The Christmas Wedding Swap Read online

  “He’s not sticking around Pineville.” Allison shook her head. “You can take him off your list for my potential husband. And you need to get rid of that list.” Pressing her lips together, she gave her sister the side-eye. “After Richard, you’re banned from taking any part in my love life.”

  Cam shrugged. “I said I was sorry.”

  “How do you even know what Luke looks like?” Allison asked. “Did you go to The Pantry when I wasn’t working?”

  “Nah.” Cam zipped her scissors up a strand of ribbon. “I saw the pics of him the Tree Twins posted on Instagram. They were mostly profile and butt pictures. I don’t think your cook knew they were taking them.”

  “Just perfect.” Allison could see the sexual harassment case coming.

  “I was talking to Delilah yesterday,” Sadie said. “She couldn’t stop raving about Luke. She said he showed her a trick with the meatloaf that made her friend cry after he tasted it. In a good way, of course.” Fold, tuck, tape, and another present was wrapped. Sadie placed it on her growing pile.

  “A trick? With my meatloaf?” That sneaky bastard. He’d said he wouldn’t mess with her recipes. But damn if she hadn’t been getting more compliments on the meatloaf the past couple of days.

  “Anyway, he said he’d call a supplier he knew to see if he could get a good price on wild boar for my wedding. Have you heard anything?” Fold, tuck, tape.

  “Not yet.” If she didn’t love Sadie so much, her efficiency would really grate on Allison’s nerves. “But don’t worry. It will all come together. Your wedding will be perfect.”

  Sadie sighed. “Yeah. At this point I’m not looking for perfect so much as over. I just want to be married to Colt, you know? Planning this thing is just tiring me out and stressing Colt. But,” she said, fold, tuck, tape, “it will be finished soon, and I’ll have Colt.”

  A knot of jealously settled low in Allison’s chest. She didn’t want to envy her friend’s happiness but couldn’t seem to stop herself. She wanted what Sadie had. But happily-ever-after seemed less likely than ever. She’d thought she was a changed woman, done with her flings and fun and determined to only go after men with substance, men with potential. But there she was drooling after her hot shot, still falling for the good-time guy instead of a man who would be good for her.

  Allison poked at the box holding a stuffed teddy bear in front of her. It was unfair to say Luke didn’t have substance. His name was recognized around the culinary world, and he’d built one of the top restaurants in the country. But there was no long-term potential with him. His life was in Chicago, and she couldn’t imagine ever leaving Pineville.

  The bear in front of her dipped its head, bobbing with the motion of the rocking box. Allison’s stomach sank lower. Even Mr. Teddy agreed that she should keep her hands off Luke.

  “Molly is so excited Santa is bringing her Caty Cowgirl.” Camilla took the teddy bear and started wrapping it. “You’ll be the favorite aunt, at least for a day. Samantha is going to have to step up her game.”

  Rubbing her palms on her jeans, Allison smiled weakly. “I can’t disappoint my girl.” But that was looking more and more likely. The toy stores in the nearby towns had been sold out, and even the online stores didn’t have the doll in stock. The earliest ship date was December 28. Could she tell Molly that the doll had fallen off of Santa’s sleigh and it would take him a couple days to find it?

  The idea that she’d disappoint her niece put a little knot of despair in her gut. But there were other kids she could help, and it was time to get back to work. She grabbed a roll of wrapping paper and ripped the scissors up in one quick motion, the way she’d seen Sadie do. Instead of Sadie’s neat line, Allison ended up with a jagged sheet of paper. She twisted her lips.

  Sadie took the scissors from Allison’s hand. “You’ve put in a solid hour. Why don’t you and Cam get to your brunch and leave the rest of these poor presents to me? I’ll take care of them.”

  Camilla rolled her shoulders. “Thanks.” She looked across at Allison and stood. “I’ll see you at home.”

  Allison nodded. Pulling her gloves from her purse, she kept her head down as she tugged them on. “Thanks, Sadie. I’ll talk to you later.”

