Chapter 2
TWO
1 Week til Christmas
Getting ready for the big mamma jamma tree was another thing entirely.
Kane helped me to the SUV with the six mini trees I had in mind for each of my sibling’s bedrooms—as well as mine—which left my car smelling like Christmas. And my wallet wincing since I’d definitely dropped well over a grand in the end.
Even my credit card company sent me a text making sure the spending was mine.
Good thing I could afford it. Being a wrangler—aka handler, goalie, and all-around personal assistant to Quentin—meant I was well compensated for my pain and suffering.
He wasn’t as much of a handful as he used to be. When Q’s first single, “Never Gonna Shake Me Loose” skyrocketed on social media, he had been far too young to deal with the intense fame. He’d gone from messing around in his room on his guitar in between bartending jobs to being one of the most in demand new talents of the decade.
He’d never even played on a small stage, for God’s sake.
The flurry of agents, managers, and record companies coming at him had been overwhelming. I was his big sister and didn’t want him to get ripped off. Being a music lover, and obsessive music documentary watcher, I had been far too nervous he’d end up in a bad deal.
I’m still not sure how I ended up being his assistant. I’d go so far as to say I was his manager, but his actual manager Bethany Kahn would probably disagree. She’d been as up and coming as Quentin was, and I’d had a good feeling about her. She had just enough shark in her to be hungry, without being smug like the bloodless people at Trident who had tried to scoop up Q the minute he’d gone viral.
In the end, we’d gone with Ripper Records. Then my brother met Rory Ferguson and had never looked back.
Q was too busy making his art to care about what was going on behind the scenes. Some people were obsessed with controlling everything, but not my little brother. All he cared about was writing and performing. He was one of the few artists I knew who actually loved being in the studio.
But he loved it too much to focus on anything else, and that was why I was dragging him here into Crescent Cove to enjoy some family time. He was beyond burned out and needed some time to just be Q, not the international sensation Quentin Hawkins.
Thankfully, the SOS call to my other siblings had cemented an impromptu family reunion. Our parents were excited to spend their first holiday in warmer temperatures, but they would be back for New Year’s Eve.
I had the cabin for three blissful weeks. By the end of it, we’d all be tired of each other, but right now, I was excited to see everyone.
On my way back to Crescent Lake, I made a stop into Target for the rest of the things I’d need for decorating the massive cabin.
I’d made a list based on photos from the rental agent’s website. The gift shop from the orchard had gone a long way to cover what I’d needed, but my list was extensive.
I might be well off, but my family had instilled in me my need for a good bargain. By the time I left Target, my SUV was busting at the seams with boxes and bags full of holiday cheer.
The adrenaline of finding all my treasures was also waning. It had been a long day of travel from Chicago.
Q’s last concert of the Playlists & Apologies Tour had been two days ago, and he’d disappeared on his motorcycle for some alone time. He had the uncanny ability to hide in plain sight. Mostly because with a hoodie and earbuds, he looked like any other twenty-something-year-old dude.
No one special, even though he absolutely was.
However, he’d promised to make his way to Crescent Cove for Christmas—mostly because Rory would be in town, but I liked to think his family was some of the draw.
And hopefully, I’d be able to convince Rory to encourage my brother to take some time off. As much as I worried about him, maybe taking off on his motorcycle for a few months would be best.
After he ate himself silly and hung out with his family first, of course.
I consulted the maps app as I drove around the massive lake, all the while trying not to be distracted by the stupendous holiday lights—again. I’d lived in Manhattan for ages, but somehow these charming decorations were even more of a marvel than the expensive corporate displays.
My attention was caught by Santa and his reindeer, a family of snowmen waving, and finally, a carousel of horses with an elaborately timed symphony of lights set to music.
After all the revelry, it was a little overwhelming when I hit a dark patch where the only light was moonlight glimmering faintly on the endless expanse of water. Shockingly, my signal held out long enough for the app to lead me to Bond Lane that ribboned along the edge of the lake.
I turned off the music, and I rolled down my window to hear the soft lapping on the rocky beach. The quick slap of cold after the warmth of my car invigorated me, and I dragged in the sharp scent of water before the road curved into a grouping of sturdy pine and regal oak trees devoid of leaves that showed a hint of the cabin on the next rise.
When it came into full view, the actuality of it stole my breath. White lit evergreen garland hugged the stately columns of the wraparound porch and echoed along the tops of the railings. Simple, warmly lit Christmas kissing balls hung from the ceiling of the porch on either side of the grand staircase. A fat, simple green wreath with a massive red bow softened the front.
Unable to wait a moment longer, I turned off my SUV and rushed up the river rock and dark wood steps to find the discreet security lock above the doorknob.
