Rhonda Nelson - Jingle Spells

“That can’t be easy. This looks like a huge operation. How can you handle the IT department when you’re supposed to be the head honcho of Evergreen?”

“Obviously I’m not doing a very good job of it. You hacked in.”

“You shouldn’t let that bother you. As I said before, I know your MO. The average hacker wouldn’t have nearly such an easy time of it.”

“Nevertheless, you exposed my vulnerabilities. I want those protected.”

That, too, was a telling statement. She was the woman who knew too much. He’d hired her to barricade him against future invasions, both business-related and emotional, and then leave.

The elevator came to a smooth stop on the twelfth floor. It hadn’t stopped once since they’d left the lobby. Other people had to be working in this large building, and yet she’d never know it. Jolie S. Garland was the only employee she’d met. That was spooky.

“I gave the rest of the IT staff the day off to go Christmas shopping,” he said. “I wanted you to be able to work undisturbed.”

That meant he didn’t want her talking to anyone. He’d done his best to isolate her from the rest of the workers at Evergreen. After they’d gotten so close at MIT, he should have realized the more he tried to deny her access to information, the more determined she’d become. If she hadn’t believed her investigative plan was for his own good, she’d feel disloyal. But he’d refused to give her all the facts, and without those facts, she couldn’t make an informed decision. Maybe, once she knew what the issues were, she’d agree with him that they had no future.

She seriously doubted that, though. Every problem had a solution. He’d been conditioned to believe this particular problem couldn’t be solved. That wasn’t a failing. Everyone had blind spots. Because she loved him, she would help him to overcome his.

After they left the elevator, he led her past several offices, but the hallway was ghost-town silent.

At the end of the hall, Cole opened a door into a larger office. An L-shaped dark walnut desk held multiple monitors, a top-of-the-line keyboard and a mouse pad in the shape of a round Christmas ornament. A Santa mug sat to the right of the keyboard, but that was it. No framed pictures, no flowering plant, no cluttered in-basket.

She glanced around. “Is this your office?”

“Used to be. I still work down here when I need to.”

“Where’s your regular office?”

“Fifteenth floor.” He seemed reluctant to share that information. “Let me take your coat so you can have a seat and get started.”

“Fine.” She put her messenger bag on his desk and instantly the work space looked more welcoming. As she started to shrug out of her parka, her hands bumped his. He was helping her take off her coat. She froze. “I can do it.”

“Right.” He backed away. “Sorry. Habit.”

Slipping off her coat, she turned to him. He looked positively miserable. “You can leave,” she said. “I know how to turn on a computer.” She smiled. “And I already know your password.”

He laughed at that, although it wasn’t a happy laugh. “So you do. Then maybe I will leave you to work for a while and I’ll check on you later. I...uh...didn’t realize that giving the IT staff the day off would have an unintended consequence.”

“That we’re all alone up here?”

His green gaze burned with frustration. “Exactly.”

“Then go, before one of your siblings shows up and catches us in a compromising position.”

Heat flared in his eyes. “I’ll come back and check on you. Is there anything you need?”

“Besides the obvious?”

“Stop.”

“Okay. I would love a good cup of coffee sometime in the middle of the morning. Is that possible?”

“I’ll make it happen.”

“Thanks. See ya.” She made a shooing motion with both hands. She hoped his siblings did pop in to see her. She’d figure out a way to make that work to her advantage.

Chapter 7

Cole barreled down the hall and waited impatiently for the elevator. When it came, he was glad it was empty. He used his card and punched the number for the fifteenth floor. How could this have become so complicated? He hadn’t factored in the possibility that she’d be as hot for him now—hotter, in fact—as she’d been before. And still in love with him, as he was with her. What a disaster!

Ethan got on the elevator as Cole got off. “Is Taryn in the building?” Ethan asked.

“Yes, and I hope you’ll leave her alone to work.”

Ethan laughed. “I will, for now. I have to deliver some ornaments to the Denver Chamber of Commerce. Their president read Lark’s damned book, and the cheer level of their Christmas display is way down. But if Taryn’s here when I get back, I’ll stop in and introduce myself.”

“Don’t hurry home.”

“I love you, too, big brother.” The elevator door closed, obscuring Ethan’s grin.

Cole blew out a breath and started down the hall. Then he remembered Taryn’s coffee request and stopped at Belle’s office.

She glanced up from her computer. “Is Taryn here?”

“Yes, and she’s a coffee drinker.”

“Cool! I like her already.”

“She asked for a good cup of coffee mid-morning, and I thought, since you always go to Cup of Cheer around ten, you could bring back something for her.”

“Uh, sure.” Belle’s gaze flickered. “I have some errands to run in town, though, and they could take a while.”

Something was going on with her and these errands, but this time of year, Cole knew better than to quiz his family when they acted mysterious. For all he knew, she had been planning to buy his present that morning.

“How about this?” Her expression brightened. “She can walk down there with me. I’ll buy her coffee, and then I’ll send her back here while I run my errands. That way she can see what they have and get the flavor she likes. Will that work?”

“Guess so.” Cole wasn’t crazy about the thought of Taryn on the loose in Gingerbread. But he also wasn’t ready to be alone with her again.

“Then we’ll do it that way. I look forward to meeting her.”

“You’ll watch what you say, though, right?”

Belle’s green eyes widened innocently. “You don’t want me to tell her how destroyed you were when you had to break up with her ten years ago?”

He scowled.

“Don’t worry, big brother. Your secrets are safe with me.”

“Thanks.” He remembered he wanted to mention seeing Kris. “Our wayward Santa was out jogging when we drove past. Taryn decided he’s some guy who’s into role-playing.”

“That’s good. Excellent. And I’ve been meaning to tell you that Louie, one of our elves, has designed Spit-Up Baby Susie. He thinks it’s more realistic and should go into production ASAP.”

“Have him send the prototype to me.”

“You’re not thinking of approving it, I hope!”

“No, but I’m curious to see how it works.” Any distraction, including a vomiting baby doll, would be a good thing.

* * *

Taryn needed caffeine. Mrs. Gustafson’s brew had worn off, and while Cole’s whimsical database with its dopey categories like “Lots of Toys for Girls and Boys” was entertaining, Taryn needed hot coffee, and she needed it now.

When a green-eyed blonde wearing a trench coat tapped on the open door, Taryn hoped her visitor was there on a mission of mercy for the caffeine-deprived.

“Taryn, I’m Belle.” Smiling, she hooked her purse more securely over her shoulder. “Cole said you drink coffee.”

“I do. Is there a pot brewing somewhere in the building?” She wondered if Belle might give her access to a different floor. That would be exciting.