“Hi, ladies. Can I help you with anything?” He addresses the group, but his eyes are locked on Mrs. Fields, a look of concern etched into his stare.
My teeth are chattering, and my entire body is shaking. I hesitate too long, so Nina jumps in and explains what’s occurred. He says something to Lanie and then turns his attention back to Mrs. Fields.
“Char, where’s Tom and Sandy? Why are you out here all alone?”
The way he talks to her gives the impression that they’re well acquainted. They do live next door, but this seems more familiar than that.
“They’re…” Her words trail off, and her hand comes up to her head. “Well, I don’t know.”
Nick bends down so we’re eye to eye. “Alyssa, why don’t you allow me to help get her back inside. I’ll stop by after she’s home safe. It’s awfully cold out here, and you have guests.”
I want to wave off his concern, but I know he’s only being chivalrous. Old habits die hard, and Nick West doesn’t know anything other than helping people.
“All right,” I acquiesce, more than happy to get out of the cold.
He nods, taking over and steering Mrs. Fields toward her house, which is situated right next to his.
“You heard the man. Let’s go,” Lanie barks, and we all rush back across the street into the warmth.
Nina takes the coats this time, while Ava and Lanie join Corinne in the great room, huddling under the warm blankets they’d left to venture outside.
I start to make a fresh batch of hot cocoa, knowing we could all use it. I take a moment to run down what just occurred.
Mrs. Fields was adamant that a woman, dressed inappropriately for the weather, was staring at my house.
What are the odds that she actually saw someone?
There are too many places that someone could’ve run off to hide, the protection of the dark keeping them out of sight. Then there’s the obvious question…whywould anyone be looking at my house? Let alone a girl not dressed for the weather.
I shake off the chilling thought. Mrs. Fields is in her eighties, and it’s very likely she imagined the whole thing. Right?
2
High Priestess
The cocoa isdone and distributed, and I’m about to take a seat when there’s a knock on my door.
My heart beats erratically, and my fingers tap the side of my leg. I know without a doubt that it’s Nick, but I’m unsettled. Between Corinne and her Krampus stunt, and then the talk of a woman being outside in the dark, it feels more like Halloween than Christmas.
I take one quick second to compose myself before swinging the door open to a scene that instantly relaxes me while simultaneously stealing my breath.
Nick West stands under the dim front porch light, hands in his pockets, as the snow falls around him. One side of his mouth lifts when he sees me. Cold air rushes through the opening, but I barely register the chill, because I’m warm all over.
“Can I come in?”
I purse my lips and narrow my eyes. “I suppose.”
He grins, knowing I’m only kidding. My heart races with the realization that he’s happy to see me. It’s evident in his smile. The way his eyes are fixed on me.
As he brushes past me, he places a chaste kiss on my cheek. His icy lips instantly cool my flushed skin, and a heavy sigh escapes me. He chuckles as his fingers ghost across my own, causing me to quiver.
I close the door and turn in time to see the six-foot-four man cross his arms and shiver. “It’s a cold one tonight,” he remarks, and I have to smother a smile.
Small talk is not Nick’s thing, and right now he looks all sorts of nervous.
“Can I take your coat?” I ask, hand extended.
He bobs his head, removing the black, fleece-lined jacket, white logo on the breast of the coat upright. As soon as it’s draped over my arm, his shoulders shake as his hands rub together.
