Chapter 2

2

L ila put a steadying hand on the dashboard as her brother fishtailed his pickup around the corner. “I’m telling you, it was a real live alien back there!”

Tom sat hunched over the steering wheel, eyes squinting against the blowing snow. “Looked human to me.”

“You couldn’t see him through the snow. His skin was bright blue,” she insisted as the old truck rattled along the street toward home.

“You sure he wasn’t just blue from the cold?”

She hit her brother’s arm with the back of her hand. “Yes. Human skin can’t get that blue.”

Other than his blue skin, the alien she’d just bumped into had seemed as human as any other man she’d met. Polite, even, helping her keep her stack of books from falling. He’d felt like a solid brick wall when she’d collided into him, and she’d been near enough to smell the damp wool of his peacoat mixed with a hint of maleness that hadn’t struck her as alien at all.

Her thoughts drifted to a documentary she’d watched surreptitiously in her bedroom after her parents and Nana had gone to sleep. It had been about the more intimate aspects of the aliens, extolling their virtues as lovers. Most likely a bit of alien propaganda, but she’d indulged herself by watching it several times. After seeing an alien up close, she could believe the documentary might be true. She imagined what the tall, muscular alien might look like naked, and a little thrill raced through her. Pressing her thighs together, she stared at the snow pelting the windshield to avoid looking at her brother. It might be best to change the subject .

“Speaking of cold, why is your heater still broken?” She tugged her coat tighter around her chest; her toes felt like popsicles in the ballet flats she’d worn to work. “You’d think a mechanic would keep his own truck repaired.”

He cut her a snide glance. “And you’d think a thirty-two-year-old woman would be smart enough to wear boots this time of year.”

Lila scowled. “That’s easy for you to say. You work in back. I’m in the front office. I have to look professional.”

“You could just change into your fancy shoes when you get there. Besides, when’s the last time a client walked in and wanted to chat face-to-face?”

Sweat prickled her skin despite the cold air blowing over the dash. Clients were few and far between these days, even at the height of the Christmas season. The family trucking business wasn’t just struggling; it was on life support. Bills were piling up faster than the snow outside, and if something didn’t change soon, they’d be buried under them. Lila glowered at the giant inflatable Santa waving from the Keller’s yard as they passed. “We’re a trucking company that closes over Christmas. How stupid is that? I had to do some really creative bookkeeping to pay our invoices this month. Did you?—”

“Whoa, whoa,” Tom cut her off, braking hard enough at a stop sign to rattle the toolbox in the back seat. “Mom’s rule, remember? No business talk during the holidays.” He half-slid into the empty intersection before gunning it again.

Lila bit her lip, remembering the Christmas five years ago when Dad had suffered a near-fatal heart attack. The doctors had blamed it on stress, and the entire family had spent that holiday season in the hospital, praying he’d pull through. Mom had made the no-business-talk rule right then and there, and insisted on closing the company every Christmas since. Lila understood why, but it didn’t make their current situation any less dire.

“Slow down,” she complained, grateful at least the truck’s seatbelts weren’t broken. “There could be kids playing out here. And regardless of Mom’s rule, we can’t ignore reality simply because it’s Christmas.”

“Just wait until after the holidays, okay? There’s nothing we can do right now, anyway.”

Lila leaned her head against the cold window, watching the snow swirl in the headlights. “We’re going to lose everything Grandpa worked so hard to build.”

“I’ll talk to Mom and Dad with you after Christmas, I promise. We’ll figure something out. I don’t want the business to go under any more than you do.”

“You sure don’t act like it,” she grumbled as the Carson family house came into view, a two-story red brick structure with white trim and a pair of dormer windows. White Christmas lights edged the rooftop and outlined every window, with more coiled up the posts of the wrap-around porch. Giant candy canes lined the walkway, and a team of glowing reindeer appeared to be pulling Santa’s sleigh across the front yard.

“Looks like Mom put Dad to work today,” Tom said, pulling into the driveway. “The house looks great.” He set the truck to park but left the engine running.

“Aren’t you coming inside?” Lila asked, unbuckling her seatbelt. “Sara and the kids are supposed to be here.”

“Naw. I have a date with Simone.”

She raised an eyebrow at him. “That’s the third night this week. Are things getting serious between you two?”

His face flushed, and he rubbed the back of his neck. “I dunno. Think Mom would mind if I invited Simone to join us for Christmas?”

