Chapter Twenty-Two
Nate
I didn’t expect my security team to arrive this fast.
Except . . . it wasn’t them.
Headlights swept across the drive, bright and blinding. A car door slammed, and then came voices—multiple, female, loud enough to make the windows vibrate.
The Winston sisters. And, trailing a few paces behind like their bodyguard, Mr. Carlisle. Here comes chaos.
Bibi Winston marched straight up steps with her sister, Libby, in tow, both wearing identical quilted coats and expressions of righteous purpose. Mr. Carlisle followed at a slower, more menacing pace—arms folded, jaw set, like a man who didn’t need a weapon to win a fight.
Bibi spotted me first. “Oh, thank heavens you’re still here, Jo! We heard that man left you!”
Libby gasped when she realized which “man” I was. “Oh my goodness—don’t tell me you came back just to throw her out!”
“I—what?” I managed, uselessly.
The questions started flying like buckshot.
“Who’s moving?”
“Did you break up with her already?”
“Wasn’t that sleigh ride romantic as all get-out?”
“Milo said you were smitten!”
Jo froze beside me, blonde hair catching the porch light, mouth slightly open in horror. I half expected her to bolt again.
Bibi jabbed a mittened finger at me. “If you made that sweet woman cry, so help me, I will march right down to your fancy office and—”
“Ladies,” came Mr. Carlisle’s gravel-deep voice. “Let’s give them a second to breathe.”
The sisters instantly fell half a step back, though Bibi was still muttering under her breath. Mr. Carlisle stepped forward, eyes landing on Jo. “You all right, Miss Jo?”
She hesitated, long enough that I knew she was considering selling me out. I wouldn’t have blamed her. But instead, she squared her shoulders. “I’m fine, sir.”
Mr. Carlisle’s stare lingered on her face, unreadable. “You sure?”
“Yes,” she said quietly. “I’m sure.”
He turned to me then, and the weight of his gaze felt like judgment. “You make sure she stays that way.”
“I intend to,” I said, meaning it.
His jaw flexed, and he muttered, “This town’s had enough heartbreak. Don’t go adding to it.”
That landed like a punch.
Before I could respond, Bibi cleared her throat loudly. “Well,” she said briskly, “since we’ve all confirmed nobody’s been murdered, maybe you can explain why there’s a moving truck in the driveway?”
Jo’s glare dared me to make something up. So I did. “It’s not what it looks like,” I said smoothly. “Jo thought I’d left for good—that I didn’t care. She started packing, and that’s why I came back. To tell her I’m not going anywhere.”
Libby clutched her mittens to her chest. “Oh my stars, you had a misunderstanding!”
Bibi’s face softened instantly. “See, Libby? I told you he came back for her.”
Libby frowned. “You also said men like him don’t apologize.”
“Well, maybe I was wrong once this decade.”
They turned to Jo, who was doing her best not to roll her eyes hard enough to cause whiplash.
Bibi sighed dreamily. “That’s just the most romantic thing I’ve heard since Carl Whitman proposed in the Dairy Queen parking lot.”
Libby sniffed. “He still owes her a Blizzard.”
Bibi ignored her. “Anyway, moving at night is no way to react to a little spat. You two need a long talk, some cocoa, and maybe a little counseling.”
“Thank you for your concern,” I said, smiling tightly, “but we’ll be fine.”
“You sure packed fast,” Libby said suspiciously. “That truck looks awfully full.”
“I was upset,” Jo said. “Anger packing.”
Bibi tutted. “I don’t remember Silas having a motorcycle.”
“It’s mine,” Jo said flatly.
Libby gasped. “Yours? Oh, honey, no. Those things are death on two wheels.”
Bibi nodded sagely. “Your hair will frizz, your brain will scramble, and you’ll end up with bugs in your teeth. Absolutely not.”
Jo blinked. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Satisfied that they’d saved at least one relationship tonight, the sisters turned toward the door again.
Then Bibi stopped, hand snapping to her forehead.
“Oh! Before I forget—don’t be startled if you hear trucks later this week.
They’re coming to cut down one of the big pines for the Christmas tree in town. ”
Libby clasped her hands, eyes shining. “It’s so exciting! Just imagine, Jo—how amazing it’ll be if Nate’s there for the tree lighting with you! How romantic!”
Bibi gasped. “Libby! You weren’t supposed to say that yet!”
“What? Everyone knows they do the lighting!”
“Not everyone. Not this year. It was supposed to be a surprise!”
“Oh, hush, I bet they knew. And besides,” Libby said, eyeing the two of us, “it’s obvious they’re meant to be part of it.”
Jo looked like she wished she could disappear.
Bibi gave a firm nod, like she was pronouncing a blessing. “We’ll let you two talk. You’ll work it out—I can tell.”
Libby squinted, mischief flickering. “So, is Jo still in the guest house? Or are you staying out there now?”
Before I could answer, Bibi gasped, scandalized, and grabbed her sister’s arm. “Libby, for heaven’s sake, leave the couple some privacy!”
“I was just asking!”
“You were fishing, and you know it.”
They bustled down the porch, still arguing, their laughter trailing behind them as they headed to the car.
Mr. Carlisle lingered one more moment, his eyes cutting between Jo and me. “You need anything, Miss Jo, you call me.”
“I will,” she said quietly.
He nodded once, then looked back at me—a silent warning loud enough to rattle windows. Then he followed the sisters down the drive.
The car lights disappeared, and the silence that settled afterward was thick and sharp.
Jo crossed her arms. “You’re a good liar.”
“Thanks,” I said dryly. “Nice compliment coming from someone as honest as you. You’re lucky I’m not a cop or you’d be in handcuffs.”
She rolled her eyes. “Whatever you’re into.”
I fought back a smile. “One thing I’ll give you is that you’re ballsy.”
Her unimpressed shrug cut deep. I was still recovering from it when she said, “And you’re a player. You think I believe you came back because you care?”
“I did.” I let my voice drop low, meaning threading under it. “And I do.”
Her eyes widened.
“Now,” I said softly, stepping closer. “Where were we?”