Christmas with the Best Man

She glanced at him and whispered, “You’re awful.”

He chuckled as he led her off to the side so the others in the wedding party could come down the aisle.

“Well, I see you made it here on time with jokes in hand,” Helena remarked.

“I did. I cleaned up pretty good, I thought.” Elijah opened his scarf and pulled at his red bow-tie as if it was choking him.

“You do look mighty dashing, Dr. Davenport. Especially in your hat.” She smiled.

“All I’m missing is the cane and Charlie Chaplin mustache.” He did a small dance in imitation of the silent-movie star.

Helena laughed, not missing the sarcasm in his voice. “I, for one, love the romance of the old movies.”

“That figures. Only a bride would expect someone to wear this type of get-up.”

“You really aren’t enjoying this, are you?” She watched him closely.

“Let’s just say it isn’t my ‘thing.’ I’ll be glad when it’s over.”

“What, you got a hot date?”

“I wish. It’ll take more than a shower and hot toddy to make my toes have feeling again.” He wiggled his brows. “You interested in helping me warm up?”

She was glad that Grace called, “Come on, you two, we’ve got a few pictures to take and then we can go inside.”

Helena and Elijah followed the rest of the wedding party back to the arch. She took her position beside Grace and smiled as the camera flashed. Helena shifted away when it was time for the family picture. Elijah stood a little off to one side until the photographer waved him in next to one of his sisters. Even then he looked uncomfortable. As soon as he was released to leave he moved away. What was all that about? Maybe she was just imagining things.

Her family was close. Even after she had disappointed them by becoming pregnant, they had stood by her. She might live a long way away but she spoke to her parents regularly. Kept in touch with her siblings. She didn’t understand Elijah’s reaction to being around his family. The Davenports were important people in New York City. They were constantly working to support the hospital. To outward appearances they were a strong, loving family. So what was Elijah’s problem?

With all the pictures taken but for those of the bride and groom alone, Elijah headed for the tent. She overheard him grumble, “I need a drink.”

Helena followed along behind him, walking with his sisters. She entered the tent to blessed warmth. The heaters were working overtime but after the cold it felt wonderful. Twinkling white lights like those outside hung from the top of the tent, creating a fairy snow-globe feel. In the center hung a kissing ball. At the back of the large tent was an area with a burning rock fireplace with a wreath of red berries hung on it. On the mantel were pictures of Charles and Grace. Circling the hearth were comfortable-looking sofas with Christmas throw pillows. It was amazing.

Round tables with white cloths over them were arranged in a circle, creating a dance floor. The chairs had large red bows tied around the backs of them. In the middle of each table was a flickering candle surrounded by holly. On one side of the tent was a towering bride’s cake and on the other the groom’s.

Slowly strolling around, Helena took it all in. Most of the attendees had taken one of the hot drinks offered and moved toward the fireplace. She headed that way, planning to join them, but spotted Elijah standing off by himself near one of the heaters. He’d removed his overcoat and now wore only his tuxedo, looking every bit as gorgeous as he had before. Lifting his drink in a salute, he gave her a half-smile.

What kept drawing her to him tonight? Even in a room full of people, he pulled at her the way a Christmas present under a tree did a child. She had been working beside him for years and now all of a sudden he captured her attention. It was disconcerting.

Seeing the number of people crowded around the fireplace, with reluctance and a tingle of excitement she joined Elijah. “Do you mind if I share your heat?”

A wicked twinkle came to his eyes. She immediately wished she’d chosen different words.

“You’re welcome to all I have,” he said in a low, suggestive tone.

Helena suspected she was accepting more than just the space around the heater. This sexual tension being generated between them was starting to wear on her nerves. Could it be from the festivities or had there been something there she’d been missing all along?

Elijah’s lifestyle and hers were light years apart. He was all about the minutes and she about the years. Playing around and having a fling wasn’t her style. She was commitment and he was wham-bam, thank you, ma’am. His womanizing was legendary in the hospital. It always astonished her that he wasn’t despised by most of the females. Apparently, he always made it clear where he stood, going into a relationship, and only picked out women who accepted his guidelines. So why, every time she looked at him, did she catch him looking at her?

The two of them couldn’t be more different. Yet there was some element of Elijah’s personality that was vulnerable, as if he were searching. Anyone who went from woman to woman must be looking for or running from something. Either way, she wasn’t the answer.

She needed to move the conversation back to a more neutral subject. “I appreciate you sharing the heater. The fireplace is too crowded to do much good.”

“I thought there was a better chance of thawing out here.” He shifted so that he was warming a different spot.

“I’m glad my mother sent me some long underwear. It came in handy today.”

“That’s an interesting contrast to that dress.” He studied her, his gaze moving up and down as if he was imagining what she looked like without the dress.

Heat filled Helena that had nothing to do with being inside the tent. Why hadn’t she thought before she’d spoken? “We southerners aren’t used to this kind of weather.”

“I don’t imagine you are. You’re from Alabama, aren’t you?”

“Yes. Brantley, Alabama. Where the most snow we see is a few flurries every ten years.”

“I’ve not heard of it.”

She giggled. “No reason you should. It’s a small town south of Montgomery.”

“So what brings a small-town southern girl to the big city?” He appeared truly interested.

“A job. I wanted to live in a big city after growing up in a tiny town.”

“I guess after the last few days a small southern town sounds good. It’s been crazy.” He glanced over her shoulder as if he was checking on where everyone was.

“It is always invigorating during a storm.”

He chuckled dryly. “That’s a nice way to put it.”

“I’d think you’d be used to that kind of action with your family’s deep involvement in the hospital. You must have seen your parents working when you were growing up.”

His lips tightened for a moment before he said, “I went to work with my father a couple of times.”

“My father owns a large cattle farm that has been in the family for generations. I saw him at work a lot. Even helped him out.” Helena looked around, finding Grace. She was glowing as she spoke to a couple.

Grace only knew a few people attending so she had a reason to act like a wallflower. But Elijah? It seemed as if he was making a point to not join in. “Why aren’t you mingling? Don’t you know most of these people?”

He smiled. “I’d rather keep you company.” Somehow Elijah made it sound as if he found it a great honor.

Grace and Charles were now finding their designated table for two near the dance floor. The other guests started taking their seats at tables as well.

“I guess it’s time for us to join the party.” Relieved, Helena started toward the table reserved for the wedding party. She felt more than saw Elijah follow her. Since when had she become so in tune with him? Surely by tomorrow her emotions would settle back to norm

al. It must be the happiness in the wedding air that had her so out of sorts.

She found her place card. With regret and a perverse thrill, she saw that Elijah was seated next to her. He held her chair for her before he sat. Seconds later one of his knees brushed her thigh as he worked to get his long legs under the table. Even that innocent action sent a bolt of self-consciousness through her.

He leaned over and said close to her ear, “Looks like we’re partners for the evening.”

Helena glanced his direction. He wore a teasing grin. At least his sullenness was gone. Despite her better judgement, she liked the idea of being his partner. “It seems so.”

“You don’t mind?”

Did her answer really matter to him? The way his eyes considered her made Helena think it might. But maybe he was just toying with her. “No, I don’t.”