Christmas Romance (The Best Christmas Romance of 2016): The Love List Christmas (6 page)

CHAPTER TWO

Rain slammed against the front windowpanes of the B&B as Scorch and I waited for Keaton to arrive. Scorch had on his red raincoat and I opted for my cashmere lined, ankle-length black coat. It was warmer and much more attractive than my red raincoat.

The first three months of the year, I’d spent in nice warm South Florida. The men were hot— and I don’t mean from the heat—tan, and gloriously buff. I’d met a guy named Wayne and spent quite a bit of time with him in Miami. When I told him I wasn’t planning on staying, that Florida wasn’t for me, he didn’t take it well. He’d called, sent flowers, and then became increasingly angry. He’d even insisted on quitting his lucrative job and moving with me. When I said no, he’d called my cell phone and when I’d answer, he’d hang-up—day and night. I got a new phone number and reported the harassment. He apologized and said it wouldn’t happen again. I learned to keep my mouth shut about my plans after that.

April, May, and June were spent in Colorado, but Denver didn’t feel like home either. The week before I left, the hang-up calls started again on the cabin phone. Wayne had found me. I reported the calls and my suspicions to the local police. Luckily, it was time to move on. Wayne was starting to scare and annoy me.

July, August, and September, I settled in Brunswick, Maine. If it wasn’t for the extreme cold winters, I might have visited awhile longer

Wayne had found me two days before I left. He’d definitely read more into our relationship then I had. He was a nuisance, like a fly buzzing past my ear, but I called my Gran and she said she had friends in Miami who would pay him a visit. Hopefully that would discourage him from any more harassment.

Keaton pulled up in a dark SUV. It was hard to tell what kind it was through the rain. He hopped out, jogged to the door and once inside he ran his hand through his hair. It wasn’t tied back. A wet strand fell forward and I felt a strong urge to smooth it out of his masculine face. He flipped his head to the side and took the pleasure away from me when it fell back into place.

“Wow. If the temperature keeps dropping, we could have snow by morning.”

The sky did have that whitish glow that meant it was on the way. “I just flew in from Brunswick, Maine and talk about crazy weather—I wasn’t sure I was getting out of there.”

Keaton knelt down and scratched my Pug behind the ear. “Did you live in Maine?”

“No. I was just visiting.” Because I might be doing the same here and I’d learned my lesson, I didn’t elaborate.

He picked up Scorch and tucked him under his arm. “Why don’t you stay here while I put Scorch in the car?”

“Okay.”

Keaton placed Scorch on the backseat of his car, covered in a blanket, and then came back with an umbrella. We both tucked close under it and jogged over to his car. He opened the door and I slid into the passenger’s seat. The car smelled woodsy, like rain combined with the warmth from the heater. After folding up the umbrella he tossed it in the back and hopped into his seat.

He turned in his seat and spoke to Scorch. “Are you ready to meet your date for tonight?” Scorch barked. “I take that as a yes.” Keaton chuckled.

Keaton’s windshield wipers got a workout, whipping back and forth on high speed as he drove us through the streets of Vine Grove. He was concentrating on the road while the warm interior of the car and the soft music he played on the radio, lulled me into a relaxed mood. A few minutes later we pulled into a large parking lot. In large, bold letters, the sign stated, Vanhorn Pet Clinic.

“We’re here. Are you ready to play?” Keaton asked Scorch.

My dog hopped up and down in excitement.

“Let’s repeat what we did at the B&B. I’ll be back in a minute to get you.” He picked up my happy, wiggling dog and rushed to the front door, unlocked it and disappeared into the darkness. He must have hit a master light switch because the whole inside of the building lit up. When he came back, I had already stepped outside with the umbrella. He looked a little disappointed.

“Hey. I don’t get to show my chivalry often. Let me do the honors.” His smile was broad and sincere. He took the umbrella, tucked me under his shoulder, and we ran to the door.

His body warmth soaked through mine. It felt wonderful. “Sorry. I’m used to taking care of myself.”

“It’s okay. It’s just that I haven’t been on a date for a while.” He took my coat and hung it up. “How about you?”

“I’ve been divorced over a year and haven’t dated anyone special since then.”

“I’m sorry. Divorce is difficult. I’ve never been though one, but I have several friends who have gone through them, and nobody comes out unscathed.”

Scorch was yipping and barking in the other room.

“Sounds like Scorch found Pumpkin, a sweet little Pomeranian. Her owners are on a two week vacation in the Bahamas. Let’s go see how they are getting along.” He motioned for me to go ahead of him.

Keaton’s animal clinic was large but homey, with warm touches here and there. “I like it here. It doesn’t feel sterile like some of the clinics I’ve been in.”

He chuckled. “Susan, my old girlfriend, decorated it. She’s an interior designer.”

“Where is Susan now?” I liked to know the lay of the land, especially in a small town.

