Dixie's Gift by Barbara Edwards

Author:Barbara Edwards [Edwards, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Holiday, Paranormal, Fantasy, Ghosts, Small Town, Animals
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2015-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Three

“Too late,” Michael murmured in her ear after he gathered her close. The wind sounded louder without the lights, howling over the roof like a hungry wolf. She pressed against his chest, her arms slipping around his waist. The melting snow dampened her clothes and she shivered.

“Lucky you came back when you did.”

“I couldn’t risk not being able to reach you in the morning.”

“But why do you care? We barely know each other.”

“I don’t know. It feels like this is really important. Like time is elastic and stretched around us to keep us together.”

He tucked one finger under her chin and tilted her head so he could kiss her. His warm breath flowed over her face before their mouths met.

Ellen’s stomach clenched, and she wondered where all these heated feelings came from. When he drew his lips from hers, she wanted to protest.

“I need to get the generator started. Do you have candles, in case we need them?” He brushed his hand over her hair.

“Tons,” she replied.

“Okay. Wait here in the kitchen while I flip the breakers.” He pressed one small flashlight into her hand. A minute later she heard him on the basement stairs.

The tiny circle cast enough light to find matches in the drawer and the candles she had on the shelf. She lit two although the generator would be working shortly.

“Good idea,” Michael said. “Be ready to turn off any extra electric appliances when it kicks on.” He patted her on the shoulder and headed outside.

She slipped to one of the chairs. Her knee throbbed from moving too quickly, and she rubbed it.

She bit her lower lip. Michael had returned only to be trapped here at least until morning. Her heart pounded with a mixture of excitement and longing. She dug her cell phone from her purse and called the public works department. They’d be monitoring the answering machine during the storm and would send a crew as soon as possible to remove the downed tree.

The rumble of the generator heralded the surprisingly bright glow of the kitchen light. She unplugged the automatic coffee maker, the toaster and the microwave, before moving to the dining room to turn off the small chandelier over the table.

Michael thumped around on the porch, and she assumed he was shoveling the snow clear. He bustled through the door a minute later. She staggered back as he shoved a pine tree and a box inside.

His laugh rang out at her expression. “Surprise! We can decorate while we’re waiting for rescue.”

“Where are we going to put that? There’s no space in the living room.” Laughing at his silly request, Ellen threw her hands in the air. Junior jumped in circles and pulled at a loose piece of tissue.

“Then we’ll push the dining table to one side.” His smile coaxed her agreement. “It’ll be fun.”

His enthusiasm was catching. She pushed her hair behind her ears and opened the box. Several strands of Christmas lights and two boxes of red balls sat inside.

“These are for your restaurant,” she protested.

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