Authors: Adelle Laudan
Her stomach churned, and she swallowed the sourness rising up the back of her throat. “He has? What does he want?”
“I’m not sure, to be honest. His visits with your father are behind closed doors.” He rubbed her arm. “If I were to venture a guess, your hand in marriage is part of a business deal, or perhaps blackmail of some sort. Whatever the deal is, Harold expects you to marry him.”
“I don’t care what he expects.”
Blackmail?
Her hand pressed against the diary in her coat pocket.
Cold air filled the room as the police chief walked in and joined them. “We can leave for Jack’s place in half an hour or so.”
Jenna used Charles’ shoulder to stand, and hugged him. “Thank you.” Her face warmed in the reflection of his reddening cheeks.
“Ah, erm…I’ll be back as soon as the snowmobiles arrive and are ready to roll.” He backed up as he spoke, seemingly in a hurry to escape her sudden display of emotions.
Jenna eased back down to her chair. Her hand pressed against her bruised ribs, the pain reminding her she was still healing.
Charles reached out to her. “Are you okay?”
She sniffled, chuckling at herself. “I’m more than okay.”
An image of Jack taking the Christmas tree back outside flashed in her mind. Jenna straightened in her seat, an idea forming in her mind.
Perfect.
Charles eyed her quizzically as she grabbed his arm.
“I need you to help me do something before we head back to the cabin...”
* * * *
Jack thrummed the table top as he stared blankly into the dwindling fire. Everywhere he looked reminded him of Jenna. She’d only been there a short time, but his heart ached like he’d known her his entire life.
The dogs sniffed every inch of the cabin for her. Sasha tilted her head sideways at him and whimpered. He half-expected to see a tear slip from her sad eyes.
“I’m sorry old girl, she’s gone.” He scratched the patch of snow-white fur under her chin and sighed. The sadness in the room was almost suffocating.
Rather than assume their usual places in front of the fire, both dogs sat at the back door.
It’s all my fault.
He’d jumped to all the wrong conclusions. Of course she’d want to go home sooner or later.
Jack gazed out the window at the setting sun, and how it cast a purplish glow on the snow.
There is something magical about this time of night. I wish Jenna were here to see this
.
He rubbed his eyes on his shirtsleeve. For the past five years he’d been content on his own with the dogs.
Now, I don’t think I’ve ever felt so alone.
Sasha and Tito began whining and scratching at the door.
“Knock it off you two. You’re not making this any easier. She’s not coming back.”
Light flooded the room as a snowmobile passed his window, and then another. “What the...”
Jack quickly slid his feet into boots and opened the door. Tito almost knocked him over as he bounded over to a trio of sleds.
He put his arm up over his eyes, momentarily blinded.
“Did you really think I’d let you off of having a Christmas tree that easy?”
Jenna?
His heart raced. “Jenna?”
“You were expecting who? Santa Claus?”
Jack ran to her and lifted her off her feet, spinning her around. He tilted his head back to laugh. “I’m so glad you came back.”
He set her down. “Shit! Are you okay?” Her excitement overshadowed the lines of pain etched between her beautiful eyes.
The dogs pranced about their legs as she laughed and grimaced in the same breath.
“Yes, are you sure it’s okay I’m here? I didn’t want to leave you, Jack. Did you really want me to go?”
“None of that matters right now. You’re here, and I am not letting you go again.”
“Umm, hello?” Charles tapped her shoulder.
Jenna laughed at her friend’s not so subtle reminder he was there. She turned her attention back to Jack and smiled, rubbing her hands together. “If you don’t invite us in nobody is leaving. We’ll all freeze to death.”
“I’m so sorry.” Light from the sleds revealed him blushing. “Of course, come on in. I’ll put more wood on the fire.”
Jenna nudged Charles forward. “Jack, I want you to meet Charles Wylder. Charles this is Jack Davis, the man who saved my life.”
He shook Jack’s hand heartily. “Thank you doesn’t seem to be enough.”
“No thanks necessary. Besides, it’s actually these two who deserve the credit.”
Charles went down on one knee to see the dogs. “Who do we have here?” The Huskies were more than happy to accept a good rubbing behind the ears, even from a stranger.
“The black and white one is Tito, and this is Sasha.” He stoked her gleaming coat.
“You two are beautiful.” His depth of gratitude cracked his voice. “Thank you for rescuing our girl.”
He turned to face Jenna, just in time to catch her from falling to her knees. “Shit! Are you okay?”
“I-I’m just tired.” Her words slurred.
Jack was quick to pick her up in his arms. “Of course you are. You must be exhausted.” He moved toward the door, and called back over his shoulder. “Please, follow me inside.”
“Shouldn’t we be taking her to see a doctor?” The man’s depth of concern came across loud and clear.
“Let’s get her inside and warm before we decide our next step.” He paused to look directly at Charles, waiting for his nod of approval before moving forward.
Officer Dan scurried past him to open the cabin door wide.
Once inside, Jack quickly stepped out of his boots and carried Jenna to the sofa. He tucked a blanket in around her and searched her face. “Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself again?” His fingers gently feathered her fragile rib cage.
“No. I just think I might’ve overdone it.” She smirked. “I’ll be okay once I catch my breath.”
He smoothed the hair back from her face and kissed her forehead. “I’ll put more wood on the fire.”
The warmth of Jack’s lips lingered as Charles quickly took his place at her side. “Why didn’t you say something while we were in town? You could’ve seen a doctor.”
Jenna smiled sweetly. “There is only one doctor I’m interested in seeing.” She winked at Jack before closing her eyes, breathing in the scent of wood burning.
There’s no place like home.
It took less than an hour before she caught her second wind and sat up to pay a little attention to two very happy dogs. Her face was immediately lathered in sloppy kisses as they wiggled about in excitement.
