Sarah laughed despite the pain.
“Will you still hold me?” Her voice was almost a whisper.
“Of course.” He bent down and removed her socks.
Jim maneuvered her into bed, giving her the prescribed pain killers. He sank into a comfortable chair in the living room, grading papers, until nine-thirty. Opening the front door soundlessly, he stole over to his house to retrieve his down quilt. Tiptoeing into the bedroom, he spread the down quilt over the bed, covering Sarah. He taped a sign, reading Knock, on the door before closing it gently. Then he shed his clothes and slid under the sheet next to her. She rolled over and reached out, resting her palm on his chest.
“Jim…good,” she muttered, opening her eyes only long enough to recognize him.
“You scared us,” he whispered to her sleeping form. “Thank God you’re okay.”
He kissed her gingerly on the cheek then moved an arm over her waist, sliding closer to her. She snuggled against his chest as they drifted off to sleep.
Sore, cranky and tired the next day, Sarah still found the energy to bark orders to those around her. Jim had to give final exams to students then meet with professors, so Callie visited with her sister. After school, the children took over for their aunt. In the evening, Jim came home to make dinner and watch over Sarah.
“It’s almost Christmas…I haven’t bought enough presents. Did anything survive from the crash? I’m so far behind, I…
“I’m making a list of the things you told me you wanted to buy. Callie and I’ll divide it up.”
“But you have exams to grade…a semester to finish up…professors to supervise…”
“Let me worry about that, okay? Getting so stressed isn’t good for you. Sit back, relax. I’m going to get a pen,” he said.
The next day Saturday, the date of the tree trimming party, Sarah woke up at seven o’clock, agitated.
“Jim, wake up. Did you remember to cancel the party?”
“Go back to sleep. Everything is under control,” he said, rolling over.
By noon, the house buzzed with activity. Laura helped her mother get a sponge bath. Jim fed everyone breakfast and Scottie helped with the dishes. Sarah spent most of the day sleeping.
By five o’clock, she was dressed, dosed with her pain killer, ready to be social. Despite the fact she looked like a train wreck, as Scottie pointed out, she claimed to be feeling better. A light snow fell adding to the festive feeling in the Morgan house. Scottie put some Christmas music on the CD player while Jim put up another pot of coffee when the doorbell rang.
“Who can that be?” Jim asked in mock surprise, attempting to hide a smile with no success.
Sarah shot a questioning glance at him.
He opened the door to let in Mac, holding the top of a large Christmas tree in one hand and a tree stand in the other. His brother, Peter, had the backend.
“Merry Christmas! Where do you want this?” Mac asked.
Sarah’s mouth hung open, but no sound came out.
“This way,” Jim instructed, leading him to a corner he had cleared out for the tree.
Behind Peter marched Callie with a big platter of Christmas cookies. Behind her Lara brought a huge pot of chili. One by one, members of the Caldwell clan and their friends entered the house carrying in food and drinks. Scottie pulled out two big boxes of tree ornaments. Jim crouched down next to Sarah’s chair.
“I hope you don’t mind using my old ornaments. I haven’t used them since Nancy passed but this is the perfect time to dust them off,” he said.
Tears filled Sarah’s eyes as she looked at him.
Next came Laura’s friend, Monica, her mother with her boyfriend carrying cans of cold soda and six packs of beer.
Mac and Peter set up the tree. Danny Maine arrived with two big bags of Christmas presents, already wrapped. Kit and Tunney came loaded down with eggnog and paper plates. Scottie turned up the music. People started to sing along with Bing Crosby’s White Christmas while they set up food and drinks. Others strung lights on the tree and hung ornaments.
Sarah pulled Scottie to her for a hug. One by one, people came to sign Sarah’s cast. Peter Caldwell set up an electronic keyboard so he could play Christmas carols. Some people sang, some decorated the tree, while others sat with Sarah savoring the delicious food.
