After a few moments had passed, he reluctantly released her and again set the buggy in motion by making a soft clicking sound. The horse's hooves beat a rhythmic sound on the cobbled street. Heart's Desire and DeFoe's Hardware made for a strange juxtaposition that only added to the town's ambiance.
Just as they completed the loop and passed by the diner again on their way out of town, Dixie stepped outside. “Blake? That you?”
He stopped the carriage. “Hey, Sis.”
“Hey, yourself. Is that the doc you got buried under those blankets?”
“Hi, Dixie,” Janice said.
Dixie rubbed her arms. “It feels about sixty below out here. Are y'all crazy or what?”
“It's not too bad,” Janice said.
“Mmm-hmm. Let me get you a thermos of hot chocolate.”
“No need, Dix. We won't be out that long. I'll have her back at her uncle's in no time.”
“No need arguin'. I'll have it out in a . . . ”
She was inside and bustling behind the counter before she'd finished speaking. “Sorry,” Blake said.
Janice snuggled against his side. “I'm not complaining.”
“Keep that up, and we'll be back at your uncle's before I'd planned.”
He lowered his head and swept cold lips across hers. They warmed instantly. Janice curled her hand around his neck and tipped her head to the side, encouraging him to deepen the kiss.
When he moved to do just that, Dixie said, “Oh! Hel-lo. Pretend I'm not here.”
She held out the thermos with her back turned. Blake took it and said, “Thanks.” Dixie hurried into the diner with a wave and without looking back.
“We better get on to the second half of our tour.”
Janice swept her tongue across her lips. His kiss still lingered there, warm and intoxicating. Blake reluctantly looked away and said, “Get up.” He slapped the reins on the horse's back and she moved forward.
“Maybe we should go to your place after our tour. I don't think my uncle's going to be out all evening.”
“Don't tempt me. Beyond not wanting to be on the wrong side of your uncle again, I have a plan, and it involves going back to your uncle's.”
Janice frowned. “I don't understand.”
“You will.”
“I'm sorry about what happened with my uncle. He means well.”
“I know. You mind tellin' me something?”
“Sure.”
“Where'd you learn to handle a gun?”
“My father liked to go the club and shoot skeet every spare moment he had. He even had it set up on the yacht.”
“You had a yacht?”
“My parents did. Anyway, in order to give the appearance of spending time with me, he would invite me along to the shooting range. It was also a good place to meet the kind of guys mother wanted me to date.”
“I see.”
“Uncle told me you asked permission to court me.”
“Did he now?”
They were following a dirt road out of town that led up into the trees.
Janice nodded. “He approves, by the way. Thank you for indulging him.”
“You're welcome, and I'm glad he approves, but I'm more interested in whether or not you approve.”
She snuggled closer to his side. “I do.”
He swung a heated glance in her direction. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
He concentrated on driving the carriage again. “Giving me a chance.”
She leaned her head against his shoulder. “Where are we going?”
“Up to the tall pines.”
That had her sitting upright again. “Why, Blake Ferguson. Are you taking me up to Angel Ridge's version of Lover's Lane?”
“I'm taking you for another reason, but if you throw yourself at me while we're there . . . well, that's up to you.”
“Are you saying you wouldn't be willing?”
He gave her that toe-curling look again. “I couldn't resist you if I tried, not that I would.”
She laid her head back on his shoulder and sighed. If it weren't so cold, she'd think she was dreaming. They continued to go up, their progress slowed by the steep grade. The trees were so thick, overhanging the path, but not interfering, as if they expected visitors and welcomed them.
When at last they leveled off, they were in a clearing. The pencil pines towered up to the heavens all around them, but a perfect oval, that mimicked the oval around Town Square, stood in the center of it all. He brought the carriage to a halt right in the middle of the clearing.
Neither of them spoke. A hush settled over the clearing. A feeling of welcome surrounded them. She glanced up at Blake and found him staring back at her. For some reason, it wasn't nearly as cold here as it had been in town and on the ride up. It made no sense. With the higher elevation, the opposite should be true.
Janice pushed the cap back off her head and removed her mittens. She wanted to touch Blake. For him to hold her in his arms and kiss her.
“This is amazing. It feels almost like a place out of time. Like it doesn't really exist anywhere other than inside our minds.” She glanced away. “That sounds crazy. I'm a scientist. I'm not—”
He laid a finger on her lips. “Shh.” When his lips touched hers, it felt perfect. Right in every way. She wanted the moment to never end. The idea of sharing her life with this man seemed not only possible, but clearly like the direction she should take. Would take.
When he broke the contact, she whispered, “Wow.”
“You felt it, too.”
Janice could only nod.
“Janice—”
It was her turn to lay a finger on his lips. Words could only spoil the moment. She rested her cheek against his heart and closed her eyes as he folded her into his arms.
As Blake held her close, his heart filled with such strong emotion that it felt like it would burst. “I love you.” He whispered the words softly against her hair, but a warm, gentle breeze seemed to lift and carry them through the clearing in a never-ending circle that rose up to the sky. He'd heard all his life that this place was magical, but he wasn't sure he had ever believed it. In the past, he'd come up here alone and even with other girls. Then, it had seemed like nothing more that a clearing in the woods. He'd never think of it that way again.
