Countdown to First Night: Winter's HeartSnowbound at New YearA Kiss at Midnight

by Jillian Hart

  Keeping the world at arm’s length. His body language shouted out he didn’t need anyone but his daughters. And Ellie realized she had a lot to give to someone who needed her.

  Soon a nurse came to get Alexa. As the child was ushered into an exam cubicle, she said, “I don’t want a shot. I’m okay. Really.”

  Brody followed, glancing back once before vanishing into the hallway. The look he gave her—full of that vulnerability always there under the surface—tore at her heart.

  Wishing she could be there for Alexa, Ellie inhaled a calming breath. The past twenty-four hours seemed an eternity and yet...

  Her eyes glistening, Abbey plopped down next to Ellie. “I didn’t mean for this to happen.”

  “I know.” Ellie slung her arm around Abbey. “What if I ask your dad about me and you going to the Ice Castle for breakfast then you can come with me to my hotel? I have to change my clothes and get my speech. I still have to give it and I should go over it.” She couldn’t leave them until she knew Alexa would be all right.

  “I’ll help you. I’m a good listener.”

  “Let me talk to your dad and see if it’s okay if you come with me for a couple of hours.”

  After telling Marta where she was going, Ellie left the waiting room to see if she could talk with Brody. A nurse directed her to the cubicle Alexa was in. Ellie paused outside in the hallway to wait to get Brody’s attention. When he saw her, he said something to Alexa and stepped out into the corridor.

  Frowning, Brody asked, “Is something wrong?”

  “I thought while Alexa is being checked out by the doctor that I would go to my hotel. It’s within walking distance. I need to change, grab my speech and let the mayor know I’m in town. Abbey wants to come with me, so I was going to grab some breakfast at the Ice Castle. Is that okay with you?”

  “You figured this all out with Abbey?”

  “We talked about it. I had a broken arm as a teenager, so unless E.R.s are a lot faster than they were then, it’ll be several hours before Alexa will be released. Abbey is hungry and needs to do something other than sitting.”

  “Do you have children?”

  She narrowed her eyes. “You know I don’t.”

  “Then how do you know what’s best for Abbey?” He was scowling.

  The sound of Alexa calling him drew his attention to the cubicle. “Fine. Take her. You’re right.” He strode toward the room.

  “I’ll leave my cell number with Marta. Let me know when y’all are through here. I can have Abbey back then.”

  He didn’t say anything else but disappeared inside, drawing the curtains for privacy. She’d felt as if he’d shut her out of his life—had since they’d shared a kiss that screamed something the opposite of indifference toward her. What had transpired between them had been anything but that. He just didn’t want to acknowledge it. He would then have to admit to himself that he cared for someone—was attracted to her. That just possibly there was life beyond Irene. That it was time to let his guilt go and move on.

  Ellie took a moment to compose herself, counting to ten slowly. She didn’t want Abbey to know what was going on between her dad and her. Of course, the child would have had to be driving down the mountain in a totally different car than the one she and Brody had been in not to know it wasn’t going well.

  And on top of having her ego damaged, Ellie had probably lost her illustrator—one perfectly suited for what she wanted. It had taken him to show her that, and now she didn’t want another one.

  * * *

  WHEN ALEXA RETURNED to the cubicle after tests were run an hour and a half later, Brody smoothed his daughter’s hair behind her ear and sat next to her to wait for the doctor. “Honey, they said you fractured your ankle in one place. They can’t put a cast on for a few days until the swelling goes down, so they’re going to wrap it and you’ll use crutches. You aren’t to walk on it. You’ll need to sit and prop your foot up to help the swelling go down. When it does, we’ll come back to get a cast on it. We shouldn’t be too much longer here.”

  “I want to see Ellie at the lodge. It’s not fair that Abbey gets to and I don’t.”

  “If Ellie has time before the opening ceremony, she’s coming back as soon as you’re through with the doctor.”

  “She is?”

  “Do you think she’d leave without saying goodbye to you?”

  “No. She’s so nice and pretty. Don’t you think, Daddy?”

  “Yeah,” he said slowly, seeing a gleam in his daughter’s eyes.

  “Are you going to draw pictures for her books?”

  He didn’t have the heart to say no in the face of her eager expression—not after being brave about her ankle. She was actually smiling in spite of the pain the medication hadn’t quite disguised. But he wouldn’t lie to her, either. “I don’t know.” How could he work with Ellie when all he wanted to do was kiss her again and again? He shouldn’t have earlier. But her mouth was so tempting.

  The kiss changed their relationship, shifted it to a level he didn’t know he wanted to reach. She wanted a husband and children. What did he want? That’s what he needed to figure out. What Abbey had said this morning about not meaning to hurt her sister made him reconsider how he was beating himself up over Irene’s death. He’d never imagined he’d lose Irene because of having children. When she died that was what he’d focused on.

  “You should, Daddy.”

  “It would elevate your status with your friends?”

  “Yes.”

  “You know what I would say to that.”

  She grimaced. “Yeah, they aren’t my friends if they don’t like me for who I am.”

  “Right.”

