He had no idea what had possessed him to kiss Angela on Saturday. Did he regret it? No. Not at all. What he regretted was not doing a better job of it when he had a chance.
Joy had tattled to Drew that he’d finally kissed Angela and his brother had been relentless in teasing him about not stealing the pretty vet’s breath away when he had the chance.
Drew was right. He should have kissed her like there was no tomorrow. Had he done that, perhaps she would have returned his fervor. Instead, he’d given her a timid kiss and walked away like an idiot.
If he couldn’t get past his feelings for her or get even the tiniest glimmer of hope she might return his feelings, he wasn’t sure what he’d do.
“Need some help?” a soft hand settled on his arm while a soft voice settled in his ears. He turned and smiled at the object of his thoughts and affection.
“Hey. What are you doing back here?” he asked as Angela smiled at him. He’d been so busy with school and various obligations, he’d not had time to pursue stealing another kiss with her even if he wanted to. Which he admittedly did.
He took in the beautiful cranberry-colored dress she wore that accented her curves. Accustomed to seeing her in scrubs and cargo pants, it was easy to forget she had a killer figure. The day they’d gone skiing and she’d come out in a form-fitting knit shirt, he’d about lost his self control. Only by sheer force of will had he held onto it all day with a tenuous grasp.
“You look amazing,” he said, wanting to reach out to touch the waves of her hair that slid over her shoulders and down her back.
“You look pretty good yourself,” she said. Warmth shimmered in her eyes, making them look like melted chocolate.
Drake really did have a thing for all things chocolate, particularly when it came to Angela. “Do you really want to help?” he asked, waving a hand in front of him to indicate the chaos erupting around them.
Angela nodded. “Yes. Nick is sitting with the rest of his class, ready to perform. Thanks to your diligence, they are all behaving much, much better than the kindergartners or the second graders.”
He grinned. “And they’ve been warned Santa is watching. That helps.”
A laugh spilled out of her. “It certainly does.” She took a step closer to him. The temperature suddenly felt tropical as he fought to keep his hands to himself. “Did you, by chance, leave a tree at my house the other evening?”
“Me?” Drake slapped a hand to his chest in feigned innocence. “A tree?” He narrowed his gaze, pretending to consider the possibility. “What did this tree look like?”
“Green. Bushy. Fragrant. Lovely.” She smiled again and squeezed his hand. “Thank you for doing that. I would have eventually got one before Christmas Eve, but I truly appreciated the help.”
“If I run into the elf who delivered it for Santa, I’ll let him know you liked it.”
Before she could say anything, two of the other teachers came over and begged for help. Drake didn’t have a chance to speak to Angela again throughout the program.
He proudly watched his students perform their lively rendition of “The Friendly Beasts” then they recited a poem about a happy snowman and the donkey that ate his nose. The class wrapped up their performance by singing a cute little song about Santa that allowed them to stomp their feet each time they sang “Ho, Ho, Ho.”
Loud applause made the children smile and bow as they finished and trooped off the stage at the back of the gymnasium. Once the kids were settled in their seats, Drake returned behind the stage to help with some of the other classes.
No major calamities occurred and each grade made it through their performance. At the end, the high school students sang “Here Comes Santa Claus” while the younger students anxiously awaited the appearance of the man in red. Sleigh bells jangled and some hearty “ho, hos” rang out then Santa strode down the aisle and to a chair set at the base of the stage for him to sit in while he passed out treats.
Drake watched as Angela recorded Nick going up to Santa and whispering something to him before he took a bag. The little boy skipped back to where Angela sat with Drake’s family and friends. Her friends. They’d be her family, too, if she’d just give them and him a chance.
Heart sore and tired, Drake missed it when Santa called his name.
The health teacher gave him a nudge. “Go on, Drake. Santa’s got something for you.”
“Huh?” Drake hurried down the stage steps and over to Santa. To give the crowd some laughs, he sat down on Santa’s lap and accepted the bag the man held out to him.
“For a tall, lean guy, you’re heavier than you look, man,” Santa groused.
