Every December [Soon to be Self Published]

Chapter 18

Lydia

Meg arrives promptly with two other women in her cleaning crew. She's all business, ordering her staff around though they haven't set foot in the house. They're getting supplies out of the car when I say, "If you want to visit your dad on your own, I understand."

A.J. pauses in front of the stairs, sliding his hand over his jaw. He glances at me sharply, making me melt. "I want you with me. There's somewhere I'm taking you after."

"Last time I met your father."

"I thought you were all about this season of surprises. But not to worry, this time is something a little less heavy."

"Are you taking me to a golf museum?"

"Only if I wanted to lose any chance with you tonight." A grin works its way over his lips, making me think of his mouth working down my skin.

Maybe I could stomach a golf museum, if that's even a thing, for an hour. Now my curiosity is piqued, A.J. won't be anywhere too public, and I'm limited. With Meg walking up the steps, he opens the door.

Her gaze darts to the right. Not five seconds and, "That tree is stunning!" She stalks over to it, checking out the ribbon and the lights, all up in the tree's business. "Austin, where did that come from?"

"Magic Tree Christmas Farm," he answers and closes the door. "Let's not make this a big deal."

One of Meg's eyebrows raises inquisitively. I can picture her scouring over A.J.'s house with the same heightened standard she probably used as a lawyer. I'm not sure if she's going to chew him out or praise his holiday efforts. "Let's make it a big deal," she announces, walking towards the old Tannenbaum. "I haven't seen a tree in this house since you moved in. It's the centerpiece of this room. Doesn't it just fill your heart with joy?"

"No," A.J. comments without grinning.

Meg's hawk-eyed gaze shifts to mine. "Rumor has it he was also at the tree lighting ceremony."

"That wasn't my doing," I say.

"Well." She gives the place a glance as if Brielle might pop up from behind the tree and then directs her discerning glare at A.J. who suddenly looks stone-faced and uncomfortable. "I don't care who he was with." Her body turns towards the banisters and her gaze roams upwards. "Now then, what are your plans for your banisters?"

Laughter breaks from my mouth. With a winning, self-righteous smile, I look at A.J. "Told you."

He groans, making a pained sound. His voice is sharp. "My banisters are off-limits, ladies."

One of Meg's cleaning ladies begins unloadinga bucket with cleaning supplies. "No, Carrie, we start upstairs." Meg offers us one last smile. "Enjoy your day. We'll be out by noon."

A.J.'s mouth is borderline smiling. I follow him to the garage, leaving the crutches behind.

He shuts the car door and starts the engine. "You know she's overstepping her bounds."

"I think you secretly like it." I buckle my seat belt. "The least she could have done is brought more cookies."

And we're off. Away from the house, the two of us. The scenery is eye-catching as a winter wonderland. The trees protect the land. The mountains guard the rest. There's no other cars on the road. "You mentioned that you might move your dad out to California. Would you ever consider living here?" Like me, he's grown up in one area. Leaving all that behind would be hard, but I'm not sure neither A.J. nor his father can afford the distance.

"I can live anywhere. But I never have. This place has always been an escape. It's my father's past, not mine. I come here to get away. At least I did, until I found this woman on my couch, confused about addresses."