Christmas Romance (The Best Christmas Romance of 2016): The Love List Christmas (7 page)

CHAPTER FOUR

Keaton’s rental recommendations came in handy and I found a fully-furnished house near the center of town. The owners said I could move in immediately. I only had a few personal items, so it was easy to move from the B&B. I purchased new bedding, towels, and things like that and Gran promised to send holiday decorations to spruce the place up. Scorch loved to play in the backyard and I even had my own office space to work in.

I dressed in hunter green wool pants and a black turtleneck, black leather boots and a tan wool coat for our wine-tasting date. I spent more time on my makeup and hair than normal and dabbed the tiniest drop of perfume behind my ear. Scorch was fed and sleeping when I met Keaton down stairs.

“Finn.” Keaton’s glowed with appreciation. “You look amazing.”

I stepped forward, so he could say whatever he wanted to say and I could feel his breath across my cheek. Then reality set in and I got ahold of my hormones. I knew nothing about this guy except he was cute and kind. That could be said about an axe murderer before he wielded his axe for the first time over someone’s head.

His look quickly turned from heated to concern. “Are you okay? You’ve gone pale.”

“Yes.” I nodded. I was being foolish.

“Good. Come on.” Keaton slipped his arm through mine and walked me to his car. “The Que Syrah Syrah Wine Shop is incredible. Tegan always comes up with sensational food to serve for every season. Halloween is just around the corner so I wouldn’t put it past her to make something with pumpkin.”

He got behind the wheel, started his car and the warmth from the heater washed over me. “That feels good. The air has that crispness to it that means snow is on its way.”

“I agree.” He looked skyward. “I’m surprised it hasn’t snowed already.”

“I’m looking forward to it.” Hopefully it would snow through Christmas.

Keaton parked behind the wine shop and helped me out of the car. He paused with his hands on my arms. “Can I steal a kiss before we go inside?”

At that moment, a tiny white flake hit the tip of my nose. “Did you see that? It’s snowing. I’m so excited.”

“Yes. Very exciting.” Keaton’s eyes sparked.

He didn’t wait for my answer on the kiss. He bent his head and the first soft rub of his lips against mine were electric. He pulled me closer into his warm embrace, sliding his hand up my back to my neck. Burying his fingers in the strands of my hair and gently coaxing me back, he deepened the kiss, licking softly into my mouth. The contrast between the cold snow landing softly on my face and his hot kisses had my head spinning.

“Can we slow down? I’m a little overwhelmed right now.” I stepped back.

“Sorry. I don’t know what got into me. I’m usually not this forward.” He shook his head. “Let’s get inside before I embarrass myself even more.”

“You didn’t. If you didn’t notice, I was just as eager, which surprised me a bit. Come on.” I took Keaton’s hand and we walked around to the front of the shop.

Surprise crossed Tegan’s face when we walked in hand-in-hand.

“Isn’t this a wonderful surprise? When you said you had a date tonight, I had no idea it would be my dear friend, Keaton.” Tegan gave Keaton a heartfelt hug.

“You know Finn?” He leaned down and gave Tegan a kiss on the cheek.

“I do. We met this morning.” Tegan wiggled between us and put her arms through ours. “Let me introduce you to the rest of the group and then get you a fabulous glass of wine.”

“Why don’t I get Finn a glass of wine while you do the introductions?” Keaton suggested.

“Perfect.” Tegan let him go and tugged me over to a large group of men and women. “This is Finn, she’s new in town, and we’re hoping she’ll stay, so make her feel welcome.”

“Welcome.” The group cheered with their glasses.

Keaton was right, the food was scrumptious and plentiful. I made several friends, a couple of them liked to jog, and had dogs that play well with others.

When we arrived back at the house, Keaton didn’t kiss me goodnight. We joked we might not be able to stop at a kiss. We made plans to go out to dinner and a movie Friday night. I couldn’t be happier.

CHAPTER FIVE

October turned into November and Keaton and I spent every evening together and all day on the weekends. We were still keeping things light and flirty, my heart softened and my feelings became stronger each moment we spent together.

