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  Dani lingered in the background and observed as Tyson went from tree to tree, interacting and helping each group decorate. Many of the grown-­ups and nearly all of the children hugged him at one point or another. He posed for pictures with anyone who asked, but oddly enough, not many ­people did. Smartphones were conspicuously absent. Eventually Tyson noticed Dani and smiled. This time his grin was much more real, and he made his way over to her.

  “You’re still here. I thought you’d left.”

  “I could tell the crew wasn’t particularly welcome and wanted to get them out of here. But I still need some idea on just what I was filming today.”

  “Was I that obvious?” Tyson laughed but didn’t deny it. “Want to decorate a tree?”

  “Maybe later,” Dani replied. “Want to fill me in with what is going on here?”

  “Sure. Come on. Let’s go get some hot chocolate.”

  It was still warm in Austin; whether it was unseasonably so, Dani couldn’t be sure. Back home, temperatures this high called for Slurpees, not hot chocolate. But this was one little break from reality she was more than willing to embrace. She let Tyson lead her over to a different truck that was closer to the building, with him high-­fiving, fist-bumping, or patting the shoulder of every man, woman, and child as they passed them. This one was a food truck that provided the revelers with not only hot chocolate but also coffee, cider, water, and a vast array of snacks from doughnuts to popcorn, hot dogs, and caramel apples. The Christmas tunes were still cranking.

  He had created an atmosphere so festive she could swear there was a nip in the air and a smell of pine that came with it. They sipped their drinks in silence for a few minutes while surveying the scene of dozens of cedars transforming into Christmas trees before them.

  “I’m sorry we intruded,” Dani finally said. “But this is really incredible.”

  “Thanks,” he said with pride.

  “Why would you want to keep something so wonderful a secret?”

  “Because not everything is about drawing attention. Some of these kids have had a rough start and already feel exploited. I wanted to give them a break from that. I’m not trying to save the world here, just spread a little cheer.”

  “Right. Sorry,” Dani repeated, looking down at her cup. She felt chastised, though technically she’d done nothing wrong.

  Tyson took note and softened his tone. He could tell by the look on her face she had no clue about what she had signed up for. But it had a boomerang effect when she hadn’t boned up on her assignment and was caught unaware. And she handled it not like a reporter, but a lady. Suddenly he didn’t mind telling the story. “When I first came to Austin, I’d been off the grid for quite a while. I had gotten used to being alone. Thrust in the middle of it, I felt out of place, didn’t know exactly what to do with myself. Right around the holidays it got unbearable. I knew I couldn’t participate in all the festivities the way I used to, and I was afraid if I got into social situations, I’d get pressured to do so. I don’t think I trusted myself. And I didn’t see my solitude as a barrier. My chiropractor is in this strip mall, and when I sort of confided in him about it, he jokingly called me a Grinch. And something he said after really drove his point home, only I didn’t know it at the time. When I walked out of his office that day, I saw this kid dragging all these crappy decorations out to one of the trees, paper plates with pinecones, construction paper rings to look like rope, stuff like that. I gave him a hand, and we started chatting it up. He told me about the whole tradition of the trees here. I spent a ­couple hours with him until it got dark, helping him decorate his tree. He was a nice kid and I’d seen him here before. Turned out, his mother worked at the coffee shop on the other end of the strip. His neighborhood was in a bad part of town and he was constantly being bullied. To keep safe, whenever he wasn’t in school he would come here to the mall until his mother got off work. He’d hang out in her car and do his homework, try to keep out of her way. He hadn’t seen his dad in years. He kept repeating he couldn’t believe he was talking to me. I made this kid’s day just by spending some time with him, even when I was in a rotten mood.”

  Dani didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She sipped her hot chocolate to prevent herself from doing either and hoped that this particular reason—­boys without dads—­wasn’t the sole focus of his endeavor.

