Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
Finley
This is a mistake.
I’d never flown before, but I wasn’t nervous until Mirna filled my head with all the terrible things that could happen on an airplane.
The airports were crowded; the guy next to me on my flight to Atlanta was manspreading as though airing out his junk; and the second plane was so small, I was sure we were going to crash into the side of a mountain.
As soon as the plane landed, I was beyond relieved I’d made it to Vermont alive. And then when I stepped out and saw the snow, I stopped in my tracks.
It was beautiful.
All my apprehension about coming here momentarily faded as I took in the snow-covered landscape and the falling snow. Sure, the view of the airport wasn’t breathtaking, but it still felt magical. Full of promise.
And then I saw Alex and it was like the magic had swept into the airport terminal too. He stood in the middle of the lobby, watching me with an intensity I felt to my marrow.
And for a few seconds, this felt real. Like I was really his girlfriend, and he was taking me to meet his family.
Until reality hit.
He would never date me? Because I work in a coffee shop?
What?
I can see that he’s nervous about what we’re doing, but it never occurred to me that part of the reason he’s nervous is because he’s embarrassed about who I am. Or rather who I’m not.
I’m nothing like the woman who came in that day to get his coffee. I’m not super-model beautiful, and I don’t have a high-power career, but I’m damned proud of who I am and what I’ve accomplished despite my circumstances.
How dare he think less of me because of my job?
I nearly told him to turn around and send me home, but he claims there aren’t any flights until tomorrow. Which means I’m here tonight anyway, and since he told me days ago there aren’t any available hotel rooms, I’m stuck with him for the night.
But I can’t get over my overwhelming disappointment in him. I thought he was a decent person. Turns out he’s more like his ex-girlfriend than I thought.
Some of my disappointment fades as we drive into town, though.
The streets are clear, despite the continuing snowfall, but the ground is covered with multiple inches of fluffy snow sparkling in the glow of the streetlights.
Houses line the two-lane road, every one of them lit up with Christmas lights and explosions of decorations.
Most are older, in Bavarian- or Tudor-themed architecture, along with some Victorian and Cape Code thrown in for good measure.
They’re all freshly painted and so well taken care of that it looks like a movie set and not a real town.
But as I take it in, my heart wrenches. Mom would have loved this place.
Alex drives several blocks and then turns onto another street of older homes, these larger than the ones we just passed. After he goes several more blocks, he pulls into the driveway of a two-story Victorian. There’s a wraparound porch and even a turret with a small window at the top.
I’m completely enchanted. White lights line the porch and roof lines.
Evergreen swags are wrapped around the porch railings, and there are two evergreen wreaths with red ribbons and white lights hanging on the double glass front doors.
Several animated reindeer are in the front yard, also covered in white lights.
I gape at the house in wonder. I’ve spent the last few days imagining what Alex’s house looks like, and while I suspected it was older and charming, this exceeds my expectations.
A new fear hits me. If his family can own a house like this, then maybe they’re as snobbish as he’s insinuated.
Alex pulls behind a Honda Accord, turns off the engine, then he turns to face me with a sad smile. “I’m really sorry, Finley,” he says looking sincere. “Can we try to start over again?”
I turn to him, my resolve softening, but I’m still hurt and disappointed. “I’m not going to lie about who I am, Alex.”
He shakes his head. “I know I’ve insulted you. That wasn’t my intention. It’s just the women I’ve dated—”
I groan in frustration. I don’t need a reminder that I fall short of the other women he’s introduced to them. I level my gaze and say stiffly, “If you’re uncomfortable introducing the real me to them, then we should plan on me leaving tomorrow. We’ll just get through tonight.”
His eyes fly wide. “No! They’re going to love you. Trust me on that.”
I’ve trusted him enough to come here, but now I’m not sure my trust was well placed. “Well, I’m here, so I guess we’ll see how it goes.”
He starts to say something then stops. I’m sure he’s worried about how this is going to go. I can’t say I blame him. I’m not feeling overly fond of him at the moment.
“I’ll be fine,” I say, hoping it’s true. “Let’s pretend this never happened and make the best of it.”
He studies me for a second longer than necessary, still looking undecided, but then he opens his door and gets out.
I step out onto the snowy driveway, and my feet slip out from under me on the thin, slick layer of fresh snow.
I grab the car door and right myself, realizing I don’t have appropriate footwear for this kind of weather.