I loved his dedication to the pets he treated and his generous nature with the people of Vine Grove. Tegan called to say our Tuesday night gossip session would be different that night. I had no idea what that meant, but I knew it would be fun. I’d met three great gals at the Que Syrah Syrah Wine Shop wine tasting party. Dakota was a nurse at the Vine Grove Hospital, Maisey ran a wedding planning blog for brides on a budget, and Kady and her son relocated to Vine Grove to start over and get a fresh start. They were all single and new to the town like me.

Technically, I wasn’t single any longer.

We all arrived at the same time to the wine shop parking lot, hugged and walked in together. Snow hadn’t stopped falling since I arrived in town in October, but it wasn’t a nuisance yet.

“Do you know what Tegan has up her sleeve?” Dakota joked as we entered the wine shop.

“She was very secretive and I’m not fond of surprises,” Maisey stated firmly.

“Come on, girls. Keep an open mind,” Kady encouraged.

“I’m just happy to shut off my cell phone for an hour or two. I’ve been working with a new author who thinks my edits will change the whole concept of her story.” I shook my head. “You have to be careful to help but not to injure a new author’s ego.”

We walked into the shop and were enveloped in holiday scents: cranberry, apple, cinnamon and gingerbread. Chloe and Rebecca were already seated. I placed my platter of spinach and goat cheese tartlets on one of the many antiques in the shop, took off my coat, and finally relaxed.

Tegan immediately handed each of us a glass of champagne. “I’m so excited you’re here.”

“We are too.” We all cheered and toasted with our glasses.

For over an hour, we drank our champagne, gossiped, and snacked on some fabulous treats. Then Chloe, Rebecca and Tegan all gathered in a corner of the shop and giggled.

“Hey. What are you girls doing over there?” I squinted to see what they were up to. Tegan walked over with a wicker basket lined in red satin. “What do you have there?”

“It’s ‘The Love List,’” Tegan announced.

“What’s that?” Maisey sounded skeptical.

“The names of eligible guys are on those slips of paper. Nice guys who have been thoroughly checked out and approved by us.” Tegan pointed to Chloe, Rebecca, and then herself.

“It is your duty to ask out the guy on the paper you choose,” Tegan explained.

“I’m seeing someone and I don’t want to date anyone else.” I tucked my hands under my rear-end.

“If we have to, you have to. Besides, you’re not married to Keaton,” Dakota insisted.

“Fine, but I’m not agreeing to anything.” Tegan shook the basket and a larger piece of paper fell closest to me. Fate being fate, that’s the one I chose.

“Open, open, and read the name,” they all coaxed.

To make it more fun, I slowly unwrapped the name and then read it. “Keaton!” Everyone clapped and then it dawned on me, why was his name in the basket? “What if one of you had chosen Keaton. Would you have asked him out?”

“No, silly. It was rigged. All the slips of paper have Keaton’s name on them.” Chloe laughed and then took out the remaining stationery and replaced them with three more names.

“You had me there for a minute.” I hugged each of my new, crazy friends.

“Now it’s your turn, Dakota.” Rebecca clapped her hands in delight. She loved to play matchmaker.

Dakota unfolded the paper. “Tristan. Love the name. Who is he and what does he do for a living?”

Chloe leaned forward and told us about her friendship with Tristan.

“Okay. What the heck? I’ll give him a try.” Dakota seemed thrilled.

“Maisey, it’s your turn.”

“No, no. I’d rather not,” she insisted and folded her arms.

We all booed Maisey.

“No thank you. This doesn’t sound like a very nice game. Besides, I’m not open to rejection or blind dates. That’s not my thing,” Maisey still refused.

Dakota sighed. “Holiday parties are the worst without someone on your arm. I hope my guy likes parties.”

“Good. It’ll be easier to get a date.” Tegan announced.

We all looked at Maisey.

“There’s one name left.” Chloe teased.

“Fine.” Maisey removed the piece of paper, shrugged a little, forced a smile, and made a production of putting the paper in her pocket.

“Aren’t you going to look?” I was dying to know who she chose.

“Nope. It’s my secret, but of course, Chloe, Tegan and Rebecca know. Goodbye everyone, and we’ll talk soon.” She spoke in a cheery voice and then grabbed her coat and left.

“I bet she doesn’t call her guy.” Tegan frowned.

