By Firelight

by Janice Maynard

  She loosened the tape and carefully folded the paper to a chorus of disapproving groans. When she lifted the lid from the box, she caught her breath.

  Inside was a lightweight, extremely luxurious cashmere robe in soft gray. She lifted it free of the thick tissue and held it to her cheek. “It’s lovely,” she said softly. “Thank you all.”

  Stanley patted her knee. “You’re one of us now. Don’t you forget it.”

  They were all kind enough to divert their attention from a choked-up Hallie as Santa continued handing out gifts. When it came time for all the Denmans to open Hallie’s presents, she could tell from their expressions they were genuinely pleased. The kids crawled up in her lap for kisses and hugs.

  Despite the festivities, Hallie couldn’t help missing Daniel with a deep ache that had nothing to do with Christmas and everything to do with the fact she could no longer deny her feelings. She loved him. Madly. For the long run.

  But she hadn’t a clue what to do about it.

  Julie’s parents were paying Hallie for only two weeks. Hallie couldn’t exactly crash in Daniel’s room after that like a college kid nabbing a couch. When the front door opened and Daniel entered in a swirl of snowflakes and icy air, everyone greeted him with gusto. Santa found one last present under the tree, and soon a laughing Daniel was stripped of his coat and ensconced on the sofa beside Hallie.

  He stole a kiss in front of their audience. “Merry Christmas, Hallie.”

  She grinned at him, feeling her world settle into its orbit at last. “Merry Christmas yourself.”

  Daniel’s gift from the Denmans was a fishing pole, top of the line, to use the following summer. They had all heard him wax poetic about the streams in Alaska and wanted him to be ready.

  By ten thirty, Daniel had eaten a plate of leftovers, and the merrymaking was beginning to subside. The Denmans were well aware they all had to say good-bye to Timothy in time for him to be back on post by midnight. Hallie and Daniel escaped to the kitchen to give the family some privacy.

  He brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. “I have a present for you, my girl. Do you want it now or in the morning?”

  She gnawed her lip. “Don’t you have to work tomorrow?”

  He shook his head. “I did some swapping. I’ll be here to help you clean, and I’ll take you to the airport if you still insist on leaving.”

  She bent her head, hearing his gentle rebuke. “I guess I want it now,” she said softly. “I’ve never been a patient person.”

  When he pulled a velvet-covered box from his pocket, her heart stopped.

  “It’s not a ring,” he said quickly. “Not yet anyway.”

  He handed her the box. Inside was a necklace, a delicate platinum chain with a small charm, a lovely sapphire representation of a flower. It was clearly expensive. She wondered when he had found the time to shop for such an exquisite gift.

  Daniel took it from her and unfastened the latch, placing the necklace around her neck. He turned her to face a small mirror on the opposite wall. “It’s a forget-me-not,” he said gruffly. “The state flower of Alaska. I hope it does its job. I’m counting on it, in fact.”

  When his fingers brushed her throat, her skin quivered. She touched the jeweled blossom. “I love it, Daniel. Thank you.”

  He turned her in his arms and kissed her gently. “It’s a start.”

  She smiled at him. “I have something for you, but I think I’ll make you wait till the morning.”

  “How is that fair?”

  She shrugged. “I’ll make it up to you later.”

  He lifted an eyebrow. “I think I just found my second wind. Is it too early to say good-night to our guests?”

  Before Hallie could answer, Timothy eased the door open and poked his head into the kitchen. “I’ve got to head out,” he said gruffly. Misery darkened his eyes. It was all Hallie could do not to bawl. She gave him a kiss on the cheek, and the two men embraced briefly.

  Daniel clapped him on the back. “I’ll be keeping an eye out for you, Denman. Maybe we can grab dinner once in a while.”

  Timothy cleared his throat. “I’d like that.” He smiled at Hallie, but his big puppy dog eyes made it clear that he was sad to be saying good-bye. “You’ve been wonderful to my mom and the whole family. We can’t thank you enough.”

  “It was my pleasure,” she said. “I hope we’ll stay in touch.”

