Christmas Romance (Best Christmas Romances of 2013) (8 page)

“I could never give him up now or take him to the Humane Society or a shelter. I’ve become way too attached. One more is no trouble.”

“What about two more? I think Mobley has set up a permanent dwelling here too.”

“That’s okay.” He smiled. “They keep each other occupied, but the squirrels are in big trouble with three hoodlums out in the yard now. Mobley’s loving it here.”

“Bringing Mobley here to heal was a great idea. He fits in like he’s been here his whole life.” Tennyson reached into her purse and pulled out a small bag. “I spotted this today in a shop window downtown. It’s a thank-you for all you’ve done.”

“
Ganesha
,” Par said, as he opened the bag and slid out the tiny half-man half-elephant ornaments. “Do you know that this is the Hindu god known for the lord of beginnings and the remover of obstacles?”

“I read about Ganesha in a book the other day. I thought I’d pick up two. One for each of us. I think we can use a little help from the gods.”

“Are you ready for a new beginning, Tennyson? I know I am. I removed one of my life’s obstacles the other day when I told my dad that I’d quit if he didn’t hold true to his word.”

“Are you happy you talked to him?”

“Yes, but it was difficult. I’ve never really questioned his authority before. I’m sure it was a surprise to him too. I know that once I get into my new position and he has my replacement trained he’ll see it’s for the best.” Par rose from the couch and hung the ornament on the tree. “Here, hang yours too.’

Tennyson took the ornament and placed it on a branch next to his.

“Dad can’t be that mad,” Par said. “He invited us both to dinner tomorrow. Your parents are still gone, right? Do you have any other plans?”

When he turned to face her, Tennyson laid a hand on his chest. “Will it be okay? You told me your family wanted you to find ‘a nice Indian girl.’ I’m Italian and just because the countries start with the same letter, I don’t think it counts.”

He scooted closer. “Mom said she liked you, especially after you complimented her on her Naan. She’s looking forward to showing you how to bake it.”

“Wait, you celebrate a Christmas? You’re Hindu.”

“Sure. Where do you think I got all those ornaments? My family believes in melding as many beliefs as possible. They believe in family, gathering and food. It’s a great time of the year for all of that, don’t you think?”

“It is. That and much more.” She pulled him in for a kiss. Long and sweet. When she stepped back, she said, “I got something else for you. It’s nothing big; I got it at
Bergman’s.” She went to the front door and brought back a large wrapped package.

He yanked off the paper. “A karaoke machine, for home. You’re kidding me! This is great.” He laughed and tugged it out of the box.

She pointed to the lettering. “I got it because it says right on the front, ‘
All the Old Favorites including Hound Dog,
’ so I thought that was pretty perfect. It’s also a stereo and MP3 player if you just want to listen to music.”

“I can’t wait to use it.” He leaned over and pulled out a rectangular gold-wrapped box. “Here’s something for you.”

“You’ve given me enough helping out with Mobley’s vet bill. I don’t need presents.”

“It’s something I think you’ll want.”

She laid a hand on his. “I have everything I want.”

“Not everything… open it, will ya? I’ve been dying to give this to you for a week.”

She slid off the shiny gold paper, opened the cardboard and stared inside. Her heart filled until she thought it would burst. Tennyson looked up at Par. “It’s my grandmother’s jewelry box. How did you…”

“I was in James’s office for a business meeting. I remembered you said it was the only thing you wished you’d been able to get back from the relationship but he’d kept it. Since you didn’t mention it again, I assumed he still had it. That night you described it. I recognized it on his desk. He had Christmas candy in it. When I complimented him on it, he said I could have it. That was when I took it, thanked him, and then told him that we were seeing each other. I also told him that when he left you it was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

“You really said that?”

“You bet I did. You should have seen his face drop. What did you call him… asshat? I bet the only thing he thought was that I would have my father fire his firm. I would if it was up to me, but it’s not my division and now that I’m at the foundation, I won’t ever have to see him.”

