by JoAnn Durgin
As Alex pulled her close, Nicole smiled at the sight of Julia in Jake’s arms. Dante kissed Amanda’s cheek as they slowly swayed to the music. Dylan danced nearby with Hannah, her pregnant belly a beautiful testimony of another daughter arriving soon.
Caroline and Ben beamed as they sat in folding chairs to one side of the room. Angie and Harry Goodwin laughed quietly in one another’s arms, barely moving on the dance floor. Henrietta Watkins and Martha of Martha’s Bakery—did she even have a last name?—whispered together in one corner. Some things never changed.
Marv, the dishwasher from Barney’s Diner, stole sweet kisses from his wife, Laverne, the town librarian. Nicole’s eyes misted when she saw bulky Karl Hines dancing with his petite wife, Sandy. From all accounts, love had softened the formerly bitter widower, and he’d proudly stepped into the role as stepfather to Sandy’s kids, Sammie and Travis.
When she’d helped pass out cookies earlier in the evening, Nicole had marveled at how much the kids had grown in the few short years she’d been away. Tyler Sinclair, Dylan and Hannah’s oldest son, was growing into a handsome, well-mannered young man, obviously close with his younger brother, Andrew. Their little sister, Sophie, was the life of the party, a beautiful child with a sunny disposition.
Such wonderful people. How she loved this town. How she’d miss them all when she left Starlight again. Maybe she was deluding herself, and it was simply the charm of the Christmas season.
No, it was much more than that. That was the power, if she could call it that, of Starlight—the caring people, the love in the air. So real it was almost tangible. It was exactly as she’d told Alex. God was here. God was everywhere, but especially in this precious town. In record time, as if it had a life of its own, little Starlight had settled in her heart again.
The dance was a slow one, and Nicole gloried in being held in Alex’s arms. Somehow, he’d also managed to make his way into her every thought, her prayers and—she couldn’t ignore it any longer—her heart.
“So, what do you think of my Starlight?” Nicole said as he twirled her once more in a slow circle.
“It has its definite charms. Especially sharing it with you.”
She inhaled a quick breath at the way his green eyes deepened. Why did everything that came from Alex’s lips tonight sound like a caress, an intimate overture for the symphony of her heart? This night was incredibly romantic, and she needed to treasure the memories for the cold winter months ahead.
Pulling her closer, Alex tightened his hold on her lower back. Nicole closed her eyes and savored the moment. Leaning her head on his firm chest, she felt and heard the strong, steady beating of his heart. When he covered her hand with his, she released a sigh of pure contentment.
“Thank you, Alex.” Even though she’d whispered, she knew he’d heard. “For at least this one night, you’ve made me feel like the most beautiful, special, cherished woman in the world.”
“That’s because you are.” He kissed her cheek. “Not just tonight, but every single day I’ve been blessed to know you. I have an idea. No rush, but whenever you’re ready to leave.”
“Tell me.” She swayed with him, never wanting the dance to end but intrigued by his suggestion.
“Have you seen the pond behind the house? It’s a private skating rink. Amanda told me they have a supply of skates in a closet off the kitchen, and she gave us permission to raid it. Want to change and go for a quick spin around the pond? If you’re not too tired.” He kissed her cheek, his lips warming her skin.
“I’m not the best skater. I’m actually pretty bad. Just so you know, what I said about the Ice Capades when we first met was no idle threat.”
She felt the quiet rumble of laughter in his chest. “I won’t let you fall, sweetheart. Promise.”
Nicole pulled back and gave him a smile, knowing Alex would be true to his word. “You called me sweetheart.”
“I guess I did. Do you mind?”
“Not at all.”
As they thanked their hosts a short time later and excused themselves to go upstairs and change in their respective guest bedrooms, Nicole sensed Jake’s gaze on her. He gave her a small salute.
With a return smile, Nicole saluted him right back.
****
“Look at those stars, Alex.” Nicole raised her chin, inhaling deeply of the fresh, crisp night air. “Have you ever seen anything more beautiful?”
