I nodded. “You can each have a cookie. But then it’s time to brush our teeth and get into bed. The faster you get to sleep, the faster Santa will come!”
Less than an hour later, they were sound asleep in their beds, but my job was far from done. I needed to wrap the few presents I bought today, plus a few other things I gathered as the month went on. It wasn’t much, but it would have to do for now. After Christmas, I’d buy them more.
I finished the night with a glass of wine and a movie, before crawling into bed and hoping for my own Christmas miracle—my found wallet.
The following morning, the children woke early, their excitement contagious as we rushed downstairs before the sun had even risen. We opened gifts and had fun. Both Lenny and Lolly were ecstatic with the gifts they got.
“Mama! Look at this airplane!” Lenny ran around the room in circles with his toy airplane, making swooshing noises.
“Mama, dolly?” Lolly thrust her new doll at me, and I pulled it from its packaging and handed it to her. She immediately gave it a hug and a kiss on the head. “Shh, it otay, baby. It otay.”
My insides warmed at the sight of her playing mommy to her baby doll. She rocked the doll and fed it a bottle, her face so serious as she played.
I cleaned up the living room while the kids played with their new toys and began preparing for Christmas breakfast. Every year, I made a feast of eggs, bacon, toast, home fries, and pancakes. Go big or go home on Christmas. At least that was how I liked to celebrate. And I made sure to set aside money for the breakfast and extra things I liked to make happen on Christmas.
Opening the fridge, I pulled out the eggs and bacon and placed them on the counter as I got to work. I lost myself in the task when suddenly, the doorbell rang.
Who could that be? My mom isn’t coming over until later…
The doorbell rang again.
I hurried into the living room, where both kids played happily, and over to the front door.
When I opened it, a man I’d never seen before stood in my doorway.
A very sexy, very handsome, older-looking mountain man.
And by handsome, I meant hot. Like so fucking hot you wanted to combust. He had to be at least six-foot-two by howhis head almost hit the doorway, and dark jeans hugged his sexy frame, along with a tight flannel. Behind thin glasses were the deepest blue eyes I’d ever seen, and his light brown hair with specks of gray looked soft and touchable.
A beard covered his face, more salt than pepper, and it made my insides twist with desire.
Holyyumminess.
Who was he?
And what the hell did he want with me?
CHAPTER TWO
Shaw
Wow.
Just wow.
I swallowed hard, my words gone, my mind blank.
Her license picture told me she was beautiful. But nothing could’ve prepared me for seeing her for the very first time.
The gorgeous redhead stood on her front porch, her green eyes stunning, mesmerizing, and so damn beautiful. She had parted her red hair to the side, a single braid falling down her right shoulder, with a few stray pieces framing her heart-shaped face. Freckles danced across her nose and along her cheeks, her skin glowing under her porch lights and strands of Christmas bulbs.
“Hi there. Can I help you?” Her voice, soft and sweet, and one I could get used to easily, swept over me and awakened dormant feelings inside.
Why is this stranger making me feel this way?
“Hey. Sorry to bother you. But I found this wallet.” I held up the small black wallet with a gold clasp, and her eyes lit up. “Based on the license, it belongs to you. Adilene Kaiser, correct?”
“Oh my God, yes! That’s me. And that’s my wallet.” She nodded her head toward the wallet, a hand flying to her chest. “It was stolen when I was out shopping yesterday. Where did you find it?”
