Chapter 4
Chapter Four
“I think I has… um had too much wine,” Felicity said, slurring her words a little. She hiccuped and then let out a small giggle.
“You’re probably right,” Jackson said, taking the empty glass from her.
“We should open another bottle.” Felicity stood. “There’s got to be another one around here somewhere.”
“Wait,” Jackson said, getting to his feet. He was pleasantly buzzed, but certainly not to the point of slurring his words. “I’m thinking some decaf coffee or hot cocoa might be nice.”
“But we don’t have any Irish cream,” Felicity whined as she walked into the kitchen, barely managing to avoid running into the doorframe.
Jackson chuckled softly as he followed her. “Maybe that’s not a bad thing.”
“Oh, come on, Jackson. Are you really saying you don’t want to share another bottle of wine?”
“I’m just trying to save you from a hangover tomorrow,” he said cheerfully. “Coffee or cocoa?”
Felicity sighed. “I suppose you’re right.” She flopped down at the table. “Coffee then. To go with the carrot cake in the fridge.”
“Carrot cake. Is that what’s in that box?” he asked as he prepared the coffee maker.
“Yeah.” She propped her head up with one hand. “I stock the fridge with one for all my guests. It’s the one thing that I do really well.”
“Not the only thing,” Jackson said with a wink.
Felicity’s cheeks turned pink. “Are you flirting with me, Jackson Bell?”
“I thought that was obvious.” After plating the carrot cake, he served them both and then took a seat next to her. He watched as she dug into the cake, closing her eyes and letting out a small moan. It was too much. He had to look away for fear he’d haul her off to the bedroom.
“Why are you the perfect man?” she asked, sounding frustrated.
“Perfect? I think you might be overstating things.”
“No, I’m not,” she said. “You’re gorgeous. Thoughtful. Sensitive. A helluva good cook. And you’re fun. I honestly don’t know why some woman hasn’t snatched you up yet.”
“I’ve been wondering the same thing,” he said as he held her gaze.
“Stop it. I’m never getting married.”
“So you’ve said.” He took a bite of the carrot cake and had to admit that it was delicious. “But no one ever said anything about marriage.”
Felicity let out a scoff. “You did, too!”
“When?” He frowned at her.
“At Marissa and Danny’s wedding. You pointed to your ring finger and told me that I’m next. Don’t think I forgot about that.”
“You thought I meant you were marrying me?” he asked with both eyebrows raised. “Presumptuous, don’t you think?” Never mind the fact that she was the only person he’d met that he could see himself marrying. Still, that taunt had just been a joke.
“Are you saying you don’t want to marry me?” she asked, looking annoyed.
“Are you proposing to me?” he teased.
Felicity threw her hands up, exasperated. “You’re messing with me.”
“Yes, just like I was at the wedding. Lighten up, Felicity. We haven’t even been on our first date yet. Unless this counts.”
“This isn’t a date… I think.” She shook her head. “Just because we had dinner and wine and carrot cake, that doesn’t mean it’s a date.”
“How about the fire in the fireplace and the part where we share a bed?” he asked, completely amused.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Who said anything about sharing a bed?” She couldn’t keep the smile off her lips, giving away her faux outrage. “I figured you’d sleep on the couch.”
He shrugged. “If that’s what you really want.”
Felicity pushed her blond hair out of her eyes, blinked at him, and then shook her head. “You know that’s not what I want.”
He just grinned.
“Don’t look so pleased with yourself.” She forked in another bite of carrot cake. “You’ve just caught me at a vulnerable moment. First that scam loan paperwork, then the storm, and now—”
“What scam loan paperwork?” he asked, unsure if he’d missed something she’d said.
“That guy who handed me that envelope earlier.” She sat up and pulled her hair back.
“There was some bogus loan paperwork supposedly from over fifty years ago, stating that the loan, plus an outrageous amount of interest, has to be paid by the end of the year or else the property will be seized. I can’t believe people fall for that crap.
Either way, I’m giving it to my lawyer tomorrow to see if he can trace whoever is trying to pull this scam. ”
“A loan from fifty years ago? That certainly sounds sketchy,” he said with a nod. “It’s unusual to get something like that delivered on paper. These days it’s usually just some vague email that is clearly written with AI tools.”
“Yeah. I auto delete all that stuff. I guess the scammers are trying a little harder these days. There was even a copy of the loan with my grandmother’s forged signature.”
