Page 65 of Second Chance Christmas

She smiled. “I don’t think there’s anything to re-see, Aspen.”

“Trust me. There’s is.” Something about his devilish smile said she was in for a wild ride.

Aspen looked like he had a dirty idea in mind but before she could ask, he took her hands in his and stood. “It’s getting colder. Ready to go back inside?”

What did she just do? “Umm…yeah.” She swallowed, a little nervous now. “Thank you for doing this again. My nerves were a little frayed, you know."

“Understandable, but you’re not alone. Come on, baby, let’s get you inside and warmed up. Change is never easy, I should know.”

“Are you sure you’re the same fun-loving, wild boy I grew up with?” She gave him a side-eye.

He smiled. “Indeed, just a little wiser. When Jace died it took me almost six months to put the suit back on and even then it was a rocky road back. So rocky, in fact, I had to make a tough call. Continue on, swallow the pain or change. I knew I could end up just like him and that would have hurt my parents and my brothers and sister.” Aspen looked out into the distance as if seeing the horror of losing his brother all over again. The past ghosted in the depth of his eyes and she squeezed her hand over his in support.

“I hear you.”

“Change isn’t always the easiest of decisions and it sure the hell doesn’t show itself in flashing lights and cue cards.” He shrugged and looked around. “Or, maybe it does.”

She narrowed her eyes and nailed him with a pointed stare. “Like stolen moments in my bedroom?” Her voice took on a high pitch and Aspen laughed softly.

“Indeed.”

An instant sparkle glittered in his eyes and she hefted a heavy sigh of relief at steering the conversation back to happier ground.

“Just following the rules of the season.”

Aspen put his arms around her and pulled her into a long, hot kiss. He was a tough, sensitive and serious guy who didn’t pull any punches. She appreciated his sincerity and the way he devoured her mouth with so much passion she felt it in her toes.

He leaned back on his heels and pointed to the mistletoe above as a sly all-too-knowing smile chased away the somber mood that had hijacked their conversation.

Ivy let out a puffy breath of surprise. “Dirty tricks. I bet Mrs. Murphy hung that up there,” she said playfully and pushed at Aspen. “Or was that you?”

He sealed his lips with an imaginary key and laughed as if he knew a secret.

Winter in Dixen was only for the hardy. Darkness had already settled in and the fire dwindled. “I hear the kids clapping over something and I promised a tree.”

“You did. I would love to know what trick you have up your sleeve short of stomping off into the woods with an ax, but I think I’ll just leave this one Christmas miracle your own little secret.”

“If it came down to it, I’d go all Paul Bunyan but there’s no real secret. Joe always puts one or two away for me for the orphanage every year up at the farm.”

“Oh duh, how could I have… Gah. I feel so stupid. Of course. The farm.” She smacked a hand to her forehead.

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s been a couple of hard days for you. I have one in the back of the truck for delivery to the orphanage tomorrow morning. I’ll just swing by and get another one before I head out that way.” He smiled.

She blew out a breath and contemplated falling to his feet and kissing his boots but promptly shooed that idea away. Wouldn’t want the man’s ego to explode.

“Are you sure?” She felt guilty simply thinking about taking the tree, but if he had another that would solve at least one of her problems.

“Of course.”

“I’ll pay you back.”

“That I am certain of. Already thinking of the ways. So far I’ve tallied up about four points in my favor.” He looped an arm around her waist and helped her off the gazebo stairs with a swoop. Fresh snow crunched beneath their boots and the only response she had to his calculations wouldn’t save her from what he predicted so she kept her lips sealed and accepted the quiet that settled over them.

What was it about his smile, the way he was always there to help and offer comfort that spoke to her? Whatever it was proved dangerous to her heart and she needed to be careful. Very careful. Where was the yellow caution tape when a girl needed it most?

Just as a new wave of snow descended on her little town, they made the quick walk back to the house and joined the group of guests and a couple of new arrivals.

“Ms. Lucille!” Ivy kicked off her snow-caked boots she had borrowed from the back door and strode across the expanse of the kitchen and living room past a group of kids that couldn’t be the same kids that she knew from this afternoon, the soft padding of her socks silent against the hardwood. Who were these kids? So quiet and attentive.

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