She ran her hand over the cut crystal. “You don’t know how much this box means to me. My grandmother gave it to me right before she died. I never thought I’d see it again. You got it back for me.”

“I knew it was special.”

“And I got you a karaoke machine.”

“I love karaoke.”

Tennyson set the box on the table and then moved into his arms. “Speaking of that…”

“Karaoke.”

“No… love. I swore off men
and
love, but now that I look back, I realize I was never in love with James. I thought I was, but I was in love with the idea, not the man.”

“What about me?” Par looked into her eyes.

“You said maybe someday I’d know what to say. Tonight and for the last few weeks I’ve known what to say but wanted to be sure. I love you, Par. I know it’s crazy and quick… and Christmas, but I love you.”

He put a thumb under her chin and tipped it up. “I’ve known it for a long time and I hoped that you were ready too. I know I am. You made me realize what’s important in life. Money’s nice to have to pay for the important things but it doesn’t bring happiness. You and Mobley are what do that.”

“What about Duke and Boci?”

“Yeah, them too.”

Tennyson was so happy she could burst. She closed her eyes, as she felt the warmth of his body engulf her and pull her close. Then he kissed her. Slow at first and then with a white-hot intensity that’s she’d never remembered from any kiss. His mouth was warm against her and then he broke away only to nibble down her neck.

His hands came back to her face, cupping her cheeks in his palms.

Par covered his mouth with hers and she savored the taste and warmth of him. This is what had always been missing with James. Her mind swam and her body pulsed with wonderful sensations. Tennyson wanted this moment to go on for the rest of her life, and if she had any say, it would.

As if he could read her mind, Par pulled her tight against him and kissed her until she felt light-headed.

When he finally stepped back, he plugged in the karaoke machine, scanned the data and hit play
.

“It’s not very Christmassy, but oh well.”
Hound Dog
blasted over the speakers. Par grabbed her hand, spun her around in the middle of the living room and began to sing. He twisted his leg and foot into the carpet, and added moves Elvis might have envied.

“What are you doing? You’re crazy!” she exclaimed as he spun her around again.

“You said you wanted a man with song and dance, so I’m going to sing for you and dance with you, and then if it’s okay, I want to make love to you all night long.”

“I think that sounds like the best Christmas present ever.”

Wondering if they were missing out on something, the three dogs ran out from the back barking wildly. Duke jumped up and knocked Par back onto the couch. He laughed as he tried to push him to the side. “Get off me you big tugboat.”

Tennyson piled on him along with the other two dogs.

“This is complete mayhem!” he attempted to yell over the barking.

“Yes! Isn’t it perfect? I love you. Merry Christmas!” she shouted and threw her arms wide. She reached back, grabbed a Santa hat and then drew it over his black hair. “Come here, Mr. Hindu Claus.” She kissed him again along with the sloppy dog kisses he got from all directions. She laughed until her sides hurt.

This time, Tennyson knew she’d made the right decision. This time she’d let her heart lead. She got the dog—actually three dogs—and the best guy in the world.

NOTE FROM AUTHOR

Every dog needs a loving home. Duke is an actual shelter dog. He’s my big, silly, eight-year old lab I adopted as a shelter dog last year. He was 8 when I adopted him... it would have been tough for him to find a new home, but I took the chance with an older dog. Now he’s part of our family.

If you are thinking of bringing a rescue/shelter dog into your life here are some links:

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/adopting-shelter-dog

My local dog rescues:

http://www.rescueeverydog.org/

http://www.pasadosafehaven.org/

http://olddoghaven.org/

Halo’s Wish

Sharon Kleve

Chapter One

Autumn in Seattle

Halo Carlyle worked for Green Hornet Investigations as a pet detective; retrieving lost and stolen animals. Her current assignment, filling in as a temporary receptionist involved searching for evidence that would implicate Pemsky Security in the recent thefts and ransoming of prize dogs from the Western Washington Dog Shows (WWDS).

