Page 22 of A Moon Lake Christmas Hero

Since she’d had stitches and was probably still traumatized from yesterday’s event, we wanted her to be able to relax a little and not be overwhelmed by all these people. Though she clearly loved the kids and Jose and even tolerated Jessie’s cats without major drama.

She fit right in, which was a miracle in and of itself.

“Let’s walk to the edge of the forest, and see how she’s doing on her feet.”

I nodded, and he fastened the collar we’d bought earlier and clipped on the matching leash before he offered it to me.

He led me through the front door. Purposefully avoiding the gathering in the back. And toward a path that was obviously well-used, by the looks of it. The snow was trampled down, but I was glad for my new boots.

We walked in silence for a couple of minutes. I focused on Lucy. She was walking slowly, but she didn’t limp or anything. Which—after yesterday, when she couldn’t even move her legs—felt almost like a miracle. The cone around her neck didn’t seem to bother her too much, either.

“I didn’t realize they invited the whole town.” My voice sounded thin, and I cleared my throat.

He grinned. “They didn’t. This is just our little group of friends. And you haven’t even met them all.”

“Peter, Lisa’s husband and deputy sheriff, is still on duty. Carter, Hawk and a couple of their guys might pop in as well and Richard and Dorothy are on their way. Though you met Richard yesterday already.”

I nodded. I couldn’t really remember much from yesterday. Probably because I was in shock after the accident. And to be perfectly honest, I was already overwhelmed with remembering the names of the people already here, and there were more on their way?

James gave me a side glance, then ran his hand through his hair and lowered his brows. “They can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you meet them all at once. Maybe this barbecue wasn’t such a great idea.”

Warmth radiated through my body, and I latched onto his hand and intertwined our fingers, and squeezed. I’d never experienced someone—let alone a virtual stranger—so acutely aware and concerned about my well-being. “It’s perfect. They’re all truly lovely, and I couldn’t be happier to get to meet them all.”

He stopped, looked at me, then raised our hands and kissed the back of my hand.

It was just a harmless nibble—something out of a different era—but my insides turned liquid, and my knees wobbled.

What was it with this man, and the chemistry between us?

His charm was off the charts. The intensity in his eyes caused a burning desire in my belly. My head told me we only met yesterday. It was too soon to be that attracted, that smitten with him. But somehow, my body was there.

Wanting him.

Needing him.

Ready to throw caution to the wind and give myself to him.

JAMES

JAMES

Icould see it reflected in her eyes—the same desire that filled me with heat. That made my stomach harden, and my fingers itch to pull her against me. To ravish her, to take her.

I looked down at my feet, focused on the snow beneath our feet, before I shook my head.

Then started walking again.

It wasn’t rational. Wasn’t anything I’d experienced in a long time. Animal magnetism.

Maybe that was what was going on between us.

But I wasn’t a teenager anymore.

I had my responsibilities—Abby and Marley—to think of. Dragging a perfect stranger into the woods and devouring her—that wasn’t what a responsible father would do.

Wasn’t who I was. At least not anymore.

“Tell me about yourself. What brought you here? Why did you take the job?”

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