Christmas Light

By Jolyse Barnett

Adirondack girl-in-transition Jade Engel comes home to recharge after ending a career she never truly wanted, but soon realizes she’s in danger of also being swept off her feet by the boy-next-door, her former best friend, Ben Stephens. If only he’d stop kissing her every time she falls into his arms.

Everything local celebrity Ben Stephens ever wanted is in Starling. Then Jade comes home after an eternity away and sends his simple world into a tailspin. He’s determined to pursue her—the one girl who got away. But when their friends-with-benefits arrangement blows up in their faces, will they have the courage to put their pasts to rest in order to forge a future together?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tule Publishing
• Release date: Nov 11, 2014
• ISBN: 9781942240129

Book preview

Author

Acknowledgements

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I’m so grateful to the entire Tule Team and specifically Jane Porter for her insights regarding my initial concept and to Lilian Darcy for her expertise throughout revisions and edits. You made this project a joy!

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To my Christmas in New York Series collaborators, Patty Blount, Jennifer Gracen, and Jeannie Moon, you are talented and amazing women. I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.

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To Alison Butler, my colleague and good friend, thank you for helping spark the inspiration behind the book with our common love of Christmas and American history. Those brainstorming sessions were instrumental in giving my story life.

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To all my family and friends who have believed in me and supported my dream, thank you. You know who you are.

Chapter One

Jade Engel strode the short distance from her gate in the Burlington International Airport to the car rental counter, spinner suitcase by her side. Why bother with checked luggage when the bulk of her winter clothes were still in her bedroom closet and drawers at home?

Home.

Although she had lived in Florida these past eight years, she still thought of Starling, New York, as her town.

She handed her car reservation to the tall woman in beige behind the counter, and waited briefly as the agent answered a phone call, while Jingle Bells piped through the PA. She smiled to herself. Her father had always sung that tune on the ride home from her grandparents’ house on snow-covered country roads. She and her brothers, their bellies full of Grandma’s chicken and dumplings and their bodies tired from playing outside on their red plastic toboggans, would snuggle in the backseat, their eyes drooping and arms wrapped around boxes of knitted gifts.

The agent keyed in Jade’s reservation number. You’re returning the vehicle here in a month?

Yes. Jade bit her lip. Had she made the right decision, quitting her job and the city of Tampa? Her girlfriends considered her change of direction a brave choice. She saw no alternative. It was more that her choices had failed her.

If you’re headed to the Adirondacks, you may want to check the weather conditions, the agent advised. She explained the charges, swiped the credit card, and handed her a receipt with directions to the rental lot.

Jade tucked the credit card in her wallet. Thanks for the warning. She turned and began her trek. After living out of her suitcase the past three days at her friend Sabrina’s on Long Island, she had been eager to complete her flight, drive the two-hour trip home and settle in before dark. Now, she’d have to take it slow, and Mom would have to keep her dinner warm for later.

In the parking garage the wind howled between the cement pilings, while snowplows rumbled past on nearby Route Two. She fastened the top button on her toasty leather coat and pulled on her matching hat and gloves, but still her teeth began to chatter.

Ten minutes later, the rented Kia crawled along South Williston Road headed west with the rest of the traffic. She hadn’t even made it to I-89 yet. Visibility was poor and becoming worse, the roads were slick with snow and sleet. She gripped the steering wheel with both hands against the buffeting wind and leaned forward, muscles tense. If only she could see the apron, she could pull over to use her cell phone’s GPS and locate a hotel, but the fresh snowfall covered the road’s markings. She rubbed her eyes and turned the wipers on high.

A light to her left caught her attention. University Mall and a cluster of hotels lay ahead. She turned onto Dorset Road and made a quick right into a parking lot crammed with vehicles, but then the Kia lost traction. Yikes. Black ice. She steered into the turn, hands clammy and heart almost beating out of her chest, until she regained control. Phew. That was close. She concentrated on breathing at a normal rate, inching around the back of the hotel to a lone open space. Turning off the ignition, she slumped against the steering wheel.

There’d better be room at the inn.

