Suddenly, the dogs broke away, tongues lolling in smiles. Hunt laughed and crouched down as Freedom tore across the yard to him. He slammed into Hunt’s chest and they both rolled into the snow, the dog licking his face while Hunt laughed and hugged him.
Standing off to the side, Freya felt she should try to introduce herself to the animal. Just then, Freedom stared at her.
Her heart gave a small trill that was more excitement than fear. Her anxiousness was more of a worry about Freedom liking her.
Sinking to her knees, she held out a hand toward Freedom. “Hey, boy. How are you? You’re a beautiful boy, just like Aries, aren’t you?”
Freedom leaped off Hunt and took one bounding step toward Freya. She held her ground. Hunt opened his mouth to call Freedom off, but it was too late. The dog sniffed her hand and went straight past hello into kissing her face.
A giggle burst from Freya. She rubbed the dog’s flanks and endured countless kisses until Hunt finally rolled to his feet and set a hand on Freedom’s head.
His eyes glittered. “You got over your fear of dogs.”
“Well, these dogs. They’re sort of an extension of you. How could I be afraid of them?”
Grinning, Hunt offered a hand. She took it, and he pulled her to her feet. “Now that you’ve met both of my partners, I want you to meet some other good friends. What do you say to a chopper ride?”
Her jaw dropped. “What on earth? Are you serious?”
“Yeah. Some good friends of mine are throwing a big Christmas dinner and we’re invited—if you’re up to it, that is. I know you’ve been through so much. The last thing I want is to stress you out or pressure you—”
She settled a hand along his jaw, stroking her fingers over his trim beard. “You had me at Christmas dinner.”
His smile stretched. “Good. Cora’s close by with the chopper. We’ll be sharing the festivities with the Xtreme Ops team.”
Twenty minutes later, they were in the air, the white clouds finally breaking enough for them to get a stunning view of Alaska from above. Freya made little exclamations with each new sight, and Cora played tour guide, explaining all the landmarks as they approached.
After a short flight, they landed near the Xtreme Ops base. Freya’s natural shyness hit as she yet again faced coming to a new place and meeting new people. Only this time, her mind didn’t blank in fear. She remembered every minute of meeting the big, muscled special ops team she didn’t even know existed in these parts, even if she didn’t remember all their names at first.
The one who sweetly drew Cora to his side, his arm anchored around her middle, was Penn.
Freya extended her hand for him to shake. “I hear you had a lot to do with helping me. Thank you so much, Penn.”
She saw the concern in his eyes and realized he too was a born protector, just like Hunt. All these formidable men were.
They were also ready for Christmas dinner. One named Broshears led the way into the dining hall, where tables had been shoved together to accommodate everyone. Then the women started arriving, and Freya’s mind spun with names and smiles and warm greetings that left her feeling that even though she didn’t have a family of her own to celebrate the holidays with, she had Hunt and this big extended family that adopted her into their midst.
Penn held his infant son over his shoulder, his big hand swallowing the baby’s back when he burped him, while Cora looked on at both with so much love in her eyes. And another woman named Jersey was pregnant, her round baby bump seeming to draw all the ladies’ attention as they oohed and ahhed over her. The entire family atmosphere hit Freya’s softest part of her soul. This was what she’d wanted her entire life—a big family.
Every bite of the catered meal one of the ladies brought from the city with them was eaten with relish. Hunt clasped Freya’s hand under the table, and he sent her long looks that had her body burning to be alone with him.
While the mess was cleared and the guys broke into groups to play poker, Hunt captured Freya in his arms and hauled her outside.
Just the two of them, he whirled her against his chest and stole a deep kiss she was just responding to when he broke away.
“I hope that was an okay Christmas dinner,” he said hesitantly.
She widened her eyes. “Okay? It was amazing. One I’ll always remember as my first happy Christmas dinner.”
He crushed her to his chest and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I want to make you the happiest woman alive.”
Hooking her hand around his nape, she whispered, “I already am. You found me for a reason, Hunt.”
He nodded. “I know it. Everything in me is saying that you’re mine.”
Going onto tiptoe, she brushed a kiss over his lips. “I am. And you’re mine. Growing up, I always hated starting over in a new place even when I hated the old one. That isn’t the case now. I want to start over with you. I want to move close to you. I’ll find a job nearby, maybe even in Tippin.”
He shook his head in amazement. “Are you sure that’s what you want? I mean, it sounds…”
“Perfect?” she filled in.
He nodded.
“Maybe it’s time that I get that perfect life I always wanted. And let’s not wait to have kids either. I want a huge family.” She bit into her lower lip. “If that’s what you want.”
He threaded his warm fingers through her hair, cradling her head while gazing deep into her eyes. “I want you and all that comes with it. A family, more roaring fires, dogs…and all the Christmases you want.”
She rested her forehead against his. “Even if it’s in July?”
“Absolutely.”
She squeezed him tight, bubbling over with love for Hunt and all she’d gained. An inner strength she never knew she possessed. A new determination to make her life as perfect as she’d always dreamed.
And Hunt looking at her with so much love in his eyes for the rest of her days.
“I love you, Hunt. My rescuer, protector. Mine.”
His eyes glowed as he ducked his head for a kiss. “I love you, Freya. Amazing, beautiful, courageous woman. Mine.”
Their mouths collided in a seeking kiss that quickly grew bolder and rougher…just the way she liked it.