Page 24 of The Lie That Stole Christmas

Carter

Carterstoodonthelanding, looking at the garland and the tree.Ashley was right.Where they had originally put it blocked the light coming in through the window.Now the early morning rays streamed through in lines of gold.

He straightened his sleeves and started his rounds, stopping first in the kitchen where Tiny was preparing croissants for breakfast while Ms.Porter was placing dishes and silverware on a tray for Celia to take upstairs to the main dining room.

“He didn’t eat a single cookie yesterday,” Tiny said as she folded a layer of dough in half.The copy ofA Christmas Carollay face down beside the mixing bowl, holding her place.“Said he wasn’t feelingsweet.That man’s blood is fifty percent sugar and fifty percent bourbon.Something’s not right.”

“Nothing is wrong, Tiny.No need to create drama that doesn’t exist,” Carter said, but Ms.Porter’s eyes met his.

“He also didn’t try to sneak a taste of my chocolate mousse.He loves my mousse.”

Carter blinked away from Ms.Porter’s gaze and smiled at Tiny, resting a hand on her shoulder.“You know if he heard you, he’d be annoyed that you’re fussing.”

“I know, I’m just worried,” she said.

“His stomach was probably in knots with the family being here.Don’t worry about it.”

She nodded and went back to folding layers.

Carter headed for the stairs, but somehow Ms.Porter cut him off at the landing.“You’re not a good liar, Carter Reeves.”

He sighed, letting the breath out slowly.Celia approached with the tray, and Carter stepped out of her way.“Tell Hawthorne I’ll be up in a moment, and remember, napkin on the left?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Ms.Porter stayed silent until Celia’s footsteps faded.“You’ve known for weeks, haven’t you?”

Carter hesitated for a beat too long, and he thought Ms.Porter might hit him.

“I didn’t ask,” he admitted.“He hasn’t said.”

“But you looked.”The sound of a fork or spoon hitting the floor echoed through the space, and they both turned toward it.

“Don’t play dumb with me, young man.Your father may be gone, but he raised you better than that.And I know for a fact you found the envelope on his desk.”

Carter’s jaw tightened.“If he wanted them to know, he would tell them.”It was none of their business, and he had survived this life because he minded his.

Ms.Porter’s eyebrow arched.“Maybe, but secrets don’t soften with age.They fester.”She stepped out of his way, the scent of cinnamon and soap trailing behind her.“And this house has enough rot already.”

With a nod, he took off up the stairs.Of course Ms.Porter knew.She knew everything.Still, it wasn’t their place.Hell, Carter shouldn’t have even seen that piece of paper.He just happened to be retrieving something and came upon it.

He turned the corner, thoughts of everything that had transpired over the last couple of weeks and days running through his mind.He leaned against the wall to take a moment, closing his eyes and squeezing the bridge of his nose as if that would alleviate the tension building.

“You okay?”Ashley’s voice was void of the animosity he’d grown accustomed to over her time back at Winterridge replaced by what sounded like genuine concern.

He dropped his hand, straightened, and met her gaze with a smile.“Fine.”

“We might not have seen each other in a long time, but I know that’s a lie.”She moved toward him, bringing her orange blossom scent that wrapped around him in a familiar cloud.“Eyes closed, bridge of your nose pinched like you’re trying to squeeze calm through your body.It’s your tell.”

“I didn’t know you cared enough to notice.”

“I don’t.”

God, he wanted to reach out and grab her waist, yank her against him, but he was trying damn hard to stay professional.But with her forest green turtleneck clinging to her like a second skin, tucked into a mini plaid skirt over black tights that might as well have been painted on, his control was waning.

“Is it Grandfather?”

He shook his head, losing his ability to speak as his attention was too focused on her mouth—a mouth he had kissed so many times before.