Page 21 of The Christmas Romance Wish

If only Alex could be a part of the place called home.

Emmie

CHAPTER 6

The next morning, I follow the path to the main house and spot over a dozen footprints in the snow leading toward the woods.

I meant to see the guys off on their Wild Warriors Winter hike. But it was so cozy in the cabin, I overslept. In fact, it was the best sleep I’ve had in recent memory. I could probably manage a major hike today if I had the proper boots and met the fitness requirements.

Then again, at the thought of being that cold, I shiver. I spot the flannel shirt Alex had on yesterday at the other end of the sofa. It’s closer to me than the throw blanket, draped over a nearby chair, so I wrap it around my shoulders.

Enveloped in his woodsy scent, I’m confident I made the right decision not to join the guys. This leaves me with plenty of time to get some work done by the fire.

I try to review the intro to the book, but it carries my thoughts off the page.

When Alex told me about his days in SEAL teams, I conjured an action movie hero in my mind like Captain America. However, in real life, Alex is better, grittier, and would totally do his own stunts.

One of the bah humbugs blinks open an eye. I growl, warning it to go back to sleep.

Even after hearing Alex’s voice all these months, I couldn’t have connected it with his face, his smile, the dimple!

Another one of the bah humbugs rustles. My eyebrow lifts sharply in warning.

In the house last night, I checked out some photographs on the bookshelf from when Alex was younger. He was hot then and he’s handsome now.

The bah humbugs flap their wings as if preparing for takeoff.

The only difference is the tiniest bit of gray grows around his temples. I could probably count the pieces in his thick brown hair.

...And I’m already counting down the hours until we have to part ways.

I try and fail to focus on Alex’s story. My thoughts repeatedly circle back to him. I hear his voice in my mind relaying his experiences. My skin hums with excitement I shouldn’t have felt when our hands brushed. The scent of his flannel isn’t helping at all.

I shift gears and open a new document. No sooner do I complete a chapter in the fictional romance I spontaneously start writing about unrequited love—when I should be penning the historical account of my ancestors that my grandfather asked me to write or reviewing Alex’s biography—do I hear the rise and fall of voices.

The guys are back. They’re boisterous like my brothers, and I catch comments about the hike, spotting animal tracks, scat, and evidence of deer and moose.

Pax’s voice, louder than the others, adds, “Don’t forget Bigfoot.”

“I’d argue it was a Yeti. That’s a sign of a storm coming soon. Mark my words.” I recognize Jesse’s voice.

From behind me, Alex says, “Don’t listen to their tall tales.” His voice I’d know anywhere, even in my dreams.

The bah humbugs that had been peacefully snoozing by thecozy fire now flutter around, bouncing off the walls of my stomach.

I half expected Ginny to show up sometime today with cookies and cocoa, but I’ve had the house all to myself. I discretely shrug out of Alex’s flannel shirt.

Was I tempted to poke around and take a peek in his drawers and closets like the sneaky little sister I am? Yes, but I’m not Alex’s sister as evidenced by the dream I had last night which I only remember now when he enters the doorway, kitted out in winter camo.

Be still my cold, cold heart.

In the dream, I was a queen in an ice castle, surrounded by a band of brave men assigned to defend my honor. One specific wild warrior fended away a foe that looked remarkably like Tad—pale from too much screen time. He emerged from the hoard, sword raised triumphantly, and then claimed me as his maiden. He dipped me back in a passionate kiss and proclaimed his undying love for me as an eagle cawed triumphantly in the background.

Then a car sped by with squid tentacles instead of tires, but that’s dreams for ya.

Perhaps I should try my hand at writing an epic fantasy romance.

However, this little escape has proved a good distraction from the holidays.

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