Christmas Ever After Read online

  Recalling exactly how he knew she was a natural blonde made his body heat. Irritated, he scowled. “You don’t seem like a dog person.”

  His sister sent him a curious look and Sky smiled.

  “How does a dog person look? Any relation to a princess person?” There was a spark of fire in her eyes that told him that however battered she was by the events of the past twenty-four hours, she was still perfectly capable of holding her own with him. “You have a habit of thinking you have me all figured out. People with blond hair wearing a white coat can’t own dogs, is that it?”

  Liv gave a snort of laughter. “That’s my brother. Thinks he knows best about everyone. It’s infuriating. Drives me crazy.” Sky turned to say something to her and Liv gasped in consternation. “What happened to your head?”

  “She fell,” Alec said shortly, “and she should probably be sitting down so let’s get indoors.”

  “Good idea.” Incurably friendly, Liv slid her arm through Sky’s. “Come inside. You need to meet Mum, Dad and Uncle Harry. And Granny is here. She can’t wait to meet you.”

  Alec watched as Skylar was swallowed up by the embrace of his enthusiastic family. The dogs were barking, everyone was talking at once and he was left on his own to unload the luggage.

  Nelson nudged his leg and he gave a grunt.

  “It’s your lucky day, pal. She likes dogs. Looks like you won’t be spending the weekend shut in the garden after all.”

  By the time he’d transferred everything to the hall, everyone was in the kitchen and Sky was standing by the range cooker holding a glass of mulled wine and looking slightly dazed.

  “I’ve never had mulled wine before.”

  “It’s red wine, spices, a few slices of citrus fruit. Delicious. I think it counts as one of your five a day, but Simon disagrees.” His mother opened the oven and removed a tray of golden-brown, flaky pastry snacks. “Fetch the cooling rack please, Liv.”

  “And a touch of brandy. Don’t forget the brandy.” Uncle Harry winked and then crossed the room and embraced Alec. “The wanderer returns. We’ve killed the fatted calf in your honor.”

  “It’s a turkey. Calves don’t have wings, Uncle Harry.” Liv pulled the wire rack out of the cupboard and set it down on the center of the table. “And we’re eating it tomorrow. Tonight is game casserole. I helped make it. The meat has been marinating in wine for the past two days. Mum used one of Dad’s precious bottles and he threw a fit so you’d better say how delicious it is.”

  Alec shrugged off his coat. “Where is Dad?”

  “He’s on the phone as usual. He’s not even supposed to be working this weekend but the practice has been decimated by a flu bug. You know how it is at this time of year.” His mother arranged the pastries on the rack while Skylar sipped the wine and closed her eyes.

  “I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this. It’s—”

  “You probably shouldn’t be drinking alcohol anyway.” Alec interrupted her before she could deliver a caustic remark that might upset his mother. “Leave it and I’ll find you something else.”

  Skylar opened her eyes. “No way. It’s delicious. I was going to say it tastes like Christmas.” She ran her tongue over her lips. “It tastes like Christmas in a glass.”

  “I always think the same thing.” Alec’s mother handed her a plate and gestured to the rack of cooling pastries. “This end is mushroom, garlic and chestnut. The far end is feta and spinach. You need to relax, Alec. You’re very tense.”

  Of course he was tense.

  He’d brought a stranger into his home at a time of year that was reserved for family, although so far he couldn’t fault her manners.

  “You should sit down,” he said to Skylar, his voice gruff.

  His mother nodded. “Yes, you should. That bruise of yours is nasty, dear, and you do look very pale.”

  “I always look pale without makeup.” Skylar licked her fingers. “These are delicious. The only thing I can produce in the kitchen is soup. You’re a wonderful cook.”

  Alec saw his mother melt like ice cream left in the sun.

  “Settle yourself there and rest,” she said. “Simon will take a look at your head as soon as he’s off the phone. Maybe we should give you something nonalcoholic. After all, you have to save yourself for the champagne later. We don’t want you falling asleep in the middle of the celebrations.” She glanced up as Alec’s father walked back into the room. “Well?”