“Just giving them a good show, Santa,” Drake grinned as he stood and took the bright red bag, heading toward the back of the stage. Then the crowd started chanting “open it, open it, open it!”
Drake shrugged and started to untie the ribbon holding the bag shut then noticed a tag.
Drake -
Your mom said she’d pass this torch to me, but only if I promise to buy them for you every year until we’re old and gray. Are you game? If so, nod yes.
XOXO
Your Christmas Angel
A quick glance melded his gaze to Angela’s. Eager and excited, he nodded his head then tore the tissue paper out of the bag and grinned as he stared down at the abominable snowman’s face.
Embarrassing as it was, he pulled the underwear from the bag and held them up for the crowd to see. He turned around and held them at his waist and waggled his rear back and forth a few times, drawing hoots and cheers from the crowd before everyone got up to go to the cafeteria for refreshments.
Angela said something to Nick and sent him off with Drake’s parents to get punch and cookies. She turned back to where Drake stood near Santa’s now empty chair. He grinned and she smiled then raced toward him.
He dropped the bag and underwear and swept her into his arms.
“Really, Angel? You’ll really, really be mine?” he asked, swinging her around then stopping long enough to set her down so he could bracket her face with hands and look into her eyes.
The love and hope that shone there filled his heart to overflowing. She was his! Angela was no longer holding herself back, hiding behind walls, or shutting him out. Her heart was wide open, just waiting for him to walk inside.
“I love you, Drake. I think I have since the day I ran into you with my cart.”
His thumb traced the line of her jaw. “I know I’ve loved you since then. This isn’t the time or place to ask, Angel, but will you marry me? Will you buy me ridiculous underwear every Christmas and make me slow cooker cake, and fill my world with your love?”
“Yes, Drake! Yes, yes, yes!” Angela pulled his head down and kissed him.
It took only a second for Drake to take charge, letting the love he’d carried in his heart for this woman the last three years pour into that one passionate, perfect kiss.
“I love you so much, Drake,” Angela said when they stopped to catch their breath. “Thank you for loving me even when I was afraid to follow my heart.”
“I told you before, Angel, I’m not going anywhere. I’ll always be here for you. And Nick, too.”
Angela grinned and rested her head against his chest. Drake wrapped her in his arms, relishing the feel of holding her close to his heart. He’d waited so long and now his dreams were finally coming true. “I figured out what Nick wants for Christmas.”
“You did? What is it? A bike? A rocket? A tool set so he can play with Rhett in the garage?” Drake asked.
Angela laughed. “No, although the tool set isn’t a bad idea, but Rhett might not think so. What Nick really wants for Christmas is a dad. Thanks to your brother, I got the letter Nick mailed to Santa. That’s all he wanted this year was a dad, and not just any dad. In his letter, he specifically asked for his teacher, Mr. Miller, to be his dad. He mentioned something about Jasper told him it could happen.”
“Really? He wants me for his dad?” Drake
choked on the last word. He loved Nick like a son, but he’d barely dared to dream he might one day be a father to him. “I’ll do my best to make a good dad to him, and husband to you.”
Angela touched a finger to the dimple in his chin and grinned. “You’ll be a fabulous dad and an amazing husband, Drake. I don’t have a single doubt in my mind. Granny left me a note that put things in perspective.”
“Granny?” Drake asked, then a look of panic settled on his face. “Oh, my gosh! With the concert and program tonight, I forgot about Jasper. We better go check on him.”
He and Angela hurried back to his classroom. Drake flicked on the light and the bird started cooing, hopping from one perch to another in his cage.
“I think he wants out,” Angela said, opening the door to his cage and lifting Jasper out. He squirmed and fussed, so she set him down on the table. The bird looked at her and cooed, then tipped his head toward Drake and cooed more.
“We should take him home for the break,” she said. “If you carry his cage out to my pickup, I’ll take him home with me.”
“Sure. When we’re ready to leave, we can…” Drake grabbed for the bird when he flapped his wings and flew out of the room.
