Page 5 of Take Me Home for Christmas

She’d barely had time to rush through the first four chapters of his memoir before the flight today. No way did she want to look like a groupie by having him catch her reading it on the plane. So far, the book had been about his life before becoming an international correspondent. The writing was excellent and his upbringing challenging. Elle got the nagging feeling she was missing something, though.

“A number of veterans live in Chances Inlet,” Lamar continued, his words sounding like a warning to Elle’s ears.

Mr. West picked up his whiskey glass and sloshed its contents around. “I’m sure there are. Small towns like yours are always proud to support their country, with many fine young men and women stepping up to serve. Thank you for doing so.” He saluted Lamar with his glass. “I’m not here as a war correspondent, though,” he offered as reassurance. “I’ve never had the pleasure of spending the holidays in a quaint town such as this. I look forward to checking out all the cutesy activities I always see in those Christmas movies. I’m sure there has to be a gingerbread house-making contest somewhere in Chances Inlet.”

Elle choked on her gasp. “Oh, we don’t have any of that here,” she managed to say. “Besides, you’re going to be very busy finishing your book, remember?”

Both men focused their attention on her. Lamar arched an eyebrow ever so slightly. Mr. West, on the other hand, regarded her with bemused arrogance. He didn’t like the idea of having a babysitter while he worked, that was for sure. Not that she could blame him. But here they were, and Elle was determined he would finish his book on time.

Her future rested on it.

“Look who I found.” Patricia entered the dining room carrying a tray of neatly sliced lemon cake. She was followed by an elegant young blonde woman wearing a gorgeous smile and the Stella McCartney boots Elle had coveted online for weeks.

“Oh, wow. You’re Everett West,” the woman gushed as both men stood from the table. “My parents used to watch you on the network news every night.”

Mr. West coughed out a laugh, but his smile seemed genuine. Not that Elle would know, because he had not deigned to toss one her way.

“In the flesh.” He offered her his hand.

The other woman blushed as she held it with both of hers and pumped it up and down. “I’m sorry. That sounded ridiculous. I didn’t mean any offense.”

“None taken,” Mr. West said. “I realize network newscasters are dinosaurs. Your generation would rather get your news in bits and pieces from social media.”

Elle felt his side-eye directed her way as he spoke the words.

“This is Olivia Turner,” Elle’s mom explained. “Livi is heading up the restoration of the Seaward House on Bald Head Island. It’s being converted into a premiere, all-inclusive destination wedding venue.”

Livi held up her hands. “Just the decorating portion of the restoration. Art is my jam. Math, not so much.”

“Livi, this is my daughter, Elinor. You two should have a lot in common since you both live in New York City. Elle and Mr. West will also be here throughout the holiday season. They are working on his book.”

Mr. West made a noise that sounded a lot like a snort at her mom’s suggestion that Elle would be working on his book. Elle ignored him.

“I love your boots,” she said instead.

Livi looked down at them proudly. “Aren’t they great? They’re dupes. One-third the price.”

“No way!”

The other woman nodded. “I can give you the link if you want.”

“Oh my gosh, yes, please.”

Livi returned her grin, and Elle felt herself relaxing for the first time today. The woman would be a refreshing antidote to Mr. West’s surliness these next few weeks, that was for sure.

“Anybody home?”

Her eased demeanor was short-lived, however. The familiar voice had her body tensing again while waves of embarrassment crashed through her belly. She willed her cheeks not to flush as Hayden Lovell strode into the dining room. Dressed in worn denim jeans and a fisherman’s sweater, he looked totally unaffected by her presence, damn him.

But then why should he be? I was the one who threw myself at him after drowning my breakup heartache in Long Island iced tea. I was the one who made a total fool of myself and wrecked the one true relationship in my life.

“Just in time for dessert,” her mom was saying. “You’ve met Livi. Allow me to introduce Everett West.”

“Sir.” Hayden gave the other man a brusque nod.

“And of course you know Elle. These two were thick as thieves growing up,” her mother explained for the benefit of her two guests.

“Really?” Livi said, her tone a bit incredulous.

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