Mirroring her, Alex lifted his face to the sky. “Not to burst your Starlight bubble, but the stars are pretty much the same everywhere on the planet.”
Nicole leveled her gaze on him. Kneeling on one knee, Alex laced her ice skates. “You’re missing the point, city boy. The stars here are somehow more pure. Honest. Clear.” She blinked hard. “Never mind. I guess I shouldn’t expect you to understand.”
“I understand you don’t have to actually be in Starlight to carry that wistfulness in your heart.” He offered his hand. “Like you’ve said before, it’s just geography, right?”
“I suppose.” She allowed Alex to pull her to her feet. As she teetered beside him, she was thankful he took it slow as they carefully made their way across the frozen ground. Tall spotlights highlighted the outline of the pond. “As you can probably tell, it’s been a long time since I’ve even been on skates.” She darted a glance at his handsome profile. “How about you?”
“Two weeks. There’s a rink in New York, and I’m on a league.”
She sighed. “I suppose that shouldn’t really surprise me. So, you still play hockey on a regular basis, huh?”
“Afraid so. Hate to burst that bubble of yours, too, if you’d harbored any illusions I’d given it up.”
“I really wish you hadn’t told me that, Alex.”
“And why would that be?” Surprising her, he took her by the hand and pulled her around to face him.
“Hockey can be dangerous, and you have the battle scars to prove it. Try that on for starters.”
Placing his hands around her waist, Alex inched her closer. “Admit it, Nicole. You care about me as much as I care about you.”
“Define care.” His nearness was making her heady. She breathed him in, all solid male. Confident. Tall. Gorgeous and strong. Intelligent. Compassionate. He also seemed to understand her and accept her in spite of her crazy family, her insecurities, and vulnerabilities. And, from all appearances, he cared for her in spite of them. When her gaze settled on his lips, Nicole physically ached for his kiss. Never in her life had she yearned for a man, but yearn she did, and it was maddening yet exhilarating all at once.
“Time to stop being so pragmatic.” Easing his hold on her, Alex removed both his gloves. He stuffed them in his jacket and cradled her face between his hands. His touch warmed her everywhere, his smile filled the gaping holes in her heart. As he traced the curve of her cheek with his fingertips, she could scarcely breathe. “Nicole Reardon, you are, without a doubt, the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known. In every imaginable way.” His gaze fell to her lips, leaving no doubt as to the desire he felt for her.
Something inside her quickened.
“Let me define care for you and make my intentions perfectly clear.” He moved one hand to the middle of her back, the pressure firm yet gentle. After brushing his lips over her temple, Alex palmed her cheek. “I may not be the first man you’ve ever kissed, but as God is my witness, I hope to be the last.”
“I want you to be the last, Alex.” Her response came from the deepest part of her. Nicole caught the flicker of pleased surprise in his eyes.
Alex lowered his head, hesitating just above her lips. “May I have the honor of this kiss?” His voice was low, slightly husky.
“Yes,” she breathed as his lips grazed hers. Soft and gentle with the utmost tenderness. She sighed against his warm, inviting mouth, her heart rioting. His scent—rugged man, the outdoors, and light, musky cologne—intermingled and intoxicated her.
“I’m so glad you said yes,” he whispered. “You don’t kno
w how tempting it was with all that mistletoe inside the house tonight. But I wanted to wait and do this in private.” Peppering her cheeks with butterfly kisses before settling on her mouth again, Alex caressed her lips with such exquisite care that she melted in his arms. He didn’t push her, didn’t pressure her into anything more than she was willing to give. In his arms, Nicole felt an unbelievable peace. She was more at home than ever before. She didn’t understand it, didn’t want to analyze or pick it apart. For once, she just wanted to revel in the moment and simply feel.