Jack patted both Huskies’ sides. “Come on you two. Go lie down or it’s out to the barn you go. They aren’t going to let you out of their sight. You won’t be going anywhere if they have anything to say about it.” He sat on the arm of the sofa and nuzzled the side of her face. “Welcome home, my snow angel.”
Jenna would have been quite happy to stay in this moment forever, but they weren’t exactly alone. “I think there’s something missing here, don’t you?” She accepted Charles’ offer of his arm to help stand.
Jack frowned. “Just where do you think you’re going? Whatever you need, one of us can get for you.”
She put her hands on her hips and stared down her nose at him. “I think there’s a Christmas tree in need of saving.”
His smile lit up his handsome face. “Yes, Ma’am.”
“I’ll give you a hand.” Dan jumped up and followed him outside.
“Did you bring them in with you?” she asked Charles as she sat at the kitchen table.
“No. I’ll nip out and get them,” he whispered.
Jenna giggled. “I don’t think he can hear us from outside. Be careful he doesn’t see you.”
Charles grunted in passing to put on his coat.
The house grew quiet with only the sounds of Chief Swanson making a fresh pot of coffee. She wanted to dance and shout out her happiness, but her body definitely didn’t agree.
A few minutes later, the scent of coffee brewing filled the cabin. She wrapped her arms around herself and smiled.
It feels…right.
The guys returned with the tree and proceeded to set it up. Holiday scent of pine made it feel even more like home.
Jenna used the table to push herself to stand and stroked her jaw. “Something’s missing?”
Jack snuck up from behind and enfolded her in his arms. “I have everything I need right here.”
The tender moment abruptly ended with a gust of frigid air from the open door.
“Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas.” Charles held up two shopping bags.
She glanced back over her shoulder. “Whatever could that be?”
Jack planted a quick kiss to her cheek before letting her go, and grabbed the bags from his hands. “You’re all terrible actors.” He reached in and pulled out strings of shiny cranberries, twisted silver garland and a strand of twinkling lights
—a small box contained tiny birds to clip to the branches. He laughed like a kid on Christmas morning. “I can’t believe you did all of this.”
“Why not? You didn’t think I’d spend Christmas here without a proper tree, did you?” From another bag, Jenna carefully lifted delicate crystal snowflakes in various sizes.
Jack’s smile warmed her heart.
Charles stood with a string of garland strewn from one hand to the other. “Um, a little help here would be nice.”
The two men kept busy decorating the tree, giving her the opportunity to retrieve a brown paper bag from one of the shopping bags and hand it to the chief unnoticed. Chief gave her a thumb up and proceeded to sneak over to the fridge and hide her surprise without Jack being the wiser.
“It’s beautiful.” Her breath caught, and she blinked rapidly. “But something’s not quite right. Is there another package in those bags?” She winked playfully at Jack.
He shook his head, flashing his very sexy dimple as he picked up the last box and opened the lid.
“You’re something else.” He smiled and carefully lifted the porcelain angel from the package. “Will you do the honors?”
She shook her head, heeding her body’s current limitations. “How about I watch from here.”
“Are you okay?” Concern doused the excitement in his eyes.
“Yes, I just need to rest for a while. I feel like I’ve ran a marathon.”
Jack quickly stepped up on a chair and positioned the shimmering angel on top of the tree.
A rush of emotion welled up in her as she took in their masterpiece. “It’s perfect,” she said breathlessly. Her heart so full of happiness made it impossible to stop the tears from falling.
Jack moved in behind her and whispered in her ear. “You’re perfect.”
Jenna leaned back to rest against him, and shivered as his warm breath caressed her neck.
“I hate to be a party pooper, but I have a couple of kids at home waiting for Daddy to hang their stockings.” Chief got up from the couch; his officer followed suit.
Jenna stepped into Charles outstretched arms. “I’m so glad to see you, Charles. I hope you know how sorry I am for worrying you, and understand why I’m not going back.”
“Of course I understand. I’d be lying if I said I’m happy about saying goodbye though.” He kissed the top of her head before letting go. “If you had a bigger place, I’d be staying, too.” Her dear friend extended his hand to Jack. “You take good care of my girl.”
“I will. You’re welcome back anytime.”
Jenna gave Charles one last hug, and wished them all a Merry Christmas before the men boarded the snowmobiles. Jack stood next to her in the doorway and waved good-bye.
The door barely closed behind them, and he had his arms around her again. “I’m sorry, Jenna. I didn’t mean to make you leave. I thought that was what you wanted.”
“I thought you didn’t want me here, and when I saw the photograph beside your bed...”
“Let’s sit by the fire and talk. You look like you’re in pain. Do you want something for it? ”
“Maybe later.” She smiled. “I think there’s something in the fridge for us. Would you mind getting it?”
Jack didn’t leave her side until he’d laid a blanket over her knees and plumped up a pillow and slipped it behind her.
“What did you get?” He opened the fridge. “Oh, very nice. I do believe a toast is in order. After all, it is Christmas Eve.”
Jenna watched him open the bottle and take two wineglasses down from the top shelf in his cabinets. He wiped them clean before filling them and putting the bottle back in the fridge. She remembered the night he came to her aid in his boxers, and how she’d admired his physique. Her pulse started to pick up its rate in anticipation of what the night might bring.
He smiled as he handed her a glass and sat next to her, fussing with the blanket so they were both cozy in front of the crackling fire. “You look so beautiful sitting there. I’m so happy you’re home.”
“Home. I like the sounds of that. Let’s not dwell on the misunderstanding between us. We both know we jumped to conclusions in haste. Maybe we can drink to
us
, from this day forward.” Jenna raised her glass.