Page 53 of The Holiday Gift

“It was a mistake,” he went on. “We both knew it. I just hate that Addie is the one who has suffered the most.”

“She has a mother and stepfather who love her and a father who adores her. She’s a sweet, kind, good-hearted girl. You’re doing okay. Better than okay. You’re a wonderful father and I won’t let you beat yourself up.”

He looked touched and amused at the same time as he pulled the sleigh to a stop in front of the lodge. “I’ve been warned, I guess.”

“You have,” she said firmly. “Addie is lucky to have you for a father. Any child would be.”

His expression warmed and he gazed down at her long enough that she started wondering if he might kiss her again. Instead, he climbed down from the sleigh, then held a hand up to help her out.

She hesitated, thinking she would probably be wise to make her way down by herself on the complete opposite side of the sleigh from him. But for the last ten minutes, they had been interacting with none of the recent awkwardness and she didn’t want to destroy this fragile peace.

She took his hand and stepped gingerly over the side of the sleigh.

“Careful. It’s icy right there,” he said.

The words were no sooner out of his mouth when her boot slipped out from under her. She reached for the closest handhold, which just happened to be the shearling coat covering the muscled chest of a six-foot-two-inch male. At the same moment, he reacted instinctively, grabbing her close to keep her on her feet.

She froze, aware of his mouth just inches from hers. It would be easy, so easy, to step on tiptoe for more of those delicious kisses.

His gaze locked with hers and she saw a raw hunger there that stirred answering heat inside her.

The moment stretched between them, thick and rich like Aunt Mary’s hot cocoa and just as sweet.

Why was she fighting this, again? In this moment, as desire fluttered through her, she couldn’t have given a single reason.

She was in love with him and according to two of her relatives, he might feel the same. It seemed stupid to deny both of them what they ached to find together.

“Chase,” she murmured.

He inched closer, his breath warm on her skin. Just before she gathered her muscles to stand on tiptoe and meet him, one of the horses stamped in the cold, sending a cascade of jingles through the air.

Oh. What was she doing? This wasn’t the time or the place to indulge herself, when a lodge full of young readers would descend on them at any moment.

With great effort, she stepped away. “Hang out here and I’ll go check with Celeste to see when she’ll be ready for the kids to go on the sleigh.”

He tipped his hat back but not before she saw frustration on his features that completely matched her own.

Chapter 12

“Wow,” Chase said as his daughter rushed down the stairs so they could leave for the Saint Nicholas Lodge. “Who is this strange young lady in my house who suddenly looks all grown-up?”

Addie grinned and swirled around in the fancy red-and-gold velvet dress she was wearing to perform her musical selection with Olivia and Louisa. “Thanks, Dad,” she said. “I love this dressso much! I wish I could keep it but I have to give it back after the show tonight so maybe someone else can wear it for next year’s Christmas show.”

“Those are the breaks in show business, I guess,” he said. “You’ve got clothes to change into, right?”

She held up a bag.

“Good. Are you’re sure you don’t need me to braid your hair or something?”

He was awful with hair but had forced himself to learn how to braid, since it was the easiest way to tame Addie’s curls.

“No. Faith said she would help me fix it like Louisa and Olivia have theirs. That’s why I have to hurry.”

“Yes, my lady. Your carriage awaits.” He gave an exaggerated bow and held out her coat, which earned him some of Addie’s giggles.

“You’re so weird,” she said, with nothing but affection in her voice.

“That’s what I hear. Merry Christmas, by the way.”

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