The Christmas Stranger by Beth Cornelison

Author:Beth Cornelison
Language: rus
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin

By the time Matt had cut down the fir tree Holly chose, his fingers were numb, and his ears and nose were frozen. But one look at the pure delight that sparkled in Holly’s eyes as they’d hunted down the perfect Christmas tree warmed him from the inside out. The cold had turned her cheeks pink, and the lip gloss she’d dabbed on to protect her lips from the weather made her mouth all the more tempting.

After he tied the tree to the back of her ATV four-wheeler to drag back to the farmhouse, he turned to Holly. “All done. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to get back inside and thaw out.”

She tipped her head toward the lightly falling snow, an expression of sheer joy lighting her face. A few flakes clung to her eyelashes and glinted like tiny diamonds. Matt had to call on every ounce of his willpower not to pull her close and sample the strawberry shimmer on her lips and touch her cheeks with his hands.

She hadn’t mentioned their conversation from the day before, which suited him just fine. Resurrecting the black memories had been difficult enough without having to dwell on them to satisfy an endless string of questions.

He’d worried that she might feel awkward around him today, but if anything, their heart-to-heart had brought them closer. Matt savored the new depth to their friendship, the closeness, the connection, knowing how fragile that bond was. Spending time with Holly revived his belief that there was still good in the world, that happiness could be found in the simple pleasures. Fresh snow, an aromatic pine tree, a litter of playful kittens. She’d lost her husband to a brutal murder, yet she hadn’t let tragedy defeat her. She’d persevered in the face of her grief and relished moments of joy wherever she found them.

Beyond the employment and shelter she’d offered him, her optimism and encouragement fed his hungry soul the hope and happiness he craved. For that, he owed her a tremendous debt of gratitude. And how did he repay her? Deception.

His gut twisted. She deserved so much better.

He ground his back teeth together in self-reproach as he revved the four-wheeler, ready to head back to the farmhouse. Holly swung a leg over the seat behind him and wrapped her arms around his chest to hold on. The press of her body sent a wave of heat sizzling through him.

They bounced their way over the roots and potholes, the wintery wind nipping their faces. Once home, Matt parked the ATV and helped Holly climb off. Before he could release her hand, she tugged him close and smiled up at him. “Thank you, Matt. I had fun. Cutting down a tree to decorate has been a tradition in my family for years, and it just wouldn’t have felt like Christmas going to some lot to buy one.”

She startled him with a quick kiss, nothing more than a friendly peck on his mouth, but the touch of her lips, the sweet taste of her lip gloss jolted him as if he’d touched a live power line.

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