Sleigh Ride Together with You (6 page)

With a slight nod, Nicole turned in the opposite direction and headed down the hallway, presumably to her dressing room. At least she didn't stomp, strut, or stalk. Probably only because she didn't want to aggravate her already sore ankle.

The lingering wariness between them indicated she still might not trust him. She didn't necessarily have to trust him. On a purely personal level, he hoped he could change her mind. He had never needed a client to like him. Until now.

As he walked to Mike's office, Alex's thoughts were jumbled. Nicole made him squirm. Made his pulse race. Made him want to spar with her just to see those beautiful blue eyes light with passion. Made him want to escort her to dinner and find out everything he could about her. What she liked and what she didn't. If she doctored her coffee. Her favorite color, flavor, subject, television show, book. Whether she had a guy—other than her British co-host—that she called to escort her to work-related benefits and events. Whether she found Alex the least bit attractive.

He definitely needed to stop this train of thinking. It could lead nowhere. Or everywhere.

Shaking his head as if the action would somehow clear his mind, Alex shoved his hands in his pockets and started whistling. This time he knew exactly which tune. The one about taking a sleigh ride. He'd never been sappy or romanticized a woman before, so why start now? The holiday excuse wouldn't wash. Was he so attracted to Nicole because he hadn't had a decent date in more than two years? Even longer since he'd kissed a woman.

He enjoyed the company of a fascinating woman who challenged him, and Nicole fit that description and then some. He liked hearing the unique female slant on everything from politics to choosing a gift. Trading ideas, sharing food, exchanging opinions. Doing those things with Nicole might prove fun and entertaining.

She also radiated sensuality without even trying. Admittedly, he missed the softness of a woman, whether in theory or in reality. Holding the lovely morning co-host in his arms had stirred long-forgotten feelings.

No two ways about it. For better or worse, Nicole Reardon had captured him. Professionally, but also in ways that had nothing whatsoever to do with his presence in Des Moines. The problem was, Alex hadn't a clue what to do with that attraction.

 

 

 

 

7

 

Nicole thanked the waiter as he removed her plate at The Maxwell Club. The salmon must have been delicious, but she had no idea. She'd picked at it, her stomach in knots as she'd listened to the conversation among the three men.

Alex had asked her a few specific questions about the show in a not-so-subtle attempt to draw her more fully into the conversation. If nothing else, the business lunch served to forge some kind of bond—however tenuous—between Colin and Alex.

Colin's words from the night before had lingered in her mind all morning and then taken center stage during lunch.

“Alex has some great ideas to enhance the show, don't you think, Nikki?” Mike stabbed his prime rib and plopped another hearty bite in his mouth.

“Yes,” she said. “It's surprising, yet flattering, that the network pays such close attention.”

A glint in Alex's eyes surfaced, cluing her in that she'd either irritated or intrigued him with that comment.

“We keep close watch on a number of our affiliate stations around the country, especially those with the best numbers.
Wake Up, Des Moines!
works incredibly well on a number of levels. As I mentioned to Nicole last night, we're examining the dynamics as a model for boosting the ratings of struggling sister stations.” Pushing aside his empty plate, Alex wiped his mouth with his napkin. “The network's not strictly focused on the bottom line. Sure, it's crucial, but it's not everything. Many factors are taken into consideration.”

“Well, that's a relief. And a very pat little speech.” Colin sat back in his chair, a wry grin on his face. “I thought it was more a scientific process in the vein of eenie, meenie, miney moe.”

The corners of Alex's mouth twitched. “Never hurts. Sometimes we employ that method.”

Nicole appreciated Alex's good humor with Colin's teasing. Her co-host had made several similar offhand or droll comments throughout the meal. Not insulting, but dry and altogether British.

Observing Colin beneath veiled lids, Nicole's heart swelled as she noted his glance at Mike's half-empty wine bottle on the table. Colin's expression was one of wistfulness, perhaps, mixed with a certain amount of regret. He'd confessed to fighting a drinking problem in the past, although he'd claimed it'd never gotten out of hand.

