Page 45 of Frost and Felines

The fact that he had remembered such a small detail from one of their conversations made her throat tight with emotion. She watched him move around the table with fluid grace, arranging her plate just so, and pouring coffee into delicate cups.

"You really didn't have to go to all this trouble," she said softly.

Kieran paused in his preparations to fix her with an intense look. "Yes, I did. Now hush and let me spoil you today."

Mallory savored each bite of the perfectly flaky croissant, watching as Kieran devoured his third one. His appetite matched his tiger nature - fierce and unrestrained. Every so often, his knee would brush against hers under the table, sending sparks of awareness through her body.

"I haven't had breakfast this good since Paris," she admitted, taking another sip of the rich coffee.

"High praise indeed." His eyes crinkled at the corners. "But I've got another surprise planned. You better bundle up."

Minutes later, they stepped out into the crisp morning air. The town square sparkled with fresh snow, and Mallory's breath hitched at the sight of a magnificent sleigh, complete with two chestnut horses pawing at the ground.

"You didn't."

"I did." Kieran's hand settled on her waist, warm and possessive. "The Hendersons do this every Christmas. I may have called in a small favor."

He helped her into the sleigh, then climbed in beside her, immediately pulling a thick wool blanket around them both. The close quarters meant she was pressed against his side, their thighs touching. Heat radiated from him, and she found herself unconsciously leaning into his warmth.

As they glided through the streets, Mallory saw Saltwater Grove through new eyes. The bakery where Mrs. Chen was setting out fresh gingerbread. The bookstore where Mr. Patterson waved from behind frost-covered windows. The town square where children built snowmen and threw snowballs.

"Look at that display," Kieran pointed to an elaborate window at the flower shop. "Daphne outdoes herself every year."

"I've never actually seen it before," Mallory admitted. "I usually just grab what I need and go."

"You've been missing out." His arm tightened protectively around her shoulders. "This town has so much heart."

The sleigh rounded another corner, and Mallory's chest tightened with an unexpected yearning. She wanted this - not just the sleigh ride, but all of it. The community, the connection, and the way Kieran made everything feel possible and right. For the first time since Eli died, she wanted to be part of something bigger than her solitary existence.

"What are you thinking about?" Kieran's breath was warm against her ear.

"Just that I've been hiding for too long," she whispered, watching a group of carolers practice on a street corner. "I forgot how beautiful this place could be."

His fingers intertwined with hers under the blanket. "It's never too late to start fresh."

Mallory's boots crunched in the snow as she and Kieran made their way back to The Hearthstone. Her cheeks still burned from the cold air and the lingering warmth of being pressed against him during the sleigh ride.

"I can't believe you arranged all that," she said, watching his profile as he walked beside her. The way he carried himself, confident and assured, caused her heart to skip a beat.

"I can be very persuasive when I want something." His blue eyes flickered to her face, intense and heated. "Or someone."

Before she could process that loaded statement, Charlotte burst through the front door of the inn.

"There you are! The kids are getting restless waiting for Santa."

Kieran's eyes widened. "I completely forgot about that."

"Don't worry, I grabbed your suit." Charlotte thrust a red bundle into his arms. "They're all in the main sitting room."

"Come help me entertain them?" Kieran asked Mallory, already heading toward the bathroom to change.

"What exactly would I be doing?"

"Being my beautiful Mrs. Claus, of course." He flashed her a wicked grin before disappearing into the bathroom.

Ten minutes later, Mallory found herself perched on the arm of a plush armchair while Kieran, now sporting a remarkably convincing Santa suit, listened to children's Christmas wishes. His natural charm had them all giggling and excited.

"And what would you like for Christmas?" A little girl with missing front teeth asked Mallory.

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