Mistletoe Maneuvers

uses my father’s name, it’s not his anymore. And it hasn’t been for a very long time. It’s your company, Rick. You worked for it. You deserve it.”

“Don’t do this, Lessa,” he said, pulling in front of the building where the meeting was being held. “You can’t walk away from something that you love.”

“Thought I loved. But I was wrong.” As she looked at him, she felt a stab of sadness. She was no longer talking about the company, but him.

“I’m not going to let you do this,” he said, parking the car. “I’m not going to let you walk away like this. What will it take?”

“Why do you care, Rick?”

“Because I…I care about you,” he said, taking her hands in his.

The words hung in the air. She wanted to believe him so badly. He slid next to her and pressed his lips against her, gently covering her mouth. She could feel herself letting go, her defenses melting away. She wanted to believe him. And she did. But it wasn’t enough.

No matter what they did or how hard they tried, they could never be partners at Lawrence Enterprises. Despite the fact that she had given it her all and had played the match of a lifetime, she had lost, and one thing she knew was how to accept defeat gracefully. There would be only one victor in this match. She pulled away from Rick and stepped out of the car. As she walked toward the inn, she felt as if her heart were breaking.

I will miss you, Rick Parker, she said in her mind. I will miss you.

Fourteen

That night, Rick did something he had not done in a long time. He went home. At least thirty people were crammed into his parent’s small house and the result was bedlam. A fire was burning in the fireplace, an oversize tree was stuffed in the corner of the living room, torn pieces of wrapping paper were scattered about and presents were piled all over the place. Most of the children had escaped downstairs, but every now and then the door to the basement would fly open and a child would burst into the room, excitedly talking about Santa Claus. But Rick did not partake in any festivities. He stood off by himself, his mind focused on Lessa. Only hours ago, he had watched Lessa give away the company she loved. Up until the final moment, he had been sure that she would come to her senses and change her mind.

“I’m glad you’re home,” his sister, Susan, said, walking up to him. “I’ve forgotten how much fun you are.” He knew she was teasing but he was in no mood.

She sighed and motioned for their brother, Russell, to join them. “Rick is in trouble.”

“I’m not in trouble,” he said. “I just don’t like watching someone throw their career away.”

“What did you expect?” Susan asked, “That she would go back to work as usual? You just swindled her out of her company. She doesn’t want anything to do with you.”

“So let her hate me. But giving away the company just hurts herself.”

“For one,” his sister said, “she hurt more than herself. She hurt you.” She sighed deeply. “But I doubt that she realizes that. I’m sure she’s convinced you care little for her.”

“I tried to talk her out of this.”

“I’m sure she felt as if she had little choice. She didn’t exactly throw anything away. You took it. And by the time you changed your mind, it was too late. I understand completely why she did what she did. How can she go back to Lawrence Enterprises knowing that she will have to see you every day? It’s just too hard.”

“What happened after the board meeting?” his brother asked.

“She rode back to the city with one of the assistants.” Rick had attempted to talk to her, but she had escaped immediately after her resignation. He had sat there, helpless to stop her as she’d walked out of his life.

“I can’t believe you threw away a perfectly good opportunity to improve your serve. I bet she would’ve given you some lessons,” Russell teased, swinging a pretend racket. “Oh well, you’re back at the helm of your company, and that’s what’s important, right?”

“I’m going to resign,” Rick announced suddenly. His brother and sister grew quiet and exchanged worried glances. He knew it seemed sudden, but he had never felt so clearheaded in his life. The truth of the matter was that the company he’d fought so long and hard for no longer mattered to him. He had paid too high a price.

“Does Lessa know that?” Russell asked.

“I don’t think it would make a damn bit of difference. She doesn’t want to be with me.”

“She was upset,” his sister chimed in. “What did you expect?”

“I told her I cared about her. I don’t just toss that out there.”

“You care about her? What’s that supposed to mean? I’ll tell you what it doesn’t mean. It doesn’t mean that you love her.”

Rick was silent for a moment. “But I do.” He felt like a burden had been lifted from his shoulders. Dammit, he loved her. He loved her.

“We know that. But she doesn’t.”

“Look, I know a thing or two about women,” Russell said as Susan rolled her eyes. “And one thing I know is words are not enough. Women need proof. You have to show her how you feel.”

“She lives with her aunt, right?” asked Susan. “Does she know how you feel?”

He shook his head. “I don’t think she’s too fond of me.”

“Well, that was your first mistake. She loves Lessa and wants the best for her. Plead your case to the aunt and wrangle an invitation to Christmas dinner.”

“Just show up?”

“With an invite.”

“Susan’s right,” Russell said. “If you love her, you’re going to have to fight for her. She’s not one of your typical women who takes one look at you and swoons and falls into your arms. She’s got spunk.”

His mother walked over and joined them. “I’m so glad you came for Christmas,” she said to Rick.

“I’m afraid he has to leave, Mom,” Susan said.

“Business?” she asked.

“No,” he said, “not this time.”

Susan smiled. As Rick left the room, she said, “Don’t be disappointed, Mom. He’ll be back next year-and he won’t be alone.”

“I’m sorry, Gran,” Lessa said. “I’ve lost everything.”

“You didn’t lose Lawrence Enterprises. Your father did. You did everything you could to get it back.”

“Well, I lost the stock.”

“You sold it for a fair price.” Despite Lessa’s protests, Rick had given her the same deal they had promised Sabrina. “I didn’t think the loss of some stock is responsible for keeping you up all night.” Her aunt took a sip of her tea. “Perhaps you should give him a chance. Let him prove himself. It is Christmas after all.”

Lessa looked at her aunt, surprised. She had expected Gran to jump up and down for joy when Lessa had told her she was finished with Rick Parker and Lawrence Enterprises. Instead Gran had looked at her as if she had made the biggest mistake of her life. But what did her aunt expect her to do? Fall into Rick’s arms after the way he had treated her? And how could she work with him after what had happened between them?

Her aunt sighed. “This is not the way Christmas is supposed to be spent.”

“Oh no, Gran. Please don’t give me the spiel about family and kids. I can’t take it.”

“Actually, I was talking about the lack of eggnog.”

“I told you, Chapman’s was out.”

“Oh, Lessa, I just feel so bad for you. Stuck here with an old woman and no eggnog.”

“I guarantee you there’s no place I’d rather be.” That was true, wasn’t it? She wouldn’t want to be wrapped in Rick’s arms. No, sir. Lessa finished off her tea. “It’s wonderful that there’s snow,” she said, eager to change the subject. The rain had turned to snow shortly after dusk. “When’s the last time it snowed in New York on Christmas?”