Christmas in Blackwood by Celia Aaron

Author:Celia Aaron [Aaron, Celia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Celia Aaron
Published: 2019-12-13T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Hart

“I spooked her.” I sit at the island as Garrett checks on his cornbread.

“I noticed. She sat on the porch for a while before that cold wind got to her and she came back in. What did you do?” He stares at the buttery-looking top, then closes the oven again. “Needs three more minutes.”

“I just told her how I feel about her.”

“And she didn’t feel it, too?” He drops some catfish fillets into his giant frying pot. They hiss and bubble on their way to fried perfection.

“I think she does, but she doesn’t do anything rash. Not like me. And she’s worried about the case. And the state bar. And everything in between.”

His caveman grunt is the only sign that he’s considering what I said.

The truth is, yeah, I can see where she’s worried that it’s too fast. But sometimes things just feel right. That’s what she is to me.

“Have you tried, I don’t know, chasing her down?” He looks over his shoulder.

“You’re hopeless.” I take my beer and wander back into the foyer. Ella is standing at one of the sitting room windows and looking out at the falling snow.

“I can’t believe it.” Elise stands next to her. “It’s really snowing. A Christmas miracle.”

“So, yeah, I guess I really do have to stay the night.”

“Don’t worry. All those ghost stories about the Blackwoods aren’t true. And maybe the ice will thaw tomorrow so you can get back to town.” She lowers her voice. “Hart is pretty much obsessed with you. Did you know that?”

Dammit, Elise. I almost bust up in the room, but I force myself to stay put. Eavesdropping isn’t so bad, right?

“Obsessed?” Ella asks.

“Not in a bad way. He’s just mentioned you here and there ever since you two first met. He never talks about anyone else. Not his style. But he’s remembered you. Followed your career. He even wanted to come to Azalea when that stuff with your dad happened, but he was stuck here with the rest of us dealing with our own mess.”

Not in a bad way—at least she qualified my obsession.

“Oh.” Ella isn’t running away. That’s a good sign. Right?

“He’s not a bad guy. Trust me, I’d kick his ass if I thought he was up to no good.” Elise shrugs. “But yeah, he’s talked about you nonstop ever since Bonnie’s case started. He thinks you’re super smart. You should hear his bitching when he sees you’ve filed a new brief.” Elise laughs. “He curses you half the time, then says how impressed he is the other half. Oh, and he adds in a sprinkle of ‘she keeps making more work for me, ugh.’”

I can’t see Ella’s face, but I hear the smile in her voice. “I’m glad I keep him on his toes.”

“Definitely.” Elise stretches. “I’m glad you’ll be here for a bit, and I may selfishly hope that you get to stay for Christmas. We bought that enormous turkey, so we’ll have plenty of grub, and our liquor cabinet is well stocked—a necessity for any holiday with these guys.

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