1420135090 (R) (23 page)

The sleigh was large and solid, with brass fittings, like something from the olden days. It had two leather-upholstered bench seats, one in back for passengers and a narrower one in front for the driver. Shane climbed to the ground to help Kylie and her children onto the backseat, to which he’d added some warm blankets and quilts. The morning was sunny but cold, with a light breeze sharpening the chill. Kylie tucked the quilts over and around them while Shane climbed back onto the driver’s bench.

“Ready?” he called out.

Amy and Hunter cheered.

“Then away we go!” Shane slapped the reins on the rumps of the big draft horses. They were off in a jingle of harness bells, the sleigh runners gliding over the snow.

It was magical.

“We’re flying!” Amy cried as Shane swung the sleigh out of the gate, onto the snowpacked road and urged the team to a brisk trot. There was no traffic on the road this morning, no sound except the muffled plod of massive hooves, the jingle of bells, and the happy laughter of children. The sleigh runners cut the snow so smoothly and silently that it really was like flying.

After the first half hour, they’d begun to feel the cold. Shane used a side road to turn the sleigh around and head back the way they’d come. Kylie was expecting him to take them home to Muriel’s. But when they passed the turnoff to the farm, she realized they were on their way to Shane’s ranch.

A few minutes later, they’d turned onto the road that ended in Shane’s property. In the distance now, they could see his house—and something else.

“Mom, look!” Amy was trying to stand up in the sleigh, but Kylie’s arms anchored her to the seat. “Look! Giant Christmas trees!”

“Oh, wow! Cool!” Hunter exclaimed. “Unbelievable!”

Even at a distance, Kylie could see the stately twenty-foot pines that flanked the front porch of Shane’s house. From base to top, they glittered with lights, tinsel, and ornaments. “I couldn’t bring these trees to your house,” he said. “So I had to bring you here.”

A lump rose in Kylie’s throat. Shane had done this for her children. It must have taken him most of the night, working in the bitter cold, to decorate both trees. No wonder he looked exhausted today.

It was an act of pure, unselfish love from a man she’d driven away with a single thoughtless gesture. Did it mean he’d forgiven her? But no, this wasn’t for her. Today he’d barely looked at her, barely spoken to her. This was all for Hunter and Amy.

Which made it all the more amazing.

Wasn’t there anything she could say that would cut through his icy pride and make things better? Wasn’t there anything she could do to show how much she wanted another chance with him?

Shane halted the team at the foot of the front walk. Amy and Hunter jumped out of the sleigh and ran to the trees. “They’re so beautiful!” Amy was dancing from one tree to the other, beside herself with joy. “They’re the most wonderful Christmas trees I’ve ever seen, and they’re alive! I can even smell them!”

“They’re pretty cool, all right.” Hunter stood back with his hands in his pockets, trying to appear grown-up and detached, but his eyes were wide with boyish wonder. “How’d you get all those decorations up so high, Shane?”

“With a ladder and a long pole.”

“I would’ve helped you if you’d asked me,” Hunter said.

“Then it wouldn’t have been a surprise.”

“It would still have been a surprise for Amy.”

“I wish I’d thought of that. Feel free to come and help me take them down next week.” Shane climbed out of the sleigh. His gloved hand reached up to balance Kylie as she stepped to the ground.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “I can’t believe you’d do this for my children.”

“And why wouldn’t you believe it, Kylie? Do you think you’re the only one who cares about giving them a good Christmas?” He turned away without waiting for an answer.

Kylie followed him to the broad, covered porch and mounted the steps behind him. She could tell his pride was still smarting. His manner toward her was as cool as a stranger’s. Would it make any difference if she apologized and showed him she was no longer wearing her ring? Or was it too late?

What a careless, insensitive fool she’d been! Shane was everything she wanted in a man, and everything her children needed in a father. If she hadn’t realized it before, she knew it now.

What if she’d already lost him?

Amy and Hunter had been taking in the trees, chattering and exclaiming as they dashed back and forth to admire a newly noticed light or ornament. When Shane spoke from the porch, they stopped and stood looking up at him as if he’d hung the moon and stars.

“This skinny Santa’s got a present for you,” he said. “I couldn’t leave it out here under the trees. But I’ll give it to you in the house. Come on inside.”

