CHAPTERFORTY-ONE
Clove’s name had never been spoken with such tenderness before. She faced Drake, who still held her palm against his chest, where his heart raced with the speed of three-hundred-and-fifty reindeer.
“Don’t marry me to set me free.” His brown eyes pleaded with her. “Please. I don’t think I could take it if you pity-married me. I mean, I'm not going to lie, I love you desperately enough that I considered it for a minute.”
She closed her eyes, letting his words fill her up. “It’s so strange to me thatyoufeel like the one getting the pity proposal when I’m the one who is lucky to get you.”
“You’ve got that backwards, Love.” He brushed his fingers over her cheek, reveling in the feel of her soft skin.
She pressed herself against the bars, just wanting to be wrapped in his arms forever. “Drake, you are a man I can count on. I haven't had one of those before. I thought they were as rare as flying reindeer.”
He traced her cheek again, sending wonderful tingles through her entire body.
“I hope I’m smart enough to see a good thing and grab onto it.” She fisted his shirt. “Drake Nicolls, will you marry me because you love me and I love you? Will you share a life where reindeer fly and the Spirit of Christmas is in every single day? Will you adopt my reindeer and raise him as your own? Will you be my wrangler from this day on and forever?” She held her breath. There was so much in all those words–her hopes, her feelings, her barest parts, and she’d laid them out for him without fear.
His eyes dropped closed as if he was in the most wonderful, peaceful place. When he opened them, she found all his love for her shining forth.
“Clove Hogan. I never wanted to get married. I didn’t want a wife, and I didn’t want a family and I didn’t want to share my space with anyone—until you came along. I spent seven days in a tiny tent with you and it wasn’t enough. The very thought of losing you makes my life bare, lonely, and cold. You have shown me warmth and light, adventure and fun, love and joy.” He kissed her hand. “If I don’t have you, I’ll never love again, because you’re it for me. I won’t only marry you, I’ll cherish you every single day.”
She closed her eyes, and he rested his forehead against hers, their cheeks touching the cold bars.
CHAPTERFORTY-TWO
“Thanks, Ginger. I know you all are real busy today but it would mean a lot to a special little boy.” Drake tucked his phone into the crook of his neck as he talked to Santa. “He was our special helper.”
“No problem. Anything for a friend of our reindeer wranglers.” Her voice was as chipper as ever. “Joseph! Are you ready? We need to be in the sky in three minutes.”
“I’ll let you get to it.” Drake said goodbye and tucked his phone away. “Are you sure you’re ready?” Drake asked Clove as he led Dunder out of his stall. They’d gotten married two hours ago, filled out more paperwork than he ever wanted to see in his life, and driven home.
Home.
His home. Their home. The house where they would live and love and have a half-dozen children.
They would have another wedding so Grandma Hannah could watch them exchange vows, and Clove could wear a white dress. They’d batted around dates, deciding that early summer was a good time for an outdoor ceremony. Clove wanted Felix to attend—if he and Dunder hit it off that is. They were on their way to the indoor barn to make introductions.
“I’m so nervous.” Clove scrubbed her palms down the front of her skinny jeans. Drake hadn’t seen this pair before, and they looked good. His sisters-in-law had each contributed some clothing to get her through until they could drive back to the cabin and gather her things. They planned to take the long way around, making a lot of stops and sleeping in actual beds to avoid Hoffman and enjoy their road-trip honeymoon.
Dunder leaned his shoulder against her side, and Clove practically laid over him. “I trust you,” she whispered. “But be nice to my guy, okay?”
Dunder smirked:I’m always nice.
Drake lifted his eyebrows, silently asking Clove: Can you believe this guy?
She snickered behind her hand.
Drake’s phone beeped. “The family’s waiting in the bleachers. Mom made caramel popcorn balls.”
Clove snorted a laugh. “Of course she did.” She loved that this family didn’t take things—or themselves—too seriously. Except for their responsibility to the reindeer, of course. That they took with all seriousness. She’d watched Anna as her son was in jail and her family in a bit of a holiday fuss, and the woman was unflappable. She quietly fed everyone, entertained grandchildren, and made caramel popcorn balls. In short—she was incredible.
The unsung hero of the ranch in Clove’s opinion.
And she wanted to be just like her; trusting in the Lord with all her heart, might, mind, and strength.
She was on her way. Trust came easier when she trusted herself. Santa gave her a gift. It wasn’t the photo album or the letter; it was a sense of self worth and her place in the universe as a daughter of God that surpassed what her father had taken from her.
As a side effect of that confidence, and probably the love she felt for Drake and the Christmas Spirit, she had found compassion for her father. Wherever he was, she hoped he was better than when he’d left.
“Before we go over to the barn, I need to tell you two how Felix came into my life.” She ran her hand down Dunder’s neck in a slow, smooth motion.
