by Zoe Chant
“And there was a call from the insurance of those people you were house-sitting for,” Dara added. “It’ll take another two days before they can have someone out here to look at the damage, thanks to all the snow.”
That was a relief. Another day or two of rest was just what they needed.
“Anything from the Mitchells yet?” Angel asked with obvious worry.
Dara nodded. “A quick email that said that they were glad you and the dogs were fine, and not to worry about the house.”
Angel closed her eyes and slumped back in her chair. “Oh, that is the best news. Thanks! I was terrified they were going to sue me for destroying their house and nearly getting their dogs killed.”
“Hey, you nearly got yourself killed to keep their dogs safe.” Jonathan reached out for her hand. “And I’m willing to testify in court if I have to.”
Angel gave him a warm look. “Thanks. I really hope it won’t come to that.”
“I’m going to fly out again after breakfast,” Henrik said. “I don’t like the thought of a dire wolf so close to Snow Castle. Hopefully he just ran off. But if he didn’t...”
“I should go with you.” Jonathan felt guilt well up inside him. It wasn’t right to have a stranger protect his mate.
“You’ve just come out of the ice. You’re staying where I can keep an eye on you.” Angel frowned at him. “Anyway, you should eat your pancakes. Because I’m not watching you nearly kill yourself for me again.”
“She’s right, you know.” Henrik gave him a serious look as well. “You know I’m not your enemy. But someone out there is. You need to use this chance to recover, for your mate’s sake as well as your own.”
“And I’ll need someone to hold my hand when I call the Mitchells later.” Angel grimaced. “I can’t believe I destroyed the house of two of the most influential people in the movie business. Maybe I’ll end up as inspiration for the new villain in Millennium Woman Six: Mountain Disaster. Or, wait: Ice Apocalypse. Children all over the world will hate me and my terrible powers that destroy beautiful homes.”
Jonathan laughed. “You mean, your powers that draw dragon shifters to you?”
“And dire wolves.” Angel shuddered. “What a horrible beast. I hope he’s gone for good. What did he even want?”
“I’ll take another look at the house on my patrol,” Henrik promised. “If that dire wolf was searching for something, or stealing their valuables, maybe he left a trail.”
“And I’ll call the Mitchells. Hopefully they won’t shout at me.” Angel poked at her eggs with a worried look.
Jonathan nudged his stack of pancakes towards her.
As far as he could see, Angel had done absolutely nothing wrong. Surely the insurance would agree with that. And hopefully, once she had all of that in writing, she’d stop beating herself up about it.
Until then, he’d just have to find new ways to distract her...
Chapter Thirteen: Angel
“Sweetie, did you miss me?” Angel scratched Lola behind her ears while the old spaniel pressed herself eagerly against her legs.
“I think she misses the bacon we had at breakfast.” Laughing, Jonathan hooked the leash onto Diego’s collar. “How about I take these two rascals outside and give you same peace and quiet?”
“Thanks, that would be great. Dara lent me her phone, and I really need to message my mom.” Angel grimaced when she thought about updating her family on what felt like her newest failure in a long line of wrong life choices.
But then, not everything was miserable these days.
Still, maybe I’ll keep Jonathan a secret, just for a little while longer. A secret that’s all mine. Until we’ve sorted this wolf business out.
And it wasn’t as if she was going to lie to her family. But this connection with Jonathan still felt so new, so beautiful and impossible, that she didn’t want anything or anyone to spoil it.
And her family’s teasing could wait.
Given how my last attempts at dating went, they probably wouldn’t believe me anyway.
Through the glass doors of Dara’s office, Angel watched Jonathan lead the dogs out into the courtyard. Diego looked almost sullen at having to follow him out into the snow, while Lola was walking by his side eagerly, pressing her head against his leg as if she was just as in love with him as Angel was.
The thought made Angel smile.
They say that dogs have a sixth sense for humans. If Lola loves him, that really shows that he’s a good guy.
But then, she’d already known that. Still, it was nice to have a proof that for once, this was actually working out for her.
Then, with a deep sigh, she messaged her mom and one of her cousins. She kept her message short. Instead of talking about dragons and dire wolves, she explained that the house she’d been house-sitting had been damaged by a blizzard.
I lost my phone in the storm, but the dogs and I are fine, don’t worry. A winter resort nearby gave us shelter. It’s beautiful here; if anything, I’m getting a free winter vacation out of this blizzard. Love you, Angel.
She hit the Send button, then sighed. That was one thing taken care of. The easiest thing.
Now for the much harder thing...
She took hold of Dara’s phone and logged into her own email account. She scrolled through her emails until she found the Mitchell's reassuring message, which Dara had forwarded to her. She had to blink away tears as she read it; they’d really been sweet about the entire drama.
Maybe she’d really worried too much. Maybe the insurance would take care of it, and everything would be fine.
Still, she owed them at least a call now. Even given the time difference, they should be awake right now.
She dialed the number, anxiously waiting as the phone rang. No one picked up. After a moment, she heard the automated mailbox message.
She ended the call, frowning. Then she tried again, this time the number of the PA whom she’d been told to call if the Mitchells weren’t available.
