The Holiday Hoax Read Free Page A

around waiting for opportunity. He learned to go out and take it. He put down his drink and strode to Isabella, determined not to lose his lady to a local dentist.
    Her eyes lit up; she seemed clearly glad to see him. An answering warmth pumped through his blood at the sight of her smile. “Hi again,” he said. “How’s your date going?”
    Her face fell and he was sorry he made her uncomfortable. In just two conversations, he felt more connected to this woman than he ever had to anyone else. “Aidan, my girlfriend set me up on this blind date and I—”
    “No, don’t apologize. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” He looked around and offered his hand to her. “Do you think your date would mind if I stole some time with you? There’s a blizzard outside. Want to take a look?”
    “Yes.” She took his hand. Her fingers slid around his with a natural ease that caused a strange emotion to grab him in a chokehold.
    Home.
    He pushed the ridiculous thought away and led her outside. The crowd had thinned and they settled in the corner by a large wooden beam. A quiet hush blanketed the sloping lawns set high off the mountain road. The high cliffs dominated the skyline with godlike power. Thick pieces of snow fell down and covered the majestic trees with a veil of white. The air rushed cold and fresh, and their breath caused puffs of smoke as they breathed deep and watched the scene in companionable silence.
    “I love it here,” she said quietly. “When I was young, I craved city life. More excitement, more opportunities. Then I ended up right back where I started and realized it’s home.”
    “What do you do?” he asked.
    “I teach third grade at the local elementary school.” When he laughed, she looked up in question. “Why are you laughing?”
    “Because I pegged you as a teacher from the gate. The way you looked at me on the tree farm gave me goosebumps. Reminded me of my own third grade teacher.”
    Isabella laughed with him. “Try running a brigade of eight year olds that outnumber you by 25 to 1. You learn fast.”
    “No wonder I was scared.”
    “And you? What do you do when you’re not working on a tree farm?”
    Aidan took a moment before answering. He wasn’t ready to tell her yet. Admitting to being the king of chain restaurants across the country distorted a woman’s perspective. In his experience, the women he dated changed. Right now, with her hand in his, and the delicious scent of strawberry shampoo from her hair, and the warmth in her face, he wanted nothing to change. He decided to buy himself a bit more time. “I’m sort of a handy man,” he said. “Odd jobs here and there. Tree farms in the winter. Landscaping in the summer. I make my way.”
    She nodded. “I respect that. I think too many people are scared to find their true niche in life, so they settle for some limiting job that pays well, but find themselves miserable in a mid-life crisis. Nothing’s worth regret.”
    And in that moment, after a few hours in her company, Aidan fell in love with Isabella Summers.
    The sudden, shocking realization was cut short when Liz appeared beside them. “Izzy, Robert’s looking for you. I’m sorry, I don’t think we met?” Isabella quickly made introductions, while Liz gazed at him curiously.
    Isabella spoke up in the awkward silence. “Liz, I’m sorry, but I have to get home. My car will never make the drive.”
    “Just stay over. A lot of people are. Plenty of space.”
    Izzy shook her head. “No, I really want to get home. I have a long list of things to do tomorrow and I’m exhausted.”
    “Iz, your car is old as dirt. It’s not safe.” Liz bit down on her bottom lip, her dark eyes worried. “I’ll take you home. I can crash at your place tonight—it’ll be like a slumber party.”
    “No way!” Isabella leaned over and hissed near her friend’s ear. “You’ve been staking out Nick Parker for months and he’s bunking down for the night. This is your