Carousel Horse Christmas Read online

  “Git-up Dasher,” Holden called letting the big silver dun move out at a trot in a jingle of bells and harness.

  “Your horse is named after one of Santa’s reindeer?” Sandy gasped, making Holden chuckle.

  “No his real name is Bar-Dash Surprise, but we call him Dasher for short.”

  “Cool,” the little girl crooned as Audrey watched them glide away singing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer with the excited little girl.

  “You really pulled this off,” Brad Bowlings said, placing his hands on her shoulders and turning her toward him. His warm hazel eyes smiled down at her with appreciation. “Thank you.”

  “I didn’t want to promise something I might not be able to deliver,” Audrey admitted looking up at her employer with a smile.

  “I’m very glad I hired you,” the tall man said, leaning down and placing a gentle kiss on her cheek. “Thanks for making my daughter’s Christmas perfect,” he finished turning and walking back to his guests.

  Holden gripped the reins in his hands as he made the turn back toward the house and caught the movie actor kissing Audrey on the cheek and his heart fell.

  Audrey herself looked amazing in a long green dress. He’d thought about nothing else but seeing her through the whole drive here, but now the harsh reality that she was far out of his league hit again.

  “Whoa,” Holden called pulling back on the reins and bringing Dash to a stop. “Anyone else looking for a ride?” he asked helping Sandy out of the rig and watching her race toward the house shouting happily.

  “Just me,” Audrey said her eye soft with a light he didn’t recognize.

  “Let me help you.” Holden insisted jumping out of the sleigh and hurrying to the other side where he scooped her up wrapping her skirt around slender ankles where it wouldn’t drag in the snow and placing her on the seat.

  Audrey wrapped her arms around Holden’s neck, and though he’d already eased her into the seat, she didn’t want to let go.

  “Thank you,” she whispered amidst the golden glow of lights reflected off snow.

  “You’re welcome,” Holden breathed. He was so close that the tip of his hat shadowed her face and the urge to kiss her once more overwhelmed him. He tilted his head then jerked as the door to the big house slammed behind him making him jump.

  Coming to her senses Audrey smoothed her skirts and pulled the warm blanket over her knees, studiously not looking at Holden.

  She was sure he’d wanted to kiss her, and she had wanted him to kiss her. Writing it off to Christmas charm, she waited for him to climb in beside her.

  “All ready?” Holden’s voice was flat as he picked up the reins.

  “I don’t know how to thank you for being here tonight,” Audrey mused. “You made that little girl’s Christmas.”

  Holden nodded letting Dasher move out at a trot. “Glad I could help.”

  They drove along for a few seconds both silent; trapped in their own thoughts.

  “I hope you’ll send me an invoice,” Audrey offered awkwardly.

  “We never really discussed it,” Holden said, “I’ll let Handley take care of it.”

  “That sounds good; he seems more in tune with that side of things. I’m sure whatever he decides will be fair. Besides, Mr. Bowlings is happy, so there shouldn’t be any issues on expenses.”

  “He certainly seemed pleased a minute ago,” Holden couldn’t quite hide the disappointment in his voice as he let Dasher pick his way around a grove of trees.

  “He’s the one who wanted this party put together in three days. I’m just glad we pulled it off.”

  Dasher came to a sudden stop causing Audrey to fall into Holden who caught her with one arm while steadying the reins with his other hand.

  “You alright?” he asked his arm still wrapped around her.

  “Yes, what happened?” Audrey asked looking around.

  The silver dun horse nodded his head making the bells on his harness jingle under a canopy of dark evergreens draped in snow.

  A security light somewhere high on the peaked roof of the house in the distance illuminated the spot in an amber glow as bright stars glinted in an ebony sky.

  Audrey turned her head gazing into Holden’s blue eyes that were shadowed yet full of light and the breath left her lungs.

  “Holden,” she whispered her breath coming in icy puffs.

  “Audrey,” Holden’s voice when he said her name was like a caress.

  Audrey leaned forward gently brushing her lips against his.

