Christmas in Cold Creek. RaeAnne Thayne
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smiled a little as she reached to hang an ornament on a higher branch. Her soft curves brushed his shoulderâcompletely accidental, he knewâand his stomach muscles contracted. He hadnât felt this little zing of attraction in a long, long time and he wanted to savor every moment of it, despite his better instincts reminding him he knew very little about the woman and what he did know didnât seem completely truthful.
She moved away to the other side of the tree and picked up a pearly white globe ornament from the box.
He thought her color was a little higher than it had been before but that could have been only the reflection from the Christmas lights.
âYou havenât had the urge to explore distant pastures? See whatâs out there beyond Pine Gulch?â
âBeen there, done that. I spent four years as a Marine MP, with tours in the Middle East, Germany, Japan. I was ready to be back home.â
He didnât like to think about what had happened after he came home, restless and looking for trouble. Heâd found it, far more than he ever imagined, in the form of a devious little liar named Lilah Bodine.
âAnd the small-town life appeals to you?â
âPine Gulch is a nice place to live. You wonât find a prettier place on earth in the summertime and people here watch out for each other.â
âIâm not sure thatâs always a good thing, is it? Isnât that small-town code for snooping in other peopleâs business?â
What in her past had made her so cynical? And what business did she have that made her eager to keep others out of it?
âThatâs one way of looking at it, I suppose. Some people find it a comfort to know theyâve always got someone to turn to when times are tough.â
âIâm used to counting on myself.â
Before he could respond to that, Gabi popped her head around the side of the Christmas tree, a small porcelain angel with filigree wings in her hand. âThis was the last ornament in the box,â she said. âWhere should I put it?â
Becca looked at the tree. âWell, we donât have anything at the top. Why donât we put her there?â
âThat seems about right,â Trace said. âA tree as pretty as this one deserves to have an angel watching over it.â
âOkay. Iâll have to get a chair.â
âWhy?â He grinned at the girl and picked her up. She seemed skinny for her age and she giggled a little as he hefted her higher to reach the top of the tree. She tucked the little angel against the top branch and secured her with the clip attached to her back.
âPerfect,â Gabi exclaimed when she was done.
He lowered her to the ground and the girl hurried to turn off the light switch to the overhead fixture and the two lamps until the room was dark except for the gleaming, colorful tree.
They all stepped back a little for a better look. Much to his surprise, as he stood in this dark, dingy little house with that soft music in the background and the snow drifting past the window and the tree lights flickering, he felt the first nudge of Christmas spirit heâd experienced in a long, long time.
âItâs magical,â Gabi breathed.
Becca leaned down and hugged her. âYou know what, kiddo? Magical is exactly the right word.â
They all stood still for a moment. Becca was the first to break the spell.
âIâm sorry we kept you so long.â She smiled at him and he had the feeling it was the most genuine smile sheâd ever given him. âYou didnât need to stay to help us decorate the whole thing.â
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