The president of the WWDS strongly suspected Pemsky’s company. Shortly before the thefts occurred, Pemsky’s Security fees increased, but not their level of service. As a result, the WWDS Board terminated their five-year contract. He hadn’t taken the news well and subsequently, dogs went missing.

Corny Myers, Halo’s boss at Green Hornet Investigations heard Pemsky’s regular receptionist would be on vacation. She sent Halo over to his office and instructed her to,
show a little leg and act eager to please.
He’d hired Halo on the spot and insisted paying her under the table. She’d agreed, of course.

Pemsky ran his business old-school and kept paper copies of all his records in file cabinets, which should’ve made her search easier. So far Halo’s efforts to snoop
were hindered because he’d arrive before her and leave after she did.

At the end of the day, Halo gathered her purse to leave and peeked around Pemsky’s office door. She’d watched him hide the master key to all his cabinets under his keyboard drawer. What luck! She should only need an hour alone in his office to hunt through the records and be able to confirm one-way or another Pemsky’s involvement in the thefts. She’d have to be patient and wait for the right opportunity.

The next morning, Halo placed a call through to Pemsky’s office, which went straight to his voicemail, when the front office door opened. Halo smiled and looked up into dreamy, gold-flecked green eyes, short sandy brown hair, a slight cleft chin, and full lips set in a hard line. Even with his stern look, her hormones jumped into overdrive.

Mr. Dreamy cleared his throat. She must’ve been staring. In her most professional voice she greeted him, “Good morning. How may I help you?”

He removed a piece of paper from his shirt pocket and unfolded the sheet.

“I was parked in front of the Beacon Hill Ale House and my driver’s side mirror was sideswiped by one of Pemsky’s Security SUVs Friday night.”

Halo loved the Beacon Hill Ale House. Every Saturday night, the Ale House allowed local bands to jam together. That’s where she’d met her last loser boyfriend. She’d had a lot of loser boyfriends. She’d put dating on the back-burner, but wouldn’t mind jumping back into the dating game for this dreamboat.

He handed her the slip of paper.

“I wasn’t able to get a look at the driver, but I got the license plate number of the vehicle that hit my car and
drove away
.”

“I’m very sorry about your car. I’m sure Mr. Pemsky will be happy to cover the damage.” Halo checked the company log and Pemsky’s name popped up as the driver. She gulped.

Mr. Dreamy spoke again.

“I’ve called several times and left messages. He hasn’t returned any of my calls.”

Typical behavior for Pemsky, plus he had a stack of past due notices piled up on his desk.

“Again, I’m very sorry. I’m only working here temporarily, until the regular receptionist gets back from vacation.” Halo felt bad for him. If someone bashed her car, she wouldn’t be calm, like he seemed to be. “What is your name? I’ll check to see if Mr. Pemsky is available to see you now.”

“Richard McFarland.”

“Mr. McFarland, please have a seat. Can I get you something to drink while you wait?”

“No. I’m fine. Thank you.”

His voice softened but he stood in front of her desk with his legs parted, arms crossed over his broad chest, while she picked up the phone to notify Mr. Pemsky. His phone rang several times, but he never answered. If he’d stepped out to use the restroom she would’ve seen him pass by her desk. Maybe he passed out from too many carbs and caffeine. He drank gallons of cheap black coffee, and his lunches consisted of a Big Mac and supersized fries.

After he’d consumed his greasy lunch, he’d shove a fat cigar in his mouth and slide the brown slug from side to side. She’d never actually seen him light the nasty thing up, though. She warned him about the amount of caffeine, and cholesterol he consumed, but he rudely told her to mind her own business.

What could you expect from a
possible dog thief?

“Excuse me. I’ll just be a moment.” Halo stood, rubbed the creases out of the front of her new skirt, and tried to look like she’d mastered high-heels.

Halo stood outside Pemsky’s door, but didn’t hear a peep, grunt, or snort. Normal sounds that emanated from his office. She knocked twice like he’d instructed her to before entering. His chair twisted from side-to-side, like he’d just gotten up. She bent down and checked the floor in case he’d toppled out of his chair from an overdose of sludge.

