Once Upon a Christmas: Just Like the Ones We Used to Know\The Night Before Christmas\All the Christmases to Come by Brenda Novak

Author:Brenda Novak
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2006-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

“IT’S NOT OFTEN YOU FIND someone so excited about Christmas,” Emma’s mom said as she bustled into the kitchen with a load of dirty dinner plates.

“Particularly a CEO,” Owen added, following with more dishes.

“You can’t be talking about Simon Castle. In his opinion, the Santa Express is frivolous.” Emma ripped off a piece of wax paper with a bit too much gusto and worked it into place in a cookie tin. He didn’t care that Emma was going to break Momma’s heart when she told her they had to leave.

Owen scraped food off the dirty dishes. “You could have fooled me the way he and Johnny are race-wrapping Doc and Teddy.”

“The sooner he’s done…” Emma couldn’t tell her mother she was leaving yet. And then, to her horror, Emma’s voice cracked as she blurted, “I really blew it this time.”

“What’s wrong?” her mom asked, putting her arm around Emma. “You’re with family. It’s the holiday—”

“And you own a nice car,” Owen said. “Ow! What’d I do?” he said when their mother poked him in the ribs.

“Money can’t guarantee happiness,” Momma admonished Owen, then turned to Emma. “Do you need money, Em?”

The thick bulge of cash in her pants pocket felt as noticeable as a third appendage. “I don’t need money.”

“Did the CEO get you pregnant?” With a scowl, Owen took a step toward the kitchen doorway.

“No!” Emma grabbed a handful of Owen’s flannel shirt and pulled him back. “It all started so innocently,” Emma tried to explain. “I was dropping off a fare, fully intending to come straight home when along comes Mr. Castle and he wouldn’t get out of my car.” She paused to catch her breath, knowing what she needed to say, yet unable to confess she’d have to leave soon. “I’ve never met anyone so driven. He thinks he’s on the brink of getting the perfect life.” He was the perfect challenge, and she was surprised to realize that she was attracted to the compelling mix of regret and longing in his eyes.

With an expression that said his sister was nuts, Owen opened the door a crack, presumably to get a better look at Simon.

“Now, Emma,” her mother began with that stern expression of hers. “I knew it would come to this someday. You can’t make somebody believe in the same things you do. You’ll end up getting hurt.”

Emma turned back to the cookie tin to hide the blush heating her cheeks. “Simon Castle is as cold and uncaring as the rat in his parking lot.”

“I don’t know about any hotel rats, but I think you’re losing it.” Owen had always been good at spying when they were kids. “Come here and take a look. He’s laughing.”

Sure enough, when Emma peeked out, she would have sworn Simon and Johnny were having the time of their lives.

“That doesn’t count,” Simon challenged Doc, gesturing wildly at a large package. “It’s too ugly. I’d be embarrassed to give it to someone.”

Emma couldn’t believe what she saw. Simon’s hair was rumpled and he had a piece of tape on his tie.

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