Page 110 of The Christmas Tree Farm

‘Yeah, okay.’ She rolled her eyes and he pressed a kiss to her forehead. ‘Look, I don’t care if this is a terrible idea or it’s too soon or too fast or doesn’t make sense. I’ve learned something this month.’

‘Oh?’ He was looking down at her, and she realized she’d almost forgotten how long and dark his eyelashes were. It was still annoying, but now she loved him so she’d just have to deal with it.

‘Yes. I learned that I don’t want to be without you. Simple as that.’

‘Simple as that, huh?’

‘Yep.’

The smile that crossed his face was slow and sweet. ‘Okay, good. I want to be with you, simple as that, too.’

‘Perfect. Then it’s settled.’

A little wrinkle of worry creased his forehead. ‘I recently learned that I’ve misinterpreted people’s intentions in the past, so if you could spell it out for me, Peaches, that would be great.’

She ran her fingers through his hair, messing it up just enough so he looked like hers again. ‘You’re moving, Bennett. Here to Dream Harbor, to live here with me and our far too many dogs and possibly a future reindeer or two. And we will live happily ever after. Is that clear enough?’

‘Crystal. Thank you.’ His smile grew into something mischievous, and she didn’t have time to react before he hoisted her over his shoulder, caveman style, and headed for the stairs. She squealed and squirmed in his arms, but he held tight and gave her a swift smack on her ass.

‘Bennett!’

He laughed. ‘Now, let’s go see this mattress.’

* * *

‘Is it weird that I kinda miss the living-room blanket fort?’ he asked hours later in the early light of the morning. They’d been awake all night, kissing and talking. Making plans. Getting reacquainted. He couldn’t keep his hands off her. He had to keep convincing himself she was real. Any time they dozed off, he found himself waking up with a handful of her ass and a raging erection. It hadn’t been a restful night but damn it had been a good one.

‘No, I miss it, too, sometimes.’

Kira’s head rested on his chest, and he ran his fingers through her hair. Her naked legs were tangled up with his.

‘Maybe that can be our Christmas tradition,’ she said. ‘Sleeping in front of the fire.’

‘That would be nice,’ he murmured, letting his fingers trail from her hair, down her back. He could hardly believe he was here, back in this house, back with Kira in his arms. It was like a dream. Just a few days ago, he’d been home trying his best to live his life without her and now he didn’t have to.

He must be the luckiest son of a bitch in the world.

‘My sister is coming for a visit in the spring,’ she said. This was how it had been all night, little pieces of their life spilled out for each other, filling each other in on all that they’d missed.

‘Sounds good. Can’t wait to meet her.’

‘I’ve still been reading through Edwin’s letters.’

‘Oh?’

‘Yeah, still kinda hoping he left some clues about this treasure.’

‘Any luck?’

She shook her head, her hair brushing across his bare chest. ‘Not yet. But I finally found those Tiffany lamps. They were hidden behind an old dresser in the attic.’

He smiled to himself, happy that she hadn’t given up on finding something. He’d been skeptical all along that old Edwin had left something behind, but Kira dared to hope for good things, and he loved that about her.

She shifted in his arms so she could look up at him. ‘Hi,’ she smiled like she was just as surprised and thrilled that he was here as he was.

‘Hey.’

‘It’s crazy that you’re here.’