Page 49 of The Lie That Stole Christmas

“That was always my favorite part,” she said.

“I always knew I could find you there.”

“I’m that predictable?”

“No.”He leaned in closer, his breath brushing her lips.“I just know you.”

Her eyes blinked and widened.They might have been a part for so long, but he knew who she was at her core.

His mouth captured hers, and the world drifted away.All she could focus on was the feel of his cashmere sweater beneath her fingers, the hungry movement of his lips against hers.

“Who the hell are you?”The barking words drifted from downstairs.

Carter pulled away slowly, his forehead resting against hers.

“Gabe,” Ashley said.

“Lena Hart,” a sweet voice followed.

“Shit,” Carter bit out before rushing toward the stairs.Ashley followed behind him, taking each step at record speed, lips still tingling, and praying she didn’t break her neck.

A petite brunette stood in the doorway, one hand gripping a binder decorated with Christmas stickers; the other held a travel mug.Snowflakes clung to the shoulders of her bright red peacoat.She was locked in a staring war with Gabe, who had planted himself between her and the rest of Winterridge like an overprotective guard dog.

“Unless you plan on standing here staring at me for the rest of the day, not that I can blame you, I’d appreciate it if you moved.”

Ashley bit the inside of her cheek, trying not to let the laugh out.Tori was going to love this woman.Heck, Ashley already had, and she hadn’t even officially met her.But anyone who wouldn’t stand down at Gabe’s overbearing, class-A jerk act earned points in her book.

“Why are you here?”

“If you must know, Carter hired me to—”

“Carter hires people now?”

“Only the competent ones,” Carter said as he descended the last few stairs and forced his way around Gabe's hulking frame.

Lena’s face lit up like a Christmas tree.“Thank God.”She pointed toward Gabe.“I think you forgot to let the dog out this morning.”

This time Ashley couldn’t stop her laugh; it echoed through the vestibule, grabbing everyone’s attention.

Gabe all but snarled as she stepped off the last step and made her way right to Lena.She held her hand out in greeting.“Hi, I’m Ashley Wetherby.Sorry about my brother.He isn’t house-trained.”

“What the fuck, Ash?”Gabe muttered.“She was walking around as if she owned the place.Or was scouting out to steal something.”

Lena scoffed, her snowman earrings swaying as she turned toward Gabe.“If I were going to steal something, I wouldn’t be in the vestibule.I would be in the living room where all the priceless antiques are.”

“How do you know where the—”

She rolled her eyes and turned her attention to Carter.Her smile was bright, almost too bright when Carter met her gaze.“I was admiring the Christmas decorations.Everything looks beautiful.”

“They’re just decorations,” Gabe said.

“Maybe to you.”Her eyes scanned the space now that she didn’t have Gabe blocking her view.She looked up at the crystal chandelier that sparkled overhead and cast a glitter of diamond reflections against the garland wrapped around the staircase banisters like white Christmas lights.She followed the garland down and across the floor to the Christmas trees that flanked the entrance, filling the air with the scent of pine.“Exquisite detail with the bows and the way the light is hitting the garland.”

“That would all be Ashley,” Carter said.

Ashley shook her head.“Carter helped more than he’s leading on, but thank you.”She smiled at Lena.“My grandfather has given you great praise, and I hope you don’t mind I’ll be helping with the Christmas festival this year.”

“Christmas festival?”Gabe exclaimed.“I hope you don’t expect me to be there.”