Chapter 3

3

It was tradition for the Nelson clan to spend Christmas at a ski resort on Mount Haven. A quaint little town nestled into the mountain, Haven sported ski runs, ice-fishing, and any other kind of winter activity one could imagine. That’s what the matriarch of the family, Ophelia, said anyway. Tahlia had never been to the winter playground, only seen photos and advertisements for it. Apparently the family had been enjoying the area even long before the lodge was constructed and had good standing in the town.

The kids were excited, of course, which was infectious and as the day approached Tahlia found herself looking forward to the venture. Most of all, she was happy that Matt Nelson was going. The kids loved him terribly and Tahlia knew all they wanted was a week of concentrated time with him. After seeing him with them that night, she imagined their father wanted that, too.

Which was why, the day before the trip, she was shocked when she was called to Nelson’s office and told he wasn’t going.

“What do you mean you’re not able to come?” she exclaimed. “It’s Christmas!”

“The board is having an important series of meetings that week and I must be there,” he said severely, his tone matching the sharp cuts of the dark blue suit he wore. “It can’t be moved.”

Tahlia tried. She really did try, but all she could think about were Maddy and Kaiden’s faces when she told them their dad wasn’t going to spend Christmas with them: Maddy would be stoic and brave, only her eyes betraying her, while Kaiden would cry silently.

She hadn’t been around for long, but that much she knew.

“Bullshit.”

Nelson’s eyes widened. “Excuse-”

“You’re going. I don’t care who you have to call, you’re going to the damn mountain.”

Now he was furious. Every single strand of his well-conditioned hair oozed anger as he glared down at her. They were standing on the same side of the desk, he had come around it when she came in. His size didn’t intimidate her, although the way he was working his jaw was certainly something. She wasn’t sure, but it was something.

“Miss Jameson, you are one more comment away from being fired even if my children have some kind of inexplicable affection for you!”

Tahlia pressed her lips tightly together, closed her eyes, and exhaled very loudly through her nose to calm herself down. It wouldn’t do Kaiden and Maddy any good for their nanny to be fired right before Christmas.

“I apologize, Mr. Nelson,” she forced out through gritted teeth. When she opened her eyes she could see he wasn’t buying it. Alright. She might have come in a little too hot. “I really am,” she added more sincerely. “I shouldn’t have gotten cross with you. It's not my place. I do hope that you might reconsider your plans, though.”

Nelson was still obviously irritated, but it looked like he wasn’t going to fire her.

“I can’t, Miss Jameson. I trust you can explain that to my children.”

“Yes,” she murmured and looked toward the closed office door, dreading the conversation.

“Good.” The finality with which he said the word and his turn toward the desk indicated that it was time for Tahlia to leave, and she did, but she couldn’t stop herself - she really couldn’t - from pausing halfway to the door and turning round.

“They miss you.”

A disquieting silence fell.

“Did they say that?” he asked thickly. Nelson’s jaw was tight, but his eyes betrayed a war between frustration and melancholy. The sudden shift in his attitude encouraged Tahlia and she switched to a gentler tactic.

“Not in so many words,” she admitted. “But it’s obvious. They’d really love for you to go.”

He seemed to waver but then gave a quick shake of his head. “I didn’t go last year, and they were just fine. My parents spoiled them, and they didn’t miss me at all. I have a lot to do, Miss Jameson. I appreciate your intention, but I ask you don’t-”

“But they do miss you.” Tahlia didn’t care if she interrupted him or that his expression turned sour again. “Believe me, Mr. Nelson, they really do. I’ve only been here a short time but the way they love you is…” she paused, a lump suddenly appearing in her throat; she took a breath to clear it. “Don’t take it for granted. Please go. It would mean so much to them.”

Nelson stared at her, not in anger, but searchingly. His eyes drifted over her face as if he was reading her mind. Tahlia crossed her arms over her yellow jumper, not enjoying the scrutiny at all, fearing rather irrationally that he actually could read her mind and he’d see all those things she preferred to keep buried deep inside. After a few tense seconds during which she couldn’t seem to move, he released whatever hold he had on her.

“Alright, Miss Jameson,” he said, voice deepening just enough on her name to send a shiver down her spine. “You win.”