Page 28 of Evergreen Christmas

Maybe it was the warmth of her presence, the aromas of sweet chocolate and spicy cider mingling on the air between them or simply the nostalgic joy that remained after a good old-fashioned snowball fight, but whatever it was, he wanted more. He wanted to turn his head, press his mouth to hers and explore the taste and feel of her mouth against his.

But the moment was over.

Jordyn stepped away, her gaze lingering on his mouth briefly before she met his eyes and whispered, “I’m no damsel in distress, Neighbor Nate. But sometimes, it’s nice to have a knight like you around.”

Chapter Six

Normally, Jordyn didn’t handle defeat with a very jovial heart, but coming in last at the Snowman Fight yesterday didn’t sting quite the way she’d thought it would.

As a matter of fact, as she sat on the loveseat in her cabin, opposite the Nanas, who sat on the sofa, she had difficulty focusing on what they were saying. As the Nanas spoke, her gaze continued to stray toward the window and the snowy mountain peaks in the distance, her mind and heart drifting back to the day before when she’d touched her mouth to Nate’s cheek. His skin, though chilled by the wind, had held an earthy, enticing scent, and she’d had to stop herself from nuzzling her nose against him. As her mouth had brushed his cheek, the warmth emanating from his burly frame had surrounded her, making her long to lean even closer, press her chest against his and slide her arms around his waist.

She’d kissed other men before—and had been kissed properly by other men—but she’d never felt the rush of emotion that had overwhelmed her at the briefest touch of her lips against Nate’s cheek. Last night, she’d lain awake in her new bed, mulling it over, replaying the sweet, pleasurable moment in her mind. By dawn, she’d realized that the reason the chaste kiss had held such power was because it involved more than just physical attraction, but also a heady combination of admiration and a sensation of having met a kindred spirit.

From the very moment she’d met Nate, she’d fallen into conversation with him easily. They’d teased, laughed, and conversed with each other with the ease of lifelong friends. Simply being in his presence was familiar to her somehow, prompting her to feel as though she had . . . come home.

She’d never believed in love at first sight and to be truthful, she didn’t believe in it now either. But she did believe—especially after their kiss—that there was something special between her and Nate. Some sort of connection that went beyond sheer physical attraction, and she found herself yearning to explore what might lie between them.

“Jordyn, you’re not listening to a word we’re saying.”

The gruff tone in Carol Belle’s voice yanked Jordyn’s wayward attention back to her. All four Nanas sat opposite her on the sofa on the other side of the coffee table, their eyes focused intently upon her.

“I’m sorry,” Jordyn said, rubbing her hands over her jean-clad knees. “I’m listening now. Please continue.”

“I said, placing in this afternoon’s contest is extremely important,” Carol Belle said. “Candy Cane Fishing is not a terribly challenging event, but it does require some finagling and strategy.”

“And stretching.” Holly held up a finger. “If you don’t stretch properly beforehand, you’ll injure your neck and you’ll be no good to us in the Terrible Tinsel Triathlon tomorrow.”

“And that’s a very important event,” Eve chimed in. “It’s a short course but a real test of endurance, and you can’t afford not to place in either the Candy Cane Fishing contest or the Terrible Tinsel Triathlon and expect to still have a chance to win the Christmas Crown.”

“And judging from Nate’s actions yesterday,” Kandy said softly, “I think the Stone family will have it out for you from this point forward.”

The Nanas fell silent but kept their gazes fixed firmly on Jordyn, a speculative gleam in their eyes.

Jordyn attempted to maintain a blank expression. “I . . . don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Carol Belle grunted. “Oh, you know exactly what we’re talking about. What occurred yesterday was cross-conspiring—no doubt about that!”

For a moment, Jordyn panicked, her eyes darting around her living room as she racked her mind for a suitable excuse to combat Carol Belle’s accusation. After all, Nate had gone out on a limb to help her in yesterday’s Snowman Fight and she had no desire to sabotage him even if it would give her a leg up on winning the Christmas Crown.

Then, it occurred to her that Nate had said Carol Belle always demanded concrete evidence for cross-conspire disqualifications.

“Nate did attack the Stone family with snowballs,” Jordyn said slowly. “But everyone was attacking everyone during the event. So, what makes you think he was throwing snowballs at the Stone family on my behalf?”

“Because of who he is.” Kandy smiled sweetly. “Nate is one of the few gentlemen left in the world.” She sighed wistfully. “Chivalrous, kind, and true. There’s no way he would’ve just stood by and let the Stone family pummel you with snowballs all afternoon.”

Holly nodded in agreement, delight in her eyes. “Absolutely. It was very apparent that Nate had his eyes on you for most of the event. And it was rather curious that he didn’t begin attacking the Stone family until after they’d hit you several times with snowballs.”

“That’s a very good point,” Eve said. “Not to mention that we heard through the grapevine that—”

“Now, Eve,” Kandy said softly. “There’s no need to bring that up now.”

“There is every need!” Carol Belle scooted to the edge of her seat and propped one elbow on her knee, leveling her gaze on Jordyn. “You kissed Nate Reed yesterday, didn’t you?”

Face heating, Jordyn looked down and fidgeted with the hem of her jeans. “I—I might’ve given him a peck on the cheek.”

Carol Belle narrowed her eyes. “Right during the Snowman Fight contest? In the middle of town square? In front of the sweet Lord and everyone?”

Jordyn blinked and shook her head. “That’s not entirely accurate.” She winced. “I kissed him after the contest ended.”

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