Chapter 11
HUDSON
The plan was for me to help decorate the tree while the guys set up the lights on the porch. I was supposed to distract Angela and Ayla so they wouldn't see what was going on. That meant keeping them out of the kitchen so they couldn't see the activity out the window.
Ayla hit Play on a holiday music playlist on Angela's phone. Then she danced around the tree, holding an ornament. She stopped and admired the tree. "It finally feels like Christmas."
My heart felt full. "It sure does."
Angela seemed more cautious as if she couldn't figure out what I was doing here, and what my intentions were.
I couldn't get the image of her in that lingerie out of my head.
But it was more than that. I enjoyed spending time with her and her daughter.
I wanted them to have a good Christmas. No matter how many times I told myself it was a bad idea to get involved with them, I kept doing things that moved me closer.
It made no sense, and I was going to stop analyzing the situation. I was happy to be here with them, decorating their tree, and excited for their reaction to the outdoor lights. We were bringing them Christmas, and it felt so good.
Ayla had the music playing loudly, which should block out any noise outside. As long as my brothers didn't get into a fight and start rolling around on the porch, we'd be okay.
They could act like civilized human beings when they wanted to. I'd gotten some ribbing about coming here today. When I texted them last night, they only agreed to help so that they could get information about what was going on with Angela. I hadn't agreed to that condition.
I hadn't exactly figured out what was going on between us yet. When I did, I planned on telling Angela before I shared that information with my brothers.
I watched while Ayla pulled the ornaments out of the box, oohing and aahing over each one. Most of them were plain ornaments, but there were a few traditional characters in the mix, along with snowmen and angels.
Angela helped her choose a good branch, and every once in a while, one of them would smile at me.
The last few months I'd been wondering what my next step should be. I had a successful business, the joint venture with my brothers was taking off, but something was missing. Could it be these two?
"Can you put this one up high?" Ayla jumped to show that she couldn't reach.
"Of course." I took the ornament from her and hung it on a higher branch. Then I took a step back. "How's that?"
"Perfect." Then she handed me another one, directing me where she wanted it. We worked together like that until the top of the tree was full.
Then we helped Angela with the lower branches.
"I'm hungry," Ayla finally said when we were down to our last few ornaments.
Angela stood and brushed off her jeans. "I'll get lunch ready."
"No." I moved toward the kitchen, not wanting her to see the surprise yet. "I'll get lunch. You two finish up in here."
Angela gave me a look.
I had plans for a big reveal. And I didn't want to miss the excitement on Ayla's face. "Ayla, do you like PB&J?"
"Duh."
That was easy then. I made a bunch of sandwiches to feed everyone. I walked outside and set a plate on the porch. "This is for you."
"PB&J?" Morgan asked.
"It's what Ayla wanted, and I didn't have time to make anything fancy." I'd planned the holiday decorating portion of the day but not anything else. "How are things coming?"
The railings were wrapped in garland and lights.
Maverick stood on the ladder. "We're working on the roof."
"How much more time do you need?"
"A couple more hours?" Morgan asked.
"I'll find something to keep them busy. The tree is done."
Morgan shook his head. "Maybe you should have made a fancier lunch then."
I edged toward the door. "You worry about your job, and I'll handle mine."
"What is that exactly? You're doing something for the daughter and not the mother?" Maverick leaned on the top of the ladder.
"I'm sure both of them will enjoy it," I said, hoping they didn't ask any more questions because I didn't have the answers.
"So you're not trying to woo the lingerie-shop owner?" Morgan lowered his voice.
My jaw tightened. "That's none of your business."
"See, that's where you're wrong." Morgan grabbed a sandwich and took a big bite. "You brought us into this, and we deserve an explanation."
"All you need to know is that a little girl and her mother are going to have a great Christmas, and it's all because of you." I pointed between them.
Maverick covered his heart with his hand. "That got me right here."
"Just wait until you meet someone," I mumbled, and Morgan raised a brow, "So you admit—"
I moved toward the door. "I have to go inside before they come looking for me."
"You will tell us," Morgan said, but I ignored him.
I didn't owe my brothers anything. Other than maybe a pizza and a couple of beers. Inside, Angela had turned on the lights, and they were admiring their work.
