A Princess Under The Mistletoe

“Ready for bed, big guy?” he asked.

Sam jumped up from the sofa and leaped into Gavin’s arms. Sara sighed as Gavin carried his son to bed.

Sara usually went to bed when the children did, but this time she put in her earbuds and listened to music while she rested on the sofa. Moments later, Gavin appeared, sitting beside her.

She inhaled his clean, masculine scent and decided it was a bit intoxicating. “Hi,” she said, pulling out her earbuds. “Did Sam settle down?”

“He settles down much more easily since you donated your sound machine,” he said.

“I’m glad it helped him,” she said, thinking of how she missed the waves, but she wouldn’t tell Gavin that.

“We swiped it from you,” he said. “I keep intending to get you a replacement.”

“No problem,” she said, and she waved her hand. “Wearing out your children is the best insomnia relief ever.”

“I don’t know if that’s a good thing,” he said.

“A good night of sleep is always a wonderful thing,” she said, unable to count the number of sleepless nights she’d suffered during the past year.

“I guess so,” he said and looked toward her. “As I said the other day, I really wasn’t sure you would last more than a day or two. You just seemed so young.”

“I’m small, but mighty,” she joked.

“I’m starting to think that may be true. You’ve been full of surprises, though. Some secrets in your background. You put on a happy face, but I’ve seen a few moments of sadness in your eyes.”

Nerves jangled in her stomach. She didn’t know she’d given so much away. She thought she’d put on a good front. “You’re very observant,” she said. “I think most of us have experienced sadness by my age. I try not to dwell on it.”

“Was it the loss of your parents?” he asked.

“That was painful, but there has been an avalanche of other issues and events that have been life-changing for my sister and brother since that time. Our future became uncertain,” she said, her heart squeezing with the pain of worry over her sister and brother. She just wanted them to be safe, and if at all possible, happy.

Gavin squeezed her shoulder. “I wish you could see your eyes. They look stormy and a little afraid. You know you’re safe here, don’t you?”

Sara took a deep breath. He’d nailed her emotions, making her feel uncomfortably vulnerable. At the same time, his hand on her shoulder was so comforting and the expression on his face was an exquisite combination of kindness and male strength. It would be so easy to give in to that. Too easy.

The moment stretched between them, and Sara knew she should turn away. But Gavin was compelling and she’d been strong a long time. He lowered his head toward hers and pressed his mouth against hers. His lips felt warm and sensual. Sara felt a wicked forbidden heat rush through her. His hands slid up to cup her jaw and the touch exuded both comfort and seduction. She’d never experienced that combination before and she couldn’t help wanting more. Leaning toward him, she opened her mouth and he deepened the kiss. A ripple of awareness hummed through her.

“Daddy?”

Sam’s little-boy voice broke the spell and Sara pulled back, appalled by her susceptibility to Gavin. She needed to get herself straight. She needed to get herself under control. She stood because she couldn’t figure what else to do.

“Hey, big guy, what’s up?” Gavin asked as if he had just been doing lawn work instead of shaking her up from the inside out.

“Can I have some water?” he asked.

“Sure,” Gavin said and rose.

“I’ll get it,” Sara said. “I’d like some water, too. I’m ready to go to bed.”

“Sara,” Gavin began.

“No. Really,” she insisted. She darted for the kitchen and poured water for Sam and herself. She returned to the den and offered the cup to Sam. “Here you go, sweetie. Good night to both of you,” she said without meeting Gavin’s gaze. And then she rushed to her room and closed the door.

Taking several deep breaths, she stood in the room and covered her face. What was wrong with her? During the past ten years, Sara had never put her needs before her duties. Never. She couldn’t mess things up for her siblings now. Chantaine had offered them a safe place. She couldn’t jeopardize that for her sister or brother even if her brother was nowhere to be found, and her sister was doing God knew what with God knew who.

She made a quick trip to the bathroom, splashed water on her face and brushed her teeth, then returned to her bedroom where she changed into her nightgown. Climbing into bed, she forced her eyes closed and told her brain to shut down. Easier said than done. Why was she so drawn to Gavin? He was just a single dad doing the best he could. What about him affected her down to her very core?

* * *

The next several days, Sara managed to avoid meeting Gavin’s direct gaze, although it was challenging. The weather took a turn for the worse and she tried several methods to keep the children entertained. Soon enough, everyone showed signs of cabin fever. Sam whined and Adelaide cried.

Out of desperation, she took to the piano. She banged out some hard modern pieces. The kids turned silent, or maybe she just couldn’t hear them. Sara played three songs, then looked at Adelaide sitting in her infant seat and Sam standing beside the piano. Both just stared at her.

Many people seemed to forget that the piano was a percussion instrument. Hard to ignore.

Sam stepped toward her and pressed down a key.

“Try another,” she said. “It won’t bite.”

He pressed down another key, then another and another.

“Want to learn a tune?” she asked.

“What tune?” he asked.

“‘Chopsticks,’” she said, and she began to play.

Fifteen minutes later, Sam had learned his part.

Sara caught him playing the piano again during some free time. Unfortunately, the rain continued and even “Chopsticks” couldn’t save them.

Desperate, Sara took the children outside in the rain. Warning them this would only last a short time, she headed straight for the mud puddles. Sam jumped up and down, splashing her and Adelaide. The baby shrieked in delight. Sara was just glad both kids seemed happy and entertained.

She had every intention of taking them inside and bathing them.

But Gavin came home early and drove past them on his way up the driveway to the cottage. “Uh-oh,” she said.

Sam looked at her. “Are we in trouble?”

“Maybe,” she said with a wince.

“Maybe he won’t be mad,” Sam said hopefully.

With the rain streaming down on them, she stared at him and smiled. “Maybe not. It’s just rain and a little mud,” she said. “I guess we better go back,” she said. Sam nodded.

They walked back to the cottage where Gavin stood at the open front door with his hands crossed over his chest.

“Hi, Daddy,” Sam said, darting toward his father. “We’ve been splashing in the puddles.”