  She trudged to her car. A food truck rumbled past, the words Donuts on Demand scrawled on its sides in lacey pink calligraphy. Allison waved to the driver, and he pulled over to a spot next to the town square. The serving window rolled up, and the song “Let it Snow” drifted out over the airwaves. Four other pedestrians wandered over for a hit of caffeine and sugar and got in line behind Allison. She couldn’t show up at brunch empty-handed.

  When she pushed through her parents’ front door, the dozen donuts she’d bought were down to eleven. “Hi, honey,” her mother said, kissing her cheek as Allison pulled off her coat. “How was your week?”

  “Fine.” Moving to the kitchen with the donuts, Allison hoped to cut off a maternal inquisition. She should have known better.

  “And how was your date?” Her mother trailed her into the kitchen, where both of her sisters and one of their husbands were gathered. “Camilla says that Richard is avoiding her. What did you do to him?”

  A tiny bundle of energy threw herself at Allison’s waist, hands tugging at her sweater. “Donut,” Karen demanded.

  “Not without a hello and a please.” Allison dropped to her knees and wrapped her niece up in a hug. “I missed you this week. You, too, Pooh Bear,” she said to Molly, who was sitting by the window, her mother’s phone in her hand and her focus glued to the screen.

  “And not until we sit down to eat. Then you can have half a donut.” Cam shot Allison a dirty look. She was trying to keep her kids eating healthy, a noble goal for sure, but that wasn’t exactly in Allison’s wheelhouse. On the plus side, the girls loved visiting with their auntie Allison, who was always happy to ply them with sugary treats.

  “So what happened with your date?” her younger sister, Sam, asked. Her husband, Patrick, was seated at a barstool at the kitchen counter and Sam was nestled between his legs, leaning back against his chest, still the lovey-dovey newlyweds. “Did you put eye drops in his drink? Is that why he’s avoiding Cam?”

  Allison said, “No,” at the same time Cam said, “Gross.”

  “Jeez,” Allison said, pouring herself a cup of coffee. “I did that once, in high school. And you know I felt bad about it. Poor Jimmy was in the bathroom for hours. He didn’t deserve that, even if he did cheat on me.”

  “Why was he in the bathroom?” Molly asked, looking up from the game she was playing.

  “Never mind.” Raising an eyebrow, Samantha looked at Allison. “So, what did happen?”

  Allison shot a warning glare at Cam. She’d told her oldest sister how badly the date had gone so she wouldn’t set up any of her friends with the jerk. But she didn’t need the rest of her family knowing how big a bust the date had been. Her failures were adding up. “Nothing. We went to dinner; we weren’t compatible; we left.” She took a big gulp of coffee, the liquid burning its way down her throat. “So, what’s for brunch?”

  “Why weren’t you compatible?” her mother asked. “He’s a professional with a solid income. You can’t be too picky, Allison. Not at your age.”

  “I know, Mom.” Allison clenched her mug. Jeez, she was barely into her thirties, not applying for Social Security.

  “People will start to wonder why you’re still single.” Her mom opened a package of bacon and dropped slices on a hot frying pan, each strip sizzling as it landed. “And you’re so pretty and talented. I don’t understand why nobody’s snapped you up yet.”

  Allison was grinding her teeth so hard that she was surprised they didn’t crumble to dust. She knew her mom meant well. And she probably thought she was complimenting her middle daughter by saying she didn’t understand why no man wanted her.

  But it wasn’t a complim
ent. It was just one more reason for Allison to doubt herself.

  Sam shifted against Patrick and shot Allison a sympathetic look. “Well, I’ve got some news. Me and Patrick do actually.” Squeezing his hand, she leaned forward and kissed her husband on the cheek before turning back to the family with a big grin stretching her cheeks. “We’re pregnant!”

  The kitchen burst into pandemonium. Her mother shrieked, Sam hollered, and the men watching football came running to see what the fuss was about. Allison hugged her sister and Patrick. Another little niece or nephew to spoil and love. Allison bounced on her toes. She knew they’d be great parents.

  Her baby sister was having a baby. Her mother reached for Patrick again, knocking Allison back. Camilla had Sam in a bear hug. The men were doing a lot of back slapping and laughing. Wanting in on the action, Molly pushed into the cluster, stomping on Allison’s foot on the way.

