No one could fake that kind of loyalty.
The woman who’d walked into our lives as a lie had become the most honest thing in it.
“Hope you know I’m never letting you go.” I wrestled her away from Colt, who’d been chatting her ear off for a minute straight.
She palmed my shoulders and grinned up at me with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. “Oh, no. I’m devastated.”
I snorted out a laugh and kissed her.
38
NOELLE
Christmas morning dawned crisp and bright.
Freshly fallen snow transformed the clubhouse lawn in shades of silver and gold.
It reminded me of something from a fairytale.
Sheets of icicles hung from the eaves in curtains, and the evergreens across the street boasted branches bowed low with the weight of the new snow.
A fire crackled in the living area, and the scent of cedar teased with the combination of gingerbread in the oven.
I stood at the kitchen window wrapped in one of Bishop’s shirts and a pair of comfortable sweat pants.
Reindeer socks Rafe had handed me last night with a bashful look covered my feet.
I’d never felt more at home, more understood, than I had after their adamant defense yesterday.
Was there any better Christmas present than finding the place I belonged?
Pink streaks raced across the sky as the sun rose.
It glittered on the snow and set the horizon on fire with beauty.
I wrapped my arms across my stomach and propped my arms on the counter so I could lean closer to the beauty on the other side of the glass.
“Morning, beautiful.” Rafe’s arms came around me from behind, and he rested his chin on top of my head. “How’d you sleep?”
“Better than I have in months.” I’d almost said ‘better than the dead’ but I wasn’t ready for any macabre jokes after almost losing them.
I leaned against Rafe’s chest and breathed in his familiar leather and pine scent.
“What are you thinking?” His question came out tentative, like he’d never asked it before.
“That it’s gorgeous out there.” I overlapped his arms with mine and lifted my head to kiss the underside of his jaw.
He rumbled deep in his chest. “Not nearly as gorgeous as you.” His lips pressed against my temple. “I like seeing you this way.”
Bishop appeared in the doorway, dressed in jeans and a blue shirt that brought out the blue in his eyes.
For the first time since we’d met, the scar on his arm was on full display.
He held his good hand to his wounded shoulder and made small, circular motions. “Morning.”
“Coffee’s ready.” Rafe nudged us to the side so Bishop could reach the full carafe.
Bishop brought four cups down from the cabinet beside him, lined them up with military precision, and poured them all full.
