That Christmas Kind of Feeling by Hannah Bird

Author:Hannah Bird [Bird, Hannah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hannah Bird
Published: 2023-12-08T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Blinking against the harsh light of morning, I find that I’m no longer snuggled up with the bear of a man from my dreams. Instead Finley feels me stir and bounces to his feet, eager to smother me in licks before I’ve had an ounce of coffee.

The smell of which fills my nose. I crane my neck, expecting to see that the power has turned back on and a coffeepot is running, but instead I find Levi freshly showered in a plaid flannel and jeans, kneeling in front of the fire. He’s placed some kind of grate over the top of the logs, and on it rests a camping coffee percolator I recognize from my hiking groups on Facebook.

Propping myself up on an elbow, I wipe the remnants of sleep from my eye. “I’m so happy to see that coffeepot, I could kiss you right now.”

He glances over his shoulder at me and smiles. “Don’t threaten me with a good time.”

I shake my head at him, but my stomach does a somersault.

“Power is still out, but I boiled enough water that you could take a quick bath if you like. I was just about to wake you so it didn’t get cold.” He combs his fingers through damp hair the color of coal. “As someone who took a frigid shower this morning, I assure you I wouldn’t recommend it."

“Thank you.” My heart melts a little more each time this man opens his mouth, I swear. “Can I help with anything before I do?”

“Nope. Coffee should be ready when you finish. You’ll need your energy; I’ve got a full day of fun planned for us.”

“What are you talking about? It’s a blizzard outside.” I sit up and point toward the window, a great wall of white, just for emphasis.

“Never stopped me before.”

“Except for yesterday.”

“Okay, fact checker.” He silences me with a flat look. “Remember last night, I said I’d find a way to repay you?”

A nervous laugh escapes me. “I thought you were joking. You don’t have to repay me for a simple compliment, Levi.”

“I don’t have to, but I want to.” There’s a glint in his eyes. A giddiness to his voice. “I’m gonna give you back your best Christmas memories.”

“My what?”

“You know, the memories you have from your favorite Christmas.” He shifts closer to me and rises to his knees so we’re eye to eye. Warmth floods me as his hands land on the tops of my thighs and grab hold. “The cookies, the sledding, all of it.”

I shake my head, wondering if I’m still a little delirious from sleep. “I don’t understand.”

“Amelia, it breaks my heart that your family has made this holiday something you dread instead of something to look forward to. And I’m not prideful enough to think I can fix that or somehow make it all better, but as luck would have it, I get to spend this Christmas with you. So I’m going to make it a good one. Okay?”

I don’t want to cry in front of him again, but I can feel the tears pressing at the backs of my eyes.

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