Cougar Christmas

  “That’s all right, baby—just call me a hopeless romantic. Nothing but the most expensive fake jewelry for my girl.” Drew took the ring from her and got down on one knee. Taking her by the hand, he looked soulfully up into her big, brown eyes. “Genevieve, will you marry me?”

  “Drew!” Her cheeks grew pink and for a moment he thought he’d carried the joke too far. But then she twisted her real diamond and wedding band off her finger and stuck them in the pocket of her skirt. Holding out her left hand she said, “All right—put it on me.”

  Drew grinned and slipped the glittery pink ring on her finger. “I knew you were a hopeless romantic, too.”

  “I guess I am.” Genevieve was still admiring the ring when a deep, dry voice behind them said,

  “Ah—getting ready for our vow renewal ceremony on Christmas Day, I see. Just be sure you get the wedding band that goes with your new engagement ring.”

  Drew’s head jerked around and he saw Phillips bearing down on them, his tweed jacket flapping like a ship in full sail.

  “Uh…” He vaguely remembered Phillips saying something about a renewal of vows when they’d first checked it but he hadn’t dreamed he and Gen would actually participate. Still, why not? It wasn’t like it would be legally binding. “Yes,” he said, standing up and putting an arm around Genevieve. “We can’t wait for the ceremony.”

  “Well, good.” Phillips nodded heartily. “I think there’s hope for you two yet. You’re already looking much closer and happier than you were when you first came here.”

  “Are we?” Drew looked down at Genevieve. There was a faint blush on her cheeks but she didn’t look unhappy. He remembered how reluctant she’d been to even let him hold her hand. Now, here she was, nestled comfortably in the crook of his arm without a word of protest. “I guess we are,” he murmured, smiling at her. He liked the way her soft, curvy frame melted against his own much larger body. Liked the way she looked up at him with something like trust in her eyes.

  “Well, I’ll leave you to get on with your day.” Phillips nodded at them. “Just remember the ceremony is at ten tomorrow directly after breakfast.” He smiled fondly. “Personally, I can’t think of a better way to spend Christmas than by reaffirming your love.”

  “It sounds lovely,” Gen murmured and Drew felt her breathe a little sigh of relief when Phillips turned and headed off in the direction of another hapless couple.

  “Whew,” he muttered when Phillips was out of ear-shot. “I was afraid he might have another critique of our ‘performance’ from last night.”

  “He’s horrible,” Gen whispered back. “I really don’t think Stuart has any idea of what’s going on here.”

  “Well, you can tell him when we get back.” He sighed. “I guess it’s about time for group therapy. I wonder what wonderful work of art we’re making today. Maybe they’ll have a bunch of easels set up and you’ll get a chance to paint me in the nude.”

  “Drew!” She smiled and shook her head.

  “What?” He put a hand to his chest in mock offense. “I make a wonderful artist’s model, I’ll have you know. I used to model nude in college all the time.”

  “You did not,” she protested as they strolled down the plush carpeted hallway towards the group therapy room.

  “I did too,” Drew protested. “It beat flipping hamburgers at McDonalds. And all the ladies used to ask for me by name.” He put his head to one side. “Of course…it was kind of surprising they remembered my name considering the class I modeled for was in a retirement home. And I have to admit, I think when they said modeling, they meant I was supposed to use modeling clay and help the residents make ashtrays. Still, nobody complained when I got naked so I figured…”

  He broke off then because Gen was giggling so hard she could barely stand and he had to hold her up with one arm.

  “Drew!” she gasped, clutching him around the waist and shaking her head. “What is it with you? Why are you always trying to crack me up?”

  “Maybe because I love to hear your laugh,” he said, suddenly serious. Tilting her chin, he looked into her eyes. “You have a gorgeous laugh—soft and sexy. I don’t think I’ve ever heard you laugh before this weekend, you know?”

  Gen grew suddenly sober too. “I didn’t have much to laugh about,” she murmured. “Especially not this last six months when I’ve been so worried about losing my job.”

