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“Do I ever.” She laughed. “How aboutHome Alone?”
He stood and headed toward the TV. “Just tell me where it is and I’ll set it up.”
She nodded in the direction of a cabinet below the TV and pointed to the lower door. “All my Christmas movies are in there.”
He found the one he was looking for and slid it into the DVD player.
“Before we start the movie, let’s pop some popcorn.” She raised her mug. “Want more hot chocolate?” That meant more warm fuzzies, too.
“I’m all in.” His shoulder brushed hers as they headed for the kitchen together. “Now tell me where that popcorn is.”
CHAPTER4
Charlee rolled onto her back in her cozy bed that was mounded with a comforter and a quilt and covered her eyes with her arm. She struggled to pull her hazy thoughts together. She was in her cabin, with Ace McBride—but had no idea how she’d gotten into bed.
She bolted upright as panic crawled up her throat like a flock of birds. She looked beside her and let out her breath in a rush. Thankfully, she was alone in bed, no sign of Ace. She glanced down and saw she was still in her red sweater and jeans.
He must have brought her in and tucked her into bed. The last thing she could recall was watching a second Christmas movie, but at this moment she couldn’t remember which one.
She’d been so aware of Ace that she’d had a hard time concentrating. So, she’d had a little more to drink, and a little more, to keep from thinking too much about him. She apparently ended up having more bourbon than she should have.
Where had Ace slept? She rubbed grit out of her eyes. Hopefully he’d chosen one of the four guest rooms. Some kind of hostess she was.
Charlee glanced at the clock, expecting it to be at least eight. It surprised her that it was only seven. She climbed out of bed and hurried through her morning ritual and pulled her hair up in a high ponytail. She kept a closet full of clothes at the cabin since she stayed here as often as she could. After taking a shower, she slid on the pair of weathered jeans she’d worn last night, and a green sweater with a Christmas tree on the front, and pulled on fuzzy green socks.
She appreciated that she didn’t feel as if she had to dress up and wear makeup to be presentable around Ace. She could be herself. He was comfortable to be around, like the soft worn jeans she wore.
Now, to whip up something for breakfast. As she walked out of her bedroom and started to mull over the possibilities, she caught the warm smells of sausage, pancakes, and coffee.
Ossie greeted her as she reached the kitchen. Charlee was unable to keep a broad smile off her face as she saw Ace standing over the stove with a spatula. Next to him sat a plate full of sausage links and a stack of pancakes on a platter beneath a domed glass lid.
He looked so damned sexy in a white T-shirt that hugged his muscled biceps and broad chest. His hair was rumpled and damp from a shower and light stubble covered his jaw.
She walked into the kitchen. “Happy Christmas Eve.”
“Good morning, sunshine.” He smiled. “Happy Christmas Eve.”
“This is the way to wake up,” she said with a grin.
Mischief sparked in his eyes. “All a part of my master plan,” he said before sipping from a coffee mug.
“Smells absolutely wonderful.” She grabbed a bottle of maple syrup from the pantry and set out to heat the bottle in a pan of water she put on to boil.
“Mug’s ready for you with a pod I filled with the ground coffee I found in the freezer.” He gestured to the Keurig, where her favorite flowered mug sat. “You have the best chicory coffee.”
“Got it in New Orleans when Bailey, Dara, and I were there in October.” She started to brew the coffee. “When did you get up?”
“About forty-five minutes ago.” He glanced at her. “Slept like a baby in one of your guest rooms. Damn, you’ve got comfortable beds.”
Her body heated as she thought about finding herself in her bed alone this morning. “Thank you for getting me to my room last night.” She met his gaze. “I don’t remember it at all.”
Ace shrugged. “You conked out about three-quarters through the movie. Figured you’d had a long day and made sure you were tucked in.”
“A long day and too much bourbon during the movie.” She shook her head. “I’ll try not to pass out on you again.”
He laughed, the sound lightening her heart. “I’m just glad to see you relax. It’s pretty obvious you need it.”
“Do I ever.” She removed her mug from below the coffee maker. “How about you?”
