Julian intertwined their fingers and glided his thumb over the back of Chandra’s hand, hoping to ease the sudden tension rolling off her shoulders. “Just breathe.”
Chandra sucked in a deep breath, her hand trembling. She pressed her lips—painted a deep, enticing shade of wine—into a tentative smile. “Commit to the role,” she muttered quietly.
“Hey, Ma. Didn’t realize you’d arrived.” Julian kissed his mother’s cheek but didn’t release Chandra’s hand. “There’s someone I really want you to meet. This is—”
“You must be Chandra Valentine.” His mother ignored him. She extended a hand to Chandra and offered a stiff smile. “I’ve heard so much about you...in the last five minutes.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Brandon,” Chandra said. “Julian has told me so much about you.”
His mother’s expression softened. She seemed to appreciate that Chandra had called her Mrs. Brandon. “Some of it good, I hope.” His mother finally spared him a glance.
“All of it good,” Chandra lied, which he appreciated. “He tells me you’re a nurse in the maternity ward at a hospital in Gatlinburg.”
“Yes, I am.” His mother seemed puzzled as she glanced between them.
“He admires the work you’ve done. Even more so as a single mother. I was so moved to learn that your work as a nurse is what prompted Julian to become a doctor. You must be really proud of him and thrilled he’s finally back home.”
His mother blinked, seemingly stunned.
Chandra had defused the fire in Luetta Brandon’s eyes and turned the woman into a puddle of goo. She’d have to teach him that trick.
“You never told me that me being a nurse is the reason you became a doctor,” his mother said.
“I just assumed you knew.”
Julian was glad his mother wasn’t lighting into him—especially since he had it coming. She couldn’t have been happy about Ms. Adelaide making her feel like she was the very last to know about his “relationship” with Chandra. But having this conversation about why he became a doctor was uncomfortable. As were the raw feelings and bitter memories the revelation invoked. Especially here in front of his fake girlfriend in whom he was seriously interested.
“I didn’t.” There was a hint of sadness in her voice. “I guess that’s one more thing we need to talk about.” His mother cleared her throat and returned her attention to the woman clutching his hand. “Well, it’s nice to finally meet you, Chandra.”
“And it was a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Brandon.” Chandra sounded more confident. “I’m sorry we didn’t get a chance to meet before now, but the past few days have been a whirlwind, meeting my new cousins and learning about the winery.”
“I can imagine.” His mother pulled her black sequined cardigan tight around her shoulders. “And please, friends call me Lue.” She turned to Julian. “I realize you’re both busy, but I hope my son finds time to bring you by the house for lunch. How long are you staying in town?”
“A week and a half. Then I have to get back to San Diego.”
“That’s a shame.” His mother frowned. “Folks around here are hoping that you’ll all put down roots and become part of the community, like the Richardsons were.”
“Magnolia Lake is a charming town, and everyone I’ve met has been really lovely. Now that my dad is moving here, you won’t be able to keep us away,” Chandra assured her.
“Good,” his mother said. “Now, I should make the rounds. I’ll see you two later.”
“Of course,” Julian said.
“Looking forward to it.” Chandra smiled sweetly.
“You realize you defused a live bomb just now, right?” Julian slid his arm around Chandra’s waist. “What is it you do for a living again? Because if what you just did isn’t part of it, your gift is being wasted.”
Chandra laughed, leaning into him. “Essentially? I babysit grown-ass folks who behave like toddlers and do whatever it takes to get them to either actually do their jobs or find somewhere that might be more suitable for them. Even if that’s the couch in front of their TV at home.”
“You’re a hatchet woman. No wonder your job has you so tense.” He turned her around and placed his hands on her tight shoulders, gently kneading the corded muscles there.
Chandra purred and the sound went directly below his belt. He couldn’t stop imagining having this stunningly beautiful woman beneath him as she made the same sound, their fingers threaded above her head.
“Get a room, you two.” Chandra’s younger sister—Maya? Or maybe Naya?—grinned.
“You’re the one who got us into this.” Chandra pointed an accusatory finger.
Julian mouthed the words thank you and winked.