“Susan wanted the big city and the big city clients. She’s happy in Portland and I’m happy here.”

I nodded. From what I could see, she had talent. We walked into a large room filled with huge kennels. A few of them had pets in them—a rabbit, a large black cat, and a couple kittens. Scorch lay with his front paws crossed and his chin resting on them, staring at Pumpkin with adoring eyes.

“I think Scorch is in love.” Keaton reached down and unlatched Pumpkin’s cage. Scorch got up and spun around in excitement. The Pomeranian ran out of the cage full speed toward the back room with Scorch hot on her tail. We followed at a slower pace.

Scorch and Pumpkin were chasing each other’s tails and having the time of their lives.

Keaton walked up to my side. “Do you want to stay a while?”

“Do you mind? I haven’t see Scorch this excited in a long time.”

Keaton pulled over a couple of plastic chairs. “Not at all. When I’m working, I close the door to this room and let some of the pets out, if I know they’ll get along. How do you feel about cats?”

“Love them. Can we go get the black and white cat and kittens?” I wanted to hop up and down like Scorch in excitement.

“How is Scorch with cats?” Keaton took me by the elbow and we walked back toward the kennels.

“Great. My Gran has two of them. He considers them his equal.”

“I know Pumpkin gets along with cats. Let’s start with Kettle and Corn and see how Scorch does.”

I laughed at the names.

“Hey. I didn’t name them. My neighbor’s kids did. They found them abandoned behind the grocery store. I’m hoping to find a good home for them.” Keaton picked them up and they immediately cuddled close to his chest.

I reached out my arms. “Can I hold them?”

His smile broadened. “Yes. Of course. Follow me and you can sit down and I’ll put them in your lap.”

The chair was old and plastic but it was comfortable. I sat down and Keaton gently laid the kittens in my lap. Their little chests rumbled as I petted them. Scorch ran over, sniffed and then continued his squeaky toy wrestling match with Pumpkin.

“That went well. Hang on and I’ll get a blanket to put under them.”

“Okay.” I could sit like this forever. Keaton came back with a soft, rose-colored blanket. I scooped up the little kittens and Keaton spread the blanket on my lap. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

My stomach grumbled and Corn, the orange kitten, stretched his paw out and rested it on my belly. A sigh escaped my lips.

That sexy smile cranked up another notch and then he laughed. “Would you like me to have a pizza delivered so we can stay here?”

I returned his magnificent smile. “Would you?” I asked and continued to stroke the soft fur of the kittens. Kettle tapped my finger with her paw in a playful manner.

“I was joking, but it looks like I’m not going to be able to tear you away from them.”

He reached out and gently batted at Kettle’s paw. The kitten reciprocated. “I don’t want to ruin any plans for tonight.”

“Absolutely not. I just haven’t met anyone who enjoys animals as much as I do. Susan tolerated them—she never really cared one way or the other for them.”

“How can you not love animals? You don’t have to be wealthy, successful, or even perfect for them to return your love—it’s unconditional.”

Keaton’s eyes glowed in appreciation. “I’m glad you think so.”

He leaned in and pressed a kiss to my cheek. The spot where Keaton kissed me felt warm. As though he’d branded me with his lips.

He took out his cell phone. “What do you like on your pizza and most importantly, what kind of wine do you like?”

“They deliver wine, too?”

His eyes lit up. “I give all the local business owners discounts on pet care and they give me special privileges, like free delivery.”

“We’ll…I like pepperoni and black olives for my pizza and Chardonnay for my wine choice. Is that okay with you?”

“Perfect. I’ll go place the order and then bring Blacky out. I don’t want to leave her out of the party.”

“Blacky?” I chuckled.

“She’s a Tuxedo cat, so they named her Blacky. Sometimes simple is best.”

“True. What’s Blacky in for?”

“I removed a tumor, but she’s fine now and gets to go home tomorrow. This will be her last night away from her owners. They visit her every day.”

“Then let’s make it special for her. She can sit with me too.”

His eyes sparkled with humor as he walked away. I could hear him place our order and then came back with Blacky. The older cat’s upper body was in my lap and the lower on the chair. Scorch and Pumpkin tired themselves out and were snuggled together on a large dog bed in the corner.

Both the wine and pizza were spectacular. Spending time with Keaton in his clinic with the cats and dogs made the night even more special.

I looked around at the clinic and the pets that surrounded us. “This has been a unique first date.”

The corner of Keaton’s mouth turned up. “I agree, but definitely the most enjoyable.” He folded and tossed the pizza box in the trash.

Scorch got up, stretched, and then shook his body. “It’s getting late and we’ve had a long day. Do you mind if I take Scorch outside before we head to the B&B?”

“Not at all. The back is fenced and partly covered for that reason.”

Keaton led us out and then surprised me with a light kiss on the lips and a hug that stole my breath.

