Page 70 of Lethal Threat

She bursts into laughter when I sweep her off her feet.

“Your call sign should be Trouble.”

* * *

“I looooove this one.” Sierra shakes the snow offthe branch of a fat fir tree. She’s so damned adorable in my parka and beanie that I can hardly keep my eyes off her and on the trees.

Hell, I don’t care what she’s wearing. She’d be adorable or sexy. But I’m biased and thoroughly enjoying seeing her in my clothing.

With a smile that feels like a neon sign on my face, I say, “Then that one it is.”

The saw I brought with me sings against the wood. Within a minute, I’ve cut through its sturdy base. When you grow up on a ranch, you get good with tools.

The tree shudders and falls to the ground in a puff of snow.

Sierra claps. “Impressive, Master Sergeant Strong.”

“You carry the saw. I’ll drag these to the sled.”

“Cole…”

I glance her way. “Yeah?”

With her eyes soft and a gentle smile curving her lips, she says, “Thank you.”

Dusting off my gloves, I walk over to her. I try to stay away, but fail. Her eyes are luminous as I pull her tight against my front.

Damn, she feels good. But her eyes are my ruin.

Emotion tightens up my throat. “You’re welcome, babe. I know you don’t remember this, but you helped me through some of my darkest hours. I hope I’m able to do that for you.”

She hops up and plants a fast kiss on my lips. “You deserve a medal.”

I shake my head. The heaviness in my heart is never far behind her sweet comments. I say, “Hardly. Let’s get going.”

When both trees are loaded on the sled, our driver picks up the reins to his matched black horses. He gives a littleflick of the leather and clicks his tongue. With a lurch we take off, gliding over the snow-covered path.

Sleigh bells and all.

It’s the kind of moment that is so good, you can’t dream it up, and somehow, here I am.

Sierra’s snuggled against my side, the world pure and white and pristine, with the biggest worry at the moment being conjuring up some decorations and hot chocolate ingredients.

Life can be so good.

I send up a silent prayer.God, please let it last.Even though, if there’s one truth I know, nothing lasts.

+++

An hour later, we turn into the lane that leads to the Strong family ranch on the outskirts of Eden. I motion toward the farmhouse. “Home, sweet home.”

“Wow, this is amazing. To get to live in a place like this as a kid had to be incredible. Do you know where I grew up?”

“Virginia.”

“But that’s all you’re going to tell me, isn’t it?”

I nod. “Are you getting any bits of memories?”