“I admire how you don't need alcohol—or any other crutch,” he'd told her as recently as last week. “I could blame it on my mum's legacy, but this one's all me, I'm afraid.” Drinking had been his escape from an unhappy childhood.

From across the table, Colin caught her eye. She gave him a smile, which he acknowledged with a slight nod.

Mike turned to her. “I got a very interesting phone call this morning. I need you to take a little field trip on Saturday.”

“Weekends will cost you extra. Especially in December this close to Christmas. What's the story?” She sipped her water with lime, finding it interesting how Mike's statement came across more as a demand rather than a request. Mike knew how much she valued her weekends.

“There's a famous soccer player who lives half the year right here in Iowa. Plays goalie for the Italian team that won the World Cup a few years ago. He's in some little town not far from here called”—Mike frowned—“Snowball, Sugarlight, Startown—”

“Starlight?” Nicole almost choked. She lowered her glass to the table, willing her hand not to tremble. “Dante Moretti,” she said half under her breath after recovering from her initial surprise.

“Starlight, eh? Small world. Isn't that—” Colin stopped when she slanted him a warning glance.

Mike snapped his fingers. “That's the one! Moretti's retiring from professional soccer in a couple of years, and he's starting a training program for promising young soccer players from all over the country. Building a state-of-the-art facility in Starlight. Gonna bring in a revolving crew of his big name, famous soccer buddies from across the globe to mentor—weekend events, summer camps, tournaments, scholarships, the works. Coed, ages eight to eighteen. From what I understand, he's donating most of the proceeds to a children's charity he founded in honor of his sister.”

“Ana,” Nicole said. “She died in a plane crash with Dante's parents about ten years ago.”

Colin's mouth gaped, and he sat back in his chair, shaking his head. “How absolutely tragic.”

She took another quick sip to moisten her suddenly dry lips. “As you can imagine, it was huge news when Dante married a local girl from tiny Starlight. Because of Dante's popularity, the story also reached the international wires.”

“Right,” Mike said. “Well, this is definitely going to be a big deal. We've gotta get on this one fast and break the story.”

Nicole raised a brow. “Sounds more like hard news than a human interest piece for our show.”

“I disagree, Nikki. What better subject for a human interest segment than a world-class, famous athlete's do-gooding project? All in our proverbial backyard, as it were. Brilliant!” Colin fisted the table with a look of triumph.

Alex said nothing, but Nicole sensed his gaze on her. Did he know of her connection to Starlight? Even if Alex knew, why should it make a difference?

She cleared her throat. “Perhaps you should do the interview, Colin, since you're obviously enamored with the idea.” A quick glance at both Mike and Colin confirmed that notion wouldn't fly for a second. What was wrong with her? She needed to stop talking, or he'd think she didn't want to do the story. Mike was right. This story would be huge with far-reaching potential, and she'd be a fool to turn it down. She needed to suck up her pride and run with it.

“Nope. Gotta be you, Nikki,” Mike said. “When I got the call, the lady asked for you by name. Moretti specifically pegged you to be the person to break this story. We need to get on it before anyone else worms their way in. You own this one.” His grin was broad. “Your reputation is growing, and this only proves it. Time to show the network big boys what you can really do.” Although he didn't look at him, Mike's comment seemed more for Alex's benefit than Nicole's.

Nicole was speechless. Flattering as it was, she'd never met Dante. Why would he request her for the interview? Someone else in Starlight must have suggested that she should be the journalist to break this story. No time to puzzle over that one now.

She managed to find her voice. “What time is the interview?” Unless she succumbed to some sudden, mysterious malady, she was going back to Starlight. Her pulse sputtered, and her throat closed a bit. A little more than two hours round trip, she could do the setup and interview, and be back in Des Moines all in the span of one day. Then again, she'd want to drop in to see Caroline Picasso at Barney's Diner and enjoy a cup of Earl Grey. Pick up a box of frosted sugar cookies at Martha's Bakery. Henrietta Watkins would be disappointed if she didn't drop by for a hug and a chat. A twinge—nostalgia?—pinched her at the thought of returning to Starlight.

