Chapter 4
Chapter Four
CARTER
Ester pulls down the driveway for Silver Bells B&B, and I begrudgingly admit the place is charming.
The house is big and white with black shutters and a wraparound porch.
Each column on the porch is wrapped in greenery with red ribbon woven through.
The double door entry has oversized holly wreaths on each door, and warm light filters into the dark night from every window.
The scene could be captured on a Christmas card.
The only part I hate about this time of year is how early the sun sets. By seven o’clock, it feels like midnight because it’s been dark for hours.
How do people who live near the Arctic Circle deal with almost total darkness all the time through the winter?
“Here we are!” Ester turns the vehicle off and reaches for the door handle.
“Oh, no need to get out.” I open the passenger door. I have no idea how this first meeting with Ashley will go, so we don’t need anyone witnessing it.
She waves me off. “I might as well say a quick hello to Ashley since I’m here.”
I give her a tight smile.
Ashley.
I’m not sure if it’s because of the wedding, but she’s been on my mind a lot lately. More specifically, the night it all went down between us. I’ve probably rehashed the whole scenario a thousand times over in my head. I could’ve handled things differently, better for sure.
This little reunion of ours in less than five minutes is bound to be awkward.
After I grab my bags, Ester and I walk toward the front porch. She doesn’t bother to knock, just swings the front door open and strolls right in.
I follow, my gut churning now that I’m in Ashley’s space.
The house has a cozy vibe. There’s a large living area to my right where a fire burns in the hearth, then a dining room beyond that with a long table.
To my left is a library and another sitting room.
The entire house exudes holiday warmth and charm from the garland along the hearth and doorframes to the gorgeous, flocked Christmas tree in the corner by the window.
“This time of day, she’s probably in the kitchen preparing dinner. Come on.” Ester marches toward the back of the house, and I wheel my luggage through, following like a well-behaved toddler.
As we grow closer to the kitchen, Ashley’s voice rings out. “That’s it right there.”
A male grunt sounds, and I stop in my tracks, my luggage banging into my thighs from the abrupt stop.
“Just a little bit to the left,” Ashley says.
Another grunt from the male.
“Perfect, that’s perfect!”
Ester stops to turn and look at me. “Why did you stop?”
“Are you sure we should…” I point ahead of us toward the hallway.
It sounds as though Ashley’s doing more than preparing dinner. I ignore the way my stomach feels leaden from the thought of her in there with someone else.
Ester’s gray eyebrows crinkle before she shakes her head and continues forward. I guess I’m the only one who heard Ashley’s instructions to her grunting male companion. She disappears around the corner, and when she doesn’t cry out in dismay, I figure it must be safe to follow.
Following, I’m thankful to not find Ashley half naked on the counter, with a pants-less male grinding into her over and over. Instead, it’s her and an older man half-dressed like Santa Claus trying to move the fridge back into place.
“What happened?” Ester asks.
Ashley turns and looks at us. Her eyes light up when she sees Ester, but when she notices me right behind her, her smile falls. She doesn’t even give me a nod of acknowledgment. “My fridge crapped out. We pulled it out of its spot to see if we could figure out the problem.”
“Do you even know how to fix it?” The words are out of my mouth before I have time to consider how Ashley will receive them.
She whips her head toward me and narrows her eyes. There’s the Ashley I’m familiar with. “I figured if it was leaking something out the back, that would be a pretty obvious sign of what was wrong.”
I raise both hands in a placating gesture that doesn’t lighten the anger brimming in her eyes.
“One more push and that should do it,” she says to Santa.
Santa’s eyes widen, and the redness and sweat along his face say he’s at about max capacity for physical exertion.
“Wait, wait. Let me help you.” I step forward, unwilling to sit by and watch this old guy and Ashley struggle to move the fridge back into place.
“We don’t need your help, Carter.” Ashley’s tone is sharp as a blade.
Santa heaves a breath and gives Ashley an apologetic expression. “Actually… I might have tweaked something in my back. Do you mind taking over for me? I’m gonna go have a hot shower.”
“Of course. I appreciate your help.” She puts her hand on his arm. “Let me know if you want a heating pad or anything later, okay?”