Luckily, there was a vacancy. She was safe for the night. After calling her parents with her change of plans, she texted her best friends Bree, Elena, Kara, and Cassandra that she’d arrived then took a much-needed cat nap in her room’s pillow-top bed before freshening up for dinner.

But when she came out of the elevator and turned the corner toward the lobby, she stifled a groan. A line of hungry guests spilled from the Green Mountain Bar and Grill entrance. She had no choice but to be patient about the grumbling in her stomach and step behind the last person in line, a tall businessman occupied by his phone. Taking his cue, she pulled out hers to check her new messages.

Of course, there were texts from the girls about how much fun they all had Black Friday shopping at Long Island’s East End outlets. She took another few steps forward as the line moved. What would I do without my four girls?

Their mothers had been sorority sisters in college and best friends afterwards. It only made sense that Jade and the gang had been raised like sisters, which was nice considering Jade was the only girl in her immediate family. The families had gotten together for holidays, taken getaways to the Poconos and Catskills, and once in awhile enjoyed vacations like Disney and Caribbean cruises. Now that the girls were adults, they struggled to carry on the traditions in addition to busy careers and growing responsibilities. Still, they had social media and texting. In that way they were inseparable.

Excuse me, Miss.

Jade glanced at the couple behind her then ahead to the gap between her and the rest of the line. Oh, sorry. She moved forward, almost there. She clicked off her phone, and turned to people-watching, to take her mind off the hunger-inducing aromas of burgers and steak.

The businessman in front of her wore a well-cut black suit with white dress shirt and had thick dark hair and an athletic build. She looked up. He had to be at least six three. Nice. His phone chirped and he answered—his voice a deep, sensual rumble. Was he talking to his wife or a girlfriend? He turned and she glimpsed his profile. Sexy scruff graced his rugged face, not pretty like the Floridian men she used to date, but salt of the earth handsome.

The man turned toward her and caught her staring. He smiled, emerald green eyes focused on her as he finished his conversation with, We’ll talk after I get home. Wow, those eyes. It had been almost two years since she’d felt that flutter of warmth deep in her belly. He tucked his phone in a trouser pocket, his eyes still glued on hers. Hey. Imagine seeing you here of all places.

She snorted and shifted her weight, hands on hips. Pretty lame, fella. Got a better line?

Been a long time, hasn’t it? he said. Wow!

She gave him a sidelong glance. Excuse me?

Since you’ve been north.

Okay, I’ll play along. Yes it has.

He hooked a thumb toward the restaurant. Want to join me? My buddy had to leave a day early. His kid was sick.

Do you have a wife and kid waiting at home while you play these games? She turned to him, her stance wide and chin out. No thanks. I’m good.

The stranger continued, No? I could use the company. It’s been a long week on the road. His smile, at such close quarters, was lethal.

She caught her breath and stepped back. Did he think it was her first time on the slopes? She knew how this game worked, and she was done playing. She crossed her arms and pursed her lips. You don’t even know my name.

His eyes widened, the grin disappeared, and his hands dropped. Jade Emily Engel. Of course I know it. He enunciated each syllable.

Her jaw fell open as she frantically searched her memory. He knew her middle name, too? The only time she ever heard it, herself, was when her mother gave a reprimand. Surely she’d never seen this man before in her life. How do you know me? The squeak that passed from her lips sounded nothing like her usual matter-of-fact self. She needed to pull herself together.

Huh. You don’t remember me. The man stepped back, arms crossed.

Her face flushed with heat, the tips of her ears burning. I’m sorry. She looked at him closely, past the fine cut of his suit, from the tapered waist to the broad chest and chiseled jaw. She searched until she met his gaze again. Those eyes did seem familiar, but from where? Suddenly, childhood memories flooded back...and she saw a boy digging in the dirt next to her with tousled black hair and bright green eyes. She clapped a hand over her mouth. Oh, my. She blew his name out in a rush, a name she hadn’t uttered, much less allowed herself to think in over a decade. Benji?

People call me Ben now. One hand moved to his pocket and the other gestured toward her, palm out, a smile tugging at his lips. What did you think? That I was hitting on you?