  Hallie and Daniel went out on the front porch with the rest of the crew to say good-bye and to watch Timothy drive off down the street. After that, no one had much Christmas spirit left. Except for the children, of course, who were anxious to get to sleep so Santa would come. Hallie knew that despite the early flight, everyone would be up with the roosters for the kids’ benefit.

  When the activity downstairs had quieted, Daniel squeezed Hallie’s hand. “Let’s go to bed, sweetheart.” About then the grandfather clock chimed the hour. They looked at each other and smiled.

  She took his hand as they walked down the hall. “Merry Christmas, Daniel.”

  Their lovemaking was subdued. Daniel was exhausted, and Hallie was overly emotional from the evening that had made her aware of so many mixed feelings. He entered her slowly, moving inside her for what seemed like hours. Her legs were twined tightly around his waist, as if clinging to him gave her the power to stop the clock. To keep the weak Alaskan sun from rising.

  When it was over, they cuddled drowsily, wrapped in each other’s arms. It was well into the night before Hallie slept.

  * * *

  When the alarm went off, she rose in a fog of fatigue and stumbled into the kitchen to prepare one last breakfast. Daniel was dead to the world, so she let him sleep. In the living room she could hear the childish squeals of glee as little ones discovered their Santa presents.

  The next couple of hours were a blur. Everyone ate, including Daniel, who showed up in the kitchen heavy-eyed and rumpled. Last-minute items were stuffed into already bulging suitcases. Occasionally someone snapped a bad-tempered remark, the result of too little sleep and the stress of leaving Timothy behind.

  At nine thirty, all fifteen of the Denmans lined up by the front door for hugs and kisses from Hallie and Daniel. Robbie cried unashamedly as the big family went outside and loaded up in three rental vehicles.

  Despite the temperature, the older woman rolled down her window and leaned her head out. “Don’t be a stranger, Hallie. I left you my e-mail address and phone numbers. Don’t make me hunt you down.”

  Hallie nodded. “I’ll be in touch.”

  Daniel rested a hand on top of the car and kissed Robbie’s cheek one last time. “I’ll keep an eye on him until he ships out. And I’ll e-mail, too. Try not to worry.”

  And then they were gone.

  Daniel put his arm around Hallie who was shaking from the cold. “Come back inside before you turn into an icicle.”

  In the house, they stood awkwardly.

  Daniel’s scruffy one-day beard gave him a rakish look, but there were dark circles beneath his eyes.

  She had entertained the notion they might go back to bed for a quickie before tackling the four guest rooms, but Daniel didn’t look like a man in the mood for fun and games. His mouth was set in a grim line, and his expression was an odd combination of resignation and aggression.

  He thrust out his jaw. “What’s the schedule?”

  Frustration made her head hurt. What did he expect her to do? Julie’s parents would be back tomorrow.

  Was Hallie supposed to rent one of the upstairs rooms so she could hang out with Daniel? And how did he think she’d entertain herself while he was working?

  She reached in the closet for the vacuum. “I’ll handle the laundry if you’ll do the floors.”

  * * *

  Daniel worked mindlessly. Would it help matters if he flung her down on the nearest mattress and screwed her senseless? Would it make a difference if he begged? If he told her he wasn’t falling in love with her . . . but that he was already head
over heels?

  A man had his pride. He’d made it more than clear that he wanted her to stay. So yeah, maybe that would be hard for a woman like Hallie. There sure as hell weren’t any hotel jobs available this time of year.

  Did he expect her to stay in his bed, warm and willing, until he had the chance to join her? Put like that, it sounded a bit selfish, even if the visual did make him hard and horny.

  Oh, hell. He tried to ignore the voice deep in his gut that said he’d be able to tolerate this parting a heck of a lot better if she had at least given him some indication of what she was feeling.

  By noon, the B&B was spotless, every room ready for a new guest. All traces of the Denman family Christmas were gone. Only Hazel and Roy’s Christmas decorations remained. Daniel sprawled on the sofa and waited for Hallie to finish packing her bags. All he wanted now was to get this over with.

