Rescued by the Magic of Christmas

Author:Melissa McClone
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2008-05-20T16:00:00+00:00

That night at the house, Carly laid out rolls of wrapping paper. The kids, exhausted from their busy day, were already sound asleep. She wondered how much sleep she’d manage tonight.

Jake carried a large black plastic bag full of items into the living room. She stared at the muscles beneath his shirt. Definite hard body. “This is the last of the presents.”

“I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“Pretty indispensable, huh?” he asked.

“In some instances.”

Carly didn’t like that. She depended on one person only—herself. It was easier that way. Less complicated. And yet she couldn’t have given the kids the Christmas they deserved on her own. She needed Jake. His help, that was.

He set the bag next to the others he’d brought down from the attic. “What next?”

A nervous breakdown.

Carly realized she was crunching a roll of blue-and-white snowflake wrapping paper. She loosened her grip and set the roll on the floor. She struggled to hold herself together, feeling as if she were about to unravel. She’d gone eight rounds with Christmas today, and felt emotionally raw. But it wasn’t only the holidays she’d been battling. She’d been fighting her feelings for Jake, too.

She hadn’t felt this vulnerable in years. The conflict inside her was talking its toll. If Jake knew how she was feeling, she’d be in big trouble.

“Nothing,” she answered finally.

Best to send him on his way before he figured it out, or worse, she threw herself into his arms and couldn’t let go.

Carly had a late, emotional night ahead of her. A box of tissues and chocolates were definitely in order along with the wrapping paper, ribbons and bows.

“Tomorrow’s going to be a busy day.” She placed the scissors and rolls of tape on the coffee table. “Go home and get some sleep.”

He stood tall, his shoulders squared, as if he were ready to go to battle himself. “I’m not going anywhere.”

She fought a rush of panic. “The brewery—”

“Manages without me when I go on a mission. It’s no big deal if I don’t stop in tonight. Don’t forget, I’m a phone call away if they need me.”

“You’ve done so much already. Talk about going above and beyond.”

“You’ve done just as much. And look at all this.” He motioned to the bags of presents. “You can’t wrap all of this on your own.”

“I can.” She had to. Because however tired she was physically, emotionally, doing it on her own was better than continuing to rely on him for help.

“If I leave, you’ll be up all night.” He removed a box from one of the bags, his long fingers wrapping around a board game. “I’m not going to do that to you.”

She needed him to leave her. Now. “I appreciate the offer, but I don’t mind.”

“I do.”

The fire crackled. The wind blew outside. Carly could think of a million other places she’d rather be at the moment, but she was stuck here. She needed to be alone.

“Jake—”

“I know what’s missing.” He walked to the stereo and fiddled with the radio dial.

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