Stripping off his gloves, he opened the front door and walked into the house. Wide-eyed, Amy and Hunter raced after him. As they pulled off their coats and gloves, Kylie, coming in after them, could almost read their minds. Shane had given them a sleigh ride and not one but two spectacular Christmas trees. Could anything top that?

In all the years Kylie had known Shane, she’d never been inside his house. The spacious parlor was made homey by well-worn leather furniture and the glowing embers of a blaze in the big stone fireplace. A thick wool rug covered the hardwood floor. The decor, what little there was of it, was tasteful but masculine, without a trace of fussiness. A framed photo of Shane’s parents on their wedding day sat on the mantel. Next to it sat another photo, showing a younger Shane on his beloved motorcycle, a beautiful blue heeler dog on the seat behind him.

Amy glanced around the room. “Where’s our present?” she asked.

“Amy, where are your manners?” Kylie scolded her gently.

“Sorry.” Amy took a seat on the couch.

“Just hang on. It’s coming.” Shane vanished into the kitchen. An instant later, they heard the quiet opening and closing of the back door. Hunter sat on the couch next to Amy, both of them squirming with excitement. Kylie, still in her coat and gloves, perched on the arm of a chair near the front door. Today was about the children, not about her and Shane.

Seconds, then minutes crawled past before Shane walked back into the room—empty-handed. Hunter and Amy stared at him. Where was their present?

“Sorry.” Shane shook his head. “I wanted to tie a big red bow around your present. I tried. But . . . the little critter wouldn’t let me.”

Something wiggled and whimpered beneath Shane’s loose-fitting red Santa suit. Kneeling, he opened the front of the jacket. A little brown-and blue-spotted bundle of fur tumbled onto the rug.

“It’s Mickey!” Hunter jumped off the couch and dropped to the floor by the puppy. Shrieking with delight, Amy fell to her knees beside them. The next few minutes passed in a frenzy of giggles and puppy licks and hugs and petting.

Shane had stepped back to watch. Kylie slipped off her gloves and laid them on the chair. This moment was her one chance—maybe the only chance she’d ever have.

Without a word, she rose from the chair arm and moved to stand beside him. Her pulse raced. What would she do if he ignored her? Holding her breath, she slipped her ringless left hand into his. She could only hope he’d feel the difference and understand.

At her first touch, his hand tensed. Was he resisting her or only startled? Daring to go further, she interlaced her fingers between his. “Thank you,” she whispered, “from the bottom of my heart.”

His breath caught. Then, as if suddenly aware of her empty finger, his welcoming palm enfolded hers. He glanced down at her and smiled. Kylie began to breathe again.

“I hope the pup’s all right with you,” he said. “I cleared it with Muriel over the phone early this morning, but I didn’t want to tell you and spoil the surprise.”

“It’s fine,” she said. “Not just fine—it’s wonderful. I’ve never seen Hunter and Amy so happy. But I thought you were keeping Mickey to be your motorcycle dog.”

“About that.” His hand tightened around hers. “Mickey and I had a little talk. I got the impression he wouldn’t be happy roaming around the country with an overage biker bum. He wanted to be a kids’ dog—a family dog. Anyway, who knows?” He pulled her closer against his side. “If things work out and I decide to finally grow up, I may not be needing that old bike as much as I’d planned.”

They rode back to Muriel’s in the sleigh, with Mickey snuggled under the blankets and a box of puppy chow and training pads tucked under Amy’s feet. Kylie’s gaze traced the contours of Shane’s back and shoulders as he drove the team. Even in that baggy Santa suit, he was gorgeous. Just looking at him made her feel as giddy as the teenage girl who’d first fallen in love with the town bad boy. But now, knowing the man he’d become, her love was deeper, stronger, the lasting kind.

Muriel and Henry were waiting on the porch when the sleigh pulled up to the house. Amy nudged her mother. “Look, Mom! They’re holding hands!”

Indeed they were. Their faces wore broad smiles as Shane helped Kylie, her children, and their new puppy down from the sleigh.

“We have some news for you,” Muriel said as she ushered them into the warm house.

“Did our presents get here?” Hunter asked.

Muriel’s blue eyes twinkled. Her cheeks were flushed pink. “Not yet. This is different news. Henry and I are getting married!”

“Wonderful!” Kylie hugged her great-aunt. “I’m so happy for you both!”

“Congratulations.” Shane shook Henry’s hand. “What brought this about?”

