A Christmas Homecoming (15 page)

Bailey explained what she needed and was surprised to see the disappointment in the woman’s eyes. “Is there a problem, Ms. Robbins?”

“No. I had hoped this position would have something to do with interior design, but I’m sure I will learn a lot watching you.”

“Thank you. I like your attitude. There is definitely room for growth in this position.” She glanced toward Stephen. What if she’d misspoken?

He gave a nod of approval. “I agree. We are in transition right now, but as things settle, I could see your responsibilities expanding.”

Bailey sat quietly while Stephen asked Sierra several questions then lounged back and propped a foot on his knee. “I like you, and I think you’d make a nice addition to Belafonte Designs.” He looked to Bailey.

“I agree.” A good thing too! She’d thought they would discuss this privately before offering her the job, but there was no doubt this woman was more than qualified and appeared to be easy to get along with.

Stephen rose and offered his hand to Sierra. “Welcome to the Belafonte Design team.”

Sierra stood and shook his hand. “Thank you. When do I start?”

They worked out the details, then Bailey walked her to the door. “I look forward to working with you, Sierra.” It would have been nice if she could have started tomorrow, but she needed to give notice at her current place of employment. After Sierra left, Bailey turned to Stephen. “That was easier than I thought it’d be.”

“Me too.” He grinned then glanced at his watch. “Oh no! I’m very late. I was supposed to pick the kids up from school over an hour ago.”

“I’m surprised no one called.” Bailey pulled her cell phone off the desk. “Uh-oh. Nicole has been sending me texts about the kids, and I didn’t notice.” She responded to the last message.

The reply buzzed in.
With me. Need to leave soon. Hustle please.

“My friend has the kids. She teaches third grade at the school. You met her on Thanksgiving Day at Bachelor. I’ll go get them.”

“I remember. Let’s go together. I think we both need a breather.”

She grabbed her stuff and an envelope fell to the floor. She quickly picked it up, then slipped on her coat and followed him to the door. “I can get them. It’s not a problem.”

“I understand, but I messed up, and you shouldn’t be the one to face everyone’s wrath.”

“In that case, I’ll stay here.”

He shook his head and draped an arm across her shoulder. “Oh no you don’t. I need moral support.”

She laughed. The idea that this accomplished, sophisticated man had an iota of insecurity in him was preposterous, but apparently not impossible. “If you insist.” She settled into Mona’s car that Stephen was still using. The envelope with her name grabbed her attention. She’d never seen it before, so how did it get into her stuff? That was a mystery for later. She slit it open and pulled out a Christmas card with a snow scene on the front. She opened it and gasped. Stephen had said something similar last night. Could he be her admirer? She glanced his way.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. My admirer is growing bolder.” She waved the card in the air like a fan.

“What did he say?”

She studied his profile. It had to be him. Stephen was the only person with access to her belongings. Surely he expected she’d figured out
he
was her admirer—at least she hoped he was because if not, someone who didn’t belong there had been in the house. But that didn’t explain Spencer delivering the flowers.
Hmm
. “It says, I think you’re nice and pretty too.” Okay, so it was a little amateurish, but he was a man. Not all men were poets.

“That’s it?” His brow furrowed.

She flipped the card to the back. Had he added something there? “It appears so. I guess my admirer is a man of few words. What are you and the kids doing this evening?” She tucked the card into her coat pocket.

“I have no idea. Suggestions?” He pulled out of the driveway and pointed the car in the direction of Three Rivers Elementary.

At least it was a weekday and there wasn’t much traffic. Weekend tourists going to and from Sunriver and Mount Bachelor slowed traffic. “How about takeout and a Christmas movie? Or if you don’t mind stopping at the grocery store, I could cook. Or we could go out.”

She wasn’t sure how well behaved Collin was in public, so didn’t want to risk a meal out with the seven-year-old. “I’m happy to cook.”

“No. You’re busy enough. Takeout is fine.” He made a right at the light and a few minutes later they parked at the elementary school. “Lead the way. I have no idea where to go.”

“Another reason you needed me along,” She tossed over her shoulder as she strode ahead of him across the parking lot. Nicole was probably getting annoyed by now. Bailey would be if put in the same situation. They didn’t have far to go. Nicole stood on the front porch of the school and waved. “The kids ran inside to use the restroom right before you got here.”

Stephen stepped forward. “I’m really sorry about this. I was supposed to pick them up today, and I lost track of time.”

Bailey rested a hand on his arm. “Stephen is watching his niece and nephew while their parents are away. I should have paid more attention to the time too. I’m really sorry, Nicole. But I promise to make it up to you.”

“How?” She crossed her arms, but her eyes softened.

She had to think fast. “No matter what, I will be at your wedding.”

Nicole’s face split into a grin. “This was totally worth missing the cake in the teachers’ lounge for. You promise you’ll be there?”

“Absolutely!” Now she had to break the news to her parents. She would miss Christmas Eve. Hopefully they’d understand.

The drive to Sunriver Village was quiet. The kids sat sullenly, each looking out the side windows of the backseat still clearly upset they’d been forgotten. Even though it was only twenty degrees outside, ice cream was in order.

“I have an idea.” She turned in her seat to face Collin and Lacy who sat with their arms crossed. “What if we get burgers and shakes?”

Collin caught his breath. “Really? Mom never lets us eat like that.”

