CHAPTERONE
MADISON
There’snothing like Thunder Mountain at Christmastime. I pull my coat tight around my waist and take in the twinkling lights lining the downtown streets. It’s almost like I live in my own little Hallmark movie town. The only thing missing is my perfect leading man.
I sigh and pull away from the window, turning my attention back to the cafe. On Christmas Eve it’s almost always dead in here. I’m shocked there are customers at all. Most people have big celebrations, home cooked feasts with turkeys and pies. Me, I’ve got a to-go plate waiting for me when my shift’s over.
The bell dings, pulling my attention to the window. Wiping my hands on my apron, I head over and pick up the bowl of soup for table ten. Mr. Bailey is a regular, who comes in here every afternoon rain or shine. I can’t help but smile as I set down his lunch in front of him.
“Here we are, one soup du jour.” The spoon clanks against the table when I set it down.
He smiles up at me, his eyes twinkling. “Thank you, my dear.”
“Any big plans for tonight?”
“Diana’s fixing Christmas Eve supper.” He shakes his head. “Don’t tell her, but the turkey is always a little dry.” My hand darts to my mouth to suppress a laugh. “But I love her anyway.” He places the napkin on his lap. “We have an extra visitor this year, though. My great-nephew Axel’s coming into town for the holidays.” He shakes his head. “What a name, right? His mother was a rock’n’roll groupie.”
I don’t tell him that the name screams “hot guy” as far as I’m concerned. I let out a sigh and shift my weight into one hip. “Can I get you anything else?”
“A little more water.”
“Coming right up.”
I head over to the server’s station and grab my pitcher. At the same time the door chimes overhead. Good, I could use a few extra bucks in tips before the holidays. I still haven’t sent my mother a present—not that she ever truly cares. I turn around to tell whoever it is that I’ll be right with them, but the words die in my throat.
A tall, dark-haired man with the clearest blue eyes I’ve ever seen stands in the door. They practically glow; they’re so bright. He’s wearing a flannel shirt, rolled up to the elbow to reveal a mass of swirling ink painting his forearms. His work boots thud heavily against the tile as he heads further into the diner. He’s so gigantic; I can’t help but stare.
He’s way too hot to be single. That’s just how my luck seems to run. I’m sure any second a beautiful woman with perfect hair and model good looks will float in behind him. I wait for the inevitable to happen, but to my surprise, it doesn’t. Instead, the gorgeous tattooed mountain man heads straight for Mr. Bailey’s table.
I may or may not audibly gulp, then quickly steal a glance at myself in the mirror above the station before heading over to the table on shaky knees. I’ve never had a reaction this visceral to anyone before. I paint on a smile as soon as I reach the table, avoiding direct eye contact. I reach for Mr. Bailey’s water glass and accidentally knock it with my knuckle. Water pools over the side of the table, dripping onto the hot guy’s lap.
“Shit, I’m sorry.” I set down the pitcher and rush to retrieve a rag. “I swear I’m not normally this clumsy.” Heat rushes to my cheeks as I mop up the mess.
“It’s okay.” The hot guy says in a deep, sexy voice. “At least it’s just water.” I meet his eyes, and I swear I hear angels singing—okay, maybe I’m being a little dramatic.
“I’ll be right back with two fresh glasses.” I grab the old glass and head to the dish bin, mortified that I can’t seem to keep it together around this guy. I force myself to take three deep breaths before returning with the waters and a menu.
I set everything down and am about to turn away when Mr. Bailey’s voice stops me. “Madison, this is my great-nephew.” I turn and once again meet those stunning blue eyes. His features appear chiseled from stone. His perfectly groomed beard highlights his strong, square jaw, and his cheekbones could land him a front-page modeling gig.
He extends his giant hand. “I’m Axel.”
“Madison,” I say, nearly stuttering over my own name as I slip my hand in his; it practically disappears.
“Madison waits on me every day.” Mr. Bailey raises his fuzzy white eyebrows. “She’s practically a family member.” His smile fades as soon as the words leave his lips. “Wait a minute, dear. Is all of your family back in Buffalo?”
I nod. By all of my family, he means my mom and my big sister, who I barely speak with. Not that I mind. My mother doesn’t like celebrating holidays. The pressure has always been too much for her. I blame it on her sparse childhood. They barely had money for food, let alone something as frivolous as Christmas gifts.
“So you’ll be spending the holidays alone?” A look of pity that turns my stomach plays on his face.
“I don’t mind it, really. I eat what I want, watch what I want. I even open my presents when I want.” I leave out the part where I bought the presents for myself. “It’s kind of my own little tradition.” I sneak a glance at Axel, who’s eyeing me intensely. When he licks his full, sultry lips, my panties drench with pure desire imagining what it would feel like to melt into them.
“Nonsense.” Mr. Bailey slams his palm against the table. Axel and I both snap our heads in his direction. “You won’t be spending Christmas Eve alone this year, my dear Madison.” He fervently shakes his head. “Oh no, not on my watch.” He dabs the corners of his mouth with his napkin, then places it back on his lap. “You’re coming to our house.”
“No, no. I couldn’t.” I sneak another glance at Axel, realizing how sexy he’d look wearing a Santa hat…and nothing else.
“You can, and you will. I won’t hear of it otherwise. We are eating at six o’clock.” He points his finger at me, causing me to take a step backward. “I expect you’ll be there.” Not knowing how to respond, I find myself nodding in agreement. This makes the old man smile. “That’s better. We’re the house at the end of the block on Old Creek Court.”
My chest constricts when I realize what I’m agreeing to. I like my little solitary holiday, but I guess this year’s going to be different. I’ve got nothing to lose and a little eye candy to gain. As if reading my thoughts, Axel shoots me a sly smile.