“Not everyone can handle the Milano chaos. You should’ve seen the Christmas Vivien spent with us. I thought we’d scare her away for sure. But she jumped right in like she was born into the family.”
“Better her than me. I’d probably scare them all away.”
Did he really say that?
She laughed. “I don’t know. My nephews would think it’s pretty awesome having a real cop there.”
Now she was just trying to make him feel better. But his neck grew warm as Zuri studied him intently, like she was looking beyond skin and bone to everything he hid underneath.
“You do remind me a little of my grandfather. He’s quiet and serious. He never says a whole lot, but he is protective and would do anything for his family.”
It was sweet. She didn’t want him to look like a sap. And yes, part of that was true. But when push came to shove, he’d chosen Nichole over his only family. What did that make him?
He didn’t want to know.
He couldn’t make up for Zuri missing her family, but he could at least buy the woman a hot drink for putting up with this cold trek looking for the lost Mustang and…well, his chilly attitude.
“I can’t make lasagna or panettone, but how about some hot cocoa?”
She looked over at him with a coy smile. “That depends. Will it have marshmallows?”
WEDNESDAY, 8:47 P.M.
Was it just her or was Duke Lowry actually loosening up a little? Of course, his offer to buy her a hot cocoa was a small friendly gesture, not necessarily a complete conversion on the whole Christmas thing, but she intended to enjoy it and bask in her success a bit.
And maybe she was warming up to him too. It had nothing to do with the surprising admission that the handsome guy wanted a big family.
Or that he saw her scars as…strength. She’d never seen them as anything but something to hide.
With the heaters on full blast, Zuri’s feet thawed back to normal, and the cab of the truck stayed pleasant as they drove to the local coffee shop. But the only lights shining at the Java Cup were on the outside of the building.
“Looks like they’re closed.” She tried to swallow down the disappointment and keep her voice light and merry. “We can just head back to the cabins. It’s getting late. Maybe we’ll have better luck tomorrow. And I’m sure you’re tired of my chatting.”
He shrugged, his arm resting casually on the steering wheel. “I’ve gotten used to it. Besides, I’m a man of my word. I promised you cocoa. You’re getting hot cocoa.” He gripped the wheel once more with both hands, determination etched across his forehead.
Zuri tried hard to ignore the warm, swirly feeling his words evoked. “All right, but where?”
A quick drive around downtown showed all the businesses locked tight for the night—the whole town asleep.
Duke would not be deterred though. He looked up every cafe on his phone and insisted on driving by them to make sure. The one restaurant he called that was open didn’t have hot cocoa on the menu.
Still, he didn’t lose that stubborn glint in his eye.
Heaven help the criminal that ever got in Duke Lowry’s way. If she peeled back the grumpy exterior, there was a good and honest man there.
He turned toward her. “All right, I didn’t say it would be the best hot cocoa ever, but I’ve got one last resort.”
“I’m game.”
His only answer was a smirk. And goodness, what a handsome smirk it was.
Stop. This wasn’t a holiday romance, despite Vivien’s wish.
But oh, it was hard to find a guy in NYC with morals and integrity that wasn’t scared away by her family or scars.
He drove back to the highway, and she could only laugh when they pulled into the Holiday gas station right in the middle of town.
“Wait there,” he said as he parked. He jogged over and opened her door.
Her heart melted a little more.
Hold it together, girl. He’s only being Minnesota nice.
Inside, they grabbed gas station hot cocoa and half-off donuts, all of which Duke insisted on paying for. He even threw a whole bag of marshmallows on the counter.
A man behind them in line eyed their purchases. His hair was long and a little stringy, could use a good cut and some product.
“You can’t have cocoa without marshmallows,” she explained to the stranger.
He held up stained hands. “No judgment here.” He leaned in suggestively. “But if you want anything stronger, I’m sure we can find that too. There’s a bar right next to my hotel.”
“Oh. Uh, thanks, but—”
“Back off. She’s already got plans.” Duke wrapped a strong arm around her shoulder.
“Sorry, man. Can’t blame a guy for trying.”
Duke met the guy’s smarmy smile with one of his famous glares. No surprise, the other guy backed off and slapped a twenty on the counter to pay for his chips. His fingers, covered in black paint or ink, and missing teeth gave him a devilish appearance Zuri was grateful to escape.
She quickly stepped back out into the clear night as Duke held the door open for her.
“Well, look at you saving the day, Detective. My own Christmas miracle.”
“Christmas miracle?”
“You fought off that creep and found me cocoa. So maybe there’s hope for you yet,” she said as they walked toward his truck.
He rolled his eyes, but one corner of his full lips tilted up. The hint of a smile. “I’m no hero. And I’d hardly call gas-station hot cocoa and day-old donuts a Christmas miracle.”
“Come on, let’s walk a little, look at the lights. I’ll bet we can find some of that Christmas spirit you’re missing.” They crossed the quiet, dark street at the stoplight and followed the sidewalk toward the lake.
“I’ll walk around since I could use some exercise after all the driving. But I doubt that will rekindle a long-extinguished love of Christmas.”
“Aha! So at one point, you did like Christmas! What happened?”
He stared down at his cup and stuffed a quick bite of donut in his mouth. They moved toward the bay, their steps crunching on the layer of snow that had fallen earlier. Zuri forgot she’d even asked the question as she got lost in the lights and sounds of the town. “Silent Night” played through her mind as she looked up at the stars blinking in the night sky. They walked awhile before Duke spoke again, his deep timbre breaking the quiet between them.
“Christmas was my mom’s favorite time of year.” He pointed to the twinkle lights swinging from the eaves of a tiny red building with the sign World’s Best Donuts. “She would’ve loved all this.”
Tears sprang to Zuri’s eyes. Her mom loved Christmas too. She couldn’t imagine how hard this time of year would be if she wasn’t around to celebrate it.
So maybe Scrooge McDuke just missed his mother. Mystery solved.
She didn’t say anything. But, crazily, she reached out and slipped a gloved hand in his and squeezed.
And he squeezed back.
Rightfully, there should be angels appearing in the sky to sing hallelujah, such was the joy that stirred inside her.
“So, now that I’ve bared my soul, tell me, why is this makeup case so important?” Duke asked.