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He grinned. “I’m not naked.”
Her cheeks blazing, she broke eye contact and barreled toward the stairs. “Mr. D’Amour will you please stop harassing me?”
“Harassing you?” He fell into step beside her. “I thought I was making a joke.”
She reached the door at the bottom of the stairs before giving him a look that would ignite coal. “I don’t want to joke with you, Mr. D’Amour,” she said determinedly. “I don’t want to speak to you. I don’t want to see you. Does that make our relationship quite clear?”
His pleasant expression fading, he watched her for a strained moment before he took hold of the doorknob and turned it. “Quite clear, Miss Crosby.” Stepping back he allowed her to precede him. “I’m going to need a table. My contractor is coming by this morning with the remodeling plans.”
Much to Elissa’s dismay, he kept up with her on the stairs. Her shoulder brushed his arm several times and his scent was hard to miss in the confined stairway—something like tobacco with a trace of cedar. She inhaled deciding the scent was pleasantly manly. What a shame it was wasted on Alex D’Amour.
“Miss Crosby?” Hearing him speak pulled her back. She glanced his way as they reached the top of the stairs. “A table?” he repeated.
She was startled that she’d let her mind drift away. With a disgruntled exhale, she faced him. “In the parlor there’s a bridge table in the comer that isn’t used often.”
He nodded. “I’m sure I can find it. Don’t trouble yourself.”
“Don’t worry.”
They were in the short hallway where the basement staircase faced the back door. To their left was the kitchen, to the right was the staircase hall and dining room.
“Something smells good,” he said.
Ignoring him, Elissa turned into the kitchen where every burner on the stove held a steamy pot or pan. Somehow, Bella managed to feed twelve to fifteen guests breakfast every day and still keep the kitchen spotless. Elissa glanced around at the familiar Monday morning fare: blueberry waffles, sausages, scrambled eggs, choices of juices, coffee or tea. It smelled like heaven in the homey kitchen. Elissa greeted the plump cook with as carefree a wave as she could manage. “How’s it coming, Bella? Full house?”
Bella chortled, swiping her forehead with the hem of her starched apron. “Yes, ma’am. You know how it is here at Christmas. So much to do, everybody wanting to get up and out and about.”
Elissa knew all too well. In Branson the Christmas season was their busiest, next to summer. By many it was considered the best time to visit, with their Ozark Mountain Christmas and spectacular Festival of Lights. And with two hundred factory outlet stores, the Ozark’s “Little Las Vegas” was a Mecca for Christmas shoppers. Elissa had grown to love the holidays in Branson, with its quaint, country appeal. The idea of having to leave tore at her.
Bella said something, and Elissa tried to refocus on business. “Yes?”
“I said half the guests were waiting for me at seven. So most everybody’s already eaten.”
Elissa glanced at her watch. “Really? It’s only seventhirty now.”
Bella’s lilting chortle filled the warm kitchen. “I guess we don’t have any late-sleepers this week.”
Elissa managed a smile. “Then, you’ll get a nice long break this morning.”
Bella nodded. “I plan to put my feet up, have some coffee and daydream.”
“Have any of the guests signed up to be here for dinner tonight or are they all staying in town?”
“Town,” Bella said with a smile. “Except for that charming Mr. D‘Amour. He’ll be here.” Shuffling to the stove, she stirred a fresh batch of eggs. “Nice intimate dinner, just you two. A pleasant way to get to know your neighbor, don’t you think?” Shifting back, her expression grew expectant. “Fine looking man, that Mr. D’Amour. And so rich. You two make a handsome couple, I’d say.”
Elissa blanched, peering over her shoulder to see if the “fine looking” man in question was standing there. For once luck was with her. Apparently he’d gone to join the others in the dining room. Breathing a sigh, she glanced at her cook, trying not to show her aversion to the idea of eating alone with the man. “Oh—Mr. D’Amour is just a—a—new neighbor, Bella. That’s all there is to it.”