Chandra’s sister laughed again. “Anyway, Savannah sent me over here to tell you she made room at our table for your new beau here and his mom.”
Chandra sighed. “This just keeps getting better.”
“Agreed,” Julian said. Though he meant it literally, while she was clearly being sarcastic. “I’ll let my mother know.”
“You realize what this means?” Chandra turned to him after her sister walked away. “We’re going to have to sit through a bunch of awkward questions about our relationship, which isn’t a relationship, while...while...”
“Holding hands, cuddling and showing borderline inappropriate amounts of PDA?” Julian chuckled. “I’m totally down with that.”
Chandra huffed, though there was a hint of amusement in her eyes. “You’re getting a kick out of this, aren’t you?”
“I am.” Julian stepped closer and looped his arms around her waist as he gazed down into those dark brown eyes that had captured him the moment they’d locked on to his. “Aren’t you?”
“You’re beneath the mistletoe.” Nannette Henderson, owner of the general store in town, pointed above their heads.
“So we are.” Julian smiled at Chandra.
“But it’s nowhere close to being Christmas,” Chandra objected.
“I don’t make the rules, sweetie.” Mrs. H shrugged. “Didn’t hang the mistletoe in the middle of October either.”
Julian smiled at Chandra. He leaned down slowly, providing ample opportunity for her to object if she didn’t want to be kissed. She erased the remaining space between them and pressed her mouth to his.
Chandra’s lips were soft and supple. Her mouth tasted like apples and bourbon. And her warm curves molded to his body.
Julian forced himself to pull back, wishing they were somewhere more private.
“Well.” Mrs. H fanned herself. “That was some kiss. Seems you two are the real deal...not that I ever doubted it,” she added quickly. Mrs. H hurried over to Ms. Adelaide—who’d undoubtedly put her up to the stunt.
“You think that’ll keep them at bay?” Chandra flashed Ms. Adelaide a cheeky smile.
“Maybe for about an hour.” Julian chuckled, taking her hand again. “C’mon. There’s a town full of people eager to meet you.”
Julian leaned against one of the posts, a glass of mulled cider in his hand. He tried not to stare at Chandra, but whenever she wasn’t by his side, her hand tucked in his, he found himself searching the room for her. He studied every delicious curve on her tantalizing frame.
Who knew a sweaterdress could be so damn sexy? The deep V-neck of the belted red dress offered a hint of cleavage. The hem fell an inch or two above her knees, and a side split exposed the smooth, deep brown skin of one mouthwatering thigh. Her dangling silver earrings matched her belt and the glittering silver stiletto heels made her legs look a mile long. He had an unhealthy obsession with the idea of those shoes dangling over his shoulders as he kissed his way up her inner thigh.
Down, boy. Down.
Chandra might’ve been amenable to a kiss for the sake of warding off the group of women who seemed fascinated with him since his return. But since she’d turned down his request for a date, taking her to bed probably wasn’t in the cards for them.
Still, he was enjoying their little charade more than he should. Every touch of her hand. The warmth of her skin as they stood together with his arm around her waist. The taste of her soft, sweet lips when he’d kissed her beneath the mistletoe. Chandra Valentine had a gift for driving him wild.
Even as they sat beside each other at the table, their parents grilling them, he enjoyed being with Chandra and getting to know her and her family.
The twins—Naya and Nyles—were a hot mess but entertaining. Nolan was fairly quiet but seemed to be constantly observing everyone and everything. Sebastian had spent most of the night frowning at him, and Alonzo was definitely a ladies’ man. Her father, Abbott—who went by his middle name, Ray—was warm and friendly, but clearly assessing him. Deciding whether he measured up to his daughter.
Still, he was enjoying every single moment with her.
“You’re really into my cousin, aren’t you?” Cole stood beside him, a beer bottle in his hand. “Don’t even try to deny it.” Cole chuckled before Julian could open his mouth to object. “Got that damn goofy grin on your face. You’re in heaven.”
“So, apparently, are you.” Julian nodded toward Cole’s fiancée, Renee, who was twirling her son on the dance floor, to the boy’s delight.
“Yeah.” Cole’s eyes lit up. “I am.”
