My Saving Grace (Vested Interest - ABC Corp 1)

“This being Santa is tiring stuff. No wonder it only happens once a year.”

Gracie shook her head. “There was no need for all the gifts, Jaxson. Or to risk your life to drive here. You should probably head back before the storm gets worse.”

I ignored her rude tone with a smirk. “Your mother and aunts were kind enough to invite me here today so I wouldn’t be alone on Christmas. I still have the four-wheel drive, so I was perfectly fine on the roads, although I appreciate your concern. And to show up empty-handed would have been rude.”

“A bottle of wine would have sufficed. This—” she waved her hand “—is a little overboard.”

“There, I beg to differ. I recall being told that Santa’s visit made the entire day magical. How can one ignore a chance to do that?” I paused, lowering my voice as our eyes locked. “Especially for you, Gracie.”

She sniffed, turning her head as if she could ignore my presence. I tried not to grin as I gave Addi a box of chocolates and Brayden a small bottle of his favorite whiskey. I had heard him comment about it at the wedding, so the choice was easy.

Addi stood and kissed my cheek. “Thank you. How on earth did you know these are my favorites?”

I smiled. “I listen.” I glanced at Gracie. “I’m always listening.” I reached into the bag and withdrew a box of chocolate caramels—Gracie’s favorite. The box was larger than the others had been and decorated beautifully. I handed them to her. “For my favorite articling student.”

“I’m your only articling student.”

“Yes, you are. You are both.”

She took the box, touching the lovely bow. I noticed the way her fingers trembled.

“Thank you.”

I folded the bag. “I guess my work is done.” I stood and pulled off the heavy Santa coat and removed the padded stomach, grateful to shed them since they were far too warm. I had dressed casually for the day, wearing a white shirt and navy cardigan with my dress pants. I was still overdressed compared to some others, but for me, it was casual. I reached into the pocket of the Santa jacket and handed Addi an envelope. She frowned in confusion.

“What is this?”

“For you and your husband.”

She opened it, scanning the donation receipt to the local no-kill shelter they supported. Gracie had told me they had asked for donations to that charity in lieu of gifts. It was an amazingly unselfish gesture—something I was beginning to realize ran deep with this family.

“You didn’t have to do this.”

I shook my head. “I enjoyed being at your wedding. Meeting your family. Being welcomed so warmly—” my gaze drifted to Gracie, then back to Addi “—by your family. I wanted to contribute to a cause so dear to your heart.”

Addi hugged me. “Thank you. I’m glad you’re here today, Jaxson.”

I ignored Gracie’s muffled gasp of outrage. Brayden stood and shook my hand. “Thank you. We’re happy you’re here. Up to a game of air hockey?”

“Sounds like fun.”

“I’m going to help with dinner preparations. You coming with me, Gracie?” Addi asked.

She pursed her lips. “I would like a moment with Jaxson first.”

Brayden indicated the stairs. “Okay. See you downstairs shortly.”

I nodded, my eyes on Grace. “If I survive.”

She waited until Addi and Brayden left. The room was still full, small groupings sitting around talking. The mothers were making lots of noise in the large kitchen area, the fathers by the window, cups of coffee in their hands. Everyone was busy, but I had a feeling we were still being watched. I faced Grace, smiling.

“Yes, darling?” I asked quietly. “You wanted a moment?”

“Don’t call me that.”

“No one can hear us.”

“I am not your darling.”

“What did you want then, Gracie?”

“How did you do all this?” she asked, surprising me. I was certain she was going to tell me to leave.

“Larry.”

“Larry?”

“Michael’s husband. He runs an online store. He makes these bath bomb things, handmade chocolates, organic oils.”

“Oh. Michael said something about Etsy once, but he never elaborated.”

“He has a good business. After yesterday, it was a good year.”

“You didn’t have to do this.”

I met her gaze. “Did it make you happy, Gracie? For one brief moment, did I make you happy?”

She smiled, but it was a sad one. “That’s the problem, Jaxson. You do these things that make me happy, but then I remember you broke my heart.”

“Maybe I can fix that.”

“It’s not that easy.” Then she sat up, making me realize how close we’d been leaning to each other. “Marrying me only complicated the situation, and it needs to be fixed.”

I sat back, shaking my head. “Marrying you was the start of our road to recovery.”

She stood, looking down on me. “That road is a dead end. And no one here will be the wiser, do you understand?” she whispered furiously.