“Wait until the sun goes down,” Duke said loudly as he crossed the stage. “I added lights!”
The crowd oohed and awwed.
Valerie placed the medal around his neck. “Winning this year means you’re officially next year’s judge and prohibited from entering again. Though you can try the year after that.” She smiled as he accepted his medal, gift card to the local steak house, and framed certificate from the mayor.
Jennifer worked for the station, and she joked with the newscaster like they were old friends. They paused to pose for a photo and a video shot for the local news. It was all part of the local charm for Valerie. Moose Hollow was the kind of place you built a family.
Mayor Owens took the mic back. “Thank you to all who entered. We’ll leave the sculptures up through Christmas–which is just a day away. For all you last-minute shoppers out there, Christmas Eve is almost over! Never fear; our stores on Main Street still have a nice selection of gifts available. Merry Christmas!”
Merry Christmas! the town cheered back.
Valerie ran off the stage and right into Ethan’s waiting arms. She hugged him around the neck and bounced on her toes.
“I’m so proud of you.” Ethan pulled back just far enough so he could see her face. “After hearing you sing, I have to–” His lips found hers, and she sagged into him with relief fromfinallygetting her kiss.
It was so good, too. He was commanding yet gentle, slow, and deliberate, and his fingers stroked her neck.
There was no coming back from a kiss like that. She’d fallen. Fallen to the L-word and beyond.
It was time to invite Ethan home to the ranch.
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
Ethan slowly came out of the nap, his neck complaining about the weird angle he’d taken on the couch so that he could hold Valerie.
She’d done something incredible on that stage this afternoon–casting a spell over the entire town with her voice. It was as if she’d opened heaven itself, and he’d walked right in. He never wanted to let her go. She was his match, his person, the love of his life, and if he did anything worth doing in this world, it would be to help her see herself as he saw her.
Singing at the ice sculpture contest wasn’t about getting into the public’s eye or creating an image for herself. She’d done it as a tribute to her parents, as a form of healing. The way her voice moved over the melody was a prayer–for Valerie, it was the most honest prayer she could offer God. It was beautiful, raw, and real and had touched the most sacred parts of Ethan’s soul. How could he not want to be a part of her life, her journey?
She woke up at the same time as him, stretching her arm over their heads and smiling shyly up at him from where she rested her chin on his chest. He couldn’t believe they’d both fit on the couch, but yet, here they were, all snuggled together. Her curves fit against him like they were made just for that purpose.
Valerie shivered. “Cocoa?” she asked softly.
He nodded and helped her climb out from between him and the couch.
The beagles slept in their beds. They didn’t seem to care about much–except when they heard the fridge open. Then they were peppy. “Have they already eaten those bones?” he asked. He had no idea how long it took dogs to chew through things like that, but he and Collin had picked the largest of the bunch.
“Bones?” Valerie asked as she retrieved mugs from the cupboard. Next, she had the milk and a saucepan out.
If he didn’t already love the woman, he would trip over himself for her after seeing her make cocoa. She had the process down to a science that made his mouth water in anticipation of the final product.
He’d gotten distracted and decided to let the comment drop. They’d both just woken up, and before that, the day was long and tiresome, with Pearl hanging over Valerie and him stressing that she’d chase Valerie right out of Moose Hollow and his life.
“What are your plans for tomorrow?” he asked, accepting the steaming mug of cocoa she offered him a few minutes later.
She lifted a shoulder. “I’ll call some of my family.” She took a sip and then blew across the top of the cup. Her eyes dropped to the counter. “I might go out to the ranch–though it would seem bare because no one’s been there to decorate. We have a staff that keeps the place up….” She trailed off.
“The ranch? You mean where you grew up?” This was big for her–the woman who RVed across America for a year and housesat over the holidays. She’d come so far already. Going home was a move toward a new level of healing her broken heart.
“I didn’t think I wanted to be there this Christmas. But, after today, I think I could do it.” She lifted her gaze. “Do you want to go with me? It would mean missing Jacob, Lauren, and your parents on Christmas, so I understand if you don’t want to go.”
He considered her for a moment. He wanted to go. Wanted it more than he’d wanted anything in a long time. A holiday spent cuddled up with her on the couch, watching the sun go down with Valerie in his arms and Collin at his side, sounded like the best day in his life. There was only one problem. One blond-haired, determined, and slightly crazy problem. “Unfortunately, I have to check with Pearl.”
“Pearl?” Valerie asked as she poured the steaming liquid into mugs decorated with horseshoe handles. “Who’s Pearl?”
He stared at Valerie. “What do you mean, who’s Pearl?”
She set the pan down. “I mean, who is Pearl? You’ve never mentioned her before.”
