She giggled, the feeling blooming inside of her until she was laughing. Not at him or at the situation or at anything, just releasing the joy that’d built up. Forest laughed with her, moving to the side so he could hold her hand again.
She pressed her free hand against her chest. “I feel like I’m breathing for the first time in years.” It was true. There’d been this weight on her, and it was gone.
“Really? Because I think you stole my breath away.” He kissed the back of her glove, and she swore she could feel the heat from his mouth all the way to her skin.
They didn’t make it back under the mistletoe, but that was all right. Mitzi would float on that kiss all the way home. She could have floated to the North Pole on it, she was so happy.
They skated for another half hour and spent some time chatting with Carla before it became apparent that Billy was worn out. Forest picked him up and carried him to the truck with one arm. Be still her heart! They drove home with Billy sitting between them and laying his head on her lap.
She smiled across the cab at Forest. “Thank you for taking us out.”
Forest grinned back. “I had a great time.”
“Me too.” She rested her head against the seat and let out a contented sigh. The cab was warm, and her eyes were growing heavy. The days of staying up late and painting the town were long gone. But maybe that was okay. This quiet ride, with the two men she wanted close, was pretty perfect. Who needed fancy dresses, dinners, and diamonds? She’d take an open-aired skating rink and mistletoe on a fishing pole any night.
Forest’s headlights bounced along the rutted dirt road, swinging across the barn as they entered the yard. “What’s that?” Mitzi sat up taller, her hand covering Billy in a protective manner. The barn door hung open. “I know we locked that before we left.” Forest had insisted they have better security for Snowflake when they weren’t around, and he’d invested in the lock.
“Sure did.” Forest’s tone was dangerous. His neck strained as he worked to keep his emotions under control. She appreciated the effort. And she was glad he was here. Not that she needed a man to protect her—case in point: Forest’s cracked arm.
Her pulse spiked nonetheless as she thought about the helpless, sweet reindeer inside. “Sit up, hon.” She pushed Billy up and made sure he was awake enough to hold himself there before she fumbled with her seat belt. Not wanting to alarm him, she kissed his head before getting out. His eyes stayed shut and he leaned his head back, his mouth falling open.
Forest pulled to a stop with his headlights pointed right at the barn. He got out and moved to the front of the truck. Mitzi did the same. She pointed to the cut lock. Forest nodded and pointed to the door and then to himself. He pulled out his phone and turned on the flashlight. She was already halfway in the barn when he grunted something about letting him go first.
“Snowflake?” she whispered, swiping the light through each of the stalls. “Snowflake?”
Forest took the other side, where they had a stack of grain bags—thanks to him.
The geese huddled in the third stall. As soon as her light hit them, they honked and flapped. Feathers flew. She dropped the light out of their eyes. “Sorry! It’s just me.” They calmed some at the sound of her voice.
She hurried to Snowflake’s stall, and her blood ran cold. It was empty.
“Forest!” she called, her voice laced with panic. She couldn’t help it. What if something had happened to Snowflake?
“Over here,” Forest called. He was on the far side of the barn. She ran to him, preparing for the worst.
Instead, she found Snowflake standing next to him, rubbing her face against his side.I’m so glad to see you, she said.
Mitzi’s eyes blurred. “You’re okay.”
She hugged Snowflake, who leaned her head down on Mitzi’s shoulder.I’m okay.
“What happened?” she asked the reindeer.
Snowflake shook her head slightly.I was afraid.
“I’m so sorry. I’ll get a new lock. You’re safe here.” She stroked the soft fur.
Forest studied the two of them.
Mitzi grew defensive. “She is safe here.”
“What?” he asked, all innocence.
She stood up and gave Snowflake one more rub, purposefully ignoring the wrangler. “I’ll bring you a salad, okay?” That’s what she’d taken to calling the plate of fresh veggies and fruit she gave Snowflake every night. The reindeer loved them, and her coat was shinier.
Snowflake dipped her head in thanks.
“Do you want to sleep in the garage?” she offered.
