Champagne for Christmas Page 2

  When Nina arrived at his house, he threw open the door, and his gaze went right to her shirt. “Amazing. It fits.”

  “My size and my color.”

  “Same color as your eyes. Come in.”

  He’s observant.

  He stepped back. Nina followed him through the living and dining room and out to the deck in the back. A bottle of wine stood open and breathing while the scent of marinated chicken cooking slowly on the grill made her stomach rumble.

  Clint poured Cabernet Sauvignon into two glasses. “Prefer red wine. Hope you don’t mind. I know it doesn’t go with chicken.”

  “Cab is my favorite.”

  He raised his glass in a toast. “To mint chip lovers everywhere and lovely ladies with blue eyes.”

  Nina blushed as she drank, enjoying the wine as much as his toast.

  Dinner was delicious. Nina enjoyed being a guest, and Clint was a good chef. He waited on her throughout, removing empty plates and placing new ones before her. She ate up the attention.

  They chatted about their lives, filling in the background of who they were. Nina explained all about Pine Grove, as she had lived there a long time. Clint ranted on about the restrictive high school English curriculum. As they finished the meal, Clint poured the last of the wine.

  Putting her glass down, she moved closer to him, eyeing his broad shoulders and chest, outlined so perfectly by his snug T-shirt. “Can I read your play?”

  “I thought you’d never ask.” He reached behind a chair, pulled out a dog-eared hard copy, and offered it to her. She took it, sat down, and thumbed through until she found the first page. Clint paced as she slowly absorbed the text.

  She glanced up more than once to spy him chewing on a thumbnail or clenching his jaw. “Find something to do. You’re distracting me.”

  “I can’t. I’m too nervous. You’re the first person to read it, besides me.”

  “I love it, dear man. Really. I’m totally engrossed and, frankly, annoyed as hell that your pacing is disrupting my concentration.” She smiled at him.

  Clint burst out laughing. “If you put it that way… okay. I’ll do the dishes or something.” He left the room.

  Nina let out a sigh and went back to the manuscript. After two hours, she slapped it shut. She raised her gaze to find Clint sitting on the edge of a chair nearby. It was nine o’clock, and the sun was setting. She stood, stretched, and joined him.

  “Well?” Sweat had formed on his upper lip.

  “I love it.”

  “You do?” he squeaked.

  “I do. But it needs work.”

  “Oh?” The eager enthusiasm on his face slipped off.

  She put her hand on his arm and squeezed. “Every play needs work, darling. That’s the theater.”

  “You know where it’s weak, don’t you?”

  She nodded.

  “Will you help me? I’ll pay you.”

  Nina laughed. “Of course, I’ll help you and, no, you won’t pay me. I’d be thrilled to be involved. This story is wonderful, and the characters are great. But they need a bit more depth. It needs more humor.”

  “When can we get started?”

  “How about now?”

  His face lit up again, looking more handsome than ever. “You really like it?” He touched her shoulder.

  “I do,” she said, settling into a chair next to him. “Do you have this on computer?”

  “Yeah. I’ll get it.” Clint brought his laptop out to the deck while Nina lit some candles. He opened the document. “Where do you want to begin?”

  “Let’s begin at the beginning.” She chuckled.

  He cringed. “That bad, huh?”

  “Not at all. But there are a few things you might want to add.”

  That was the last dinner Nina ate alone for the next two weeks.

  ****

  “Oh, God, Nina. It feels like it’s a hundred and ten. The City is a friggin’ oven. I’m melting,” her friend and agent, Fran, whined over the phone.

  “It’s warm here, too, but nothing like that. Do you want to come up?”

  “I’d love to. Herb’s on a plane to London. I’m rolling around in this cavern like a lost marble.”

  “When can you leave?”

  “How about ten minutes ago?”

  Nina laughed as she pocketed her cell then headed out to her garden. Wearing only a pair of shorts, Clint stood in the sun, watering his plants. Nina stared at his broad shoulders and muscular back as she tiptoed closer. His waist was slim, his butt cute enough to squeeze. His powerful thighs barely fit in the Bermudas. His gorgeous body took her breath away.

