by Vivian Arend
Her cheeks flushed red hot. Oh, boy.
These were the moments that made it so clear to Alex that he and Yvette belonged together.
Yeah, she was embarrassed as all get out, but as he stole his hand under the table and caught her fingers in his, squeezing them tight before resting their joined hands on his thigh, it was a good embarrassed.
He still had some tangles to unfurl when it came to this woman. But the pieces that were lining up perfectly made him not just tingle with need but soothed and satisfied something inside him. He knew they had to be friends first.
On the other side of Yvette, Brooke was wearing the kind of smile that meant trouble. “I like an agreeable man.”
Her husband sat across the table from her. Mack eyed her with anticipation in his gaze. “Oh, you do. And you have one. So stop teasing my friend.”
“Alex is my friend too,” Brooke complained. “Which means I get to tease him as well as Yvette.”
Madison got in on the action. She’d pushed away from the table, hands resting on the swell of her belly. “Teasing is what you do best, but it’s time we deal with the really big elephant in the room.”
Mack slapped a hand over his mouth and shook his head, his eyes crinkled up with amusement.
“You are so annoying,” Madison said as she slapped him lightly on the arm.
“I never said anything,” Mack complained indignantly.
“You were thinking it. Really loudly.” Madison eased against Ryan’s side. “Make your friend be nice to me.”
“Stop thinking terrible things about Madison’s baby belly,” Ryan ordered, slipping his hand over the swell and pressing a kiss to her cheek. “It’s beautiful.”
“Thank you, darling.” She laid her hand on top of his and spoke softly, amusement in her tone. “Okay, it’s beautiful and big.”
“It absolutely is—the beautiful part. That’s what I planned to say before you added anything.” Mack reached a hand across the table to Brooke. “Can you help me out here, babe? Before they throw me out a window or something?”
She caught his fingers and nodded briefly. “The floor is all yours.”
Yvette’s fingers tightened as Alex’s suspicion shot to high. The setup was perfect for a certain kind of announcement.
Sure enough, Mack glanced down the table to make sure their core group members were all listening. “Brooke and I are pleased to announce she too will be doing the beautiful belly thing. Baby Klassen is expected to arrive this coming summer.”
Which meant the next ten minutes were taken up with hugs and handshakes and firm back poundings as the news spread.
Yvette got in the first hug with Brooke before shaking her head in disbelief. “I didn’t suspect a thing. So happy for you.”
Brooke winked at Alex as she leaned over Yvette’s shoulder. “We had to wait until there was a big enough crowd to make our announcement worthwhile.”
“Fantastic news,” Alex said as he slipped in behind Yvette and squeezed Brooke carefully. “You and Mack are going to rock the family thing.”
“It will help that we have so many babysitters around,” Brooke said with a wink before turning to the next person to accept their congratulations.
Alex slid his arm back around Yvette and led her around the table so they could join the group congratulating Mack.
Then they stepped aside, waiting with Brad and Hanna for a lull in the action. Yvette leaned against Alex’s chest, totally at ease.
He liked it. He liked it a lot.
She jerked upright, glancing back at him before tilting her head excitedly across the room. “Come with me. I see someone I need to talk to.”
He went willingly, coming to a stop with her in front of a petite redhead who appeared to be attempting to inch away from the man who had her trapped.
Yvette cleared her throat. “Sorry to interrupt.”
The man—a brother of one of their volunteers?—glared at her because she had totally cut him off midsentence.
But the woman turned with a grateful smile. “No problem. What’s up?”
“Brad told me you had some information I need. It’ll just take a minute. Thanks so much, so nice to meet you,” Yvette said to the man even as she caught the woman by the arm and, still hanging on to Alex, dragged the two of them to the side of the room.
The man stared after them, confusion and a touch of frustration on his face.
“Thank you,” the woman said, laying her hand on Yvette’s arm and squeezing tightly. “He’s a new volunteer, so I didn’t want to kick his butt, but it was getting close.”
“I was lying about the Brad thing,” Yvette said. “I do need to talk to you, though.” She turned to Alex. “Have you met Sydney since you got back to town? I don’t think she was living local when you left.”
The name sounded familiar, but he shook his head, holding out a hand. “Alex Thorne. Silver Stone ranch hand and one of the coordinators here at the hall.”
“You’re Alex.” The woman smiled brightly. She gave his hand a firm shake then rested her hands on her hips. “Dr. Sydney Jeremiah. I was based out of Black Diamond, but I’m opening a care center here in Heart Falls.”
Now Alex had a face to put with the name. “I have heard of you. I’ve been fortunate enough to not have needed your services.”
“Let’s hope it stays that way,” she said cheerfully before turning to Yvette. “Yes?”
“Do you do house calls?”
Sydney looked Yvette up and down, gaze lingering on the lights on both their sweaters.
Yvette shook her head. “Not for me. Creighton Reiner injured his foot. He let me stitch him up, but it would be good if you took a look at my embroidery.”
Sydney nodded slowly. “I assume this is one of the local old-timers?”
