Chapter Nine #3
Landon frowned at him. “How am I in trouble? I wasn’t the one who was romancing twins on a reality show. You’re acting brand-new all of a sudden.”
Caleb let out a mournful sound and placed his palm over his chest. “Ouch. Now why would you bring something like that up? I’m a happily engaged man now.”
Landon shrugged. “You started it.”
“Nah, you did,” Caleb said. “You always act so innocent when you throw the first punch.”
Xavier stepped between them. “Easy, boys. This is a holiday party,” he said, playing the role of big brother, as he always did. “Try to act like you have some sense for Hattie’s sake. Play nice, okay? Between the three of us we managed to knock one item off Hattie’s bucket list.”
“What’s that?” Landon asked, trying to recount the list in his head.
“What do you mean?” Caleb asked, sounding incredulous. “She said it as plain as day. Hattie wants her three grandsons to be settled in our love lives. She’s a romantic at heart.”
“You two are already established with your partners,” Landon told them. “Bailey and I are just feeling our way around each other.”
“That’s not the point,” Xavier said. “She’s invested in the two of you as a couple, and she feels confident that you’ll go the distance. It’s about how Hattie feels. And you did that, little bro.”
Go the distance! This whole situation was so messed up.
And he had no one to blame but himself. He was now in so deep that he would be breaking Hattie’s spirit if he fessed up and told her the truth.
His brothers would be furious. His dad would feel disappointed.
And he would be dragging Bailey down under with him. And trashing her bond with Hattie.
Ugh. Despite the fact that the situation was making him squirm, he needed to keep up the pretense. All of a sudden he felt sweat at the back of his neck. He was a little queasy.
“Are you feeling okay?” Xavier asked, peering at him with inquisitive eyes. “There’s a lot going on with Hattie being so ill. We’ll understand if you’re feeling emotional about it.”
“It is a lot,” he admitted. The pressure was getting to him a little bit. Meanwhile Bailey was looking as cool as a cucumber. At that moment she glanced over at him with a concerned look etched on her face.
Suddenly both True and Sophia turned around to glance in his direction. Bailey looked as if she was explaining something to both of them, and then she began walking toward him.
“Is everything okay, Landon? You look a little peaked.”
“It’s just a little warm in here.” He placed his finger around the collar of his dress shirt and loosened it. “I’m fine, though.”
“I’m going to go get you a water, all right?” Bailey asked. Without waiting for him to answer, she headed off in the direction of the kitchen.
“She’s really looking after you,” Caleb said. “I’d take that as a good sign. Totally green-flag behavior.”
Within seconds both True and Sophia were surrounding him, peppering him with questions.
“Landon, are you all right?” Sophia asked. “Are you not feeling well?”
“No, I’m fine,” he insisted. His voice sounded a little shaky. He couldn’t blame them for thinking he wasn’t well.
True took him by the hand. “Come sit down,” she ordered as she led him away toward a nearby couch.
“Ladies, I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine,” he told them. He attempted to stand up, but Sophia placed her palm on his chest and gently pushed him backward.
“Not on our watch,” Sophia barked. “Just chill for a little while. Take deep breaths.” Both women began showing him how to breathe, as if he’d somehow forgotten something so basic. They were both mothering him, which shouldn’t come as a surprise since they were both raising children.
Unable to explain what had really freaked him out, he let them fuss over him.
Without wasting any time, Bailey returned with a glass of ice water.
She sat down beside him and held the glass up to his lips.
It was a sweet gesture, and he couldn’t help but realize that it probably looked like the actions of a devoted girlfriend.
Score! They were really killing it. Everyone was totally buying into their coupled-up status.
He should be a lot happier about that fact, but guilt was still keeping him in a choke hold.
Landon didn’t like lying, and he never would, even if it was for a good cause.
Hattie was now back among the throng of guests, appearing more energized than before.
He wasn’t at all surprised that she’d rested up and returned to enjoy the festivities.
More than anything, Hattie loved to celebrate.
The more people, the better, as far as she was concerned.
Filling up her home with friends and loved ones was her way of showing love to the folks she cared about.
Hosting a holiday party was right up her alley.
He could feel his grandmother’s sharp gaze on him and Bailey. With Jacques’s help she wheeled her way over to the couch. “Look at the two of you, sitting over here like a couple of lovebirds. It does an old woman’s heart good to see love blooming like an Alaskan forget-me-not.”
Landon reached over and gripped Bailey’s hand. “We’re happy you’re happy.”
“Which means we’re all happy,” Bailey said.
She leaned her head on his shoulder and snuggled close to him.
The physical closeness between them caused all his endorphins to kick into high gear.
He didn’t think it was humanly possible for him to feel any happier.
This was beginning to feel all too real.
By eleven o’clock, most of the guests had started to filter out of the house, and the party began to wind down.
“I think it’s past my bedtime,” Bailey said, trying to hide a yawn with her hand. “It’s time I headed home.”
Landon stood up from the couch and helped Bailey to her feet. “Let me go get your coat.”
He made a quick trip to the study and came back with her jacket. He held it out so she could slip her arms through the sleeves.
“Bailey and Landon, you’re standing under the mistletoe,” Hattie called out. Her voice was sounding weaker and raspier by the minute. Yet she still sounded joyful. Her eyes glittered as she gazed at the two of them.
“Don’t leave us hanging,” Caleb said, gesturing for them to kiss.
“Go on and kiss the girl,” Xavier called out.
“Stop pressuring him,” True hissed, jabbing him in the side.
Landon looked up and spotted the sprig of mistletoe above where he and Bailey were standing. He should have known better than to stand directly under it. Hattie really did have eagle eyes.
He moved closer to Bailey and spoke in a near whisper so no one else could hear him.
“I’m sorry about this,” he apologized before dipping his head down and slanting his lips over hers.
Although he intended for it to be only a quick peck to satisfy Hattie, Bailey wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer toward her.
Landon could hear clapping and cheers as the kiss ended and they pulled apart.
“Don’t they look marvelous together?” Hattie asked. She was crossing her hands prayerfully in front of her.
“Let me walk you to your car,” he offered.
“Thanks for the offer, but I’m parked right by the mailbox, and it’s freezing out there. You stay right here in the house, where it’s warm.”
“If you’re sure,” he said. “Thanks for being here tonight. It meant a lot to Hattie.” And to me, he thought. He stopped short of saying the words out loud.
“Fun,” Bailey said, a smile twitching at her lips. “I found out a lot about you. And being able to share such precious time with Hattie is something I won’t ever forget.”
“Next time I hope to find out more about you,” Landon said. “I think that I spilled my guts tonight.”
“That can be arranged,” she said, turning to walk down the steps. After making it past just one step, she turned back toward him with a little smile on her lips. “By the way, Landon, a kiss isn’t just a kiss.”
Before he could even blink, Bailey was at the bottom of the stairs and briskly walking away from him.
The light dusting of snow on the ground didn’t seem to impede her at all.
He stood on the front porch and watched as she warmed up the car before driving off into the night.
His stomach was filled with little bubbles floating all around.
The truth was, he enjoyed this charade. Despite the guilt and the angst, he was loving it.
He liked spending time with Bailey and enjoyed the idea that people actually saw them as a couple.
Frankly, he was ashamed that he derived so much pleasure from a made-up romance. If his brothers only knew, they would never let him live it down. A fake relationship! They would laugh themselves senseless.
Nope. Telling the truth at this point just wasn’t possible. He was in far too deep to swim to the shore now. Landon was just going to have to finish what he’d started. And hope that it sustained Hattie until she drew her last breath.