Christmas Eve morning rolled around and Emma had managed to evade Dylan since their argument. He hadn’t seen a single sign of her around the lodge and had even questioned Sandy if she was still staying there. Her rental hadn’t moved from where she’d last parked it days ago. After Luke told him Emma had been avoiding the dining room because of him, he began eating at home so she could freely mingle with everyone else.
He understood and respected her reasons, but it was Christmas Eve. Nobody should be alone on Christmas Eve. His brother Garrett and his two children would be arriving soon. Harlan, Belle and Ivy were joining them for dinner and even Wes agreed to make an appearance. It was as close to complete as their family could get with Ryder being in jail and his mom in California with her new husband.
Bracing himself for an onslaught, he knocked lightly on Emma’s door. When she didn’t answer, he knocked again. Still no answer. He figured either she wasn’t there or she had seen him through the peephole and refused to acknowledge him.
Unwilling to give up that easily, Dylan thought of the one thing that would get her to open the door. He took a few steps back and started to sing at the top of his lungs, “Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh!”
He heard Emma fumble with the lock before swinging the door wide. “Are you crazy? Keep your voice down. The situation is bad enough. I don’t need you telling everyone what we did.”
“You mean that we made love on a sleigh under a moonlit sky. Sounds pretty romantic to me.” Dylan scanned the length of her body, reassuring himself she was okay.
“Hey, cowboy, my eyes are up here.”
“Can I come in?”
Emma stepped aside. “Why not? You own the place.”
For someone who hadn’t been out of the hotel for days, she’d certainly been busy. Neatly wrapped packages lined the wall next to the bed. Numerous pink and blue bags sat next to the bed along with new soft pink luggage.
“Where did you get all of this stuff?”
“I picked up a few things here and in Kalispell.”
“But your car hasn’t moved.”
Emma’s left brow rose. “What did you do, draw a chalk outline around it? I haven’t been driving. I don’t trust myself in case I get one of those Braxton-Hicks contractions again.”
“Who’s been your chauffeur?”
“Well, if you must know, yesterday I went into town with Melinda and Rhonda, and other days I called for car service. What is the big deal?”
Here, Dylan thought she’d been cooped up in a room avoiding him and she’d been out having a good time. Which was great for her, it just made him feel like a complete and total idiot.
“I didn’t realize you were going out. I thought you were staying in your room because of me.”
“Don’t flatter yourself. No man is ever worth locking yourself in a room and pining over.”
Emma certainly didn’t keep her feelings to herself.
“I know you are still mad at me and I can’t blame you. It’s Christmas Eve, and I would like to invite you to celebrate with my family. They will all be here tonight and despite what happened with Harlan, who feels bad about the situation, I think you would have a good time with us. We are loud and fun, a little quirky, but most importantly we all believe there’s always room for one more at the table. Besides, I have another reason for asking you.”
Emma sat on the edge of the bed, looking as uncomfortable as the day was long. “What is your reason?”
“Jax used to play Santa for all the kids on the ranch. Since he’s no longer here, I’m playing Santa, and I was hoping you would be my Mrs. Claus. I asked Sandy, but she’s too busy getting ready for the wedding. Unless you’re not up to it.”
Emma seemed more pregnant than she had a few days ago. He’d always heard about women popping in the weeks leading up to the delivery, and he wondered if this was what they meant.
“Are you all right?”
“I’m just tired. I overdid it yesterday. What time do you need me to play Mrs. Claus?”
“Not until after dinner. I’m honoring the tradition and hosting it at Jax’s house. We have more than enough food, especially since I didn’t make it. The chefs here did. It’s very casual and I would love to see you there.”
Emma studied him for a second or two, making him think she’d say no. “Where am I supposed to find a Mrs. Claus costume?”
“Oh, we have one. The woman who used to play Mrs. Claus quit over the summer.” Dylan held up his hands. “And before you ask, yes, you will fit into it. It’s very loose fitting.”
“Okay.”
“Okay to which part?” Dylan wanted her to say yes to both, but his heart couldn’t afford to get his hopes up. Just being in the same room with her knowing she despised him was agony.
“Both, if someone’s willing to pick me up and drive me back.”
“And by someone I am assuming you mean someone other than me.”