Finally easing out of his arms, having lost all sense of time, Nicole caught the besotted look in Alex’s heavy-lidded gaze. She’d obviously surprised him with her impassioned response to his kisses, and he stared at her as if in some kind of trance. She cupped his jaw, which was shadowed with the beginnings of his dark beard, and he leaned into her touch. “We’re scary good at that, wouldn’t you say?” They needed to keep moving, or she couldn’t trust herself not to throw herself back in his arms and kiss him senseless.
He caught her hand, squeezed it, and planted a quick kiss on her cheek. “I’d definitely say so. Did you really have any doubt?” Tugging his gloves back on, he chuckled.
“Pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you?”
“Be quiet or I’ll kiss you again.” When he offered his arm, Nicole took hold of him as they continued to make their way toward the pond.
“Is that a threat?”
“Nope,” he said. “It’s a promise.”
18
Alex blinked the snowflakes off his eyelashes.
“It’s snowing!” Twirling in a precarious circle, arms extended, Nicole giggled. Her infectious, childlike joy delighted him.
With everything she did and said, she enchanted him. What he’d told Jake was true. The thought of returning to New York was weighing heavily on his mind. He was falling more in love with Nicole each passing day.
“Careful,” he said, reaching for her when she teetered on her skates. After he was assured she was steady on her feet, he released her. “Thank you.”
She tilted her head, slanting him a curious look. “For what?”
“For helping me remember to appreciate God’s gifts.” He took her by the hand again. “Come on. Let’s go skate.”
Five minutes later, if Nicole’s frown didn’t clue him in that she was uncomfortable as he helped her onto the ice, the way her ankles wobbled in the skates confirmed it. Moving one arm around her waist, Alex pulled her along with strong, forward glides. This he could do, and it was second nature to him.
He heard her sharp intake of breath. Maybe this wasn’t the best idea. But she was willing to try something she obviously didn’t like, and that in itself spoke to her strength of character.
Slowing their pace, Alex swung around to face her and captured both her gloved hands in his. “Allow me to lead. Close your eyes if it helps.” He tightened his hold to reassure her. “Don’t be afraid. I’ve got you. I won’t let you fall.”
As he skated with her, he darted frequent glances over his shoulder to get a sense of the perimeter of the pond. Once he was confident she was more relaxed, Alex succumbed to the temptation to study Nicole since she’d taken his suggestion and closed her eyes. Her skin was radiant and smooth, and she could easily be mistaken for a teenager instead of a woman in her late twenties. But she was all woman, and then some. He admired her dedication to her career. He adored her sense of humor, her wit. The way her eyes sparked when she was impatient, the way her lips curved into the most beautiful smile he’d ever seen. The way she looked at him and made him feel like the most blessed man in the universe. The way her lips felt on his, the way she’d responded to him. The way they fit in every way.
He hoped she wasn’t chilled in her red wool jacket. “Are you too cold? If you are, we’ll go back inside.”
“No,” she said, and her eyes fluttered open. “I’ve always loved this time of year and the crispness in the air. Call me weird, but the cold makes me somehow feel more alive.”
“I agree. I’ve always felt at home on the ice. In some ways, it’s very natural for me.”
She giggled a little, the sound working its way further into his heart. “That is weird, but I suspected as much from the time you pointed out your battle scars.”
Exhaling, Alex watched his warm breath escape into the night air. “You’re kind of giving me a complex about them.”
Nicole’s smile could have knocked him over. “I don’t mean to, Alex. They’re like your badges of honor. You’re missing the point. I actually like them. They give you added character, a hint of intrigue.”
“More like a reminder of my youthful idiocy.” She liked them? That was a pleasant surprise. Two ex-girlfriends had suggested he have his scars corrected. They might be physical imperfections, but they humbled him while highlighting his humanity.
Nicole closed her eyes again as they continued to skate around the small pond.
After a few more minutes, Alex felt the tension in her arms relax and a teasing smile played about her lips. “I’m feeling braver now.”
“Go for it,” he said in a coaxing tone.