“I’m surprised Milo Lockwood didn’t object to Magnolia Lake’s notorious bad boy dating his granddaughter.” Julian nodded toward the older man who was dancing with his wife to “For the Love of You” by The Isley Brothers.
“Object? I’m pretty sure the old goat tricked us into it.” Cole chuckled. “And I could kiss the old bastard for it.”
Cole Abbott was a few years older than Julian. But he was the Abbott sibling Julian was most familiar with. He’d gotten to know Cole while working as a laborer for Milo’s construction company one summer. Who knew Cole would go on to start his own real estate development company and achieve all he had? He usually grabbed a beer with Cole whenever he returned to town and they’d met up a couple of times when Cole had come to Philly.
Julian had been stunned to learn his friend had settled down and was about to become a stepfather.
“Legendary badass Cole Abbott is putting down roots. Wow, I feel like I’m in the Twilight Zone right now. You’d tell me if we were in a parallel universe, right?”
“Shut up, Jules.” Cole nudged Julian with his elbow but laughed. “Times change and people mature.” He shrugged. “Ren and I found each other again at the right time. And I honestly couldn’t be happier.”
“I’m happy for you, man. Seriously. Congrats.” Julian held up his mug of mulled cider and Cole tapped it with his half-finished bottle of beer. “When’s the big day?”
“Next summer,” Cole said, with a goofy grin of his own. He turned to him. “But enough about me. What’s up with you and my cousin? I’m not gonna have to kick your ass, am I?”
“You two have been related for like five minutes,” Julian noted. “We’ve been boys for over a decade, and it’s like that?”
“Family is family. So don’t do anything stupid,” Cole warned.
Like pretend dating?
“I really like Chandra.” Julian glanced at her wistfully. “So don’t worry. I’m pretty sure I’m the one who’ll end up with a broken heart.”
“Then here’s hoping it works out for both of you.” Cole held up his fist and Julian bumped it with his own.
Cole joined his fiancée and her son on the dance floor. Mercer could barely contain his excitement as Cole approached, and Julian couldn’t help feeling the tiniest bit of envy.
Suddenly, the opening strains of McFadden & Whitehead’s “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now” began to play. The DJ encouraged everyone to form a Soul Train Line.
Julian went over to Chandra, who was chatting with Max Abbott and his wife, Quinn. After apologizing for the interruption, he slipped an arm around her waist and asked her to join him on the dance floor.
“I haven’t done a Soul Train Line in years.” Chandra gazed at the dance floor longingly.
It wasn’t a no. She just needed some encouragement.
“Great idea,” Quinn said. “C’mon, Max. Let’s join them.”
They went through the Soul Train Line twice. There was something about Chandra’s genuine joy and laughter that made his chest swell. The sway of her generous hips in that sweaterdress made other parts of his anatomy swell, too.
When “Be Ever Wonderful” by Earth, Wind & Fire came on, he clutched her hand. “Dance with me?”
Chandra’s eyes glittered beneath the twinkling lights strung along the overhead beams. She stepped into his arms as they swayed together.
“Have I told you how incredible you look?” Julian asked.
“A time or two. Not that I mind hearing it again.” Chandra’s bashful grin made his pulse race. “So thank you.”
“Thank you for stepping in to save me earlier. It was an extremely pleasant surprise.”
“It was the least I could do. Besides, there are worse things than spending the next seven days on the arm of a handsome doctor who rescues nervous flyers and accident victims.” Her sweet smile lit up the entire room.
Why did his heart swell and his pulse race every time she looked at him like that?
“The night sky here is so gorgeous.” Chandra nodded toward the barn door, which opened when someone stepped outside. “I miss how bright the stars appeared in the night sky when I was a kid. The city lights dim the brilliance of the stars.”
“Light pollution.” Julian nodded. “I love city life, but I did miss seeing the stars. When I was a kid, my dad bought me a telescope and he’d point out the constellations. It was our thing.” Julian hadn’t thought of those nights under the stars with his dad in so long.
When the song ended, he didn’t release Chandra and she didn’t pull away. He stared at her a moment.
“There’s something you should see. Wanna get out of here?”
Chandra studied him a moment, then slid her hand in his.