12 Gifts for Christmas. Джулия Кеннер

gathered in the living room around the Nativity scene. Miguel read from the Bible about the birth of the Savior. Then he flashed Ally a smile from across their living room where he was seated near the fire. “It’s time for your special surprise, señora. Our children have been waiting and waiting for this.”

      They nestled on either side of her on the couch. Inez and Des were seated in separate chairs placed in front of the adorable tree the children had decorated. His black eyes didn’t move from her face.

      “All right.” Still feeling breathless since waking in Des’s arms, Ally pulled a big picture book out of her sack. “This is my gift to you. It’s my very, very favorite Christmas story. In America, Santa Claus brings the children presents on Christmas Eve. Your parents told me that in Spain, the Three Wise Men will bring presents to your house in January.”

      They nodded.

      “So let this be my present to you.” Having learned the words by heart as a child, she stared at Des as she began.

      “Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.’”

      At that moment she had a vision of being in a house with Des, surrounded by their own children. The vision grabbed hold and wouldn’t let go.

      When she looked back at her decision to come to the Pyrenees, she realized she’d wanted to pit herself against the elements and get past her fear. But unless she could get past her biggest fear of Des rejecting her, what was life for? Where was her courage, her faith?

      She looked down at the book. After swallowing hard, she finished reading and ended with the famous line, ‘“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.’”

      The children were enchanted and begged her to read it again and again. Finally Des stood up and thanked everyone. “If you’ll excuse us, Ally and I have plans for the rest of the evening.”

      “But I thought you were still sick,” Nuncio said.

      “Nuncio …” his mother scolded.

      Ally tried to stifle her laughter, but it was hopeless. “He has a point, Señor Pastrana.” She smiled into his eyes.

      “I may not be a hundred percent yet, but tonight is a special one, above all the other nights of my life, and I intend to enjoy it.” She heard the throb in his deep voice and felt her legs turn to water.

      After hugs and kisses for the kids, she put on her coat and walked out of the posada with Des. Once the door closed behind them he stopped and pulled the lapels of her coat together so she faced him.

      “Where are we going, Des?”

      “To a place I know of where we can see the stars at their most brilliant. But before we do anything else, I want you to know I meant what I said in there just now. Tonight I feel like I’ve been reborn and a whole new beautiful future has opened up for me. Because I’ve fallen in love with you, Ally Bonner. It’s the real thing. I know it in my heart and soul.”

      She couldn’t deny her own feelings, either. Not now. “Oh, Des—” She threw her arms around him. “I’m in love with you, too. I don’t know how it could have happened this fast, but it did. With you, I feel as if anything and everything is possible.”

      Des crushed her against him. “How lucky we are to have found each other in this refuge, of all places. Mi amor …”

      He kissed her and then took her hand as they left to watch the stars fade into Christmas Day … and beyond.

Naughty is Nice

      About the Author

      TAWNY WEBER is usually found dreaming up stories in her California home, surrounded by dogs, cats and kids. When she’s not writing hot, spicy stories for Blaze^®, she’s shopping for the perfect pair of shoes or scrapbooking happy memories. Come by and visit her on the web at www.tawnyweber.com.

       Look out for a new Blaze^® novel from Tawny in 2012.

      CHAPTER ONE

       WELL, ho, ho, ho.

      Mari Madison gave a little hum of appreciation as she stared across the street at what was, in her considered opinion, the nicest ass she’d ever seen. Leaning one shoulder against her mother’s porch pillar, she sipped the viciously strong coffee and decided that this was her reward for moving back home to be closer to her mother.

      “Looks like the Coles are gearing up for the town’s annual holiday decorating contest,” her mother said from inside the front door. “I’d love to win that someday, but I’m not very clever with the big outdoor display.”

      “I’ll bet we can come up with an awesome idea that’s guaranteed to win,” Mari decided. Her mom had been through so much—a lot of it because of her. Mari’s initial solution had been to leave town—out of sight, out of mind and all that. But she’d missed her mom. When she’d heard the only hairdresser in Ponder Hill was retiring, she’d taken it as a sign to come back home. And now that she had, she was going to do her mom proud. So Mari tossed a warm smile over her shoulder and promised, “I’ll help. This year will be your year.”

      With another wistful glance and a laugh, her mom warned her not to get too chilly, then returned to baking yet another batch of gingerbread.

      Mari leaned against the pillar again, eyeing the sexy carpenter across the street. Despite her hot coffee and even hotter view, she shivered. After five years of California living, Ponder Hill, Tennessee, in the winter was a shock to her system. It was freaking cold here. She’d bundled up in a thick sweater under her fleece-lined denim jacket, jeans and two pairs of socks tucked into a sweet pair of wedge-heeled hiking boots. Totally impractical, but a girl had to have priorities. Cute shoes were definitely at the top of hers.

      The hottie across the street didn’t seem to have a problem with the temperature. Like her, he was wearing jeans and boots, although his were clearly for work, not fashion. But instead of layers and a knit beret, he wore a white T-shirt.

      Not that she was complaining. This gave her a great view of his rounded biceps as he swung his hammer at a big slab of wood. His hair, dark enough to contrast nicely where it brushed the collar of his shirt, gleamed in the morning light.

      Her gloved fingers itched to test the weight and texture of his hair to see if it was as wavy and thick as it looked. Occupational hazard, she figured. Though the tingle of desire in her belly had nothing to do with being a hairdresser and everything to do with attraction.

      Then he turned. Mari’s eyes focused on the nice fit of his jeans, noting they were just as promising from the front as the back. The tingle heated up as desire intensified. Her gaze took a slow, appreciative slide up his flat belly, over a chest worth sighing about and paused briefly to give a little hum at the impressive width of his shoulders.

      Oh, yeah, they built them nice here in Ponder Hill. Nicer than she’d remembered, even. Anticipation tight, she let her gaze rest on his face.

      A lock of dark hair fell across his forehead, giving a little-boy sweetness to a face that was hard planes and masculine angles. Sharp cheekbones, a chiseled jaw and a mouth that just begged to be kissed. Yum.

      Her eyes met his—and widened in shock. Though she was too far away to see the color, she knew those deep-set eyes were a vivid green, like a grassy field on a hot summer day.

      Declan Cole.

      Well, shit. Mari’s fingers constricted on the mug.

      Figured. The sexiest guy she’d seen in years was the one who’d ruined her high school reputation. It looked like payback would be topping her holiday list this year.

      CHAPTER TWO

      DECLAN Cole stepped back from the Christmas display he was building and swiped his hand over his forehead to shove