  “Hi,” she said, sneaking up behind him.

  He jumped, swinging the hose around as he turned, dousing her head and chest by accident. She gasped as the cold water hit her warm skin.

  “I keep messing you up. Sorry,” he said, turning off the spray. “What’s up?” He reached in his pocket and produced a handkerchief.

  She plucked it from him and wiped down her face. She pursed her lips as she watched him stifle a chuckle. “Funny?” Her brow wrinkled.

  “You gotta admit…”

  Swiftly, she snatched the hose and squirted him, laughing as his mouth fell open. “Now, that’s funny.”

  He grabbed her around the middle, picking her up and tickling her. Nina squirmed and squealed, kicking her legs, but he was so tall that she couldn’t reach the ground.

  Then, he put her down, cupped her chin with his palm, and ran his gaze over her chest. The cold water made her nipples harden. She noticed he didn’t raise his eyes. Glancing down at her T-shirt, now soaking wet and totally transparent, she blushed and covered her chest with her arms. “Enjoying the view?”

  “Absolutely.” He chuckled, before dragging his stare up to her face.

  “I won’t be able to work on the play for a few days.” She shook off droplets.

  “Oh? How come?” He frowned.

  “My friend, Fran, is coming for a visit.”

  “It’s funny you say that, because my son, Cory, is coming tomorrow for a week, too.”

  “Then, it’s not a problem.” I’ll miss you, but not telling you that. She relaxed her stance.

  “Works out perfectly. Except we lose a week.”

  “We’ll make it up. Work twice as hard. See you in a week, then.”

  “And I promise not to hose you down.” He smirked. “Maybe. That view…”

  She punched him in the shoulder. If I get any hotter around you, I’ll need it.

  Nina returned to her place and checked out the guest room, making the bed and placing fresh towels on the bureau. When she was finished, she moved to a shady spot on the deck and wrote a shopping list. Grilling was the only way to cook in the heat. She looked forward to Fran’s visit. She had been lonely since Henry’s death. .

  At five o’clock, Fran’s BMW pulled into Nina’s driveway. Standing at the picture window, Nina spied the tall, lanky blonde pluck a small suitcase from her trunk and march up the front steps. The women hugged before Fran stepped inside.

  “It’s so much cooler up here.” Fran put her bag down to take the glass of mint iced tea Nina offered. “This is delicious,” she said.

  “Made with fresh mint.”

  “Oh? Are you growing things? Did you break the black thumb spell?” Fran put the drink down and opened her valise.

  “It’s from the garden next door. Grown by my neighbor.”

  “Isn’t she lovely to share?”

  “He.” Nina sipped her tea, avoiding Fran’s gaze.

  “He?” Fran stopped what she was doing and cocked an eyebrow at her friend.

  “Come into the guest room.” Nina tried to lead Fran away, but she was having none of it.

  “Who? Is he cute?”

  Sensing she was blushing, the petite woman turned toward the deck. “It’s lovely outside.”

  “Where? Which side?” Fran pushed through the back door and stood on the deck, shading her eyes with her han
d. After scouting around, she spied Clint, weeding in his garden. “Holy shit,” she whispered. “That him?” She nodded in his direction.

  “It is.” Nina waved at him, and he returned the gesture, standing up and slapping his hands together to remove the dirt. He wasn’t wearing a shirt.

  “Oh my God. Nina! You’re living next door to that Greek God? Crap. He’s gorgeous.”

  “I know. Come on, I’ll introduce you.”

  After a brief introduction, Fran stayed, touting Nina’s good qualities, much to her friend’s embarrassment.

  Yanking on the blonde’s arm, Nina spoke up, “We really have to go, Fran.”

  “Wait a sec. One more thing.”

  Clint’s gaze met Nina’s. “I’d love to stay and talk, but Cory’s bus arrives in half an hour, and I need to change.”

  “Oh! Of course, of course. Sorry to keep you,” Fran babbled as Nina led her away. “Who’s Cory?” she asked when they were out of earshot.

  “His son.”

  “That amazing man has a son? Shit. He’s married?” Fran rested her hands on her hips.