She opened her eyes. “It’s nice to know you’re so accomplished and won’t allow me to end up flat on my backside. And I know you were watching me.” When she slicked her tongue along her lower lip, moistening it, it sent a shot of adrenaline straight through him.
Nicole’s blue eyes searched his, sending his thoughts in a hundred different directions. He needed to keep them moving, or he’d kiss her again and not want to stop. His skates swished on the ice as Alex skirted around her. Tucking her tight into his side, he skated with her beside him and dared to increase the pace. “Let’s have some fun.”
After a few feeble protests, Nicole’s nervous laughter calmed down. Soon enough, they fell into an easy rhythm together as they circled several turns, the metal blades of their skates slicing through the ice the only sounds to break the quiet of the night. Alex twirled her a few times before finally slowing them down.
She laughed when he scooped her into his arms and skated to the edge of the pond. “I can see this is becoming a habit with you.” This time she didn’t protest or squirm. “Thank you, Alex. That was actually very romantic. I loved every minute.” He gently lowered her to the ground and then kissed her forehead.
“Me, too. Thanks for being such a good sport.”
Five minutes later, shoulders touching, they sat on the covered outdoor porch as they started to remove their skates. “My dad used to skate with me on a pond near our house. Those times are among my favorite memories of him.” Nicole’s voice was quiet and full of emotion. Appearing embarrassed, she lowered her gaze.
“Hold onto those memories of your dad,” he said. “Whether or not you realize it, they make you smile. Thanks for skating tonight with me.” She’d removed her gloves and fumbled with a knot in the laces as he tugged off both his skates. “Here, let me help you.” He leaned close and worked out the knot for her. “I’ve worked out a lot of knots in skate laces in my day.”
“I’m sure you have.” Nicole fell silent as he slipped to his knees and removed her right skate followed by the left. When she took his hand and stood up beside him, Alex hated the thought that he’d need to say good night to her in a few minutes and bring a perfect day to an end.
“You’re right about Starlight, you know.”
“Tell me.”
“The part about God being here. And also the part about falling in love.”
Her smile reached every part of him.
He lightly skimmed his fingertips over her cheek and turned her face to his, bringing her closer. “May I kiss you again?” His eyes fell on her lips, and he lowered his head.
****
“You don’t need to ask permission,” Nicole whispered. Something stuck in the back of her mind. Something she didn’t welcome. Planting both hands on his firm chest, she shook her head, backing away before he could kiss her. “Wait. I’m sorry, Al
ex. I can’t do this right now.”
She felt as much as heard his sigh of frustration.
“Let’s go inside where it’s warm.” Moving to the back door, he held it open, waiting, the expression on his face indecipherable.
With each step, Nicole’s heart dropped further. Why did she have to question everything? Why couldn’t she just enjoy his soul-stirring, heart-stopping kisses and the fact that such a handsome, successful and wonderful-in-every-way man desired her? She should wish him good night and see what tomorrow might bring. Don’t spoil this perfect evening.
“Listen, we’re both tired and should call it a night.” Alex hung their jackets on a hook inside the back door. Leaning against the island in the middle of the kitchen, he rubbed one hand over his forehead and then covered his mouth when he yawned. “Sorry, it’s not the company. I assure you. It’s been a long day, but a great one. We probably tried to cram too much emotion into one roller coaster of a day. I’m looking forward to being in church with you in the morning. What time’s the service?”
“Nine thirty.”
“Are we still planning on visiting your mother on the way back to Des Moines?”
She shuffled her sock-covered feet on the floor, leaned against the opposite counter, and avoided his gaze. “I’m debating. A promise is a promise, I suppose, but I’m having a hard time with it at the moment.”
“I’m along for the ride whatever you decide. And I don’t just mean because we came in the same vehicle.”
Alex’s words meant so much. He wasn’t trying to sway her one way or the other. But he was here, and he cared. “I meant what I said. For this one night, you made me feel…precious to someone. That means more than you can possibly ever know.”
