Page 7 of Oh My Secret Christmas Baby
It’s been a while since I’ve taken the bus, but I used to all of the time in college, so it’s not hard for me to navigate. I set up the phone, adding in the address where I’m going.
Once I make it onto the Greyhound and it pulls away from the curb, I know that I did it. I shouldn’t be smiling over that, but I am. I suppose it’s being able to get one over on Max that has me so pleased. He’s always a million steps ahead, but that’s probably why he’s so good in business.
I settle into my seat, and fish my Kindle out of my bag. I read for a little but I must crash from the small adrenaline rush I had. I swear I only blink, but when my eyes open, the bus is pulling up to the only stop in New Hope. I grab my stuff and hurry off the bus, but not before thanking the driver.
"Oh wow," I whisper when I get my first view of the town. I'd seen a few pictures and knew it was quaint, but it really is right out of a storybook or, better yet, one of those towns you see in those cheesy Hallmark movies that I devour every year.
“Merry Christmas,” a woman says as she passes by me.
“Merry Christmas,” I respond with a smile. In the city, no one stops to say hello, let alone Merry Christmas. I love it. Some snowflakes may be falling, but I feel warm and fuzzy inside.
As much as I want to see the town, I need to do what I came here for. I’m not going to put it off. I’ll check into one of the bed-and-breakfasts afterward. I still have a small worry that Max will pop up and talk me out of it, or try.
I pull out my phone, entering in the address that I found for Hollis. I glance at the street sign, confirming I’m on the main road of the town. My eyes follow all the way down to the very end on the north side to see the mini mansion that sits partly up on a hill. It looks over the town.
It reminds me of a smaller white house with big pillars in the front, all of it white. Even the lights that have been put on it match and make it elegant and classy. It’s rather intimidating.
All of this is, but I have come this far; there is no going back.
Chapter Four
HOLLIS
Kindred huffs an annoyed breath as she pushes papers around on my desk. She’d come up to my house to have me sign off on a few things and grab the contract I’d read over.
“It’s there,” I tell her as something catches my eye on the television screen I have mounted in my home office. I’ve never been a big television person, but this one shows all the cameras on the property. I had them installed last year.
There isn't really crime in New Hope. It was more because I was bored and one of the locals, Samuel, started up his own security company. He’s young but driven. I invested a small amount of money to help him really get on his feet.
I have no intention of ever collecting on it. I’ll let him pay me back if he pushes, which he likely will, but then I’ll step back. I don’t need to own a percentage of his company. I actually felt good that I could help him. It’s different from the other projects I invest in in the corporate world. I’ve done it for a few others in town.
These things also help the town to grow and thrive. A few more shops have been able to open up. That's good business for everyone, creates jobs, and makes New Hope more of a lure during the holidays. Tourism is good for everyone, and it’s nicethat it’s seasonal so the town can fall back into its own quiet ways during the off-season.
I watch a woman walk through the gates at the bottom of my driveway. I always leave them open. They were there when I’d bought the place. It was meant for the mayor, but it had worn down in time. I had one of the local construction companies come in and give the place a full refresh.
What the hell is this girl doing? A light dusting of snow has started to coat the stone drive. She’s going to slip and hurt herself, whoever she is.
“Did they get the sensors for the heated driveway fixed?” I ask Kindred, who is now over by one of the filing cabinets.
“They’re coming tomorrow,” Kindred says without glancing up.
I keep watching the screen, starting to grow restless for some reason. Whoever this girl is, she’s a tiny thing. I want to zoom in, but why when I can go see for myself? I leave Kindred to wrap up with whatever the hell she is searching for, making my way to the entryway.
When I pull the door open, she’s already almost to the porch that covers the front of the house. White Christmas lights are wrapped around the pillars and flicker on.
She pauses when she catches sight of me. Her eyes widen. They’re an icy blue encased in thick lashes. Her mouth parts open and then closes.
Neither of us says a word. I’m still struck speechless with how breathtakingly beautiful she is. She might be small, but you can see the outline of her curves even through her jacket. What is even more eye-catching is her hair. It’s so blond that it’s almost white like the fresh falling snowflakes. That paired with her creamy skin makes her eyes stand out even more.
“Oh, you must be the party planner,” I hear Kindred say from behind me. "Your mom works fast." Kindred laughs. Yes, shedoes. It makes me think she already had the girl on the way here before I ever agreed. "I'm Kindred." She steps past me, holding out her hand. "Hollis’s fiancée."
"Fiancée?" the girl asks tentatively. Her voice is soft and sweet, and may I say, innocent? She sounds like I imagine an angel would. The hell? Am I losing it?
"Oh right, we haven't told anyone about the engagement yet. Please don't tell Mary."
"I won't." Those blue eyes bounce between mine and then to Kindred. I have to fight the urge to not order her to focus them back on me.
"What is your name again? I don't think Mary told us. Just that she was sending a party planner from the city."
