The crowd started to disperse, the townsfolk energized at the new change in their local government. Rick joined her, wrapping his arm around her waist. A buzz of conversation followed everyone out the door, leaving Lana and Rick in the relative privacy of the emptying barn.
Rick pulled her in for the biggest, best hug she had been given in years. “This was a good call. You’re brilliant.”
Flushing at the compliment, Lana said, “Graham being in a position of power will actually make doing business in Moose Springs easier. It’s better to deal with a figurehead than an angry group of people. The town needed a strong protector now more than ever.”
She started to say more, but Lana grew distracted when Rick took her face in his hands, pressing a kiss to her left cheek, then another to her nose. A third to her lips, leaving his own tingling, like cayenne pepper in chocolate. Sweet and rich but fiery. He couldn’t get enough of her.
“I promise I’m not the enemy,” Lana whispered, breathless.
He tilted his head down so that his forehead rested against hers. “I know. I’ve always known. One day, they’ll know it too. From now on, I’m going to help you prove it to them.”
“You’ll help me catch a moose?”
“Only if you aren’t holding the tranquilizer gun.”
“I shoot you one time by accident, and you just won’t let it go—” Lana huffed, then she could only laugh as he pulled her close, kissing her all over again.
Chapter 12
It was usually a bad sign when someone showed up first thing in the morning without an invitation. But considering this someone was carrying an armful of Frankie’s bear claws while wearing the sexiest ugly Christmas sweater in existence, Rick was willing to let it slide.
Besides, Lana was welcome on his porch any day of the week, pastries or no.
“I tried to call you, but I was having reception issues,” Lana said as a way of saying hello when he opened the door. “It occurred to me that maybe I’m overstepping my welcome here.”
Drawing her in for a long, slow kiss, Rick allowed himself the luxury of resting his cheek against her hair as he held her. “You’re always welcome with me.” His voice was still low from sleep. He’d been up for a bit but was not nearly the level of awake Lana was.
The look she gave him was better than caffeine, and the second kiss left him far more alert than the first.
“Where did you find a sweater with Jake on it?” He flicked the jingle bell attached to Sweater Jake’s snout.
“A girl has her secrets,” Lana said. “Especially one who flies too much and always reads SkyMall.”
“So to what do I owe the surprise?” Rick led her inside, out of the brisk cold. He set them both a seat at the kitchen table, speaking quietly because Diego was still asleep.
“I figured you had a busy day ahead of you with the tournament, and I have a busy day ahead of me with the Christmas party. Since I’m not the one who has to stay up all night, I thought I’d bring you some breakfast.” She shot him a cute look. “A healthy breakfast, of course.”
“Naturally.”
“And…maybe I didn’t want to wait until tonight to see you,” Lana said. The flirty statement came out more shy than normal for her. Rick had the feeling whatever had happened at her job yesterday was still on her mind. She seemed distracted and uncertain. That was okay. He was happy to eat another bear claw and prove to her that she was right where she belonged.
“You didn’t think I would show up to your party?”
Lana shrugged, focusing on a forkful of pastry. “I think you have a business to run. The last thing I would do is divide your attentions from where they need to be.”
This time, her lips tasted like sugar and cinnamon.
“I wouldn’t miss it, gorgeous.”
“Well, in that case…” Her speculative glance made him immediately shift in his seat. “Are you still not opening the pool hall until tonight?”
Rick nodded. “That’s the plan.”
“Do you need today to get set up for it?”
Hmm. He had the feeling he was about to get propositioned. Some fairly enjoyable imagery came to his mind on that one, but Rick could tell Lana was shifting into work mode.
“I know tonight is a busy night for you,” she said. “But I was wondering if I could borrow you for an hour later this morning. An hour and a half, tops.”
One look at Lana’s hopeful expression and he knew he was going to do whatever came out of her mouth. “What do you need?”
“I’m sort of out a Santa Claus.”
Rick blinked. He knew he was blinking, because all he could see was her pretty face, the snow behind her shoulders, and fresh flakes on her shiny hair. Then eyelid. Lots of eyelid.
It was never too late to start making boundaries for oneself.
“I’d be Santa,” she explained as if instinctively knowing he was ready to back out. “But I’m already an elf, and the suit really wouldn’t fit me. I’d arranged for someone from the resort to be my Santa, but he’s come down with a rather nasty cold. He said he’d still do it, but it seems cruel to ask him to have a townful of children asking for toys while he’s sick.”
“But it’s not too cruel to ask me to do it?” Mouth curving despite himself, Rick shook his head. “I’m not really the Santa type.”
“Not jolly enough?” Her eyes danced. “I promise to get you out as soon as possible, and I’m happy to help you tonight at the tournament as a thank-you.”
He liked the idea of having her there tonight, but he didn’t want her to feel obligated. “You should come, but I don’t need the help unless you’re bored. I’ll have Diego working.”
“And if I show up anyway?”
“Then the terrible rosé is on me.”
Lana grinned. “It isn’t that bad.”
“It isn’t that good either.” Rick took a swipe of icing on his fork, then shook his head in bemusement. “Santa huh?”
“If it helps, I’ll have a pitcher of special ‘no children allowed’ eggnog to coax the cheeriness out of you. I certainly plan to partake. Are you all right? You look a little pale around the edges.”
“I’ve seen the damage you can do with special eggnogs.” Rick’s hand found her knee, his body oriented in her direction. Was the physical pull between them as overwhelming to her as it was to him? The inches between them felt way too far. “What would I have to do?”