Page 29 of Snow More Secrets

My heart felt like it was about to explode and I took several deep breaths to calm myself because it would suck to have a heart attack and die seconds after the man of your dreams professed his love.

“I’ve been lying to myself about a lot of stuff,” I admitted. “But, I promise, I’m not going to hold back anymore. I love you, too, Jake Ashley. And I’d really love to celebrate our anniversary tomorrow.”

Jake’s smile was filled with so much happiness and love that I knew I’d never make a better decision than the one to be with him.

He winked and grabbed my ass, yanking me forward so our bodies were plastered together. “How about we recreate our wedding night?”

Epilogue

JAKE

“Merry Christmas, my love,” I murmured. We were cuddled up in bed on our sides, and I bent my head to whisper my lips over her bare shoulder.

Hannah wiggled around to face me, a bright smile on her gorgeous face, her light brown eyes bursting with happiness.

Warmth spread through my chest, and for a moment, I wondered if this was all real. Was Hannah really in my arms, or was this a Christmas fantasy I would wake up from at any minute?

No, this was as real as it gets. Hannah was back in my arms to stay.

“Merry Christmas,” she said softly.

“I have a present for you,” I told her with a sly grin.

She snuggled in even closer and sighed. “This—waking up in your arms—is the best present ever.” Her lips formed a smirk, and she added, “Well, it’s a tie with last night.”

A chuckle rumbled in my chest, and I ran a hand down the silky skin of her back until it was cupping an ass cheek. “I was happy to give you a demonstration of anything you might have forgotten from our wedding night.”

“I vote to make that a tradition.” She giggled.

“Seconded. But I still have another present for you.”

Her lips curled up into an adorable smile. “I love presents.”

“Actually, it’s two. One of them is more like giving you back something you lost.”

Hannah tilted her head back to see my face more directly, gazing at me curiously. “I’m intrigued.”

I laughed and reluctantly let her go to turn over and sit up. A shiver wracked my body when the cool air hit my heated skin. We’d lost power late that first night, and while the generator had kicked on, it was only supplemental, which meant minimal electricity. It kept the temperature in the cabin just high enough to keep us from freezing our asses off and heating the water. The fireplace and warm clothes made it a lot more comfortable. However, we’d been spending a great deal of our time naked, with a roaring fire and blankets piled over us.

I sucked in a breath when my feet hit the chilly wooden floor before I popped up and rushed to the fireplace to stoke it into a roaring flame. Soft, thick robes hung in the closet, so I grabbed one and put it on, then tossed the other to my wife.

She smiled gratefully as she stuck her arms in the sleeves and tied the belt. While she got settled, I shuffled over to my duffel bag and unzipped it. After digging through it for a minute, I found the gifts and hurried back to the bed.

“I would have wrapped them,” I told her as I climbed on and sat with my back against the headboard. “But as thorough as my sister is, she didn’t provide the cabins with wrapping paper.”

Hannah laughed and held her hand out, palm up, prompting me to place a small black velvet pouch on it.

She examined it inquisitively for a few seconds, then opened it and let the contents fall into her hand.

Three rings sparkled from the light of the fire, and she gasped once she realized what they were. “Our wedding rings?”

I nodded and took the little bag, setting it aside so her left hand was free. Then I picked up the diamond engagement ring and its matching band. “When I saw these in the envelope with the annulment papers, I almost sent them back as well. But I was worried that you might get rid of them, and I wanted you to wear the first rings I bought you rather than new ones.”

The little chapel in the hotel tried to think of everything a last-minute bride and groom might need. But I’d still been taken aback when they asked if we wanted to look at their selection of rings. I’d agreed, though I was skeptical because it was bound to be a very limited selection. It turned out the hotel had a jewelry store, and even if it was after hours, they opened for a bride and groom.

Hannah had bounced around the store, giggly and excited, since she’d still been buzzed on the alcohol. Then she came to a sudden halt and gasped. “Those are…holy cow. They are gorgeous.”

She had an expression of such awe on her face that I’d told the manager to wrap them up without looking at them or the cost. There was a matching band for the groom, so I’d purchased it, too.

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