He and Angela raced after Jasper into the hallway. One of the teachers just happened to open the main door outside at that moment and the bird made a beeline for it.
“Jasper! No! Wait,” Angela called.
Drake took her hand in his as they ran to the door. Together, they watched the dove take flight into the midnight velvet sky. The school lights made his wings look almost translucent as he rose upward and disappeared. A single white feather drifted down to them.
Angela caught it and gave Drake an odd look.
Nick ran outside and took the feather in his hand. “It’s okay, Mom. Jasper told me goodbye earlier. He said he couldn’t stay for Christmas but Granny says to tell you to buy Rudolph next year.”
“Rudolph?” Drake asked, confused. He picked up Nick and settled his other arm around Angela’s shoulders. Together, they headed toward the school’s front door as snow began to fall.
“Underwear,” Angela said, staring at Nick in stunned surprise. “I couldn’t decide between the abominable snowman or Rudolph underwear.”
Nick just giggled then gave Drake a tight hug. “When can I start calling you Dad, Mr. Miller?” he asked.
“Just as soon as your mom decides on a wedding date.”
Nick beamed. “I can’t wait! This is the best Christmas ever! Santa already brought my Christmas present and it’s not even Christmas Eve yet!”
Drake hugged him back then set him down. “Thank you, Nick, for wanting me to be your dad. I promise to give it my best.”
The little boy grinned. “I know you will. Jasper told me you’re the daddy I was always meant to have. I’m gonna go tell Uncle Drew and Aunt Joy. They said I could call them that when Mom gave you the underwear.”
Nick ran off but turned back when Drake pulled Angela to him once more. “Give him a good kiss, Mommy. I think dads like that sort of thing.”
Drake chuckled as Nick scurried back inside. He rested his forehead against Angela’s and kissed her nose. “You know, dads do like that sort of thing. I think I’ll need lots of practice, though.” Drake kissed her cheek. “I’ll marry you tomorrow, if that’s what you want, Angel, or a year from now, just as long as you’ll eventually be mine.”
“Oh, I think a year is far, far too long for Nick to wait to get his Christmas wish.” Angela wrapped her arms around his neck. “Maybe we can start off the new year as a brand new family.”
“I can’t think of anything I’d like better.” Drake kissed her again, filled with love and wonder that this woman, this magnificent woman, truly loved him. “I love you, my sweet Christmas Angel.”
“And I love you, Drake.” She pulled back from him and tossed him a saucy grin. “Even if you have terrible taste in underwear.” She squealed and raced ahead of him out of the snow and into the warmth of a future full of promise and hope.
Epilogue
Christmas Eve
“It’s about time you got here,” Lolly said, smiling at Jasper as the dove landed on a brace holding up the stable for the nativity play.
“You do know I hate the cold and have spent the last month sitting in Drake’s toasty classroom getting overfed and under-exercised, don’t you?” Jasper flapped a wing at her. “I think my feet are frozen.”
“We all know you hate the cold, Jasper, but welcome to winter in the mountains.” Lolly grinned at him. “And you did a great job with your part in helping our stubborn, clueless humans finally find true love.”
“I thought I’d actually given myself brain damage when I flew into Drake’s classroom window, but turns out I was fine and it sure helped get those two together,” Jasper cooed.
“Jasper and I really worked hard to get Drake and Angela to admit their love. She is one independent thinker, but they are planning a New Year’s Eve wedding. Nick told me Angela wants to have it up at the lodge,” Shep said, rubbing his curly horn on the makeshift fence encircling them on the town square.
“Knock that off, ram head. If you tip over the fence, it’ll distract the guys and they need to stay focused on the girls,” Ivy said as she glared at Shep then gave her young son a motherly scowl. “Rudy, get back over here. I don’t want you getting too close to all the grubby little hands reaching through the fence tonight. Who knows that you might catch from them.”
“Yes, mama,” Rudy said. The calf trotted back and cuddled against her side.
“He’s just precious, Ivy,” Lolly said, smiling at the cow. “And it worked out great that Holly helped Seth take care of him.”
