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The minute she opened the door, she pressed her lips to his in a hard, fast kiss.
“What was that for?”
Anna Beth’s cheeks flushed. “For thinking of me.”
Jared grinned. He brushed his mouth far back on her cheek, near her ear and whispered, “Can’t help myself.”
Anna Beth smiled, but when he reached for her, she held her hands out. “You don’t have to carry me again. I can make it.”
Jared lifted her out and kicked the door shut with his shoe. “Yeah, but I feel manly when I carry you. Plus, it makes it easier to do this.”
He leaned down and kissed her lightly, playfully.
“Mmmm, so it’s for your benefit. I guess I’m okay with that.”
The chief and his wife got to the front door first and held it open for them.
“Honey, why don’t you carry me across the parking lot?” his wife asked.
The chief leveled Jared with a hard stare. “Lord, look what you started, Cross.”
“Sorry, sir.”
The chief clapped him on the back as went inside. “Have a good time tonight.”
“You, too.”
They trailed behind the older couple and followed the signs to a large great room with a full buffet against the wall. The fireplace blazed and a ten-foot-tall Christmas tree sat in the corner. Underneath were small packages with numbers on them.
“Wanna eat and run?” he asked.
“I told you, this is your night, but I think we should play the White Elephant game. I want my ornament.”
Jared laughed as Anna Beth took the presents over and set them under the tree. When she came back to his side, she stood up on her tiptoes and kissed him.
“Checking one more thing off my list.” She looked up and he followed her gaze to the mistletoe over his head.
“I feel used.”
“You shouldn’t. I love kissing you. Now let’s eat.”
“At least my lips rated before your stomach.”
Three hours later, Jared laughed again when they ended up back in the truck with not one, but both of their original ornaments.
“I can’t believe the chief’s wife stole my glass fox and I ended up with this.” She held up the maimed Gingerbread man.
“Stop, you’re hurting his feelings. Don’t you think he’s been through enough?”
“I suppose.” Anna Beth put the ornament back in the bag. “Why is it snowing again.”
“This is Montana in December, A.B.”
“I know, but still.”
“Just be glad you aren’t driving and buckle up.”
Anna Beth pushed the middle console up and slid across the seat next to him. She clipped her seatbelt and leaned her head against his shoulder.