Henry grinned. “All these years, I’ve never had the courage to propose to her. It was this little mite who got me thinking about it.” He nudged Amy’s shoulder. “She flat out told me we should get married, and I asked myself, ‘Why not? What’s an old duffer like me got to lose?’ ”

Muriel laughed. “I thought he’d never ask me! I said yes so fast it almost bowled him over.”

Kylie and Shane took a moment to admire the beautiful wrought-iron coatrack Henry had made Muriel for the entry of the house. Then Kylie helped finish the last-minute dinner preparations and they all sat down to eat. In the joining of hands for grace, they celebrated the shared blessings of the holiday. Everyone at the table had reason to be thankful. At Muriel’s urging they went around the table and took turns expressing their thoughts.

“I’m thankful for the spirit of love and friendship in this house,” Muriel said, passing the platter of sliced ham to Henry on her right.

Henry speared two slices of ham and put one on Muriel’s plate. “I’m thankful for this beautiful woman sitting next to me. And I’m thankful that I won’t have to spend the rest of my life sleeping in that ratty old trailer.” Realizing what he’d just implied, the old man blushed beet red.

Hunter had already managed to load his plate. “I’m thankful for this food,” he said. “And I’m thankful for Shane and all the hard work he did to make this a great Christmas.”

Kylie was proud of her son. He hadn’t even mentioned the missing presents, which, according to her tracking app, wouldn’t be arriving till tomorrow.

Shane cleared his throat, hesitating. “I’m thankful for the first Christmas I’ve really celebrated in twenty years. Thanks to all of you for finally giving me a reason.”

Now it was Kylie’s turn. She gulped back the lump in her throat. “I’m thankful for all of you,” she said. “Muriel—to you for opening your home to us. Henry, for all your help. Hunter and Amy, to you for soldiering through so many changes. And to Shane—” She glanced at him, knowing that what she really wanted to say was for his ears alone. Her tears welled, her throat choked off. “Oh, drat!” she muttered, dabbing at her eyes with her napkin.

Amy reached over and squeezed her mother’s hand. “I thought this was going to be the worst Christmas ever. But it’s turned out to be one of the very, very best.” She glanced toward the living room. “If Mickey could talk, what do you think he’d be thankful for?”

But Mickey, worn out from so much love and play, had found a warm spot near the fireplace. He was curled up, fast asleep, under the old foil Christmas tree.

An hour later, after the meal was finished and the cleanup done, Shane rose from where he’d been sitting to watch Hunter and Amy play with their new pup. “I need to get the horses and sleigh back to Abner’s place,” he said. “I’ll be picking up my truck over there. Want to come along, Kylie?”

“Sure.” Kylie hurried to get her coat and gloves. She needed some time alone with Shane, and since he hadn’t invited anybody else, it was likely he felt the same way.

Outside, he helped her onto the driver’s bench, climbed up next to her, and laid a quilt over her lap. Taking the team at an easy pace, he drove the sleigh out of the yard and down the lane toward the main road. The light breeze numbed their faces. The late-day sun sparkled on the snow.

“I hope my children remembered to thank you,” Kylie said, making conversation.

“Of course they did. They’re good kids and you’ve taught them well.” The slanting sunlight etched weary shadows beneath his eyes. He was a tired Santa in a suit too loose for his lean body. Kylie found herself wanting to cradle him in her arms and rub her face against his whiskery chin.

“What you did for them today was . . . unforgettable,” she said. “They’ll remember this Christmas for the rest of their lives. They’ll tell their children about it.”

“We’ll be getting old by then, Kylie.” He stopped the sleigh under the overhanging branches of a willow. “But I hope we’ll be together.”

He turned on the bench. His arms went around her. His kiss was long and hard and deep. “I’ve been wanting to do that all day,” he muttered as they eased apart.

“Then what do you say we do it again?” She kissed him full out, devouring him with her lips, just as she’d dreamed of doing in her teenage fantasies.

A raven, perched on an overhead branch, croaked and flapped into the air, showering them with snow. Laughing, they fell back against the bench.

Shane righted himself and grinned at her. “There are better places for this when we’ve got time,” he said. “For now, let’s go put these horses away.”

Kylie snuggled against his shoulder as he drove the sleigh. There was time, she thought. Time to talk, time to plan, time to dream. But she meant to make the most of every minute with her long, tall Santa.