Jingle Bell Romance: A Colorado Billionaires Christmas Story by Regina Duke

Author:Regina Duke [Duke, Regina]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: Contemporary romance
Published: 2015-11-26T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

Jasmine was touched when Ryan offered her a ride home. And when he volunteered to bring her to work the next day, she jumped at the chance.

Once she settled into the Mercedes on Sunday, she said, “Thank you for picking me up. If it was summer, I’d ride my bike, but it’s snowing again.”

“Not too much yet,” said Ryan, “but the thought of you riding a bike home through the snow at night gives me chills.”

Jasmine pointed out landmarks as they drove. “There’s city hall.”

“I love these old historic buildings,” said Ryan.

Jasmine laughed. “Actually everything north of highway fifty is considered the modern part of town. There’s Fineman Memorial. We have a state-of-the-art hospital with a very active fundraising board. The Garrison brothers moved here a few years ago and began investing in property and they’ve become active members of the community. One of them runs the fundraising. The other, along with their father, is building McMansions out on the west side of town. But don’t tell them I said that. They call them luxury homes for the discerning monied class or some la-de-da thing like that.”

“Oh really? They sound like people I should meet.”

Jasmine shook her head. “You’re out of luck. Thor Garrison’s wife is having a baby this weekend. They’ve got their hands full.” She frowned at him. “Are you still trying to please your Scrooge of a boss?”

Ryan shrugged. “Well, I’m here and if I leave without securing any new clients, he’ll fire me, so I might as well do something that looks like I’m trying.” He pulled up in front of the Itty Bitty. “Any suggestions?”

Jasmine eyed him appraisingly. “Except for being a lawyer, you seem like a nice guy. Come in for lunch. Maybe I’ll have an idea by then.” She got out and waved goodbye.

Ryan drove back to the Cattleman’s parking lot. The sky was heavy with snow clouds and flakes fell lazily all around, but the residents didn’t seem to notice. In one corner of the lot, a fence had been erected and a large cattle truck parked nearby offered shelter to a herd of reindeer. Most of them were too busy munching hay to bother with the truck. A line of excited children were waiting to have their picture taken with Blitzen, compliments of Austin Photography. Ryan lifted a hand to his face. There it was again. He was smiling without even knowing it.

He managed to wander up and down the snowy streets until lunch. His boss had texted three times, and three times Ryan had sent creative responses. He felt like a cad when he used the info he’d gotten from Jasmine to report that one major possible client wouldn’t be available until after the birth of his child.

He was first in line at the Itty Bitty when it opened for lunch. He was rewarded with a big smile from Jasmine and was surprised when he got the same happy welcome from the middle-aged woman he recognized from the cards he’d filled out the night before.

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