Page 45 of Her Silver Fox Mountain Men

Ainsley’s eyes light up with excitement as she turns and heads for the door. “I’ll get the markers.”

“Not yet,” James laughs as he brings a couple more pumpkins over. “We’re not carving them today. Gotta let them rest for a little bit first.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve carved a pumpkin. It’ll take me forever,” I tell Oliver as he sets the last of the dozen giant gourds on the porch.

“That’s fine. There’s plenty of us to chop these bad boys up,” Oliver replies. “Oh, I got you this.”

He gives me a flat box wrapped in dark brown paper and tied with a decorative orange ribbon.

“For me?”

“Of course. Roman suggested it and James picked out the pattern,” he says. “Team effort.”

“Thank you, Oliver, you’re too sweet,” I say and reach up to softly kiss the tip of his nose.

“And you’re going to wear it tonight.”

I stare at him for a moment, melting in the depths of his blue eyes before glancing at the box again.

“Okay.”

“You got a present?” Tricia comes over with an inquisitive eye.

“I did, yes.”

“Where are our presents?” Ainsley asks.

Oliver can’t help but laugh. At the same time, Roman and James return from the truck with one last transport—gift bags for the girls, plus a third smaller box for Janice.

“Don’t worry, we didn’t leave anybody out,” Roman says.

The girls are beyond elated, already rummaging through their gift bags while Janice tears the wrapping paper off her present.

“You shouldn’t have,” she says. “But I am grateful, whatever it is.”

James gives her a warm smile. “It’s just a token of our appreciation for taking care of the twins for us, Janice. You deserve that and so much more.”

“Oh my, it’s beautiful,” she says, her voice quivering with emotion as she reveals a small decorative bowl made of pure white porcelain. It’s covered in elegant strokes of dark greenand burnt orange, the overall look giving it a stylish Asian flair. “Thank you, fellas.”

“You’re most welcome,” James replies then looks at me. He walks over and quietly says, “I’ll see how yours looks later tonight.”

Now, I’m really curious what’s in this box.

Close to midnight,the twins are fast asleep.

The house is quiet underneath a cover of darkness, with the exception of a few candles burning here and there. Outside, it’s cold and calm as if the entire forest, the entire mountain, is deeply embedded in a collective dream.

I wear my gift and stand by the window, letting my fingers move up and down as I admire the lacework. It’s a beautiful babydoll with a matching pair of crotchless panties, adorned with tiny satin ribbons and genuine pearls. It makes me feel like a princess.

A knock on the door has my head turning slowly.

“Come in,” I say in a soft voice.

James, Roman, and Oliver step inside, gently closing and locking the door behind them.

“You look incredible,” James says.

I lick my lips and give them a dreamy smile. “And you three look like Christmas came early.” They are dressed in nothing but waffle robes, tied loosely around their waists, their sculpted barechests exposed.

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