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He reached for her hand and gripped it. “I held Kyle in my arms this morning, and all I could think about was that you and I could have children as beautiful and perfect as he is.”
Charlee’s throat ached as she tried to find words but couldn’t.
He took her other hand and held them both tightly. “We can start fresh and new. We’ll fulfill all those bets we made and explore what we each want in life. I think we know each other pretty well, but let’s have some fun figuring it all out.”
“You’re serious?” She spoke slowly. “If the time comes, you would like to have children?”
“Yeah, a few rug rats would be fine.” He smiled. “We could start with one at a time and work from there.”
“If we decide we’re ready for that step, we can talk more about it at that time.” She squeezed his hands in return. “I’m good with that, Ace. If you’re open to being a daddy one day, then let’s see how things go with us. Together.”
Ace embraced Charlee and brought her into his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled before he kissed her.
Scatteredpatches of snow dotted the forest in the Bradshaws as Ace and Charlee looked out the floor-to-ceiling windows of her cabin. The sun had mostly gone down, a pale glow in the break in the forest canopy the only light.
Ace rested his arm around her shoulders and squeezed. “It’s good to be here with you.”
“Can’t believe it’s been a whole year since the blizzard, when we were snowed in together.” Warmth filled Charlee as she tilted her head to smile at Ace. “I’m glad we decided to share Christmas together again, here at the cabin.”
He brushed his lips over hers. “I’ve been looking forward to this time alone with you.”
“And Ossie.” Charlee glanced at the Australian shepherd, who stretched out on the fuzzy white rug in front of the crackling fireplace. “It wouldn’t be the same without her.”
They had piled gifts under the tree, which glittered with colorful lights. It was Christmas Eve, and it felt magical being here with Ace.
“Time for gifts.” Ace took her hand and they sat on fluffy pillows in front of the tree.
They handed each other the fun things they had brought for each other, and soon torn Christmas wrapping lay all around them.
“Time for the last gift.” She went around the Christmas tree on her hands and knees to reach the biggest package of them all. It was five feet long, one foot high, andheavy. She’d let Ace carry it in for her but refused to let him know what it was.
Ace helped her bring it in front of the tree and looked at her. “Nowcan I open it?”
Charlee laughed. “Yes.”
He tore off the wrapping like a little kid and laughed when he saw what it was—a long sign withAce High Ranchacross it, and an Ace of Clubs on the right.
“I love it.” He put the sign down in front of him. “Thank you.”
He kissed her soundly. She leaned her head on his shoulder. “Best Christmas ever.”
“There’s one more gift.” He went to the DVD cabinet and put some of them on the floor before he brought out a package about seven inches in diameter. “It’s a surprise.”
She laughed. “Aren’t they all?”
He handed it to her and she smiled as she unwrapped it. She grinned when she pulled out a fluffy white stuffed bear. “Awww, he’s so cute.” She smiled at Ace. “I’ll name him Blizzard, Bliz for short, after our first time here together.”
He pointed to a red foil-wrapped package the bear held between his paws. “Looks like Bliz has something.”
“A gift from Bliz.” She plucked the package from the bear’s snug grip, a flat rectangle, about two inches by four. “A box of chocolates, maybe?”
Ace laughed. “I suppose it could be. Tiny ones.”
She shook it near her ear. It didn’t make a sound. “Hmmm…how about a crystal piece for my Swarovski collection? An ornament?” She pretended to think really hard. “Some of your mom’s apple pie?”
Ace shook his head. “Uh, no.”
“Can I open it?” She held up the package. “Or do I have to keep guessing?”
