Starry Night: A Christmas Novel Read online

  “My college boyfriend dumped me,” Carrie said, and was surprised by how low and shaky her voice sounded.

  “And you ‘got over it,’ right? No big deal.” He sat with his back to her, his tone cold. The air seemed to vibrate with tension.

  “Actually, no … I tried to pretend it was a natural parting of the ways. I was in Chicago, working for the newspaper, and he was back in Seattle. But it hurt,” she whispered. “He married a friend of mine six months later, and I was a bridesmaid in their wedding, and I had to pretend it didn’t matter.”

  Finn turned around and looked at her for an extra-long moment, frowning as if to gauge whether she was telling the truth. Carrie held his gaze and didn’t flinch before moving into the kitchen, feeling the need to sit down. Her bottom lip trembled slightly, and she bit into it, wanting to disguise how upset she was.

  Hennessey sat down by Finn’s side, and then after a few minutes walked over to where Carrie sat at the table. She petted his thick fur, trying to think of what to say to ease the tension. They were trapped here together, and she had to do something to make it tolerable.

  “We’ve both been hurt, but it isn’t the end of the world.”

  He snorted.

  “Can we put this conversation behind us?”

  His back was to her again, and he shrugged.

  “Do you play chess?” she asked.

  “No.”

  “Scrabble?”

  “No.”

  What do you play?”

  “Solitaire.”

  “Oh.” The hand of truce that Carrie had extended had been solidly slapped.

  Several tense moments passed before he exhaled harshly and said, “Do you play cribbage?”

  “My grandfather taught me,” she responded. If they could find common ground, it would help pass the long hours of being cooped up together until Sawyer arrived. “I’m not much good, but I’d be willing to give it a try if you’d like.”

  He hesitated and then went into his bedroom and returned with a cribbage board and a deck of cards. Sitting down at the kitchen table across from her, he removed the cards from the box and shuffled.

  Carrie was grateful they weren’t destined to spend the entire storm at each other’s throats. “Go ahead and deal. How about coffee?”

  He nodded.

  Finn had dealt the first hand by the time she returned. Carrie looked at her cards, discarded two, and so they started. Luck was with her and she narrowly won the first game. Finn regarded her skeptically. “I thought you said you weren’t much good at this?”

  “Did I?”

  Sipping his coffee, Finn tried to hide his smile, but Carrie saw it and smiled back. “I believe it’s my turn to deal.”

  Keeping his eyes on her, he slid the deck of cards across the table.

  Shuffling the cards, Carrie glanced up and smiled ever so sweetly. “Women aren’t stupid, you know.”

  “I never said they were. Heartless, yes, but a few I’ve happened upon showed meager signs of intelligence.”

  Carrie suspected he was purposely attempting to bait her. “I’ll add chauvinist to the long list of words that best describe you, Finn Dalton.”

  “Better word would be realist.”

  “Oh, puh-leese.” She drawled out the word and laughed despite herself.

  Finn did, too, and the surprise of hearing his amusement caused her to fumble and lose control of the cards, which scattered across the tabletop.

  “You should laugh more often,” she said, gathering together the deck.

  “Really?”

  “Yes, really.”

  His eyes shone, and despite his grizzled appearance, she found him strongly appealing. If he were clean shaven and his hair groomed, he might even be considered handsome. She must have been staring at him because he frowned and barked, “What?”

  “Oh, sorry.” Carrie quickly looked away and dealt the cards.

  “You’re staring at me.”

  “I know.”

  “Why?”

  This question was harder to answer. She couldn’t very well admit she found him intriguing, and so she said the first thing that came to mind. “I want to remember what you look like, and I doubt you’d let me take your photo.”

  He immediately frowned. “For that article you intend to write?”

  Instead of answering, she kept dealing the cards and then waited while he cut the deck.

  The second game proved they were well matched. Finn won, but not by much.

  “Tie-breaker?” he asked.