  “You’re not going to lose your job,” Drew promised her. “Although…” He bent down and gave her a soft kiss on the lips. “You might lose your heart.”

  He’d meant the line as a joke—another way to make her giggle. But Genevieve’s lovely face was serious when he drew back to look at her.

  “Drew,” she whispered. “I—”

  “Yeah, baby?” Sensing she had something important to say, he leaned closer.

  “Um…I…I have a surprise for you,” Genevieve blurted. “It’s what I was coming to tell you when I found you in the jewelry shop.”

  Drew had an idea this wasn’t what she’d been about to say but her words still intrigued him.

  “A surprise? What is it?”

  “It’s about dinner. We don’t have to spend it with Mitzie and Myron or Stan and Georgia.”

  “You have some new ‘couple friends’ in mind for us?” Drew asked, frowning. Personally, he thought anyone would be an improvement over the two couples they’d already dined with but you never could tell.

  “Nope—we’re not sitting with anyone. We’ll be off by ourselves.”

  Drew grinned. “Sounds like a Christmas Eve miracle. How did you pull that off?”

  “I went to the kitchen and made arrangements for us to have our ‘feed-me picnic’ for supper tonight.”

  “Mmm, sounds nice.” He nodded.

  “You haven’t heard the best part yet—we get to take it out of Whispering Pines—we actually get to leave! Get out from under Phillips’ thumb for a while.” Genevieve looked extremely excited at the prospect.

  “You mean…actually go outside and have an outdoor picnic?” Drew frowned. “Look, I don’t mind the cold weather, Gen—I’m used to it since I grew up in Colorado. But you’re a Florida girl and it’s something like forty degrees outside.”

  “I don’t care how cold it is,” she said fervently. “I’d have supper in a meat locker as long as I didn’t feel like that damn vulture was staring over my shoulder the whole time.”

  “Hey…” Drew looked at her earnestly. “This morning’s little ‘therapy session’ really shook you up, didn’t it?”

  She bit her lip and looked away. “I don’t like feeling like that. Feeling so…vulnerable.”

  Drew wondered if she was talking about feeling vulnerable in front of Phillips…or in front of him. But he simply shrugged.

  “Okay, if you really don’t think you’ll mind the cold…”

  “I’ll be fine. Besides, we won’t be going far. There’s supposed to be a picnic table up in the woods, not too far from the resort. We’ll just have supper and come right back. We’ll be gone just long enough to miss dinner with everyone else.”

  “Spoken like a true social recluse—and a girl after my own heart.” Drew grinned at her. “Okay, when do we go?”

  “Right after group therapy. The kitchen promised to have everything ready for us—all we have to do is swing by and get the picnic basket.”

  “We’ll need to change into some warmer clothes first,” Drew pointed out, eyeing her sleek little black skirt and high heels. “Did you bring any hiking boots?”

  “I won’t need hiking boots just to walk a few hundred feet from the resort,” she protested. “Don’t worry, Drew—I’ll be fine. This is going to be fun—you’ll see.”

  “Can’t wait.” He grinned at her. “Come on—let’s get group therapy over with so we can go picnicking in the dead of winter wearing inappropriate footwear.”

  “Drew!” She slapped playfully at his chest and grinned at him.

  Drew smiled back, happy just
to be with her. When he’d made this deal with Genevieve and agreed to pretend he was her husband at Whispering Pines, he’d been sure it would be one of the longest weekends of his life. Now he couldn’t believe it was more than halfway over. And he couldn’t help wishing it would last longer because he was pretty sure things would never be this free and easy between them again. Once they got back to the office…

  Don’t think about it, he told himself sternly. Live in the moment—just enjoy your time with Gen.

  But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t help the feeling that was growing inside him…and couldn’t help wishing that Gen might be feeling it too

  * * * * *

  “Are you sure there’s supposed to be a picnic table around here? We’ve been walking for ages and I don’t see a damn thing except for more trees.” Drew pushed through the underbrush, the huge wicker picnic basket slung over one arm.

  “The kitchen staff said it was just a few hundred feet from the back of the resort. It must be here somewhere.”