Stephen glanced her way. “It’s a little early for dinner.”

“I’m hungry enough to eat now,” Collin said.

Lacy giggled. “We should do it. It’ll be fun. Plus, when I’m drinking a chocolate shake I might forget how late you were.”

“She’s good,” Bailey said softly.

Stephen cranked the wheel to the left and pulled into a parking spot. “An early dinner it is.” They all piled out.

Bailey couldn’t help smiling. This little girl had her uncle wrapped around her finger.

Lacy and Collin walked between them as they made their way to the Village Bar and Grill. Which was more like a family restaurant than a bar.

Stephen held the door open for them as they paraded inside. Warm air and the scent of burgers and fries enveloped them. Her stomach growled, reminding her she’d skipped lunch. Since the place wasn’t busy this time of day, they were served quickly.

Collin bit into his cheeseburger. His eyes widened as he chewed. “This is de-lish! Thank you, Uncle Stephen.”

“Yeah. Thanks!” Lacy reached for her milkshake and took a long draw from the straw. “I wish our mom and dad would bring us here.”

“You’ve never been?” Bailey asked.

“We almost never go out to eat. Mom has a cook.”

“Now why didn’t I know that?” Stephen asked. “We could have used your cook.”

Lacy shook her head. “Mom gave her time off.”

“Oh. Our loss.”

“Nah-uh,” Collin said with a mouthful. “This is yummier. Our cook only makes vegetables and beans and tofu.” He stuck a finger in his mouth like he was gagging himself.

Bailey chuckled. It sounded like Judy was a health nut. Thanksgiving must have been a letdown if they were accustomed to a professional chef and a vegetarian diet. Although, maybe the health kick was new since they all had quite the sweet tooth.

The kids gobbled down their meals, and she enjoyed her cheeseburger and fries as well. Bailey dabbed her mouth with her napkin. “That was so good.”

Stephen nodded. “I agree.” He leaned close to Bailey’s ear. “Wanna go ice skating?”

Her heart kicked into double time. The last time she went ice-skating she’d broken her arm.

Stephen chuckled as Bailey gripped his arm. “You’ve skated before haven’t you?”

“Once. And it didn’t end well,” Bailey said through gritted teeth.

“Sounds like a good story.” He patted the hand that held tight to his arm. “I’m sure whatever happened was character building.” That had not come out in the playful way he’d hoped. If only he could snatch the words back.

She grimaced. “Not so much. I ended up breaking my arm.”

“Ouch. Sorry.” Apparently she had some fear of the ice to deal with. “And now you’re afraid you’ll fall and break your arm again?” He eased them forward, and they glided side-by-side.

“Pretty much.” Suddenly her feet slipped forward. She grabbed his arm with both hands and steadied herself.

His heart raced. “You okay?”

“I’m still standing.” She offered him a wobbly smile.

“Way to be positive.” He grinned. “I happen to be an expert skater. I’ll have you skating on your own in no time.” That is, he would, if her ankles were strong enough. “You’re going to have to let go of me for a second, so I can move to face you.”

Her fingers plied off one by one until he could slide in front of her. He reached his arms forward and skated backward. Her ankles wobbled a little, but not too bad. “You’re doing a good job, Bailey. I won’t let you break your arm again.”

“Promise?”

He chuckled. “I’ll do my best.”

Collin and Lacy glided past them, giggling the whole way.

What were those two up to? He glanced over his shoulder to make sure the way was clear as he guided Bailey around the small open-air-but-covered rink. “You having fun yet?”

She shook her head, even though a small smile tugged at her lips. “It’s not so bad actually. I can do this.”

“Good for you. But I think I’ll stay close anyway.” He released her hands and continued to skate backward watching her. Though a little wobbly, she was doing all right.

A boy jetted by clipping her skate. “Oh—” Her arms shot out, and she whirled around. There was nothing he could do to help. One foot crossed over the other as if in a slow motion axel. She screamed as her feet came out from under her, and she landed on her back. Her head smacked the ice.

His heart thundered as he crouched beside her. “Are you okay?”

Chapter Eleven

Stephen handed Bailey an ice pack
.
“How are you feeling?” He sat beside her at the kitchen table.

“Like a klutz.” She held the ice pack to the back of her head. “I’m sorry for ruining things for you and the kids.”

His heart melted. “Your wipeout wasn’t entirely your fault. You had a little help. A kid clipped your skates when he was dodging someone else.”

She winced. “I remember.”

“I never should have encouraged you to skate after you said you couldn’t.” Come to think of it, she didn’t ski either. Her ankle strength wasn’t really the issue like he’d thought at first. She simply didn’t have a good center of gravity when it came to slippery surfaces or people throwing her off balance. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine. The doctor who was at the rink with his family even confirmed it. Stop worrying.”

Not true. “He said you have a mild concussion.” When she landed on her back smacking her head into the ice, his heart had nearly stopped.

The kids had been solemn on the ride home too, obviously concerned. They now silently looked at books in the other room. He didn’t want to leave Bailey since the doctor had discretely told him to keep an eye on his wife. His heart had constricted at the doctor’s words, but he hadn’t corrected him.

It was an understandable mistake, especially since his niece and nephew strongly resembled the Belafonte side of the family. The faux pas that would have been gut-wrenching a year ago now only made him wince.