Page 30 of The Santa of the Mountain

I hum. “Maybe you’re right, but I’m leaving Whispering Winds in less than a week.”

“Considered postponing?”

“More than once,” I say, putting it mildly. I’ve thought about it more than I’d like to admit because it feels so crazy being this attached to someone I’ve only just met.

“Some risks are worth taking. I was supposed to spend last Christmas with a man a matchmaker set me up with. When that fell through I ended up going anyway. Found that big guy in my cabin. The rest is history.”

She stares lovingly at Nick, and I imagine it’s the same look on my face when I look at Cole. I light up when I see him. Fluttering emotions swirl through me. I’ve never felt anything like it before.

“Sounds kinda familiar, but my date wasn’t planned. It turned out horribly, long before he got ill from his homemade eggnog and?—“

“Wait. That happened…Evan?”

I stare at her mouth agape. “You know him?”

She laughs. “Juliet set us up. I’m surprised he’s still drinking eggnog after the texts he sent me last year.”

“I’m done with it after watching—” I swallow the bile in my throat. “Hearing him.”

“Evan, Evan, Evan,” she says, staring at Nick. “I think we should go in on a gift for him. Without him, I’d never have met Nick.”

And I’d never have met. “Cole,” I mutter as he returns, and I stare. You’d think I’d get used to his height, straining my neck to look at him, but I don’t think I ever will. I’m in awe of his size. In awe of everything about this man.

“Ready to find a tree?”

Eva leans in. “Make sure you ask for the chainsaw first.”

“What?”

“Just a warning,” she says, not elaborating more as she moves towards Nick. “I hope I get to see more of you, Kate.”

Cole leans in, his warm breath covering my neck as he rasps, “So do I.”

Goosebumps. Tingles. Full-body chills. But even though it’s frigid out here in the forest, I could be naked and I’d still be overheated. And judging by the way Cole’s looking at me, he’s about ready to get a head start disrobing me.

“Come here,” he rasps. “I’ll show you how to handle my axe.”

Gulp.

8

COLE

Can’t rememberthe last time I heard Christmas music in this cabin, aside from my brothers’ pitchy acapella rendition. And coming from my dad’s old record player and collection? Those records haven’t been played since the Christmas before he passed.

These boxes haven’t been touched in nearly as long. Never had the heart to take them out once I stored them in the spare bedroom. The magic of Christmas faded that year, and it hasn’t been until now that I see a glimmer. Thanks to Kate.

“Did you find the decorations?” Kate calls from the living room.

Christmasfication, as she calls it, is in full effect. And without a minute to spare. It’s Christmas Eve after all, but just like Kate entering into my life—better late than never.

“Found them,” I say, dusting off the cobwebs from a spider who’s been living in this box undisturbed for generations. “Also found some clothes that might fit you better.” I’d forgotten about the stuff my sister left here for when she’d stay over. Considered not telling her because I like seeing Kate wearing my clothes.And the longer she wears them, the longer her scent will stay on them. Never going to wash them again.

My stomach sours. I don’t want her to leave but I know it’s inevitable. Her sister’s getting married in a few days and then after that, she’ll be gone. But if Christmas miracles exist, I hope I’ll find her under my Christmas tree this year. Next year too. And the one after that. There won’t be another Christmas that I won’t spend without her if I have my way.

“You mean I can wear something other than this quilt?”

I look up from the box, intending to smile but I can’t. My jaw drops as I see Kate, standing in the doorway looking like a dream.

---