  Tossing his head with a snort Dasher turned toward the house once more bouncing the occupants of the sleigh roughly apart.

  ***

  Audrey hurried back to the party embarrassed by her forwardness with a man she barely knew.

  Several brave souls who had made their way out into the yard asked for a ride in the sleigh as Audrey headed to the house, but by the time she mustered the nerve to go back out to thank Holden, the guests had finished with the ride, and he’d loaded up heading for home.

  “You ready to go honey?” Aunt Linda asked as the last guests left, and an exhausted Audrey plopped down in a stool at a massive kitchen island.

  “Is there any food left?” Audrey asked still feeling confused about Holden’s kiss yet pleased with the praise she’d received from Brad Bowlings.

  “Aunt Lydia handed her a plate with a ham sandwich and a few hot bites.

  “Are we leaving tonight?” Lisa asked flopping down next to Audrey.

  “Yes, James put everything in the car earlier,” Audrey said. “Aunt Lydia will you all be alright driving home?”

  “Oh my yes,” Lydia gushed. “Lou’s driving and you know what a night owl she is.”

  Audrey smiled, “I won’t worry then, and I’ll see you next weekend,” she finished shoving the last bite of sandwich into her mouth and taking her plate to the sink.

  Fifteen minutes later, she’d kissed all of her aunts good-bye before she and Lisa had climbed into her car headed for the city.

  Chapter 19

  “Girls something’s wrong with our Audrey,” Louisa spoke climbing behind the wheel of the boxy white farm van.

  “Why do you think that?” Linda asked straightening her woven reed basket next to her on the back seat.

  “She looked distracted when she said good-bye,” Lou spoke shifting into gear and heading down the sweeping drive.

  “Well she was rather busy and who wouldn’t be distracted with Brad Bowling and his sweet little daughter right there under your nose?” Lydia said pulling a fuzzy sweater from her backpack.

  “You have a point Lydia. Maybe she’s interested in Mr. Hollywood himself.”

  “I know I would be,” Lois chimed, “but is he the right kind of man for our girl?”

  Linda shook her head, “He’s not the type I’d choose that’s for sure. He can’t seem to hold on to a wife for anything.”

  “He is wonderful with his daughter though,” Lou said pulling out onto the main highway and hitting the gas.

  “Maybe we should invite him to the farm for Christmas,” Lydia suggested.

  “I’m sure he’ll be too busy, but we can encourage Audrey to bring him home.” Lou said.

  “Wouldn’t that be something, our Audrey married to Brad Bowlings?” Lydia giggled.

  “I think we should leave her alone,” Lois said. “She’s a grown woman after all. I’m sure she knows her own heart.”

  ***

  “You’re quiet,” Lisa said through a huge yawn. “What’s up?”

  “I don’t know,” Audrey said lifting a hand as if to brush away the thought.

  “Did something happen during the party?” Lisa asked her sleepiness evaporating like water in a kettle.

  “No,” Audrey hedged.

  “It did so. Did Brad make a pass at you?”

  “No!” Audrey barked guiding the car around a turn. “He’s a client not a date.”

  “Audrey I know you too well for you to hide secrets from me,” Lisa
squinted at her as if trying to see inside her head.

  “I kissed Holden,” Audrey blurted cringing at Lisa’s loud squeal.

  “I knew it, I knew it! You like him!”

  “It doesn’t matter. It was just one of those things that happen in the moment. You know a moonlit night, a horse drawn sleigh, a snowy grove.”

  “Did you ever think that it could happen again if you’d let it,” Lisa said crossing her arms disgustedly. “You know if you tried you might just find that he likes you too.”

  Audrey shook her head. Holden had left as soon as he could take Dasher home and far away from her. If he’d been interested in her he would have said something.

  Chapter 20

  By the end of the following week Audrey felt like she’d run a marathon every single day with a Christmas tree tied to her back and elves strapped to her feet.