  * * *

  Hallie refused to cry. She was a grown woman. She and Daniel could work something out . . . maybe . . . if he was serious about his feelings. If she didn’t hear from him when she was back in Seattle, well then, she’d know she had done the right thing.

  She glanced around the room and checked the dresser drawers one last time. Looking at the bed was a mistake. All she could see was the X-rated movie she and Daniel had made in her memory.

  Her throat tightened. She blinked rapidly. Her chest hurt, but she refused to let Daniel see her get all teary and emotional. She owed it to him to let him know how she felt, but it was scary. If she said the words out loud, fate might decide she needed to lose one more thing.

  It was irrational. She knew that. But she couldn’t shake the feeling.

  She found Daniel in the living room, drumming his fingers on his knees. His entire posture said he was ready to be done with this good-bye. Her gift to him was tucked inside her roomy purse. She planned to give it to him when they got to the airport.

  He didn’t say anything, and neither did she.

  She picked up her coat, but before she could put it on, her cell phone rang. Hallie answered, giving Daniel an apologetic glance. “This is Julie. I’ll just be a minute. She probably wants to know what time to pick me up.”

  Hallie walked down the hall as she talked. It always made her nervous to carry on a conversation with someone else in the room.

  * * *

  Daniel sighed and stood up to pace. He should have gone to work and let Hallie take a cab. This was killing him.

  Minutes later, she was back, a look of excitement on her face.

  He shoved his hands in his pockets. “What is it?”

  Hallie grinned. “That was Hazel calling on Julie’s phone. She and Roy want to stay in Seattle a little longer. They’ve decided they may be ready to retire and put the B and B on the market. She wanted to know if I would mind working a few more weeks while they think about it.”

  “I’d be sorry to see them go.” Daniel had become very fond of the couple who had given him a home.

  “Well, it will take time. In this market, it could be a while before they find a buyer. But Julie’s wedding is coming up next spring. I guess they’re already thinking about being grandparents in the not-too-distant future.”

  Daniel smiled faintly. “Makes sense.”

  Hallie flung out her arms, her face alight with excitement. “Isn’t it wonderful? I don’t have to leave Alaska.”

  His stomach clenched. This was not exactly the way he’d envisioned things playing out in his fantasies.

  Hallie’s face fell, distress creasing her forehead. “I thought you’d be happy about this.”

  He shrugged. “I wanted you to stay because you needed me, not a job. But now I know where I stand.” He felt ridiculously hurt. The unaccustomed sensation made him surly.

  She approached him, her eyes pleading. “I love you, Daniel. But I’ve been afraid to say it. I didn’t trust what’s been happening between us. I was afraid to be happy for fear it would be snatched away.”

  “Convenient,” he snarled. “The truth is you were ready to get on a plane and never see me again. If Julie hadn’t called, you would never have told me you loved me—right?”

  “No,” she cried. “That’s not true. I was going to tell you at the airport when I gave you your Christmas present, I swear.”

  A leaden feeling settled in his stomach. “Well, I guess we’ll never know.”

  She shook her head vigorously. “You’re wrong, Daniel. I’m telling you the truth. Here.” She reached into her huge purse and pulled out a small package. “Open this and you’ll see.”

  The narrow flat box was wrapped in holly paper. The tag said “To my dearest Daniel . . . from Hallie.”

  He ripped into it with his heart beating and his mouth dry. Was Santa coming through for him after all?

  He stared at the contents. “It’s a ticket.”

  Hallie put her arms around his waist and laid her head on his shoulder. “An open-ended, round-trip plane ticket to Seattle from Fairbanks. I knew I had to get my life in order, but I didn’t want to lose you.”

  “You didn’t?” he asked, hardly daring to believe that his Christmas wish was about to come true.

  She pulled his head down for a kiss. “I didn’t.”

  He grabbed her up in a bear hug, her feet dangling above the floor. “I think I have another gift for you.”

  She kissed his nose. “Where is it?”

  “It’s too big to wrap.”

  “Ooh . . . intriguing. Don’t keep me in suspense.”