Lila grinned, though a small pang filled her heart. Her baby brother was in love, which meant she was the last sibling without a partner. “Are you kidding?” She gathered her books and reached for the door handle. “Mom and Dad would be thrilled if you invite Simone. They’d probably start planning your wedding the minute she walks through the door.”

“Whoa, let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Tom laughed, but Lila could tell he was pleased. “Tell Sara and the kids I’ll see them at the carnival tomorrow.”

“See you then.” Lila hopped out and shut the door with a thud, wet snow leaking along the edges of her shoes. She trudged to the front door as Tom’s truck tires skidded out of the driveway back into the street. Not for the first time, she yearned for a house of her own. Living with Nana and her parents saved money, and she was trying to save up for her dream trip to France. Or not . Her latest creative bookkeeping involved funneling her savings back into the trucking company accounts to pay the bills.

She rescued a tiny glove she spotted half-buried in the snow next to the steps before stomping up onto the porch. Her sister had her hands full with three kids, and for the next two weeks, the Carson house would be full of joyful chaos. Lila tucked the books inside her coat so the kids wouldn’t spot the gifts, and opened the door.

Warmth rolled out into the night air, the scent of pot roast and potatoes mingling with the sweet aroma of butter and vanilla from Mom’s sugar cookies. As expected, the entryway was cluttered with small boots and coats, and the chatter of children’s voices nearly drowned out the Christmas carols belting from the living room audio system.

Lila closed the door and quickly tucked the kids’ books onto a shelf in the front closet before shrugging off her jacket and hanging it on an overcrowded hook. Kicking off her damp flats, she slipped her feet into a pair of fuzzy slippers and headed to the living room.

Mom and Nana Pearl were bustling about, stringing lights and hanging ornaments, while Sara’s children darted around like hyperactive elves.

“Josh! Leave the cat alone or you’ll get scratched!” Sara hollered from the rocking chair where she sat nursing her new baby. Wisps of dark hair were escaping her ponytail as her tired eyes met Lila’s. “Hi Sis.”

“Hi Sara.” Lila swooped Josh into a hug, freeing the cat to dart underneath the sofa; Whiskers hated everyone except Dad, yet insisted on remaining underfoot anytime people were around. Lila pressed a solid kiss to her four-year-old nephew’s soft chubby cheek. “Hey, kiddo.”

Josh squeezed her hard around the neck, then squirmed to get down and join his younger sister Emily pushing toy cars across the carpet.

Lila grabbed her favorite ratty cardigan from the back of the sofa and stuffed her arms into its fuzzy embrace, noting Dad’s empty recliner. “Dad’s not home yet?”

“He’s on his way,” Mom said. A jaunty elf hat with tiny bells on the ends covered her stylish bob, jangling as Mom rummaged through a box of decorations. “He got a late start today after helping with the yard ornaments.” Dad had retired from long-hauling, but he still drove a regular delivery route for several restaurants in nearby towns.

Nana Pearl looked up from where she was detangling a string of lights. Arthritis gnarled her knuckles, and her hair was white as the falling snow, but her vibrant spirit defied her age. “Why don’t you put on something besides that old sweater, Lila?”

Lila frowned. Nana had knitted her this sweater years ago. “No way. I love this sweater.”

Planting a kiss on Nana’s forehead, she popped into the kitchen to grab a sugar cookie. The pot roast simmered gently in the crock pot, and she lifted the lid, releasing a fragrant burst of steam. Poking a potato, she checked its readiness. Almost done. Replacing the lid, she contemplated another cookie when the doorbell chimed a perky rendition of Jingle Bells.

She headed back to the living room to see Mom peering through the window into the thickly falling snow. “Is that Aunt Maggie? She knows she doesn’t need to ring.”

“I’ll get it,” Nana Pearl said, already hobbling toward the entryway. “Lila, take off that sweater.”

Josh and Emily raced ahead of her. “I’ll get it!” “I’ll get it!”

Mom put a hand on her hip, watching Nana suspiciously. “Did she invite the mailman to dinner again?”

“Let her have her crush,” Lila said with a smile. Nana had recently been talking about dating, and though the mailman was at least fifteen years her junior, Lila thought she’d detected a few sparks between them. “You always make plenty of food.”

Sara had finished nursing the baby, and Lila held out her hands to take the newborn.

“Thanks,” Sara said, passing her daughter over.