  The last parties were on track. James had called in the troops, in other words, the college contingent studying hospitality, to manage smaller events in teams, and with no cancellations, snags, or problems on the horizon Audrey could breathe.

  “You look terrible,” Lisa said to her two days before Christmas as they loaded their bags into her little red car.

  “Thanks,” Audrey said glaring at her friend.

  “Well you do, I know this time of year is crazy, and it doesn’t slow down until Valentine’s Day, but you do need to take care of yourself.”

  Audrey offered a half smile. “I am pretty wiped out,” she admitted.

  “Well at least you’ll get a break at your aunts’ place, and they’ll feed us,” Lisa enthused climbing behind the wheel and starting the engine.

  “Do you think they’ll let me sleep in tomorrow?” Audrey asked hope bubbling in her voice.

  “At the farm? You wish.”

  Audrey laughed sipping coffee from her travel mug. “At least we know there’ll be lots of hot chocolate.”

  “And cookies,” Lisa smiled swerving around a car that apparently didn’t know that you could drive ten miles over the speed limit when heading home for Christmas.

  “You’ll run interference for me on the whole boyfriend thing won’t you?” Audrey asked looking at her friend with pleading eyes.

  “I’ll help anyway I can,” Lisa agreed with a giggle.

  ***

  Driving up to the farm was like driving into another time.

  The tall white farm house with the cheerful red trim and porch that wrapped around two sides was like a snapshot frozen in time.

  Large six over eight windows faced out like sparkling eyes gazing over a world of glittering snow.

  A warm feeling washed over Audrey as Lisa slammed the car into park, and she opened her door, jumped out and raced to the sky blue door.

  Before she’d even reached the front porch the door flew open, and her aunts came pouring out wrapping her in warm hugs and comforting pats on the back.

  This was home, no matter how many years she lived in the city this was home. A tear sprang to her eye as she was pulled into the warm kitchen while her aunts hurried Lisa, who was carrying both bags, along into the cozy room.

  “You girls look worn out,” Aunt Lydia said.

  “That’s because Audrey doesn’t know when to stop,” Lisa said heading through the dining room, along the hall and up the stairs.

  “Well you’re home now,” Aunt Linda said smiling, “and you can have a good rest.”

  Audrey’s phone chirruped and she pulled it from her pocket listening to James as he ran down a handful of issues she needed to deal with.

  Walking into the dining room then into the family room with an uplifted hand requesting quiet Audrey nodded rattling off the information then dialing a new number as soon as she’d clicked off.

  Linda, Lydia, Lois, and Louisa shot each other a knowing look then broke into action. This Christmas was going to be different one way or another.

  Chapter 21

  Lisa crept down the stairs late that night and peeled open the fridge, pulling out the left over hot chocolate that had been stored in a mason jar and grabbing a mug.

  Creeping to the cookie jar she pulled out two gingerbread cutouts and hurried to the table pulling out her phone.

  Texting madly she nibbled her cookie by the light of her phone screen jumping as the kitchen lights flicked to life and she met the disapproving glare of Linda Alberton.

  “Lisa what are you doing?” Linda asked placing a fist on her rounded hips.

  “I’d think it was obvious,” Lisa said around her bite of cookie.

  “I’m not referring to the cookies and cocoa, what do you think I was coming down here for?” she raised a white brow. “Now spill, you are up to something.”

  Lisa pushed the button on her phone and feigned ignorance, but she could tell it wasn’t working.

  Linda pulled a hidden box of sugar cookies from the old cook-stove that sat in the middle of the kitchen and plopped a cookie in front of Lisa. “Talk.” She said her eyes steely.

  Lisa snatched up the cookie before it could be taken away and spilled.

  ***

  Audrey opened her eyes and stretched to sunlight pouring through the window of her old room. Calculating the time, she wondered just how tired she actually looked that her aunts had let her sleep in so long.

  Yawning she tumbled out of the comfy bed her feet landing on a woven wool rug.

  Stopping off at the bathroom first she tripped her way down the stairs following her nose into the kitchen.