  “Of course,” she responded. It surprised her how much she enjoyed this mini–battle of the sexes with him.

  After shuffling the cards, he dealt.

  “Do you do anything special around the cabin for Christmas?” she asked.

  Frowning, he glanced at her above his hand. “It isn’t even Thanksgiving yet. Why are you asking about Christmas?”

  “I guess it’s on my mind. A lot of the stores already have their decorations up.”

  “You’ve got to be joking.”

  “I’m not.”

  He grumbled some. “I suppose you’re the sort of woman who goes all out for Christmas.”

  “Of course,” she said, as she counted out her score. “Although I live alone, I put up a tree, hang garlands, and decorate with holly. What about you?”

  He finished counting out his hand. “What about me? If you’re digging for more information for that article, you can stop right now.”

  “I wasn’t,” she said, groaning. It seemed everything she asked was suspect. “You don’t have a Christmas tree?”

  “No. Why would I?”

  Knowing him, he probably didn’t like Christmas at all. “Is it just another day for you and Hennessey?”

  “For the most part, yes. I’ll sometimes join Sawyer and his family or fly to Fairbanks and spend Christmas Day with friends.”

  It made Carrie feel better to know he wouldn’t be alone unless that was what he chose. “Good.”

  “Good?” he repeated.

  “Yes. I would hate the thought of you spending Christmas alone.”

  He grinned, as if her comment amused him. “Despite what you think, I enjoy my own company, but I have a real life, too. I live a good part of the time here, but I have a condo … elsewhere.”

  “You do? But how do you support yourself? I mean, before the book.”

  “I have all the work I want with the state, checking on the pipeline.” He grimaced, as if he’d said far more than he meant for her to know. “Forget I said that.”

  She pantomimed zipping her lips closed. There was far more to Finn than she realized. “Listen, this isn’t related to anything I might write, so relax.”

  They broke for lunch. Finn made sandwiches, which they ate in front of the stove, sitting in the rocking chairs. A glance out the window told her the wind had died down and the snow had stopped.

  “My mother is probably worried about me,” she said, checking her cell phone. Thankfully, her battery wasn’t dead, but coverage this far north simply wasn’t going to happen. “I told her I’d phone, and I haven’t. Is there any way I can get word to her?”

  “I have a satellite phone, but it isn’t cheap.”

  “I’ll be happy to pay whatever the charges are. I won’t talk long.”

  “Having you out of my hair by tomorrow morning would be payment enough.”

  Carrie frowned. “Ouch. I thought we were getting along so well, too.”

  Finn chuckled. “We were almost friends until you whipped me in cribbage.”

  “Ah, men and their fragile egos.”

  Finn grumbled something she couldn’t hear, and then he showed her how to operate the phone by his desk. It took a moment for the line to connect, and when it did, her father answered.

  “Dad, it’s me. I don’t have a lot of time, but I want you to know I’m still in Alaska. Tell Mom I’m doing great and I’ll connect with her once I’m back in Chicago.”

  “Your m
other’s been concerned. You said you’d call.”

  “I know, Dad. I’ll explain everything when I’m not paying outrageous satellite charges.”

  “Satellite charges? Where in heaven’s name are you?” Her father was the talker in the family.

  “Outside of Fairbanks, Alaska.” If she said anything more, her dad would have more questions, and then more after that.

  “You found him? You found Finn Dalton?”

  “Dad, I can’t talk now.”

  “Okay, okay, but I’m going to want a full report once you’re back.”

  “Will do. Reassure Mom that I’m fine and thank Grandpa for teaching me cribbage.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Never mind, I’ll explain later.”

  They said their farewells, and Carrie ended the call. When she turned around, she was surprised to find Finn had put on his parka and heavy boots.

  “You’re going somewhere?” she asked, surprised.

  “The wind has died down and the snow has mostly stopped. I won’t be gone long.” Hennessey was at the door, eager and ready to be on his way.

