He caught up to Billy and Snowflake just as Mitzi’s ancient car pulled in the drive and shut off. Forest placed a hand on Billy’s shoulder. “Let’s keep the flying reindeer to ourselves, okay?”
Billy looked up at him. “Mom doesn’t believe anyway.”
Forest felt those words like a knife to the heart. Sure, lots of adults didn’t believe in flying reindeer, but for some reason, it hurt that Mitzi didn’t.
“Don’t believe what?” Mitzi called. Her voice easily carried over the snow-and-ice-covered landscape.
“That reindeer can fly. Except Santa’s—but they’re special.” Billy’s mittens flew to his mouth, and he stepped away from Forest. “Is Snowflake one of Santa’s reindeer?” His eyes were wide with panic. “Did I steal her from Santa?”
Snowflake pawed at the ground.Don’t,she warned.
Forest considered the three sets of eyes boring into him. One of them begging for release from a supposed sin. One curious. And one hoping he’d keep his big mouth shut.
Well, he’d never been one for subtlety. And if Mitzi didn’t believe, then she’d pass off whatever he was going to say as an adult keeping the magic alive for a child. Besides, Snowflake needed to understand how important she was in the grand scheme of Christmas things. “She’s not—yet. But I really believe she could be.”
Billy let out the breath he’d been holding. Snowflake shot him a look:I can’t believe you said that in front of him.
Mitzi gave him a secretive smile. “Snowflake is the smartest reindeer I’ve ever known. If Santa was going to recruit any reindeer, it would be her.”
Snowflake stomped toward the barn, scattering the geese and earning angry honks. The steam coming off her now was more figurative and fueled by anger than it was from her workout. The ducks came out of the barn to see what all the fuss was about. They got one look at Snowflake, lowered their heads, and flew to the other side of the yard.
Mitzi looked at him. “Did I say something wrong?”
Forest watched the reindeer go. It was easier than noticing the woman next to him. “She doesn’t know how to take a compliment.”
Mitzi laughed, the sound ringing like bells hanging in the trees. “Right. Because all reindeer can hold full conversations.” She shook her head. “Wait—can they?”
A little more careful than he’d been when talking to Billy, Forest remembered to deflect the question. “You hold full conversations with her?”
She rolled her eyes at herself. “Stop. I know you talk to her too. She’s oddly communicative.” She started toward the house. “I got the panel stabilized last night.”
Forest nodded. “Great.” He wondered if Ely had helped her. If they’d talked until late in the night and shared a kiss. He made a sour face. Gah! He was turning Christmas green with envy over this guy. Did he have any idea how good he had it?
Maybe he did. If so, how could he let Mitzi and Billy exist on oatmeal and noodles? He shook his head. It wasn’t his place to judge their relationship. It just frustrated him that a guy like that had a woman like Mitzi and he wasn’t better for her.
Mitzi pulled open the screen door and pushed open the wood door. “What’s that smell?” She sniffed again.
Forest followed behind her, his nose burning from the transition from the cold to the warm kitchen. “Oh. Uh—I put a roast and carrots in your oven.”
She stopped, one arm out of her coat and one in. “You came in the house?”
He cupped the back of his neck. “Yeah. I’m sorry. It’s just, they had a sale on the roasts today and I haven’t had roast beef in ages and I’m—I—” He cleared his throat. That wasnotemotion. “I guess I miss home.”
Her eyes scanned his face. Man, he hoped his eyes hadn’t gone red. They did that sometimes when he wasnotovercome by his feelings. She took him all in and then nodded slowly. “So you borrowed mine?”
He lifted a shoulder. “This place feels like a home.”
Her hand covered her mouth andhereyes turned red. “That’s really sweet of you to say.”
“Hey,” he said in a low, rumbly voice he didn’t know he had. It came from that same place that wanted to provide for her and Billy. “I should have asked.”
She waved him off and blinked rapidly. “You’re fine. Really. Truly. You’re welcome here. Anytime.” She laughed at herself. The picture of her eyes—luminous with unshed tears, full of joy and peace—stole his breath away. “And thank you. That was a compliment I’ll hang on to.”
He smiled. “Good.” For the first time, he noticed how close he stood to her. Close enough to smell that pine-scented candle and her shampoo again. He wasn’t even sure how he’d gotten so close. But he was sure he shouldn’t be that close to someone else’s girlfriend—even if that someone else didn’t deserve her. “Should we, uh, get to work?”
“Yes,” she said, all breathy. Jumping away from him, she blinked and repeated herself. “Yes.”
“Okay. I’ll go take a look at the progress while you get settled.”
