Ty took Tina’s hand as she exited the car. “Well, what do you
think?”
Caught by a light, wintery breeze, the sweatshirt hood hiding her
features fell away.
One look at the absolute wonder in those huge blue eyes assured Ty
he’d made the right decision to rent the expansive, three story log chalet.
“It’s not exactly home, but it’s as close as I could make it.” His
words puffed out in a frosty trail. “For this year anyway.”
She took her wide-eyed gaze off the elegant yet rustic structure
with its spacious porch across the front. As she glanced up at him, a smile lit
her face to warm his heart.
“Anywhere I’m with you is as good as home to me.”
“It’s nice to hear you say that.” Ty pushed up the bill on the
baseball cap she still wore to give him access an inviting pair of turned up
lips he covered briefly with his. “Come on, there’s more.” Still holding her
hand, he led her up the smooth wooden steps, passed the Adirondack style porch
swing, and unlocked the heavy double doors.
Inside was spacious, comfortable and warm. Just like the rental
agreement promised. To the left, a commercial size kitchen and dining table to
seat at least twelve. About six ladder backed bar stools were lined up along a
grey and black granite counter. On the right, an open and polished rough sawn
staircase. Straight ahead, the massive two story living room with floor to
ceiling windows. Three overstuffed leather couches set at right angles were
accented with thick wooden tables and iron floor lamps.
“A Christmas tree. Oh, Ty.”
He put his arm around her and grinned. “You like it?”
The twelve-foot fir he’d ordered, complete with shiny ornaments
and sparkling tinsel, occupied a far corner in the living room. Its top
reaching well into the second story of the high arched cathedral ceiling.
“And food. We have food.” He left her side just long enough to
open one of two double door refrigerators. “Fully stocked. The other one too.”
Stepping back, he swung both doors wide to reveal all he’d
ordered. Meats and fruits and milk. Eggs, bread and more assorted groceries.
Tina came over to peek inside then turned to him and raised her
brow. She no doubt noticed the excess. “That’s enough to feed a small army. How
long, exactly, do we plan to stay here?”
“For Christmas, of course.” He shut the doors, then turned to draw
her into his arms. “Maybe a little longer if we can swing it.”
“That does sound wonderful.” Even as she smiled up at him, a
sadness creased the edges of her eyes to tug at his heart.
“I hope so, sweetheart.”
“Now that you’ve rescued me and brought me to this home away from
home, I’m going to indulge myself in a long, hot bath and get into my pajamas.”
The mental image heated his blood. Time enough for
that later. “I’ll be waiting when you’re done.”
“I assume you had our clothes delivered here from the bus as
well.”
“Sure did. Take your pick of bedrooms.” He gestured toward the
second floor with one finger. “There are two master suites upstairs, and three
more down here.” With an elaborate sweep of his arm, he indicated a hallway
beneath the stairs. “Plus, there’s a media room below.”
“Nice to know there are so many places to sleep, but we only need
one.” She glanced over one shoulder before she walked upstairs.
“I’ll get a fire going.” He headed toward the massive fieldstone
fireplace that centered the right-hand wall with an ample supply of
long-burning oak logs piled beside it. “Have it nice and warm in here in no
time.”
Ty made sure all the shades were drawn before he turned on too
many lights. Even if they were pretty much out in the middle of nowhere, there
was no reason to take the chance a passerby would want to catch a glimpse
inside.
True to his word, he knelt to construct a base of paper and
kindling, lit it, then hefted the largest log from the pile to put on top.
The whole time they made their escape he knew Tina was scared.
Terrified, really. Until they drove up into the relative solitude of the
mountains. He sank onto a couch directly across from the fireplace as tiny
fingers of flame sparked up then grew into fiery pillars of orange and yellow.
Too bad there wasn’t much he could do for her. Other than accept
the blame that their life together had become a series of extremes with no real
middle ground. They spent a good share of their time hiding out in the shadows.
The rest of it on stage in one huge venue or another, under the glare of
pulsating spotlights to perform set after set of chart topping songs that had
endeared them to music lovers around the world.
The fire crackled and snapped. The granddaddy log he’d chosen
rolled and shifted to settle further into red hot coals. Flying sparks of
crimson and gold danced, and the burning wood flamed into a radiant wall of
fire.