She hadn’t asked for his help, but Alex was more than willing to offer it. “Bit of a cranky bastard, but he’s got a good heart. If you want, I can accompany you and Yvette when you’ve got time. See if I can help things go a little smoother.”
Yvette bumped her shoulder into his. “That’s a good idea.”
The doctor shrugged. “I’ll check my calendar. Even cranky old bastards deserve medical attention.”
“Thanks.” Yvette tilted her head toward where Brad had just called for them to gather. “Come with us if you want safety in numbers. You know, to avoid your stalker.”
“The guy was just being overly friendly,” Sydney said before wrinkling her nose. “Kind of like a puppy, but I didn’t have a rolled-up newspaper to bop him on the nose with.”
Alex snickered and offered them both his arms. When they both slipped hands around his biceps, he marched them toward the crowd, feeling like a hero.
“It is time for the official first-ever gaudy sweater contest.” Someone had gotten Madison a microphone, and she stood on the raised platform at the side of the room, one hand unconsciously balanced on top of her belly. “Because we all know that last year’s unofficial event was won by my husband. Thank you very much.”
“He was the only one who dressed up,” Mack shouted.
“You snooze, you lose,” Ryan returned.
Sydney slipped away into the group. Yvette shocked the hell out of Alex by curling her arm around his waist so they stood side by side, most definitely a tangled-together couple.
While Madison went over the rules for voting, Yvette leaned her cheek against Alex’s and whispered in his ear. “Whether we win or lose, I really enjoyed doing up the sweaters. And spending time with you. I wanted you to know that.”
He kissed the corner of her mouth quickly, pulling back until he could rest their foreheads together. “Thank you for being a good sport. I think we’re doing a fine job of this dating thing.”
“I guess we are.”
“Plus, we’re totally going to win.” He winked before turning back to the crowd.
A moment later, everyone who was dressed appropriately slid to the front of the gathering then turned to face th
e audience.
“I need the judges to step forward, please,” Madison announced.
A group of a dozen giggling children squirmed their way to the front.
From then on, the contest was pretty much a shoe-in. Brooke and Mack had decorated their sweaters with row upon row of shiny, ribbon-wrapped boxes. Ryan was once again wearing the classic cardigan that he and Madison used during their battle. Brad had his shimmering tinsel coat, and Hanna one that was covered with greenery. Mistletoe, maybe?
Alex needed to tease Brad about that particular choice at some future private moment.
Another dozen of the volunteers had put their hand in as well, but when he and Yvette trailed in front of the children, their eyes truly lit up. Especially when he handed one of them a finger puppet cow out of his pocket. “You decide where he goes. Want to put him in the barn?”
The little girl’s eyes glowed. She shook her head and very carefully pushed the beast against the piece of Velcro on top of one of the fence posts. Giggles ensued from the cast of judges.
A moment later he and Yvette were both surrounded as eager children took their finger puppets and went to town. All the little spots of Velcro that were randomly placed over the cardigan were filled with farm animals in most nonsensical places. Most of them standing on their heads because that seemed to bring the greatest delight.
But it was the little girl who had both the man farmer and woman farmer who got the most laughs. She’d decided that the two of them needed to sit at the very peak of the barn on the back of Yvette’s sweater.
The only way it would work was to wrap them up in each other’s arms. The little tyke patted her hand firmly to make sure they stayed in place.
“There,” she said. “They’re like the star at the top of the tree. That’s what makes it perfect, you know.”
The two tangled up together, sitting and looking out over a wonderful home? Alex couldn’t agree more.
When the children had finished voting, he and Yvette had clearly won.
Brad tried to look stern, but there was too much Christmas cheer in the room for it to stick. He mock grumbled as he stepped beside Alex. “You found out the kids were judging.”
Alex shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe not.”
A soft snicker escaped Yvette. Alex ignored everyone around them so he could lead her downstairs to the place of honour under the watchful eyes of the zombie snowmen. There they sat, arms wrapped around each other as the official photo of the winning gaudy sweater was taken for prosperity.
Before giving up their spot, they took a couple of selfies. Then Alex took Yvette back into the hall to enjoy the laughter and warmth of good friends.
One more successful step toward the future.
8
When Yvette opened the day-ten drawer, she found—as usual—the next day’s key. But the actual present wasn’t shiny like the tiny horse charm that had been in the day-nine drawer. It wasn’t sweet and delicious like the day-seven coupon for a box of Timbits.
It was far more mysterious and made her heart pound. A thin cylinder just slightly larger than a pencil unscrewed to reveal what appeared to be an antique treasure map.
She squealed with delight, allowing happiness to pump through her thoroughly before picking up her phone and messaging Alex.
* * *
Yvette: There’s only one problem with today’s present
Alex: Oh?
Yvette: I don’t seem to see where I need to start this adventure. Can I have a clue? I thought about checking to see if you used invisible ink, but I don’t want to ruin the map if I don’t have to.
Alex: You might need a partner to deal with this problem. I understand you’re coming out to Silver Stone today. Maybe we can take a break when you’re done.
* * *
Oh, that tricky man. Yvette glanced over the map again, mentally overlaying the path of the footsteps in the directions over what she remembered of Silver Stone.
