His Kind of Perfection by Pamela Hearon

Author:Pamela Hearon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

“HERE, MOM.” BREE held out a cup of mulled cider. “One drink of this is guaranteed to get you in the Christmas spirit.”

It had been ten years since Bree had seen her mom this despondent. The whole deal with Lanie had knocked her a blow she couldn’t pick herself up from.

Once Sheriff Blaine located Lanie’s car in a driveway in Benton, and the homeowner had explained that her grandson and Lanie had taken off to go south for a few days, Bree thought her mom would perk up some. But, though the news Lanie was fine relieved that worry, Stella’s mood hadn’t improved by any discernible difference.

Her mom frowned at the cup. “Hard cider at a gym Christmas party?”

“Not hard with liquor. Just hard to drink.” Bree laughed. “Gil made it, and instead of two tablespoons of whole cloves, he added two tablespoons of ground cloves.”

Stella took the cup with a preliminary grimace. After a tiny sip, she grimaced again and added a shudder. “Blech!”

“Just stand over here and watch everybody take that first sip. It’s sure to draw at least a giggle.”

John Dunn, the gym owner, turned out to be the next unsuspecting victim. He took more of a gulp than a sip and then headed straight for the men’s restroom.

Stella snickered, but Bree laughed out loud.

“Nothing better than hearing laughter from my two favorite women.”

Bree turned toward the familiar male voice and the man who had suddenly appeared at her elbow. She hadn’t seen Kale come in, but she’d secretly hoped he’d be there. Her eyes caught first on the gorgeous camel-colored sport coat over the black T-shirt, and then dropped to take in the new jeans and leather shoes. “My, my.” She voiced her approval, sliding her eyes up to his face, at last.

Bree let out her biggest laugh of the night.

Kale sported a halo he’d obviously made himself out of wire and white tinsel. But the kicker was his device had an extra wire sticking up in the back that dangled a piece of fresh mistletoe directly over his head.

“Evening, Stella.” He pecked her mom on the cheek, but his laughing eyes bored directly into Bree’s. “Notice anything new?”

“Great outfit.” Bree gave him a thumbs-up.

“You look quite dapper, Kale.” Her mom’s head tilted in question. “But who did you swipe that halo from?”

The twinkle in his blue eyes caused Bree’s stomach to flutter. “Actually,” he said, “an angel stopped by the marina this afternoon and said that, seeing as I had to put up with Bree Rice as my personal trainer, I’d already earned it.”

Stella laughed—a real, hearty laugh that warmed Bree’s heart. She rose up on her toes and kissed him on the cheek.

Stella got Bree’s attention and winked. “Can I get you some mulled cider, Kale? It’s Gil’s special recipe.”

“Sure.” Kale nodded. As soon as she walked away, he turned back to Bree. “I was sort of hoping for more than a peck on the cheek. ’Tis the season when nobody pays any attention, right?”

“Gil always pays attention.

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