Emma shifted on the bed so both of her legs were outstretched in front of her. “I will ride with you, providing you behave yourself.”
It was a start, and he was thrilled to have the chance to try and set things right between them.
“I will pick you up out front around 4:30, if that’s okay.”
“Good, then I can nap until three.” Emma rolled on to her side, and he longed to spoon her as he had the night of their sleigh ride. “Can you lock the door behind you, please?”
The sound of her breathing had changed from normal to deep before his hand reached the knob. She was already asleep. He allowed himself the pleasure of watching her for a few seconds before leaving. She was beautifully strong and fragile in the same breath, and he already missed her more than he should.
Emma awoke to the sound of her text message tone. It was Sunday so nobody from work should be bothering her. She reached for her phone and saw Dylan’s name on the screen. Wasn’t it enough that she had agreed to spend the evening with him and his family? She just hoped this time went better than the last. Besides, she’d already met three of the Slade men, she might as well make it an even four. She tapped the screen to display his message.
Just a friendly wake-up text since you hadn’t set your alarm before you fell asleep.
Had she really fallen asleep while he was there? She replayed his visit in her mind, unable to remember him leaving. Well, that had been incredibly rude of her. Even Dylan didn’t deserve that.
Dylan didn’t deserve most of what she’d been dishing out. She hadn’t been avoiding him because she was mad. A bit miffed, but not mad. She had kept her distance to maintain her sanity and protect her heart. She couldn’t believe some of the things she’d done. Namely sleeping with a virtual stranger. But even more so, she couldn’t believe some of the things she’d almost done. Like contemplating partnering with him on the ranch. She needed to have her head examined for all of the above. If she had been one of her friends, she’d be extremely worried about them. Which was why she hadn’t filled Jennie in on any of the juicier Dylan details. Her recklessness embarrassed her, but dammit if she didn’t miss him.
Dressed and downstairs by half past four, she was surprised when Belle pulled in front of the lodge instead of Dylan. She tried telling herself it eliminated the pressure of being alone with him in the car, but even she couldn’t deny the fact she was disappointed. Belle was great company, though and if she lived in town, they’d probably be fast friends.
Emma could hear little kids screeching from inside Jax’s house the moment she stepped out of Belle’s truck. At least hers was a relatively normal height off the ground.
“Are you ready for this?” Belle asked. “Because I’m not sure if I am.”
“Why not?” Emma was surprised to see Belle hesitate at the front door. “This is my first Christmas with the Slades since I was a teenager. I haven’t seen Garrett since my first wedding to Harlan, which was a no-go because he left me at the altar.”
“Harlan left you at the altar? And you married him anyway?” And she thought she and Dylan had problems.
“I let him suffer for eight years before we tried it again. It’s a long story. Remind me to tell you about it someday.”
“Here I thought I was the only nervous one tonight.” Emma peered through the window on the other side of the door. “I’ll tell you what. You have my back and I’ll have yours.”
“You have a deal.” The women shook on it before walking into the madhouse known as the Slade family Christmas.
“I’m glad you made it.” Dylan kissed her lightly on the cheek. “I had my doubts you would show up.”
“I’m curious to see how the other half lives.”
“The other half?”
“My parents never did much for the holidays. Don’t get me wrong, we had a good time and it was special, but it wasn’t anything like this.” She couldn’t imagine children and pets running around her parents’ townhouse, or people eating off paper plates and drinking out of red plastic cups. “We celebrated Christmas, but the tree went up and came down within a matter of days. When I was home for the holidays, it was just my parents and myself since I’m an only child.”
“You don’t have any other family?”
“I have family scattered across the country, but none that live in Illinois. My father moved there for his hospital residency and they never left. Then I came along.”
“Thank God for small favors.”
“Ha!” Emma laughed so hard, she thought the butter bean would make an appearance. “A week ago you thought I was the worst person on earth.”
“I wouldn’t exactly say the worst.” Ivy ran between them followed by another little girl and boy. “That’s Kacey and Bryce, my brother Garrett’s two kids. Kacey’s seven and Bryce is four. Let me introduce you.”
