Sleigh Bells in the Snow(26)
“Does that realm include multiple door slamming and hours spent alone in her room? If so, I’m already there.” He shook his head. “I thought women were meant to be the communicators of the species.”
“Maybe you should talk to Mom about it. At least having Jess back will give her something to focus on.”
“You’d think so, but Jess is shutting her out, too. She’s transformed overnight from sweet kid to reclusive teen.”
“Give it time. She’s only been back with you for a month.”
“This was always her favorite time of year. She’s spent every Christmas here since Janet took her away. What sort of mother doesn’t want her kid around at Christmas? Not that I’m complaining about that part.” There was an edge to Tyler’s voice that only ever happened when he talked about his ex-wife. “But normally I can’t get Jess out of their kitchen in the holidays. If she’s not decorating Santa cookies, she’s gluing snowflakes, cutting out reindeer, or singing ‘Jingle Bells’ all over the house at the top of her voice. When I asked her this morning if she wanted to go and bake with Grandma, she told me she’s not a baby anymore.”
“That’s true. Twelve. Hell, how did that ever happen?”
“It happened, and all she wants to do now is ski vertical slopes. Do you think she’s suicidal?” For once Tyler wasn’t smiling or making light of life, and Jackson lowered his beer.
“No, I don’t. What I think is that you need to chill.”
“That’s why I’m drinking your beer.” Tyler glanced at his watch. “What time are we gathering to hear your woman?”
“If you’re talking about Kayla, I’m picking her up from the lodge at six. You don’t have to be there.”
“A mad moose wouldn’t keep me away. I have to watch how she handles Gramps. Think she’ll cope with it, or is he going to walk all over her?”
Jackson couldn’t imagine anyone walking over Kayla Green, but he was under no illusions. She was going to need all her skills to win over Walter Montgomery O’Neil.
“We’ll see how she does.” He picked up his jacket. “I plan on getting through the ‘meeting’ and then buying her dinner in the restaurant as compensation. I figure after an hour with our family, she’s going to need a drink. Probably ten drinks.”
Tyler lifted his eyebrows. “But this isn’t a date, right?”
“It’s work.” Ignoring the look his brother gave him, Jackson scooped up his keys. “Buy some beer. That way there might be some in my fridge next time you open it.”
* * *
IT WAS JUST a meeting.
She’d been to hundreds of meetings, and this one wasn’t any different.
Energized after a hot shower, Kayla pulled another pencil skirt off a hanger and put it on the bed next to her black cashmere sweater. Smart and warm. Wearing it would show she could be practical when the need arose.
Grabbing her suitcase, she picked out her favorite pair of black heels. She’d walk over in her boots and then change into her shoes.
Wrapped in a towel, cheeks still pink from the heat of the hair dryer, Kayla mentally ran through the way she intended to play the meeting.
They’d be skeptical, so she’d show them what PR could do for them.
They’d assume she didn’t know anything about their business, so she’d prove to them she’d memorized all the statistics and facts. That she knew Snow Crystal.
Finally, she’d show them what she’d achieved for other clients.
She’d show Jackson O’Neil that she might be useless at walking on ice, but when it came to understanding marketing there would be no slips. Her traction would be perfect.
She wondered why he was so concerned about the meeting.
Apart from my brother, you’re the only person I have in my corner. It’s in my interests to keep you alive.
The irony didn’t escape her. She’d never met a man’s family before. Never got to that point in a relationship, and here she was about to meet Grandma.
Kayla straightened her hair until there was no sign of her encounter with the snow, livened up the severe black sweater with a silver scarf covered in tiny stars and added a pair of silver hoops to her ears before checking her reflection quickly in the camera on her phone.
Go, Kayla.
By the time Jackson rapped on the door, she was confident she was ready for anything they threw at her.
He parked outside the main house. Tiny lights hung along the eaves and were twisted into the trees.
It could have been worse, she thought. At least there were no grinning Santas or illuminated reindeer with flashing antlers.