The Billionaire's Christmas Baby(20)

“And ruined all my Christmas cookies.”

“I helped you pick them up. I had no idea there were cookies in that tin.”

“Whatever, Jackson, you definitely don’t know how to treat a lady.” She grabbed her bag and dropped the book back in. There was a power and energy that emanated from him that was impossible to ignore.

“Hannah, if you weren’t connected to my family, there would be no doubt in your mind that I know how to treat a lady.”

She knew her neck and face were red. Jackson was obviously the type of man who would have no trouble attracting women, but hearing the words come out of his mouth made it sound delicious, decadent.

“Nice line.” She kept yanking at the zipper of her bag, wishing it would close.

She ignored him and what sounded like a muffled laugh. She needed to get this visit back on track. She needed him to be with Emily, to get him to slowly melt towards his adorable niece. Somehow, in the next twenty-four hours, she needed to break down Jackson Pierce’s seemingly impenetrable walls… bells. She heard bells. Hannah looked up at Jackson who was still staring at her.

“Did you hear that?”

He shook his head. “Hear what?”

“Bells!” Hannah squealed, as they jingled again.

“Bells?”

She nodded and ran passed him to the window. Hannah inhaled sharply as a sleigh driven by two horses pulled up in front of the house. And the driver of the sleigh, well…

“Jackson?” she whispered with disbelief over her shoulder. “I think Mr. and Mrs. Claus are here.”

“You expect me to believe that Santa and his wife are trolling around my front yard?” he asked, joining her at the window.

“They aren’t trolling”

“Oh, God,” he whispered, his face going white as he stared through the glass. Finally she had gotten through to him! Hannah ran to the door, but he beat her to it and blocked it. Arms crossed and giant frown across that handsome face did nothing to sway her determination.

Hannah tapped her foot. “I’m letting them in.”

“No, you’re not.”

“Yes, I am,” she said, trying to push him to the side. All that hard muscle didn’t budge an inch. He just let out an irritated sigh. She stepped back and glared at him. “You can’t honestly deny them entry!”

“It’s not Santa,” Jackson groaned, rubbing his temples.

“Well, who is it?”

“It’s my crazy neighbors from down the street,” he said, his voice sounding strained as the jingling grew louder.

“The house with all the decorations?” Hannah asked, thinking of the little cottage she’d driven past last night. It had been lit and decorated with such care that Hannah had slowed her car for a second to admire the lights.

Jackson nodded, his face grim. “That’s the one.”

They both jumped at the exuberant knock.

Hannah smiled up at him.

Jackson closed his eyes and mumbled something under his breath, turning around to open the door. A gust of arctic wind and a blast of boisterous bells greeted them.





Chapter Six



Hannah poured the Sampsons a second cup of coffee, listening with delight to their tale about the time they rescued a squirrel in a blizzard. Jackson was sprawled on the couch next to her, his legs crossed at the ankles, looking bored out of his mind. He caught her eye and held up a finger to his temple, pretending to pull the imaginary trigger with his thumb. Hannah frowned disapprovingly at him. How could he not like this couple?

“Oh, Hannah, what a delight you are, my dear. We’ve been cooped up for days with no one to speak to! We always worry about Jackson when he comes up to this cabin,” Mrs. Sampson said, tsking at Jackson. “It’s not healthy to be alone during the holidays. Do you know,” Mrs. Sampson said, dropping her voice to a feverish whisper and leaning forward, “it’s one of the most difficult times of year for many people?”

“I can’t imagine why,” Jackson’s deep voice drawled. Hannah tried not to spill the contents of her mug of coffee.

The elderly woman nodded, her curly white hair bouncing in time, completely oblivious to Jackson’s sarcasm. “Loneliness, dear. And that is why we came around to check on you. There have been so many times we’ve come over here looking for you, and in the distance we think we see lights on, but then when we get closer the house is always dark. It’s a shame we always miss you!”

Hannah gasped and frowned at Jackson who shrugged slightly. How could he actually pretend he wasn’t home?

“That is a shame, Mrs. Sampson. I suggest next time you try knocking harder. Jackson is a little hard of hearing I noticed. Sometimes, I think he’s heard what I’ve said, but in fact he hasn’t heard a word!” Hannah said, ignoring Jackson’s loud coughing.

“I can assure you there’s nothing wrong with my hearing,” Jackson said, his mouth twitching slightly at the corner.

“Well, that’s good. Looks like this little lady is worried about you though,” Mr. Sampson said with a wink. “I can tell she’s got a heart of gold, just like my Harriet.” Hannah looked into her mug of coffee. She raised her head to clarify their relationship, but Jackson spoke first.

“She does have a heart of gold, Harry. She even baked a bunch of Christmas cookies and drove through a blizzard to see me.” Hannah could hear the smile in his voice as he played along with this charade. She ignored the warmth that spread through her body from his words, knowing he didn’t mean them.