Page 83 of A Merry Mountain Christmas

Putting the star in my knuckles like I learned in the self-defense class I took before moving out of my parents’ house, I pull the curtains aside, and gasp, mouth agape.

The person on the other side seems shocked too, and I watch with terror as he rocks back.

I drop the star.Oh no, no, no, no, no, no.

I unlock the window, my hands shaky, and tug Rowan in by his collar before he can fall to his death.

Okay, probably not his death. We’re only on the second floor. But I don’t want him to be maimed either.

“You came,” I say on an exhale as he tumbles in, landing half on top of me. My whole body lights up in greeting. Jester starts prancing around us, making those little yips, his tail nub moving excitedly.

“Were you going to attack me with that star?” Rowan asks.

There’s a feeling of instant contentment, because his warmth and smell have engulfed me. Even though Jester’s made me so much less lonely, it’s still felt like something’s been missing these last several nights.

He gets up, peers out the window, then shuts it and draws the curtains. I watch as he eyes the tree, and my heart expands when he returns it to its spot and even places the star back on top.

“You shouldn’t have risked climbing up here,” I say, even though I’m glad he did. I’m still sitting on the floor, watching him. Soaking in the strong line of his back, his messy dark hair, the bulk and height of him.

His mouth hitches up as he comes to me. “I strung lights on the mayor’s house this weekend. I got up much higher than this.” He lowers down next to me, and Jester clambers over and plops into his lap, as if I’m not the only one who’s been hoping Rowan would visit.

“There are guards at the doors,” I blurt.

“I heard,” he says. “I’ve never let something like that stop me.”

I can’t help but smile, because my mind’s conjuring an image of a teenage Rowan, sneaking out and getting into trouble. Drinking in a barn and making out on hay bales.

Actually, that last thought makes me scowl.

“I’m sorry,” he says, misinterpreting my expression. He takes my hand and stares into my face, his gaze heated. “I’m so fucking sorry, Kennedy. I was a coward to leave you like that, after what we shared. I was…” He swallows, his eyes still on mine. “I was scared.”

It’s a bit stunning to hear a man like this, who climbs the sides of houses, say he was scared, and I know him enough to understand what the admission cost him.

He looks down, pats Jester with his free hand, and my heart swells in my chest at the easy affection he’s giving him. For a man so gruff and big, he’s gentle too.

When he glances back up at me, he forces a smile. “That’s right. Youscareme, Kennedy Littlefield. It’s like…my entire life I’ve tried not to feel things, and it’s never given me much trouble, but these last few weeks, it’s all come up to choke me.”

“It’s not just me,” I say. “It’s your father. That situation would be enough to scare anyone, Rowan. I—”

“Maybe so,” he says, running his calloused thumb over the back of my hand, sending a shower of sparks through me. “But if you hadn’t helped me through it, I would have closed back down harder than ever. Thank you for that.” He pulls a face. “And what did I do to repay you? I tried to get your show shut down.”

“That was before,” I say, refusing to relinquish his hand when he tries to pull it back. “And I understand why you felt you needed to do it. Did you read the pamphlet?”

“I did,” he says, smiling. There’s a slight sadness to it, though, and I’m not sure why. “You’re remarkable.”

“That’s not why I sent it to you,” I say, feeling my cheeks flush. “I just wanted you to see—”

“I know what you wanted me to see, Princess,” he says, releasing my hand and lifting his fingers to caress my blushing cheek. “And I see it. I seeyou.” He swallows, and without really meaning to, I reach up to touch his Adam’s apple. Before meeting him, I hadn’t realized a man could have a sexy throat. He smiles and captures my hand. Kisses it and sets it down on Jester’s head. “But we’re still in the same situation, aren’t we?”

I let out a sigh and give Jester a good rub. “Yes, I guess we’re pretty star-crossed.”

“Star what nowed?”

“You know, like inRomeo and Juliet.”

His mouth quirks up. “Leave it to you to turn to Shakespeare. I was going to say we’re well and truly fucked.”

I laugh. “You have a way with words.”

---