* * *
Yvette: Deal. I’ll try to give you a heads-up about half an hour before I’m done.
* * *
As it turned out, she didn’t need to worry. Alex met her in the parking area, cowboy hat in place, working boots on his feet.
“Are you my guide today?” she asked.
He sauntered forward. “Didn’t even have to volunteer. Ashton put me on veterinarian duty straight off.”
She paused before glancing around and deciding to hell with it. “You plan to give me a kiss?”
Immediately, he pulled off his hat and an instant later she was wrapped up in his arms, his big hand bracing the back of her head. “Didn’t want to scare you, but can’t say I was eager to skip this.”
Before she could tease back, he’d pulled her in even tighter, igniting her senses with a brief but enthusiastic kiss.
He stepped back and replaced his hat, tilting it forward and giving it a tap before grinning at her. He tilted his head toward the second barn. “This way.”
This was not an area where they’d ever had problems. Yvette enjoyed working with Alex. Enjoyed the way that, as they approached each new animal, he would give a clear rundown on what the issues were, but even as he was talking, he would slow his step. Lower his voice so that when she went to check the animal, the beast was as calm as possible.
They stopped after a couple of hours and headed into the mess hall for a coffee break. Yvette pulled out the treasure map and placed it on the table between them. “This is fun. Once you mentioned you were going to be my guide, I had a pretty good idea of where we need to start.”
“Sounds good to me. We only have a couple more jobs on the list.”
Which is how, not even an hour later, they ended up standing beside the main door of the oldest building on Silver Stone. A connection between the two newer builds, the aged wood was honey gold in places where hands had touched over years and years of wear.
Yvette glanced at the map. “Twenty paces south.”
That clue was easy. It led them straight down a corridor with stalls on one side and tack rooms and other storage spaces on the opposite.
The next part wasn’t so clear. When she hesitated, Alex leaned over her. “Now what, sweetheart?”
“Now it looks like a spring. Or spiral. But I have no idea what that means.” She glanced around, slowly pivoting in the hopes she’d see something that would trigger an idea.
“Let me know when you want another clue,” Alex offered.
“Right now would be good.”
He dipped his chin slowly. “I require payment for my clues.”
A very unladylike snort escaped Yvette. “Of course you do.”
He eased her against him. “Don’t worry. I won’t bankrupt you.”
Her lips were being taken again, and Yvette wondered how on earth she had survived this long without Alex’s kisses. They were delicious. Mesmerizing, soul-satisfying, and addictive.
Breathtaking as well, apparently, because when he pulled away, she clung to his shoulders to keep on her feet. “You do that too many times, I’m going to puddle onto the floor.”
“Going to be hard to find your treasure if you turn into an amoeba.” He tapped her nose then twirled a finger in the air by his shoulder. “Here’s a clue.”
Yvette watched closely, but while she could see the motion, it didn’t trigger any other—
His hand slowly rose in the air.
“There’s a second story, isn’t there?” Yvette demanded, looking around to see how to access it.
On the wall a few feet away, a set of ropes were looped on a hook. They led skyward toward pulleys high in the rafters.
Okay. Clue solved, but there was no way in hell Yvette was using some old-fashioned dumbwaiter system to get into the loft. “Tell me there’s another way up.”
Alex had the ropes and was lowering something toward them. “It’s safe,” he promised. “I checked everything.”
Her heart pounded, and this time it wasn’t from the excitement of the search.
“Alex.”
Every bit of her fear came out in the word.
He wrapped his arm around her and gave her another squeeze before gesturing toward the contraption. A three-by-three-foot platform hung at swing height off the floor. “I’ll ride with you. I’ll be with you every step of the way.”
A long, unsteady breath escaped her, and Yvette stared into his face. His lips still held the faintest hint of a smile—it didn’t seem as if he ever lost that. But his eyes were serious, and he stood rock solid. Like an immovable mountain.
A steady place to put her trust.
“Don’t drop me,” she whispered before easing her butt back onto the platform.
He leaned forward and looked her straight in the eye. “It’ll be fun. Trust me.”
The entire base under her hips sank an inch when he joined her, and a little shriek involuntarily escaped.
The next thing she knew, he was pulling the ropes and lifting them skyward hand over hand. They had left their coats hanging on a wall just inside the barn, and now she watched as his biceps and forearms flexed with the sheer brute strength he used on every motion.
Dear God, his arms were the sexiest thing she’d seen in her life.
They were also the most distracting thing she’d ever seen, apparently, because the next thing she knew, he’d pulled on a third rope and swung their platform over the solid wooden floor of the loft.
Yvette slipped her feet to the floorboards, and Alex joined her, tossing the ropes over a hook beside the nearest beam.
Then he held her in his arms again, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. “Didn’t mean to scare you. But thank you for the gift you just gave me.”
She stilled, considering his words. When she looked up, it was to see absolute truth in his eyes. She drowned in it for a moment. In this amazing and none-too-familiar sensation. She hadn’t been perfect, and yet he didn’t seem displeased at all with her. He hadn’t teased or made rude comments or anything.
