The Christmas Plan Read online

  The plan was to leave this morning for the two-day drive to Silver Bell Falls so they would arrive the night before Thanksgiving. Normally he didn’t mind the drive; he actually looked forward to it because the quiet gave him plenty of time to think about movie projects. Having Aspen along for the drive was going to be a bit of an adventure because she was never quiet. She loved to talk–and sing and laugh and listen to the radio loudly.

  Yeah. An adventure.

  And honestly, he was used to it.

  They were unlikely friends from the get-go. Aspen was outgoing, energetic, and a total people person, whereas he was way more of an introvert and a people watcher. Human behavior fascinated him and that skill really helped enhance his film projects. Aspen was the only person to draw him out of his shell and make him experience things that he’d normally avoid.

  She got him to go zip lining.

  And surfing.

  But one of her biggest accomplishments with him was totally food related. She was a chocolatier first and foremost, but she loved to create all kinds of desserts–cakes, cookies, candies, and pies. Gabe was not an adventurous eater, but he learned to taste first and ask second whenever she tried to make something new. Most of the time he loved what she made, but there were a few times when he threatened never to speak to her again for making him put something so awful in his mouth.

  And Aspen took all his whining and threats in stride.

  They first met when he decided to do a short film in college on the culinary department. Aspen had taken one look at him and his camera and immediately volunteered to be interviewed and featured. She explained everything she was doing and why and then created this delicate and beautiful chocolate piece of art. It was a tower of hearts and flowers with ribbons and waves of chocolate holding it all together. In his entire life he had never seen anything like it. There was an artistic side to creating candy that he had never realized. It immediately intrigued him and he found he never got tired of watching her work.

  Or eating what she created.

  For the life of him, he still couldn’t understand why she was drawn to him. He was quiet and a little nerdy and the complete opposite of all of her other friends. But when it was just the two of them? It all made sense. It shouldn’t…they shouldn’t. But somehow, they did.

  His alarm beeped again and there was no more time to lie around lost in his own thoughts. There was a lot to do before they got on the road and with a loud groan, he climbed from the bed and dragged himself into the shower.

  By nine, they had his SUV packed and ready to go, and Aspen was going over everything one last time.

  “Okay, so we’ve got water, soda, and I grabbed a few bottles of iced tea, but I’m going to get a hot chocolate from Starbucks.”

  “Um…okay.”

  “Then in this cooler are all the snacks–cookies, chips, peanut butter brownies, pretzels, Rice Krispies treats, and the party-size bag of M&M’s.”

  Aspen watched as Gabe peered into the cooler before looking up at her. “Is there anything in there that isn’t sweet or salty? Maybe some…fruit? Sandwiches? Yogurt?”

  “Ew, Gabe. You know how I feel about yogurt.”

  “Yeah, sorry. I forgot.” He paused. “You really didn’t make any sandwiches?”

  “We have ten hours of driving ahead of us,” she reasoned. “We’re going to want to stop and get out of the car and have something to eat. I didn’t think it was a big deal. But if it means that much to you, we can stop at the deli and grab a couple of sandwiches to go.”

  “No. You’re right. It will be good to get out and stretch our legs.”

  She gave him a bright smile. “You want to drive the first shift or is it okay if I do it?”

  He waved her off. “That’s fine. Just let me know when you’re ready to switch.”

  “Deal.”

  Climbing into the car, they each got situated and as soon as she started the car, the radio was on and Aspen immediately started talking.

  “It’s great how your folks are willing to let me stay with them for the month,” she said. “I know you’ve mentioned how they always have a houseful of relatives over the holidays, so I hope they don’t mind one more.” Grinning at him, she went on. “I hope you told your mom that I promise to help with all the housework and I don’t expect her to wait on me.”

  Gabe was looking at the weather app on his phone and shrugged. “You can say that all you want but she’s going to want to do everything for you because you’re a guest in her home. She thrives on taking care of everyone.”

  “Well, I adore her and I’ll have to make some extra special treats for her.”

  He chuckled and put his phone down. “I noticed you packed some of your kitchen tools.”

  “Just for making chocolates. I know your mom bakes as a hobby so any cakes, cookies, or pies I know she’ll have the supplies for, but the candy stuff is more specific. And I’m not going to force any of it on her or take over her kitchen. It’s just there if anyone wants me to use it.”

  Laughing again, he reached over and gently patted her leg. “Right. Because people turn down homemade candy so often.”

  “You know what I’m saying.”

  And he did.

  “So what happened with your call last night? I heard you say ‘Hi, Mom’ as I was walking out the door.”

  Groaning, she shook her head. “We talked about what’s going to happen when I move back and I’m already regretting my decision.”

  “I’m telling you–I still don’t think you need to do it.”

  “Too late now. I’ve given my notice with my apartment and I’m not going to be working for the next month, so…” She sighed. “But my sister and brother-in-law are going to be visiting in January and staying with my parents too.”

  “That might be a little awkward, but…”

  “And he’s bringing some of the outlaws with him.”

