On Christmas Hill Read online

  On Christmas Hill

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  On Christmas Hill

  Copyright © 2012 by Nichole Chase

  ISBN-13: 9781301054305

  Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the above author of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

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  For my family and friends.

  Chapter One

  The car sputtered as I sat at the entrance and tried to see through the trees. Old wooden gates framed the driveway, and I could just make out the dark roof in the distance. A plume of smoke floated above the tree tops and I prayed that meant there was a fire going. I wasn’t used to all of the snow. It was beautiful, but foreign to this Florida girl. And cold. A wet cold that soaked through my cotton mittens, making my fingers sting.

  I took my foot off the brake and slid the car through the gates, grateful I hadn’t needed to get out and open them. An old wooden sign had the words “Christmas Hill” painted in beautiful letters. The lawyer hadn’t known the story behind the name. Honestly, she hadn’t seemed to know much at all about my great aunt when she called to tell me about the property. Just that there was a groundskeeper, a small amount of money stashed aside, and the location. Oh, and the key. It was a hefty, antique key with a red ribbon tied to it.

  The snow glittered in large piles on either side of the narrow driveway and I was glad my car was so small. Otherwise, I might have had a hard time fitting. Remy made a whining noise from the passenger seat and I wondered how he would handle the snow. I was pretty sure if he hopped out of the car and into one of those snow drifts I’d never see him again. His big brown eyes were excited, though, and I loved seeing his tail wag. It dispelled some of the apprehension I was feeling at becoming a home owner, not to mention the whole spending Christmas alone. At twenty-three, I hadn’t been looking to put down roots. I could sell the place, but the will had said I had to spend one Christmas there before I could even start the process of selling.

  From all accounts, it looked like Great Aunt Gertie had been Christmas obsessed. As my car navigated the winding driveway, I saw large animals playing in the snow. Several of them were jumping and butting heads, moving around the clearing with a smooth gait, as if the snow wasn’t even there. At first I thought they were horses, until I got a little closer and noticed the antlers. Moose? No, that wasn’t right. A sharp chuckle jerked out of my mouth as my mind processed what I was seeing. Reindeer. A herd of reindeer.

  “Looks like you’re going to have some company, Remy!” I shook my head in wonder. What was I going to do with reindeer? I hoped the groundskeeper took care of them. I wouldn’t even know where to begin.

  As I rounded the final bend, I was rewarded with a visual feast. A large, wooden cabin looked out on the field I had caught glimpses of, a red—dare I say Christmas red—barn sat not far away. Off in the distance was another small house with cheery green shutters and a large pile of wood on the porch. But I hardly noticed them with my eyes trained on the gorgeous house in front of me. I pulled right up to the house and put my car in park. The front door was made from side-by-side panels, with wrought iron handles. Thick, green, wreaths hung perfectly centered on each and soft lights glittered in the topiary that flanked the doorway. Understated, but lovely. I sighed in relief. Hopefully the theme would hold and the inside wouldn’t look like Santa’s workshop.

  I don’t have anything against Christmas, or Santa, but I also didn’t want to live in somewhere that a holiday had thrown-up. Wouldn’t that kill the excitement, the nostalgia? Remy put his paws on the dash and gave a short, happy yap. Poor guy probably needed to use the potty. It had been almost four hours since I had stopped last. Once we hit the hilly area, I just hadn’t wanted to pull over. The scenery had been breathtaking, and if I was being honest with myself, I’d been a bit excited. While I hadn’t known Aunt Gertie very well, I had always looked forward to her Christmas packages full of cookies and little toys. Before my father had died, he’d always treated the package like it was something magical. I’d wait until he came home every year so we could open it together, while mom smiled and shook her head at us.

  The last few years had been bittersweet. I’d looked forward to the packages, but once they were there, I’d been torn about opening them. The box had simply reminded me that Dad was gone. And this year, Mom wasn’t even going to be home for the holidays. She was going skiing with her friends. Not that I blamed her, because the holidays seemed to throw Dad’s missing presence into a sharp light.

  Taking a deep breath, I shook my head to clear it of my sorrow and opened the door. “C’mon, Remy!” The black and white dog jumped over my lap and out of the car before I could even swing my feet into the snow. I laughed as he bounded through the white stuff, sinking up to his shoulders. Wiggling backward, he sneezed and turned around to go the other way. “Over there, Rem!” I pointed at a spot in the grass that seemed to have accumulated the least amount of white stuff. Once he was finished with his business, I grabbed my purse and slung it over my shoulder.

  The groundskeeper was supposed to meet me, and it was getting late. I didn’t want to hold the old guy up. Especially since it looked like he had taken the time to build a fire in the house. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve and he might have family waiting on him. Pulling my hat down over my ears, I took the steps two at a time. Remy barked behind me, pulling my attention and I gasped when I realized the reindeer had come to investigate.

