A Demon For Christmas

Ch-3

Kyle Brennan.

She never imagined she’d see him again.

Whilst he still looked the same, Amelia could tell that ten years had hardened whatever softness his face once had.

Eleven years ago, he had taken the most important person in her life away from her and ripped whatever was left of her heart.

Kyle looked shocked as he cleared his throat and smiled wanly. “I didn’t know you were back in town, Amy.”

He called her Amy. Just like old times, although now his voice was deeper…older.

At least, he got to grow older…even she got to grow older.

Her heart twitched with agony, and the lump in her throat made her unable to answer.

“Uh…” He looked nervous now, seeing as Amelia continued staring at him like she’d seen a ghost. “Actually, I’m sorry for dropping by so late. Some kids broke into the old Parisian place on the edge of town. Nothing serious, just kids being kids. And since I recognised four of them as Kat’s grandkids, I only brought them back to avoid them getting up to any mischief.”

Amelia could only gasp as her baby boy peeked out from behind Kyle’s lithe frame. His cheeks were flushed, and his eyes shone with that telltale look of mischief he could never seem to hide.

His cousins huddled behind him, their nervous glances shifting between the two adults, and a wave of frustration swept through her.

“Ethan,” she dragged out his name, and the little boy grinned, trying to disappear behind the policeman again. “It’s been one day. One day, and you’re already getting in trouble. What did I–?”

“Amy!” Kat’s singsong voice interrupted her, and the older woman soon appeared in the doorway. “Wait, is that who I think it is?” She gasped as she pushed the screen door wide open.

“Kyle! Sorry, I meant Sheriff Brenan!” Kat beamed, brushing past Amelia as if she weren’t even there.

Sheriff? What the…? At least that explained the uniform.

Kat’s arms immediately went around him like he was a lost-long son, instead of the boy who’d stolen their happiness and shattered their daughter’s heart.

“Why are you here?” Her small nose wrinkled with delight as she peered over her reading glasses at Kyle. “Did you know Amy’s in town? Hoot, dearie, I would have told you if you came around more!”

Amelia was shocked to her core. When did Kat Harper become fond of him? What the hell changed in the decade she’d been gone?

“Ma’am,” The sheriff finally responded with a polite smile that was just as forced as his posture. “The last time I came around, I remember you told me she was married to some big shot in the big city.”

“That was then; she’s divorced now!” Kat supplied. Her gaze was stuck on Kyle, and she was clearly appraising him as a match for Amelia.

But why? Wasn’t she supposed to resent Kyle Brenan? He was the bad boy she never wanted for her daughter. And when Amelia finally understood why her mother never gave her blessings, it was too late.

“Jesus, mom!” Amelia finally had enough and groaned out, feeling her face become as hot as pepper.

She was ready to toss up both hands in surrender and crumple to the floor like a used tissue.

But when Kat had a goal, she was set on it. “My dear Amy has a beautiful boy from the disastrous marriage and a decent amount of child support. But what she really needs is a new husband.”

Amelia didn’t bother to tell her mother that Greg hadn’t paid child support in months, and the last time she reached out to his lawyer, he drove over to her house and punched her in the throat.

Her body stiffened at the memory

“My poor grandbaby,” Kat said, “He needs a new daddy.”

“Mm…” Kyle said.

“Cut it out for god’s sake, mom!” Amelia yelled through gritted teeth, and all eyes snapped to her, but she didn’t care. “He only brought the kids back, and I’m sure the Sheriff has other IMPORTANT things to tend to.”

If this was her attempt at matchmaking, Kat should never try bringing people together. Amelia wanted the ground to open up and swallow her whole, never to see the daylight again.

At this rate, she would cut the time she’d planned to spend in Maple Ridge short before everyone in this town knows "Amelia is divorced and looking for a husband!"

Jesus!

“Oh really. Thank you so much for bringing them back, Sheriff Brenan.” She finally stepped back. “You’re such a good man.”

Amelia snorted. Quietly, but loud enough to draw Kyle’s eyes to her.

They locked eyes, and when she looked up into his sky-blue eye, she catapulted back in time, remembering his warmth, his boyish, lanky frame.

He was the first man she'd ever really kissed. That cute, tantalising kiss had transformed her from a nerdy seventeen-year-old into a woman.

Kyle cleared his throat. “I’ll get going now.”

Amelia thudded to earth, shook off the memory and quickly grabbed the kids, steering them inside. Thank god it was over.

But flipping Kat had to take it further. “Oh, Kyle, you should join us tomorrow for Thanksgiving dinner. It’ll be wonderful!”

“Mom!” Amelia called out in a frantic voice. “He doesn’t have to–”

“I don’t think–” Kyle also said at the same time, jaw tightening.

