Home For Christmas (A Copper Mountain Christmas) by McClone Melissa

Author:McClone, Melissa [McClone, Melissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tule Publishing Group, LLC
Published: 2013-11-01T00:00:00+00:00

Rachel loved this place. "Staying here's spoiled me. Will make it hard to go back to Ty's apartment."

Or hers in Arizona.

That was a crazy thought. She picked up her mug. The desert was home, not the mountains.

"You're welcome to stay as long as you want."

"Thanks." The russet of her tea reminded her of Nate's eyes. Rachel's heart bumped. "I imagine Christmas must be lovely at the ranch."

"It's quiet." His voice sounded lower, more serious than normal. He shifted positions. "At least until people come over for Christmas dinner. Folks know there's an open invitation so I'm never sure who'll show up 'til they step through the door. It's a potluck rather than a traditional menu, though I do cook a turkey."

"Sounds fun."

He leaned toward her. "You'll be here?"

She reached for the popcorn to put more distance between them. Avoid crawling onto his lap like the kitten he'd saved. Being careful of his ankle, of course.

What would happen if she did?

That was what she'd been thinking about at night, two doors away, waiting for him to walk past her room. Knock. Just to check on her.

Right.

"Rachel."

"Oh, yeah. Of course we'll be there. I brought my favorite holiday recipes with me. I'll cook a couple of dishes."

"The more the merrier. This place was built for a crowd."

And that's when she realized what Nate Vaughn wanted—company. The guy was lonely with no guests to care for and entertain. Helping her with the gingerbread houses might be for Ty, but also gave Nate something to do, something other than being alone in this big house.

He touched her shoulder. "Hey. You seem miles away. The movie's starting."

Her sweater kept his skin from touching hers. Yet heat emanated from the point of contact, sending chills down her arm. The good kind, ones she hadn't felt since the last time he'd made this happen a few days ago. She swallowed. "Just enjoying the Christmas tree."

And his touch.

All she had to do was scoot a couple inches to her left. She had a feeling he might meet her halfway. Maybe put his arm around her. Except…

Her stomach knotted, like curling ribbon that had fallen off the spool into a jumbled mess.

Rachel didn't want to repeat her past mistakes. They'd cost her so much, too much. What if this turned into another misstep? Her heart didn't want to take the chance.

Reluctantly, she leaned forward, set her mug on the table, and reached for the popcorn bowl.

His hand slipped off her shoulder, the way she'd expected. He rested his forearm on the cushion between them. Exactly what she'd wanted to happen. But darn it, she missed his touch.

Rachel offered Nate popcorn then forced herself to stare at the television. Concentrate on the opening credits. Focus on the first scene.

Except she couldn't stop thinking about the man seated next to her. For so long, she'd allowed work dreams of a bakery to dominate her fantasies, pushing thoughts of a serious relationship, having her own family and the future out of the way.

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