Leo pulled his hands away and stalked over to the fireplace, gazing down into the flames. Eden decided to try again.
“I thought you said you were looking forward to spending Christmas with me.”
She crossed to where he stood and put a finger under his chin, turning his face to hers, but he dropped his eyes.
“So why are you sitting here in the dark, all alone?”
“I thought it would be easier if I left you and Nathan to enjoy the holidays without me butting in.”
Confused by his words, Eden blinked, then shook her head.
“I don’t understand. Nathan left Willow Bay this afternoon. He wanted to get home for Christmas morning.”
When Leo didn’t look up, it began to dawn on her that Leo thought something had been going on between her and Nathan. She wasn’t sure if she should feel guilty or offended.
“You don’t think there’s something going on between me and Nathan, do you?” She stepped closer, wanting to feel his warmth. “Do you, Leo?”
Slowly, Leo shook his head, raising his dark eyes.
“No, I guess I don’t,” he admitted. “It’s just that Nathan’s spent so much time with you lately, and I’ve been so busy, and…well, it doesn’t seem fair for you to have to always come second to my practice and my clients.”
“So, what are you saying?’ Eden asked, her green eyes searching his face. “Are you saying you don’t want to be with me anymore?”
“I’m saying that you’ll be better off without me.”
His soft words broke Eden’s heart, and she pulled him to her with a cry of protest, wanting to erase the pain in his eyes.
“I’d be miserable without you,” she said, pulling back to look up at him. “And I don’t want Nathan or anyone else, but you.”
“What about the ring?”
Leo’s question hung in the air as Eden stared at him blankly.
“The ring? What ring?”
Sighing, Leo stepped back and rain a hand through his hair.
“The ring that Barb saw Nathan showing off yesterday at your house. She told Pat all about it.”
“If she told Pat all about it, she should have mentioned that the ring was for Nathan’s new partner. A woman he plans to ask to marry him tomorrow morning when he gets back to San Francisco.”
Her words seemed to hit Leo like a slap. He stared at her, stunned.
“You mean he hasn’t been trying to get back together with you?”
Eden shook her head, raising her eyebrows.
“And you don’t want to get back with him?”
She shook her head again, this time crossing her arms over her chest with a stern look.
“No, Leo. Nathan and I are just friends, and if anything, my time with him has proven to me just how much I want to be with you.”
“Even though I’m always at work? Even though I defend people you might not like me defending?”
Eden nodded, a smile spreading over her face at the hopeful look on Leo’s handsome face.
“Yep, even then,” she said. “I’m proud of you for what you do, Leo. I’m not angry that you spend your time helping other people. And I’m sorry for the way I acted when Ruth was killed. I was upset, and I reacted badly, but that doesn’t mean I want you to change.”
Relief spread over Leo’s face as her words sank in. Eden dug in her purse and pulled out a package wrapped in bright red paper with a big green bow.
“Duke and I got you this present.”
Taking the package, Leo pretended to shake it and listen for clues, then slowly unwrapped it to reveal a framed picture of Eden and Duke wearing matching Christmas sweaters.
"To put on your desk, so you won't forget about us when you're working on your next big case."
“It’s perfect. Thank you…both of you.”
Leo bent to scratch between Duke’s ears, then lowered himself onto the rug in front of the fire. Pulling Eden down next to him, he took her hand in his and studied it.
“I’m sure Oscar Hernandez was happy to be released in time for Christmas,” Eden said, liking the way the firelight played off his dark eyes. “And you must be relieved, too.”
“I am glad for Oscar, and angry about what happened. He seems like a good man, and this whole thing has been hard on him.”
Leo’s jaw hardened as he spoke.
“And, of course, there’s still someone out there that has attacked two women. Based on the reports I’ve seen, this guy’s a real psycho.”
The anger in Leo’s eyes softened as he looked at Eden.
“I worry about you and Hope, you know. And all the women out there that this sick bastard might target.”
Lifting her hand to push back a lock of dark hair from Leo’s forehead, Eden tried not to think of the man that even now might be lurking in the dark, searching for his next victim.
“For now…just for tonight…let’s not think about any of that, Leo. Let’s just be glad that we’re together, and that it’s Christmas, and-”
“Hold that thought,” Leo said, pushing himself up and hurrying out of the room.
Minutes later he was back, kneeling next to her, holding a small, unwrapped box.
“Sorry I didn’t have time to wrap this,” he said, his eyes suddenly shy. “I wasn’t sure this would be the right time. But I hope it is.”
A nervous flutter in her chest made her feel slightly breathless as she opened the box. She gasped when she saw the ring inside.
“It was my mother’s engagement ring. I know it’s not very big, but it means the world to me. Just like you do.”
Blinking back tears, Eden took the ring out of the box and slid it onto her ring finger.
“Does this mean…are you asking me to…?”
Leo laughed, his eyes bright.
“I’m kneeling in front of you, giving you my mother’s ring. So, yes, this means…will you marry me, Eden? Will you make me the luckiest man in the world?”
Eden paused, thinking back to everything that happened to lead her to this moment, and to the man in front of her, then nodded.
“Yes, Duke and I will marry you.”
Pulling Leo down next to her, Eden snuggled against him, wanting to tell the kids her exciting news, but knowing that it could wait. Their movie wouldn’t be over yet, and she didn’t feel like moving anyway. It felt too good to be protected from the bitter wind outside, safe and warm in the glow of the fire. She smiled as she felt Duke settle his warm body next to hers.
Sometimes it really is a wonderful life.
Acknowledgements
I WROTE THIS BOOK DURING A SCORCHING FLORIDA summer, taking refuge in my cool, quiet writing nook while the long, hot summer days ticked by. I deeply appreciate my wonderful family giving me the time and the solitude needed to finish this book before fall rolled around.
I often remind myself how lucky I am to have my amazing husband, Giles, and five lovable children, Michael, Joey, Linda, Owen and Juliet. They never fail to give me encouragement when I need it the most. Their unwavering love and support keeps me writing.
My life would be much more difficult without the help I receive from my extended family, including Melissa Romero, Leopoldo Romero, Melanie Arvin Kutz, David Woodhall and Tessa Woodhall. I don’t know what I’d do without them.
I can’t finish a book without giving thanks for having a mother who loved to read. I grew up surrounded by bookcases packed full of wonderful books; the joy my mother got from those books inspires me to write.
The feedback I’ve received on the first two books in the Mercy Harbor series provided useful insight and inspired me while writing this third book. I’m so thankful for the readers and reviewers who took the time to share their thoughts with me.
About the Author
Melinda Woodhall is the author of the page-turning Mercy Harbor Thriller series. After leaving a career in corporate software sales to focus on writing, Melinda now spends her time writing romantic thrillers and police procedurals. She also
writes women’s contemporary fiction as M.M. Arvin.
When she’s not writing, Melinda can be found reading, gardening, chauffeuring her children around town and updating her vegetarian lifestyle website.
Melinda is a native Floridian, and the proud mother of five children. She lives with her family in Orlando.
Visit Melinda’s website at www.melindawoodhall.com
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