As she watched the festivities from her armchair, happy tears slipped down her cheeks. Callie perched on the arm.
“You have friends in Willow Falls,” she said, leaning down to whisper in her sister’s ear.
Chapter Twenty-Two
At the old Victorian on Bay Street
Christmas Eve came quickly. They agreed to open presents early. Tunney hadn’t bought an exciting Christmas present for a long time. Nothing sexy, at least. The bubbling excitement of presenting surprise gifts to the one you love filled his chest, made his pulse kick up.
Kit set out hot chocolate and gingerbread cookies. She sat cross-legged on the floor watching Tunney lay a beautiful fire, then place a small pile of gifts in front of Kit.
“I didn’t have much money to spend on presents this year.” She refolded her legs.
“Don’t apologize. This is one hundred per cent more than I expected. Ladies first.”
She ripped the bow off a box from Franklyn’s the local department store. Inside pretty tissue paper nestled a beautiful light pink short negligée. The spaghetti straps were satin, the neckline had lace matching the lace around the hem.
“Tunney, it’s gorgeous! But rather than covering me up, this reveals more than the black nightie with the bows.”
“Who said I wanted to cover you up? Try it on?”
He laughed, his dark eyes glistening with mirth mixed with desire.
Kit got up to plant a thank you kiss on his lips. He put his hands on her waist, pulling her down to the floor where he deepened the kiss. Kissing her shot desire through his body. He was ready for more.
“With thank-you’s like that…we’ll have to move this upstairs.”
“No objection here.” He slid his hand up her arm.
“Soon. You’re next.” She ran her hand through her tangled hair.
Tunney opened his gift next. He discovered a CD slide show of the photos in his father’s photo album, with his favorite Beatles music added as background. A lump grew in his throat choking off words. He felt the prick of tears at the back of his eyes.
“I don’t want you to ever lose those…” she said, placing her hand on his arm.
He took her in his arms hugging her, holding her fast. A brief shudder shot through him like lightening. Though he tried to hide his emotions, he knew she felt it, too.
She opened up three more boxes of sexy lingerie, one in baby blue, one in red, the last one in dark purple. Tunney opened a box holding a turquoise, beige, and black plaid flannel shirt and another one with a gold tie. While he appreciated the clothes, the photo CD meant more to him than words could express.
Then there remained only one small box. Kit opened the tiny gift with trembling fingers. Inside rested a small diamond pendant in the shape of a heart. Now Kit was speechless. Her face flushed, her eyes filled with tears.
“You already have my heart, you might as well wear it,” he said, combing his fingers through her hair.
She took his face in her hands to kiss him deeply.
“When am I going to get a fashion show?” He wiggled his eyebrows.
“Later.”
She planned a special dinner for Tunney with his mother’s mushroom stuffing recipe, fished out of a dusty box on the third floor, as the featured surprise. She turned on all the outside lights. The single candle in the living room window blazed; the tree winked and blinked. Kit played her favorite Bing Crosby Christmas album, lit the candles on the table then opened the wine. They sat down in the dining room to the festive table setting with Christmas plaid cloth placemats on a dark green table cloth, and candles burning. A seasonal centerpiece of pine cones mixed with dried berries co
mpleted the magazine centerfold look. When Tunney walked into the dining room, he stopped and stared.
“My mother would love this room…the table…you have all her little Christmas things and the colors…everything is beautiful, Kit.”
She bowed to cover her pleasure at his praise.
“Glad you think Mary would approve. I know she’d approve of my last Christmas present to you, Mr. Tunney Nichols. I decided not to take the job with Blue Waters,” she said, her eyes shining.
Tunney’s face lit up.
“The best present of all,” he said, toasting with his wine, he kissed her hand.
They ate in silence for a while.
“Hey, is this my mother’s stuffing? Sure tastes like it.”
“I found some of her recipes upstairs.” Kit said.
“My favorite. How did you know?” He scooped up a forkful of stuffing.
