Home For Christmas by McKellar Lauren K

Author:McKellar, Lauren K.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-12-01T00:00:00+00:00

10

Maverick

Twenty minutes later, another performer took to the stage with another popular Christmas song. Across the rug, Willow danced and jigged to the upbeat music, laughing as her parents snapped pictures of her on their phones.

Maverick barely noticed. He was too aware of the woman by his side.

Something about her … she was just so easy to talk to. And despite himself, he found himself wanting to do so more and more.

He ran a hand through his hair. He shouldn’t. Women were trouble. Carla had sure proved that. Best he keep his head—and his heart—on the past and not in the clouds with this Christmas nymph.

“Do you go to carols in Brisbane?” Holly asked.

“They’re not really my thing.” Maverick scrunched his nose. “Carla and I were supposed to be in Hawaii for Christmas. We were going to watch Michael Bublé perform.”

“And now you’re in a country town listening to Lyn from the post office singing ‘We Wish You A Merry Christmas’,” Holly mused, her tone convivial. “Not quite the same, is it?”

“Y’know, it’s not as bad as I’d thought.” The words slipped out before Maverick could pull them back. At least he’d kept his eyes firmly on the stage. Eye contact was the worst.

He felt movement beside him, a shifting of bodies, a rustle of clothes.

“Stand up.” Holly held out her hand, a tease in her tone.

“Huh?” He furrowed his brow.

“Stand.” She nodded toward her hand again. “Don’t make me ask you a third time.”

“God, you’re persistent,” he said, but he couldn’t inject the right amount of annoyance into his tone as he got to his feet by himself, no hand required, thank you very much.

She shrugged. “Sure am. Now, follow me.”

Holly waved to Eva and mouthed be right back as she took Maverick to the side of the showground where the crowd thinned a little.

“Where are you taking me?” he asked as she started down the path leading toward the river that bordered the north side of the showground.

“Worried I’m trying to kidnap you?” Holly glanced over her shoulder at him.

“No,” he replied, following along behind her. “Most kidnappers don’t wear candy cane earrings.”

Holly laughed gaily and came to a stop under a tree near the slow-flowing river right as the music changed and “Deck the Halls” began. “You’re going to sing.”

“I told you, I don’t sing.”

“You would have sung at the Bublé concert when you were in Hawaii.”

“I would have listened politely and clapped when it was appropriate.” Maverick shook his head. “Singing’s the singer’s job.”

“Just try it.” Holly smiled. “And, in return, I’ll let you hear me sing.”

“O…kay. You go first.” Maverick’s eyes narrowed. Was she trying to trick him into something?

And, as “Deck the Halls” reached its peak, she sang along in her loudest, best singing voice. “Fa-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.”

Maverick’s eyes widened. Whoa. “Oh. Wow. You’re …”

“Completely off-key?” Holly asked, and he made a face.

He didn’t want to hurt her feelings … “You’re not too bad.”

Holly raised her eyebrows at him. “I have literally not got a musical bone in my body.

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