Page 27 of Christmas Promises

His hand came up, cupping her cheek, his touch gentle but sure. His thumb brushed lightly against her skin, sending a shiver through her that had nothing to do with the cold. Then, slowly, deliberately, he leaned in.

The kiss was soft and tentative at first, a question more than a demand. But when she didn’t pull away—when she leaned into him, her hands resting lightly on his muscular chest—it deepened. His lips were warm, firm yet tender.

When they parted, she felt almost breathless. In all the times with Josh, she’d never felt so completely undone by a kiss. She’d never had the feeling that she wished the kiss would go on and on until their lips were too bruised to continue.

“Do you remember the last time I kissed you? Right before you left?” His voice sounded low and rough.

A smile tugged at her lips despite the flush creeping up her cheeks. “Oh yes. I remember. The glow of that day stayed with me a long time.”

“For me as well.” He chuckled softly, his hand lingering on her cheek for a moment before falling away. “We should go in or someone will come looking for us.”

Laney laughed softly, stepping back and straightening her sweater. “Do I look as if I’ve been thoroughly kissed?”

“No, not really. I think there’s still more I could do, but it will have to wait for another time.” He squeezed her hand briefly before letting go. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Asking for what you wanted. I might have wasted the entire holiday season without having the nerve to kiss you. That’s kind of my thing.”

“It might have been your thing, but there’s always a chance to reinvent ourselves,” Laney said, surprising herself. “Sometimes we have to be pushed to do so.”

“Maybe.”

She followed Nolan back to the kitchen, her heart racing and her palms damp. Hopefully no one would pick up on the earth-shattering kiss they’d just shared.

The sight that greeted her was heartwarming and a little intimidating and knocked all thoughts of kisses right out of her head. It was chaos as far as Laney could tell. Chaos that smelled of sugar and cinnamon. Flour everywhere, including the floor. The island was covered with decorating tools, including bowls of frosting and copious types of candy and sprinkles.

Three children perched on stools, hunched over their work. A gorgeous blonde woman about Laney’s age and Max, who had blue icing smeared on one cheek, stood on either side of the threesome. Through the window above the sink Laney saw her aunt and who she presumed was Grace Hayes outside on the patio by the firepit talking to what had to be Nolan’s dad and two other brothers, their laughter a backdrop to the cheerful hum inside the kitchen.

Nolan gave Laney an encouraging smile as he rested a hand lightly on her back. “Everyone, this is Laney.”

“Hey, Laney,” Max said, eyes flashing with mischief. “Welcome.”

“Thanks, Max. I’m happy to be here.” Laney self-consciously touched her bottom lip. Was her lipstick smeared, or had it been kissed completely off her face?

The brothers greeted each other with a fist bump.

Meanwhile, the children barely looked up from their work at the island, engrossed in smearing icing and sprinkling candy. The woman, however, straightened from where she’d been helping the smallest of the children pipe a snowflake onto a cookie. She turned with a welcoming smile, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel as she stepped forward.

“Laney, it’s so nice to meet you. I’m Abby. Luke’s wife. And mother to these elves.” Abby reached out as if to shake hands, then seemed to think better of it and pulled Laney into a hug. “Nolan’s told us so much about you. Welcome to Sugarville Grove. I hope you’ll love it here as much as I do. I moved here around the holidays last year, and every single thing in my life has changed. For the better.”

Laney blinked, caught off guard by the easy familiarity. “Really? That’s promising. For me, I mean.”

“It probably sounds trite,” Abby said. “But there’s something special about this place. Not to mention this family.” She gestured toward the kids. “This is—Sophie, Jack, and Lily.” She pointed at the oldest child first and then to the boy, who sat between his sisters, and finally to the smallest, an adorable blonde whom Laney guessed to be kindergarten age. “Children, please say hello to our new friend.”

Sophie, also blonde, appeared to be about ten. An old soul peered out of blue eyes. “Hi, Laney. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Thanks, you too.” Abby returned her smile.

Jack, his face streaked with green icing, grinned up at Laney. “Are you any good at decorating cookies?”

“I’m pretty good at it, yeah,” Laney said.

“We’re having a contest for the best one, and I want to win,” Jack said. “But I probably won’t.” His prediction didn’t appear to do much to dampen his spirit.

The smallest child stared at Laney from under thick black lashes. “I’m the baby. Everyone adores me.” Lily smiled wide. She was missing her two front teeth. Laney wondered if she wanted them for Christmas as in the song.

“Lily, really?” Abby chastised her.

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