  At the door, Finn hesitated. “You’ll be all right for a while by yourself?”

  “Of course.” It surprised her that he’d asked. Actually, she welcomed the privacy in order to work on the article. The instant he was out the door, she retrieved her computer. It didn’t take her long to organize her thoughts. She’d already gathered more than enough information to write a lengthy piece about him. The rough draft took her the better part of an hour. Feeling good about the piece, which she felt was fair, if not flattering, she tucked her laptop back inside her suitcase, grateful Finn hadn’t returned while she’d had it open.

  With that out of the way, Carrie soon grew restless and bored, fidgeting, wishing she could talk to Sophie. Had she better planned this trip, she would have brought along her e-reader.

  Finding little with which to entertain herself, Carrie took out the paper tablet she had with her, found a pair of scissors, and went about cutting large snowflakes. With the sewing kit at the bottom of her purse, she took thread, stood barefoot on a chair, and suspended the flakes from the ceiling until the entire cabin looked like a magical winter wonderland.

  More than likely Finn wouldn’t appreciate her effort toward Christmas decorations; however, she wasn’t going to let that stop her. Other than keeping her occupied, she hoped this would amuse him.

  She was standing on the chair in the middle of the cabin, stretching her arms above her head, when the door unexpectedly opened and Finn and Hennessey stepped inside.

  “What the …”

  Startled, Carrie lost her balance, and with arms flailing at her sides, she started to topple from her perch on the chair. Seeing her predicament, Finn reacted quickly and instinctively, catching her in midair. Carrie issued a small, breathless gasp as her body was pressed hard against his.

  For one wild moment all they did was stare at each other. Her pulse raced, and his eyes went directly to her throat as if he could see her reaction. He didn’t release her, and she realized she was glad to be in his arms. It wasn’t a comfortable feeling.

  His gaze traveled from the throbbing pulse in her neck to her lips, and Carrie’s mouth went dry as his eyes held hers. When did this happen? Another question quickly followed the first—what were they going to do about it? Carrie knew what she wanted. She closed her eyes, expecting, hoping that Finn would kiss her.

  He didn’t.

  Gradually he released her, setting her feet down on solid ground. Then he stepped back as though having her this close had burned his senses.

  “What is this?” he asked, his voice ragged, demanding. He hardly sounded like himself.

  “What?” Carrie’s own senses became jumbled. Confused. She wasn’t sure what he meant. It sounded as if he was asking about this sudden arc of awareness that vibrated between them. “I …”

  “This!” He pointed at the ceiling.

  “Oh, that,” she said, feeling foolish, embarrassed, and relieved. “I thought I’d add a bit of holiday spirit to your cabin.”

  He frowned.

  “I can take it down if you want.”

  His response was a soft snort. “And risk you breaking your fool neck a second time? Leave it.”

  “I think it looks great.”

  “You would.”

  “And you don’t?” she pressed.

  He didn’t bother to answer, but instead announced, “I’ll put a roast on for dinner.” She stood by while he put together meat, carrots, and onions in a cast-iron pot and placed it in the oven.

  “What can I do?” she asked, looking to help.

  “You can peel potatoes if you want.”

  “I want.”

  They both seemed eager to put that sensual awkwardness behind them. It was important, she supposed, to ignore the awareness that sprang up so unexpectedly. Finn seemed as determined as she was to pretend it had never happened. Carrie was more than eager to do so, seeing that she’d practically begged him to kiss her. Just thinking about it mortified her. She didn’t know what she’d been thinking, which explained it, because clearly she hadn’t been thinking. Instead, she’d been feeling, and that was dangerous to them both.

  Within a couple of hours the scent of the roast filled the cabin. As she set the table for dinner, Finn disappeared for a couple minutes and returned with a bottle of red wine.

  “Do you like wine?” he asked.

  “Yes, very much.”

  He set the wine bottle in the middle of the table.

