Page 71 of The More the Merrier

Robin smiled, looking roguish enough to remind her of what the real Robin Hood may have looked like.

“Come, fair maiden, think of sharing your tale with me as a reward for rescuing you with chocolate.”

Claire had been taking a sip of her chocolate and burst into laughter at what he said, choking and gasping until Robin lifted her left arm and pounded gently on her back. Immediately, Claire stopped choking and sat back in her seat to take a few deep breaths.

“That’s fair. Okay, I’ll tell you, but only if you promise not to judge.”

“My lips and opinions are sealed.” He drew an imaginary zipper across his lips and then locked and threw away the key. Claire decided she liked Robin. He was fun and not intimidating in the least.

She shared about her sick mother and taking care of her and how amazing her boss back in New England had been and how she rose through the ranks. She carried on and told him about her now ex-boss missing his plane and how she arrived last night and the strange man at the bar.

How she allowed him to seduce her. “Here’s the worst part, Robin. It was the best night of my life, right up to the moment I received a message from my old boss, Blaze, to meet him and my new boss this morning.” Claire felt an anxiety attack coming on as she got closer to sharing the worst part of her story. She wasn’t stupid. Whomever Robin really was, if he lived here, then he worked here, and no doubt knew both men starring in her sordid tale. She just hoped she wouldn’t come to regret this conversation in the future.

“Just breathe, Marian. Whatever it is, it can’t be that bad. Come on now, breathe in slowly. That’s it,” he encouraged. “Now a little hold and breathe out. Good girl,” he crooned.

Claire found being in Robin’s presence so easy, and following his instructions helped calm her down faster than she could have on her own.

“When I met up with Blaze and my new boss. I recognized his voice. It was him, the man from last night. I was so humiliated that I ran. I just couldn’t face him. What would he think of me? I’ll tell you; he must think I’m a slut. I’m not but how could I even work for a man I would want every second of every day for the rest of my natural existence!” Claire sank back in her chair with a dramatic flair.

Across the table, Robin remained silent and seemed deep in thought. “What is your real name, Marian?”

“Claire. What’s yours?”

“My friends call me Ati.”

“Well, Ati, now you see what a complete and utter screw-up this all is. I need to find Blaze and pray he won’t yell at me when I tell him I’m leaving.”

“I know Blaze and the bossman himself, Gregor James. Why not let me run an intervention for you and set things right? We have a sleigh ride this afternoon, followed by a twelfth-night banquet.”

“A twelfth-night banquet, what’s that?” Claire was hoping she could trust Ati and that he would indeed smooth things over. At least she could enjoy today with him, hopefully, and she could always leave tomorrow.

“It’s a traditional British celebration which in the olden days marked the end of Christmas festivities on Epiphany, January 6th. Gregor is Scottish and does his own variation of the celebration. With the same type of glamor and glitz, I’m sure was in old Henry the Eighth’s court during the celebrations.

“Tomorrow, we ice skate on one of the many frozen lakes here and have fires where we roast chestnuts and drink hot beverages and just enjoy each other’s company. Back in the olden days, the footmen heated blankets on portable braziers and brought them to the women. Of course, nowadays, it’s done with modern conveniences. You wait and see; it will be the best day, I swear it. Now, young lady, you look exhausted and ready for a nap. I’ll carry you back and you will rest. I’ll come and pick you up for the sleigh ride.”

“But I have nothing to wear for the banquet. Can’t I just stay in my room and hide?” Claire knew she sounded pouty, but she wasn’t at all convinced that Blaze wouldn’t be waiting for her in order to tan her backside for her inexcusable behavior earlier.

“Don’t you worry about a thing; I’ve got you covered. I’ll have something sent to your room in plenty of time to get ready for tonight’s banquet.”

Claire’s hope rose with Ati’s words. Maybe she hadn’t completely messed up her chance at MBC, and maybe Gregor James could find a department for her to work in as far away from him as possible. She snuggled into Atticus’s arms, finding comfort in his powerful arms and steady stride. Before succumbing to sleep, she imagined falling asleep in arms like these for the rest of her life.

She cracked open an eye sometime later when he placed her on her bed back in her hotel room.

He grinned down at her. “Go back to sleep, Marian, I’ll be back for you in a few hours. For this afternoon’s sleigh ride, wear your warmest clothing and this time, a pair of boots.” He winked, and she smiled back.

“Thank you, Ati, for everything.” Claire turned over and fell back into a deep dream state about Robin Hood. But in her dreams, there wasn’t one Robin Hood, there were two.

Chapter 7

Atticus

Atticus quietly shut the door of Claire’s hotel room and beelined back the way he’d come. Once he was outside, he burst into laughter. Holding it back the past two hours had been the hardest thing he’d ever done. But he couldn’t miss the opportunity that sweet Claire had presented to him so innocently. He’d had no clue Blaze was sending someone to replace Susan, and now that he knew, he would play stupid until Gregor confessed what happened.

Whipping out his phone he placed a call to Madame Cheri.

“Bonjour, Monsieur Atticus, what can I do for you today?”

“I think I need a refund. What happened to your girl?”

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