I'll Be Yours for Christmas by Samantha Hunter

one.
    â€œWe’d have to, um, keep things strictly business, though,” she said, hoping he got her drift.
    This would also give her the perfect opportunity to talk with Reece about selling. Maybe she could convince him there was a better way…and give her time to figure out what that was.
    â€œWhatever you want, Abby. I’m just a friend, trying to help. No strings attached,” he said, though she could tell from the heat in his eyes that he was remembering the night before, too.
    Could she keep things “strictly business” with Reece?
    â€œI guess I could ask Sandra,” she said, though she couldn’t imagine it wouldn’t be an acceptable option. Winston wineries was far fancier than Abby’s reception room, and with the same beautiful views.
    â€œI could try booking rooms for the wedding party at Tandy’s Inn, and I’ll need one, too,” she added, thinking out loud.
    â€œWe have some rooms upstairs. Mom used them more for guests, but they would work for your wedding party to dress or spend the night. You should stay at the house. You’re more than welcome.”
    â€œI don’t think that’s a good idea,” she said. “I mean, I don’t want to intrude. You’re being kind enough as it is.”
    He looked at her as if she was talking nonsense. “It’s a big house, Abby, and you’d be near your barns and the winery. There’s no reason to pay for a room when we have six empty ones upstairs in the house.”
    Abby chewed her lip, feeling like she was jumping into the frying pan after the fire, but her house wouldn’t be habitable for quite some time. Staying at Tandy’s, even though it was right there in the village, wouldn’t be as convenient as being at Reece’s.
    Or as tempting.
    Steeling her resolve, she nodded. Put on your big girl panties and do this, Abby, she mentally nudged herself. Just be sure you keep them on.
    Ha. Like panties would matter.
    â€œWhat?” he said.
    She coughed, realizing she might have said that under her breath.
    â€œUh, nothing.” She looked up at Reece. Surely last night was a fluke, the result of wine and reminiscing. They could do this. “Thank you, Reece. You have no idea what this means to me.”
    â€œIt’s my pleasure, Abby. Just let me know anything you need,” he said.
    His pleasure? Anything she needed? Ohmygod, this was a bad idea.
    With another squeeze to her arm before he turned away, he walked back toward his house. Where she would be sleeping tonight.
    But not with him.
    Abby groaned as she went to talk to Sandra. Hannah was absolutely going to love this.
    Â 
    R EECE STOPPED AND looked back, watched Abby walk away, her stride lighter than before. That made him feel better, too, that there was something he could do to help.
    She chatted with the young woman whom he had heard yelling at the top of her spoiled, self-interested lungs when he had arrived with coffee. The two women chatted a few seconds, and the bride threw her arms around Abby. Apparently his solution worked for her.
    He nodded in satisfaction, strolling the rest of the way to his place. This path over the field would get a lot of wear back and forth over the next month, he thought.
    Surprisingly, suddenly, he was looking forward to Abby’s company in the big house. Normally being alone didn’t bother him. In fact, he preferred it, but this could work.
    He hoped.
    He might be losing his mind, actually, but what was done was done. It hadn’t even occurred to him until he’d heard the woman yelling about suing Abby, and he’d taken in the exhaustion that bruised the pale skin under her eyes and the strain that pinched at her as she tried to maintain her composure.
    How could he not offer her the use of the winery? It’s what any decent neighbor, and old family friend, would do.
    Right?
    Right. It really wasn’t an excuse to spend more time with Abby