Deck the Halls by Leah Sanders

Author:Leah Sanders [Sanders, Leah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: holiday, christmas romance, fashion, love story, hallmark
Publisher: Leah Sanders
Published: 2020-11-21T16:00:00+00:00

THE FIFTEEN-MINUTE DRIVE into the village seemed interminable.

Kate rode in the back seat with Mrs. Hall, but she didn’t speak unless she had to. Mrs. Hall was prattling on her speakerphone with Paige about the Milan sketches and the model lineup for the spring show. Kate tried to keep her eyes focused on the notes she was taking from Mrs. Hall’s conversation, but every once in a while, her gaze would wander to Luca’s reflection in the rearview mirror, where she would catch him looking back at her and quickly avert her eyes.

The phone call ended right before Luca pulled into a parking space.

“Luca,” Mrs. Hall said, “have you been to many of these festivals?”

“Yes, madame, I come every year. They’re quite enjoyable. The locals put a lot of work into their holiday festivals.”

Mrs. Hall tossed a look at Kate. “See, Kate? We weren’t pulling him away from business. He was planning to come anyway.”

That was not what he said, Kate thought, but she didn’t bother to argue. She shot a look into the mirror that she hoped seemed apologetic, but Luca wasn’t looking.

“That is true, madame, and while I might have come just a little later, I am very happy to have such lovely company.”

“Oh…” Mrs. Hall pretended to blush. “Isn’t he a charmer, Kate?”

You don’t know the half of it. She fought the urge to roll her eyes.

Luca stepped out of the car and opened the back door for Mrs. Hall, offering his hand to help her out. Naturally, she took it, wearing her model smile. He glanced at Kate through the door, as if he wanted to say something but didn’t.

Kate got out on her own side and joined Mrs. Hall on the walkway.

“Where is the best place to watch the parade?” Mrs. Hall asked, glancing up and down the street.

The village square was just behind them. Kate could see the carnival booths and people moving in and out of the stalls. There were decorative lanterns laced around the square and, in the distance, a small Ferris wheel.

She swung back around to find Luca watching her.

“Of course, I haven’t been here before, but according to the brochure, the parade will come right up the main street and make a loop around the town square, then head back up the back side, ending by the bridge.” Kate traced the path through the air with her finger.

Mrs. Hall nodded, then turned to Luca. “What do you think, Luca? Shall we find the perfect place?”

“It would be my pleasure, madame.” He offered her his arm, and she hooked her hand in the crook of his elbow, giggling like a schoolgirl at his disgusting Swiss allure.

Kate could feel the fury burning through her as she watched them walk up the street arm-in-arm. And she wasn’t sure who she was more upset with—Luca and his proper Swiss savoir faire, oozing charm from every pore, or Mrs. Hall and her co-ed style flirting, pretending to be thirty years younger. She glared after them.

The answer was neither.

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