“Nonsense,” Kat waved her hand as though dismissing any protest. “You’re practically family, Kyle; you'd be doing us a favor.”

Amelia’s nails bit into her palms. Say no. say no. say f*****g no. she chanted, glaring at the man.

This was her nightmare playing out in real time. The last thing she needed was Kyle sitting across from her at a dinner table filled with prying relatives and uncomfortable memories.

All she wanted for Christmas was peace…this was the opposite!

“I'll think about it,” Kyle finally said in a strained tone, and Amelia saw he was equally as disturbed by her mom’s persistence.

He quickly tipped his hat and turned to leave, throwing a polite nod in Amelia’s direction before disappearing.

After a small dinner that barely went down her throat, Amelia couldn’t sleep that night.

Every time she closed her eyes, pictures of Kyle floated behind her lids, torturing her.

By the time the first sliver of sunlight began filtering through the window, Amelia felt like a ghost, but thankfully fell asleep.

Yet, in less than two hours, she was startled awake by a phone call.

When she grumbled and rolled over to check her phone, there was no caller ID.

Her brows hitched, and the rest of sleep cleared from her eyes, and she pressed her thumb on the answer button. “Hello?”

“This is Paul Newcomb,” A male voice said on the other end. “Am I speaking to Amelia Harper?”

“Uh…yes, you are.”

“Great. I am Nancy Renee Bowen’s attorney. I need to meet you at the cottage today to finalise the paperwork and transfer ownership to you. I’ll be there by 10.”

Amelia’s stomach turned to ice. The thought of going back there made her feel faint, but she managed a weak, “Okay, I’ll be there.”

And the line went dead.

As she dragged herself out of bed, faintly, she wondered how the lawyer knew she was in town and why he couldn’t meet up at his office, but her brain was too sleep-deprived to properly mull over it.

By mid-morning, the heavy snow had stopped, even melted a bit, leaving the world outside blanketed in a glowing white.

After taking a shower and dressing quickly, she nudged Ethan awake and sent him off to join his cousins, making sure to remind him–sternly–not to get into any more trouble.

Thankfully, most people were lazing around and after a stilted conversation with her mother–yesterdays humiliation was still fresh on Amelia’s mind–where she told Kat her whereabouts, Amelia set out.

In minutes, she was cruising on the snowed dirt road leading to the house. It had always been on the outskirts of town, and Amelia used to love it because it was far enough from her parents’ house for her to hide out whenever there was trouble. But right now, Amelia hated that it wasn’t close by.

When the small, weathered cottage finally came into view, Amelia let out a breath she didn’t even know she’d been holding.

A car was parked out front, and the lights seemed to be on.

It had to be the man on the phone. The lawyer. Thank God she wouldn’t have to wait for him alone in that house.

Even though she was sure that what happened yesterday was from her imagination, Amelia wanted to take no chances.

Sucking in a deep breath, she quickly alighted from her car and trudged towards the cottage in a few short steps.

Once she reached the porch, she pushed the door open and stepped in, closing the door behind her.

Mistake number one.

Amelia’s lungs tightened as she realized the lights weren’t on and that godforsaken red hue was what brightened the room.

Trembling, she started inching backwards, blood turning to ice. Once she had the doorknob in her grip, she frantically twisted it, but it didn’t give.

Oh god! Oh God!

She looked over her shoulder and saw that the door had been locked. “No! No!”

This is not real. This is not real! Amelia screwed her eyes shut and counted backwards.

When her breathing had slowed somewhat, she blinked her eyes open and it was there. Crimson eyes right in front of her.

“HELP!” Amelia screamed and hurled herself to the side, making for the windows but as she ran towards them, she could hear every entry/ exit in the cottage slamming shut.

This was how she was going to die.

A f*****g monster that looked like it erupted from the pit of hell.

She had a son!

He didn’t even have a father anymore. Tears ran down her face as her screams of help intensified. She could feel the thing inching closer to her, where she hid in the kitchen.

Oh god, she couldn’t think anymore.

Dying f*****g sucked.

And as the monster appeared in the doorway, Amelia fell forward onto the oddly clean tiles.

A chill sank into her body, and it felt like something was pulling her down into a fathomless dark.

Almost unconscious, she felt arms holding her, almost cradling her. “It’s okay,” A deep voice rumbled…and it washed over her like a goodnight song. “Go to sleep.”

There was something reassuring and pleasure-inducing about that male voice. She wanted to look up and see the face of the angel who just rescued her from the monster, but her eyelids won’t open.

Gently, the voice murmured again. “You’re going to be all right. No one is going to hurt you.”

Relief washed over her in dark waves. She had to be all right. If that thing killed her, who would take care of her son?

“Thanks,” she whispered. And sank into unconsciousness.