  “It was Mary from the village. She needed reassurance, that’s all.”

  “So you don’t have to go out? That’s good.”

  “Celebrations?” Alec helped himself to a pasty. “What are we celebrating?”

  “You really need to ask?” His mother exchanged looks with his father. “It’s been three years since you brought anyone home, Alec. We’d almost given up and now here you are with Skylar. I know you won’t want to talk about it, but—well, we’re just so happy for you both.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  ALEC STARED AT his mother in appalled silence. “You—What? Mum, Skylar and I aren’t a couple.”

  Not for a moment had it occurred to him that his family might misinterpret his relationship with Sky.

  “You don’t have to pretend, dear. Liv is old enough now. Half her class seem to be sleeping with their boyfriends, although frankly I don’t—”

  “Mum!” Alec’s tone was sharp as he cut across her. “Skylar and I aren’t together. Not like that. Why would you think that?”

  “Well, because Maggie Poynter called me last night.” His mother wiped her hands on her apron, a puzzled look on her face. “Michael phoned her the moment he left your hotel suite. He thought we’d want to know. He was being reassuring. We’ve all been worried about you since—since—” Her voice trailed off as she caught her husband’s eye and she cleared her throat and mumbled something indistinct. “Sorry. I know I’m not supposed to mention it.”

  Alec closed his eyes.

  He should have known Michael would call. Their families were close.

  “What did he say, exactly?”

  “That we could all finally relax because you were with the most stunning woman he’d ever met—” she beamed at Sky “—and that you were gentle and caring toward her and that you seemed more like yourself than you’ve been for a while, since—well, you know.”

  Torn between exasperation and irritation, Alec pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose and then heard a choking sound from the end of the table. He let his hand drop and saw Skylar laughing behind her hand.

  “Sorry.” She sent him a look of mute apology. “It’s just that the thought of Alec and I being together in that way is beyond hilarious. Most of the time he and I—” She broke off and he suspected she’d been about to say can’t stand each other but instead she gave a limp smile. “We don’t agree on much. We drive each other a little crazy.” If she’d thought that admission would support her denial she was wrong.

  Alec saw his mother’s expression brighten.

  “And that’s exactly what he needs! Someone to stimulate his mind. Alec is very clever. His professor at Cambridge said that he was the brightest student he’d ever taught. But I say he needs to be challenged and not have life all his own way.”

  “You’re embarrassing him, Mum—” Liv bit into a crumbling pastry “—which is totally brilliant by the way. Time to get out the naked baby photos.”

  Knowing that Sky had a more updated image of him naked, Alec breathed deeply. “Enough.” He spoke through his teeth. “The subject is closed.”

  “Of course it is, if that’s what you want. But Sky, you’re the first woman he has brought home since the divorce, and you are so, so welcome, dear.”

  It was information he would never have chosen to share. “Sky and I are friends. That’s the end of it.”

  “Of course you are. Now sit down by Skylar, Alec, and Liv can sit on your right.” Sending Alec a soothing look, his mother removed her apron and started plac
ing plates of food on the table. “We didn’t know what time you’d be here because of the traffic, so lunch is simple. Honey-roasted ham, some lovely cheese from the Baxters’ farm and a loaf your father made this morning. I’m not sure buying that bread maker was a good idea if I’m honest. And I have potatoes baking in the oven. Liv, fetch some of the chutney from the cupboard and then go and tell Granny lunch is ready and Alec is here with his new girlfriend. Friend,” she said quickly. “I mean friend. I make the chutney myself with the apples from our tree, Sky. At the time they all complain about the smell of vinegar but when Christmas comes they’re all pleased enough to be eating it.” She broke off as the phone rang. “I don’t believe it. That’s the fourth time in an hour.”

