I looked up and found Chris standing in the doorway, hands buried in his pockets, staring down at me with wide eyes. I could only imagine the thoughts going through his mind at the moment. He probably thought I was a crazy lady. I’d upended my suitcase, and I could hear Noelle trying her best to out Mariah Carey, Mariah Carey. It was one rendition of All I Want for Christmas that would make dogs howl. My daughter was a lot of wonderful things, but a singer was not one of them.
“I … uh … um … yeah …”
I didn't know how to explain.
I’d packed this wardrobe thinking I was going to be on show sixteen hours a day. I’d packed cute cashmere sweaters, leggings, high-heeled boots, and even a navy sweater dress with a thick gold buckle. I was expecting to be staying at a fancy ski resort. I was anticipating being judged and critiqued on every move I made. I planned on having to curl my hair before pulling on my ski suit and hitting the slopes. I knew I was going to have to put on a full face of makeup before breakfast each morning. But none of that was happening now, and walking around Chris’s home in a five-hundred-dollar sweater seemed like overkill.
“I didn’t say anything,” he remarked, a smug smirk on his face making him look younger than he was.
“You didn’t have to,” I grumbled as I tried to hide the lacy lingerie.
An ear-piercing note echoed, and I winced.
“She’s talented,” Chris offered kindly.
“Noelle is my pride and joy, but there are some things she cannot and should not do. Singing is one of them. But she loves it,” I explained. “So, I usually just go outside and let her enjoy herself.”
“Sounds like a solid plan.”
“I’m sorry about the mess. And invading your space.”
Chris waved away my apology. “It’s all good.”
“Are you sure? I mean, really sure?”
“Holly, it’s fine. So, I’ve got the tree all set up and ready for you to decorate.”
“You’re not going to help?” I asked, hating that disappointment fluttered through my body.
Chris rubbed the back of his neck and looked awkward. It was almost like he wanted to be anywhere but here, and I got the distinct impression I’d overstepped.
“Christmas isn’t really my thing,” he replied. “But you obviously love it. And Noelle can’t have Christmas without a tree. So …”
“So, you’re letting us put one up?” I finished for him.
“Something like that. Anyway, the tree’s ready for you. I’m gonna run to the store and grab a few things. Everything will be shut tomorrow for Christmas, and the way this storm is rolling in, it may even be earlier.”
“It’s that bad out there?”
“Yeah, and they say this is only the start.”
“Are we going to be okay?” I asked nervously.
I didn't mind the snow. In fact, I preferred it to the stinking hot, humid, sweaty days, but a storm that trapped people in towns and shut down the city wasn’t something I was keen to get caught up in. Although, from what Chris was saying, that’s exactly what was happening.
“Yeah, we’ll be fine. Even if we end up camped out down in my office in the shop. It’s got a wood burner fire and a stack of wood. It might be a bit uncomfortable, but if the worst comes to worst, we can ride it out down there.”
“Oh.”
I didn’t really know what to say.
It worried me that he was already considering backup plans. But it wasn’t like I had many options.
Even though I’d known him for less than twenty-four hours, I found myself trusting him to take care of us. I don’t know what it was, maybe his patience, maybe the fact that he seemed so calm, or maybe it was just how good he looked in those worn denim jeans, but I did. I trusted him. I trusted him to protect us, and I trusted him to take care of us. A realization that almost blindsided me. I didn’t trust anyone with Noelle, hardly ever.
“Is there anything you want or need while I’m out?” he offered.
“Um …”