“Lucky guess.”
“I have one more present for you.” He tossed a small envelope on the table.
Kit opened it to reveal a set of keys.
“What?” she asked, her eyebrows raised.
“Look out the window. See the fully loaded Silver SUV? It’s yours. I can’t have you driving the rust bucket during our winters here. It’s not safe,” he said, taking her hand and leading her to the living room window.
“Tunney, I can’t accept this.” Her face almost touched the window as her eyes perused the new car.
“Why not? Safety first. Please let me do this for you. ” He draped his arm around her shoulders.
She kissed him and kissed him.
“Best…most amazing…Christmas present ever. Thank you.”
They returned to the dining room and their meal.
He shoveled a big forkful of stuffing into his mouth. When he finished chewing he said,
“Best Christmas…ever.”
After dinner while Tunney washed the dishes, she slipped away to the parlor and sat down at her computer. She opened her email.
Sarah,
Wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas. I hope you are recovering fast and
Jim and the kids are taking care of things so you can rest. I wanted to thank
you from the bottom of my heart. If you had not convinced me to come to
Willow Falls; I don’t know where I’d be right now. I know I wouldn’t
be the happy person I am. Without you, I wouldn’t have met Tunney. Guess
I never knew what love was until now. I owe it all to you. Sending you
love & tons of hugs. Kit
After checking a few more places on the Internet, a ding beckoned her to return to her email where she found Sarah’s reply.
Kit, So happy you’re happy. Things here are a little crazy but with Jim and everyone helping out, we’re managing to eat. I’m lucky to have them and you, too.
I’m so glad you and Tunney have found love. Now you’ll stay in Willow Falls and be my friend forever. What a merry Christmas, eh?
Hugs, Sarah
Kit returned to the kitchen to help. When she reached up to put away the dishes Tunney came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her against him. She eased her head back onto his shoulder. As he moved his hands up to her breasts, he nuzzled her neck.
“This top feels as soft as...almost like you’re not wearing anything…what is it?” he breathed into her ear.
“Cashmere.”
The sweet gardenia scent of her perfume seduced his nose. He took a deep breath, inhaling the familiar fragrance he associated with touching and loving Kit.
She closed her eyes, leaning against him. Passion sped through his veins. His hand massaged her through the soft fabric. He began to get hard, and his breathing became ragged.
About nine o’clock, he slipped upstairs. After making special preparations, he dropped a small package into the top drawer in the nightstand then returned to the kitchen.
At nine thirty, he laced his long fingers through hers.
“Let’s go upstairs,” he whispered in her ear.
When she got to the bedroom, a roaring fire in the fireplace greeted her. Champagne in a bucket was icing, with two flutes on the nightstand. A few candles stood, waiting to be lit. The lights were out.
“Oh my God, this is so romantic…so unlike you.”
“You think I’m not romantic?”
“Never saw this side of you.”
Tunney pulled her to him for a kiss, angling his head. He slipped his hands under her tunic, his fingers caressing the warm skin of her waist then her back. Slowly he inched the top up, his warm palms on her skin until he lifted it over her head.
“I’m not the only one with surprises tonight,” he chuckled, gazing at her red lace bra.
A saucy smile stole across her face.
“Can I suppose…maybe hope is a better word…the bottom matches the top?”
“See for yourself.”
Tunney slid his fingers under the waistband of her velour pants and inched them down. “Don’t want to rush the surprise.”
“Take your time. I’ve got all night.” She smiled up at him.
When his hands moved the garment down to her thighs he gasped at the sight of her red lace panties.
“My prayers have been answered!” He chuckled.
“My turn.”
Kit undressed him slowly, unbuttoning each button. She slipped her hands under his t-shirt to run them up his chest. Tunney pulled his shirt off then yanked his undershirt over his head.
“Better?” He asked, cocking an eyebrow at her.
“Much.” She replied, her eyes darkening with desire as she looked at him.