  “The real reason is I like her. So does Abbey. We talked about it. That way, Ellie could visit and we could go to her house and the beach. You need a friend. I have Abbey. She’ll listen to me. Even though she turned off the night-light, I know she didn’t mean for me to break my ankle. But don’t let her know just yet that I forgive her. She needs to squirm some.” Alexa grinned from ear to ear.

  He’d certainly done his share of squirming since his wife passed away. When was it enough?

  “Ellie likes you a lot. It’s like in the movies when two people kiss. So it would be fun to go to her place and for her to come here. But maybe not in the winter. I don’t think she likes snow.”

  Heat scorched his face. Suddenly all he could think about was the hot kiss they had shared. “I’m not promising anything. It’s not just my decision.”

  * * *

  “I DECLARE THE FESTIVITIES open. Go have fun.” Ellie pushed the big red button to start the ball ascending toward midnight when the new year would arrive and fireworks would color the sky.

  A cheer went up from the crowd gathered in the square. Afterward the mayor shook Ellie’s hand as if he’d never freaked out on the phone, and posed with her for a photo opportunity. Ellie made her way to Abbey sitting on the stage next to where Ellie sat through the other dignitaries’ remarks.

  “You were wonderful.” Abbey smiled up at her.

  She wasn’t so sure. She’d stumbled over a couple of words but otherwise gave her short message about greeting a new year with family and friends. “You were my inspiration. Thanks for listening to me rehearse earlier. You’re a good listener.”

  Abbey thrust back her shoulders. “I saw Daddy, Marta and Alexa arrive in the middle of your speech.”

  “You did?” She had fixed her attention on a couple of children near the front and hadn’t seen anyone else because that was the only way she got through giving a speech. Ellie glanced at the crowd slowly dissipating, moving away from the podium. In the midst of the throng, she spied the trio threading their way toward them with Alexa on crutches.

  “Will you come with us when Daddy gives a lesson about d
rawing different animals that live around here? We get to try our own drawing. After that we can go with you to the play. I can’t wait until I get to go backstage.”

  “I’m not sure.” Glancing toward Brody, she tried to read his expression, but his dark sunglasses hid his face. “This is family time. I probably should get to the playhouse.” Although she didn’t know what she would do. Most everything had been taken care of by the production team. She was only there to be the narrator at the beginning and end.

  “Daddy is a good artist. You can pick your favorite animal. Daddy helps a lot of my friends. He comes to my school once a month. He’s so good with children. He’s a good daddy.”

  Ellie mashed her lips together to keep from chuckling at Abbey’s blatant attempt to tell her all about what was good about her father. She didn’t have the heart to tell Abbey it wouldn’t make any difference. That her dad didn’t want to get involved. That she was already sold on what a nice guy he was. And that was why it hurt so much. She wanted to work with him. She wanted to see if a relationship could go beyond friendship. She wanted to be in his life as well as the girls’.

  Alexa planted herself just below the platform and shouted, “Ellie, we made it. Well, almost. I heard a little of your speech. You did great.”

  Ellie descended the steps with Abbey. “Good. Y’all missed my mess-up.”

  Brody took off his sunglasses. “I bet you’ll have standing room only at the play later. I, uh, I’ve got to go to the Wildwood Lodge so I can get ready to teach. I also need to make sure my paintings were set up in Aspen Hall there for the art exhibit.” His gaze roped her to him. “I hope you’ll join us, Ellie.”

  The male look he gave her warmed her in spite of the cold weather and gave her hope that at least he would agree to be her illustrator.

  “You’ve got to, Ellie,” Alexa prodded. “I may need help.”

  She glanced at Alexa. “Help? It looks like you’re doing fine on your own.”

  “You never know,” the little girl said with a laugh.

  “Are you going to be up for all this excitement?”

  Alexa’s eyes widened. “No way would I miss any of this. I’ve been waiting weeks.”

  Abbey tugged on Ellie’s arm. “I’m going to make a grizzly bear.”

  Alexa moved in front of Ellie. “I’m drawing a mountain lion.”

  “I’ll go with y’all if you’ll come with me to the playhouse.”

  Abbey swung around to her father. “Can we, Daddy?”

  “You two don’t want to go through the snow maze?”

  “Only if there’s time after the play,” Alexa said, “because we’ve done that before.”

  Abbey exchanged a look with Alexa as if they were reading each other’s minds. “And the ice carvings. We can’t do everything, but that’s okay. We want to be with you two.”

  “Sounds like a plan to me. I’ll let you kids and Marta lead the way to the lodge. The ice carving is on the way. We could stop for a little while.”

  Brody hung back with Ellie. “Are you sure you weren’t kidding me about not liking to get up in front of an audience? No one knew you were nervous about speaking. You were a pro.”

  She blushed at the praise. “That’s your daughter’s influence. She gladly listened in my hotel room while I went over and over my speech for at least forty-five minutes.”

  He smiled. “Now I know you’re kidding me. Abbey never sits still that long.”

  “I didn’t say she was sitting still. She was on the move, exploring or bouncing on the bed the whole time.”