Alarm bells went off in Jackson’s head. He’d worked in the corporate world in finance before he’d quit in order to live a quieter life.
But during that time, he’d seen a number of strange business deals that had gone sideways due to outstanding liens and old contracts.
He supposed it was possible that she was right, and someone was trying to scam her, but he’d feel better once her lawyer confirmed it.
“Don’t wait on that, okay? There was a known scam of people placing liens on deeds a while back, so make sure your lawyer checks with the assessor’s office, too. ”
“Sure,” she said, waving her hand. “But that’s for tomorrow. Right now, I want to go make snow angels.” Felicity stood and started walking toward the back door.
“Wait,” he said, catching her hand before she walked out in just her socks. “You’re hardly dressed for the snowy weather.” He waved at her robe and fuzzy socks.
She looked down at herself and laughed. “Oops. I forgot.” Then she eyed the frosted window and said, “Let me get my shoes, and we can catch snowflakes on our tongues instead.”
Jackson shook his head but couldn’t help being completely amused. Tipsy Felicity had let all her guards down and had forgotten to be cynical about life. It was as if all the weight of her responsibilities had lifted, and this carefree version of her was ready to just enjoy the moment.
“Okay, let’s go,” she said.
He looked down at her feet, noting the wet tennis shoes from earlier, and laughed. If she was going out, he certainly was, too. Jackson stuffed his feet back into his boots and then followed her outside.
Felicity ran into the fresh snow, letting out a shriek. “Oh my gosh! It’s so cold. Burrrr.”
Jackson walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Better?”
She leaned against him and nodded. Then she looked up at the falling snow, letting the flakes land on her face before she opened her mouth and stuck her tongue out. After tasting one, she turned in his arms and said, “Lucy’s right. They need sugar.”
“What?” he asked, staring at her in confusion.
“You know, Lucy from Peanuts. She says December snowflakes are too early and need sugar. But I know how to fix that.” Her gaze landed on his lips before she leaned in and pressed her mouth to his.
The kiss was soft, tentative at first, but then Felicity opened her mouth and her tongue darted out, tasting him.
He tightened his hold on her and deepened the kiss, hungry for more of her.
The one night they’d spent together hadn’t been enough.
He’d been dreaming of having her in his arms ever since.
“Mmmm,” she murmured when she pulled away. “Yeah, that’s better.”
Before he could answer, she stepped out of his embrace and then held her arms out to the side before she let herself fall backward into the snow.
She let out a tiny cry of surprise as she landed and laughed as she made sure the robe was still wrapped tightly around her.
Then she flung her arms out again before she started moving them back and forth.
“You’re crazy, you know that?” he asked.
“Get down here with me, Jackson,” she demanded. “You’re missing all the fun.”
Who was he to deny her anything she wanted? He stood near her, opened his arms, and let himself fall.
“Yes!” Felicity cried.
He moved his arms and legs, making the snow angel, and when he was done, he looked over at Felicity.
Her eyes were closed and there was a small smile on her lips.
He knew then that deep down, this was a woman who loved the Christmas season.
That love was just buried underneath all the emotional wounds of the past.
“This was fun, Felicity,” he said, slipping his hand over hers.
She opened her eyes and looked at him, her expression soft. “It was. I used to love snowstorms. It’s when everything stops and suddenly the only thing to do is to spend time together until it’s over.”
“It looks to me like you still love them,” he said.
“Well, yes, I suppose I do.” She sat up, her body shivering now.
“We’d better get you inside before frostbite sets in.” He got to his feet and held out a hand to her. She grabbed it with both of hers and used it to haul herself up. She slipped a little, pitching forward and grabbing onto his chest to keep from falling again.
He quickly steadied her, and once again they found themselves molded together.
“I think we better go inside,” she whispered. “This time, I think I’ll let you warm me up instead of the shower.” She slipped from his grip and hurried back inside the house.
Jackson stood there for a moment, the snowflakes still swirling around him as he tried to steel himself.
There wasn’t anyone he wanted more than Felicity Hill.
But she’d been drinking. And as much fun as it was to play in the snow with her while she was slightly intoxicated, the next time he found himself being intimate with her, they were both going to be completely sober.
He took a step toward the house and then suddenly stopped as a flash of light caught his attention in the trees behind the cabin. Taking a step toward the tree line, he peered into the darkness, looking for whoever might be there.