Valerie grabbed his hand and pulled it back, holding it against her stomach. “I want this. I want to try myself and see what I can handle.”
He laced their fingers together. “I’ll be right there with you if you want me to.”
She held on all the tighter. “I’d like that very much.” They smiled at each other. Valerie was scared; her stomach was in knots at the idea of being in front of Moose Hollow. But so many of her experiences flooded back. They were good ones, too–times when she’d duetted with either of her parents. She’d even recorded a song with her dad once.
Judging an ice sculpture contest was cake compared to standing on stage in a tight dress and belting out lyrics. In her former life, she could have done this in her sleep.
But she wasn’t the same person anymore. She’d been through too much to believe she could return there. But that didn’t mean that she had to give up her past. She liked the idea of her parents living on in her. Judging this competition was something Dad would have gotten a kick out of. He’d judged everything from truck rallies to baking contests on television just for the fun of it. No one could accuse him of not enjoying life.
Ethan’s thumb brushed her hand, sending a thrill up her arm. He made feeling new things all too easy. His hand was strong and yet gentle as he held her. If this was the life she was meant to step into, then she would jump and not look back.
Lauren clapped her hands. “Eat up! There’s chocolate and strawberries for dessert.”
The conversation turned to lighter topics. Valerie told stories about sitting on Garth’s lap when she was little or holding a guitar for George. In the telling, there was healing as she opened the vault of her best memories.
Ethan drove her home and walked her to the door.
Valerie had been waiting all night for this moment. She wanted that good night kiss more than she wanted a chocolate Santa in her stocking. He’d sent all the right signals–opening her doors, holding her hand, pulling out her chair, and holding her tight on the sled. She’d reciprocated with shy smiles, fluttering lashes, and leaning into him during dinner. They’d laughed. They’d shared memories.
All the promises hung around them like fairy lights in the forest. She turned to face him, not even pretending to reach for her keys. Not that she needed them. The minute she stepped up to the door, it would swing open for her.
Ethan put his hands on her hips and pulled her close. “Is there a security guy watching this right now?” He tipped his head toward the camera.
She giggled. “Probably.” Though she had no idea, the footage was saved on a server somewhere in the house. Someone was notified that they were on the porch, but it wasn’t her. She prayed it wasn’t Uncle. All she needed was for him to see her kissing on his porch. He’d fly back to Moose Hollow faster than Santa’s sleigh to meet this guy, and she wanted to keep Ethan to herself for a while longer.
Ethan’s grin turned naughty. “Then I’d better kiss you right.”
Holy sleigh bells! She lifted her chin, more than ready to experience this kiss and entirely out of witty comebacks. Ethan brushed his thumb over her chin and then along her jaw, memorizing her.
Valerie’s heartbeat pounded in her chest, and her breath came in short bursts. She pushed her hands up his chest and wrapped them around his neck, enjoying the solid feel of him. He was strong and genuine and looking at her like she was amazing.
“Ethan,” she whispered.
He brushed his lips over hers, and her whole soul lifted off the ground. “Yeah?”
She tugged him to her. “This.” She kissed him, but he soon took control, moving slowly and deliberately. Tasting. Exploring. Romancing.
If this kiss was a country music song, it would be full of emotional contact that sends it directly into the listener's heart. That’s right where Ethan’s kiss went–to Valerie’s heart. It seeped into the cracks and blew the door wide open.
Just as on the sledding hill, as they’d flown down and she’d come alive–kissing Ethan woke her up to all that she’d been holding off or numb to for years.
He moved to kiss her jaw and she realized he wasn’t only waking up old parts of her, he was discovering new ones. The experience was as transformative as it was enjoyable.
“I hate to say goodnight,” Ethan said as he tucked her head under his chin and held her close.
She hummed in reply, words seeming difficult after her lips were so thoroughly cherished.
“Can I call you?”
She nodded.
“I mean when I get home. I want to call you as soon as I can.”
She giggled softly and pushed off his chest. “I’ll wait by the phone.”
He kissed her forehead, and she made her way inside, her knees barely holding her up. Instead of going to her bedroom, she headed to the Christmas room, where the lights were low and inviting. If she’d invited Ethan inside, they would have curled up by the tree. As much as she hated letting him go, she understood he had a son to get home to.
She stood by the tree, looking out over Moose Hollow. The town was lit up, snow covered the rooftops, and a single truck slowly wound down the mountain.