She nestled her cheek more snuggly against his chest, but didn't tell him she loved him, too. That didn't bother him. He knew, in her own time, she'd come to him. A nagging voice at the back of his mind chose that moment to remind him that relationships with women never worked for him. They always left him in the end. Usually for someone else.
With Janice, he wasn't so sure that would be the problem. Even if he made the sacrifice and moved with her to the city, how much time would they have together? And if she decided to relocate to Angel Ridge, she'd be the town doctor. He wanted to make it work, but was she right? Could they?
He shook his head. He refused to let doubts ruin what was happening between them. This was their night. He'd promised to show her how much he loved her. He wouldn't be distracted from that purpose by anything. If he was lucky enough to win her, they would sort the rest out together. Other people did it. Surely they could, too.
He held her a little away so that he could look into her emerald green eyes. “I did bring you here for a reason.”
“You mean other than to make-out?”
He wiggled his eyebrows. “That's just a bonus. I brought you here to get a tree for your room.”
“A Christmas tree?” she breathed.
He nodded.
She looked around the clearing. “Is it okay to cut them?”
“It's actually encouraged. They grow so thick, it's as if one sprouts up full grown as soon as you take another down.”
“I've never cut my own tree. I usually just pick one up at a nursery.”
“Then this should be an experience for you.” He stepped out of the carriage and offered his hand to help her down. “There's
nothing like walking through the woods, picking the tree out yourself, and cutting it down.” He got the hacksaw from the boot, and they headed for the edge of the clearing, hand in hand.
“Why is it so much warmer up here?” she asked as they entered the woods.
“This place sort of defies logic, so don't try to make sense of anything that happens here.”
“Is this where the town angels reside?”
“Well, according to Miss Estelee, they make their rounds, but they're real partial to the tall pines.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, but next time I see her, I'll have to ask her why I had to bring my own.”
She shook her head, a wry grin tugging at the corner of her mouth. “You are a charmer, Blake Ferguson.”
“I do my best, ma'am.” She'd said the words as if she thought he were disingenuous, but the smile on her face showed the compliment had hit its mark. He'd take it for now. The words he wanted to hear her say would come later.
After a few minutes of looking around, Janice chose a tree and he handed her the saw. She seemed to enjoy sawing it down herself. Since it was such a small tree, it didn't take long. Blake picked it up and balanced it on his shoulder as they made their way back to the carriage.
After he'd secured it to the back, he settled Janice in and pointed Daisy back to town. When they reached the edge of the clearing, Janice touched his arm and said, “Wait.”
He pulled in on the reins and glanced down at her. Her gaze swept the clearing one more time, then she tipped her face up to the sky. Bathed in silvery moonlight, her beauty struck him like a sucker punch to the gut. She took his breath away. Long, long silvery blonde hair that fell in a silky curtain around her shoulders and down her back. The curve of her cheek, the straight line of her nose, and full, kissable lips, all came together to form an utterly irresistible package.
When finally she looked back, she just stared at him. The heat in her eyes nearly scorched him. She pulled his hat off and brushed the hair back from his forehead, then trailed her fingertips down his cheek. Blake closed his eyes and leaned into her touch. He clasped her wrist and pressed a kiss into her palm. Janice had other ideas. She turned his face and kissed him.
Intense feelings vibrated through him. When she teased the seam of his lips with the tip of her tongue, he willingly granted her access. After endless moments of allowing her to slowly drive him mad, he took control. He urged her back against the seat and unbuttoned her coat while she unbuttoned his. When he pulled her up against his chest, he felt feminine curves instead of bulky coat. The sensation fired his overwrought senses. He angled his mouth over hers and took them to the jagged edge of raw hunger. He wanted her—needed her in a way that defined the words.
He broke the kiss, but pressed the words in his heart across her face, down her neck, to her collar. “I love you.”
“Oh, Blake.”
He continued kissing and touching her.
“Blake.”
The urgency of her words pierced the sensual fog of desire.
“Blake! We're moving. Fast!”
Blake turned and quickly grabbed the reins. “Whoa, Daisy. Whoa, girl.”
She had taken them down the trail out of the tall pines, and they were just entering town. Blake hadn't even noticed they were moving. They could have careened into a tree or worse. The cold hit him like a much needed slap in the face.
After he had the horse under control, he brought them to a halt. “I'm sorry, Janice.”
She buttoned her coat and dove under the blankets. “Don't apologize.” She laughed.
He jammed his hat on. “What?”
Her smile was contagious.
“That was some ride.”
Chapter 12
Back at her uncle's, Blake took the tree straight up to her room and laid it on the floor. Thank goodness her uncle had not been downstairs. After last night's fiasco, she was certain he wouldn't have approved her taking Blake up to her bedroom. She cleared off a table that sat next to a window and spread a folded sheet on it.