  Allison hopped back. She watched her family, celebrating together, no longer a part of it. Her baby sister was having a baby. Allison clutched the counter top, the laughter becoming a hum of background noise. The granite edge dug into her palms. A thickness gathered in her throat. A longing so intense it felt like a knife to the heart stabbed her. This was her family around her, a family she loved, and she’d never felt more alone.

  She took a deep breath. She could do this, make it through this brunch with smiles and well-wishes for her sister. Sam deserved nothing less. And if she still felt like crying when she got home, then she’d whip up some chocolate chip cookie dough and go to town.

  Her mother moved to her side, and gave Allison a little side hug. “Isn’t this great? Another grandbaby. I guess I’m lucky that two of my daughters have families.”

  “Yes, very lucky,” Allison said woodenly.

  Her mother stroked Allison’s hair. “And don’t you worry. Your time will come. There’s still hope.”

  Allison stared blankly at her mother. Even in this moment of joy, her mother still had time to think of her problem child. The pathetic, single, lonely one. The disappointment.

  “I’m living with someone,” Allison blurted out. Conversation ebbed, and the kitchen grew silent. Her family stared at her, mouths open. Allison was just as stunned. What the hell had she just done?

  Her mother stepped back. “Living with someone?”

  “Yes. A man someone. I’m living with a man.” Oh God. Why couldn’t she shut up? But her mouth had taken on a life of its own. “He’s a chef, and he moved in with me this week.” All true, but she was still a dirty, dirty liar headed for hell.

  Her mother pressed her lips into a flat white line. “I see. Why are we just hearing about him now?”

  Allison lifted her hair off her neck and tied it in a knot. The kitchen was getting hot. “It’s still fairly new, and I didn’t want to jinx anything.”

  Her father stepped forward and put a hand on his wife’s shoulder. “It’s new and you’re already living together? What’s the rush?”

  Her mother’s gaze flickered down to her abdomen, wrinkles creasing her forehead.

  “I’m not knocked up, Mom.” Allison wondered if Luke’s ears were burning. From love interest to live-in boyfriend to father-to-be all in five minutes. “Sheesh. You think the only way a man would commit to me is if he got me pregnant?”

  “That’s not what she said,” Camilla, always the arbiter, said. “We didn’t even know you were dating anyone, and now you’re living with the guy. It’s no wonder we have questions.” Plucking Karen off the ground, she settled her daughter on her lap and bounced her legs. “You said Luke was leaving town and wasn’t on your list. And why’d you go out with Richard if you were seeing someone?”

  Crap. All good points. Allison would not want to be a hostile witness facing her sister on the stand. Smelling that the bacon was starting to burn, she hustled to the stove and flipped the slices, glad for the excuse not to face her family. “Like I said, it’s a pretty new relationship that I didn’t want to talk about yet. And you pushed Richard on me.” Going on the offense seemed like a good ploy.

  Turning from the stove, she crossed her arms over her chest. “And it happened fast because…”

  Four sets of raised eyebrows greeted her, the matching expressions on her family’s faces unnerving. Her sisters’ husbands were looking anywhere but at her. John glanced longingly back toward the family room. Football beat out family drama every day of the week.

  “Well, his place burned down, and he needed somewhere to stay.” Allison shrugged. “It just seemed natural to invite him to my house, and we decided to make it permanent, until he goes back to Chicago. If he goes back. He hasn’t decided yet.” She glanced down at her jeans. Nope, not burning yet.

  Her father stepped forward and kissed her forehead. “That’s too bad about his place, but I wish you wouldn’t rush it. I haven’t even met this guy yet, seen if he’s good enough for my little girl.”

  Allison’s heart turned to mush, and she wrapped her arms around her dad. “I’m okay, Dad,” she said, the words muffled by his sweatshirt. “You don’t have to worry about me.” And he didn’t, not until her mother said, “You’ll have to bring him to brunch next Sunday.” Then Allison knew he should be worried, because Allison was in big trouble. Why hadn’t she thought that far ahead? Of course, her family would want to meet the man she was living with. And that man didn’t exist.

