Page 4 of Havoc for the Holidays

Relief flooded my body as the crowd began to disperse almost an hour later. Concern bubbled up to replace it as I caught a glimpse of my mother from across the room. Today had beena rough day for her, but she was too stubborn to postpone this event. With a sigh, I crossed the studio and gently placed my hands on her shoulders.

“How's the head, Mom?”

“Fine. It's fine,” she lied through her tightly-clenched teeth. The white line around her lips, the tension around her eyes, and the pained expression on her face told a completely different story.

“Let’s get you home.” Her skin was clammy and cool beneath my lips as I pressed a kiss to her forehead.

“You're too good to me, Ez. It's so good to have you home.” She took my arm to steady herself as she found her feet. The migraines were getting worse and more frequent. As much as I hated having to leave my life behind in the city, I kicked myself for not coming sooner. It was too easy for her to brush her condition aside and downplay the severity of it over the phone. Guilt gnawed at my gut as we closed up the studio and headed toward the car parked in front of it.

Reluctantly, I had to admit the late autumn breeze was far more refreshing than that of New York City. We were only a few hours north of the Big Apple, yet it felt like a completely different world hidden away on top of a mountain. The chill in the November air had the nearby ski resort hurrying to make artificial snow, which contrasted so oddly with the remnants of autumn leaves clinging to the trees that lined the quaint street.

Once we were on the road, I paid no attention at all to the passing sights. The extent of my exploration was the local grocery store and the pharmacy-slash-gift shop. I'd get around to the rest eventually. Maybe. I still wasn't sure if this move was a permanent one or not. A quick glance toward my mother in the passenger seat had me laughing at myself over the lies that swirled in my head. I didn't want this to be a permanent move, but it was becoming more evident every day that it mostlikely would be. Mom needed me. And if I were to be completely honest with myself, I needed her too. Maybe I'd take the redhead up on his reluctant offer of a tour after all.

Chapter three

Ollie

My boss’ schedule had been jam-packed with court appearances for the whole week, which meant I was run ragged by the time Friday rolled around again. Such was the life of a paralegal—I was always twice as busy as Richard was. Thankfully, Lincoln was more than happy to pick up Becs from school when he went to get Laney and his older son Laurent. The extra ninety minutes it afforded me were a godsend, and even with those extra minutes, I was still running late to pick her up from ballet.

“Richard! I'm headed out!” I waited for his head to poke over the banister before continuing. “Call me if you need anything over the weekend.”

“Yes, yes. Very good. Have a good night, Ollie. Send the little miss my love.” He flashed a wave and retreated to his office. For as much as I was a homebody with a small circle of friends, Richard took that same qualifier to the extreme. If it weren't for court appearances, I sometimes wondered if the man would leave his house at all.

I hurried to my car and headed toward the studio. Our typically quiet little town was gearing up for another busy weekend of tourists and second home owners. White holiday lights had already started going up ahead of the Christmas season, with a plethora of pumpkins and autumn wreaths still putting on a festive display despite everything being a dreary shade of grey now that the trees had lost their last leaves. I smiled to myself regardless. I adored the holidays. All of them, really, but Christmas most of all. The anticipation buzzing around Windhaven was good for my soul.

Thankfully, the parking lot behind Little Stars was much less crowded than the previous Friday. I prided myself on entering with far more grace than I had the last time, as well. Channeling my best ninja impression, I slipped through the door and cushioned its closure before tiptoeing along the back wall toward where the other parents were seated, thanking my lucky stars I wasn't nearly as late as I had thought I was.

Lincoln smiled and scooted over on the bench as I approached. Once I was seated, he settled Becs’ backpack on my lap. “She’s all sugared up. Chip may or may not have made pumpkin spice cinnamon rolls.”

“Noted. Sounds like it'll be fruit for dessert tonight.” I checked Becs’ take-home folder in between peeks at her cool down routine. And perhaps a few glances at the instructor leading thekids through said routine. “Thank you for picking her up and bringing her today. This week has been… hell. Hell is the only way I can describe it.”

“You know it's my pleasure, Olls. Laney and her are practically sisters at this point. She gets just as much joy from it as Becs does.”

“We’ll have Laney to our place next weekend for a sleepover to return the favor. I'm sure Laur has some friends to spend the night with, too. You and Chip could have a kid-free weekend.” I flashed him a smile that crinkled my eyes. We’d become close friends over the years because of our daughters. It warmed my heart that he'd finally found his person.

“You sure? I know you've been busy. How's school going?” Linc searched my expression and I didn't even bother hiding my grimace.

“It's going. More or less. It'll be better after these next few tests are finished this week.” I shrugged and turned back toward the studio in time to watch the children line up for bows and curtsies. “If I'd known a virtual law degree was this hard, I'd have never enrolled, to be honest.”

“You got this. If you even think of dropping out, I will hunt you down myself. Not after you've come this far.” Linc bumped my shoulder with his. “Remember, ask for help. It's not a crime.”

“Thank you. Honestly. I really couldn't have done any of this without you.” Weariness and the weight of my busy schedule made me an emotional wreck. At least, more emotional than usual.

“Anytime. Ooh, incoming!”

Confused, I glanced around the studio and immediately understood what Linc had meant. Ezechiel was headed straight toward us, his flowy tunic shirt a vibrant red color this week. I absolutely did not admire how it complemented the black dance tights. Nor did I gape at the lean, muscled legs flexing insidethe aforementioned tights as he approached. Not much, anyway. Maybe just a little.

“Evening. Ollie and Lincoln, right?” Ezechiel’s voice forced me to tear my eyes upward. I absolutely was not staring at his thighs.

“You get a gold star, Ezechiel. Great lesson today. You're really good with kids.” Linc not-so-subtly elbowed my side as he talked.

“Oh. Right. Good job.”Good job?Did I really decide to go with good job? Wow.

“I do pride myself on a job well done. I'm glad you noticed, Oliver.” Ezechiel propped his palms on my hips. My eyes tracked the movement as warmth flooded my cheeks. Of course I had to blush.

“You're welcome?” A nervous laugh slipped from my lips as I hugged Becs’ unicorn backpack to my chest. “So… um, settling in well?”

“Mostly. Still haven't explored much of the town though. I vaguely recall an offer of a personal tour?” Ezechiel tilted his head to the side with a small smirk.

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