  He chuckled. “That’s my Abbey.” Stepping closer, he closed his hand around hers. “Later, when the munchkins have exhausted themselves, I’d like to talk.”

  “About what?”

  “Our partnership and other things.” He winked and started toward the Wildwood Lodge, still holding her hand.

  * * *

  LATER THAT NIGHT IN the living area of Ellie’s suite at Wildwood, she hovered over Abbey and Alexa, curled up on the long couch. “I thought they would make it to the fireworks.”

  “Actually I’m surprised they kept going, especially Alexa. I think at the end they were functioning on pure adrenaline. They were determined to see and do everything they could.”

  “I loved the snow maze. It reminds me of a maze I went through in England. I was threatening to cut my way through the hedges to get out, but I didn’t want to end my vacation in jail, so instead I screamed for help. Some lovely older British gentleman came to rescue me.”

  He laughed. “I’m surprised you liked that maze then after that experience.” He hesitated. “Let’s go outside on the balcony. It’s nearly the new year and time for the fireworks display.”

  “Should we wake them?”

  “Not just yet. We haven’t been alone all day.”

  “Alone?” Ellie’s heart rate kicked up a notch. “Marta should be back soon from visiting her friend.”

  “Yes, and soon the girls and I will have to leave.”

  On the balcony, music from the masquerade ball drifted on the night air, adding a magic to the evening. Ellie’s throat constricted. The First Night celebration had been perfect. She had spent it with Brody and his daughters as though they were a family. For a few hours he had shared something special with her and for once she had no words to describe the emotions swirling inside her.

  He pulled her toward the love seat. After they sat, he covered them with a blanket lying on the couch. “Warm?”

  She nodded. “This lodge has a perfect view for the fireworks. Did I tell you how much I love fireworks?” She shifted toward him.

  His dark eyes held her immobile. The tightness in her throat threatened to cut off her next breath.

  “Two years ago we couldn’t make it to Snow Falls on New Year’s Eve because Abbey was sick, so we watched them from our deck.”

  “That almost happened this year with the snow. One of my favorite holidays is the Fourth of July because of the fireworks. I’m like a—”

  Brody laid a finger over her mouth. “Shh. You’re chattering. Why are you nervous?”

  “You’re about to tell me whether you’re going to illustrate my books or not. I’m not sure I want to hear the answer.”

  He cradled her face. “I want to illustrate your books now that I have a good idea of what you want and I know we can work together.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes, but more than that. I hope that we can get to know each other a lot better. Would you consider staying for a week or so...or coming back very soon so I can make sure I’m on track with what you want?”

  She couldn’t help it—she was disappointed. To him, this was just business. “We can video chat. That would probably work.”

  “Let me put it another way. I like you a lot. And while I want us to be friends, I’d like more than that because I care about you. My daughters care about you. You’ve made me realize how much I’ve shut myself off from others. How I was blaming myself for my wife’s death. All that was doing was hurting my girls and me. Life goes on and I’d stopped living part of mine. You opened my—”

  She put her hand over his mouth. “Shh. You’re chattering. Yes, I would love to stay.”

  Winding an arm around her, he dragged her to him and kissed her, releasing all his bottled-up emotions. As the fireworks exploded in the sky announcing that it was midnight, he laid claim to her, stealing her heart. This kiss, packed with feelings long denied, overwhelmed her with the sense that she was where she belonged—finally.

  The sliding glass door opened, and Abbey and Alexa came out onto the balcony.

  Abbey rubbed her eyes. “The fireworks have started. Why didn’t you get us up?” The child’s eyes grew round as she took in her father holding Ellie. She tugged on Alexa, nearing causing her t
o lose her balance on the crutches. Then she leaned toward her sister and whispered loud enough for everyone to hear, “Daddy is hugging Ellie. You know what that means.”

  Alexa angled around her sister to stare at them. Brody kept his arms around Ellie while he lounged back and snuggled her closer.

  “It means it’s cold out here, and we are sharing the blanket,” he announced to his two daughters whose mouths had dropped open.

  Alexa ignored her father and replied to Abbey, “Yeah, they like each other. They’re friends.”

  Brody inched close to Ellie’s ear and murmured, “Much more than that, but I’m not telling them. Yet.”

  His words cemented her decision to stay in Snow Falls to see where their...partnership...led them.

  Three days ago she would never have imagined being snowbound at the new year would be an answer to her dream.

  * * * * *

  A KISS AT MIDNIGHT

  Brenda Minton

  To Doug, for always being my hero, for encouraging me in this dream, for keeping me sane.

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  The Cowboy Lawman Excerpt

  Guarding the Witness Excerpt

  CHAPTER ONE

  A YEAR HAD PASSED and Jolie Godwin still remembered a stolen kiss and a moment of lost sanity. Of all the men, why did it have to be Jake Wild’s arms she’d found herself in at midnight last year? Why did it have to be his kiss she couldn’t forget?

  It didn’t help, being back at the Wildwood one year later. What kind of fool decided to walk into the lion’s den and set up shop? Oh, that’s right, Jolie Godwin did.