  Genevieve tried to sound confident and keep her teeth from chattering as she spoke. Drew had been right, despite her cashmere sweater and the coat she wore it was freaking cold out here! And the trendy little ankle boots with four inch heels—which were the only boots she’d packed—really weren’t suited for hiking through the forest. Still, the picnic had been her idea and she didn’t want to admit defeat.

  “Here,” she said, taking the basket from him. “Let me carry that for a while.”

  “It’s pretty heavy,” he objected as he relinquished the basket. “I think the kitchen put a bottle of wine in there.”

  “Good. I could use a glass of wine right about now.” Genevieve frowned and looked around. They were deep into the woods by now and the sun was setting fast. The lights of the resort looked like flickering candle flames off to one side through the trees. Well, at least they could find their way back if they needed to. But she didn’t want to give up and go back. Despite being freezing cold, at least here they were away from the watchful eyes of the prying Dr. Phillips. That was reason enough to keep hunting for the picnic table as far as she was concerned.

  “What’s that?” Drew gestured to a spot ahead of them.

  “Huh. Looks like some kind of a shed.” Genevieve squinted, trying to make it out in the deepening dusk. “Or maybe a cabin?”

  “You think anybody lives out here?” Drew asked, frowning. “Or is it some kind of outbuilding for the resort?”

  “I don’t kn—” Her words were interrupted by a low, angry snarl coming from behind them. “Drew? What was that?” She looked over at him to see he was standing perfectly still and staring over his shoulder.

  “Gen,” he said softly. “Give me the basket.”

  “Give you the—why?” She turned to see what he was staring at. A hulking black shape was coming towards them, out of the woods. It was between them and the flickering lights of Whispering Pines and getting closer quickly.

  “Give me the basket,” Drew repeated in a low voice. “Then walk as quietly as you can to that shed.”

  “What…what is it?” Genevieve felt rooted to the spot. The black beast was getting closer all the time. As if to answer her question, it lifted its snout and snarled again—a deep-throated growl that rumbled menacingly through the quiet woods. “Oh…oh my God,” she whispered faintly. “Is that a…a bear? I thought they all hibernated this time of year.”

  “Most do. Some don’t. Give me the basket and get to the shed. I’m going to try to distract it so you can get to safety.”

  “Drew, you can’t,” she gasped as he took the heavy basket from her. “You’ll be killed!”

  “We’ll both be killed if you don’t get to that shed. Go, Gen—now!” He kept his tone low and even but the intensity in his voice registered like a shout.

  Genevieve didn’t want to leave him but she didn’t know what else to do. She started backing away, trying to look where she was going and keep the bear in sight at the same time without tripping over any vines or branches.

  God, me and my stupid ideas about picnics! But who knew a bear would be out here? What are we going to do? I can’t lose Drew like this—I can’t!

  A twig snapped under her boots and the bear growled again and headed for her.

  “No! Here! Over here!” Reaching into the basket, Drew grabbed something at random and threw it towards the bear, who stopped to investigate it, snuffling in the dirt and leaves. “Keep going,” he told Genevieve in that same low, controlled voice. “I’ll keep it distracted, just keep moving.”

  Feeling like her heart was about to burst and her stomach was full of ice, Genevieve did as he said. Slowly she made her way to the steps of the small cabin, praying the door wouldn’t be locked. What would they do if Drew ran out of things from the picnic basket and the bear decided it would rather have them for supper instead?

  “Here you go, buddy,” she heard Drew saying as he threw more things from the basket at the bear’s feet. He was also backing up stealthily, moving with surprising grace for such a big guy.

  Genevieve went up the rickety wooden steps, one eye still on the bear as she felt blindly for the door latch. To her intense relief, when she pressed down on the metal latch, she felt the door give inward. Unfortunately, it gave an ear-splitting screech as it opened which made the bear lift its head and snarl again.

  The snarl turned into a full throated growl and suddenly it rose up on its hind legs, blotting out the sky. Genevieve felt a wave of pure terror wash over her as the immense creature gave a deafening roar that made her eardrums feel like they were going to burst.

