Page 19 of Can She Get Home for Christmas?

From down the tunnel, they all heard a low moan and turned toward the sound.

“He must be alive under all that stuff,” Sam gasped.

Steve stepped inside and shined a light on the mess of timbers.

“He’s under there?”

Jax made a rough sound. “Caught in his own trap.”

Steve turned back to the group. “Jonah and I can get him out of there and find out what shape he’s in, and Cole can drive you home.”

“Shouldn’t we stay?” Jax asked.

Steve shook his head. “No, you go on. You’re due for a break. Let’s hope he’s coherent enough to talk to the cops and tell them where the victims are buried.” He looked at Sam. “Maybe I should have kept my big mouth shut about that.”

She shuddered. “That’s okay. Jax said he’d been operating around here.” She dragged in a breath and let it out. “He told me his name is James Patton. Only he likes to call himself James Patterson, like the author.”

“Why?”

“He copies some of the author’s suspense-novel ideas.”

Steve whistled through his teeth. “Nice.”

Jax put his hand on her arm. “Let’s get going while the getting’s good.”

After the three men were out of earshot, Sam asked, “Will you come home with me?”

Jax went very still. “You want me to?”

“Yes. I want you to meet my family and stay over for Christmas.” She stopped and swallowed. “That is, if you want to.”

He had longed for that kind of connection with her. He had wanted it more than anything else he could imagine, but he forced himself to say, “Won’t I be intruding?”

“Of course not.” Her cheeks flushed. “They’ll love that I brought a guy with me.”

His heart was bursting with all the things he wanted to say to her. But he still felt uncertain, hoping her invitation wasn’t simply being polite to the guy who had rescued her. He saw her glance toward the backs of his friends.

“I don’t want to tell my parents how we met—not yet, anyway.”

“Probably a good idea. But you don’t have the food you were bringing.”

She put her hand against her mouth. “Oh, that’s right.”

“Maybe we have to say we had a little accident and had to leave some stuff.”

“Yes. Okay.” She hesitated again, then barreled ahead, “But I want them to think we’re in a relationship.” As soon as she said it, she flushed. “Sorry. That’s pretty forward.”

“No. I like it.” At least he could say that much.

She looked like a small war was going on inside her head. “Maybe we should, you know, practice being . . . more than friends.”

He caught her meaning when she leaned in and lifted her face toward his. He accepted the invitation, bringing his mouth down to hers. She tasted wonderful, just as he’d imagined she would.

She moved her lips against his, and he gathered her to him, craving more, a lot more. Reaching between them, he unzipped both their coats, then pulled her body against his. There were still layers of clothing between them, but this was a lot more intimate than with the heavy outerwear in the way.

He wanted her. He’d wanted her almost since he’d met her in his dream- like state. But he wasn’t going to push her into anything, not when so much was riding on this new reality.

Still, he couldn’t stop himself from hugging her tightly. He was so thankful she was safe. Now he wanted to hold her forever, but they couldn’t stay here. She must have come to the same realization. She eased back, but she didn’t break the connection.

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