'Twas the Week Before Christmas. Olivia Miles

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СКАЧАТЬ time of the year, but it would be even more magical if she had someone special to share it with her.

      “Um, Holly?”

      Holly finished placing a marshmallow in each thermos and found Abby leaning against the counter and staring at her expectantly. “Yes?”

      “Who is that guy?” Abby practically hissed the last word of her question, and the gleam in her eyes said everything.

      “He’s our VIP.”

      “Green Room?”

      “Yep.” Holly heaved a sigh. It seemed everyone was as smitten with Max as she was. Chances were there were many more women back in New York with the same intentions.

      “What do you know about him?” Abby reached for a lid and screwed it on top of a thermos.

      “Thanks...I don’t know much about him actually. But we did—we did have a nice chat last night. He’s very nice.”

      “Holly!” Abby squealed and did a little dance on the floorboards. “How long were you planning on keeping this from me?”

      “It’s nothing,” Holly said, instantly regretting she had said anything at all. She was building this up to be more than it was. Max was her guest. And he would be leaving tomorrow. If not sooner, she thought, turning to the window with a sinking sensation. “He’s nice. That’s all.”

      “No, that is not all!” Abby insisted. “And besides, a man like that is not nice. Nice is not an appropriate adjective at all.”

      Holly snorted. “No? Do you have a better term then?”

      “Dashing. Dapper. Completely irresistible.”

      Holly smothered a laugh and shook her head. “Come on,” she said, picking up the rattan basket now loaded with the thermoses. “We’ve got a group eagerly waiting for a sleigh ride and we don’t want the hot chocolate getting cold before we’re even outside.”

      Holly pushed through the kitchen door with Abby in tow, crossed through the dining room and ventured into the lobby, where nearly every guest was now gathered in their winter best around the roaring fire, awaiting the morning’s activity. Evelyn Adler had bundled herself into a royal-blue coat with a black fur collar and matching hat. Ever the lady of the house, Holly noted with a smile.

      She set the basket on a table near the front door and peered out the window for a sign of the stable manager, Rob, and the horse-drawn sleigh. She searched farther out to the white barn at the north end of the estate, finally capturing some movement.

      “Are you going on the sleigh ride?” Evelyn had come to stand near Holly.

      Holly’s shoulders slumped slightly. “Oh, I’d love to, but I should really stay behind and take care of things.”

      Evelyn cocked her head in Max’s direction. “Even if he goes?”

      Holly’s chest tightened. “I don’t think he’s able to go, Mrs. Adler, and even if—”

      But it was too late. Evelyn had gotten an idea into her head and she wasn’t about to let it go. Crossing the room to where Max sat sipping his coffee, Evelyn perched herself on the edge of a footstool and removed her fur hat. She patted her silvering hair, pulled neatly into a low bun, and smiled almost...girlishly.

      Holly’s eyes darted to Mr. Adler, who was watching his wife from a few feet away with a bemused expression. Holly dared to near Max’s chair, half dreading what she braced herself to hear.

      “I don’t believe we’ve met.” Evelyn thrust a small-boned hand at Max. “Evelyn Adler. This is my husband, Nelson.”

      “Max Hamilton. A pleasure, Mrs. Adler.” He turned to the older man and nodded. “Mr. Adler.”

      “Oh, call me Evelyn. Please,” Evelyn practically cooed.

      Holly felt her brow pinch. In all the years she had known Evelyn, she had never been granted the same courtesy.

      “Evelyn,” Max repeated, his tone laced with amusement.

      “Is this your first time at the inn?” Evelyn inquired.

      “Indeed it is.”

      Holly’s heart warmed at Max’s patience with Evelyn, but she still didn’t trust her most loyal guest from taking liberties. Evelyn had made herself very comfortable at The White Barn Inn over the years and, aside from a few formalities she adhered strictly to, she had taken a shining to Holly’s personal life over time. Too much so.

      “Mrs. Ad—” she attempted as a polite interruption but Evelyn waved her hand dismissively and refused to so much as spare a glance in Holly’s direction. Frustrated, Holly began neatly stacking a pile of magazines, making sure she was just within earshot. Evelyn wasn’t going to let up, and Holly couldn’t resist gleaning as much insight into Max as possible.

      “So you’re here alone, then,” Evelyn was saying now, an edge of mock disappointment in her voice. “Well, a young man as handsome as yourself must have someone special waiting back home!”

      Holly cringed but held her breath, hoping to hear Max’s reply above the din of the other guests in the lobby.

      “Not really,” Max said smoothly, and Holly felt a wave of fresh excitement wash over her. She tried to push it aside as quickly as it enveloped her. She failed miserably.

      “What a pity!” Evelyn slid her blue eyes over to Holly and gave a pointed stare.

      Holly clenched her teeth and wondered if Max was obtuse enough not to see through this meddling. She doubted it. Frantically searching for an excuse to pull Evelyn’s attention away from Max, she bolted upright at the jungle of sleigh bells on the drive. “Sleigh’s here!”

      Evelyn’s interest, however, did not waver. “Will you be joining us for the sleigh ride? My husband and I look forward to it every year. So...romantic.”

      Okay, this had gone far enough! Feeling out the situation was one thing. Pushing it was another. “Max,” Holly said. “I think that Hank is almost finished plowing the drive. I know you were anxious to get to town.”

      “Oh, but he might want to go on the sleigh ride, Miss Tate!”

      “Miss Tate?” Max flashed Holly a wicked grin.

      Bristling, Evelyn remarked, “Of course. What do you call her?”

      “Holly.”

      Evelyn’s eyes snapped open. “Oh, I see,” she said meaningfully, giving Holly a knowing look.

      Holly bit back the urge to raise her eyes skyward. If she didn’t love Evelyn so much she would throttle her!

      “Unfortunately, I won’t be able to join you for the sleigh ride today, Evelyn.” Max set his coffee mug back on the end table. “I’m afraid I have some business in town to attend to this morning.”

      Evelyn deflated into her wool coat and pursed her lips. “Pity.”

      “Come СКАЧАТЬ