"What do you think?" Angela asked, her voice soft.
"It looks great. I never had a tree when I lived here."
She looked at me over her shoulder. "Yet you brought us one."
I nodded as I approached them. "Santa needs a big tree to put Ayla's presents under."
Ayla nodded excitedly, letting her arms fly out to her side. "I hope there's room for my bike. Mom said I could ride it around Christmas Town when it gets warm."
"There's a bunch of trails just past the square," Angela said.
"That will be fun." And better than staying inside playing video games.
"Did you make lunch?" Angela asked, moving toward the kitchen.
I held my hands out, stopping her. "Why don't we eat in the living room so we can see the tree? You have a seat and let me get everything. Then I'll make hot chocolate." I didn't wait for them to respond, just grabbed the sandwiches and the grapes.
I handed them everything and grabbed napkins. "Now hot chocolate."
Angela watched me with an amused expression on her face. I had to keep them out of the kitchen for a little while longer. They probably assumed my brothers left after they delivered the tree.
I poured the milk into mugs and heated them in the microwave, keeping an eye on the girls. When it beeped, I added scoops of hot chocolate mix. I took the mugs into the living room, setting them on the coffee table.
Ayla reached for the mug. "Marshmallows?"
I ran to the kitchen and grabbed the bag of marshmallows, setting it on the table between the mugs. "There. You should have everything you need."
Angela arched an amused brow. "Did you eat?"
That made me pause and think. "Actually, no."
Angela set her empty plate on the coffee table, and stood. "I'll get it for you."
I held up both hands, and her brow creased. "I got it."
"You're acting weird," Angela called after me.
I grabbed my plate and sat on the floor in the living room.
Angela was giving me a wary look. "I thought I heard something outside. Are your brothers still here?"
I shrugged, racking my mind for a good enough excuse. "They're doing some landscaping stuff to get it ready to sell."
Her eyes dimmed. "Let us know when you need us out of here so you can show it."
I shook my head. "I'm not in any rush. They're doing it today because they came to help with the tree."
"How many brothers does it take to haul a tree?" Angela asked, her tone amused.
"Three apparently," I said around a mouthful of peanut butter.
I wasn't sure she bought my explanation, but she stopped asking questions.
"Is this how it looked when you lived here?" Ayla asked, her legs folded crisscross.
I looked around the room. I'd left the couch and coffee table. There wasn't a TV, but there was a computer on the coffee table. I wondered if they streamed shows on there. "I had more furniture and a TV. No tree though."
"You don't get presents from Santa?"
"That's usually reserved for kids." I looked at the tree. "The house is much nicer with one."
"There's so much space and a yard. We could get a dog now," Ayla said to her mother.
"This is just temporary. I wouldn't want a pet in an apartment. Unless it was something small like a cat or a fish."
"Can't we stay?" Ayla whined.
I finished my sandwich and cleared their dishes. When I returned, Ayla looked a little upset, which was not my goal for the day. "When I lived here, it was really empty because it was just me. You are what this house needs again. You're filling it with love and laughter."
"Yeah?" Ayla asked.
I nodded. "Let's turn up the music to get us back in the holiday spirit. And I brought a puzzle from the store in town if anyone wants to do it with me. It's Christmas themed."
Ayla turned up the music, and I set the box on the coffee table.
Angela opened it and opened the bag of pieces. "I love puzzles. We used to do these a lot when I was a kid. I was an only child, and I'm not sure my parents knew what to do with me half the time."
"So you did puzzles?"
"Yeah, it was a nice way to spend the time. And I felt closer to them when we worked on one."
"That's a nice memory." Was it crazy I wanted to make new ones with her?
Ayla sat next to me and patted my knee. "I wanted to see."
I handed her the box top, and she turned it over to see the picture. "Santa's workshop."
"Yeah, it seemed like a good one with a lot of things to look at. I try to avoid the ones that are all the same color or image. This one will be more fun."
"Can I do Santa?" Ayla asked, starting to sort the red –and-white pieces from the rest. Unfortunately, the elves were wearing red and green, so there might be some overlap. I helped turn over the pieces and sorted them.
