Page 13 of How The Mountain Man Stole Christmas
“For me too sweetheart.” He hugged her then swatted her butt. “Now, you better get a move on or we’ll be late.” He ran down the hall to the shower, leaving her smiling after him.
Chapter Seven
Fin led Harper through the back door of the warehouse behind the feed store, hand in hand. He felt it was a necessary safeguard against her running in the opposite direction. They’d arrived just a pinch after six, but dinner was just being served. Kaleb had already reserved a table and was struggling to get the twins settled.
Fin had a few words with his brother while Harper helped get the girls in their chairs to eat supper. After filling her plate from the amazing selection, Harper sat next to Kelsey, the twin with the freckle on her face.
They’d already announced that once dinner had been served, they could mingle while the music played, waiting for the ceremony to begin. A couple of parents had a game area in the corner to keep all the kids busy.
“I can’t remember the last time I had ham that tasted this good.” She might have to make a pig of herself; no pun intended and go back for seconds before she had her dessert.
“They put on quite a tree lighting event. I always feel like I need a gym membership after the holidays are over. There’s so much food you just have to try it all.”
“There’s no way I could have a little of everything. It took me a few extra minutes just to get myself poured into this dress to begin with.”
“I think you look mighty fine poured into that outfit ma’am.” Harper blushed when Fin winked at her. “Can’t wait to get you home later so I can put my hands all over you.”
Harper smacked his arm. “Quit, the girls are listening.”They took the next half hour eating and playing with the girls then Fin was determined to dance.
“Come on Harper, you know you want to.” He was waggling his fingers and dancing with his feet in place.
“I can’t Fin, sit down. They aren’t playing any dance music.”
“We don’t need music, get out here.”
“You won’t leave me alone til I do, will you?”
“Nope.” He smiled but reached for her hand, twirling her out into the middle of the floor.
The time flew by after several couples joined them to enjoy the music. Adults were laughing and kids running everywhere playing together but it was about time to wrap things up. Word had spread that Santa and Mrs. Claus were joining them to pass out gifts before the lighting.
“Oh, my gosh! The girls are going to love this. Who is playing Mrs. Claus? That Santa is the best one I’ve ever seen.” Not that a mall Santa is really comparable.
Fin and Harper followed Kaleb and the girls as the rest of the crowd all gathered around Santa. He had a velvety red bag that actually had gifts in it. After talking with the kids, Santa focused on all the adults, passing out secret Santa gifts.
Harper was quite surprised when her name was called. She promptly looked at Fin as her face heated with every shade of red Fin had ever seen.
“Don’t look at me, it’s from Santa.” He smiled as he pushed her toward the jolly old elf. When she returned to stand by Fin, she had an envelope marked ‘From Your Secret Santa’.
“Are you sure this isn’t from you?” When harper looked around expecting to have all eyes on her, she was relieved to notice the rest of the crowd focusing on their own gifts.
“Maybe you should just open it.”
Harper shook her head and started to peel at the seal of the envelope until she saw inside what looked like an invoice. Who the heck would give me an invoice for Christmas? Once she got the paper unfolded however, she realized what she was looking at and it left her speechless. She looked at Fin, tears welling in her eyes.
“Hey, don’t cry. It’s supposed to be a good thing.” Fin put his arm around her shoulders, squeezing her closer to him.
Harper couldn’t believe what she was looking at, a piece of letterhead that said West Side Service Station and a stamp across the bottom in red ink,Paid in Full. Then below that said,Merry Christmas Harper, with all my love, Fin.
She threw her arms around him, holding on until the tears had stopped, and then she looked into his welcoming gaze.
“I don’t know what to say except thank you. No one has ever done anything for me, let alone spend that much money on me. Are you sure you can afford that?”
“Don’t worry about the money Harper.” He kissed her softly, only making her lips miss his touch when he pulled away. “I would have paid three times that just to see the look onyour face when you opened that envelope.” When he kissed her again, her lips lingered on his, not wanting him to break the contact but everyone around them was heading outside.
“Hey, how do you feel about coming back out to the farm tonight and staying so you can be there in the morning when the girls get up? There’s nothing like Christmas morning with those two and I know they’d be thrilled to have you there.” He rested his hands comfortably on the small of her back.
“I’d love to but can we stop by my place so I can pack a bag?”
