Mary stared at Mrs. Claus for a long moment, her shoulders stiffening, her mouth pulling into a thin line. I see. Then she smiled and turned to Nick. Thank you for the ride.
Not that he had any responsibility for the woman, but Nick couldnt leave her without transportation. If youre going to the B and B, you might as well let me take you.
Its only two blocks. I can manage on my own. She buttoned the front of her coat and tied the sash around her middle with a hard jerk. Then she turned to Mrs. Claus, her expression as serious as a firing squad. If you had anything to do with my fathers disappearanceyoull have me to answer to.
Mary Christmas! Kim Claus pressed a hand to her red velvet dress and tears welled in her eyes. You dont realize how much I love your father. Id do anything for him. I crossed oceans and continents for him. I love him more than life. How could you even imply such a thing? I want him back just as much as you do.
Mary didnt answer, but turned toward the door, grabbing the handle of her suitcase as she went. Remodeling, my fanny, she muttered beneath her breath.
Nicks gaze zeroed in on the way Marys eyes shone suspiciously, as if she were close to tears.
The teenager, Chris, held the door for her and stared hard into her eyes. Itll be all right, Mary. Your father will be all right, and well find him.
She reached out and gripped his hand, glad for one persons support in this world gone crazy. Thanks, Chris.
Nick followed her out into the blistering cold where he snagged her suitcase.
I told you, I dont need your help anymore. Mary reached out to take the suitcase from him.
He backed away, refusing to let her have the bag. Let me help.
I can take care of myself.
His face softened. Even two blocks is a long way with a windchill factor of minus thirty. Please, let me take you where you need to go.
As if to reinforce Nicks words, the cold wind blasted through Marys thick wool coat and winter scarf.
Beyond exhaustion, Mary didnt argue. Instead, she climbed into the passenger seat while Nick stored her case in the trunk.
When he climbed in behind the wheel, she turned to him. I dont want you to think youre stuck with me. But thanks. She leaned her head against the headrest and closed her eyes. I should have known something was wrong. I should have come home sooner. My dad is the only family I have left.
Why should you have known? Nicks hand paused on the shift.
Yesterday I got a message on my answering machine from Dad. He said it was urgent that we talk. When I tried to call him back, I got Kim and she didnt know where he was. Thats when I caught a flight from Seattle to Fairbanks.
Did he say what he wanted to talk about?
No. Mary sighed. My father is normally pretty laid-back. He must be in big trouble, thats all I can think. Shed been talking to Nick as if he werent an outsider, werent a man shed met only a couple of hours ago. Angry with herself for trusting the stranger, Mary turned to him, her eyes narrowing. Why are you in North Pole? You told Kim you knew my father, you told me you had business with him. I dont recall my father ever mentioning your name.
He pulled out of the parking lot, easing onto the snowcovered road. He probably hasnt. We dont talk much.
Obviously. North Pole hadnt changed much since shed been gone; the usual snowfall had settled on the landscape, giving credence to the towns winter wonderland atmosphere. She gestured toward a large old house banked in snow. This is the B and B.
After they secured rooms, Nick turned to Mary. Id like to help you find your father.
Thanks, but you really dont need to get involved. Youve already done enough getting me here. She turned her back to him and jammed her key into the lock on her bedroom door. She liked to think she could handle the situation on her own, but the fact her father was missing and no one seemed to have a clue as to his whereabouts swept over her in an overwhelming wave. Her hand trembled on the metal key.
At least meet me for breakfast somewhere besides here. I like more than a continental breakfast and Im new to town. He paused as though waiting for her response.
Mary couldnt find her voice to say no, her throat clogged with unshed tears.
If it makes you feel better, we can go Dutch.
She glanced over her shoulder, her lips forming the word no. But one look into deep brown, twinkling eyes and she couldnt resist. Much as she hated to admit, she needed help. Maybe by having breakfast with the man she could get to know him better before she committed to his offer. She swallowed the lump and blurted, How about the Christmas Towne Diner at eight oclock? Its just across the street.
Sounds good. He gave her half a smile. Good night, Mary Christmas. Then he closed his door behind him, the deep resonance of his voice lingering in the hallway, warming Marys insides.
Their rooms were located across the hall from each other, and for some reason that idea disturbed Mary, not like an irritant, but like a full-body awareness. She was far too conscious of Nicks good looks, broad shoulders and brown-black eyes. Not to mention, the more she was in his company, the more she seemed to rely on him. And she didnt want to rely on anyone but herself. Shed relied on her father for so long, shed forgotten to have a life for herself. The time shed been in Seattle slammed that observation home. She didnt know how to be alone and she still didnt like it, but she was trying.
Mary spent the next hour calling everyone she knew in North Pole, asking if theyd seen her father. Those she managed to speak to replied with the same news. Not since yesterday.
Discouraged, she gathered her toiletries and made a run down the hallway for the bathroom. As she reached the door, it opened and Nick St. Claire stepped out. With a towel thrown around his hips and nothing else, he could melt the heaviest snowfall. Water dripped from his midnight-black hair. A particular droplet landed on his chest and tangled in the dark, crisp hairs.
Mary focused on that drop, her mouth going as dry as Arizona in August.
Its all yours, he said.
Her mouth dropped open and she forced her gaze upward to his eyes.
Nicks grin made Marys face burn. The shower. Its all yours.
Snapping her jaw shut, Mary pressed her brows together. How could this stranger throw her into such a state of moronic confusion? Of course. She stepped around him, bumping into his bare arm. The scent of soap and shampoo wafted across her senses.
As she reached the security of the bathroom and closed the door behind her, a soft chuckle echoed in the hallway. Mary snapped the lock over the doorway and leaned against the wooden panels. Surely he didnt think his bare chest and broad shoulders had her confused. Did he?
Her face burned hotter. Damn, the man was trouble. She should never have agreed to meet him in the morning at the diner. As soon as she finished in the shower, shed tell him shed had something come up and that she couldnt have breakfast with him. Squeezing her eyes tight, she inhaled and exhaled, concentrating on banishing the image of a shirtless Nick from her memory. As if!
She hurried through her shower and teeth brushing. Still practicing what shed say to Nick, she stepped out of the bathroom.