Page 59 of Steers and Stowaways
Tucker turned his agonized gaze to Mallory. “If you’d rather reschedule?—”
“No, I wouldnot, Tucker Pratt!” She reached up to dab the edges of her eyes. “You aren’t getting off the hook that easily.”
He gazed at her in wonder, feeling a wide grin steal across his face. “That’s my girl.”
His girl.
His heart.
His life.
Epilogue
Christmas morning
Mallory stood in front of the Christmas tree in her fuzzy slippers, allowing the sunrise to bathe over her through the windows. The white lights on the tree twinkled at her like hundreds of tiny promises.
Braveheart looked up from where he was curled up on the quilted tree skirt to give her an adoring look.
“Merry Christmas, Braveheart!” She blew him a kiss.
He gave a low, muted woof and laid his head back down on his paws.
“Thank you, God,” she whispered, not ready to wake Tucker. Between the ranch and his private investigator duties, he’d been putting in long hours all week. He was exhausted. Despite his extensive background in law enforcement, he was still the new guy on the totem pole at Lonestar Security. For that reason, he’d been on call for them Christmas Eve. She was pretty sure he’d volunteeredfor the holiday shift to show his gratitude for everything they’d done for him, but still.
My man is a hardworking man!She couldn’t have been prouder of him. At the age of thirty-one, he was starting his third career, one that would keep him in Heart Lake, Lord willing.
With me.She pinched herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming.
A few months ago, she couldn’t have imagined being this happy. Sure, she would relive bittersweet memories today of family holidays gone by, but her new husband would temper her sadness with the joy of spending their first Christmas together. He’d offered to swoop her out of town on a honeymoon, but she’d insisted she’d rather be home for Christmas.
His arms came around her from behind, making her jump. Fortunately, he curled one large hand around her mug of coffee as it started to tip. She’d been wallowing so deep in nostalgia that she hadn’t heard him enter the room. Then again, he was trained to be stealthy. She might not have heard his approach regardless.
“Merry Christmas, Mal.” He pressed a tender kiss to the side of her neck. “Nice PJs.”
“Thanks!” She glanced down at herself, snickering at the satin white shirt and shorts she had on. It had silly cats in cowboy hats printed on it. “If you want to see me in something slinkier, you’ll have to buy it.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” He pressed another kiss to the side of her neck before stepping away to set her mug on the end table beside the sofa. “You’re actually wearing the perfect outfit for your first gift.”
“I am?”First gift?Her heart sank. She’d only purchased one gift forhim.
She watched, mystified, as he left the room and returned with a large square box. It was wrapped in shiny metallic-gold paper. Scuffling sounds were coming from inside it.
“What in the world?” She reached for the box, dying to know what was inside. Admittedly, she was a little distracted by the sight of her husband in his black muscle shirt, gray sweats, and bare feet. Tucker in uniform was smoking hot. Tucker out of uniform was utterly breathtaking.
“Careful,” he cautioned, lifting the lid off the box for her.
Braveheart jumped to his feet, barking in excitement and wagging his tail frenziedly while Mallory took her first peek.
“Ohhhhhh,” she breathed, gazing down at the two fuzzy little creatures inside. “Kittens! You really do love me!” One was white with Holstein-like black spots. The other boasted beautiful ginger stripes that reminded her of a cinnamon roll.
“More than my own life,” Tucker agreed, reaching inside the box to lift the kittens out, one in each hand. He waited until she set the box down before depositing the Holstein-colored one in her outstretched arms.
“He’s so soft!” She cuddled him against her satin PJs.
“She,” Tucker corrected. “The ginger one is the boy. I’ve been told they were fostered together, so they’re already friends.”
“Besties,” she murmured happily. “Oh, you precious babies! What should we name them?”