  “Remy!” I ran back down the stairs and scooped the nosey dog up in my arms. The reindeer didn’t seem threatening, but they were huge. Much larger than I realized reindeer grew. One of the braver ones took a few steps closer to me and I turned to look at him. At least, I think it was a he. Did female reindeer have antlers? I knew regular female deer didn’t, but reindeer weren’t exactly your normal deer. The reindeer sniffed the air around me, before pushing his nose at my shoulder. I couldn’t help my smile when he nudged me.

  “Well, you’re a friendly guy.” Lifting my hand, I ran my fingers over the velvet soft fur along his nose.

  “He likes you.” The deep voice made me squeak and I turned around to see a man leaning in the doorway to the cabin. He was wearing jeans and a long sleeved grey thermal shirt. His arms were crossed over his chest, but the corners of his mouth were turned up. If my heart wasn’t already jumping out of my ribcage it would have stuttered at the sight of him.

  Chapter Two

  “Good grief, you scared the crap out of me!” I touched the spot where my heart pounded under my jacket. Even with the scare of a lifetime, I immediately noticed the man was gorgeou
s.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” He pushed off of the door and strolled down the steps. “I’m guessing that you’re Molly?”

  I nodded my head, still a bit shocked. The closer he came, the faster my heart beat. Where I originally thought he was attractive in a rugged sort of way, I quickly changed my mind. Oh, he was rugged with a five o’clock shadow that enhanced the angles of his face, but he was more than that. Dark eyes under dark brows ran over my body and I felt frumpy from having been in the car for so long. I should have stopped to primp before making the final leg of the trip. If I had known the groundskeeper was hotter than an underwear model, I would have stopped to primp.

  “I’m Nate.” He held his hand out to me, so I juggled Remy to one arm. His hand swallowed mine whole, the skin along his knuckles broken and coarse.

  “Nice to meet you, Nate.” I shouldn’t have assumed the groundskeeper was older, but just the word brought to mind an old man in a derby hat.

  “And who’s this?” He ran a hand over Remy’s head, scratching behind his floppy ears.

  “Remy.” I smiled up at Nate and blushed when I realized he was staring at me intently.

  “What do you think?” He cocked his head to the side and I felt my eyebrows pull together.

  “About what?”

  “Christmas Hill.” His eyes twinkled and I found myself surprised that eyes a dark chocolate brown could actually twinkle. “I wasn’t sure if anyone mentioned the reindeer to you.”

  “Oh.” I blinked and looked back at the reindeer had started to wander away. “No, the lawyer didn’t mention them.”

  “She wasn’t very interested in a list of details. Seemed to think you’d figure it out on your own.” Nate turned to look at my little car. “I’ll help you carry your stuff in.”

  “Thanks.” I started to set Remy down, but looked at the reindeer worriedly. “Will he be okay? Or should I put him inside?”

  “The reindeer are used to dogs. We have several on the farm.” Nate smiled over his shoulder as he walked to my trunk. “Comet can be a bit pissy sometimes, but I don’t think you’ll have any trouble.”

  “Comet, huh?” I smiled and set Remy down. “Leave those reindeer alone, you hear me?” Remy looked at me for a minute and then turned tail to chase after the other animals. “Remy!”

  “He’ll be fine, Molly.” I bit my lip, but walked over to the trunk and unlocked the latch. Nate didn’t waste any time and began pulling bags out.

  “It’s freezing out here.” I watched as his muscles shifted under his shirt while he worked.

  “It’s not too bad right now, but we’re in for more snow tonight.”

  My body shook at the thought. “You’re kidding right? I think my toes are going numb and you don’t even have a jacket on.” Realizing that he must be freezing, I placed a hand on his shoulder and nudged him out of my way. “You should go inside. I can get this.”

  “I’m used to it.” His smile made me feel a little breathless. “Is this all you brought?”

  “Yeah. I wasn’t sure how long I’d be here.” I pulled my overnight bag out of the back seat, and Remy’s bowls. Turning my head, I whistled and was relieved to see my dog scampering back through the snow.

  Nate carried the bags from my trunk effortlessly, and even though his hands were full, he opened the door with his fingers when I got up the steps. Remy shook snow off of his fur before dodging under my feet and running inside. My toes clipped his rear-end, throwing me off balance. I would have been fine if there hadn’t been a giant puddle of melting snow under my other foot. As it was, my body twisted like a snake in the air and I slammed face first into Nate’s chest. I dropped Remy’s bowls with a loud clatter, and placed a hand on his side to try and steady myself. He dropped my bags and slid his hands around my waist to help keep me upright.

  “Oof!”

  “You okay?” His amused voice rumbled out of his chest, making my fingers vibrate. I looked up at him, heat rushing into my cheeks.

  “Sorry. I’m not normally this clumsy.” I pushed away from him and ducked down to pick up the bowls. “It was a long ride. I guess Remy has some pent up energy.”

  “I should thank him. It’s been a while since I held a beautiful girl.” I looked up into his eyes and bit my lip. Nate was smiling and there was something under his tone that made my blood warm.