The cook didn’t appear convinced, but glanced away as the waffle iron light indicated another batch was done. “Of course, Miss Elissa, now you go on and have yourself some breakfast.” She waved a spatula toward the dining room. “There’s only that cute Thoron couple and the Parracks left. And—” Bella shambled over to get the waffle serving plate off the kitchen table, glancing at Elissa “—and your new neighbor.” She smiled shrewdly, and Elissa didn’t like the look of it. Clearly the fact that Mr. D’Amour was sleeping in the basement had started the gossip going among the help. Why hadn’t she thought of that? Did they think she was having a quickie affair with a man she’d just met? Well, that couldn’t be helped. She supposed it was better than having them panicking about losing their jobs right before Christmas.
She contrived a smile and pivoted toward the pantry, the shortcut into the dining room. The first sound that assailed her was the rich laughter of her unwelcome lodger. She stepped through the door, distressed to see the young couple, Mr. and Mrs. Thoron leaving. The Parracks were already gone. Mr. D’Amour stood to shake Mr. Thoron’s hand and nod toward his petite wife. Bella’s gaunt, silent kitchen helper, Ramona, was clearing away dishes, her eyes downcast, as she pretended not to exist.
When Alex D’Amour started to seat himself, he saw Elissa lingering in the pantry entrance, and remained standing. “Are you joining me, Miss Crosby?”
She felt caught. Timid Ramona was approaching the pantry entrance burdened with dirty dishes, clearly unsettled that the doorway was blocked. Sidestepping into the dining room, Elissa gave the poor, shy dear an escape route.
As uncomfortable as she could ever remember being, Elissa fought for poise. “I was going to get a cup of coffee,” she lied, heading for the sideboard where the coffee urn sat. Grabbing a mug, she held it beneath the spigot trying to ignore the feel of his gaze on her back.
“The food’s delicious,” he said.
“Of course it is.” With an irritated swipe she shut off the valve and shifted to scowl at him. “I’m offended that you’re continually surprised by the quality of my inn, Mr. D’Amour.”
“Alex,” he said, returning his attention to his plate and taking up his fork. “Don’t let your pride make you go hungry, Elissa. Sit down. Eat.”
Her fingers tightened on her mug. “Don’t call me Elissa,” she spat in a whisper. “We are not friends.”
He peered her way. “Can’t you understand that I’m not stealing this place from you. It’s mine. If you’d care to show me receipts I’ll reimburse you for any improvements you’ve made.” He shifted in his chair, leaning a forearm on the tablecloth to better face her. “I don’t want to be unfair.”
Receipts? Improvements? What about the inn itself? She and her sisters had pooled every penny they had in order to buy it. Besides, running this place was her dream, her life. And he talked about unfair? It seemed that the loss of a person’s life savings and dreams were insignificant details to this tough-as-nails litigator, who obviously had a calculator for a heart. Hysterical laugher gurgled in her throat. “Well, Mr. D’Amour, aren’t you a prince.” Slamming the mug on the table she eyed him with hostility. “If you’ll excuse me, I have business in town.”
Though Elissa found herself tensing up every time she went out to the mailbox, she was relieved that there had been no more threatening letters. Thank heaven. The first one that frightened her so, had undoubtedly been a random act by someone with too much time on his hands and very little social conscience. Hadn’t the police suggested just that? And since there weren’t any discernible fingerprints on the letter, their investigation had gone nowhere, anyway.
With great relief, she put her silly fears from her mind, determining to move on. She had enough troubles with Alex D’Amour and his very real threat to take away her property.
The inn remained filled to capacity all week, and Elissa was too busy to dwell on the Alex D’Amour problem. She was grateful for small favors.
Though he was gone most of the day with his contractors, he invariably returned in time for dinner. A couple of evenings that week, new arrivals checked in just in time for the evening meal, but even with extra people present, Elissa couldn’t choke down her food while those cold eyes hounded her every move. After the third evening under his scrutiny, she’d made an excuse to Bella that she had a lot of paper work to do, and ate the rest of her evening meals at her desk.
Tonight, she couldn’t even force down her food in the privacy of her office. She kept checking her watch. Any minute her sisters and their families would arrive. What was she going to do about Mr. D’Amour? What was she going to tell her sisters? She couldn’t ruin their Christmas with the news that she might lose the inn as well as their investment in it.