“Great. That's my girl.” Mike appeared pleased. “Check in with Jeannie later today. She's got all the details, articles, photos, the usual stuff in a file. The interview's scheduled for eleven o'clock Saturday morning at the Moretti place. You're invited to stay for dinner. Even overnight, if you're so inclined.”

She raised a brow. “That's very hospitable since it's so close to Christmas.” From what she'd heard about Dante, he was as humble and nice as they come for a millionaire athlete.

“By the way,” Mike said, almost as though an afterthought, “Alex is going with you. He knows how to man a camera, so it makes sense. Kills two birds with one stone and all that.”

“Splendid! Oh, what fun.” Colin sat back in his chair, crossed his arms and darted glances between her and Alex.

Nicole avoided glancing at Alex. Yes, what fun, indeed.

“Saves me from sending along one of the regular camera guys. They'd protest a field trip on a weekend, anyway.” Draining the last of his wine, Mike set his glass on the table and gave her a look of triumph. He must be under the impression she'd be pleased by this latest announcement. She was still trying to recover from the shock of the first.

As they departed the restaurant, Colin flirted with the too thin blonde hostess then tucked a slip of paper into his coat pocket as he made his way over to Nicole. She shook her head and hid her smile. If nothing else, maybe he'd take the woman out for a few good meals.

“Quite the development, you going back to Starlight to break such a big story, eh? I couldn't be more proud. If you need time to prepare, I'll take most of the interviews on the show the rest of the week.”

“Not necessary, but thanks.”

Colin chuckled as they approached the coat check. “For a moment there, you looked as though you were trying to catch bait. With your lovely mouth gaping, I almost tossed you a roll to give you something to chew on. Isn't Starlight the charming little town you haven't told me so much about?” Colin waited as the coat room attendant handed over her coat. “Matter of fact, you've avoided the subject nearly every time I've brought it up.”

“Yes, it's the same town.” Taking her coat and shrugging into it, Nicole waved aside Colin's attempts to assist her. “I love Starlight and the people there are the best you'll ever meet.”

“Which then begs the question, why are you here instead of in Starlight?”

“You should know the answer to that one,” she said. “As terrific as it is, Starlight didn't suit my career goals.” She tweaked his chin. “And I wouldn't have you in my life.”

“Well, hopefully this weekend jaunt will give you closure of some sort. Get that little town out of your system once and for all. This might actually be a good opportunity to give your lovely Starlight a proper send off. Closure and all that.”

That comment made her frown. “It's not like I'll be able to shake Starlight from my past, my…lifeblood.” Maybe that was extreme, but it was true. “Everyone needs a haven to return to every now and then, right?”

“I have no doubt you'll handle it and rise above with your usual grace. And with Alex Kingsfield by your side, no less.” Colin threw his wool coat about his shoulders and then pushed his arms through the sleeves.

“Right, don't remind me. But Colin, don't you see?” Nicole leaned close and lowered her voice. “This interview could be it. My big break. My defining moment.” She paused and bit her lower lip.

Colin's expression softened. “Ah, it's all right, Nikki. Mike told me why Alex is here. He's here for you, pure and simple. To observe you in action, as it were, and then write up his recommendations for the future of your fabulous career. If you're going to leave us in your proverbial dust and move to the larger world stage, this interview could pave the way. God's providence, as I'm sure you'd say.”

She sighed. “I'm really glad you know. In spite of your big speech last night about Alex taking me away, you know I'm fine if he recommends I stay here in Des Moines, right?”

Hooking his arm with hers, Colin walked beside her toward where Mike and Alex waited in the producer's Range Rover. “I know that, yes, but I'm not quite sure you do. We still have a week for Mr. Kingsfield to work his magic on you.”

“No such thing, you silly man.”

Colin chuckled. “Just another name for romance, love.” With a dramatic flourish, he opened the passenger door of the SUV and ushered her inside.