Chapter Eight
Eight
Sloan knocked on Leslie’s hotel room door, and when she opened it, he tried not to show any reaction.
Doing so was difficult. Why did she have to look so darn good in that red velvet pantsuit?
The blazer seemed tailor-made and flowed over her slacks precisely.
And that color was perfect for this holiday season.
He thought the dangling earrings complimented her hairstyle and gave her a sexy look.
Only when he was certain he had retained control of his senses did he say, “You look nice.”
“Thanks. I just need to grab my coat.”
Although she didn’t invite him in, she left the door open, so he remained in the doorway and watched her grab her wool coat off the bed.
The same bed she would be sleeping in tonight.
He could envision her in that bed, sleeping on her side, which was her favorite position.
It was a position he’d liked for her as well, especially whenever they slept spoon style with her backside resting smack against his groin.
“I’m ready, Sloan.”
She’d come to stand in front of him while his thoughts had been a million miles away. Well, in truth, they had been only as far as the distance to that bed. After closing the door behind her, they walked side by side, in sync, toward the elevator. “Where are we dining?” she asked him.
“I told you earlier, with the Yules.”
She glanced over at him, and the moment their gazes met, he felt a stirring in the pit of his stomach. “I didn’t mean with whom, but where?”
“We’re dining in their home.”
“Oh.”
“Do you have a problem with that?”
“No.”
“Like I told you, they’re an older couple, and I understand Mrs. Yule loves to cook and wanted to prepare a meal for us.”
“That was nice of her,” Leslie said as they stepped into the elevator.
They said nothing during the short ride down to the first floor. Just as well, Sloan thought.
“I got a call from my attorney around an hour ago,” she said as they stepped outside.
He glanced over at her as he held the door. Their four hours of daylight had ended hours ago, and it was dark outside. At least for the time being, it had stopped snowing. “And?”
“And he said the paperwork your attorney sent to him looks good. It included everything you said it would.”
“Did you think it wouldn’t, Leslie? I only wanted to help you, not take your company from you.”
“I know that, Sloan. I wish you wouldn’t dissect everything I say and make it an issue of trust.”
When they reached the car, he opened the door for her and said, “If I am making it one, maybe you need to ask yourself why.”
“And maybe you need to act like you accepted my apology like you claimed you did.”
Sloan didn’t say anything. Instead he waited for her to get in and snap her seat belt in place before closing the car door.
“Welcome to our home.”
“Thank you.” Leslie could not help staring at the white-bearded, hefty man who opened the door wearing a pair of overalls. Her eyes widened, immediately thinking that he looked just like...
“I know what you’re thinking,” Rudolph Yule said with a huge grin on his face.
“The reason I look so much like Santa Claus is deliberate. This time of year, I pretend I’m the jolly ole guy himself here at North Pole.
So did my father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
And one day I figure my oldest son will do it as well.
I guess you can say it’s been a tradition in the Yule family for generations. ”
“Who was Santa here twenty-three years ago?” Sloan asked. He stood beside her, and when he accidentally brushed against her, a tremble ran through her body.
“That was Dad. He passed away twelve years ago.”
“I’m sorry to hear of his passing. I took a picture with him as Santa at that gift shop in town when I was ten. I still have the picture we took together,” Sloan said.
Rudolph Yule gave a hearty laugh, one Leslie thought actually made his belly shake.
“Probably you and a million other kids. You wouldn’t believe the number of adults who took photos with Dad or Granddad and now bring their kids back for photos.
Both Dad and Granddad left big shoes for me to fill.
Come to the living room and sit by the fire.
My wife is happy you’re here for dinner. ”
“We’re happy to be here,” Sloan said, placing his hand at the center of Leslie’s back. Her heart skipped, and when she glanced over at him, she knew he’d felt something, too. Yet he didn’t remove his hand.
The huge room had what Leslie thought was the largest fireplace she’d ever seen.
It made the entire area feel warm and inviting.
What really caught her attention was the massive, beautifully decorated Christmas tree that sat on one side of the room.
It had to be over fourteen feet tall, with thousands of twinkling lights.
“That tree is gorgeous,” Leslie said.