Lila inhaled her sweet baby scent and looked down at her newest niece. The baby’s eyes were closed, soft lashes dark against pudgy cheeks, a tiny fist curled below her chin. “God, I love that new baby smell.”

Sara wiped a splotch of spit-up milk from her shirt. “Easy for you to say.”

“Where’s Greg?” Lila asked, looking around for her brother-in-law,

A pained look crossed her sister’s face. “You know. Working.”

Lila frowned, feeling bad for her sister. Where Lila dreamed of travel, Sara had always dreamed of white picket fences and laughing children. At least she got part of her dream . Lila was stuck here in Bloomington, keeping the business afloat while her ex-fiancé explored the world without her. She’d ended her engagement with Craig after months of him complaining she never had time for him. It hadn’t been fair to keep him tethered.

Josh and Emily’s high-pitched giggles filled the air, and Lila glanced toward the foyer as they scurried back into the living room. Her jaw dropped. Standing at the entrance was a tall, blue-skinned man clad in a dark peacoat.

No, not a man. An alien.

The alien.

“Everyone, this is Zhoel,” Nana Pearl announced gleefully, her eyes homing in on Lila. “He’s staying for dinner.”

“He’s blue!” Josh crowed, his pudgy face scrunched up in delight.

“Yes, he is,” Sara answered warily, standing and pushing the kids behind her.

“What is going on?” Mom demanded, the bells on her hat jangling as she looked from Nana to the newcomer.

Lila swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. The alien was even more handsome than she remembered, his cobalt blue skin and close-cropped midnight blue hair glistening with melting snowflakes. His eyes were a mesmerizing shade of deep violet and were focused on her as if she was the only person in the room.

Nana took Zhoel’s arm and tottered forward. “This is my daughter, Diane, my oldest granddaughter, Sara, and this lovely young lady here is Lila, the one you’re here to see.”

“Me?” Lila squeaked, pulse thundering in her ears.

“Thank you for agreeing to meet with me,” Zhoel said in a voice as rich as Belgian chocolate. His attention flickered to the baby, then back to Lila’s face, an unspoken question in his eyes.

Mom cleared her throat, removing her festive hat and smoothing her hair back into place. “I don’t understand. What is he doing here?”

“I told you—his name is Zhoel. He’s Lila’s date.”

Oh, no . Lila tore her gaze away from the alien’s handsome features and muscular build. Nana Pearl was at her matchmaking shenanigans again. “Nana, you need to ask before you arrange a date for me.”

“Especially with blue guys,” muttered Sara under her breath, extracting the infant from Lila’s arms.

“I told you to change out of that sweater,” Nana whispered loud enough for everyone to hear.

Lila’s face heated as she realized she must look like a complete frump, but she pulled the sweater resolutely across her chest. Who cares? She didn’t have time for dating. She smiled tightly at the alien. “I’m afraid there’s been a misunderstanding.”

His brows drew together in confusion. “Will you not at least listen to my proposal?”

Proposal? She’d heard these aliens moved fast, but...

Mom spoke before she could respond. “I don’t mean to be rude, but Aunt Maggie and Uncle Rich already invited themselves over to see Sara and the kids. I’m not sure I made enough?—”

“We have plenty to eat, Diane,” Nana Pearl said, her eyes suddenly steely. “And I invited him. He’s staying.”

Mom’s cheeks flushed a deep rose as she eyed Zhoel warily. “Can he even eat our food?”

Despite the circumstances, Lila felt bad for the guy, and he definitely didn’t deserve her mother’s rudeness. “Of course he can eat human food, Mom. And he can hear you, you know.”

Zhoel met her gaze with a smile hot enough to toast marshmallows. “You are correct, Lila. My nutritional requirements are quite compatible with your Earth food.”

The way he said her name sent a flood of heat up Lila’s neck and across her cheeks as she recalled the other, more intimate ways Kirenai aliens were rumored to be compatible.

Zhoel turned back to Mom and bowed his head politely. “But I don’t mean to intrude. I can wait outside until after you’ve finished your meal to speak with Lila.”

“Don’t be ridiculous!” Nana Pearl grabbed his hand and pulled him into the living room. “You’re staying for dinner. Lila, why don’t you show Zhoel to the dining room?”

Knowing Nana would not back down, Lila motioned for him to follow her. As she led Zhoel down the hall, she was acutely aware of the way his eyes followed her every move. She couldn’t decide what worried her more—that this alien was here with romantic intent, or that a tiny part of her was tempted to see where that intent might take them.