Jade pulled her arms in close, a death grip on her purse. I, of course not. I—

The hostess appeared, tapping the menus in her hand, saving her from digging an even deeper hole for herself. Sir, your table is ready. She glanced between them. Table for two?

Benji signaled for the woman to wait a moment and turned back to her. C’mon, now will you join me? For old times’ sake, he said, as if their shared history was filled with sunshine and roses. What alternate universe did he recall?

Uh, okay. She tilted her head at him. The crowded, noisy restaurant and upbeat Christmas music fell away as she followed him to a small table, trying to wrap her brain around the differences between the man in front of her and the little kid who used to be her neighbor.

He held out her chair.

Thanks. She sat and folded the linen napkin on her lap and glanced across the table at him. He’d known all along that it was her and was just being friendly. Wow. You look so different. I mean, I can’t believe how tall you are. You certainly grew into those big feet of yours.

Did I really just say that? Oh God, just let me sink through the floor.

He took off his suit jacket and placed it on the chair back. He sat, rolling up the sleeves of his dress shirt, revealing lean, muscular forearms dusted with dark hair.

Yeah. He’s all man. Perspiration trickled between her breasts under her lightweight sweater. He caught her gaze and she looked away, swallowing and plucking at her scoop-neck collar.

He smiled at her and picked up the drink menu.

She slowly buttered a roll from the wicker basket between them then cleared her throat. So, what’s it been? Ten years?

He set down the menu. Something like that.

She stared at his large, capable hands. He’s not wearing a ring. She tamped down the flare of hope. Some married guys didn’t wear wedding bands. Yeah, she knew of one in particular. She tore off a piece of roll and chewed it with a bit more gusto than necessary.

Men.

The server approached their table and introduced herself before filling their water glasses. Anything to drink?

Benji looked at her. Red or white?

Jade leaned back and shrugged. It wasn’t his fault she’d had such horrible luck when it came to relationships. Either’s fine.

He ordered a bottle of Riesling and handed the drink menu to the server before she left. Turning back to her, he asked, Celebrate with me?

She swallowed the last bit of warm, buttery roll. What, the weather?

He rolled his eyes. My next project has been approved for an educational grant. I own an indie film company. My assistant and I’ve been hoofing it all over the northeast the past six months to win this one. We learned the good news this afternoon.

That was who you were talking to on the phone out there?

He nodded. And my mom. She was concerned about me traveling in the storm.

She fiddled with her fork. I guess the anxiety comes with the job description.

He cocked his head at her. Excuse me?

You know, parenting.

He lifted a shoulder. I wouldn’t know.

No wife either?

Nope. The word rolled off his tongue with a decisive pop.

Well, now she knew. Me neither. It felt like another gaffe. "No husband I mean." She curled her hands around her middle and stared at her plate. Okay, time to change the subject. She risked a glance at her dinner mate. He didn’t appear to have picked up on the significance of her comment. She released her pent-up breath and leaned forward on her elbows, chin in hand. So, tell me about your new project.

He swallowed his roll. I produce educational films—hence the grant—for school children. My next production will be a virtual field trip filmed in Lake George. I’m pumped about it, actually. He eyed her closely. Last I heard, you were in marketing. Right?

Um.

Their server reappeared, bottle in hand.

Jade watched the server pour the wine, and forced her mind to go blank. No crying with strangers or former best friends allowed.

When they were alone again, Ben asked, So, marketing?

She looked around at the packed dining room. What should I say? Do I tell him I spent eight years, eighty hours a week, dedicating my life to a firm that didn’t appreciate me? She clenched her hands in her lap. No, she didn’t need to rain on Benji’s parade by talking about her own nonexistent career. Not a lot to discuss, there. Hey, but what’s going on with this weather? And it’s busy!

He gazed at her over his glass. Ski season. Everyone’s eager to get out in the white stuff and play. I have a feeling some flights may have been cancelled too.

She nodded. For sure. I consider it a minor miracle I found a room.

Perhaps it was. He appeared to mull that one over. Your dad picking you up?

She shook her head. Rental.