Caroling in the Snow (New Hope Sweet Christmas Romance 2)

“It was an accident,” she sputtered, pulling out of his grasp. Tenderly touching her eye, she winced at the pain. “We both lost control. It was my fault, really.”

He pointed to the back seat of the Grand Am. “Get in the car.”

They didn’t have time to argue over the specifics of who caused her eye to swell. The longer he stayed in this town, the more likely he was to hunt down his jerk of a step-father and return the favor. That could only lead to some time behind bars. “Let’s go.”

“I was just about to call you, baby,” she said, taking a step toward the auto shop. For the first time, Jordan noticed a man who stood in the shadow of the doorway, watching their conversation. “Me and your father, we made up. I appreciate you driving all this way, but now I don’t need to put you out any longer. James is waiting for me.”

Jordan felt like he was going to burst into flames. Red hot anger coursed through his veins. “You, what? You’ve got to be kidding me. The guy just pummeled in your face.”

“It was an accident, baby,” his mom repeated, glancing fearfully behind her. “Please don’t make him mad.”

“Oh, I’ll do a lot more than that,” he growled, taking a step toward the shop.

Before he could make it around the car, Chloe had intersected his angry rampage. She stood in front of him, her eyes wide and hands held out to stop him. He wrapped his fingers into tight fists, but didn’t go another inch further. Instead, he stared at the shadow in the doorway up ahead. It was the figure of a man who’d haunted his nightmares for over a decade. Except, now he wasn’t a little kid anymore and it wasn’t him who needed to be afraid.

“You don’t want to do that,” Chloe whispered, setting a soft hand down on his shoulder.

He forced his glare away from the shop and down at her. The frightened and panicked look on her face caused him to start, guilt creeping up instead. This wasn’t okay. He couldn’t fight his step-dad with Chloe standing right there. She’d lose all respect for him.

“Have a nice life,” he spat at the shadow man, releasing the fists at his side. Turning on his heel, he marched right past his mother and back to the car. She tried to say something to him, but he was too deaf with rage to listen. Instead, he threw the key in the ignition and blared his music.

Glaring through the windshield, he was surprised to see Chloe approach his mother in front of the car. They exchanged a few quiet words and then Chloe handed her a slip of paper. With a quick hug, they parted ways and she got back in the car.

Despite his curiosity, Jordan didn’t ask what she’d said. He waited just long enough for her to get her seat belt buckled before he gunned it, leaving his mother waving in the rear view mirror.

They didn’t speak on the way home. Each one of them too embroiled in their own thoughts to talk. But when Jordan reached across the center console to take Chloe’s hand, she didn’t resist him. They rode the rest of the way home like that, relying on that small physical comfort to relieve the anger and the pain of the afternoon.

Chapter Ten

Chloe presided quietly over that evening’s rehearsal. Despite the fact that Laurie came in too early on her solo, the wise men were chuckling during their lines, and Amanda seemed ready to give birth at any minute, she couldn’t utter a word of criticism. Her mind was plagued with thoughts about her trip with Jordan this afternoon.

She’d never believed he could be so utterly consumed with rage like that. The man she’d stepped in front of had murder in his eyes, he’d been so out of control. She didn’t know his step-father and certainly didn’t want to judge their relationship, but that rage had scared her a little bit. Okay…more like a lot.

That anger he’d felt had shown in every tense sinew and muscle in his body, hardening his limbs until they were solid rocks, ready to punch in a man’s skull. She couldn’t believe what she’d seen. This wasn’t the same man she’d come to know. The same man she’d kissed on that balcony.

“You okay?” Jordan’s soft voice startled her from her thoughts. She looked up to find him gazing at her, his dark eyes full of worry. “You didn’t even say anything when I forgot my lines.”

“I’ve been distracted.” She shifted uncomfortably, smoothing down her leather skirt. “Sorry about that.”

He nodded his head and then slid into the pew next to her. Their shoulders touched for the briefest of seconds. “I’m sorry you had to see that this afternoon.”

She shrugged, giving him a half-hearted smile. “It’s fine. I butted into that family situation. Y

ou have nothing to be sorry for.”

“But I still am.” He reached for her hand, taking it in his. “Sometimes, all those old emotions from the past come rushing back and I lose control. I revert back to my fifteen year old self - a skinny little kid with nothing but his fists to protect himself. Seeing my mom like that…” He stared toward the ground, his eyes unfocused.

“I know.” She gave his hand a squeeze and let go.

That black eye had been awful. Chloe got to see it up close after Jordan went storming back to his car. She’d given the woman her card, telling her to call if she needed anything. It didn’t sit right with her, leaving an obviously abused woman with her dangerous spouse. But there was nothing else she could do in that moment. Jordan was going to lose it and she didn’t want him doing something he’d regret.

“Alright, tomorrow’s the last dress rehearsal,” she said to the group with a clap of her hand. Two more days. That was it. Somehow, the importance of her play was beginning to fade. The events of the day had overshadowed her own little worries and fears. “Don’t be late.”

There were a few muttered acknowledgments and her actors began to shuffle out. Jordan was the last one to leave. He stood by the doorway, his costume draped over his arm and his head bowed. The low light of the sanctuary accentuated his cheekbones and strong jaw. A miserable frown pulled at the sides of his mouth as he looked up at her.

“Can I walk you to your car?”

Chloe hesitated. She needed alone time to think and clear her head. The expression on his face hurt her heart, but she needed him to leave. “I have a little set work left to do tonight. You go ahead. I’ll see you in the morning.”