  She couldn’t even ask Luke to cover for her. He’d be gone next Sunday. This was going to be the fastest crash-and-burn relationship in history. And after she told her family that she’d broken up with her imaginary live-in boyfriend, the pitying looks and horrible setups would begin again.

  Sam walked over to the box of donuts and plucked one out. “Well, you’re going to get me for brunch two weeks in a row, Mom, because that is one meal I am not going to miss.”

  * * * *

  Allison kicked her front door shut, relieved to finally be home. The smell of cooking meat and spices drew her toward the kitchen. She dropped her bags in the doorway and peeked over Luke’s shoulder to see what he was stirring on her stove.

  “Hi,” she said, his very nearness making her a bit breathless. “What’s cooking, hot shot?”

  Ladling up a spoonful, he held it to her lips. “Here. Open up.”

  She knew she must have a dirty mind because that sounded way sexier than it should. She took a sip from the wooden spoon, and almost melted into a puddle at his feet. The mix of basil and cayenne was outstanding, but there was something else…

  “Cocoa?” she asked.

  “Just a hint. It gives it a depth of flavor that would otherwise be missing.” He continued stirring. “So, what do you think?”

  “It’s amazing.” She opened her refrigerator and pulled out a beer for herself, handed him one. “I guess the Institute of Culinary Education wasn’t a waste of money.”

  He leaned against the counter, and pressed a hand over his heart. “Aww, you read up on me. I’m flattered.”

  “Don’t be an ass.” She sat down at the table and popped her feet onto the other chair. She couldn’t wait for this day to end, except that, come tomorrow, Luke would be gone. Her chest burned, and she took another swig of beer.

  Ignoring her comment, he pointed at her bags with the spoon. “Did some shopping?”

  “Yeah, after brunch with my family I needed a little retail therapy. Still couldn’t find that damn doll for my niece. It’s like the entire state of Michigan is sold out. But I found Christmas gifts for my sisters.” A really nice one for Sam as an apology for stealing her thunder with her big news. She should never go shopping when guilty. Her credit cards were weeping when she put them back in her wallet.

  “And…” She leaned out of her chair, snagged the handle on one of her bags, and almost fell out of her seat in the process. “I got you something.”

  The stirring stopped. “You did?” Luke
’s eyes went round when he looked at the tissue-wrapped object in her hand.

  “Yeah, it’s not much.” She removed the knit beanie and held it out to him. “Just your ears get so red in the cold, and you don’t have a hat. If you’re going to be on a road trip for the next couple of months during the winter, I thought it would be something you could use. Might even fit under your helmet.”

  He lightly ran his fingers along the edge, as if the hat were made of crystal. “It’s lined with fleece.”

  She shrugged and took another sip of beer. “Yeah. It should be comfy.” His reaction unsettled her. Did no one give this man any gifts? She hadn’t asked him if he had any family, if his parents were still alive, or if he had any siblings. Shame clawed at her. She should have tried to get to know him better. And now it was too late.

  “Thank you, Allison. That was really thoughtful.” He cleared his throat. “I, uh, actually got you something, too. It was delivered today.”

  Tilting the bottle back, she finished the beer and wiped the back of her hand across her mouth. “A going-away present, huh?”

  He folded his hat and tucked one end into his jeans. Sitting across from her, he said, “About that, I don’t think I’m going to leave tomorrow. I think I’ll wait and see what Laurie does.” He shrugged. “My ass gets awfully sore sitting on the bike eight hours a day, and I’d rather stay in one place.” He lifted his bottle to his lips, “Besides, it’s not so bad here.”

  Pressure built behind her eyes. She had more time with him. That shouldn’t have been important, but it was. He wasn’t leaving her. Yet. Scratching at the label on her bottle, she forced herself to stay in her chair, to not do anything stupid like go over and straddle him, run her fingers through his sandy hair, and hold on tight.

  “You said you had a present for me?” she asked, proud of how even her voice sounded.

  Standing, he reached for her hand. “Yep. Let me show you.”

  Crap. Touching him would be bad. She knew it. She slid her hand in his anyway. His skin was a mix of velvet and calluses, and a tingle shot straight up her arm. “Oh, damn,” she muttered.