I step away from the tree as everyone returns, crowding around the square. I look out at them and they all cheer for me.
I’m looking for one person. She saved my life. The Sheriff was aiming for my bear’s head and she leaped on him, pushing the gun into the air.
But it wasn’t just that. She saved my life in more ways than she’ll ever know.
“Sir,” the most beautiful voice I’ve ever heard says. “Sir! Can we get a word?”
My mate comes running at me with the camerawoman following close behind, the light on top of the camera practically blinding me.
I’m stunned as she stands beside me, her delicious scent filling my lungs for the first time. I just want to take her in my arms, hold her, cherish, never let her go.
But I’m on live TV here, not to mention the police force and the whole town is watching. So, I just keep my trembling hands in my pockets and stare at her, completely mesmerized.
“This is the man who saved Christmas,” she says, half to me, half to the camera. “He lifted the tree back up all by himself. Truly atree-mendous performance. Sir, what made you attempt such a heroic feat?”
She shoves the microphone in my face, but my head is swirling from a million possessive thoughts and obsessive emotions.
I want this girl to be mine. It’s all I can think about.
I look at her stunning face and I get lost in those lips… god, that mouth… the things I want to do to it.
My heart races. I haven’t spoken in way too long.
“I just saw… everyone upset,” I say, leaning into the mic. “And I wanted to bring a smile to your face.”
“Well, you certainly did,” she says, smiling at the camera. It’s such a breathtaking sight that my knees wobble. My legs lose all their strength. “Christmas is saved thanks to this large, handsome…” Her eyes widen as she looks up at me, realizing what she just said.
It seems that I’m not the only one struggling to hide this connection we’re feeling.
“…man.”
She swallows hard, looking like she’s panicking inside.
“Take two,” the mayor says into the microphone. “Let’s try that again, shall we?”
I step aside as the camerawoman focuses on the dark tree. The cops and city workers got everything all set up. The lights are strung back on, the angel was retrieved from the candle shop, and the broken decorations have been swept away. There are still plenty hanging on there, although a few of them look a little banged up.
“Let’s get a countdown going,” the mayor says, trying to get everyone back into it.
The crowd is more than willing. They’re all pouring back into the town square. “Ten!” Everyone shouts, counting all the way down together.
Everyone is looking at the tree, but I can’t take my eyes off her. She’s the most magical thing I’ve ever seen. I can’t believe she’s real.
“Three!”
“Two!”
“One!”
Lights flash on beside me, washing my girl in a colorful glow. My heart squeezes when I see that big beautiful smile. The lights are sparkling in her eyes as she looks up at the tree in awe.
Everyone cheers.
My body aches with gratitude. My heart has never felt so full.
I can’t believe she’s here.
“There you have it, folks,” she says, turning back to the camera. “Christmas will not be stopped. This holiday refuses tosleighdown. From me to you, have a merry Christmas and a happy holiday. I’m Veronica Weaver from KNSP 300, signing off.”
