Page 8 of Can't Miss Christmas

CHAPTER 3

Grace unabashedly kissed Graham’s cheeks. His forehead. She was beyond thrilled that he was all right, talking and moving. Her lips hovered over his, and she caught herself at the last moment—what was she doing? Whoa! She’d almostreallykissed him! Smooched him right on those beautiful, full lips. When she drew back, he was staring at her.

Not just staring. His gaze held more than ayou are crazy, womanexpression. It held a look she knew all too well. His gypsy-brown eyes darkened and threw heat that shot straight through to her abdomen and radiated everywhere despite the penetrating cold. A gaze that told her in no uncertain terms that he wanted to cover her lips with his and kiss her until she was boneless and panting.

Grace’s breath caught. His gaze slid down to her lips, and her insides turned into a warm, melty puddle. The car suddenly felt stifling, claustrophobic. She sat up, struggling to get some space between them. A big wave of strong, heady emotion always seemed to cloud her reason and her judgment when she was around him. One thing about Graham Walker was certain—he did not elicit halfway feelings, good or bad.

“Are you all right?” she asked, trying to keep her focus. Now that he was conscious and talking, they had other things to worry about. The car was freezing, getting buried under snow, and no one was around for miles. Plus, the engine wouldn’t start when she tried the key, and her toes were already starting to feel like tiny little ice blocks.

“I have a whopping headache.” He brought his hand up to his forehead, but she caught it before he could touch his wound, which had mostly stopped bleeding but still looked nasty.

“You have a gash. It looks like it needs a couple of stitches.”

She had to get them some help. But how? “I’m going to start walking. I’ll flag down the first person I see.” She opened the door and saw for the first time the massive body on their hood, which was dented like an accordion, the engine still hissing loudly. The hazard lights reflected off a sign, half covered with snow. “Welcome to Mirror Lake…Population 1000.” Wherever that was.

Grace got back in and shut the door.

“I don’t want you to leave the car.” Graham struggled to get up.

“Don’t move until help comes.” She paused. “Pleasedon’t move,” she rephrased. “Maybe you hurt your neck or back.”

“I’m fine, Grace,” he said through gritted teeth. He sighed. “What I mean is, I’m not helpless. It’s going to take both of us to get us out of here.”

She put a hand on the center of his chest. “I’m just so damn happy you’re alive. Please don’t ruin it by going back to your obstinate self. And it’s not safe to move. You need an ambulance.”

He raised a brow. “You’re happy I’m alive?” For once, he didn’t sound sarcastic.

“Yes, I’m thrilled, okay? You scared the bejesus out of me!”

He grinned, full on, and wouldn’t you know it, out popped that damn dimple.

The intense flashlight beam that suddenly shone inside the car prevented Grace from thinking too much about that.

Grace looked up to see a cop on the driver’s side, knocking on the window.

Oh, thank God. Aliveandsaved, all in the same day.

“Officer!” she said.

A tall, dark-haired man assessed the situation with a calm and steady gaze. “I’m Chief Tom Rushford of the Mirror Lake Police Department,” he said. “I suppose you two didn’t get the memo that there’s a blizzard out here.” He had kind eyes. That alone was enough for relief to cascade through her.

They would live to tell this tale. More importantly, something between them had shifted, something that could finally throw open the possibility of understanding each other. And that was suddenly massively important to her.

Tom took in the windshield, the punctured air bag, and the gash on Graham’s head. “I see you seemed to do a little better than the deer. How are you feeling?”

“Great, Officer,” Graham said.

Typical male. “He hit his head on the steering wheel, and he was out for about five minutes.” Grace felt a little like she was back in the third grade, tattling without hesitation. Graham tossed her a dirty look, but she shot him one right back.

In the distance, red lights flashed. The officer squinted into the driving snow. “We’ve got an ambulance coming.”

“I don’t need an ambulance,” Graham said, trying to sit up, but Grace pushed against his chest again.

“Just sit tight,” Officer Tom said. “We’re going to take you to our community hospital. They’re going to have to backboard you until your neck checks out.” He looked at Grace. “You keep him still, okay?” He turned to Graham and patted his shoulder. “Listen to your wife. She obviously loves you.”

“She’s not…” He started to explain, but the officer was already gone, trudging through the snow to greet the ambulance crew. His gaze met Grace’s.

“Areyouall right?” he asked when they were alone.

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