Even as they made their way through the crowd, she couldn’t help but wonder what tomorrow would hold. She would relive those kisses a hundred times before she fell asleep tonight. The question was, would she have to relive them as a memory tomorrow too? She liked Jacob. This place they’d found today was fun and new to them. But was it a place she could stay forever?
CHAPTER16
Jacob handed the sealed envelope to Mayor Owens.
“You’re sure about the votes. You counted every one?” The Mayor asked. He wore a green ski sweater with a reindeer pattern across the chest and a pair of dark jeans with a crease down the front. His puffy coat was open. He had at least twenty years on Jacob and a head full of gray hair he claimed only turned when he ran for office.
Since his campaign posters sported a shock of red hair, Jacob was inclined to believe him. Having to run the annual gingerbread contest would drive anyone to an early grave.
“I checked it no less than sixteen times.” The same person won every Christmas. He didn’t even have to look at the ballots anymore, though he always cleaned them up, so no one knew he slighted his duty.
“Good man.” The Mayor went right to his office, where he would tuck the envelope into the safe and keep it from curious eyes until he announced the winner that night.
WhistlingSanta Claus is Coming to Town, Jacob grabbed his coat and walked out just as Lauren was walking in. She grinned. “Merry Christmas, stranger.”
He'd had enough of holding back. Besides, last night he learned what it felt like to hold her in his arms. A man couldn’t taste heaven and then be asked to not partake. He scooped her into his embrace. “I missed you.” He buried his face in her hair and drew in her rose and peppermint scent.
She chuckled. “Good to see you, too. Wow, do you welcome all the voters like this?”
He reluctantly let her go and stuffed his hands into his pockets to keep from reaching for her again. “Just the pretty ones.”
She ducked her head and tucked her black hair behind her ear. With everyone else in town resetting each day, it was refreshing that Lauren seemed to pick up close to where they left off. Even though she’d rocked his world with that kiss last night, she seemed shy. It would be outstanding if she could remember, but he’d take her maintaining the level of familiarity over forgetting it all.
“Bad news is that the voting is closed.” He offered his elbow. “The good news is that there’s a layer of fresh snow over on the sledding hill. Are you up for it?” A freak storm had gone through town last night, and the winter weather warning that started in California had made its way to Wyoming. Seemed the world was freezing over.
She slid her hand into the crook of his arm. “The real question you should ask is if you can keep up with me. I am the uncontested toboggan champion.”
Jacob checked his grin. “There’s a new speed racer in town, and his name is Jacob Morris.” He walked her to his truck and dropped the tailgate, revealing a stunning sled painted red.
“Where did this come from?” Lauren ran her hand over the smooth seat. “It’s fit for Santa himself.”
Jacob watched her as he answered. “I built it.”
“What? No way!” She looked from the wooden sleigh to him and back again. “It’s just perfect.”
He moved to reach past her and grab the rope, bringing his chest flush with her back. “It’s a two-seater,” he said low and husky. “Don’t you think we should finally team up?”
She turned, bringing her lips impossibly close. “Yes,” she rasped.
It was all Jacob could do not to kiss her right then. He tried to take in air, but it was impossible. He might combust if he didn’t get a taste of her soon. How had he survived this long without her?
He stepped back, needing the physical distance to orient himself to the wacky world where he and Lauren were a possibility.
As if eternal Christmas wasn’t the strangest part of his life.
She moved to the front of the truck. “Let’s do this, Morris.”
He loved it when she called him by his last name. “Yep.” He shut the tailgate and then jumped into the cab of his truck.
“So, you work for a paper company?” He asked in an effort to keep his mind off her pink lips. They’d always been bubblegum pink, even without lipstick or anything.
“No Dunder Mifflin jokes, Morris.” She shook her finger at him.
He laughed. “Enlighten me on what you do that’s different from Jim.”
She turned in her seat. “We don’t just sell paper; we sell organization.”
“Spoken like a true copywriter.” He winked.