“Don’t be upset with her. She’s had her heart broken. It takes time to heal.” I could tell Tegan just wanted everyone to be as happy as she was.

“That was really fun. I can’t wait to hear how everyone does with their guys.” We all grabbed our coats and hugged.

“Drive careful.” Tegan waved from the doorway as we drove off.

Keaton didn’t need to know about The Love List
.
He might get the wrong impression—like I was interested in finding someone else.

CHAPTER SIX

The phone rang the next day as I was feeding Scorch. “Hello.” There was no sound on the line other than some heavy breathing. My stomach sank. “Wayne. Stop calling me. I mean it. Harassment is illegal.” I guess Gran’s threats didn’t last.

I hung up and the phone rang again. “Wayne. I mean it. If you keep bothering me, I’m going to call the authorities again.”

There was a pause on the line. “I love you. We’re meant to be together.” Wayne’s determined voice gave me the creeps. It was time to file a formal complaint.

“No. I’m in a relationship. Please stop calling.” My hands shook as I hung up and unplugged the phone. Keaton could reach me on my cell phone. The only reason I had a landline hooked up was because I spent so much time talking to authors. I preferred it to a cell phone against my ear.

My cell phone rang and I jumped. “Hello.”.

“Finn? Are you okay?”

“Yes. I’m fine.” Keaton’s voice calmed my rattled nerves.

“You sounded angry. Are you sure everything is all right?”

“Sort of.” I took a cleansing breath. “There’s this guy who keeps calling and he’s scaring me.”

“Is he from Vine Grove?”

“No. Miami. I’ve reported his calls before, but he keeps finding me. I’m going to call the officer in Miami and see what my other options are. ”

“Do you want me to call him for you? Maybe if he knows you’re seeing someone, he’ll back off.”

“Thank you, but it might make it worse. My gran has some influence in Miami. Whatever she did last time lasted a few months. Maybe whoever talked to him needs to be more forceful.”

“Let me know if you want my help.”

“I will. Thank you. Talking to you about it helps.” My heart settled back into a normal rhythm.

“Good. I’d like to see you tonight. I miss you.” His voice softened.

“I miss you, too.” Kettle tackled my ankle and then zipped away. Corn chased after the other kitten. “Would you like to come over for dinner? I can make a pork roast, potatoes, and buttermilk biscuits.”

“Only a crazy person would say no to an offer like that. How about 6:00 p.m.? I’ll bring the wine and dessert.”

“Perfect. I’ll see you later. And drive careful. The forecast says we should get a couple of inches of snow tonight.”

“Don’t worry about me. My car can get through anything.” I could hear dogs barking in the background as he hung up.

Now that I had dinner planned, I needed to go shopping. The roads were slippery but manageable. I grabbed a shopping cart and did my usual speed shopping and was back home in record time. When Gran had sent the holiday decorations, she also sent a twelve piece china setting. I’d purchased some lovely mixed wildflowers and put them in my blue vase and placed my candlesticks in the middle of the table. My house looked warm, cozy, and lived in.

At 6:00 p.m. on the nose, Keaton pulled up and parked in the driveway. I opened the door and it only took six giant strides for him to reach me. When he did, he swept me into his arms and kissed me. Gently he urged my head back and lowered his mouth for a soft, sinking kiss that tasted like every promise I’d never allowed myself to dream of. Then, fitting his lips more firmly over mine, he slid his tongue past my teeth to stroke against my tongue, once, twice, again and again, until my hands were locked in the fabric of his shirt and I was clinging to him. With great reluctance, we parted. I rested my cheek on his chest and it’s was beating wildly.

Keaton was every romance hero ever written rolled into one and I was falling in love with him.

“Let’s go inside before the neighbors call the cops.” Keaton winked to lessen the sexual tension.

“Good idea.” Scorch waited patiently for Keaton to enter and then went bonkers, barking and twirling in circles. The kittens remained content to stay in their beds on the floor.

Dinner was wonderful. We talked about our families and friends, but Keaton never asked if I was staying in Vine Grove.

As Gran used to say, ‘it was time to fish or cut bait.’ My gut told me to grab a rod and get fishing or I’d lose Keaton.