This time, someone picked up.
“Hi, I’m Angel, Angel Harris. I’m dog-sitting for the Mitchells—”
“Oh, they told me all about you,” a female voice said with the fake sweetness Angel associated with high-ranking PR people. “Don’t worry, they’re so happy that nothing has happened to you and the dogs! They told me to tell you not to worry about anything. The insurance will sort it all out. All that matters is that the three of you are all right.”
“Thanks, that’s very kind of you.” Angel tried to smile at the phone, still feeling a little anxious. “Are the Mitchells around? I’d love to talk to them.”
“Sorry,” the voice said sweetly. “I’m afraid they’re not available today. It’s another travel day for them. There were delays at the airport, and their schedule is all messed up now. The next few days will be chaos for them.”
“Oh,” Angel said. “I mean, thanks for letting me know. I’ll email them instead.”
“You do that, honey. Take care!”
With the call suddenly ended, Angel leaned back in Dara’s comfy office chair.
“Ugh,” she said aloud. “That went well...”
On the other hand, it wasn’t like she could blame the Mitchells for airport chaos.
And perhaps, once people had as much money as the Hollywood power couple, they really didn’t care all that much about one of their houses getting destroyed by a blizzard.
Just then, there was a soft knock on the door. Dara opened the door a little.
“Sorry, I don’t want to disturb you. I just need this one letter—”
“Come in! Sorry for claiming your office, I’m already done with my call.”
With a deep sigh, Angel got up from Dara’s chair. As she watched the other woman efficiently leaf through a folder until she found what she’d come for, another idea began to form in Angel’s mind.
“This is going to sound weird,” she said, “but, umm, I see you and Henrik are really good with technology.�
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Dara gave her a quick grin. “You have to be these days, to run a place like this. Most people book their vacations online now.”
“So did you teach him?” Angel asked. “Or is there like...a Facebook for dragon shifters?”
Dara laughed. “Most shifters use Facebook just like you and I do. They just don’t talk about being shifters in public.” Then Dara tilted her head at her. “Anything in particular I can help you with?”
For a moment, Angel hesitated. Then she remembered the pain she’d felt at the heart of Jonathan, the old wound that had never healed.
“I wonder if I can find his sister online,” she said. “Don’t tell him. He thinks it’s too late. And maybe he’s right. But he thinks that he’s destroyed her life. And I’d love to find out how she’s actually doing these days.”
Dara’s eyes gleamed as she sat down in the chair, pulling her keyboard closer. “Some Facebook stalking won’t hurt,” she declared. “And I’ve got quite a few shifter friends on there these days. So. What do we know about her?”
“Younger than him,” Angel began. “Ice dragon shifter, just like him.”
Dara’s fingers moved rapidly over the keys, and Angel watched the screen avidly.
It probably wouldn’t work out. She’d already stretched her luck way too far. Having Jonathan in her life was Christmas miracle enough.
To ask for a second miracle for Christmas was probably too much.
Still. How couldn’t she want to help, after feeling the pain he’d kept inside his heart for so long?
Somehow the stupid, outdated beliefs about dragon honor had made him think that it was all his fault, when there’d been only one villain in the story he’d told Angel.
No matter if that was what old and powerful dragon families did—a father who’d destroy his son’s happiness was wrong. Especially now that she know what being mates felt like. To deny two mates the permission to marry was outright cruelty.
It had never been Jonathan who’d been the villain in that story, and she was sure that his sister would see it the same way.
Of course, for all Angel knew his sister believed the same stupid bullshit about a dragon’s honor. Still, if Maya loved her Vincent as much as Angel loved Jonathan, surely she’d have realized long ago who really was to blame.
Unless Jonathan was right and Maya never figured out what really was going on. That Jonathan was sacrificing himself for her.
Well. Only one way to find out...
“Bingo,” Dara said in excitement, clicking on the profile of a woman with the same distinctive, ice-blond hair as Jonathan. “I think we’ve got her.”
Chapter Fourteen: Jonathan
“How did it go?” Jonathan asked as he returned from his walk with the dogs.
Lola, despite her age, had enjoyed the opportunity to explore the castle and make friends among the children playing in the snow. Diego, on the other hand, looked as if he’d seen enough of snow for a lifetime.
“The Mitchells are traveling, apparently. But their PA assured me that they don’t blame me for anything.”
“See?” he said. “I told you. You’re hardly responsible for a blizzard. That’s a force of nature.”
She snorted, although her eyes were warm with relief. “Not if the blizzard is caused by a dire wolf who may or may not have been targeting me. And of course, I can’t tell them about the wolf. It just feels dishonest, that’s all. Even though I know no one would believe me anyway.”
Jonathan pulled her close. “Whether you tell them the truth or not, the results are the same. The house got destroyed in a storm, and the insurance will pay. That’s what matters. It’s not like you’re lying about setting the curtains on fire by accident.”
Angel sighed, then relaxed in his arms. “I guess you’re right.”
“So. Want to go out and explore the castle once more? I met Henrik outside, and he said we’re in for a treat.”