And worse. Her old law professor, Dr. Grayson, had no good news about her ownership. No news, really. The holidays were a terrible time to try to get anything done. It seemed that anyone in government offices who had any authority was on vacation. She was so frustrated she wanted to scream.
She toyed with her coffee cup, closing her eyes in a silent prayer that this would not be the last Christmas she would spend here. And, if the worst happened and it was, that this holiday not be spoiled for her sisters by the heartless heir to the D’Amour property.
A knock at the office door jarred her, and her eyes snapped open. “Who is it?”
“Alex. I need to use your fax.”
She bowed her head, fighting off a bout of anxious queasiness. “Come in,” she called. “We need to talk.”
The door squeaked opened, and Elissa pushed up from her chair, straightening her navy wool skirt more out of uneasiness than need.
“This is unusual,” he said as she twisted to face him. “No hurling insults? No barring of the door? No threats of beheading?” He stopped behind her chair, brows lifting in question. “I gather you’ve poisoned my stew and you want to watch me die.”
She crossed her arms before her and sat back against her desk. “My favorite fantasy—but no.”
He cocked his head, looking cautious. “I know you haven’t heard good news from your lawyer friend, because there won’t be any.”
She gritted her teeth, biting back a sharp denial. She didn’t have the luxury of time to fight with him. “Look,” she said through a resigned sigh. “I have to ask you a favor.”
His gaze narrowed, and she could see high skepticism in his expression. “I refuse to jump off the roof.”
Eyeing heaven, she clutched her hands together. “Be serious.” She checked her watch again, then reclasped her hands. “There’s not much time.”
The crease in his brow deepened. “For what?”
“My...” She swallowed. “My family is coming for Christmas. I don’t want them upset by this—this misunderstanding about the inn.”
“Miss Crosby, you must face the—”
“So!” she interrupted, “I want you to go along with my plan to tell them we’re old friends from law school.”
“Law school?” He looked skeptical. “What are you, around thirty, thirty-two, tops? I’m thirty-eight, Miss Crosby. I graduated from Harvard Law, and I was in practice before you—”
“Okay, okay!” She shook her head. “Say we met at some law conference or something.”
“And what?”
Unsettled by his cross examination, she broke eye contact, absently scanning the gray cement walls. “I don’t know. We became friends, I suppose. What else?”
“No. We had an affair.”
She jerked to stare at him. “What?”
He shrugged, his eyes glittering eerily. “Why else would I be here?”
“Lots of men have platonic female friends.”
“I don’t.” His grin was revealing. The woman in her knew—without a doubt—that no female who had ever befriended Alex D’Amour had any desire to keep the relationship platonic. “This could be fun,” he went on. “Of course, if we use that lie, I’d have to sleep with you.”
She stared, stunned, then saw the sparkle in his eyes and realized he was baiting her. “That’s very funny, Mr. D’Amour. Does that line work for you?”
“Apparently not.” He grinned crookedly, clearly far from crushed by her rejection. “It’s worth thinking about, though.”
“Let me do the thinking. It’s less dangerous.”
“If you must.” He placed his hands on the back of her office chair. “But, while you’re thinking, Miss Crosby, think K-I-S-S.”
She scowled at him. Couldn’t he get off sex? Did he think he was so irresistible that she would be willing to stoop to anything to get his help? “Mr. D’Amour, do you do all your thinking with your—”
“Keep it simple, stupid,” he interjected. “Didn’t you learn that in law school? K-I-S-S.”
As the acronym soaked in, her cheeks heated. Just who was the one who couldn’t get her mind off sex? “Oh...”
“I find that the simplest story is usually the best. If you must lie to your family, tell them I own the D’Amour mansion, that I’m staying here while it’s remodeled and that we’ve become friends.”
After a moment, she nodded, acknowledging that the idea had merit. “And—and since you didn’t have a reservation,” she improvised, “I had to put you down here in the basement.”
His expression had grown serious. A tensing along his jaw drew her attention. “What’s wrong now? It was your idea.”
He leaned forward, over the chair back. Elissa had the urge to clamber onto her desk to put distance between them, but she resisted. “Are you sure you want to lie? Wouldn’t you rather have your family join you in staring daggers at me?”