We passed the time, and I got up and replenished their hot chocolate when it was empty. It was a great way to spend the afternoon.
I knew my brothers were going to give me hell for staying inside while they were working in the cold. I'd probably owe them more than food and beer. But it would be worth it.
It was just starting to get dark outside when I stood and stretched. There was a knock on the door. "I'll get it."
I crossed the room and opened the door.
Maverick lowered his voice. "We're done."
"Let me get the girls."
His brows raised at my word choice. I hadn't called them my girls at least.
I went into the living room. "You ready to see my second surprise?"
Ayla jumped to her feet. "There's another surprise?"
I nodded. "My brothers have been working on it all afternoon."
Angela pointed at me. "I knew you were up to something."
I grinned. "Hopefully, you like it, and it was worth it."
Ayla pulled on her coat and her boots.
Morgan and Maverick stood just inside the door.
Maverick inclined his head toward the living room where the puzzle was on the coffee table, and there were empty mugs of hot chocolate. "It's warm and cozy in here. I think you had the better end of the deal."
I grinned. "I think I did too."
Morgan punched my arm as I walked past him. "You owe us."
"I do," I readily agreed. It was worth whatever they wanted to see Angela and Ayla’s excitement about the surprise we'd planned for them.
I opened the door first, then paused. "You should close your eyes so you get the full effect."
Angela took Ayla's hand, and they both closed their eyes.
I moved to Angela's side, guiding her across the porch, then telling her to take the two steps down.
Then we were on the grass, facing the house.
The lights were already on, and the house looked festive, warm, and inviting. "Now you can look."
I turned my gaze from the lights to their faces.
Ayla squealed and ran toward the porch to get closer.
Angela's eyes widened. "I can't believe you did this."
My chest felt tight. "Do you like it?"
"It's amazing. Thank you." Her voice was soft, and I could hear Ayla talking excitedly to Maverick and Morgan about what they'd done. But my focus was on Angela.
"You don't think we overstepped."
"I wouldn't have been able to do this, and look how happy Ayla is." Angela gestured at Ayla, who was looking up at Maverick as he answered her questions.
"It was worth it then."
"You made us lunch and kept us busy with the puzzle so that this would be a surprise," she said, her gaze shifting to me, and suddenly, I wished we were alone.
I cleared my throat. "I didn't want you to see it until it was finished."
"I've never had anyone do something like this for me."
She was fiercely independent, and I was glad she let me do this for her now. "These lights are the kind that you can change color. So you could leave them up and do orange for Halloween or red for Valentine's Day."
"Oh, how fun. I don't know what the future renters will want, but it certainly makes it feel more like Christmas while we're here."
My stomach sank. I hadn't meant to remind her that her time here was limited. I wanted her to stay. Why should she move into that tiny apartment above the shop when she could live here in this house?
I liked the idea of her living here where I knew she was safe and protected. Ayla clearly enjoyed the larger space and backyard. This is where they should stay. But I didn't have any say over their lives.
Angela reached over and squeezed my hand. "Seriously, this is amazing. Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Angela laughed at Ayla who had stepped back to admire the lights from afar. "I think you've won her over."
"All it takes is a little light. I wonder what it would take to win over her mother?" I asked, and her startled gaze flew to mine, her mouth falling open.
Morgan stepped forward. "If you don't need us, we're going to head out."
I reluctantly pulled my gaze from Angela, wishing he hadn't interrupted our moment. What would she have said?
Maverick was already cleaning up the tools and boxes they'd brought, carrying them to the truck.
"Thanks for helping," I said to him.
Angela approached. "We really appreciate what you did the tree and the outdoor lights. I'm not sure how we can ever repay you."
"The smile on that little girl's face was all we needed. Have a Merry Christmas," Morgan said to her, and then he clasped my shoulder. "I'll be in touch."
I shook my head, knowing I'd do whatever he wanted. It was worth it to make Angela and Ayla happy.
We waited for my brothers to take off. Then we headed back inside.
I wished I could go back to that moment when I asked Angela what it would take to win her over. I was more than a little worried that she wouldn't bring it up, and I'd never have my answer.