That Holiday Feeling (Virgin River #8)(39)

“The very best tree ever,” Savannah agreed.

Suddenly she was slipping her hand into Trace’s. “Thank you,” she said.

“Just following directions,” he said.

“No. It’s more than that. I think we all need a touch of magic in our lives this year, and you’ve made sure we have it.”

“All I did—”

She cut off his protest. “Thank you,” she repeated emphatically, gazing up at him.

Trace thought he’d never seen anything so lovely in his life as he gazed into her sparkling eyes, which put the lights on the tree to shame. “You’re welcome,” he said softly, resisting the need to kiss her only because Hannah was in the room.

“I think I’ll go to bed,” Hannah announced with rare impeccable timing.

“Night, baby,” Savannah said, sounding just a little breathless.

“Good night, Trace. Thanks for helping with the tree.” Hannah stood on tiptoe to give him a peck on the cheek.

“Good night, angel.”

“I’m glad you’re here,” she murmured sleepily as she headed for the stairs.

Trace looked into Savannah’s eyes, aware suddenly that he was caught up in something he couldn’t explain with his usual rational practicality. “I’m glad I’m here, too.”

The most amazing sense of contentment stole through Savannah as she settled onto the sofa with Trace beside her. He was careful not to sit too close, but she could still feel the heat radiating from him, and she was drawn to it more than ever.

It had been an incredible evening. Even listening to Trace and Hannah bickering over where to place the ornaments on the tree had been wonderful. Hannah wouldn’t have risked such a debate with her father. Things were always done Rob’s way. It was a lesson Hannah had learned early, to keep peace in the family.

It was more than that, though. Maybe it was the cozy fire. Maybe it was the hot chocolate and salvaged chunks of sugar cookies.

Or maybe it was simply that for the first time in years, there was no real dissension as the holidays got under way. It had always been a battle to get her husband home from the office in time to help with the preparations. And unlike the bantering between Hannah and Trace, there had been a superior edge to her ex’s tone that had always sent Hannah to her room in tears.

“Can I ask you something?” Savannah said, studying Trace intently.

He kept his guarded gaze directed toward the fire, but he nodded.

“Christmas is still a couple of days away. Why did you come up here early?”

“I told you.”

“I know. You promised my aunt. But she’s been gone for several weeks now. You could have waited till the last second and still fulfilled your promise.”

He glanced at her, then looked back at the fire. “You’ll think I’m crazy.”

Savannah laughed. “I doubt that. Even in the brief time I’ve known you, I can tell you definitely have all your wits about you.”

“Okay, then, here it is. I was planning to wait till Christmas Eve, rush up here, spend the night and rush right back to the city on Christmas Day.”

“But you changed your mind. Why?”

“I woke up this morning with this weird feeling that I needed to be up here today.” He met her gaze. “Normally I would have dismissed it and kept to my original plan….” His voice trailed off.

“But?” Savannah prodded, intrigued by the distinctly uncomfortable expression on his face. For a man who exuded confidence, it was a rare display of vulnerability.

“You know that cooler of chocolate mocha almond ice cream?”

“Very well. What does that have to do with anything?”

“It was delivered to my apartment this morning with a note that said I should get it up here before it melted.”

Savannah stared at him. “Someone sent you that ice cream as a gift?”

His gaze held hers. “Not just someone. It was your aunt’s handwriting.”

“Oh, my,” Savannah whispered. “How could that be?”

“I called the store and the delivery service. The arrangements had been made weeks ago.” He shrugged ruefully. “I guess Mae was afraid I might not keep my promise without a little nudge from beyond the grave. Needless to say, I packed my bags and hit the road.”

She studied him closely. “Are you teasing me?”

“Absolutely not,” he said. “I have no sense of humor. Ask the people who work for me. Heck, it’s even in most of the articles about Franklin Toys.”

“That’s absurd,” Savannah said, dismissing the suggestion out of hand. “You’ve been joking and laughing with Hannah and me since you got here.”

“I know,” he said, his expression serious. “What do you make of that?”

“We’re good for you,” she said, her voice suddenly a little breathless. Could it really be that she had something to offer this man who had everything money could buy?

“Which, I suspect, is exactly what your aunt had in mind when she plotted this meeting.”

Suddenly it all made sense to Savannah. The inheritance of Holiday Retreat at a time when she desperately needed a change in her life. The unexpected arrival of a handsome stranger on the inn’s doorstep. Yes indeed, Aunt Mae had been scheming, all right. The realization horrified her.