Blake entered the room carrying a large box.
“What's all this?” Janice asked as he shrugged out of his coat and removed his hat. She took his coat and hung it over the back of a desk chair, almost completely distracted by the way his sweater clung to his chest and flat stomach.
He tossed his hat onto her bed. “Let's see.” He opened up the box. “Tree stand, lights, ornaments. Everything you need to trim the tree. I went by the hardware before I picked you up,” he admitted. “I hope you don't mind me choosing everything.”
She couldn't believe it. Looking into the box with him, she found everything she needed to decorate the tree. Janice put her hands in her back pockets and worked at pressing the emotion down.
Blake quickly moved to her side and lightly grasped her arm. “What is it?”
“I can't believe you . . . ” She pressed her fingertips to her lips, then stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “I can't believe you did all this for me. Thank you.”
He brushed off the gratitude. “Don't go thanking me yet. The night's still young.”
“You mean there's more?”
“Maybe. Hey, there you are.” Blake walked over to the bed and scooped the kitten up into his hands. “Has she been here all day?”
Janice nodded. “She keeps breaking in somehow.”
“I'm beginning to think you don't like my company.” He rubbed the kitten behind its ears.
Janice stood close, unable to imagine anyone not enjoying his company. “My uncle checked around and couldn't find who she belonged to.”
“Guess we'll have to keep her then.”
She petted the kitten he still held in his hands, not correcting him when he said we. “Well, if you're going to keep her, don't you think you should name her?”
“I still say Houdini fits,” he said, but seemed distracted. The look in his eyes nearly caused her to lose her train of thought.
“It's not a very good name for such a pretty girl.”
“What do you suggest?”
“How about . . . Princess?”
He tipped his chin down, but said, “Whatever you want.”
“You don't like it.”
“I didn't say that.”
“I can tell. What do you want to name her?”
“I'd like you to name her.”
“How about Angel? Is that too trite considering where you live?”
“Maybe, but who cares. I like it.” He cupped her cheek. “It reminds me of you.”
“Angel it is then,” she agreed softly.
He set the cat back on the bed and just stood there facing her, a hot, hungry look in his eyes. Janice was acutely aware of where they were. They'd only have to sit to be on her bed, wrapped in each other's arms, loving each—
Blake clapped his hands. “Let's get that tree decorated.”
She took a step back toward the window. “The tree. Yes.”
He grabbed the boxed lights, plugged them in, and they began stringing them around the tree. But he still had that smoldering look in his eyes that did crazy things to her pulse.
“You know, there's a legend about Christmas trees cut from the tall pines,” Blake said.
“Really?” She had begun hanging the ornaments. He held the box, leaving her to place them the way she wanted. “There are legends about everything around here.”
“Mmm. They say that if you put an angel at the top of the tree, you can make a wish and it will come true.”
“Do you believe that?”
He shrugged. “I don't know. I'm not very superstitious.”
She placed the last ornament and stood back to admire her handiwork. “I guess it doesn't matter. We don't have an angel.”
“I wouldn't be so sure. There's this.”
He lifted a parcel from the box wrapped in white tissue with glitter. “What is it?”
“I don't know. Sally Crawford gave it to me with strict instructions that I
shouldn't peek. She wanted you to be the first to see it.”
Glitter sparkled and fell around them as Janice carefully pealed the paper away. “Oh, Blake . . . ” she breathed. Lying on the bed of tissue was a delicate, handmade angel. The dress and wings were made of hand-tatted white and gold lace. The doll's face was beautiful. She had long blonde hair with a ring of silk flowers around her head and ribbon streamers trailing down her back.
“She's stunning. Do you think Sally made her?”
“I'd say so. She's real handy with a needle and a crochet hook. Sells her goods down at the flea market from time to time.”
“Can you put her on top?”
“Make you a deal. I will if you make a wish. That way if it comes true, we'll know it's not a superstition.”
Janice nodded. “Okay.” What should she wish?
Blake arranged the angel at the top of the tree, then stepped behind Janice and pulled her back against him. He wrapped his arms around her waist, and said against her ear, “What do you think?”
“It's the most beautiful tree I've ever seen,” she whispered.
“Even more beautiful than the tree in town?”
Remembering she'd said the same thing about that tree, she rationalized. “Well, it really doesn't compare. This one is much smaller.”
“So, it's the most beautiful in its size class.”
Janice playfully swatted at his arm.
“Ow,” he complained.
He pushed her hair out of the way and kissed her neck. “Did you make your wish?”
“No, not yet.”
He kissed her again. “What are you waitin' on?”
“I have to think about it. I want to wish for the right thing.” She didn't mention that thinking with his lips on her neck was out of the question. She closed her eyes and leaned into his touch.
“I see. You're not an impulsive wisher. Interesting.”
She glanced back at him. “Are you making fun of me?”
He dropped a quick kiss on her lips. “Never.”
She faced the tree again, and they both just stood there gazing at it. She closed her eyes and made her wish.
“Did you finally decide?” he said near her ear.
She nodded.
A Home for Christmas Page 18