“Thank you for sharing my love of animals with me.” His body remained a few inches from mine.

I didn’t move away. In fact, I lightly bumped my nose against his. “It was my pleasure.” A shiver of excitement ran down my spine. To my delight, he ran a hand down my hair, and brushed another kiss on my lips.

“Would you like to go to a wine tasting tomorrow night at the Que Syrah Syrah Wine Shop? Tegan Taylor, the owner of the shop, serves appetizers, but it’s usually enough food to feed an army. But if we’re hungry afterward, we can grab something to eat, pickup Scorch and come here. What do you say?”

Everything in me was saying to be cautious, but my silly mouth didn’t get the memo. “I’d love to.”

“Great.”

Keaton pulled up in front of the B&B. Lights were still on in the lobby and the front porch.

“Are you looking for a more permanent place to stay? If so, I can suggest a couple of nice homes that rent out rooms and I know of some houses for rent, too.”

He was fishing for information on my stay, but I didn’t have an answer. I’d only been in town a day. I liked what I’d seen and experienced, but I needed more time to decide if this town was right for me. “I haven’t decided yet. I’ll be sure to ask when I’m ready.”

His smile disappeared for a moment. A more tentative smile replaced it. “Okay. Well…I’ll pick you up at 6:00 p.m. then?”

“Perfect. See you tomorrow.” Scorch and I walked up the pathway to the B&B and went inside. Keaton pulled away a minute later.

CHAPTER THREE

At 10:00 a.m., I changed into my running clothes and Scorch and I took off for a nice morning jog. We’d both slept peacefully through the night and I felt energized. I emailed the local shipper in Brunswick and gave them the B&B’s address. The rest of our things would arrive in a day or two.

After sleeping on the idea, it made sense to move into a rental house. I wanted to be able to decorate for the holidays. Scorch would be happier living somewhere he could run and maybe meet some other dogs. Plus, I was thinking about fostering Kettle and Corn unit Keaton could find them a home.

We jogged up to the wine shop Keaton mentioned and I could see the lights come on and someone moving around in the back. I paused to take a breath and look at the extravagant Halloween decorations they had in the window. When I looked up, a pretty lady peered at us and waved. I waved back. A moment later, the front door opened and the gal popped her head out. She looked to be about my age with a friendly smile.

“Hi. I recognize most joggers. You must be new in town.” The gal leaned down and patted Scorch’s head

“Yes. I arrived yesterday.” I rubbed my arms to keep warm.

“Its cold out. I was making some tea, would you like a cup?” She brushed her palms together and then blew on them.

“Sure, but I can’t leave Scorch outside.”

“Of course not. Bring him in.” She opened the door wider and motioned for us to come in.

I stepped inside and the warmth of the shop engulfed me. The scent of spices and berries filled my body and mind with joy. “I didn’t realize the town was so small that you could possibly recognize everyone.”

It’s not, but I’ve lived here most of my life.” She shrugged and then extended her hand. “I’m Tegan Taylor, the owner of the Que Syrah Syrah Wine Shop.”

“Nice to meet you, Tegan. I’m Finn Dubose.”

Tegan quickly peeked at my ring finger, smiled, and then poured a cup of tea. “Are you moving to Vine Grove or just here for our fantastic wine?” Her smile was warm and inviting.

“Every minute I spend here makes me think I might stay for good. But if not, I’ll definitely be here through Christmas.”

Tegan handed me the tea and got a dreamy look on her face. “Christmas. Now that’s a great time of year around here. The summer is crazy busy because of the vineyards, but Christmas is a time for family, friends, and lovers. Do you have someone special in your life?”

“I’m divorced and haven’t been interested in anything long-term since the split.” I took a sip of the hot tea. It was smooth with a nice peppermint flavor. Scorch sat at my feet with his head on my running shoe. “I did meet a guy yesterday and we’re coming here this evening.”

“How exciting. You’ll love our wine tasting party.” She clapped her hands.

I really liked Tegan.

“I was only asking because a few of us get together and drink great wine, eat and gossip. If you’re interested, you can join our little group.” Tegan’s eyes sparkled with mischief.

“I love wine, food, and gossip. I’m in. When and where do you meet?”

“Here.” Tegan looked around her beautifully decorated shop. “On Tuesday nights at 6:00 p.m., and everyone brings a little treat and a bottle of wine to share. Right now, it’s just me, Rebecca Miller, and Chloe Miles, but we’re hoping to expand.”

“I’ve been traveling a lot this year and this is the first time I’ve felt welcome in an area. Thank you for opening your door to me and Scorch. It means the world to me.”

Tegan stepped forward and hugged me. “You are more than welcome. I hope you love our little town as much as I do.”

At that moment, something clicked into place and my heart settled the restless beat that plagued me since my divorce. Vine Grove felt like home.