“One hundred school children from all over Alaska get to come here on a field trip the week before Thanksgiving to help me decorate Santa’s Christmas tree,” an elderly woman said, coming into the room.
The older woman gave both Leslie and Sloan hugs, showing she was just as friendly as her husband.
Leslie thought she looked just like anyone would envision Mrs. Claus to look.
..if there had been a real one. She was wearing a red dress with a white apron, and her round face and high cheekbones seemed to make her gray hair glow.
“I hope the two of you are hungry,” Mrs. Yule said.
“We are,” Sloan replied. “Something smells good.”
“It’s my moose stew.”
“I love moose stew,” Leslie said as they followed the Yules into the dining room. “My mother used to make it all the time.”
There was a long table that seated at least twenty people. That prompted her to ask, “You have a large family?”
The older woman smiled. “Yes, we do. Rudy and I have ten children and six grands. They all work in the toy factory and are looking forward to meeting the two of you tomorrow when you’re given a tour of the factory.”
Leslie smiled. “I look forward to meeting them.”
Always the gentleman, Sloan pulled out the chair for her before taking his own.
Dinner was served immediately, and the food was delicious.
Mrs. Yule had baked yeast rolls that were so good they practically melted in Leslie’s mouth.
Even the wine, which had been produced in a neighboring town, was delicious.
The after-dinner dessert was a Christmas cake.
Because this was a business dinner meeting, the Yules sat down and thanked Sloan profusely for coming to their rescue and saving their company.
A company he had yet to see. They admitted they hadn’t known about the hostile takeover attempt by Martin Longshire until it was too late to do anything about it.
That made Leslie say, “I understand he went after your company for personal reasons.”
Mrs. Yule glanced over at her and nodded. “That’s true. He did it to get back at Merry.”
“Mary?” Sloan asked.
“Yes, Merry, and that’s M-e-r-r-y, and not M-a-r-y.
She’s our oldest daughter and the only member of the family who doesn’t work in the family business.
She always wanted to develop her skill as an artist, and years ago she got the chance to attend an art school in Paris.
While living over there, she met Martin Longshire.
He was living there as well, running his parents’ business. ”
Mr. Yule then took up the story. “He saw Merry at some party and wanted her, although at the time she’d met Paul and the two of them were serious.
It’s my understanding that he even tried breaking them up, but he failed.
Merry eventually married Paul. They still live in Paris and have three beautiful adult children. ”
“And you think that’s the reason he wanted to take your company?” Leslie asked.
“Oh, we know that’s the reason. After the takeover had gone through, he contacted Merry and told her what he’d done and why.
He would have tried destroying Paul’s company but couldn’t.
Paul’s family is just as wealthy as Longshire.
Paul would have helped us out but like we said earlier, we hadn’t known about the hostile takeover attempt until it was too late to do anything about it. ”
The older woman then looked over at Sloan. “That’s why we’re glad you came along, Mr. Outlaw.”
Sloan smiled. “I’m Sloan, remember.” He then assured the older couple that he would work with them to improve their business and expand their market.
Leslie had never seen the business side of Sloan and had to admit that because of her mistrust, she’d been leery of his offer at first. But listening to him explain the ways he could help the Yules made her see him through the older couple’s eyes.
They saw his offer for what it was—a genuine desire to help someone in need.
The Yules were gracious and had not questioned his motives the way she had.
It was obvious they appreciated his help, especially after dealing with the likes of Martin Longshire.
It was fascinating to hear how the Yules and their family manufactured toys all year long, stockpiling the merchandise to have the items ready to ship out beginning the week before Thanksgiving.
It seemed they had a good routine going, and she listened while Sloan made a number of suggestions.
His vast knowledge of various business models and the way he was able to recommend several he felt would be ideal for them was amazing.
While Mr. Yule showed Sloan his train set collection, Leslie offered to help Mrs. Yule clear the table. The kitchen was just as massive as the other room, but Leslie figured when so many kids once lived there, you would need a lot of cooking space.
“I think you and Mr. Outlaw make a stunning couple. The two of you will have beautiful babies.”
Leslie nearly missed her step. She then quickly corrected the woman. “Oh, it’s not like that. Sloan and I aren’t a couple.”