  It was a name she had given her brother-in-law and his family because they were…well…not Aspen’s favorite kind of people. More than once she had mentioned how the guys were all a little handsy and inappropriate. She was undoubtedly already getting tense about the possibility of being groped.

  “The good news is you don’t have to worry about anything like that for the next month. There are no outlaws in my family. No one’s going to want to get you under a blanket or try to grab your butt.”

  “That’s all I ask.” Nudging him with her elbow, she laughed. “But I do kind of hate the idea that I’m taking a spot from one of your relatives who usually spend Christmas with you. Maybe I can go to a hotel or something so things won’t get awkward?”

  “You don’t have to go to a hotel,” he assured her. “And besides, that kind of defeats the purpose of you getting away and saving some money. Mom said she has a plan to work it all out so we all have our privacy. Personally, I don’t know how that’s all going to happen, but she promised that she had a plan.”

  “Didn’t you ask for specifics? I mean, I know you don’t like surprises.”

  “How could she possibly surprise me? We’re going to the house I grew up in. I know all the space there so I’m sure she’s making arrangements for some of my cousins to stay at a hotel or the local B&B. It’s not going to be a big deal.”

  Her shoulders sagged. “Well now I feel bad!”

  “Aspen, you’re one person. It’s not like your existence is displacing a bunch of people. It’s really not a big deal.”

  “To me it is,” she countered. “You guys have family traditions and now I’m ruining it! Ugh…your relatives are going to hate me!”

  He reached over and took one of her hands in his. “No one’s going to hate you. It’s not possible. You’re too nice.”

  Lacing her fingers with his–something she did from time to time–she smiled at him. “Promise?”

  “Promise.”

  They drove on for several minutes and Gabe liked how she didn’t let go of his hand.

  Actually, there was a
lot he liked about Aspen but he’d never admit to it out loud.

  Back when they were in college, he had been seriously attracted to her. They’d flirted a little with each other, but he had been too afraid of making a move on her. She was out of his league. Getting put in the friend-zone was normally disappointing, but with Aspen it was pretty damn great. She was seriously his best friend.

  Looking back, Gabe had to remind himself that there was a chance that if they had dated and broken up, he wouldn’t have her friendship. And without that, he wasn’t sure where he’d be. Aspen had been a sounding board for his creative ideas, his biggest fan whenever one of his projects went live, and his biggest cheerleader when he was doubting himself. As much as he sometimes wondered about what it would be like to date her and have a romantic–and sexual–relationship with her, he knew what they had was definitely better.

  At least…that’s what he always told himself.

  There was no way they would have lasted as a couple. Gabe wasn’t big on romance and she was. He wasn’t comfortable with public displays of affection and she was. As much as he knew Aspen loved being independent and taking care of herself, he also knew she dreamed of meeting a guy who showered her with romance and who would make her feel cherished and loved. And definitely one who was willing to shout it from the rooftops that she was the woman for him.

  It obviously hadn’t happened yet, but Aspen was still optimistic that it would.

  And there was no way Gabe was going to get in the way of that because he knew he’d just end up disappointing her.

  “So,” she began a little too loudly, causing Gabe to jump slightly in his seat. “Are we going to see anything exciting between here and Hagerstown? Anyplace I’ll be tempted to stop and check out?”

  “Um…maybe?” he replied warily even as he slowly released her hand. “We have nine hours of driving. That’s just driving time; that doesn’t include stopping for bathroom breaks or meals, so any other stops are just going to make us take that much longer to get to the hotel and stop for the night.”

  “Oh, sure. You’re right. I mean, who wants to be stuck in the car longer than they have to, right?”

  “Yup.”

  They drove for several more miles in silence and there wasn’t a doubt in his mind that it was killing her. “Can you hand me some cookies from the cooler?”

  “Already? We’ve been on the road for barely thirty minutes.”

  “And?”

  “And…cookies and hot cocoa for breakfast seems a little crazy even for you.”

  She sighed loudly. “What is your deal today, Gabe? We’ve traveled together a bunch of times before and you’ve never been this grouchy. What’s going on?”

  Now it was his turn to sigh. “I don’t know. I think I’m just a little stressed about spending the month with my family.”

  “Why? They’re great.”

  “Yeah, to you,” he mumbled.

  “Care to explain?”

  He twisted and fidgeted in his seat a bit before replying. “Any time you’ve been around my folks, it’s been in small doses. There’s a reason I moved so far away from home.”

  “But…you always go back for the holidays.”

  “Yeah, I know. It’s my way of helping out during the busy season.” He shrugged. “The tree farm has been in my family for like…a hundred years. Most of the year it’s pretty boring, but for the months of November and December, it’s a lot of hard work. Especially for my folks since they’re getting older.”

  “I’m sure they have a lot of help, Gabe. Like…if you didn’t go home for these extended trips, I bet they’d be okay.”

  “Maybe. I think it’s a little bit of guilt that makes me do it.”

  “Guilt? Seriously?”

  Nodding, he explained, “It was never something I wanted to do–the tree farm, the lot, any of it. I thought I’d go crazy living in that tiny town and thinking of nothing but Christmas all the time.”

