Page 5 of Stolen Holidays
“Hey, what’s going on here?” Callie appears out of nowhere, with pink cheeks and a glow about her.
“Nothing. Just talking.” I snake my arm around Callie’s waist.
She leans down to kiss my cheek. “Must have been a good story.”
Callie waits for me to elaborate, but I have no idea what to say without giving away my surprise.
Diana helps me out. “I was telling Eli about your dad. Should I continue?”
“I’d love that,” Callie croaks, her voice full of emotion. She takes the seat beside me and rests her head on my shoulder as she reaches across the table and grasps Diana’s hands.
Diana pats Callie’s hand and starts telling us the story of how she met Andrew at an open mic night, and how he acted like a right fool until she agreed to go out with him.
three
Callie
Eleven Days Until Christmas
Mysecurityguard,BigMike, who is the size of an NFL lineman, stands out like a sore thumb. Even in plain clothes, he’s a noticeable figure keeping sentry. He politely opens the door for us ladies, to the infamous Blue Cantina restaurant, as his eyes scan the scene for anything precarious.
“Thanks, Mike.” I give him a warm smile. I’ve enjoyed getting to know him these past few months. He’s a lovely man.
“Any time, Miss Wright.” He nods, but his eyes never leave the surrounding scene. Even when I go out dressed incognito, I never leave home without him or Eli by my side. Maybe I will someday, but I’m content for now.
My feet ache, and I’m so ready to sit down. I enter the restaurant behind the rest of the Miller women—Rylann, Emery, and Talia, and Rylann’s friend, Scarlett. The smell of food that would normally make me drool has saliva pooling in my mouth for a different reason and a wave of nausea rolling through me.
What thehell?
I shake off the feeling as best I can, barely catching what the girls are talking about. I missed part of the conversation.
I’m saved when the hostess spots us and greets us with a bright smile. “Mrs. Miller!”
“Hi, Isabel,” Rylann greets her.
As the two chat briefly, I zone out and pray that our table is ready because all I really want is to sit down, drink some cold water, and push this sick feeling away.
The same thing happened to me yesterday while I was having lunch with my mom and Eli for my birthday, and I’m not sure what the heck is going on with me. I really hope I’m not coming down with the flu or something.
With my eyes closed, I suck in slow, steady breaths. My head itches from the stupid wig I’m wearing, and my skin feels clammy.
Talia lays her hand on my shoulder, bringing me out of my fog. Her smokey gray eyes search my face, and it brings a smile to my face. She’s much shorter than I am at five-two, but her personality and heart are almost as big as her fiancé, Cameron. “Callie, are you okay?”
“Yeah, just a little hot. I think I’m tired. It’s been a long day.” I tug at the wig and make sure Mike isn’t within earshot. The last thing I want is for him to hear and report back to Eli. If Eli even catches a whiff of me not feeling well, he will be here, dragging me back to the hotel to rest. Even though I’m tired, I’m looking forward to some good old-fashioned girl talk and some food.
My stomach lurches again.Okay, maybe no food.
“Let’s get you some water.” Talia loops her arm through mine as we follow the rest of the group to a smaller, more private dining room at the back of the restaurant. Mike follows us, does a quick room check, then exits the room and takes his station outside, leaving us girls alone to enjoy our meal and some private time.
We all take seats around the rectangular table, and Talia sticks by my side. Rylann sits at the head of the table while Scarlett and Emery sit opposite me and Talia.
I let out a sigh of relief as I take my seat. It really has been a nonstop busy day, and my feet are killing me. My day started with a flight from Los Angeles to Oregon before sunrise, followed by a birthday breakfast surprise party Eli and his family threw for me. I completely lost it and bawled like a baby.
The Millers have embraced me as one of their own so seamlessly and with such love. It’s still a little overwhelming, but in the best way possible. I have the very large and loud family I’ve always wanted.
“Did you get everything on your list?” Talia asks, observing me.
“I think so. I haven’t done Christmas shopping in ages.”