“Of course I would,” she admitted, then shook her head. “But I want their holiday here to be happy. Besides, once I’ve proven my ownership, they’ll never have to know there was a problem.” Making reluctant eye contact, she tried to seem confident, but the act was tainted when she adjusted her suit jacket and toyed with the buttons.
He clenched his jaw. “I may joke about it, Miss Crosby, but frankly, I don’t like lying.”
“I don’t care what you like.” She bit her tongue. This was no time to make him mad. Shaking herself for her outburst she eased her features and her voice. “If you have an ounce of humanity in you, you’ll do this for my family’s sake.”
He eyed her with cynicism. “I don’t give a damn about families.”
“Miss Elissa!” came Bella’s shout from the top of the stairs. “Your sisters are here.”
Witnessing Alex D’Amour’s unyielding expression, Elissa’s heart fell into a deep, dark well.
CHAPTER THREE
ALEX D‘AMOUR’S expression was uncompromising, and panic rose inside Elissa. What could she offer this ruthless man to make him help her? In a last-ditch attempt, she pleaded, “I’m begging you, Mr. D’Amour.” Her voice cracked, and she hated the sound of her weakness. Hated to have to ask anything of him.
She’d always been the strong one, the big sister Helen and Lucy depended on—ever since Mother had died. She’d only been nine, but her grief-stricken father had been no comfort to the three young girls. Even after Elissa had gone to law school she’d been there for her family, calling home every night to make herself available to listen to their problems or fears. Daddy had come to depend on her, too, when the illness that finally took his life incapacitated him. Helen and Lucy continued to count on her. She’d been mothering her sisters almost all their lives, and she didn’t intend to fail them now.
She would not allow Alex’s claim on her property to cast a pall over the holidays. She saw her sisters so rarely since they’d married, she refused to inflict pain on them during their short visit. But in order to protect them, she needed Alex D’Amour’s help.
Swallowing to steady her voice, she asked, just above a whisper, “If you won’t do it for my family, what—what would you do it for?”
A muscle flexed in his jaw, emphasizing the place where she had wounded him nearly a week ago. Shuttered eyes scanned her face, making her feel like a flea about to be swatted. As time stretched into an agonizing eternity, her emotions became as taut as violin strings. Finally he muttered, “I’ll do it for you.”
She was confused, not sure she’d heard right. “For—me?” Visions of demanded sexual favors flashed through her mind. She bit out her reply, “No matter how badly I need your help, I won’t sleep with you.”
His low chuckle was humorless. “Don’t panic, Miss Crosby, I don’t force women into my bed.” He turned away, presenting her with his grim profile. “I just figure I can do that much for you.”
She could hardly believe what she was hearing. He’d agreed, and there were no strings. Clearly he was less than delighted about it, but he was going to keep the secret. That’s what mattered.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, she stumbled around the chair and threw her arms around his neck, hugging him. “Oh, thank you! Thank you, Mr. D’Amour.” She could feel his body go taut against hers in his surprise, and that reminded her exactly who he was and why he was there. What did she think she was doing? She backed away, mortified.
She noticed his hands had stilled in a half-raised position, almost a defensive gesture. She came close to smiling about that. Could she blame him for anticipating an attack? After all, the only other times she’d made contact with his body she’d clawed him, kneed him, then tried to knee him, again.
Avoiding his gaze she focused on his cleft chin, striving to appear all business. “Uh, you can call me Elissa and I’ll call you Alex. Okay?”
He smiled, but there was precious little humor there. “Why didn’t I think of that.”
“Miss Elissa?” Bella called again.
Her heart constricted. “Oh dear...” Was she going to be able to carry off this farce? Could she keep her worries from her family? “Oh—dear...”
A hand, big and warm, encircled her elbow. Until that second, she hadn’t realized how cold she was. “Let’s go, Elissa dear.” He tugged her into movement. “How’s this?” Light-headed with trepidation, she glanced at his face. He grinned down at her in a way that reeked of affection. He was really good “Now you try,” he coaxed.
She inhaled, attempting to arrange her face in a smile.
He chuckled as she battled to fake a pleasant demeanor. “This is your lie, Miss Crosby. If you want to look believable, unclench your teeth.”