  “Divorced.”

  “Ah, then there’s still hope. Though, he looks a lot younger than you.”

  “Stop it. No match making. Time to unpack.” Nina pushed her friend into the guest room and sat cross-legged on the bed while Fran hung up her clothes.

  “I have something for you.” She pulled out two bottles and handed them to Nina.

  “Oh my God! Peach champagne and whipped cream vodka! How wonderful. Thank you so much.”

  “Couldn’t be a girls’ weekend without peach champagne.”

  Nina put the liquor in the refrigerator and made a salad. The women finished the pitcher of iced tea. As Nina was filling it again, she heard a car door slam. Curiosity drove her to peek out the window.

  Clint retrieved his son’s bag from the trunk. He put his arm around the teen’s shoulders, and they walked inside. Nina noticed Cory was built like his father, but he hadn’t filled out yet. She couldn’t see his eyes, but his hair, a slightly lighter color, flopped over his forehead just like Clint’s. He’ll be handsome someday, too.

  Chapter Two

  Fran and Nina feasted on a cool, elegant salad with avocado, ham, and hearts of palm for dinner and the peach champagne. They sat on the deck, in the shade, enjoying dining al fresco.

  “Does Norman know about this guy next door?”

  “There’s nothing to know, Fran.”

  “Oh? I saw the way he looked at you. Kinda like the wolf in Little Red Riding Hood.”

  Nina laughed. “I wish. He’s much too young for me.”

  “Didn’t look like he thought so.” Fran propped her feet up on the small, wrought iron coffee table.

  “He will when he finds out I’m forty-eight.” Nina sat back in her chair.

  “You’re not gonna tell him, are you?”

  “Of course, I am.”

  “Party pooper.”

  “He’s written a play. We’re revising it together.”

  “Oh boy. Norman really isn’t going to like that.”

  Nina raised her chin. “Norman Fallon has no cause to like or dislike anything I do.”

  “Wasn’t he your lover?”

  “Temporarily.” Nina shrugged.

  “Before Henry died or after?”

  “Fran! How can you say such a thing? After. Only after. And even then, just for a few weeks. I never cheated on Henry.” Nina sat up, her cheeks flushed.

  Fran raised her palm. “Sorry, sorry. I didn’t mean to offend. It’s just that Henry wasn’t well for two years, and Norman always seemed to be buzzing around you.”

  “Yeah. Like a vulture.”

  “You weren’t tempted?”

  “I adored Henry. Nothing in the world could have made me hurt him.”

  “Even the hottie next door?”

  “Nothing. No one.” Her eyes watered for a moment.

  “I admire your loyalty.”

  Nina faced her friend. “You feel the same about Herb.”

  “Yeah, but that seems to be out of fashion these days. Besides, Norman Fallon can be very persuasive.”

  “He’s a producer, but not much of an actor. His motives are as transparent as glass.”

  “Oh, you mean that he wants to sleep with every attractive person in a skirt?” Fran finished her champagne.

  “Except a bagpipe player,” Nina said, giggling.

  “Unless he’s a woman.”

  “He’s a woman?” Nina opened her eyes wide and burst into laughter.

  Fran joined her. The two women, pumped up on champagne, laughed until they couldn’t breathe. Wiping tears from her eyes, Nina spied Clint and Cory standing in their backyard, staring. She tried to catch her breath, but could only look at them and continue to laugh.

  “Must have been pretty funny.”

  “Oh, you’ve no idea,” Nina said.

  “Norman Fallon and a bagpipe player,” Fran whispered, and the women were lost again in fits of laughter.

  Clint shrugged and turned to his son. “Women.”

  “I know. Women.” Cory imitated his father’s shrug.

  The women witnessed the father and son exchange, and it only made them laugh harder.

  Later that evening, Clint brought Cory to Nina’s deck for a formal introduction. The boy seemed very uncomfortable, so she shook his hand then gave an excuse for returning inside.

  Spent from the drive up and the laughter, Fran went to bed early. Nina poured the last of the champagne into her flute and moseyed outside again. There was a full moon, painting the needles on her white pine trees with its silvery glow. She rested against the deck railing thinking about Fran, Norman Fallon, Henry, and how different her life had become.

