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They continued to chat through the entire journey, and every time Maya glanced over, his gaze was already on her, a smile warming his face and his amber eyes sparkling like the rose-gold lights on the big house on the corner.

It didn’t take long before they were pulling up outside the address in question, and Maya peered through the windshield. “I’m going to take a little drive so the car doesn’t cool down too quickly, then I’ll come back here to wait for you.”

Sam nodded, putting on his jacket. “Won’t you get bored?”

“Nah. I’ve got a book with me. My to-be-read pile is higher than the levels of my dad’s disappointment.”

Sam paused. “Did Hana call back?”

Her heart sank at the sound of her sister’s name. “Nope.”

“Bummer. And what about Dr. B? Have you spoken to him?”

Maya grimaced, closed her eyes, and remained silent.

Sam nudged her arm. “Talk to him. It won’t be as bad as you think.”

Maya opened one eye to look at him. “Yes. It will.” He should know that, after the last time he encouraged me to speak to Dad. But then I suppose I never got a chance to explain how it went. “I’m not speaking to anyone about my authentic feelings ever again.”

He was giving her his soft “I’m listening” smile, and it made her heart do a weird melty thing.

“Anyway, you’d better get in there, or hordes of women will be disappointed,” she said, averting her gaze.

He made to exit the vehicle.

“Wait.”

He turned back, and Maya grinned. “Tell them to keep the curtains open so I can get an eyeful.”

Sam laughed and climbed out, then stuck his head back in and said, “Perv,” before shutting the door.

She stuck her tongue out at him as he walked off, then blew him a kiss. He pretended to catch it and put it in the pocket of his parka, a smile playing at the corner of his mouth.

There was movement in her peripheral vision, and as she raised her gaze, Sam appeared from the house, making his way toward the car.

He climbed in and Maya gave him a smile. “How did it go?”

Sam huffed out a breath as he buckled his seat belt. “I nearly called you for backup. The Christmas spirit possessed some of them a little too heavily.”

“Uh-oh,” Maya said, starting the engine. “It’s a dangerous profession.”

“You can say that again.”

Glancing over as she pulled away, she shot him a grin. “Sam L. Holland. Ski instructor by day, naked butler by night.”

Shaking his head, he gave her a smile. “I still need to get you back for outing my middle name to your class.”

“You’ll never get me. I’m too wily,” Maya replied, guiding them onto the country road toward Glenavie.

“Just you wait. When you least expect it, that’s when I’ll strike.” He yawned, rubbing his eyes.

Maya eyed him for a second, remembering what Liv had said about his taking on too much and how she worried he was tired and stressed. And Liv didn’t even know about this second job.

Thinking of Arran and his studio plus his little boy, Maya pondered that Sam always seemed to take on everyone else’s burden. He had to be the problem solver, the fixer for those around him. “Close your eyes and have a rest.”

“That’d be rude,” he replied, settling back into his seat. “I can’t leave my chauffeur with no chat.”

Maya smiled. “It’s fine. I endured your rubbish chat all the way here, so it’ll be a delight to have some peace on the way home.”