Jack found her in the den, which was basically a carbon copy of the sitting room but with different decor.
For a moment, he stood in the doorway, not making a sound. She looked so beautiful gazing at the Christmas tree, framed by the frosted bay window. The glittering lights cast a colorful glow across her features as she admired the ornaments.
He held his breath, wanting to drink in the sight for as long as possible. But as he shifted his feet, the floorboards creaked beneath his weight.
Startled, she glanced up. The instant she met his gaze, a slow smile spread across her face, sending his pulse into overdrive.
“I was starting to worry you’d found the wardrobe that leads to another land,” he teased, moving toward her.
“I did get a little bit lost, but then I found this tree…” She gently grazed a star crafted out of dry macaroni. “It’s so different from the others.”
Jack took a step closer. Now that she mentioned it, all of the other trees in the house—and there were several—appeared professionally decorated with distinct color schemes and matching baubles. However, this one boasted a hodgepodge of handmade ornaments.
He peered closer, his eyes widening as they rested on the nativity set Everett made in first grade. He’d glued pieces of Lego to a strip of cardboard, using a T. rex instead of a donkey and Darth Vader as Joseph.
The angel Lucy had made by attaching construction paper wings to her Barbie hung a few branches higher. Jack’s throat tightened. He’d assumed they’d all been thrown away. To find them here, adorning a tree where anyone could see them… he wasn’t sure what to think.
“This one made me laugh.” Kat drew his attention to a smooth round stone with a string tied around its middle. Although hanging from a sturdy branch, the bough bent beneath the weight.
“Look what it says.” Grinning, she lifted a tag secured to the string. The sloppy handwriting read Nutcracker.
Jack returned her smile, recalling the exact evening he’d made the ornament. At nine years old, he’d felt pretty clever. “When you don’t have money for decorations, you get creative.”
“I love it,” she announced with conviction. “All of it. This is the most incredible Christmas tree I’ve ever seen.”
Jack had to agree. Unexpectedly overcome with emotion, he murmured, “Thank you.”
“For what?” She turned to face him. She stood so close he could smell her heady perfume mingled with the scent of pine.
“For coming with me tonight. I don’t know if I would have had the courage to come on my own.”
“You would have,” she said softly, “but I’m glad I came.”
“Why did you?” His question escaped the back of his throat in a low, gravelly breath.
“What do you mean?” She seemed surprised by his question.
“Why did you agree to come with me?” he repeated, speaking without forethought. Suddenly, he desperately needed answers to all the uncertainty between them. “I know why I invited you. In the short amount of time that we’ve known each other, you’ve become one of the most important people in my life. And I can’t really explain it, except to say…” He reached for her hands, relishing how soft yet strong they felt in his grasp. “I’m falling in love with you, Kat. And I’m wondering if there’s even a small chance you might feel the same way.”
A pleasant shiver skittered down Kat’s spine as Jack said her name in a hoarse whisper.
Before, he’d always used her last name, which she’d learned was a sign of friendship. But the way he’d said Kat—so fervent and heartfelt—she lost all control of her senses.
Stretching onto her tiptoes, she slid her arms around his neck.
Their lips met with a startling sense of urgency, and yet, his kiss held such intoxicating tenderness. She had no idea how long they stood there, immersed in the moment, entranced by the exhilarating feel of being so close to each other.
A throat cleared, severing their connection like scissors snipping a thread.
They quickly broke apart, creating physical distance, although the euphoric haze lingered.
Lucy hid a smirk. “Mom wants to start our Christmas Wish tradition. Should I tell them you two are busy?”
Kat’s entire face blazed as Jack blurted, “We’re coming.”
Lucy’s gaze traveled above their heads, her grin growing wider. “Mistletoe strikes again, I see. The sneaky sprig.”
Confused, Kat glanced up. Sure enough, a green sprig dotted with white berries dangled from the center of the chandelier.
Jack released a low, rumbling chuckle. “Gee, Bennet. I never thought of you as a woman who went back on her word.” His lips quirked in a teasing smile.
Of course he’d remember the silly promise she’d made the afternoon they’d collected mistletoe. And if they were alone, she just might break it a second time.
Kat wasn’t sure if she walked or floated back to the sitting room, but her heart had never been so full.
She sat next to Jack on the aptly named love seat while Elaine topped off everyone’s mulled wine.
“Since this is Kat’s first time joining us for our Christmas Wish tradition, we’ll let her go first,” Elaine began, beaming in her direction. “All you have to do is share one wish you’d like to come true before the end of the year.”
“Out loud?” Kat asked hesitantly. Weren’t you supposed to keep wishes a secret or else they wouldn’t come true?
“We don’t believe in silly superstitions,” Rich added with an air of authority. “Saying a wish out loud gives it power, like an affirmation.”
“Okay…” Still uncertain, Kat glanced at Jack.
He gave her a smile of encouragement.
“Let’s see…” She toyed with the stem of her glass. One of her wishes had already come true—about five minutes earlier, to be precise. So, she said the only other thing that came to mind. “I wish I could find a way to save Hope Hideaway from closing.”
“Hope Hideaway?” Elaine asked.
“It’s a women’s shelter where I work.” She chose not to add that it was also where she lived, not wanting to arouse too many questions.
“It’s on the verge of closing?” Rich repeated for clarification.
Jack shifted by her side but remained silent.
“It is, unfortunately. We lost two of our top donors several months ago.” Everyone stared at her with open concern bordering on pity, and Kat sank further into the cushions, wishing she’d never mentioned it. “I’m sure something will work out, though.”
Jack squirmed as though a feather from one of the down throw pillows was sticking in his side.
“How are you sure?” Rich prodded. “Do you have a plan of action in place?”
“Um…” Kat glanced at Jack again.
He stared into his glass, his jaw firmly clenched.
“Let’s move on,” he muttered. “Who’s next?”
“Hold on a minute.” Rich stood and set down his drink. “How much do you need?”
“I—I beg your pardon?” Kat stammered, heat creeping up her neck.
“Money. How much money does the shelter need to stay open?”
To her surprise, he pulled a leather-bound checkbook from inside his suit jacket.
“Oh, you don’t have to—”
“Nonsense.” He slipped a Montblanc pen from the same pocket and flipped the checkbook open. “It isn’t every Christmas we can make someone’s wish come true. This time, we have the means to help and that’s exactly what I intend to do. Now, how much do you need?”
Kat heard Jack grind his teeth by her side, but she felt trapped. “I don’t know,” she murmured helplessly.
“Never mind, then. This should be enough.” Rich scribbled a number on the check before tearing it off and handing it to her.
Her cheeks colored at the substantial number of zeros. “Thank you.” Her words sounded more like a question than a statement, but Rich didn’t seem to notice as he slipped his checkbook and pen back into his pocket.
“Who’s next? Tonight, I’m in the business of granting wishes.”
Everyone chuckled. Except for Jack.
When she braved another glance, his features were set in hard, grim lines.
And although he sat right next to her, he’d never felt so far away.