Barbara Dunlop - Christmas Secrets

It didn’t move.

He made his voice sterner. “Go on.”

The dog ducked its head, eyes going sad.

Cole felt a shot to his chest.

He tried to steel himself against the guilt, but the effort didn’t pay off. He crouched down in front of the dog, scratching its matted neck and meeting its eyes. “I don’t know what you expect here.”

It pushed forward, nuzzling its nose against Cole’s thigh.

“Those are rented pants,” said Cole.

It pushed farther forward.

“I live in Alaska.”

Its tail began to wag.

“Crap.”

“Mr. Parker?” The driver appeared in Cole’s peripheral vision. “Are you ready to go, sir?”

Cole stood, drawing a deep sigh. “We’re ready.”

“We?”

“The dog’s coming, too.”

The driver glanced down at the scruffy animal. He hesitated, but then said, “Of course, sir.”

“Do you have a blanket or something to protect the seat?”

“I’ll get a newspaper from the doorman.”

“That’ll work,” said Cole. He looked to the dog. “You want to go for a car ride?”

Its head lifted. Its brow went up. And its tail wagged harder.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” Cole knew he was making a stupid, emotional decision, one he’d likely regret very quickly. But he couldn’t bring himself to leave the animal behind.

He closed his eyes for a long moment. All this for a pair of shoes.

The next morning, Cole headed for the Hendersons’ penthouse apartment to return Amber’s shoes. He took the dog with him, thinking maybe he’d stop by the shelter on his way back and drop it off. He told himself they were in the business of finding stray animals good homes.

The dog looked much more appealing since Cole had given him a bath in the hotel’s carwash bay. He smelled better, too, considerably better. And he’d probably put on five pounds between the room-service steak last night and the bacon and sausage breakfast.

The animal had been meticulously well behaved, and now stood quietly by Cole’s side while Cole rang the bell.

A minute later, Amber answered the door. She was dressed in faded blue jeans, bare feet poking out at the bottom. A stained T-shirt stretched across her chest, and she had what looked like oatmeal smeared in her hair. Zachary was bawling in her arms.

“The doorman said it was a delivery,” she told Cole over Zachary’s cries.

Cole held up the shoes. “It is a delivery.”

She focused on the shiny creations while struggling to hold the wiggling, howling Zachary. “Honestly, I’d hoped somebody might steal them.”

“You have got to be kidding.” Cole didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

“Only partially kidding,” she admitted. “They cost a lot of money, but I don’t ever want to have to wear them again.” She glanced down. “You have a dog?”

“I have one now,” he said.

“Okay.” She seemed to digest that while Zachary continued to wriggle. It was clear she had her hands full. “Could you maybe just bring them in and toss them down?” She glanced around the foyer.

“Sure.” Cole moved through the doorway, spying a closet door. He opened it and placed them inside.

The baby’s cries faded to whimpers behind him.

He turned back. “I’ll have you know I practically risked my life to rescue these.”

Zachary suddenly stiffened. He twisted his head to stare at Cole in what looked like amazement.

“The party got that wild?” Amber asked.

Zachary’s silver-gray eyes focused on Cole like lasers. He went silent and stared unblinking, seeming to drink in Cole’s appearance.

Then, suddenly, he lunged for Cole.

“Hey.” Amber grappled to keep hold of him.

Zachary’s own arms were outstretched, reaching almost desperately for Cole. He started to howl again, hands clasping the air.

“This is weird,” said Amber.

Cole didn’t have a clue how to respond.

“Do you mind?” She moved closer, glancing meaningfully at the baby.

“I guess not.” Who would say no?

Taking Zachary from her arms, he cautiously brought him into his chest. Zachary instantly wrapped his arms around Cole’s neck, squeezing tight. He nuzzled his sticky, tear-damp face against Cole’s skin. Then he sighed, and his entire body went limp against Cole’s chest.

Through his shock and surprise, Cole’s heart started to pound, bringing a strange tightness to his chest. For some bizarre reason, his baby brother trusted him. How was a guy supposed to react to that?

“You’re magic,” Amber whispered. “Whatever it is you’re doing, just keep it up.”

“I’m only standing here.”

“He’s been crying for over an hour. He gets like that sometimes.”

“He probably exhausted himself before I got here.”

“I think he misses his parents,” Amber said softly, her expression compassionate as she gazed at Zachary. She reached out to stoke the baby’s downy hair. “But he doesn’t understand what he’s feeling, and he certainly can’t put it into words.”

Then she gave Cole a sweet smile. “You should come inside for a minute.”

The dog seemed to understand the invitation. It padded gamely into the living room.

Amber’s cute, disheveled appearance, the mutt’s claws clicking on the hardwood and the baby powder scent of Zachary’s warm body curled in his arms brought a sense of unreality to Cole.

“Sure,” he answered, and followed her through the archway.

It took only seconds for him to realize this was a perfect opportunity to learn more about her.

“It was either this or the mansion.” She seemed to be apologizing for the opulent surroundings. “We thought it would be less disruptive if Zachary kept his nanny, Isabel. She occasionally sleeps over, so there was no way we’d all fit in my apartment. It’s one bedroom with a tiny kitchen. This place belonged to Samuel.”

The furnishings were obviously expensive, but they were strewn with baby blankets and rattles, the floor decorated with colorful plastic toys.

“Sorry about the mess,” she said.

“You don’t need to apologize.”

“And me.” She looked ruefully down at herself. “Well, this is me. This is what I normally look like. Last night was the anomaly.”

“Seriously, Amber. You have nothing to apologize for. You look great.”

She coughed out a laugh of disbelief.

“Okay, you look normal. How formal do you think we get in Alaska?”

She seemed to consider that. “Can I get you something?”

“I’m fine.”

He didn’t want to put her to any work. Then again, judging by Zachary’s even breathing and relaxed body, his excuse for hanging around had just fallen asleep. Maybe refreshments weren’t such a bad idea.

“Do you happen to have coffee?” he asked.

“Coming up. Take a seat anywhere.” She gestured to the furniture as she exited through another archway that obviously led to the kitchen.

Cole took in the massive living room. In one corner, a plush sofa and a couple of leather armchairs bracketed a gas fireplace. Another furniture grouping was set up next to a bank of picture windows overlooking the city. The room was open to a formal dining room at one end and a hallway at the other that obviously led to the bedrooms.

He decided to follow Amber into the kitchen. No point in wasting valuable conversation time here by himself.

The kitchen was also huge, with high ceilings, a central island, generous granite counter spaces, stainless-steel appliances of every conceivable description and maple cabinets interspersed with big windows that faced the park. There was a breakfast nook at one end, stationed beside a balcony door, and an open door at the other, leading to a big pantry.