  “I find that hard to believe.” The words were out of my mouth before my internal filter could kick in.

  “Which part? That I haven’t held a girl in a while or that you’re beautiful?” Lifting the bags from the porch he winked at me. “Because both are true.”

  I didn’t know what to say, so I smiled like an idiot. Thankfully, his back was turned and he didn’t see my dorky expression. Once inside, I set my bags down by the door and looked around in awe. The place was much larger than I had realized. With the tasteful decorations, a fire roaring in the fireplace, and the setting sun, it was breathtaking. Turning my head from side to side, I tried to take it all in. Real garland wrapped the length of the stair case and flowed along the large mantle. The furniture was all beautiful, but homey. What really caught my eye however, was the two story wall on the opposite side of the house with a built in bookcase from floor to ceiling. There was even one of those rolling ladders you saw in movies with castles. It took all of my will power to not run straight to the books and squeal.

  “Welcome home.” Nate’s deep voice rumbled beside me and I looked up into his face. I knew I was staring again, but this time I didn’t care.

  “It’s perfect.” Remy was sitting on a chair next to the fireplace, licking the remaining snow off of his paws. “What do you think, buddy?” He snorted but didn’t look up from his task. My feet moved of their own accord and I quickly made tracks for the bookcase.

  “Take a look around. I’ll set your stuff in the bedroom upstairs.” His footsteps echoed through the large room as he climbed the staircase.

  “Thanks.” I ran my hand over the gorgeous woodwork in front of me, taking in the ornaments that had been tucked into various nooks and crannies.

  My fingers trailed over the spines of the old books as I read some of the titles. There were a lot of Christmas books, with classics stuck here and there. Toward the end of the shelves, there was a large comfortable looking leather chair, a standing lamp, and a stack of books on a table. I picked up the one on the top and smiled. A Christmas Carol by Dickens. The next book was a Christmas cook book.

  “Gertie was a big reader.” Nate padded down the stairs and took a spot next to me. Leaning over my shoulder he picked up the cookbook. “I sure am going to miss her cookies.”

  “I used to look forward to her packages every year.” I smiled up at him. “I can’t believe she’s gone.”

  “She talked about you all the time.” Nate touched my shoulder comfortingly. “She was very proud of you. Said you were going to be a great author one day.”

  “Aunt Gertie was a firm believer that anything was possible.” I shook my head. “But I guess that’s why I gave it a shot.”

  “Want something to eat? Coffee? Hot chocolate?” Nate stepped away from me and headed toward a large arched doorway.

  “Hot chocolate?” I laughed. That wasn’t exactly something you expected someone like Nate to offer you.

  “Being out here with Gertie has influenced my tastes.” When I got through the door, Nate was standing beside a large stove, stirring a pot. “Of course, I tend to add a dash of something to her recipe.” Looking over his shoulder at me, he jerked his chin to the bottle of Baileys on the counter.

  “Ah. Now that sounds wonderful.” I pulled my hat off and sat it on the island, before shucking my coat and hanging it on the back of a chair. “Can I help?”

  “Sure. I figured you’d get here kind of late, so started dinner.” I looked at the oven and realized there was a chicken cooking.

  “Wow. Hot chocolate and you cook?” I grabbed the oven mitt from the counter and motioned for him to m
ove over. “You’re a real catch. Why are you out here taking care of my great aunt’s place instead of happily married with two point five kids?”

  “I’ve been working for Gertie since I was seventeen. I can’t imagine anything else.”

  “Seventeen?” I tried to guess how old he was and figured it was close to thirty, maybe a little younger. “How’d you end up here?”

  “Use this.” He handed me a spoon to scoop the vegetables out of the pan and onto the plates. I tried to not smile at the site of such a manly-man working in the kitchen. “I was in the foster system when I met Gertie. She took me in for the last few months before I turned eighteen. She’s the only family I had.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. I’m very lucky.” He wiped his hands on a dish rag and slung it over his shoulder. Ladling hot cocoa into two cups, he held up the bottle of liquor.

  “Please.” I nodded my head. “So, tell me about this place. What did Aunt Gertie do other than bake cookies?”

  “Well, she baked. Did special orders for family dinners and even some weddings.” Nate sat down across from me, the food steaming on the table. “And then there was the family business.”

  “Family business?” I pushed my plate forward so he could place a piece of chicken on it.

  “Gertie was worried that you might not know.” Nate frowned and it transformed his face into something serious.

  “Don’t tell me she grew pot.” I tried to joke, not sure why he was so serious. What could have made him look worried? It was a farm and she baked. That’s not so bad. But he had said family business. My father hadn’t talked much about his family, just to say he missed them. I hadn’t seen any of his blood relatives since I was eight or nine years old.

  “No, Gertie was an outstanding citizen.” Nate laughed and some of the twinkle came back to his eyes. “I meant the holiday business.”