“It did, although I didn’t intend for Rudy to get stuck out in the cold and get sick. But Holly was a huge help. Even Seth noticed it.” Ivy blew out a puff of air. “I’m so excited they’re getting married as soon as Sam is back on his feet.”
The animals moved aside as a horse trailer backed up to the pen and watched as Rhett and Drew opened the back and led out a donkey wearing a Santa hat with a brown puppy trailing his every step.
“Hey, Pete! Welcome to the party. I see you brought your sidekick along,” Lolly said, moving over to the donkey as Rhett closed the gate behind him. “For those who haven’t yet met the newest members of the Friendly Beasts of Faraday, this is Pete and his little buddy, Bacon. We’re excited to have you both join us. I hope you’ll plan on it every year.”
Pete bobbed his head. “As long as I can stay in here with you all and not have to give rides or anything, I’ll pencil it in.” The donkey watched as Drew carried Joy over to a bench. “I thought we’d never get those two together. Bacon, young as he is, was a big help.”
“It was brilliant, busting out of your yard and hustling over to mine.” Lolly moved alongside Pete then dropped her head to give Bacon a welcoming grin. She sighed happily as Drew bent down and kissed Joy’s cheek. “By the time they found you, a blind bat could have seen the sparks flying between the two of them. When is the wedding?”
“Valentine’s Day. I heard Joy saying something about hearts and romance. I’ve tried to warn Drew, but he gives me the weirdest looks when I talk to him,” Pete said, shaking snow off his mane. He tossed Bacon a warning look to stay put when the puppy started to wander off. The little canine plopped his fuzzy rump in the snow next to the donkey. “Did you hear about Joy’s care packages?”
“Care packages?” Shep asked.
“She made up baskets full of goodies to take to all the old people in our neighborhood and she made gifts for everyone who helped her while she’s been stuck on the crutches unable to get around.” Pete gave his owner an admiring glance. “She continues to live up to her name, bringing joy to those around her.”
“She certainly brought it to Drew, if the smile on his face is any indication,” Ivy observed. “A year ago, I was convinced these guys were completely hopeless.”
Lolly chuckled. “Not c
ompletely hopeless. Just look at them. Even my Rhett found love this holiday season. I adore Cedar. She gives the best neck scratches ever. I think she’s going to make him happier than he ever dreamed possible.”
“Only if he gets around to proposing.” Ivy tipped her head in the direction of where their humans were gathered. Rhett and Cedar stood with her sister, Juniper, as well as Seth, Holly, Drake and Drew. Angela and Nick sat next to Joy and Sam on the bench in front of them.
Lolly turned and glared at the cow. “I know for a fact he’s got a ring in his pocket and plans to pop the question tonight, when the time is just right.”
“Oh! A Christmas Eve proposal. That’s splendid,” Jasper cooed, then glanced down at Pete. “What’s with the hat, dude?”
“It keeps my head warm and Joy thinks it cute.” Pete dropped his head down as a little girl stuck her hand through the fence, trying to reach him. He let the toddler brush the soft fur along his jaw and batted his eyes at her.
“Flirt,” Ivy teased.
“She’s kind of cute, for one of those little rugrats.” Pete moved back as the humans in the nativity play approached in their costumes.
“Just wait until next year. Maybe our people will have babies of their own. I sure hope Rhett and Cedar have one. I bet it would be adorable.” Lolly tipped her head toward the audience. “Here come the wise men. If they are wise, they won’t try riding me again this year.”
Shep snorted. “I’d like to see them try.”
Lolly tossed him a crooked smile then looked around her group of friends. “Merry Christmas, gang. I’d say our plans worked out perfectly. May this be the beginning of another blessed year and a lifetime of happiness for our humans.”
Chocolate Lava Cake
The gooey, decadent deliciousness of chocolate lava cake gets even better when you can make it in a slow cooker, especially when it makes its own topping while it cooks!
Enjoy this easy recipe!
Cake:
Wings of an Angel Page 13
