A Billionaire for Christmas

“Is everything alright?” I ask her as I shove the papers back into the pocket on the inside of my purse.

“Yes, yes. I just wasn’t sure if you’d had a chance to see Mr. Kulls yet?”

“The interview is tomorrow,” I reply and she nods slowly. I called before booking and spoke to someone here, possibly Ada, although I don’t remember. I wanted to make sure the bed and breakfast was close to the estate. It turns out that it’s the only bed and breakfast, so I didn’t have much of a choice.

“Am I all set to stay?” I ask her warily.

“Of course, dear, of course,” she answers with much more pep in her tone. “Right this way!” she says as she grabs the handle of my suitcase before I can and starts walking off. I look behind me at the mug of cider and then grab my jacket before it falls off my luggage.

For a woman so short she walks quickly, and I have to hastily increase my stride to catch up to her.

“Breakfast will be ready when you are,” she says as we pass the small dining room and head down a narrow hallway. The walls are speckled with photographs tucked in a variety of colored and shaped frames. She turns her head to look at me, and my eyes are ripped away from the photo of a young boy and to her gaze instead. “Simply call the number on the phone in your room or come to the front, and I’ll have breakfast served for you.”

She stops at the last door on the very end and takes out a key, unlocking the door and then handing the key to me. It’s an actual key, long and heavy. I think it’s made of cast iron, and it catches me by surprise. “If you need anything at all, please don’t hesitate to ask,” she says and her voice is soft and comforting and the small smile on her face is genuine. Her pale blue eyes are sincere, and I almost second-guess her hesitation in the foyer.

“Thank you, Mrs.- Ada,” I say and then peer into the room, taking the handle of my suitcase.

“I’ll be right down the hall,” she says and then turns to walk off. I watch her for a moment and then let out a heavy sigh. Traveling is meant to be stressful. And that’s what I’ll chalk this up to.

The sound of the wheels rolling is muted as I drag the suitcase onto the plush cream carpet and close the door with a soft click. I lock it out of habit and then drag the heavy bag to the bed. My purse falls off my shoulder and onto the crook of my arm as I struggle with the damn thing. I stare at the bed and then to the suitcase. There’s no way I’m getting it up there.

I don’t have the energy for anything other than to slip into my PJ bottoms and a baggy t-shirt. My makeup can just wait till the morning, and brushing my teeth can wait, too.

As I crawl into bed I nearly moan at the thought of sleeping peacefully. I’m finally on land and in a beautiful cabin tucked away on this gorgeous island. I close my eyes and the moment I do, I remember the man from earlier.

My heart stills and my eyes pop open as I pull the comforter up tighter around me and try to forget. I need to sleep, and that’s just what I do. But the vision of the man comes back over and over as I drift to sleep. I can’t keep him away although I can’t quite see his face or any identifying features at all. Each time there’s something different about him or the mountain that makes me question whether or not he was real.

But I dream of him. Of climbing through the forest and standing at the edge.

In my dreams, he was waiting for me. And instead of fear, I only feel… wanted.Chapter TwoLilaThe morning air in Philadelphia can be at times, stale. Suffocating, even. The sounds of other people are constant, along with car horns and yelling for cabbies. My street, in particular, is busy as it’s just beyond the more crowded shopping districts.

This is nothing like that.

I inhale deeply, taking a moment to sway back and forth on the porch swing. Time seems slower here. The toe of my boot drags back and forth as I stare forward, waiting for the car that’s coming to pick me up. It’s not a cab; they don’t have those here. Ada’s cousin is happy to see me to the Kulls’ estate though. Last night the captain of the ship, Drew, drove me here last night.

I chew the inside of my cheek, wondering if I should tip him. Obviously I should. I didn’t tip Drew though, he seemed offended I offered. I shake off the memory of the way he looked at me and take a look around.