But Duke the Grinch didn’t know this Jersey Girl. She didn’t take “stand down” for an answer. Not when his mood might sour Vivie’s happy day.
She had five hours to restrategize.
Her brothers always did say she was stubborn as the day was long and she eventually got her way. This would be no exception.
Duke Lowry had better watch out.
CHAPTER 2
WEDNESDAY, 6:30 A.M.
The next day, even in the still-dark morning under the glow of the outdoor light mounted on the garage, Duke could see why Boone had moved to Deep Haven. His new custom log house outside of town, embraced by the surrounding forest, was a far cry from the grind of city life. The crisp pine air and open space helped release the tension in Duke’s neck from the long drive last night.
Here, a guy didn’t have to deal with his neighbor’s Christmas decorations flying into his yard. In fact, Boone’s nearest neighbor was at least half a mile away. There were no nosy women—or wannabe elves—butting into Duke’s business, trying to mess with his radio presets. And there were no criminals to run down. Just good, honest work clearing snow out of Boone’s driveway. If he stayed busy enough, he could forget all about the upcoming holiday.
And yesterday’s torturous, silent, five-hour drive.
Wow, that Zuri was a piece of holly-jolly work. He’d never been so glad to get to Evergreen Resort and go their separate ways.
“Thanks again for picking up Zuri yesterday,” Boone said, piling another scoop of snow on the mound lining his front yard as they worked a path to his unattached garage.
“Don’t get used to it. As soon as you and Vivien say ‘I do,’ my best man duties are fulfilled.” He quirked up his lips to let Boone know he was kidding.
Kinda.
As much as he respected and liked Boone, as soon as it was polite, Duke would duck out of the reception and start back home. Without an added passenger.
“So the ride went okay? Zuri didn’t talk your ear off?”
“Nope. I listened to talk radio the whole way up. She did her own thing.”
“Talk radio? For real? Some welcome committee you are. And here Vivien thought you two might hit it off.” He stopped scooping snow and stared at Duke.
“Me? And Zuri?” Duke almost dropped the shovel. “The makeup and hair princess? That woman has high maintenance written all over her.”
“High maintenance? What are you talking about?” He picked up his shovel again. “Zuri’s hilarious. Yeah, a little talkative and outgoing, but that would be good for you.”
Nope, not gonna happen. “Remind me again why you need the car detailed in the middle of winter?” Surely Boone’s precious red ’65 Mustang convertible they were trying to clear a path to would be the perfect distraction.
“Vivie wants some pictures with the Mustang, since it’s how we met.”
“And you’re okay with me driving it?”
“I’ve got winter tires for it. And I figured if I trusted you with my life while we were working together, then maybe I can trust you with my second favorite girl.” He zoomed in on Duke. “You won’t let anything happen to her, right?”
“Of course not.”
“Good, because remember, I know where you live.” Boone gave him a hard stare.
“I know you mean to look intimidating, but it’s difficult to take you seriously in that sweater.” Duke nodded to the hideous green pullover Boone wore. It was covered in shiny garland and little plastic Christmas ornaments. And if that wasn’t bad enough, the thing had real lights flashing on and off. It was enough to give Duke a headache.
“Wait until you get engaged, and let’s see all the crazy things that you’ll do for your future wife.”
Yeah, he wasn’t even going to dignify that with a response. “So, I’m getting the car detailed. What else? I’ll do anything to not go to this gaudy-sweater and decorating party you’ve got going on.” Tasks that hopefully had nothing to do with Christmas.
“Okay, along with getting the car detailed, you can pick up Vivien’s ring at Johnson’s Jewelers and our tuxes at Megan and Cole’s. When you’re done, you can drop the car off at the Evergreen Resort, since you’re staying there anyway. They have a big maintenance shed you can park her in until we’re ready for those pictures. Vivie has some of the girls scheduled to decorate the car later today.”
“I can do that.” Duke pitched his shovel into the diminishing pile of snow. “Sure hope she’s worth it.”
“Oh yeah. Vivien’s the one.”
Duke scooped and threw a pile over his shoulder. He’d thought that himself once about a woman. Worst mistake of his life.
Boone stuck his shovel in the drift and leaned on the handle. “Nothing to say?”
“I’m…happy for you.”
“You know what you need? You need a woman like Zuri.”
This again? “No. Way. I’m fine on my own.”
Even if Zuri’s perfume still lingered in his truck, and this morning, when he’d gotten in to drive to Boone’s, it…well, he didn’t hate it. And her story of growing up with a house full of family had sounded…nice. Maybe a little like heaven. When she’d popped her earbuds in and focused on her phone, it’d surprised him how uncomfortable the silence was in the truck. Like he’d been a jerk or something.
Maybe he had been. And after an hour of listening to some political chitchat, he’d almost wanted her to start talking again about her life. Might have made the ride go faster. But she never opened up after he shot her down on the Christmas music.
Aw, that was probably a good thing. Because what did he have in common with New York City? Or a woman obsessed with Christmas? Relationships led to heartbreak. And his heart couldn’t take that again.
“You’re not thinking about Nichole, are you?” Boone asked.
“No, bro. Why would you ask that?”
“That scowl on your face. It’s always there when she comes up. And I know that was rough, but not every woman is like that.”
Maybe not, but Duke had better things to do with his life than to go searching for someone who could handle being married to a cop. Well, married to him. He was better off alone.
All the tenseness in Duke’s neck rushed back. “Did you look at the time? You’re gonna be late.” He scooped the last swath of snow in front of the garage door.
Boone checked his phone. “Fine. I’m going. But we will resume this conversation. Nothing opens in town until eight, so make yourself at home until then.” He rushed into the garage and soon left with a salute goodbye.
Once he was out of sight, Duke breathed a little easier. Rather than sit around in the big log house by himself, he spent the time clearing snow off Boone’s walkways and the back deck. Before long, it was time to hang the snow shovel up in the garage and hop into the Mustang.
He took it slow on his way to Jared’s Detailing on the outskirts of town. Duke drove the Mustang into the open carport where a worker named Steve, who was wearing a Santa hat, directed him. Duke stepped out of the Mustang and was immediately assaulted by paint fumes and the Chipmunks’ Christmas song blaring through the speakers of the garage.