'Twas the Week Before Christmas. Olivia Miles

resist gleaning as much insight into Max as possible.

      “So you’re here alone, then,” Evelyn was saying now, an edge of mock disappointment in her voice. “Well, a young man as handsome as yourself must have someone special waiting back home!”

      Holly cringed but held her breath, hoping to hear Max’s reply above the din of the other guests in the lobby.

      “Not really,” Max said smoothly, and Holly felt a wave of fresh excitement wash over her. She tried to push it aside as quickly as it enveloped her. She failed miserably.

      “What a pity!” Evelyn slid her blue eyes over to Holly and gave a pointed stare.

      Holly clenched her teeth and wondered if Max was obtuse enough not to see through this meddling. She doubted it. Frantically searching for an excuse to pull Evelyn’s attention away from Max, she bolted upright at the jungle of sleigh bells on the drive. “Sleigh’s here!”

      Evelyn’s interest, however, did not waver. “Will you be joining us for the sleigh ride? My husband and I look forward to it every year. So...romantic.”

      Okay, this had gone far enough! Feeling out the situation was one thing. Pushing it was another. “Max,” Holly said. “I think that Hank is almost finished plowing the drive. I know you were anxious to get to town.”

      “Oh, but he might want to go on the sleigh ride, Miss Tate!”

      “Miss Tate?” Max flashed Holly a wicked grin.

      Bristling, Evelyn remarked, “Of course. What do you call her?”

      “Holly.”

      Evelyn’s eyes snapped open. “Oh, I see,” she said meaningfully, giving Holly a knowing look.

      Holly bit back the urge to raise her eyes skyward. If she didn’t love Evelyn so much she would throttle her!

      “Unfortunately, I won’t be able to join you for the sleigh ride today, Evelyn.” Max set his coffee mug back on the end table. “I’m afraid I have some business in town to attend to this morning.”

      Evelyn deflated into her wool coat and pursed her lips. “Pity.”

      “Come along, Evelyn.” Nelson reined in his wife by physically grabbing her at the elbow and then, more tenderly, placing her little hat back on her head. The pair scuttled toward the door to collect their thermoses and then laced fingers as they waited for the sleigh ride to board. Holly felt a sharp pang slice through her chest. She turned to see Max staring at her.

      “Sorry about that,” Holly said.

      Max shook his head. “They’re sweet.”

      “They are. And very loyal, too. In many ways, Evelyn reminds me of my own grandmother.” Holly’s mind flitted to her childhood memories in this very home. Those were happy times.

      “Evelyn?” Max arched a dark eyebrow and his blue eyes gleamed. “You mean Mrs. Adler, right?”

      Holly gave him a rueful smile. “You sure you don’t want to go on the sleigh ride?”

      “Nah, I should get into town.”

      Holly nodded, hoping she masked the disappointment she felt.

      Max pushed himself from the chair and buttoned his coat. Holly winced at how inappropriately he was dressed.

      “Main Street is just a few miles west, correct?”

      “Correct.” Noticing the silk tie peeking out from under his dress coat, Holly again pondered the reason for his visit. There was little business in the corporate sense on Main Street. With the exception of a bank, attorney’s office and local doctor, only shops and a few dining options lined that stretch. Unless he was here to do something about the library... Now, that was an idea.

      “Lunch is at noon?”

      “Yes,” Holly affirmed. She had the growing sense that he was lingering. Not that she minded, obviously. Max hadn’t even left yet and already she was missing him. He was a sight she could get used to around this old house. Easily.

      “I’ll be back by noon, then,” Max said, his eyes still locked with hers.

      Breaking free from his hold on her, Holly reached for his empty mug. “Drive safe. It’s slick out there.”

      “See you later,” Max said. A devilish grin curled his lips when he added, “Miss Tate.”

      Chapter Three

      The long drive to the main road was cleared, but the three-mile drive to the center of town was not. Max squinted through the snow, which was gaining momentum, the wipers doing little to keep the powder from accumulating on the windshield. Maneuvering his rented SUV through the snow banks, Max discovered he had a newfound reason for preferring city life.

      It was a welcome reminder. He was becoming too relaxed in Maple Woods. He belonged in the big city; he knew it. He just needed to remember it.

      Turning onto Main Street, Max clenched his jaw at the sight. Pine garlands wrapped around every lamppost, sealed with joyful crimson bows. Wreaths hung on the door of every shop. Pristine white snow covered every rooftop. Everything was almost eerily calming and peaceful.

      It was like something out of a Norman Rockwell painting. But he would not allow himself to be seduced by its charm.

      Pulling to a stop at the address he had jotted down, Max stepped out of the vehicle and paid the meter for the maximum time. He hoped it wouldn’t take more than half an hour to convince the mayor of his plan, but if it took all day, so be it. He had no intention of leaving town without that land.

      Business was in trouble and it had been for some time. People weren’t shopping in malls anymore. They preferred the convenience of online shopping, the gratification of making a purchase in their pajamas at midnight, the thrill of receiving a package with their name on it in the mail five days later. Of Hamilton Properties’ existing portfolio, half the centers were struggling. Development initiatives had been placed on hold for two years, but too much man power, time and energy had gone into this project. And big-name retailers were depending on him to get the job done. If he didn’t, more than one department store was already threatening to pull out of under-performing centers. Without those anchors, the struggling malls would collapse.

      Hamilton Properties had seen three of their competitors file bankruptcy. Only one other remained in business, and they’d already made more than one offer to buy out Hamilton’s portfolio. But Max wasn’t going down without a fight. He had built this company from the ground up, founding it when he was only twenty-two. It had been a roller-coaster of ups and downs over the years, and lately it had been mostly downhill, but he wasn’t ready for the ride to be over. Not yet.

      “Max Hamilton to see Mayor Pearson,” he said confidently to the friendly woman behind the reception desk.

      “Just have a seat, he’ll be out shortly. Last-minute phone call and all that.” The woman smiled at him as her eyes roamed over his chest, narrowing on his tie. “Not from around these parts, are you?”

      Max spared a wry grin. “That obvious?”

      “Most folks in Maple Woods don’t wear suits and ties. Especially on days like this,” she said. Her smile brightened to reveal a dimple when she admitted, “But I like a man in a suit. Always did.”

      Max nodded and rocked back on his heels, his eyes taking in the miniature Christmas tree on the woman’s desk. She’d even hung tiny metallic ornaments on its small, plastic branches. Her sweater had a snowman knitted into it with some sort of textured yarn. Christmas carols bleated softly from the radio on the corner of her desk and at least fifty holiday cards were propped on every filing cabinet, desk, or other surface.

      Seems Holly isn’t the only one who loves Christmas, he mused.

      Max raked his fingers through his hair and stepped away from the desk. It was