  Tyson continued. “When my chiropractor called me the Grinch, it was because by keeping myself isolated, I couldn’t get in touch with the joy. The holidays aren’t about inner peace. They’re about goodwill toward all. Until I was willing to venture out of my comfort zone, it was likely none of my feelings were going to change. The best way to feel good about myself would be to do something for others.”

  “Geez, just who is your chiropractor? T. D. Jakes?”

  “Close.” Tyson let out a hearty laugh before adding, “Turns out he was right. That kid, his story, and a tree saved me that Christmas. The whole episode stayed with me, made me realize just how blessed I truly am. And that I had a responsibility to pay it forward. I kept running into the kid, whose name was Adam, and when the following Christmas rolled around and he reminded me about how much fun he’d had the year before, I got the idea about inviting other kids to spend the afternoon with me and be able to participate in the tradition without having to worry about the expense. Then I branched it out to include their families. Nobody ever spread the word because that would create a mob scene. I think they knew if word got out, I’d have to shut it down. It wouldn’t feel the same if I had to do it somewhere else.”

  He didn’t tell Dani that each kid left with a big bag of goodies and gift cards that were waiting for them in the chiropractor’s office.

  Within four years, the parking lot tree decoration project grew from the lone tree into a celebration for Tyson and his “little brother” Adam, who had since moved to El Paso with his mom and was now thriving in high school. Sometimes as many as twenty families were invited, and all the trees surrounding the strip mall were adorned with some sort of festive flair.

  Tyson also supplied a cleanup crew that showed up the day after New Year’s. First thing on January 2, they arrived to remove all the decorations and chase down any that tried to make a break for it. But many families came back and cleaned up their own trees in the interim, taking mementos away with them from the year they decorated a tree with the Austin Mavericks all-­star quarterback on the sly. And they were encouraged to do so.

  “Tyson,” Dani said slowly. “I feel awful that this was exposed without your permission. If you want me to, I can see to it the footage meets with an unfortunate accident.”

  “Thanks for offering, but it’s really okay. Maybe it’s time for it to come out. Maybe it will make someone else reach out and pay it forward.”

  The more time she spent with Tyson, the more aware she became of all the mistakes she had made. Yet she had no choice but to continue making them.

  “And what about you, Dani Carr, on this first holiday season away from your comfort zone? How are you going to find the joy?”

  The way he was looking at her had the potential to melt her quicker than the Texas sun. In an effort to keep him from seeing he was turning her into a puddle, she said, “I’ll be hanging around with Marcus, of course.”

  She knew she didn’t sound the least bit convincing. He smiled at her and made a face. “No, you won’t. You spend about as much time with Marcus as I do. And that ain’t much.”

  “Come on, you saw what the gossip columns said.” The disdain in her voice was offset by her knowing grin.

  “Darlin’, if I thought for one minute you were really with Marcus, I would lose my mind. Besides, you told me you don’t mix business with pleasure, and I know you’re a woman of your word.”

  One of the families came up to them to thank Tyson and, for the moment, broke up their conversation.

  A loophole, Dani thought as
she watched Tyson share a minute with his parting guests, giving her a break in the action. A justification that would make it okay for when she finally told him about Brendon. She wasn’t a liar. She just hadn’t yet told him the truth. And she would tell him. The way she would have if he hadn’t turned his back on her that night.

  “I hope you realize when you smile like that, it only makes me more interested.”

  He had busted her again. But this time, she was perfectly all right with him teasing her about it.

  “I think I caught some of your Christmas spirit.”

  “Then my work here is done,” Tyson said. His phone went off, interrupting them again.

  “Excuse me,” he said, reaching into his back pocket to retrieve it. “My pants are vibrating.”

  “Maybe they’re just happy to see me.” Ba-­dum-­bum. Corny, yes, but that didn’t mean she could resist saying it.

  He looked up from unlocking his phone to get to the text message he’d received long enough to wiggle both his eyebrows. “That too. Now what were we talking about?”

