Page 56 of Christmas in the Shadows

Actually, it was just the amount of closeness Chelsea craved, if she were honest with herself. Close enough she could feel the warmth from his body and smell his piney cologne.

“It’s fine.” Her throat burned as she said the words. “You?”

Something passed through his gaze, and she knew he’d learned something new since they’d last spoken. Her curiosity sparked.

“I’ll tell you later,” he whispered. “Nothing that should affect you now, though.”

She hated having to wait, but she understood.

As she stepped into the kitchen, Gilbert called out a jolly hello to her. He wore a Santa Claus apron as he stood by the stove with a big grin on his face.

He was in a good mood today, wasn’t he?

Anna stood beside him.

Now it made sense. Anna was cooking, and Gilbert was assisting her.

“Hey, any updates on Mikey?” Gilbert asked as he pulled some milk from the fridge. “I wanted to make it down to the hospital earlier, but I was stuck in traffic in Roanoke. So much for my last-minute Christmas shopping.”

“The doctor is hoping he’ll be okay,” Chelsea told him. “I’m praying that’s the case also.”

“Me too.” Anna paused from cooking and turned to face them. “I just hate that this happened. Does anyone know why? Why would someone so young have heart problems?”

Chelsea licked her lips, unsure what to say.

Tex put his hand on her elbow. “I think the medical staff are trying to figure that out.”

Good answer. They didn’t want to share too much.

As Tex’s phone buzzed, he excused himself.

Suddenly, waves of unease washed over Chelsea as she was left alone with Gilbert and Anna.

CHAPTER 20

Tex walked into the living room and checked his phone.

It was another text message.

From the same sender who claimed to know about what he did in Afghanistan.

He glanced at the words on the screen.

Be ready to leave soon.

His pulse beat stronger. How was this happening? Why was someone doing this?

He sent out a couple of other text messages, needing to clarify some things.

Tex was close to finding out the truth. He only hoped the truth didn’t come out too late.

He knew he couldn’t stay in the living room too long or people would get suspicious. Instead, he shoved his phone into his pocket and returned to the kitchen. Besides, he was anxious to set his eyes on Chelsea again.

She glanced up at him, questions in her gaze when he reappeared.

His heart pounded harder at the sight of her. She was so beautiful—lovely in every way.

It was hard to believe she was here in front of him now. All he wanted at times was to step back in time. To never have left her.

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