He leaned into her touch even though it hurt like walking on peanut brittle. He needed to think about something else. Mom glued him and his brothers back together from time to time, and he wasn’t at all worried about having another scar. Besides, this one was in his hairline–not even noticeable once it healed. “What did you ask Santa for?”
She pulled out the small first aid kit Otis included for them. Bless that man—Drake owed him so much. “I didn’t ask for anything. Did you?”
“We write letters every year.”
“You realize you’re quite grown up, don’t you?” She dabbed disinfectant on the wound and fire raced through it making him grit his teeth so tight he could have bit through granite.
He dipped his chin a smidgen.
She blew lightly on the cut, her lips forming a sweet, kissable O. As much as he would love to kiss her until they were both warmed through, his energy level dropped every second.
“What did you ask for?” She twisted the top off the super glue and popped open the top of the foil container. Back on her knees, she pinched his skin together.
He gripped her leg for support. “A new leather wallet, a bottle of cologne, and a tweed coat for Sundays.”
She paused and moved to the side to study him. “Like a suit coat?”
“Naw, like a western cut coat.” He motioned, zipping it up. “Fitted. Wool. Gray.”
She chuckled. “A bit of a dandy, huh?” She blew on the glue to dry it faster. Then she added more glue and blew again.
“I like to look good. There’s nothing wrong with that.” He gave her leg an affectionate squeeze. “With you around, I’ll have to be on top of keeping myself presentable.”
She moved to rub his now-bearded jaw. “What if I like the scruffy look?”
He grabbed her around the middle and pulled her into his lap. “I forget you’re a mountain girl.” He buried his chin in the curve of her neck until she giggled and squealed.
She managed to kiss him, which distracted him from tickling her. The kettle blew, and they broke apart, breathing hard. “I can pull off being a mountain man.”
She giggled as she shoved him back so she could pour the water. He held the cups for her. At this point, he’d drink warm water and be grateful for it, but the cocoa was delicious and soon he felt sleepy.
“So what would you ask for from Santa?” For some reason, it was important that she participate in this holiday tradition with him. Santa was not only a yearly figure in their lives, the whole Kringle family were friends.
“Uh. Hmm.” She settled against the hay, her eyes unfocused. “I haven’t asked Santa for anything since I was six.”
“Six?” he asked in disbelief. “A six-year-old should be in the throes of writing letters and watching the fireplace on Christmas Eve.”
She closed her eyes, her body relaxing even more. “I figured Dad lied about everything. Why not that too?”
Ah shoot! He’d never wanted to hit someone in his life—you know, besides his brothers every now and again. But he wanted to pulverize Clove’s father. No. He didn’t deserve the title of father. Drake’s blood boiled.
She yawned. “I believe you, though.” She put her arm across his chest and settled in.
Drake laid his hand over hers and soaked in the love and peace. “You believe me? About Santa?”
She nodded softly.
His anger was gone, replaced by the sense that everything about this moment was right; that he was supposed to be here with her. He’d never quite understood what people meant when they said the stars aligned, but he got it now. This was his place. She was his woman. They were a pair.
He drifted to sleep while the wind howled, and the rafters shook. If the barn didn’t fall on them, it would be a Christmas miracle.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO
“We’re not far!”
Clove grinned up at Drake as they cleared another bluff. “Just in time for Christmas Adam.” Pastor Thomas used that phrase to talk about the day before Christmas Eve–because Adam came before Eve. She’d always found it cute and quirky. They didn’t have long before the sun set and a warm shower and a proper bed called to her.
Below them stretched out the Reindeer Wrangler Ranch in all its glory. The line of houses up the drive—each one a little different, but all of them stunning. The road stopped at the yellow farmhouse where his parents lived. Drake told her all about the ranch, and she felt like she already knew her way around.