Santa nods and heads out of the room.
I put my hands on the fridge and press my body to the metal. “All right, on three. One, two—”
She shoves on two because… of course she does.
We wiggle the fridge back into place. Ashley blankly looks at me and mumbles a reluctant thank you.
“Did you figure out what happened?” I undo the buttons on my jacket.
“I don’t know.” Aggravation lines her tense body. She doesn’t strike me as someone who handles not being able to figure something out herself well. “I pulled the roast out for dinner and noticed it was barely even cold in there.” She opens the door and sticks her hand inside as if to demonstrate.
“I’ll send my son over tomorrow to take a look,” Ester says. “He’s handy. Fixed one of our washers last month and saved me from buying a new one.”
Ashley blinks in surprise. “How did I not know you had a son?”
“He lives a few towns over, which is why you haven’t met him. He’s helped me plenty around our place, and he’ll do the same for you.” Ester beams like a proud mother.
“Are you sure he wouldn’t mind?”
“Of course not. He’ll be thanking me for sending him after one look at you.” Ester laughs while Ashley’s cheeks grow pink. “He’s single, and you two would be an adorable couple.” Ester’s eyelashes flutter.
Ester can leave now.
Shit, where did that thought come from? Ashley and I are nothing, less than nothing, we don’t even like one another.
Ester’s not wrong though. Ashley might look identical to one of my best friends, but I can objectively say she’s not just attractive, but hot.
Her long red hair hangs in waves to her mid-back, and her hazel eyes have flecks of gold near the center that catch in the light.
Her curves only add to her appeal, and I remember back in college, more than a few guys appreciated her sister’s matching ones.
“I appreciate it, Ester. Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. So, how do you two know each other?” Ester waves her finger between us, looking curious.
Ashley and I glance at each other, both waiting for the other one to answer. Will the other tell the details of six months ago?
Unable to stay silent, I answer, “Ashley’s twin sister is a good friend of mine from college, as is her fiancé.” I keep my voice light.
Ester nods because it’s believable. It’s the truth, after all. I’m just leaving out that I know what it feels like to have Ashley’s lips on mine.
“What are you doing here?” Ashley’s eyes narrow, as though she’s just now realizing that there’s no reason for me to be standing in front of her, certainly not with the owner of the motel, and not with my suitcase in tow.
Ester sucks in a breath and cringes at Ashley’s aggressive tone. “There’s been a bit of a mishap. I misplaced Carter’s reservation, so I don’t have a room for him.”
Ashley’s head whips in my direction with wide eyes.
God, I hate being put at her mercy.
“I don’t have any extra rooms either.”
My stomach sinks. The thought of sleeping on one of those red park benches along Main Street washes through my mind. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll figure it out with Doug. That’s why I’m here early.”
Ashley’s perfectly arched eyebrows furrow. “Doug and Steph aren’t here yet.”
“What do you mean they’re not here? They were supposed to arrive before me.”
She throws her hands up. “I don’t know, Carter. I called Steph, and she didn’t answer her phone. Neither did Doug. Maybe their flight was delayed, and they’re in the air. Your guess is as good as mine.”
“Oh no…” Ester wrings her hands.
The tension and annoyance in Ashley’s face fall at Ester’s worried look. It’s a softer side that I’ve never seen from her before. “Don’t worry about it, Ester. We’ll get it sorted, won’t we, Carter?” She steps over to Ester and squeezes her shoulder.
“Of course. It’s no big deal.” I give Ester a reassuring smile, and her head volleys between us before she ultimately nods.
“Okay, but if there’s anything I can do, you let me know, okay?” Ester hems and haws as if she’s unsure if she should leave.
Does she see it? The awkwardness we’re trying to mask?
Ashley and I both agree that we will, and Ester hesitantly, almost reluctantly, walks out of the room.
“I could always share your bed?” I grin at her.
She gives me an expression like I’d rather share a bed with The Grinch. “In your dreams.” I open my mouth to respond, but she beats me to it. “Oh, wait, that would be your nightmare, right?”
I sigh, shoving my hands in my jacket pockets. Neither of us has forgotten then.