  “I’ll get it.” Liv walked across the room and grabbed the phone. “It’s the medical center, for Dad.”

  Her mother looked up at Alec’s father. “Simon, your son is home for the first time in months. Unless someone has chest pain or a limb hanging off there is nothing that can’t wait until after we’ve eaten. If you must play doctor, you can examine Sky’s head. That bruise looks nasty. If you need to lie down, just say so, dear. Alec, sit. You’re in the way.”

  Sliding into the seat next to Sky, Alec decided that he was the one who needed to lie down.

  Why had he thought this was a good idea?

  SHE WAS THE first woman he’d brought home since his divorce?

  Sky sat quietly at the table, digesting the information, letting the conversation flow around her. It hadn’t occurred to her that Alec’s family might think they were an item and it was only after seeing their delightfully clumsy attempts to dig for information while still vaguely respecting his boundaries that she realized just how bad his divorce must have been.

  Clumsy or not, it was obvious they were worried about him and equally obvious from his prickly demeanor that he found their concern about as welcome as a computer virus.

  So she wasn’t the only one whose family interfered with their love life, she thought.

  Alec was seated next to her and she could feel the tension simmering from his powerful frame.

  With so many people round the table, seating was tight and every now and then her leg brushed against the solid power of his.

  Heat rushed through her body, stealing her breath.

  She kept her eyes on her plate, wondering whether the blow to her head had done more damage than she’d thought.

  Yesterday, she’d been dating Richard. Today she was insanely attracted to a man who, up until the events of last night, she hadn’t even liked.

  And now, here she was, seeing him at his most vulnerable because no situation, as she knew from her own experience, exposed a person’s vulnerabilities more than being with family.

  This was a million times more uncomfortable than seeing him naked.

  She suspected he would rather have died than share details of his damaged marriage with her. No doubt he was already deeply regretting the impulse that had driven him to invite her to join them.

  Part of her wanted to leave the room, but another part, a curious part, wanted to know more.

  She wanted to know what had happened.

  Over the past twenty-four hours she’d seen glimpses of a different person. The person Alec might have been before divorce had chewed him up and spit him out.

  Relationships, she thought, had a lot to answer for.

  The pain in her head had receded to a dull throb and the sickness had gone, but she felt bruised all over, and simmering beneath the pain was the knowledge that her relationship had been fake all along.

  And yet her parents were still hoping she’d find a way to fix it.

  As she listened to the conversation around her, it was impossible not to make comparisons. Whereas Alec’s parents’ interference was clearly driven by love and concern for him, her parents just thought she was a screw-up.

  Not once had they asked how she was.

  And neither had Richard.

  She stabbed her fork into a slice of ham.

  She wanted to pretend that their relationship had meant something, but it was hard to pretend when the cold hard truth was pressed in your face.

  She was relieved to be here, away from it all.

  Alec’s sister took the chair on the other side of him and his parents, uncle and grandmother sat opposite. They questioned him in detail, wanting to know everything he’d done since they’d last seen him.

  “My street cred has rocketed since your series on the Amazon aired. My friends watched it.” Liv slipped food to the dogs under the table. “Gloria thinks you’re hot. I’m supposed to introduce you.”

  “Well, of course he would be hot.” Alec’s grandmother spoke in a loud voice. “The Amazon is a jungle and jungles are hot.”

  Liv grinned and put a dollop of butter in the center of her baked potato. “Not that sort of hot, Granny. Sexy hot. They think our Alec has a luscious bod.”

  Skylar kept her eyes on her plate.

  She still had a clear image of that body, streaming with water, powerfully erect.

  Next to her, Alec was still.

  Nelson nudged her knee with his nose and she lowered her hand to his silky head, only to find Alec’s hand already there. For a few pulsing seconds she was tangled up with long, strong fingers and then she snatched her hand away, knocking her fork onto the floor along with the slice of ham.

  Nelson wolfed it down and sat gazing hopefully up at her.

