later, taking her by surprise.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” Penny cradled a large package in her arms.
“What’s that?” Kat asked.
“I don’t know.” With a curious expression, Penny handed her the box. “It’s for you.”
Surreptitiously, Jack closed his office door so no one in the kitchen would overhear his phone call. Stealing to his desk, he flipped through his old-fashioned Rolodex for the number of his financial advisor.
Paul Volt picked up after the first ring. “Jack! What can I do for my favorite client?”
Grinning, Jack kicked back in his chair. He knew for a fact he was one of Paul’s only clients. But considering the amount of money Jack paid him to handle his finances, he didn’t need many. Of course, Jack would’ve gladly paid him ten times his monthly retainer fee to avoid dealing with gobs of money he didn’t need, courtesy of a successful business and a simple lifestyle. Out of sight, out of mind was how he preferred it.
“Hey, Paul. Do you remember the property my dad gave me several years ago?”
“The old mansion on Windsor?”
“Yep, that’s the one.”
“Sure. What about it?”
“I want you to look into the zoning for me. Specifically, what it would take to turn it into an inn.”
“You want to run an inn?” Paul didn’t bother hiding his astonishment.
“Something like that,” Jack said cryptically. “How long until you can have some information for me?”
“I’ll get started this afternoon.” Still sounding incredulous, Paul bid him goodbye before ending the call.
Leaning forward, Jack placed the cordless phone on the receiver, shaking his head in amusement. He didn’t blame Paul for being confused. Ever since his father had gifted him the property, Jack had let it sit stagnant. The bold-faced bribe had been like salt in a still-gaping wound.
Revisiting the painful memories wouldn’t be easy.
But for Kat? It would be worth it.
Chapter 16
As Kat stepped onto Main Street, her breath hitched at the beautiful sight before her. The entire town square dazzled beneath a canopy of twinkling lights. Every speck of snow had been cleared from the streets and the center lawn, but it still capped the rooftops and tree branches, adding to the magical, glittery effect.
Townspeople clad in wintry and festive-themed pajamas gathered around blazing firepits or huddled beneath the amber glow of heat lamps.
Kat pulled her vintage chenille robe tighter around her, although she didn’t cinch the waist, allowing just enough of the elegant 1950s nightgown to peek through. She’d had her reservations when Penny explained the quirky tradition, but she’d underestimated its charm. Now that she saw the event up close, she was absolutely smitten with it.
Kat scanned the bright, jovial faces in the crowd, searching for one in particular. Since he stood several inches taller than everyone else, he wasn’t hard to spot. Her stomach fluttered when she noticed Jack’s gaze followed the same sweeping pattern as her own. Could he be looking for her?
Their eyes locked, and a heart-stopping smile illuminated his features, warming Kat all the way down to her toes. Something was definitely happening between them, and she couldn’t deny wanting to discover whatever it was. In all her life, she’d never experienced so much joy and exhilaration wrapped in equal amounts of anxious trepidation.
Gathering her nerves, she inhaled deeply, catching a whiff of her new perfume. She still couldn’t believe Fern had mailed her the package filled with clothing, makeup, a few personal items, and the early Christmas present.
Fern’s note had simply stated that she’d spotted the perfume bottle in a shop window and couldn’t resist. Of course, Kat shouldn’t have been surprised Fern knew exactly where to send it. The woman had an uncanny knack for knowing the unknowable. In truth, she’d probably written the return address down the minute she received Penny’s letter. And all that talk of moldy cheese and A Christmas Carol had been a not-so-subtle push for Kat to finally visit her sister.
As for the perfume… Well, Kat couldn’t wait to wear it for Jack. It wasn’t fruity or floral, she had a feeling he wouldn’t appreciate those scents. Instead, it smelled warm and sultry with hints of spicy cardamom and saffron wrapped in woodsy amber.
With an unwavering gaze, Jack strode straight toward her, and Kat stifled a laugh as he emerged through the crowd. The man confidently wore a red onesie paired with a fur-lined trapper hat and shiny black boots.
“Did you steal Santa’s pajamas?” she teased, trying not to gawk at the way his substantial biceps strained the ribbed cotton