  Clint approached. “Are you alone?”

  She nodded.

  “Can I join you?”

  She motioned him to come closer.

  He stood next to her, drinking a beer. “Nice night.” He glanced at the moon then at her.

  “It’s beautiful. Cory’s very handsome. He looks like you. Where is he?”

  “Playing some stupid video game on his phone. My ex got him one of those ultra-fancy ones. I told her he didn’t need it, but she didn’t listen. She never does.” He glanced at her glass. “Champagne?”

  “Not just champagne. Peach champagne.”

  “Oh? Never had it.”

  “Really?” She raised her eyebrows.

  “Really.”

  “There isn’t much left. Do you want a taste?”

  “Sure”

  He stepped closer and bent down as she raised her glass. His mouth landed on hers instead of the flute. She started for a second before she realized he was kissing her. She froze as he ran his tongue along her lips then straightened up.

  “Umm. Delicious,” he said, chuckling. “Didn’t frighten you, did I?”

  “Not at all,” she lied, her lips curving into a provocative smile.

  “You expected it?”

  She shook her head. “But I enjoyed it. We have whipped cream vodka. Ever tried it?”

  “Nope.”

  “Why don’t we step into the kitchen?”

  “Where’s your friend?”

  “Asleep,” she answered, holding the screen door open for him.

  She handed him the bottle, which he examined while she pulled down two glasses.

  “Ice.” He headed for the fridge.

  Once the small tumblers were filled, Nina took his hand and led him outside again. “It’s too beautiful to stay inside.”

  “I agree.”

  They stood, drinking and staring up at the moon in silence.

  Clint inched closer to her, slipping one arm around her shoulders. “To us,” he said, holding up his glass.

  “Is there an ‘us’?” she asked, touching hers to his.

  “Of course there is.” He bent down and kissed her again.

  Nina was ready for it this time and moved easily into his
embrace. Clint closed his arms around her and angled his head to deepen the kiss. She pushed up on tiptoes to press her breasts against him.

  “Dad, how do you—?” came the unfinished question from the boy’s mouth.

  The would-be lovers broke apart immediately. Nina smoothed her shirt down to cover her embarrassment.

  Clint wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “What is it?”

  “Never mind. You’re busy.” Cory turned on his heels.

  “Wait. No. Wait. Come on.” Clint shot a glance with raised eyebrows at Nina as he exited her deck and joined his son.

  He has responsibilities. What am I doing?

  Nina retreated to her house. She took a book to bed, but was too restless to sleep.

  ****

  The next morning, Nina made a list of activities to do in Pine Grove and Oak Bend, a nearby town. She wanted to stay away from the house. Fran will travel anywhere to go shopping. I need to get a grip on myself. I’m not some horny teenager. I’m a grown woman. He’s gorgeous, but he has a son. I need to back off and grow up.

  She and Fran spent the rest of the week shopping, gossiping, swimming in the lake, and grilling mouthwatering meals of steak, lamb chops, and shrimp.

  They steered clear of Clint and Cory. When they happened to pass returning home or leaving, Nina managed a friendly wave and a smile. She didn’t stop, and neither did he. The peculiar flutter in her belly when she was near Clint didn’t go away, it simply went to sleep.

  Fran chided her friend on getting involved with a younger man. “He’ll leave you for a younger woman.”

  “There’s nothing to leave.” Nina shrugged her shoulders and sipped her wine.

  Although she had enjoyed her friend’s company, she was glad to see the BMW pull out of the driveway and head back to New York City at noon on Monday.

  After a week of dashing about to keep occupied and entertain Fran, Nina was exhausted. I’m getting too accustomed to being alone, to the peace and quiet of my own little world. Fran is good for me, but maybe in smaller doses. She smiled.

  Sitting on her deck, drinking iced tea, she contemplated the advice from her friend of over twenty years. She trusted Fran. Hearing a car door slam, she turned to see who had arrived. It was Clint. He pushed by the hedges and joined her on the deck.