  He paused, suddenly unsure. Was Hallie really ready to stay in Alaska indefinitely? He cleared his throat. “I’ve never been married. Don’t have kids. I lead a pretty simple lifestyle.”

  A frown line appeared between her brows. “Okkkaaayyy.”

  He set her away from him and took a deep breath. It was impossible to think straight with her breasts crushed against his chest. “I’ve got a significant nest egg built up.”

  She stared at him in total confusion. “You lost me.”

  He shrugged and went for broke. “What if I buy the Dancing Elves B and B and give it to you for a wedding present?”

  Hallie went perfectly still, her eyes wide, her mouth hanging open in an oval of pure astonishment.

  The long silence scraped at his nerves. “Hallie?” He waved his hand in front of her face.

  She swallowed hard. “Was that a marriage proposal or a real estate offer?”

  The light in her eyes made him grin. “Either . . . both . . . I’ll let you decide.”

  She launched herself into his arms and scattered kisses all over his face. “This is a totally underhanded way to get me to stay in Alaska.”

  He kissed her hard, holding her tightly. “A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do. Is there an answer anywhere in that fascinating brain of yours, or do I have to get down on my knees and beg?”

  Her eyes were dreamy, her cheeks flushed. “Yes and yes. No begging required. I love you, Daniel. You’re going to get sick of hearing it.”

  “Do you know what this means?” He swung her in a circle.

  She laughed softly, her breasts smashed against his chest again. “Tell me.”

  He exhaled, a great big, starting-down-in-the-gut sound that summed up his cartwheeling emotions. “It means you’re no longer a Christmas Scrooge.”

  “Hey,” she pulled away, pretending to be insulted. “I was never that bad.”

  He kissed her again, still shaky from nearly losing her. “You turned up your nose at every decoration and Christmas song when I first met you. Admit it.”

  Her smile filled her blue eyes with joy. “I may have been a little conflicted about the holiday, but I always knew how I felt about you. You’ve made this the best Christmas ever, Daniel. Considering the circumstances, you deserve a medal.”

  He started unbuttoning her blouse.

  She cocked her head, her expression curious. “I take it we’re not going to the airport?”

  “No damn way.” He frowned, still r
attled at how close he had come to putting her on a plane.

  “Then what exactly did you have in mind?”

  He sighed in approval at the sight of her red satin bra, wondering if her panties matched. “It’s Christmas Day. We’re all alone. And we’ve just agreed to purchase the Dancing Elves B and B. I think we should christen our new venture.”

  “With daytime sex?”

  “Don’t laugh. Daytime sex in December is hard to come by in Alaska. We have to make hay while the sun shines.”

  “So that’s where the saying comes from?”

  He put his hands on her breasts and caressed the gooseflesh he found there. The necklace he’d given her nestled tantalizingly in her cleavage. “Do you think we could stop talking now?”

  Hallie caressed him boldly, making spots dance in front of his eyes. “Men really do have only one thing on their minds, don’t they?”

  His knees buckled. He pulled her down to the sofa, tucking her beneath him. “Marry me, Hallie.”

  The ceramic Santa on the coffee table smirked. Did Hallie wink at the guy? Strange . . .

  She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Whatever you say, Daniel. I like the sound of a honeymoon where the nights are twenty hours long.”

  He finished undressing them both and settled into her warm, welcoming body with a groan. “Lord, I hope I can keep up.”

  She squeezed him with inner muscles. “But on the other hand, I hear Alaska is spectacular in the summer.”

  He might have laughed, but he was too far gone. He shut her up by the simple expedient of kissing her until they both gasped for air.

  “Merry Christmas, Hallie,” he muttered, trying to last a few seconds longer.

  She moaned and shivered as she came. “Merry Christmas, Daniel,” she whispered breathlessly. “It’s going to be a wonderful life.”

  Be sure not to miss the next book in Janice Maynard’s Kilted Heroes series

  NOT QUITE A SCOT

  A Lyrical Shine e-book on sale December 2016!

  Read on for a special excerpt for the first book in the series