  “Christmas cheer and comfort zones,” she reminded him. She wasn’t sure if he was paying attention. He was busy reading the text on his phone. She watched his face break out in a broad smile. “Good news?”

  “The best news,” he said, looking back up and refocusing on her. “And it sort of relates to our conversation. So tell me, Dani Carr, just how willing are you to take a step out of your comfort zone?”

  Maybe it was the holiday vibe that was in the air. Maybe it was just being with him when he was relaxed and happy. But at that moment, she would’ve agreed to step out onto the moon without a spacesuit. “You should know by now, I’m all about taking risks.”

  “Just what I wanted to hear. What are you doing New Year’s Eve?”

  “I’ll be home in Pennsylvania for New Year’s. I leave right after the game on the twenty-­eighth.”

  But Tyson didn’t look daunted. If anything, his smile broadened. “Well, would you look at that? Turns out, I need a date to a wedding in New Jersey.”

  She probably should’ve said no, he was starting to get dangerously close to home . . . and Brendon. But now the only thought running through her mind was how much she wanted him to see her in a little black dress. She smiled back at him. “Is that an invitation?”

  “It’s a Christmas miracle!” Tyson felt like bear-hugging the next person he came in contact with. Dani smiled and tried not to blush . . . or worry.

  CHAPTER 13

  DANI CIRCLED AROUND Terminal B at Newark Airport for the third time, weaving her rented Mercedes in and out of the traffic, competing for some space at the curb. She’d already been chased away by the police once for idling too long. After telling the cop she was there to pick up Tyson Palmer, she was met with a sarcastic “That’s great. He just flew in with the First Lady. Move out!” Maybe he was a Jets fan. Happy New Year to you too, bub.

  The third time she got lucky. Just as she slowed the car down, ready to double-­park if she had to, the last set of the sliding glass doors parted like the Red Sea and Tyson emerged, simultaneously managing to walk, carry his bag, and sign an autograph for a teenager. He handed the magazine he signed back, the two quickly put their heads together, and the kid snapped a picture with his phone. When Tyson looked up, Dani beeped her horn lightly, and with a quick wave to the kid, Tyson trotted the few steps over to her. Dani steadied herself as her heart gave a quick flutter.

  “Sorry about that,” he apologized, tossing a garment bag into the backseat and sliding into the passenger’s side. “I got a little sidetracked.”

  “Not a problem,” Dani replied, pulling back into traffic. If she concentrated on the road, she could slowly acclimate to his sexy without getting too flustered. “Those are some pretty smooth moves you’ve got going on there. I like the way you’re able to carry a bag, sign your name, and walk, without tripping.”

  “You missed the show inside the terminal. You would’ve really been impressed. I tangoed with a ticket agent pushing a luggage cart while eating a Cinnabon.”

  “Were you still holding the garment bag?”

  “What do I look like, some kind of amateur?”

  “Forgive my ignorance. I should’ve known better.”

  “Fortunately for us, that kid was the only one who could keep up once I started beating feet. It was like a built-­in opportunity to work on my game.”

  “I don’t think you could fine-­tune your game any more.”

  “That’s really nice of you to say, darlin’. So was your offer to pick me up here. You didn’t need to do that.”

  Yeah, I did, Dani thought. His plan to fly into Philly and pick her up at her house made her break out in hives. If there was any bullet she needed to dodge, it was that one. It was hard enough to explain the car rental to her family, who thought it was a waste when she had a perfectly good car to use back home: a patriotic American-­made Ford Taurus with plenty of trunk space. It was equipped with all the latest and best safety features . . . and a baby-turned-booster seat in the back. She wasn’t willing to risk taking it out and sticking it in the trunk, lest he discover it by accident. Trying to leave it home wasn’t an option; that was sure to raise suspicion. Her parents easily bought into her excuse that the New Jersey Turnpike was riddled with potholes and if she had to have a car damaged, she’d rather it not be hers. There was certainly an element of truth to that. As it was, they were already thrilled that she was going to a New Year’s Eve wedding with Tyson Palmer. In their eyes, his past transgressions were just that, his past. Who knew her family’s faith in the Resurrection could be so problematic?