“Oh?” Angel immediately perked up. “What’s going on?”
“There’s an auction this evening in the neighboring town. Apparently the children of Christmas Valley craft little dragon decorations every year that get auctioned off for charity.”
Angel beamed. “That sounds adorable. I’d love to see that. Do you think it will be safe?”
“The town is on dragon territory. And Henrik and Dara will be there as well. I don’t think the dire wolf would dare to come close.”
“In that case I’d love to go.” Angel’s eyes gleamed at him.
Jonathan felt something inside him expand again with helpless longing. This was what he wanted for the both of them. A home like the one Henrik and Dara had managed to build together.
They worked hard for it, of course—but Snow Castle was beautiful. Every single detail showed the care and love they’d put into it.
And while he didn’t think that he and Angel would run a large winter resort together, he found himself longing for the home they could build.
A home with holiday traditions of their own. With handcrafted decorations on the tree. With evenings in front of the fireplace while snow fell outside.
And maybe, one day soon, with a child to experience the magic of Christmas with wide eyes...
Jonathan tore himself away from that line of thought when Angel gave him an amused look.
“What are you thinking of? You looked like you went somewhere else for a moment.”
“Just daydreaming,” he said. “Well...daydreaming about how nice it would be to have a Christmas tree of our own.”
“Who says we can’t have that? You’ve slept in your cave for long enough. It’s time to live again.” She nudged his shoulder. “And I think buying our first little dragon decoration together is a great start.”
Warmth welled up again inside him. He gave her a grateful look. For some reason, whenever he got lost in his memories of the past, she found a way to pull him out of himself.
“It is,” he murmured. “I couldn’t think of a better way.”
***
The little town of Christmas Valley was gorgeous. It nestled against the mountain, as perfect as a Christmas postcard with its small houses, their roofs all white with snow, decorated with lights.
As they walked past gardens, they admired the snow sculptures—there were ordinary snowmen and snow women, some of them obviously built by children. But there were also snow dogs and cats, snow houses, and one family had built a life-sized snow Santa with a sleigh.
“That’s incredible. I don’t want to do know how much work went into this,” Angel said in awe.
“An entire weekend, pretty much.” A teenaged girl with a bright pink coat and skin a shade darker than Angel’s peeked up from behind the wall. “We won best snow sculpture of our street. Last year, we barely missed the first prize. This year, Mom and Dad pulled out all the stops.”
Then there was a sudden burst of music coming from somewhere around the corner.
“Oops! I’m late! If you guys are coming for the auction, better hurry up! It’s about to start!” the girl said, then raced back to the house. “Mom! Mom, we’re going to be late!”
Jonathan grinned. “Henrik said there’ll be a choir singing first. We’re not that late.”
Angel eagerly pulled him forward regardless.
Jonathan could smell the tell-tale scent of spices and sugar now. The music was interrupted by a sudden, loud cheer—and then they’d at last made it to the end of the street.
When they turned the corner, they found themselves facing a beautiful town square. It was filled with people, who were all eagerly watching a small platform where a group of children were arranging themselves.
All around the square, there were little stalls selling hot chocolate, mulled cider, eggnog and all sorts of decorated cookies.
“Back in a second,” Jonathan said. “Save me a good spot?”
Most people had abandoned the food stalls to watch the choir, and so it only took him two minutes to return to Angel’s side.
He handed her a cup of hot chocolate, and she beamed. The stall down here didn’t have any weird or inventive flavors on offer, but instead they’d topped their mugs with marshmallows, a giant heap of whipped cream, and lots of chocolate syrup.
“Mmm.” Angel sighed in delight when she took a sip. “This tastes like childhood.”
Jonathan closed his eyes, tasting the richness of the chocolate on his tongue, the cool sweetness of the cream melting in his mouth.
It was a comforting taste. The taste of childhood and home.
Only his home was gone. He’d never be able to return, and it was all his own fault.
As the hot chocolate warmed his chest, he thought of his sister.
Once, long ago, when they’d been children together, they’d waited for Santa to come and leave them presents with such excitement.
I wonder what Maya’s doing now. Is she happy?
She had to be. By Jonathan’s sacrifice, she’d been able to keep her mate. And whatever had happened after Jonathan had left, he knew that she and Vincent loved each other. By now, they’d probably built a family of their own among Vincent’s rich and influential clan.
Then the choir began to sing, pulling him away from his thoughts.
With the first few notes of Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Jonathan felt his melancholy fade away.
So what if he’d missed out on ten years of Christmas mornings?
He had an eternity of holidays with Angel by his side waiting for him. And with the kids in their adorable tiny parkas and hats in front of him, it was impossible to feel even the smallest amount of sadness.
Angel leaned against him. He wrapped his arm around her, holding his mug with his other hand.
“Look at that bunny ear hat. Isn’t that the cutest thing ever?” she whispered. “I want one like that.”
One of the tiniest children, a girl who’d probably only just started school this year, wore a fluffy white hat with floppy bunny ears. She was grinning from ear to ear, barely able to keep from bouncing as she sang with the other children. In the break between songs, she waved eagerly to where her mom and dad were watching.