Page 50 of Once Upon a Winter
With a nod, she leaned back. “I know I got caught up in a dream of my new home and the perfect Christmas town. The snow globe, magic or not, was a part of it all. When I looked into that globe, I saw my house, this town, and the small-town Christmas I’d dreamed of.”
Cooper looked troubled. “Mistletoe is a town like any other town. Yes, it’s charming when we’ve fixed it all up for the holidays. But towns are made up of people, just like cities. We’re not perfect. We’re just people. And the feelings we have don’t come from any sort of Christmas magic.”
“I know, but it all seemed so unbelievably perfect.”
He took her hand in both of his. “No, it’s just real. I’m asking you to trust that.”
“I do.”
He went on. “Because, God forbid, any manner of natural disaster could flatten the town tomorrow and destroy all of its holiday charm. But the people would pull together and rebuild the town, because it’s the people who make up a small town. The picturesque buildings along Main Street and the little village in your snow globe are just things.”
“I know that now.”
“If you want Christmas magic, just look in your heart. The real magic is there.”
Laura’s breath caught in her chest as Cooper’s intense blue eyes bored into hers. His strong hands gripped her shoulders, holding her fast. Her pulse quickened.
“Laura…” Cooper’s husky voice sent shivers down her spine. Unable to resist any longer, Laura crushed her mouth to his in a scorching kiss.
Cooper responded with equal fervor. She arched toward him, every nerve in her body electric and alive, and clung to him as though he were her lifeline, the only solid thing in a dizzying world.
At last, they broke away, catching their breath. As she gazed up at Cooper’s smoldering eyes, Laura knew she was lost—hopelessly and utterly lost to that man.
A light came to his eyes as he drew closer and kissed her. “Besides, I’m a way better kisser than that guy in your snow globe.”
Laura laughed.
“If I’m not, lie and tell me I am.”
“I never kissed him ’cause that would’ve been weird. You’re the only man in Mistletoe I’ve kissed.”
He took her face in his hands. “Good. Let’s keep it that way.” Then he kissed her.
Nineteen
The first lightof morning cast long shadows on the snow-covered lawns in the village. Laura rose from her bed, drawn to the window by the shimmering beauty outside. Shivering slightly, she pulled on her robe, feeling the cold seep through the windowpane.
“Such a perfect day,” she whispered, her breath fogging the glass.
Her phone chimed with a text, and she smiled to see it was from Cooper.
Cooper: How does a diner breakfast sound?
Laura: Perfect.
Cooper: Thirty minutes? (I’m starving!)
Laura: Okay. See you then!
She didn’t have to ask where. There was one diner in town that looked as though it had traveled through time from the 1950s. Laura couldn’t think of a more perfect place for a leisurely post-Christmas breakfast. After a quick shower, she pulled on her most lived-in jeans and an oversized sweater, wrapped a scarf around her neck, and donned her outdoor gear. It was so pretty outside that she decided to walk. A few flurries floated aimlessly about as she made her way along the side streets that led into town.
By the time she arrived, Cooper was settled in a booth with two coffees. His face lit up when he saw her, as hers must have. She couldn’t help staring. Realizing she must have a ridiculous grin on her face, she averted her eyes and slid into the booth. They said good morning and seemed stuck in the same blissful yet noncommunicative state.
Cooper looked down at the table with a half-embarrassed smile. “I know this sounds a little pathetic since it’s only been hours, but I missed you.”
When he lifted his eyes to meet Laura’s, her heart skipped a beat. “It doesn’t sound pathetic. It sounds perfect.”
He slowly nodded as if deep in thought. “You know what that means.”
