Page 9 of A Newport Christmess

“You’re not?” I asked, suddenly confused.

“I am.”

I took a step toward him, the skillet still extended. “Then why did you shake your head no?”

“Can I put my arms down now?”

“Call her,” I said, unable to ignore the nagging voice inside me that needed further evidence of his innocence. “I need to know you’re really who you say you are.”

He stared at me before apparently realizing I was serious. His eyes flicked upward. “Permission to grab my phone?”

I gave a slow nod, ready to scramble to safety if he pulled out a knife or a gun instead. Could cast iron deflect bullets?

With overly intentional movements, he reached inside his coat pocket and retrieved a phone. I didn’t miss the mischievous twinkle in his eyes, and I gripped the handle of the skillet more tightly, prepared for trouble.

“Siri, call Nikki,” he said.

“Calling Nikki,” the mechanical female voice responded.

A faint ringing sounded. He put the phone on speaker, wedged it onto a vacant spot on the counter between us, and then crossed his arms and glared at it.

The ringing stopped. “Hey, Landon.” The feminine voice was definitely Nikki’s, and my stomach knotted. Why had I insisted he call her?

“Hey, sis.” The man’s voice was dry and humorless. “Did you, by chance, let someone stay at my place?”

Her side of the line went quiet. “Why do you ask?”

“Well, I came home to find my house filled to the brim with gingerbread and a young”—he glanced at me—“what did you call yourself again? Oh, yeah ... a young, unsuspecting woman threatening my life with a frying pan.”

“Quinn? Oh, the poor thing.” There was sincere sympathy in Nikki’s voice. “You must have scared her half to death.”

Humiliation flooded over me, and I lowered the heavy skillet, finally convinced this man spoke the truth.

“I didn’t realize you’d be home already,” Nikki said.

“Kade hasn’t confessed his interference?” he grumbled.

“He did. I just didn’t realize when you were flying in.”

A man, who I assumed was Nikki’s fiancé, spoke in the background, though it was hard to distinguish what he said. The muffled sound of Nikki’s answer made it clear she wasn’t talking to Landon. “He’s there.” She paused, and the man’s muffled voice came again. “Yeah.” She cleared her throat. “Sorry about that. Kade needed an update. And I’m so happy you’re there! I can’t wait to see you Monday.”

Landon’s jaw clenched. “I thought you were flying in tomorrow morning.”

“That had been the plan, but there was a mishap with the wedding dress. They’ll have it fixed bright and early Monday morning, and we’ll be on our way as soon as we have it.”

Landon didn’t answer but pulled off his beanie and ran a hand through his dark hair that currently stuck out in odd directions.

“I feel so bad that you just barged in on Quinn like that. I meant to give you both a head’s up that she was there before you arrived.”

“And it just slipped your mind?” Landon’s irritation was palpable.

“I guess so. I’ve got a lot going on right now. Is she there with you?” Nikki asked. “Can you put her on?”

His gaze locked on mine, and he gestured toward the phone with a stiff hand.

I stepped closer to the kitchen island between us, the skillet dangling in my still-trembling hand. “Hey, Nikki. It’s Quinn.”

“Oh, Quinn. I am so sorry about what happened. I hope Landon didn’t scare you too badly.”