Page 18 of All I Want For Christmas Is You

She cracked up, waving to him before heading inside the building. The snow-covered campus was mostly empty. It had shut down for the holidays, and he hated knowing Jessa was alone.

Both of his girls were alone, but at least he’d had a few days with Jessa.

He needed to remind Lorelei he was there. Before heading back to the lodge, he texted her.

Beau: Hey, sweetheart. Thinking about you.

He pictured her in a cabin with no tree, no presents, no family breakfast. It made him want to track her down, haul her over his shoulder, and carry her to his house.

Beau: Come home for Christmas?

The moment Beau entered the lobby, his gaze went to the coffee bar. He’d known Margot wouldn’t be there, so he shouldn’t be this disappointed. Besides, even though Christmas was the day after tomorrow, he still had work to do.

And yet, instead of heading up the grand staircase to his room, he found himself wandering the hallways.

To find a woman he barely knew. And would never have the chance to know.

Nevertheless, there he was, checking the business center where an older man was printing out his boarding pass.

What the hell are you doing? Instead of chasing after some woman, he needed to check in with his son. A problem was brewing at the mine, and he needed to stay on top of it. Making an abrupt turn, he marched back toward the lobby and the stairs.

But he got a whiff of cinnamon and baking bread and thought she might be in the restaurant prepping for dinner. He’d take a quick look. As he peered into the kitchen, ten sets of eyes landed on him. All of them held the same expression. What’re you doing here?

“Sorry.” He quickly shut the door, utterly confused by his uncharacteristic behavior.

That was it. To avoid any more temptation, he headed down the long hallway at the back of the hotel. He’d take the smaller set of stairs where he had the least likely chance of running into her.

As he hit the first step, he heard a familiar voice.

“You sure I can’t help?” It sounded like the owner, Lucy Gibbins. “Looks like you’ve got a lot of work here.”

“Oh, this is the easy part.” Margot.

An eruption in his chest sent a vibration through his bones. And his reaction to something as basic as her voice was just so damn unsettling.

What is going on with me?

“Thank you, though,” Margot said. “As soon as I finish, I’ll salt the back patio. The snow’s already starting to come down.”

“I don’t know if you’ve got wool stuffed in your ears or if you’re just stubborn as an old mule, but I have people on my payroll who’re paid to salt, shovel, and trim my walkways. Now, if I see you out there, I’m going to kick you out on your ass.”

“Oh, Aunt Lucy. You wouldn’t do that. I have nowhere to go.”

Even though she was teasing, his heart squeezed hard. Because he suspected it was the truth. Now, he was getting a clearer picture. She lived here, and to pay her aunt back, she pitched in wherever she could. And given Ms. Gibbins’s tone, it seemed the older woman felt bad for her niece’s predicament and wanted her back on her feet as soon as possible.

But how had Margot wound up with no place to live? Had she gotten nothing from her cheating husband?

“Well, what’re you doing with all the money you’re making?” Ms. Gibbins asked. “Don’t tell me you’re buying fancy handbags.”

“Please. You know I can’t afford those. At least not until I complete my Louis Vuitton luggage collection. I’m saving up for the rolling trunk.”

“Oh, Lord. I come in here to see if I can lend a hand, and what do I get in return? Your sass. Maybe I will make you shovel the driveway.” Ms. Gibbins stepped out of the room.

Shit. Fortunately, she kept her back to him. Maybe he could sneak up the stairs before she noticed.

“And don’t forget,” the older woman said. “We’re baking cookies in half an hour. That, you can help me with.”

He liked that Margot had an ally in this fierce woman, but when the lodge owner turned around, she spotted him. “Can I help you?”

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