Pemsky’s sweat-coated body sat propped up against the back wall. He panted in short, quick breaths.

Crap!

She knelt beside him and took his clammy hand in hers. He squeezed back hard.

“Girly, help me. I’m going to die,” he wheezed.

“Okay… I need to call for help. I can’t reach the phone unless you let go of my hand.” He didn’t release her, only squeezed harder.

Halo heard the slight creak of his door. She stretched her neck to look over the top of Pemsky’s desk. Mr. McFarland followed her in. After taking in the situation, he removed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves. He pushed Pemsky’s leather chair out of the way and knelt beside her.

“What’s going on here?” he asked.

“I don’t know. I found him like this. I’m really worried. Can you call for the paramedics for me?” Halo said in a rush. Pemsky’s face alternated between red and pasty white. He moaned and squeezed her hand again. The bones in her fingers ground together.

“I’m dying, that’s what’s going on. My chest is killing me. Call for help already,” Pemsky choked out.

“Try and stay calm, Mr. Pemsky. We’ll get you help,” she reassured him.

Mr. McFarland stood up, took out his cell phone from his pant pocket, and dialed 9-1-1, while Halo pried each of her fingers out of Pemsky’s damp hand. Once she’d finished, she stroked his arm to soothe him. He might be a liar, thief, and definitely a jerk, but he must have some redeeming qualities, she hadn’t been introduced to yet.

He talked in a quiet voice to the 9-1-1 operator, but she heard him say, “We have a man, in his mid-fifties, in need of medical attention. He’s conscience and able to speak. There’s a possibility he’s having a heart attack.”

The operator must’ve asked their location, because he looked around and picked up a piece of stationary and rattled off the address.

“Tell them the center of my chest is burning and my arms hurt. I’m dizzy, nauseated, and I threw up my lunch. I’m having a freaking heart attack. Send an ambulance,” Pemsky pleaded.

Mr. McFarland looked concerned and repeated what Pemsky said to the operator. Pemsky grabbed his chest again and closed his eyes. Halo moved past worried, and moved straight into panic mode.

Please don’t die, please don’t die…

“Medical aid is on the way, try and stay calm. You’re going to be fine,” Mr. McFarland said in a reassuring voice.

Pemsky fidgeted with the hem of his shirt, while they waited for the paramedics to arrive. Halo took ahold of his other hand and rubbed her thumb over the top, more for her benefit than his. She wanted to feel the blood flow through his veins. After what seemed like an eternity, the paramedics bustled in the door with a butt load of equipment. After an initial evaluation, they loaded him onto a gurney. Pemsky had enough strength left for a nasty remark as they wheeled him out his office door.

“Make sure to lock up when you leave, and if you leave early, I’m not paying you for a full day,” Pemsky huffed.

“I hope he’s going to be okay,” she whispered.

“Your boss doesn’t seem like a very nice guy.”

“He’s acting like a jerk now because he’s scared. He has a really nice wife and three young boys. See that picture on his desk? That’s them. He calls them all the time.”

“Nice picture. I’m sure he’ll be fine.” He extended his hand. “Call me Rich. What’s your name?”

“Halo.” His hand felt cool and dry to the touch, but a little bit rough. That roughness would feel good on smooth skin, like the underside of her breast.

Stop, cease, and desist that train of thought. You are focusing on your career, not a nice, sexy, kind, great-looking guy. Forget about Rich before you do something stupid, like give the calluses a test drive on your inner thigh.

He followed her back to the reception area and stood in front of her. Halo backed up a step to put a little distance between them, caught her heel on the carpet and stumbled.
He steadied her by grasping her shoulders and backed her up against the desk. He released her shoulders, brushed a strand of hair out of her face, and tucked it behind her ear.

Don’t look into his eyes…Look away.

“Are you okay?” he asked with humor in his voice.