Tunney’s fingers skimmed the satin of her bra cups seeking her nipples. He squeezed gently to make them hard, eliciting a soft sound from her. Kit gripped his shoulders to pull him down for a kiss. Her lips teased his, her tongue swiped across his lips, into his mouth. Tunney slid his hands around to her back and crushed her against his chest. He popped open the bra hooks and eased her back so he could watch it fall to the floor.
“Love looking at you,” he murmured, staring at her with hungry eyes.
“You’re overdressed.”
She unbuckled his belt then unzipped his pants. When they hit the floor, Tunney stepped out of them.
“We’re even.” She said eying him from head to toe.
“Too even.” Tunney slid his hands under the waistband of her panties and down over her behind, taking her red panties with him. When they were on the floor, she kicked them up onto a chair.
“Now, we’re even.”
“Not yet.” Kit hooked her thumbs into the waist of his boxers and slid them to the floor.
“Now!” She yanked down the bedcovers.
He popped the cork on the champagne then filled the two flutes. Handing one to her, he stood looking her over before making a toast. He raised his glass.
“Merry Christmas. You’ll always be my best present.”
Tears welled up in her eyes.
“Don’t cry, honey,” he said, putting his glass down on the nightstand, folding her into his embrace.
He took her glass, put it with his, then clasped her hands in his.
“Give me your beautiful body, your heart…let me make love to you,” he whispered, his mouth inches from her ear, his warm breath tickling her neck.
Blinking rapidly, she nodded, letting him lead her to the bed. The flames from the fire cast a soft glow turning her skin to shimmering satin. The heat from the fire couldn’t compare to the heat building up in his veins.
He skimmed his hands over her shoulders and down to her breasts while his mouth planted soft small kisses down her neck. She lost her hands in his hair. His lips followed his hands down the center of her chest while his hands glided down her smooth sides. He purposely didn’t touch her most sensitive places, but rather kissed and caressed around them. Her breathing got heavy.
“Tunney…”
“What sweetheart?” He raised his head to
look into her eyes.
“More…more…” Her hips squirmed.
“In due time. I want to touch you, feel you… take my time, no hurry tonight.”
“Now…now…” Her hips had a mind of their own.
Yet he didn’t move his hands from her thighs.
“I want you to want me…” He spoke softly.
“I do, I do…Tunney, I want you, I want you to touch me…”
He moved his hands up over her breasts.
“Beg me to take you…” His lips closed over her nipple.
“Please, oh please…touch me…take me.” She tightened her grip on his shoulders.
Her blue eyes pleaded with him, they broke his control. His mouth greedily devoured her breasts, sucking and laving her nipples while his hand moved to explore her slick core. She threw her head back as his hands worked their magic. He easily slipped two fingers inside her, grinning when she groaned.
“Oh my God. Tunney…”
“Now?”
“Now.”
“Not yet.” He panted slightly.
“I’m begging…please…”
He shot her a wicked grin.
“If you so desire…”
Kit curled her fingers around him, surprised to find him as hard as a rock. He tore the condom package, covered himself quickly then gently pushed her back on the bed.
“Are you ready for me?” His dark eyes were black with passion as they bore into her blues.
She muttered an unintelligible response. He hovered over her only for a moment before repositioning her legs then plunging into her. He groaned loudly as he moved all the way in. Barely coherent, Kit cried out as her climax took over. Her hips rocked with his as he thrust into her again and again. His mouth came down on hers in a hard kiss, demanding, owning.
“You’re mine forever…taking you…oh, Kit,” he murmured.
She became like putty, soft, pliable molding her body to his. As he picked up speed, he felt intensity growing, spiraling inside him. Her gasps grew sharper, more urgent exciting him to the maximum. He felt her hips undulate with his in sync at first then move faster. He changed his rhythm to match hers, feeling their crescendo build.
Now and Forever 4, The Renovated Heart Page 20