Chapter Eight
A HOLIDAY PARTY! BAILEY hadn’t willingly been to one in years.
She let out a sigh as she looked in her closet and rummaged around among the clothing.
Wearing something red or green seemed so cheesy, and she certainly wasn’t going to wear an ugly Christmas sweater.
For starters, she didn’t have one. Secondly, they were ugly.
Hmm. She eyed herself critically in the mirror as she held up a gold dress.
“Not too shabby,” she said. If I’m going to attend this party, I’m going to make an entrance.
But this was a bit too fancy for the event.
Her thoughts drifted to Landon. He’d been so apologetic about the whole situation.
She felt bad for him. Since she had three sisters, she knew the drill.
She could easily understand how he had gotten into the awkward situation and how he couldn’t find a way out.
Especially since Hattie was tickled about him dating someone.
Landon hadn’t elaborated, but he’d given her the impression that he hadn’t experienced a lot of romantic encounters in Moose Falls.
That was a bit shocking. Not only was Landon gorgeous and smart, but he projected a warmth that was endearing.
Furthermore, she knew for certain that folks in town were drooling over him. She’d overheard several people chatting about him at the local coffee shop.
And why not? He was a certified Alaskan hottie.
Jamie certainly hadn’t been brainy or sensitive.
Bailey’s initial attraction to him had faded very quickly.
Her usual type was cocky and brawny. Each and every one of them had possessed as much emotional maturity as bullfrogs.
They hadn’t all been bad guys, but Landon radiated a sincerity she’d rarely seen before.
She let out a groan. Her crush was a bit out of control, and she needed to nip it in the bud.
Or maybe not, she realized, since they would be pretending to be an item.
Maybe her feelings would serve only to enhance her role.
Bailey chuckled. Everyone would definitely buy into their act if she couldn’t keep her eyes off Landon.
It was actually a great cover for her, since Landon also would just think she was leaning in to her role.
The last thing she wanted was for him to figure out that she had the hots for him.
“So how are you doing? Really?” Gemma asked, narrowing her gaze as she studied her from across the room. “I know this is a hard time of year for you.”
Bailey turned toward her sister. “A hard time of year for me?” She let out a snort. “I think this is a hard time for our whole family, but I’m the only one who admits it. Or rebels against the Christmas-cheer facade.”
“The difference is we still lean in to the holiday even though we’re all hurting on the inside. We don’t act as if Christmas comes to a standstill because of our feelings,” Gemma told her.
Bailey let out a groan. “Gemma, I wouldn’t mind all that if everything wasn’t being shoved down into this big black hole. We never talk about him. Not ever.” That sad reality caused a squeezing sensation in her chest.
“That’s not true. Well, maybe it is a little true, but it’s hard for Mom. The memories really drag her under.” She shuddered. “And no one wants to see her the way she was after we lost him.”
Bailey clearly remembered those dark days.
They had been brutal for all of them. The fact that her mother had completely fallen apart still haunted her to this day.
She hadn’t gotten out of bed, hadn’t eaten, and hadn’t had the wherewithal to take care of her kids.
That was when Hattie had stepped in and thrown them a lifeline.
“Well, maybe if she finally allowed herself to talk about him, it would get easier, and she wouldn’t just focus on how he died. His life was filled with so much more than that. He was such a special light, a joy, a presence. Shouldn’t we try to hold on to that rather than let it slip away?”
“We do,” Gemma protested. “In our own ways, we do. It may not be loud or out in the open, but we do.”
A silence settled between them. Bailey knew she might just have to accept that her family was grieving the loss in their own way, separate and apart from how she felt. She couldn’t help but feel that the ache kept growing bigger instead of healing.
“So you’re actually dating Hattie’s grandson?” Gemma asked. The look of shock etched on her sister’s face was a bit insulting.
“Very casually at the moment,” Bailey fibbed.
She had told her sister only today, when she’d come over.
Bailey loved her sister to death, but Gemma couldn’t keep a secret to save her life.
