Holiday with You - Claudia Burgoa Page 0,16

those for me.”

“I’m sure she wanted you to share. Holiday spirit and all,” I say around a mouthful of sugary sweetness.

“What’s the problem here?”

I freeze mid-bite at the sound of that voice.

I’m going to taste every inch of you.

I shiver at the reminder of his words last night and how he fulfilled that promise.

“Where’s Squirrel?” Morgan asks, craning his neck.

I can’t turn around.

I’m not ready to face the man who was naked in my bed only a few short hours ago.

“At school.”

The hint of a tease winds its way through me. That urge to burrow into him comes back with a vengeance. He’s warmth and fun. And he gives good forehead kisses.

“Are you avoiding me, Unicorn?”

I chew harder as I spin around. “Why does everyone keep calling me that?”

I should’ve kept my back to him. His dark hair is just like it was this morning. Only this time, my fingers didn’t do the damage. His toboggan did. What a shame.

“I told you that you brought it on yourself,” Morgan chimes in.

If I hadn’t stolen one of his cookies, he’d be in big trouble. But the sugar helps.

“Where’s your onesie today?”

The irritation bubbling to the surface instantly simmers when Colin flashes me that cocky grin.

“If your brother doesn’t fix my car soon, it’ll be back in the rotation again.” Oh, crap. My lost luggage. I need to call the airline. Just add another thing to my to-do list.

“I’m looking forward to that.”

You are?

Even though I’m pretty sure I know the reason he jetted off this morning, there’s still the sting of rejection that it might have had more to do with me.

“She was just telling me about her search for that mystery woman,” Morgan says, wiping his hands on his coveralls.

I scowl. “It’s going nowhere. Fast.”

And if something doesn’t give soon, I’m going to be unemployed, likely with a broom shoved up my behind courtesy of Aurora.

Colin moves beside me and mirrors his brother’s position. His proximity shoots flames through me. Step away, Audrey. Instead, I inch closer.

Gah. He smells so good. Like the outdoors or winter or I don’t know what.

“What’s the problem?” he asks, and for a second, I think he can solve all my issues. If he finds Anna Beth Grant, I’ll kiss him. Again.

Not that it would be a hardship.

“It’s like this woman doesn’t exist. She’s on that deed, but I went to the library—”

“You met Mrs. Pollard? She knows everybody. And she’s been here since time began,” Morgan says.

Not everybody.

Colin cuts his eyes over to his brother in a shut it look. “She couldn’t help you?” he asks with infinite patience.

I find myself wanting to dump the whole story on him. Instead, I give him the condensed version. “No. She pointed me in the right direction with the genealogy books, but there’s no one with the last name Grant.” I throw my hands up. “It’s like she doesn’t exist.”

“Maybe she doesn’t,” he says quietly.

I narrow my gaze. “She has to. She owns Winter Valley Bed & Breakfast.”

“Psycho” blares from my pocket. I bang my head against Colin’s chest without thinking.

He rubs my back, and all I want to do is go to bed with him again. Maybe this time with more snuggling.

“Are you gonna answer that?” Morgan asks.

I groan and swipe the screen.

“Where is the contract?” Aurora asks before I even get a hello out.

“I haven’t been able to locate—”

“Remind me why I have you on staff?”

I keep asking myself the same question. I enjoy my job, but I despise my boss. And I don’t dislike anything. Except mayonnaise. And olives. Ick.

“No one knows—”

“I want that B&B by tomorrow.”

Well, I want shampoo commercial-perfect hair, but it’s just not in the cards, is it?

“I—” Three tones sound in my ear. Thank you, Jesus. She’s gone. For now.

“What’s wrong?” A strong hand continues to rub a soothing circle on my back.

“If I don’t get the bed and breakfast under contract by tomorrow, I’m ninety-nine point nine percent sure I’ll be fired.”

Colin flashes me a sympathetic look. “I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

“Please. Someone has to know something about who owns it. Just give me a hint,” I beg.

He and Morgan exchange another glance. They’re hiding something. But why?

I step out of Colin’s hold. “I need my car by Friday. Either I’ll have the B&B secured, or I’ll be jobless and need to go home.”

Morgan shrugs. “Sorry, Unicorn. No can do. Your insurance won’t cut the check this week. And I can’t get the parts anyway. You’re stuck