Christmas Wish Come True: All I Want For Christmas / Dreaming of a White Wedding / Christmas Every Day. Gina Rochelle
vigorously.
“Can I have some corn puffs?”
She was relieved last night’s trauma had passed, for now. “I’ll see if your uncle has some hidden in the cupboard.”
He nodded and moved to his toy box in the corner of the room. Isabella searched for the cereal, feeling slightly uncomfortable with the task. The coffee pot had already been pre-set to brew, so she hadn’t had to do that. When she found the cereal, she turned around. Jordan was there, pouring a cup of coffee and glancing at her out the corner of his eye. She didn’t know what mortified her the most – the fact that she’d been pillaging his cupboards, or her hormonal reaction to his clean-shaven good looks and dark hair, still damp from a shower. And then there was the fact that she’d simply splashed water on her face and rinsed her mouth this morning – not exactly attractive.
She raised a hand to her finger-combed hair. Jordan’s piercing gaze captured hers and a slight smile touched his lips.
“Good morning, Isabella.”
“Good morning.” She didn’t return his smile. “I was just getting Tyler some cereal.”
Tyler went to Jordan, stretching his neck up at his uncle’s tall frame. Isabella was touched as Jordan knelt to Tyler’s level. “Is Miss Stevens living here, Uncle Jordan?”
To her relief, Jordan focused on his nephew, tousling the young boy’s hair. “Well, I don’t know, Tyler. Would you like that?” Tyler nodded again, then turned hopeful eyes to her. Isabella didn’t know what to say. Thankfully, Jordan did. “Miss Stevens has to check with the school first, since she’s your teacher. But at the very least, I’d like her to spend some extra time with you till Christmas – is that okay with you?”
“It’s okay,” Tyler said, stepping up and taking a chair at the table. “But I’d like it if she lived here.”
Isabella took his bowl to the table and set it in front of him. “I think I’d like that, too, Tyler.” She winked down at the young boy. “We’ll see what the school says on Monday – okay?”
“Okay,” Tyler said, stuffing a bite of cereal in his mouth with one hand, and rolling a toy truck on the table with the other. She felt Jordan’s gaze on her. Finally, she looked at him.
“Would you like me to cook something for breakfast?”
“Absolutely not,” Jordan responded. “Sit down. I’ll cook.”
Isabella sat opposite Tyler at the table, staring out the large window behind him. She tried to focus on anything other than the awkwardness of being in Jordan Butler’s home while he cooked for her. Wow. She wanted to go back to her hotel room and hide under her covers. But she was here for Tyler.
And, as uncomfortable as she felt sitting here in the same clothes she’d worn yesterday, she was grateful to be in Colorado, with thousands of miles between her and Florida – and Phillip. She lowered her eyes, nervously playing with the corner of a napkin. Phillip Monroe was a pilot, based in Miami. She’d stayed in Florida for him – wasted years in that bad relationship. And all she’d come away with was the bitter wisdom to know better next time.
“Do you like omelets?” Jordan asked, bringing her out of her thoughts.
Isabella suppressed the familiar tears that came with her regret. “Oh – yes,” she replied, forcing a too-bright smile. Jordan regarded her, then nodded and went back to cooking. Refusing to waste another minute feeling sorry for herself, Isabella centered her thoughts on Tyler. He chewed his cereal and quietly pushed the metal truck along the designs in the tablecloth. He was an adorable boy, with dark hair and green eyes, just like his Uncle Jordan. The family resemblance was striking, and Isabella assumed Jordan’s brother must have looked very much like him.
“I was wondering…” Jordan pushed her breakfast in front of her, sitting next to her. “I’m on a tight schedule this morning – and I haven’t asked Emily to come by. Would you mind spending some time with Tyler today?”
“Well,” she started, touching her hair again. “I haven’t had a shower yet…”
“Of course, I’m sorry.” Isabella sensed the cool return of the emotionally distant man she’d met for the first time at the school. “You probably have your own plans for the day.”
“Well, no. I don’t, actually.” She looked over and noted Tyler was listening. “I’d love to spend the day with Tyler. If you wouldn’t mind driving us to my suite, I’ll freshen up and get my car. Maybe take Tyler to the mall. I haven’t had a chance to get out and about yet. And it’s Black Friday.” She winked at her student. “Maybe Tyler can help me find all the best holiday deals.”
“Would you like to go shopping with Miss Stevens today?” Jordan asked his nephew.
Tyler gave a short nod and a tiny smile. Isabella caught Jordan’s glance as she took a quick bite of her breakfast. Visibly swallowing, she said, “This is delicious. You’re a good cook, Jordan.”
Jordan shrugged, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms over his chest. “I learned to do a lot of things on my own, out of necessity. My mother died when I was very young.” A look of dread touched his features, obviously remembering his nephew’s recent loss. Thankfully, Tyler was drinking the milk in his bowl, unaware of the adult conversation. Jordan cupped his hands over his plate and leaned his forehead into them. “Like I said…” he spoke softly “…I’m not used to this.”
Isabella reached out, touching his arm gently. Jordan’s gaze settled on her hand, so small in contrast to his muscular forearm. When he lifted his eyes to hers, there was an emotion in them that shot heat to her core. She pulled her hand back quickly, standing to take their dishes to the sink. Jordan stopped her with his words. “Why don’t you get your coat? I’ll take care of the dishes.”
***
Jordan stayed with Tyler in her apartment while Isabella quickly showered and threw on a pair of skinny jeans and an oversized white sweater, belted at the waist. She applied a light eye shadow and a touch of pink lip gloss, and blow-dried her hair straight. Jordan was seated on the edge of the bed with Tyler, watching a cartoon when she emerged from the bathroom. She saw the look of approval in his eyes, though he quickly stood and ruffled Tyler’s hair.
“Looks like I’m not needed anymore, buddy. I’m headed to work – have fun with Miss Stevens.”
Isabella met his gaze as she slipped on her boots. “Shall I bring him back here…?”
Jordan shook his head. “I’ll meet you at my house. Say, two o’clock?”
“Yes, that’s fine,” Isabella replied as he walked to the door.
“See you then.” He nodded and left.
Isabella used her GPS to navigate her way to the Park Meadows Mall. As she parked her car in an empty space, she absently noted how the sprawling structure looked like a giant-sized version of the Toy Shop on Reindeer Ridge. She led Tyler through the entrance into a colorful feast for the eyes. But, despite the festive decorations and the general air of excitement all around, Isabella had no success bringing Tyler out of a sudden bout of sadness. He withdrew, just like the day before Thanksgiving.
“What’s wrong, Tyler?” she asked gently.
They sat by the cozy fireplace in the center of the huge food court, watching an electric train go around the track beneath one of the many Christmas trees there. Isabella bought Tyler treats, but he barely took a bite or even spoke to her. After a moment, she sat back and sighed, assuming he wasn’t going to speak.
“Mommy brought me here last Christmas,” he said quietly. His surprising statement broke Isabella’s heart.
“That’s nice, Tyler,” she replied, treading softly. “Did your mommy take you to a special shop you’d like visit today?”
Tyler shook his head firmly. “She took