The news would be all over the family grapevine if she admitted that they were in a fake romance.
She didn’t see any harm in having her sister believe that she was seeing Landon.
Honestly, although Landon hadn’t given her a specific timeframe, she knew that Hattie probably wouldn’t be around for much longer.
Just the thought of it made her want to break down in tears.
But wasn’t that why she had agreed to pretend to be in a relationship with Landon?
For Hattie. And, if she was being completely honest, doing something for Landon had played a part in her acceptance.
Looking into his deep brown eyes had felt like falling off a cliff.
She couldn’t have said no to him, not in a million years.
“Why do you sound so surprised? He’s hot. I’m hot,” she teased, letting out a little laugh. “Just kidding.”
“No, you’re not,” Gemma said, shaking her head. “But I’m glad to see you back in the game. And from the sounds of it, Landon is a great guy. And as an added bonus he may be inheriting Hattie’s company and her fortune.”
Bailey turned toward her sister. “That’s really morbid. I don’t want to think about Hattie not being here.” She sucked in a deep breath. “I know her illness is terminal, but I keep hoping that maybe she’ll do what she always does… persevere.”
A sheepish expression passed over Gemma’s face. “I’m sorry. I know that you’re really close to Hattie. I didn’t mean to sound insensitive, but I was trying to point out that Landon might be sticking around Moose Falls for the long haul. So that might be good for your relationship.”
Bailey scowled at her. “Slow down. We only just started seeing each other. We have a long way to go before it gets serious. If it ever does.”
“Think positive,” Gemma said in a chirpy voice. “You’re in a relationship with one of the hottest guys in town. And he’s a freaking scientist.”
“Smart guys really are sexy,” Bailey said, flashing back to the way they had been in each other’s arms on the dance floor.
It had been pretty hot. The best part was, Landon didn’t even know that he was a smoke show.
He was so humble and low-key. Self-deprecating and kind.
Every time she thought about him, butterflies flew around in her belly.
Gemma reached into her closet and pulled out a gold sweater. She held it in the air, waving it around. “Now this would definitely work. It looks great on you, and it’s very festive,” her sister said.
Bailey took the sweater and held it up in front of the mirror. “I do like the color, and it isn’t red or green. Thanks, sis. I might pair this with my black velvet pants and call it a day.”
Her sister wiggled her eyebrows. “I have the feeling Landon will approve.”
Bailey rolled her eyes. “Maybe I shouldn’t have told you that we were dating, especially if you’re going to keep bringing him up. I’m trying to be discreet about things.”
“Okay, okay, I get it. But because of Lynn’s situation, I’m trying to think positive about all of our romantic futures. We need a few happy endings to balance things out.”
“I think Lynn’s going to need a moment to get over this heartbreak.” Bailey made a face. “In the long run, she’ll be better off without Kai. She just hasn’t realized it yet. She’s mourning all of the things she thought she was going to be sharing with him.” Gemma nodded and made a tutting sound.
“Do you want me to do your hair and makeup?” Gemma asked. She was an artist by trade, but she loved playing around with colors and different makeup brands.
“Of course I do,” Bailey said, chuckling.
“You’re the best makeup artist. Plus, you’re free.
” In response, Gemma swatted her with a pillow, instructing her to sit down so she could work on her.
Forty minutes later, Bailey had been transformed by her sister’s magic wand and was ready to head to Hattie’s home.
She was wearing the shimmery gold sweater with slim-fitting black velvet pants, gold hoop earrings, and a pair of black kitten heels. Chic and festive.
The scenic route she took provided spectacular views of the mountains. Even though she hadn’t lived anywhere else but Moose Falls, she never got tired of the Alaskan landscape.
Hattie’s home was nothing short of spectacular.
The old Victorian-style house was large and grand.
The residence was three stories high with a pitched roof and cylindrical turrets.
It had always reminded Bailey of something out of a fairy-tale book.
The wraparound porch lent it a classic vibe.
A bunch of cherry red Adirondack chairs sat in front, decorated with festive lights.