  “Look out—it’s charging!” she heard Drew shout. And then he was on the porch with her, shoving her into the small cabin and slamming the door just as the bear charged up the steps. “Get back!” he shouted at Genevieve, bracing his shoulder against the door. “Damn it—is there any way to lock this thing? Or block it?”

  “Try this!” There was a small love seat beside the front door—apparently they were in a cabin after all and not just a storage shed. Genevieve tried to move the love seat but it was surprisingly heavy. Leaning down, she put her shoulder against it and shoved as hard as she could. With a creaking, squeaking groan, the small but solid piece of furniture slid across the wooden floor.

  “Good, that’s good!” As soon as the loveseat was close enough, Drew grabbed the arm closest to him and started hauling it forward.

  But just as he got it situated against the wooden door, a low roar sounded outside and a huge paw with three-inch long claws made its way between the door and the jam. The heavy loveseat was shoved backwards as though it weighed no more than a beanbag chair. A long, blunt muzzle, wrinkled back in a snarl, followed the paw and the bear growled and snuffled, trying to push its way into the cabin.

  “Son of a bitch!” Drew growled. He had something in his hand—it was the wine bottle from the picnic basket, Genevieve saw. Swinging as hard as he could, he struck the bear squarely on its sensitive black nose.

  There was another growl—this one of anguished pain—and the paw and muzzle were abruptly withdrawn.

  With another curse, Drew slammed the door shut and shoved the love seat flush against it. Then he started patting above the door lintel, as though he was feeling for something.

  “What are you—” Genevieve began.

  “Got it!” Drew produced a small, brass key triumphantly and shoved it into the lock, fumbling in the dim light which was coming through the high windows to get it in place. There was a muffled scraping sound and then a distinct click and he stood back and pocketed the key. “There—that should keep him out.”

  “Are…are you sure?” Genevieve put a hand to her heart, which was pounding so hard she felt like she might faint. “Oh my God, Drew—that thing was huge.”

  “Just a black bear out past his bedtime.” He shrugged. “I’ve seen bigger out hunting with my dad.” He peered out one of the high windows and nodded. “Okay, looks like he’s more in
terested in the picnic basket than breaking and entering. I think we’re all right.”

  “You…he…I…” Suddenly the fear that had been racing through her, making her feel faint and wired at the same time turned into tears. “Drew!” she sobbed, putting her hands to her face and sinking to the floor. “Oh my God!”

  “Gen?” He rushed to her and took her in his arms. Since she was already on the dusty hardwood floor, he sat beside her and pulled her into his lap. “Shhh, baby—it’s all right,” he murmured, cradling her against his broad chest. “Everything is going to be okay.”

  “But he…he could have killed you!” Genevieve managed to gasp through her sobs.

  “He could have done some damage,” Drew admitted—he still sounded remarkably calm to Genevieve. “But he didn’t.”

  “Not for lack of trying.” She made an effort to get hold of herself. “Drew, I’m so sorry! This is all my fault—it’s because of me we’re out here in the first place. Just because I wanted to get away from Phillips and his damn surveillance cameras for a little while.”

  “Hey, don’t blame yourself—I wanted to get away too. A picnic sounded like fun.” He made a rueful face. “Too bad I had to leave the basket for Yogi out there.”

  “I’m just glad you didn’t leave an arm or a leg too.” Genevieve swiped at her eyes with her coat sleeve. “I can’t believe you were so calm when that thing was coming at us!”

  He shrugged. “Bears are pretty common where I come from. The best defense is to have a shotgun and a couple of big dogs with you. Of course, if you don’t have those, a bottle of Chateau de Grizzly Puncher comes in handy, too.” He nodded at the wine bottle he was still holding in one hand.

  “Drew!” Suddenly she found she was laughing through her tears. Throwing her arms around his neck, she pressed her flushed cheek to his. “You’re amazing,” she murmured. “You’re funny and brave and strong and—”

  “Hey, take it easy—you’re going to give me a big head.”