Page 16 of One Naughty Christmas Night

Good thing it’s a large table.

“I’m doing wonderful,” he replied. She widened the smile, then turned back to her food, everyone’s attention drawn to Valentina at the end of the table.

“Samantha, I already told you no,” Valentina said, looking up when she realized everyone was watching.

A flush covered her face, and she glanced at Quinn, who turned to the table. “Nothing to see here. Samantha wants to go play in the snow later, but her mother and I have something to take care of.”

Victoria put her fork down, then leaned forward. “Quinn, I’ll take Sammy to play in the snow.”

Heath smiled at the use of the nickname she’d given his niece.

He looked at Victoria. “Are you certain? It’s no trouble to leave her with her nurse.”

A genuine smile took the place of the fake one, and Heath could see her green eyes sparkle.

“It’s no trouble to take her. I was going riding this afternoon, but I decided to wait until the snow melted a bit more. We can have fun together instead.”

Heath heard himself volunteering to go with them before he knew what was happening.

“Really?” Victoria turned to him, beaming.

“Yes. Of course. It will be a fun outing and will wear her out,” Heath replied, peeking down the table to his niece.

“Samantha, dear, would you like to go play with Uncle Heath and Victoria in the snow?” Valentina asked.

An excited squeal echoed through the room.

“That seems to be a yes,” Victoria announced, her attention going back to her meal.

This will be fun.

***

Heath stepped outside, the cool, crisp air hitting him in the face.

“Victoria?” he called, looking around. He held a hand up to shade his eyes, the sun reflecting brightly on the undisturbed snow.

The fields were blanketed by it, the green of the trees peeking out from underneath their powdery coats. A couple of hares raced through the snow, leaving a trail behind them as they kicked up powder in their wake.

“We’re here, Heath,” she replied. He walked around the castle and was immediately met with a snowball to the face.

“Hey!” He swiped at the snow, the pieces of the ball dropping to the ground with a plop.

Reaching down, he grabbed a handful of snow and hurled it towards his assailant, the snow barely skimming Victoria’s heavy wool gown.

“You missed!” she cried, ducking behind a tree when he hurled another snowball at her.

“She’s going to get you, Uncle Heath,” Samantha said, standing next to a small snow pile.

“Is that a snowman?” he asked, turning his attention to her.

Cold snow smacked him in the cheek when Victoria’s next snowball hit its mark.

He turned around to face her, her eyes rounding when he growled and headed for her.

“Run, Victoria!” Samantha called, the little girl grabbing Heath’s hand to hold him back.

He lifted her into his arms and covered her with kisses until she laughed, squirming to get away.