Tina Monroe was the love of his life. He adored her. Along with
millions of country music fans, if her latest single going platinum in a matter
of days after its release was any indication of her colossal fame. No one was
prouder of her success than him. Even if he sometimes grew weary of having to
share her with the world.
“Penny for your thoughts.”
Ty glanced up and couldn’t help but smile as Tina came into the
living room. Hard to believe the woman before him decked out in long sleeved
flannel pajamas and bright pink bunny slippers was America’s top female
vocalist three years running. Her long, silky trademark hair no longer
scrunched up under the baseball cap, hung in soft waves around a fresh and
gorgeous face. Freshly washed clean of all traces of the dramatic stage make
up.
“You.”
“I’m flattered.” Despite her teasing, love glowed in those
mesmerizing blue eyes, and a sweet smile tipped up her lips as she walked
toward him. “What about me?”
“Nothing much. Just you.” Even as he said it, he decided she
deserved more of an answer. “The monumental success you’ve had these past few
years.”
As soon as she sat beside him, he slipped an arm around her
shoulders. For a moment he stilled, struck by how perfectly they fit together.
“Which is both a blessing and a curse. Adored by millions I’m
forced to run away from. When I ventured out into the crowd to greet a few fans
after the matinee, I had no idea I’d set off a virtual riot.”
“I’m sure no one meant to intentionally harm you. Even so, a few
hundred enthusiastic fans rushing the stage was a little intimidating. I
thought we should make a run for it.”
“An unfortunate aspect of what we do.” She spoke softly as she
snuggled close. “Thank you for taking care of me.”
“I know how much you wanted to be home for Christmas this year.”
With his arm still around her, he rubbed his thumb along the flawless silk of
her cheek, half expecting to encounter a tear or two. “I’m sorry it didn’t work
out.”
“You don’t have to be sorry.” Nestled into him, she laid her head
against his shoulder. “I told you, for me, Christmas or not, home is wherever
you are.”
Although she kept her tone light, he sensed a sadness in her voice
she couldn’t hide completely.
“It will be a wonderful Christmas this year, sweetheart.” He
notched her chin up with his thumb and forefinger, so he could gaze into the
depths of her eyes. “I promise.”
“I’m sure it will be. I learned long ago, you also keep your
promises.” Her soft whisper drifted to nothing as, closing her eyes, she
touched her lips to his.
******
Please come back again
tomorrow for the final installment of Home For Christmas – Part Three. For more
short stories, some to download for free, please go to my WEBSITE
15 comments:
I'll admit I was thinking movie star when I read the draft, so I was on the right track!
I had no clue and smiled with glee at your twisty turn. What a loving story. Can't wait to finish it.
You surprised me! I thought maybe undercover agents in some wild sting gone wrong. Now, that I know, let's see if my idea of how it ends is correct. Can't wait for tomorrow.
Ha! On the run, but because of popularity! Nice Turn! Seem like down-to-earth people even with lots of money to spend.
Nice! I thought they were being hunted by mobsters or something. I love the twist. And, your words are really painting a picture. Excellent!!
Hmmmm. Movie star, huh? As you know that’s my hero in Book 3 of Brothers in Blue. Hmmmm. ;-)
And I love it when I can make you smile with glee, Von. Made my day.
My guess is you’ll figure it out, Brenda. Glad I could surprise you though. That’s a plus.
Aw thank you, Rolynn. Exactly the characterizations I was going for.
Thanks, Ally. Painting the picture was easy. I’m describing the House we stayed in for that family wedding I was heading to when we met this summer. That’s not exactly cheating is it? ;-)
I also was thinking the victim-on-the-run route. Nice twist! And I love the cabin! It makes even snow sound wonderful. :-) As others said, wonderful descriptions!
I'm surprised, too, by the twist. It didn't go the way I thought it would. But, I still think I'm on the right track. We'll see tomorrow if I'm right. Nice job.
Why thank you, Leah. It really was a beautiful cabin. I think there were fifteen of our family who stayed in the 'real' one.
I think you and Brenda probably have me figured out already, Diane.
Haha, Margo, nah, that's not cheating. :)
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