  She nudged him playfully with her elbow. “Oh, come on. I would think Christmas year-round would be awesome.”

  The snort was out before he could stop it. “There’s nothing wrong with it. I know that. But it just wasn’t for me. So I go home and help and I know it’s not going to be long before my dad is forced to sell the farm because it’s too much for him and he’ll retire and…I’ll be the reason the dream dies.”

  “Okay, now you’re just being a little dramatic. Surely there are cousins or other extended family members who could take it over.”

  “No one’s expressed any interest,” he said wearily. “So a month of being there and working it every day and then knowing at the end of each day, my folks will look at me as if I’m magically convinced to give up my dream of filmmaking and move back to take over the business.”

  “Wow,” she replied with a soft sigh. “I had no idea. Why haven’t you ever shared this with me?”

  Aspen was the only one he’d admit something like this to.

  “Because I didn’t want you to think less of me,” he murmured. “There’s no silver lining here, Aspen. No way to put a positive spin on it. I love my folks and I’m thankful for the life that the tree farm provided for us, but…it’s just not for me.”

  She reached for his hand again. “I would never think less of you, Gabe. I just never realized you had such an issue with your family.”

  “This is why I always choose to drive up there. It gives me a couple of days to get my head on straight. I think it’s like a time when I come to grips with how it’s going to be a month of living under one roof with them and sleeping in my old room, and…. thinking of every worse-case scenario in my head and then having imaginary arguments with them and…” He paused and realized how crazy he was starting to sound. “I’m probably overreacting and it’s going to be fine because you’re going to be there with me and I’ll have someone to vent to at the end of the day.”

  She glanced over and smiled. “Okay, no more negative talk. You’re freaking me out,” she teased. “I’ve never seen this side of you before and it feels weird. I adore your folks, but I have a feeling I may end up having to go toe-to-toe with them in your defense.”

  The image made him laugh. “You kind of fell in love with them from the first time you met them so I never wanted to ruin that for you. Besides, it’s my issue, not yours. I don’t want you feeling like you need to defend me.”

  Squeezing his hand, she replied, “Gabe, you and I are friends first. Do I like your parents? Sure! They were very nice to me and welcomed me into the fold when my own parents wouldn’t come to visit, and I thought that was incredibly sweet of them. But you and I? You’re my best friend and I expect you to be honest with me. I’ve told you all about my gripes with my parents.”

  “Well, yeah, but…I agreed with you immediately after meeting them. I saw first-hand what you were talking about.”

  “Okay. Um…wow. That was brutally honest.”

  “You just said you wanted me to be honest with you!”

  “I know, but…you could have just sugar-coated it a little bit.”

  Groaning, he took his hand from her and turned to get the cookies from the cooler bag. A minute later, he handed her two chocolate chip cookies with a very disapproving look on his face. “I still think you should be eating something with a little more substance to it than this, but…here.”

  “For your information, I had a poached egg and some toast when I got up.” Taking the cookies from his hand, she stuck her tongue out at him. “So I had my something of substance already and this is my treat for driving with such a grouch.” And before Gabe could respond, she turned up the radio and started to sing.

  Loudly.

  A few minutes later, Gabe gave into temptation and reached for a cookie of his own and immediately saw Aspen’s knowing smirk. “Admit it. It’s fun being a little bad. We’re adults and as such, we can have cookies whenever we want.”

  “That’s not what my mom used to say…”

  “Give me a we
ek with her. I’ll change her mind.”

  Shaking his head, he laughed softly. “If anyone could do it, Aspen, it’s you.”

  Two

  “One room?”

  “Yeah. Why?”

  Gabe stepped into the hotel room and sagged with relief when he saw it had two beds. He and Aspen had traveled together before but always had separate rooms, which begged the question, “That’s what I’m asking. Why?”

  She stepped around him and put her suitcase down by the closet. “It’s only one night and I didn’t think it was a big deal. You’ve crashed at my place before and I’ve done the same at yours. Plus, we’re essentially going to be living together for a month.”

  “We won’t be like living together,” he corrected. “We just both happen to be staying with my parents. You’ll have your own room.”

  She let out a long breath and flopped down on the bed closest to the window. “If you’re not comfortable, then call and see if they have another room. Personally, I’m fine with this.”

  Maybe he was making too big of a deal out of it. It was only one night and Aspen was right, they’d stayed at each other’s places before.

  Just not in beds that were three feet apart.

  It’s not a big deal. I can handle this.

  At least, he thought he could. Not that he had much of a choice. They were here in the room now.

  You can call the front desk and ask for another room.

  As tempting as that thought was, he knew he was overreacting and that Aspen would be completely offended if he got another room.

  So, like a man walking to his execution, Gabe put his suitcase down beside hers and then sat on the bed that was going to be his for the night.

  “Do you mind if we just do room service?” she asked. “The thought of getting in the car again is just too much for me.”

  “I don’t really think they have room service here.”

  Pushing up on her elbows, she looked at him with disbelief. “This is a nice hotel, Gabe. Why wouldn’t they have room service?”

  “Um…”