I’d already memorized the combination and tapped it in, pushing the door open only to sag against the door. Even with all the opulence I’d seen since Q’s rise in fame, I wasn’t ready for this cabin. There was no vestibule, just the main living area with a massive fireplace that echoed the river rock and dark wood of the porch, which took up nearly one wall. Two built-in bookcases flanked it with a wide variety of books, both hardcover and paperbacks in what looked like a good selection of genres. Charming, framed winter prints were staggered on the mantel in varying sizes, drawing the eye up the river rocks that made up the wall feature to the beams that framed out the high ceilings.
Twelve feet ceilings and then some.
Briefly, I glanced at the staircase, picturing the tree in front of the glossy wood railing. There was a small alcove that would be perfect for it.
But it was the windows that really stole the show.
The whole back of the cabin was all windows from floor to ceiling with discreet doors that didn’t take anything away from the lakeside view. The wraparound porch continued with more lights and a charming sway of three large kissing balls.
I closed the front door and crossed to the windows, my fingertips trailing over one of the four suede couches on my way by.
There was a gift basket on the coffee table in the center of the conversation space, but I was too distracted by the view to look closer at the contents.
Even in the darkness, the lake beckoned. I unlocked the door and the breeze off the water chilled me to the bone, but it made me feel more alive than I had in months. The water seemed vast and endless, and the water was choppy with the increased wind.
My gaze lifted to the sky. It was dark and clear, but in the distance, clouds were rolling in.
The famed lake effect in real time?
A shiver of unease slinked up my spine.
Was that just the overcast skies of winter or something more? I patted my hip pocket, but my phone was still in the car. I’d have to check the weather and make sure there wasn’t a storm coming this way.
I knew one thing for sure—I would be spending a lot of time out here.
Forcing myself to keep going, I turned away from the view, my gaze skipping over huge outdoor couches, just waiting for me to curl up with a book.
Hopefully, a little sun and a cozy blanket would let me enjoy some of the outside. Then I noticed the slim outdoor heaters and swooned.
God, yes. Perfection.
With one last longing look, I closed the door and locked up before I checked the gift basket. It had an array of cheeses and crackers and wine along with instructions for the fireplace, internet, sound system, and security. There was a discreet gold tulle bag tucked behind the wine with foil packets that I doubt I’d be using.
Handily, there was also a list of local stores and restaurants if I wanted to venture out or local grocery stores if I wanted to cook, which sounded exactly right.
After I unloaded the Subaru.
I was tired just thinking about it, but Kane and his lovely wife, Bells, would be here bright and early with the tree. Hmm, maybe I should put it in front of the window instead?
Too bad those ominous clouds seemed even closer. But I couldn’t think about that right now.
First, I would unpack, then I could worry about a possible storm.
I ran outside for the first load, then I figured out the sound system and blasted my Christmas songs playlist to keep up my energy. By the time I got all the trees and bags inside, I was sweating and ready to faceplant on the nearest couch.
I rebounded with some of the wine in the basket as well as most of the cheese and crackers since I hadn’t thought to pick up actual dinner. The apple pie was very tempting, especially since it wasn’t like I couldn’t go get another one.
It wouldn’t exactly make it to Christmas without being very stale. So, if I ate some now, I would actually be helping out.
Sort of.
I stared at the massive white box on the kitchen island in the ridiculously posh kitchen hidden just beyond the fireplace. I took another gulp of my wine and ignored it as I nibbled on a cracker.
Nope. I could be strong.
I set my glass down and brought one of the trees up the stairs to where the bedrooms were so I could scope out my spot. This place had eight bedrooms so no one would fight about having their own space like we had when we were kids.
And since I booked this place, I got the first dibs on bedrooms. Q had gifted me a staggering post-tour bonus. We’d made above and beyond the predicted ticket sales, especially since his stage show was little more than a massive projection of video and effects over the whole stage.
Q cared about the songs and the music more than a spectacle and it worked for him and his fans. In fact, it had only increased the interest in him since he was so lost in the music.
Of course, it didn’t hurt that he was exceptionally attractive. Even as his sister, I couldn’t deny that.
And since I’d footed the bill for this place, I didn’t have any guilt about taking the primary bedroom with the huge en suite bathroom and view of the lake that seemed even more awesome from the second floor.
I set the little tree in the sparkly green pot on the bedside table and plugged it in. The cool white lights made the room cozy. I glanced over at the fireplace beside the king-sized bed.
I couldn’t wait to tuck in and watch the flames. After I was done.
Before the exceptionally soft-looking bed could lure me, I shut off the light and backed out of the room. I gave one last glance at the little tree before I rushed back downstairs to get the rest of the trees.
Once they were all set in the rooms, as well as my bags dropped off in my room, I attacked the decorations and set them in piles for the morning. I was near delirious by the time I unpacked all the Target and Brothers Three Orchard gift shop bags.
I just needed to sit down for a few minutes, then I would be good to go again. Just a few minutes was all.
And that was the last thing I knew.