  “You’d think he was starving.” Oblivious to the tension, Alec’s mother rose to her feet and fetched Sky a clean fork. Then she tried to tempt the dogs out of the kitchen. “This is your fault, Olivia. How many times do I need to tell you not to feed the dogs at the table? They’ll never leave us alone.”

  “We don’t want them to leave us alone. They’re part of the family. They should be part of the celebration. I’m making Nelson a tinsel collar for tonight and I’ve hung his stocking next to the fire.”

  Her mother gave up trying to assert control and sat down again. “For the next few days, let’s try to pretend we’re a normal family, otherwise Sky won’t want to visit us again.”

  Alec put his fork down. “Mum—”

  “I was being polite, Alec, that’s all. So Skylar, Alec tells us you’re very talented.”

  He’d said that?

  Remembering how he’d been careful not to say a single word in praise of her, Sky turned her head to look at him, but he was busy trying to stop a very superior looking cat from torturing the overexcited dogs.

  “You need to leave her alone.” He pulled Church back. “She is going to unsheathe those claws and take a swipe at you.”

  Skylar wondered if that was what his ex-wife had done.

  Something had to be responsible for the fact he was so guarded and she doubted it was his upbringing. His family was frank and open.

  Alec’s father helped himself to more ham. “Tell us about your work, Skylar.”

  She knew they were being polite and she described what she did in a few short sentences.

  “So you’ve built a career out of your passion?”

  “Obviously it’s not a very traditional path, and—”

  “I think it’s wonderful. Bold, exciting—you followed a dream.” He added a hunk of bread to his plate. “I wish I’d been that brave.”

  “What are you talking about?” Suzanne glanced across at him. “You’re a wonderful doctor. And you love it.”

  “I enjoy my job and I find it worthwhile, but the truth is I chose medicine because it was a logical, sensible step and I always had good grades in science. It was never a passion. I never woke up in the night thinking, ‘God, let me be a doctor.’ In fact half the time when I’m woken in the night I think, ‘God, why did I choose to be a doctor?’” He reached for his glass. “Sky is doing what she really wants. I admire that.”

  It wasn’t the reaction she’d expected. “You do?”

  “Of course. Most of us aren’t given the talent to do
what you’re doing. You’re using a gift. It must have been hard at the beginning, though. Did your parents help you out?”

  “No. They wanted me to do something more conventional. Law.” Her mouth was dry. “They wanted me to be a lawyer.”

  “Well, as a parent I can understand that. Probably worried about job security and your future. I expect they wanted you to take the safe option. But there are millions of people who have what it takes to be a lawyer, and only a handful of people who have the talent to do what you do and make it work. Must have been a slog to get where you are today.”

  Sky thought about the long hours in the studio. “It was. My parents thought I was wasting my time.” And that had been the slog, not the work. Trying to show them that this was what she wanted, trying to please them while at the same time trying desperately to follow her dream.

  “They must be extremely proud of you now. Tell us about the exhibition.”

  Proud? Her parents weren’t proud. They were exasperated.

  Alec was silent and she wondered if he was thinking of the phone message from her mother. Remembering that agonizing moment made her feel fragile and exposed.

  Maybe he wished she didn’t know so much about him, but he knew an equal amount about her.

  It felt strange, she thought, knowing that your secrets were in the hands of someone you’d never had reason to trust.

  But there was no denying that whatever she might have thought of him in the past, Alec had been a good friend to her over the past twenty-four hours.

  “I would have liked to have made it up to London to see your exhibition but the clinic has been decimated by this flu bug so I won’t be able to take the time off.” Alec’s father sat back in his chair. “I paint a little myself. Mostly watercolors although I occasionally dabble in oils. We have an artist’s group in the village. Next time Alec brings you home we’ll have to time your visit to coincide with one of our meetings and you can join us. We meet in the church hall, so not particularly exciting as a venue—not Knightsbridge—but we’re a friendly, enthusiastic bunch.”