Arlen stood on the porch a moment, his arms wrapped around himself. “I’m failing to appreciate it.”
“Well, that’s because you aren’t trying.” In an instant, Josie ran up the steps, grabbed him by the hand, and pulled him out into the snow.
He dug his heels into the ground, flakes already landing on his coat and in his hair. “I’d think that everyone in this town would have had their fill of snow by now.”
“Blizzards, yes. Particularly in September. But snow? And on Christmas!” Josie twirled around, her coat flying out around her. “It’s so lovely.”
Arlen made a non-committal noise deep in his throat, but he didn’t run back up to the safety of the porch.
“See?” she asked, taking his hand again. “And listen. It’s silent, all around us.” She looked all around, out at the pastures and the road that led to Last Chance. That was the miracle of snow, the way it could lay a hush upon the world.
“It is,” he said in a grudging voice. “But I don’t relish driving into town in this later on.” They had plans to spend the afternoon and evening with Faith and Beau, and, if their new babies would allow it, Celia and Jack.
“Oh, I think it’ll be so nice, riding along in the snow,” Josie said.
“Until one of the wheels gets stuck. Or it turns icy, and the wheels slip. Or until one of us freezes to death,” Arlen said darkly.
Josie turned toward him and took his face between her hands. “You need to learn to find the silver lining, Mr. Thomas.”
“Oh, but I have,” he said with a mischievous grin. “It’s snowing, and therefore we’ll have to spend the day here, all by ourselves.”
Josie pulled her hands away to push against his chest. “You forget that if we don’t go, George won’t either. So we won’t exactly be alone. Besides, it’s Christmas! It’s a day meant to be spent with family and friends.” She paused and gave him a reproachful look. “It would make me happy.”
Arlen gave her a half smile. “You know just what to say, don’t you?”
“I do.” She stood on her tiptoes and waited for him to kiss her. He wasted no time, wrapping his arms around her. Time seemed to pause, and all Josie was aware of were the cold snowflakes drifting onto her skin and the warmth of Arlen’s mouth against hers. As much as she’d been angry at George for writing that letter, he’d ultimately given her the greatest gift he ever could—Arlen.
Her husband pulled away gently. “If you keep that up, Mrs. Thomas, you won’t have time for your Christmas present.”
“Is it better than this?” she asked.
“Probably not, but I know you’ll love it.” He stepped back and reached for her hand.
She let him lead her inside to where George had started a fire that warmed every corner of their small parlor.
“Are you ready?” George asked Arlen.
Josie looked between them both. So this was a gift that George was privy to? Whatever in the world could it be?
“If the lady doesn’t pull me back out into the snow,” Arlen replied.
George disappeared through the kitchen, presumably to the bedroom beyond. And when he emerged, he handed something to Arlen. Josie craned her neck, trying to see what was in Arlen’s arms. But she didn’t have to wait long.
When he turned around, a wriggly puppy yipped.
“Oh!” Josie’s mouth fell open. She never could have guessed. She raced to Arlen and reached for the little dog as Turnip watched lazily from the hearth.
“They’ve already met,” Arlen said, glancing at Turnip, who was far too comfortable warming himself to play with a much younger dog. “It’s a girl. Do you like her?”
Josie laughed as the fluffy white puppy licked her face. “She’s perfect. Does she have a name?”
“She does not,” George answered from the kitchen doorway. “She’s one of Mrs. Purcell’s dog’s pups. She’s about three months old.”
Josie sat on the floor, the puppy running all around. She was the same color as the snow outside, and just as soft. “Christmas,” Josie said. “Her name is Christmas.”
Arlen sank to his heels next to her, reaching out to pet the puppy, who merely ran back and forth, wanting to play. “Christmas it is, then.”
Josie looked up at him, this man she didn’t think she could love any more than she already did. “Thank you.”
