The Broody Brit For Christmas (Holiday Springs #1) - M.J. Fields Page 0,16
time, you try to hook me up with any and every single, widowed, or divorced woman in this town, I’m not interested. I do just fine on my own.”
“Trust me. I don’t go looking for them. They come to me. Literally, they walk into my bookstore, under the false pretense that they are looking for a romance novel, and somehow the conversation always leads to my sexy, single British brother-in-law with the handsome little boy.”
“Do they purchase books?”
She nods.
“Then, you’re welcome. As far as repayment for driving business your way, I kindly ask that you fill those empty places on your shelves with the idea of trying to marry me off to someone from the lonely-hearts club because my heart isn’t lonely.”
“I know it’s not,” she smiles gently, “but imagine how full it could be if you found someone to share it with.”
“I’m aware of how love enhances a person’s life. Your sister taught me everything I know of love. I really wish you’d focus that lust for love on yourself. You deserve to find love, too.”
“I find love every day.” She smiles.
“Outside of your books,” I tease.
She throws her head back and laughs out. “You’re not the only one who likes variety. It is the spice of life, you know.”
Shaking my head, I sigh.
“Don’t you start with me.” She giggles. “I am perfectly content.”
“I’ll back off as soon as you do.” I wink.
“Back off what?” Nathaniel hops up on his stool and puts the candy inside the deep red canvas bag with the green lettering spelling out Blizzards Bar, from last season’s Holiday Springs Twelve Days of Christmas festivities.
“Back off the tea,” I lie. “All that caffeine keeps your aunt up all night.”
Nathaniel looks at her and concern begins to etch his features.
“Oh, don’t worry, I have my cats and books, Nate.” She pats his hand before turning back to me with her brows raised. “And a toy rabbit that takes care of me at night.”
I give her a shocked face before she laughs out loud.
Nate’s confused look moves to Faith. “You have a rabbit? Since when?”
Before I can respond, my gaze moves to the ladies’ room door as it opens. Nikki and Jenny walk toward the bar, if you can call the zigzag mess where they’re basically holding one another up, walking. “Jesus.”
I clear my throat and look at Faith. “How about you two take your tea upstairs, and I’ll be along as soon as I can?”
Nathaniel looks over his shoulder and back at me. “I’ve seen drunk people before, Dad. No big deal. It’s like live theatre. Entertain—”
Laughing, Faith cuts him off, “Let’s head up and let your father take care of business.”
The way she says take care of business, and the wink that follows it as Nathaniel slides off his barstool, has me literally rolling my eyes at her.
“Thanks for the candy.” Nathaniel smiles shyly at Nikki.
“Thank you for your forgiveness.” She smiles sincerely. “You really are just the cutest boy.”
Nathaniel flushes the same color as his candy bag as he looks at me, trying to hold back a smile. “Night, Dad.” He heads toward my office where there is a stairway leading up to our flat.
“Lock the door behind you,” I remind them. I like living right above the bar, but sometimes I worry that someone will drunkenly make their way up there without consent. I know I’m in Holiday Springs, not London town, but I still can’t shake the feeling that my son needs to always be secure inside our home.
Jenny and Nikki sit before me, both clearly having had plenty to drink. Yet, one has yet to get the memo. I step back, cross my arms, and wait for—
Jenny raises two fingers and slurs, “Six shots of tequila, bart—”
I interrupt, “How about a cup of tea?”
“A spot of tea, guv’nor?” Jenny slurs loudly into Nikki’s ear.
They both burst into a fit of laughter. I roll my eyes and bite back a laugh, glad they’re having fun, even if it’s at my expense.
Setting the cups on the bar, I ask, “Do you ladies have a ride?”
“The husband is coming to gather me up.” Jenny lifts her teacup. “So this is totally unnecessary,” she says in another ridiculous attempt at an English accent.
I try not to laugh when I say, “You’ll thank me in the morning.”
Jenny pulls her phone from her pocket and looks at the screen, grumbling, “One night. Just one night of fun, and I’m getting calls, and it’s not even ‘last call’