Apparently everyone thinks you’re,” she threw up air quotes, “my man.”

“I was this morning,” Aspen said, raking a casual hand through his hair looking every bit as young as when that statement was true. He stepped closer and gathered her in his arms. Warm and protective. Reassuring. She may not be a fan of Christmas, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t take a few hours of light hanging if it meant he would stay. Admitting that to herself chipped away at her no-man-fly-zone resolve.

“This is reckless,” she muttered against his chest, yet still unwilling to step away.

“I know what you’re saying baby, but the longer I look at these kids the more I want to see you round with my baby. Babies.

Well damn.

That did have her head coming up.

She peered up his chest and his warm palm scooped her face between them. Their gazes locked. “And I mean every word. I’d take you again right here right now if you didn’t have guests. I still might steal you away though.

“You sure know how to sweep a girl off her feet, don’t you?”

“His hands slide down to her waist and using his thumbs he skims beneath the rim of her jeans, teasing the edge of her panties.

“Ms. Winters, are you coming?” one of the little ones called after her, giggling.

“I guess that’s our cue.”

“Well, pick back up on this topic after all the work,” he promised, his hands tightening around her. “Let’s do this and make a few kids happy. Then you and I can have a long talk.”

His expression turned passionate and she saw fire in his eyes. He might want to talk, but he also wanted to get her naked in the worst way.

“Deal.”

She could practically hear her heart pounding in her chest and she didn’t know what hanging lights made her so excited when yesterday she vowed to donate the huge ball of knots to Good Will.

Ivy didn’t know what came over her but as she tightened her fingers around his she felt more like herself than she had in a long time.

“Somehow I saw this all going a bit differently. According to my planner, that is.”

“What can I say?” His lip curled up in a sideways grin. “Sometimes the good things don’t happen by planning. We small-town folks like to live wild like that.” He winked and it was like he had a direct line to her core. Her pulse skipped a beat and she swallowed tightly.

She could feel her skin prickling under his heated gaze.

“How did you manage to get back into my heart, Aspen Kennedy.”

“Fun fact, Ivy Sunday, I never left.”