  “Look who’s alive and kicking after all,” Lois said as she tested the heat on the waffle iron.

  “Sorry I slept so late,” Audrey said grabbing a mug and filling it from the coffee pot.

  “It’s alright dear,” Lydia walked into the kitchen a basket of eggs in her hands. “You needed it, and it’s not like we’re unaccustomed to doing the chores ourselves.”

  “Hey, I helped,” Lisa protested walking in behind her dusting feathers from her hands.

  “Can we eat now?” Lou grumbled walking in from the laundry area, “I’m starved.”

  Audrey laughed; it felt good to be home. Hugging Aunt Lou, she pulled a pitcher of milk from the fridge placing it on the table.

  “You didn’t have to wait breakfast on me,” Lisa said.

  “Nonsense,” Lydia said. “We wanted to eat together.”

  Moments later they were all gathered around the worn kitchen table snarfing waffles, bacon and eggs along with apples in yogurt.

  “Oh look, it’s snowing again!” Lisa said excitedly turning to look out the double windows.

  Audrey turned watching the soft white flakes drift toward the already white yard and a vision of Holden driving the sleigh flashed before her eyes.

  She didn’t know how, but in just the brief time she’d know the man, she felt a deep connection to him.

  If she were one of those silly girls who believed in fate, perhaps she could believe that he was made for her, but their meeting had been a chance encounter, a convenience that benefited both of them.

  Behind her Audrey’s Aunts gave each other a significant look, nodded once and began clearing the table.

  ***

  “Holden, you’ve wound that rope three times already. Are you going to hang it up or just play with it all day?” Handley asked tersely as he eyed his brother with suspicion.

  “Hm? Oh, sorry,” Holden apologized. “I guess I got distracted.”

  “Distracted by a pair of brown eyes and silky tresses,” Handley teased. He’d noticed his brother’s odd behavior almost as soon as Holden had returned from the fancy Christmas Party and had a good guess to its cause.”

  “You hear anything from that big city party planner about the sleigh fees?” Handley asked watching his brother’s expression closely.

  “Last I heard she was sending you a suggestion on the invoice, and when Mr. Hollywood pays, we’ll get a check.”

  “Maybe you’d better call her up and double check,” Handley suggested. “Maybe
she’s forgotten.”

  Holden shook his head. “I’m sure she’s busy,” he said his voice low as he turned and walked away.

  Handley watched his brother walk toward the house. He hadn’t been himself since he met that pretty little thing from the city.

  Could someone really grow to care about another person so quickly? He doubted it, but then again Holden always had been different.

  Unlike Handley who’d had a slew of girlfriends throughout high school, Holden seldom socialized. It was almost as if he were waiting for that certain someone to appear before getting involved.

  Shaking his head Handley headed back down the stairs of the barn to the stalls below.

  ***

  Holden ducked his head as the first snowflakes began to fall on his way to the house.

  He was no good around the place right now. No matter what he did, all he could think about was Audrey Alberton.

  He wondered if he’d see her again. Knowing that she relied heavily on her friend and partner James to handle venue issues while she orchestrated the various entities needed to pull off a party, he suspected that he’d never see her again.

  Holden had only known the pert, intelligent young woman a handful of days, but for some reason his heart had turned to her, and he couldn’t seem to pull it back.

  The phone in his jacket pocket pinged as he stepped up onto the front porch, and he swiped it open to read the text message on the screen.

  Shaking his head he turned back to the barn and his little brother. It seemed like their work wasn’t done just yet.

  Chapter 22

  Audrey slipped into her best black dress then grabbed her makeup bag and headed to the bathroom.

  She’d spent a glorious four days home with her aunts, laughing, chatting and doing all of the things she’d done as a kid. Lisa had even talked her into grabbing a sled and riding down the steep hill to skid across the frozen pond.

  Carefully applying her makeup, Audrey smiled at her reflection in the mirror. She truly had needed a few days of respite from her job. She loved what she did, but sometimes it could be a twenty-four/seven kind of gig.