  “I just figured with all the traveling you already do, it’d be nice to drop you closest to our final destination,” she told him, finally feeling ready to venture a look. “Where to now?”

  “Turnpike south to the Garden State Parkway. I’ve made reservations at the DoubleTree right off our exit, which is one-­oh-­five.” He thought he detected her knuckles grip the steering wheel tighter and added. “Two rooms.”

  Dani didn’t know if it was better to be grateful or disappointed. He clearly wasn’t taking anything for granted.

  “Is that where the wedding is?” she asked, to seem like she wasn’t affected one way or the other.

  “There’s a reception there after the ceremony. The wedding itself is at a state park somewhere close by.”

  Dani was glad Tyson couldn’t see her rolling her eyes. This was the price to pay for not asking questions, but from working for Marcus, she had gotten used to it. Now it was beginning to resemble a bad habit. But seriously, who gets married in a park in the middle of winter? Then she remembered just how quickly this wedding was thrown together. Her focus turned to hoping the ground would already be frozen enough to support the ridiculously high heels she had brought. They probably wouldn’t seem so high once she started sinking three-inch divots with every step. On the bright side, as long as she didn’t walk out of them, the shoes would be like little anchors, tethering her to the ground.

  “That’s pretty original.” She tried not to grumble. “Not many ­people I know would choose a park in December to take their vows, at least not in New Jersey. I’m glad I brought a heavy coat.”

  Tyson raised an eyebrow and grinned. “Dani, do you think we’re all going to be standing around in the woods? There’s a chapel there.”

  “Oh!” she exclaimed, now feeling embarrassed.

  “But if anyone was going to do something like that,” Tyson added cheerfully, “it would be these two.”

  “And these are good friends of yours?”

  “The best kind of friends. Logan was my athletic trainer when I got out of rehab. The man was my shadow for six months. I think he’s been with Holly forever. I’m so stoked about them taking the plunge. Sorry . . . I probably could’ve done better filling in the details.”
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br />   “I noticed you’re not big on the texting.”

  “I try not to get too attached to my phone. Gotta keep the thumbs nimble,” he joked before taking a more thoughtful tone. “I read texts. But I’m terrible at responding. It’s hard to connect to ­people that way, too much room for misreading tone. I don’t have that many friends now anyway. Funny how once the party ended, so did most of the calls. When ­people really need me, they manage to get in touch.”

  So, he wasn’t playing the indifferent game, he just wasn’t a slave to his iPhone. Dani was surprised she had never really noticed it before. When she first heard the rumors about how much he had changed, she figured it was just publicity. When she joined up with the Mavericks, she was too busy thinking he was a jerk.

  “So you’re like Kung ­Fu? Destined to wander the earth alone, seeking out those needing life lessons and filling ­people with wisdom?” she teased.

  “I’m not all that wise. It’s all I can do to keep my own head above water. But if someone can learn from my mistakes, I’m glad I could help. And spending the rest of my life alone sounds horrible. Wasn’t Kung ­Fu married?”

  “I think he was a monk.”

  “Well, I’m certainly not one of those.” Tyson started to laugh.

  “No. No, you’re not.” She didn’t laugh along. She’d known he dated but wasn’t linked to anyone specific, not that it made her feel any better about it.

  He stopped the snickering and cast a quick look in her direction, watching her drive. When it came to Dani, it was hard to move forward without occasionally looking back. He had always felt attraction, but she was so different now. Maybe it was those old feelings combined with her newfound sass that made him want to open up to her more.

  “Sometimes I don’t know what was harder, straightening out my head or my heart.”