  “Are we celebrating?” she asked, teasing him.

  “Yes. Sawyer will collect you come morning.”

  “Of course. How could I have forgotten?” she said. “And you’ll be more than ready to see me go.”

  To her surprise, he didn’t immediately respond.

  When dinner was ready, they sat down across from each other, the roast and assorted vegetables on a platter between them. Finn opened the wine bottle and poured them each a glass.

  “What shall we toast?” she asked, pressing the brim of her glass against his.

  “To cribbage,” he suggested. “And I demand a rematch after dinner.”

  “To cribbage,” she echoed, and smiled.

  Their eyes held for an extra-long moment, and her stomach was filled with butterflies as she realized that this heightened awareness of each other hadn’t gone away. If anything, it was stronger, and was growing more so each moment. Although they both tried to ignore what was happening, it was still there, as real and as profound as when he’d caught her and kept her from falling to the floor.

  They sipped the wine while their gazes held. Deliberately, Carrie looked away. She needed to remind herself that the sole reason she was in Alaska was for an interview. After spending more than twenty-four hours with Finn, she had what she needed. And as soon as the article was published, Finn Dalton would want nothing more to do with her.

  Chapter Six

  This wasn’t working, Finn realized. When Carrie showed up unexpectedly, he’d been determined to freeze her out. She might have found him, but she wasn’t getting one iota of information out of him for that blasted article she intended to write. He would say as little as possible, speak in monosyllables, and be rid of her the instant the weather cleared.

  And yet within the span of twenty-four hours she knew more about him than he ever intended. Only a few of his friends knew about his involvement with Pamela. If divulging personal information wasn’t bad enough, he’d been keenly tempted to take her in his arms and kiss her. The urge had been so strong that he’d had to leave the cabin. Then, upon his return, he’d found her standing on a chair and she’d fallen directly into his arms. He’d like to think she planned this, but her reactions said otherwise. He’d caught her, and she’d looked up at him with those baby blues of hers, practically begging him to do the very thing he wanted to most. It felt as if he was about to go down for the third time before he gathered the str
ength to pull away. Not that it was easy. Finn liked to think of himself as disciplined and in control of his emotions. With Carrie, every bit of self-preservation flew out the proverbial window. He didn’t like it one bit.

  What he needed, Finn decided, was a distraction. He figured if they could play cards, that would keep him sane until he was well rid of her. Then he’d come up with the bright idea of opening a bottle of wine. What was he thinking? If he found her beautiful before dinner, she was all the more so during. Stunning, breathtakingly beautiful, and for the life of him he couldn’t keep his eyes off her.

  He wanted to blame the wine, but she’d intoxicated him with little more than a smile. This was bad, and every minute he spent with her made it worse. Before he knew how it happened, he’d lowered his guard.

  “Are you surprised?” she’d asked him. “You know, by how successful the book has been?”

  He nodded. It baffled him even now. His editor routinely updated him on sales and his position on the New York Times bestseller list. “I’ve been told it’s a publishing sensation.”

  “It is. Finn, thousands and thousands of people are reading and loving your stories about Alaska. What ever made you think to write it?”

  He smiled and leaned back, far more comfortable with her than he should have been. Before he knew it, he was telling her the story. “It was just one of those things. I read an article about the problems with kids having sedentary lives, obsessed with video games and television, and was astonished. While I was growing up, every day was an adventure. I thought if I wrote about some of my own experiences it might inspire kids and adults to step outside their front door and look at nature in an entirely different way.”

  Carrie’s eyes brightened and Finn couldn’t have looked away from her if someone had offered him gold ingots.

  “Did you know,” Carrie said, her smile warm and alive, “there are whole groups that are springing up across the country for organized hikes and other outdoor activities that your book inspired? This would never have happened if it hadn’t been for your book. I hope you realize what a strong influence Alone has been.”

  He had heard about such groups, and it pleased him immensely.