LITMIR.BIZ

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you go home with her for Thanksgiving. Now what in the world incentive did she use to get you to do that?”

      “Mind your own business, Will. And the best possible incentive of all.”

      “I never ever thought I’d see the day.”

      “You haven’t seen it yet. Don’t worry, there isn’t anything serious between us and there won’t be. She is one hundred percent a homebody. I’m almost one hundred percent traveler. That’s not a good fit and we both know it.”

      “Yeah, right,” Will said, smiling. “By the way, you didn’t tell me that she’s gorgeous. I know now why from the first you didn’t want me to get someone else to work for you.”

      “She’s an efficient secretary.”

      “With drop-dead looks. Well, merry Christmas,” Will said, impulsively hugging his brother. Startled Zach hugged Will in return.

      “I think Caroline and Ava are changing you,” Zach said, stepping back. “It’s a good change, Will. None of us wanted to turn out to be like Dad.”

      “Sure as hell not. He was as cold as ice until Caroline came along. She’ll never know how she has affected this family.”

      “All for the better and you’re good for her.”

      “I’m trying. Ava’s the one.”

      “It’s you, too. Don’t sell yourself short,” he said following Will to the limo door. The driver held it. “Merry Christmas, Will. Thanks for my presents.”

      Zach stepped back and watched as the driver closed the door and went around to get behind the wheel. He continued watching the limo go down the drive, but his thoughts were on Emma. Tomorrow he was scheduled to leave for a night in New York and then to Italy. Right now, he didn’t feel inclined to leave Texas. This was home more than Italy. He was comfortable here. He had to admit, he was a lot closer here to Emma than he would be in Italy. If he just had to see her, he could in only a few hours’ time. From Italy, it would be a real trek.

      Jamming his hands into his pockets, he went back to the empty house. How could it seem so big and empty with Emma gone? What was she doing at this moment? Did she miss being with him?

      Inside, he closed the front doors and heard the locks click in place. He stood in the entryway and debated whether to call her. It was pointless, so he went to the office, pausing beneath the mistletoe. He reached up to take down the decoration, turning it in his hands, remembering her kisses. Sex with Emma had been the best ever. Of all women, Emma was the only one who had created sparks the first moment they looked at each other. She definitely was the only one to include him in her family gatherings, the only one to make him rethink his past, the only one he had ever really missed.

      With a sigh he tossed the mistletoe on a table. He didn’t expect her to be back at the ranch ever.

      He didn’t want to go to New York tomorrow. He picked up his cell to tell his pilot they weren’t going until later in the week. He didn’t have to be anywhere at any specific time so there was no rush to leave Texas.

      Tuesday afternoon he didn’t feel any more inclined to leave for New York and Italy than he had on Monday. Even without Emma, he would rather be at the ranch than in an empty house in Italy. He didn’t want to ruin his pilot’s Christmas, just because he didn’t care about his own, so he told his pilot he would stay in Texas until after the holiday. If he decided to go, he could catch a commercial flight. Or just go to New York and spend Christmas there.

      Feeling glum, he reached for his phone to call Emma just to talk. How many times he had done that the past few days, and then decided he wouldn’t call her?

      He was restless and nothing interested him. Emma occupied his thoughts most of his waking hours.

      Startling him, he received a call on his cell phone. Shaking his head, he was tempted to not answer when he saw it was from Will. Afraid it would be an emergency, he said hello.

      “Zach, it’s Will. Where are you? Italy or Texas?”

      Zach swore and gritted his teeth. Will usually didn’t call until Christmas day. “I’m still in Texas, but will go to Italy soon.”

      “I just thought you might still be in Texas. What’s wrong?” Will asked.

      “There’s nothing wrong. Staying here is just easier.”

      “Right,” Will said. “Could it be that you miss Emma? I imagine she invited you to spend Christmas with her family. You could, you know,” Will said without giving Zach time to answer his question.

      “I am not spending Christmas with Emma and sixty other Hillmans.”

      “So then pack and go to Italy. You’ll forget her and get over her.”

      “Thanks. I plan to go to Italy. I’m just not in a rush,” he said, thinking he wasn’t going to get over Emma anytime soon.

      “Well, I know it’s a safe bet you haven’t fallen in love, so I’ll stop worrying about you. You can still fly up here if you want. Caroline will take your mind off Emma. Caroline is having a blissful time. Christmas is magical for her and she’s turning it into magic for us.”

      “That’s great, Will,” Zach said with sincerity.

      “Even Muffy is enjoying the snow. We have to clear paths for her or she’ll sink out of sight. Give some thought to joining us.”

      “Thanks. Bye, Will,” Zach said and ended the call without giving Will a chance to prolong it.

      Zach returned to staring at smoldering logs in his fireplace while Emma filled his thoughts. Did she miss him or was she immersed in family Christmas activities? He held up his phone, tempted to call her, finally giving in to the temptation.

      At first he thought she wasn’t going to answer, but then he heard her voice and his heart skipped beats.

      “Zach, you’re calling from Italy?”

      “I haven’t gone yet. I’m going to New York first,” he said. “Ready for Christmas?”

      “Hardly, but I will be soon. Something’s always going on around here. People coming over or someone wanting me to do something or Mom needs help. I’m busier than ever. Have you heard from Will or Ryan?”

      “Will today. They’re having a great time,” he said, longing to be with her. The phone call only made him miss her more and he felt ridiculous for calling. “I’ll have to admit, the place seems empty with you gone.”

      There was a long silence. “I miss being there.”

      “No, you don’t, really,” he said, smiling, certain she didn’t, but he hoped she missed him.

      “I do miss you,” she said solemnly in a quiet voice that made his heart lurch. He inhaled deeply, wanting her with him, in his arms now.

      “Will you go out with me for New Year’s Eve? I’ll come home if you will.”

      There was another long pause and he held his breath. “Yes,” she said. “The sensible part of me says no and I’m sure you feel the same.”

      “We’ll have a good time,” he said lightly, his heart racing with eagerness that he would see her again and go out with her. He settled back to talk, asking about her family, enjoying listening to her, glad for this tenuous connection that was still a link with her.

      They talked for over an hour before Emma broke in. “Zach, my family is calling me. I promised I’d go shopping and they’re waiting for me to join them.”

      “Sure. See you New Year’s,” he said.

      The connection ended and he felt more alone than he had in years. He wanted Emma with him. How could she have taken such a place in his life that he couldn’t get along without her now?

      New Year’s Eve seemed an eternity away. He stretched

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