Holding onto the side of the car, I make my way to the back and see Alex holding my suitcase about to close the hatch.
He takes one look at me and frowns. “Do you have any snowshoes or boots?”
“I live in Atlanta, Georgia,” I say with more attitude than I intended.
He takes in my cardigan. “What about a winter coat?”
“Again, I live in Atlanta. We don’t exactly need winter coats there.” I’m not sure why I find his question so offensive. It’s not an unreasonable question.
“Yeah, but...” he says with a frown, “I’ve seen lots of people in Atlanta wear winter coats.”
“Well, not me. I’ll be fine. Let’s just go inside.”
I’m irritated that I’m irritated again, and he looks like he’s given up on our truce and is irritated himself. Not that I blame him. He wasn’t being confrontational, but I came at him guns blazing.
Get it together, Finley.
He closes the hatch and I’m about to apologize when he gives me a pleading look. “Look, there’s a good chance my family is watching out the window. If they see you fall when I could be helping, I’ll get nothing but grief. Will you let me help you?”
His gentle tone eases the hurt in my heart, but I can’t help wondering if he’s only being kind because he feels like he has to. “Yeah,” I say more grudgingly than I intend.
Alex takes my arm to balance me, and we make our way up the snow-covered walk until we reach the front porch.
Alex drops my arm, and as I stomp my feet to get the snow off, Alex walks over to a mat that looks like a doormat with rough bristles.
He wipes the snow off the bottom of his shoes, then opens the heavy wooden and glass front door and gestures for me to go in.
I’m nervous, so I take a deep breath and walk through, not prepared for the greeting party waiting in the foyer.
Thanks to Alex’s photos, I recognize them all.
His parents are side by side in the center of the entryway.
His father in jeans and a flannel shirt, and his mother in navy dress pants and light blue, button-down blouse.
Mallory is standing next to her mother, wearing jeans and an ivory sweater.
Tyler, next to his father, is also just wearing jeans with a black Henley.
His brother Grant is missing, and obviously so is Eloise.
His mother and sister take me in, their expressions transforming from neutral to beaming. My worry that they would be arrogant and snobbish fly right out the window.
“Oh, my goodness, look at you! How was your trip?” his mom asks, then doesn’t give me time to respond before she says, “We’re so excited that you’re here!
“So excited!” Mallory says, looking like she genuinely means it. “I’ll have another girl in the midst of all these boys.”
“What about me?” Mrs. King asks with a laugh. “Last time I checked, I’m still a girl.”
“I meant someone close to my own age,” Mallory says, bumping her shoulder into her mother’s.
Alex sets my suitcase down on the black and white marble floor. “You and Grant said Eloise was coming,” he says carefully.
Mrs. King rolls her eyes. “Of course she is, but you know how she and Mallory get along.”
I give Mallory a questioning look and she makes a face. “Eloise can be a bit… temperamental.”
Alex hadn’t told me that part. Now I’m worried she’ll be upset that Alex and I stole her and Grant’s beds.
“Don’t worry about Eloise,” Mallory says. “She’s a lot of bark and no bite.”
If that was meant to ease my concerns, it only made them worse.
Alex wraps an arm loosely around my back. “As you all figured out, this is Finley.” He gestures to the group, starting on the left and working his way around their half-circle. “Finley, this is my brother Tyler, my dad, my mom, and my sister Mallory. Grant and Eloise will be here on Christmas Eve.”
I try to hide my relief that his younger brother and his girlfriend aren’t here yet.
If I decide not to leave, at least I’ll have a couple of days’ reprieve until the drama starts.
“Mr. and Mrs. King, thank you so much for letting me stay in your home,” I say.
“You have no idea how much this means to me.”
Mrs. King’s eyes widen, then she’s smiling again. “We’re delighted to have you, and please, none of this Mrs. King stuff. Call me Valerie. Please, and this is Bob, or Dr. Bob as a lot of the people around town call him.”
I had no idea Alex’s father was a doctor, and I give Alex a questioning look.
“It’s because Dad takes care of so many of the town’s animals,” Alex says.
So, he’s a vet. Why didn’t I ask him these important questions in the car instead of getting pissed?
“You’ll have to forgive us for being so fascinated by you,” Valerie says as she ushers me to the opening at the back of the entryway. “We didn’t even know you existed until Alex told us you were coming, but we’re delighted you’re here.”