“Oh, geez,” Davis said, grabbing Scarlett’s hand and tugging her along.
He escorted her all the way to the door and stood waiting as she fumbled in her pocket for the key.
“I’m really sorry about all of that…like I said, Gram always says whatever she wants.”
Producing the key, she tilted her head, grinning at him. “It’s okay. There’s something charming and oddly familiar about the way she speaks. I could swear I know that voice…not the actual voice, more like an acquaintance of wording.”
She pushed the key into the key-hole, turning it and pushing open the door. Davis reached out, touching her back. Even through her heavy coat, she felt the electricity buzzing between them.
Turning to face him, she smiled. “Well, good afternoon, kind sir. Thanks for the sleigh ride. It was my first.”
“Happy to oblige, my lovely lady,” he said, taking her gloved hand and giving it a peck. “You will come tonight. Won’t you?”
The amusement shaping her expression melted away with a burst of fear. Her heart was still tender after the shredding Robert had given it. Davis had applied a little balm but the scars were still fresh. She wasn’t in any hurry to open those wounds. Christmas Eve was a time for family. She didn’t belong at their dinner. “Davis…I don’t know. You and I have been having a great time but I leave in two days, and do you really want to complicate things?”
His face fell and filled with disappointment. “It’s already past complicated for me. I don’t just fall into bed with any woman I meet. I knew there was something special about you right off and if you can’t see that…”
Scarlett’s tummy was doing flips and she was sure her feet would fly right out from under her, forcing her head-over-heels if she allowed him to go on talking. Interrupting, she said, “I’ll think about it.”
Resigned and with a voice full of sadness, he said, “Yes, ma’am.”
He tipped his hat before turning and heading down the stairs. Scarlett stepped inside the cabin, throwing a last look over her shoulder and finding Carolyn Banks eyeing her pensively. The look on her face gave Scarlett the shivers. What was it about that woman?
Chapter Three
This is so absurd. Why am I doing this? Clutching one of the six bottles of wine she’d brought to get her through her four-night getaway, Scarlett wagged her head at her actions. Here she was, on the rebound, all alone on the holidays and interloping on her one-night stand’s family celebration. Had any person in the history of the entire world ever been as pathetic as she was? Standing at Davis’s door, she wrestled with the decision to knock. This is crazy. There’s still time to bail. I could just turn around and walk back to the cabin. That’s what I’ll do… She took a step backward and then another and was just about to turn on her heels when the door latch clicked and the door swung open.
“How long are you going to loiter at the door? Everyone knows you’re here now so you might as well join us.” The tight ponytail on the top of Melly’s head bobbed as the younger girl gave her a tongue-lashing.
“Hush now, Melly!” A very tall silver fox scolded as he slipped up behind her. “Please forgive my little filly. I taught her manners but apparently she forgot how to the use them. She’s a might possessive when it comes to her big brother.”
“Daddy!” Melly protested, poking out her bottom lip.
“Stop your sassing and let the pretty lady inside before your brother gives your britches another dusting.”
“Daddy!” the girl squealed again, absently reaching back to cover her bottom with her hands while her cheeks turned a rosy hue.
Scarlett looked back and forth between father and daughter—surely this was a joke.
“He did not!” Melly said.
“Oh, that’s right; you got to pull the apple cart instead.” He gave her ponytail a gentle yank.
She sulked, folding her arms over her chest as she mumbled, “It wasn’t an apple cart.”
“Please come in, Scarlett.” The handsome, older gentleman had the same smooth, gentle manner Davis did but he was clearly far more skilled with the ladies. He gave her a subtle nod and a charismatic smile as he stepped back to allow her entrance.
Davis stood from the chair where he had been sitting at a table in a large breakfast nook and strolled over to meet her. Looking around, Scarlett realized she’d come to the back entrance just off of the kitchen. “This is my daddy, Jonah, and you already met Melly and Gram.” He stepped in, taking her hand and guiding her into the large, open living room.
Nervously, Scarlett nodded. “Charmed…thank you for having me. This is for you.” She held up the bottle.
“Ah! Wine…what a good girl you are!” Jonah Banks said with a wink.
What a crowd! Just how many pairs of eyes were crawling all over her, anyway? There were definitely more people than she had expected to see. Why did I think coming here was a good idea? These people don’t even know me—I was asked out of pity because it was obvious I was alone. I slept with Davis once. We aren’t even dating. All these people know I don’t belong here. I’ll just have a glass of wine, stay long enough not to be rude and get out of here.
The large den and adjacent dining area were packed with people of all ages, though most were middle-aged or small children. Other than Davis, no one appeared to be in their late twenties like her, although a handful of teenaged boys were hanging out by the bar where someone had set up a nice spread of appetizers and finger-foods.
She gave the goodies a onceover—lots of fruity deserts along with a