“Yes, I’m okay. I’m just new to this walking thing.” He backed up, but not before he tucked another strand of curly hair behind her ear.

Halo’s stomach did a flip-flop from the emotions he’d stirred up.

“Is Halo your given name?”

He didn’t laugh at her name, like most people, but seemed genuinely interested. “My mother swore I emerged into this world with a shining halo above my head. My dad said the effect seemed to come from sunlight shining through the delivery room blinds. Either way, they named me Halo Ann Carlyle.”

“Halo… the name fits you. You know, you handled a very stressful situation amazingly well. I admire that. Would you like to go to lunch?”

He appeared to be educated and well-dressed—Not her usual type.

“I can’t. I need to notify Mr. Pemsky’s wife that he’s on the way to the hospital. And I have a lot of work to do before I can leave for the day.”

“You sure are a loyal temporary employee. Especially after the way your boss treated you. You most likely saved his life.”

“For his family’s sake, I really hope he gets better. I told him he needs to eat right and exercise, but he laughed at me.”

“Halo, you’re a really nice person. Pemsky doesn’t deserve your dedication,” Rich said, while he shook his head.

“Maybe not.” She thought for a moment and made a moral decision. “I guess it couldn’t hurt to tell you that the driver of the SUV was Pemsky.”

“Really… I was willing to let the hit-and-run go if Pemsky would take care of the repair, but now I’ll let my insurance company handle the claim.”

He hadn’t backed up very far and she smelled something scrumptious. Rich smelled like a warm sea breeze, salty and fresh. She must’ve been staring again because he winked at her.

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

“No, I’m on a hiatus from dating. I’m focusing on my career.” His smile didn’t falter.

“What time do you get off work?” he asked, and smiled brighter.

“I’m usually off by five o’clock, but I’ll have to work later tonight. I have a lot of filing to catch up on.”

“You said the position here was temporary. Do you have another job waiting for you?”

“Yes, I do. I appreciate your help today, but I really should get back to work.” Halo headed toward the door, in hopes that he’d follow her.

“Rich,” he said, as he rested his hip against her desk.

“What?” She turned and realized he hadn’t moved. What a stubborn sucker. She’d looked in the mirror this morning and like every day she saw the same thing: an oval face, with a few freckles scattered around her fair completion, and unruly, brown curly hair. Today her faux tortoise-shell clips lost their battle to hold her curls in place. Ringlets sprouted like corkscrews in every direction. Did Rich see more?

He pushed himself away from her desk and headed in her direction, his eyes half closed, his lips parted, she knew sexual desire when she saw it. Luckily his cell rang. Talk about saved by the bell.

“Hello? I’m about fifteen minutes away. I’ll be right there. Try and keep her calm. Yeah, she likes her belly stroked. Okay, I’m on my way.”

Now,
that
intrigued her.

“Everything okay?” Halo asked.

“Yes, but I’ve got to go. Cleo’s giving birth. I’ll be back, though. Why don’t you give me your number?”

“By your call it sounds as though you have your hands full. Maybe you should stick to one female at a time?” She hated cheaters, especially blatant ones.

“Huh?” He looked perplexed for a moment, and then smiled. “Oh, I’m a veterinarian at McFarland Veterinary. My clinic is on Beacon Hill and Cleo is a sweet, scared dog that wandered into my parking lot a couple weeks ago. She didn’t have a microchip and nobody’s claimed her. She’s about ready to give birth and I want to be there for her.”

“Sorry, I thought you were talking about your wife.”

Me and my big mouth.

“No, I’m not married or in a relationship—yet.”

Halo ignored the ‘yet’ comment.

“What kind of dog is she?” Hey, she loved animals too.

“Cleo’s a small, short-haired, mixed breed. She’s at my place. My neighbor’s been keeping an eye on her while I’m at work. That’s who called. I have a couple acres out in Enumclaw, which I share with a menagerie of animals I can’t find homes for. I can’t understand why people have pets and then abuse or neglect them.”