Merry Christmas (Mills & Boon Vintage 90s Modern) by Emma Darcy Page B

we are,” Nick agreed dryly.
    Their holiday home was a rambling old weather board house with verandas running around all four sides of it. Built before any council regulations came into force, it faced directly onto the beach with no reserve in front of it. The foundation pylons were high, ensuring the body of the house remained above shifting sand dunes. Quite a steep flight of steps led up to the veranda overlooking the sea.
    “I think I’ll go straight to bed,” Kimberly announced. “I’m really tired out and I want to get up early tomorrow.”
    “Bed sounds a good idea,” Nick tossed back at her.
    She rounded on him. “Not for you, Uncle Nick. It’s too early for you.” Most emphatic.
    “Aren’t I allowed to be tired?” he teased.
    “You always say you need to wind down first,” Kimberly sternly reminded him. “It’d be good for you to have a nightcap before going to bed.”
    “Mmmh...” Noncommittal.
    “One of those Irish coffees you sometimes make,” Kimberly suggested enthusiastically. “You could take it out to the veranda and watch the stars and listen to the sea and really wind down.”
    “That certainly should be relaxing,” he mused.
    “And Merry could relax with you. She’s been busy, too, getting all the flowers organised for Christmas before coming away. You’d like an Irish coffee, Merry.”
    Not a question. This was pure and simple manipulation.
    There was a laugh in Nick’s voice as he turned to her and asked, “Would you care to join me in a nightcap on the veranda, Meredith, counting the stars and being lulled by the sound of the sea until we’re ready to fall asleep?”
    The light tone made it sound harmless. Why not? she thought, wanting to indulge in her private pretence a little while longer. “I’d enjoy that,” she answered, smiling to show she understood there was nothing personal in it on his part. It was no more than an agreeable way of ending the evening.
    “That’s settled then,” Kimberly declared with gleeful satisfaction. She literally pranced up the beach toward the house, apparently re-energised. There was no sign whatsoever of being so tired she had to go to bed.
     
    Nick slowly expelled the breath he’d been holding. At last some time alone with her! No woman had ever shielded herself from him so determinedly and consistently as Meredith Palmer. He’d never felt so intrigued nor frustrated in any other person’s company. At least tonight he had the chance to get her to unwind with him.
    Thanks to Kimberly, the little minx, prodding and plotting to push them into rearranging their lives to give her what she wanted in the most convenient way possible. Her motivations stuck out a mile. One day he would have to teach her about subtlety. With her too obvious schemes she’d been driving Meredith away from him not toward him, as well as forcing him into maintaining a laid-back attitude to counter any feeling of being trapped in an untenable situation.
    Now that Kimberly had gone on ahead he decided to tackle the problem so it wouldn’t continue to be a running issue. “It’s only natural, you know, for her to see us getting together as a neat solution,” he said casually.
    A perceptible rise in tension. “I’m sorry. It must make things so awkward for you.”
    “I can ride it. Kimberly’s a good kid. She usually sees sense in the end.”
    An apprehensive look. “Please don’t think I’m encouraging her in this...this fantasy.”
    “Meredith, it’s very plain to me you’re not,” he said dryly.
    “I never meant to make trouble for anyone.”
    He found the anxiety in her voice painful. “You aren’t,” he quickly assured her. “Please stop worrying.”
    No relief flashed at him. The silence as they walked on was heavy. He tried to think of what other assurance he could give to ease her concerns. More than anything he needed her to open up to him. Then he’d have something to work with.
    “It’s easy for you to say that.” Her voice