Dylan hadn’t seen Emma laugh since, well, ever. And when she did, she cried. Actual tears. Harlan had taken her aside shortly after her arrival and apologized for meddling in her business. Between the children’s fascination with her and Belle’s baby bellies and Ivy’s dog Elvis’s fixation on Emma’s plate, the woman barely managed a mouthful here and there. None of it appeared to bother her. Except when it came time to sing Jingle Bells. Emma turned a brilliant red every time they sang the line “Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.”
Their magical moonlight romp would forever remain their secret and their secret alone. Dylan couldn’t imagine spending that moment with anyone other than Emma. It would forever remain his favorite memory of all time. He didn’t think anything could possibly beat it.
When the children were busy playing near the large stone fireplace, Dylan motioned for Emma to follow him into the bedroom. He had both of their costumes hidden in the back of the closet for fear the little ones would stumble across them during a game of hide-and-seek. While he was sure Bryce still believed in Santa, he wasn’t so sure he could fool Kacey and Ivy. Especially Ivy, since he spent the most time around her.
Dylan closed the door behind them, giving them a moment alone while they changed. “Um, I didn’t think this part through.” He turned and faced the corner. “You go ahead. I’ll stay here and give you your privacy.”
“I appreciate it, but it’s not necessary. When you’re pregnant, you lose your inhibitions about people seeing you in various stages of undress real quick. Besides, you’re probably going to have to help me get these bloomer things on. I wasn’t expecting this intricate of a costume.”
Dylan faced Emma who had managed to get her head and one arm into Mrs. Claus’s dress before realizing it had a zipper down the back. “Oh crap! Help me already.”
“Stop flailing around like a catfish on a dock.” Dylan lowered the zipper and eased the red and white apron dress over her curves. “See, that wasn’t so bad.”
“For you. Why do I have two pairs of bloomers? You just have to put on pants and a jacket.”
“If I remember correctly, one pair of bloomers is shorter than the other to allow for the dress to pouf out.”
“Oh, sure. That’s just what I need. To look even pouffier than I already do.” Emma eyed his bare abs as he tugged off his shirt. “Let me tell you something, Santa. You better shove a pillow or two under that jacket so I don’t look like roly-poly Mrs. Claus.”
Dylan stepped into the red velour pants and adjusted the suspenders. “I think you make a sexy Mrs. Claus.” He braved a quick peck on her lips.
“I think you’ve been sipping too much eggnog.” Emma attempted to step into the second pair of bloomers and almost fell onto the bed. “See, I told you.”
Dylan picked the bloomers up off the floor and knelt before her. He widened one leg opening and held it out for her to step into before doing the same with the other. He eased the white cotton up her thighs before settling them on her hips. The costume may be corny, but the intimacy left him wanting more. The swell of her belly and breasts pressed against him, her lips inches from his own. He wanted to brand her with his mouth and claim her body and soul before she had a chance to leave him again.
“Santa?” A soft rap emanated from the other side of the door, interrupting the moment. “It’s me, Belle. I have the naughty and nice list.”
Dylan unlocked the door. Belle eased it open with one hand over her eyes. “Okay you two, put your clothes back on.”
“Ha, ha. Very funny. I’ll have you know I’m wearing two pairs of bloomers. Santa can’t get through these.”
“You wanna bet?” Dylan sidled up next to her until she swatted him away. “Hey, Belle, why do you look so frazzled? Are the kids getting the best of you?”
“There are so many of them.”
“There’s three,” Emma laughed.
“Yes, but when they’re together, it’s like they multiply.” Belle collapsed on the bed. “You two go without me. Tell everyone I’m guarding Santa’s sleigh. They’ll understand.”
“Oh no you don’t.” Emma grabbed her hand and began pulling her off the bed. “You’re not sending me in there without backup.”
“Dylan’s your backup. I’m pooped.”
“Come on, Belle.” He reached for her other hand. “Someone has to distract the kids while we sneak outside.”
“Outside?” Emma and Belle said in unison.
“It’s cold out there. You hadn’t mentioned anything about going outside in my bloomers when I agreed to this.”
“Okay, fine.” One pregnant woman was enough, let alone two. “Belle, you just distract them and we’ll pretend we came in from outside. When you’re ready just say something like, Do I hear Santa Claus? And we’ll take it from there.”
They turned out the bedroom lights and waited in the darkness for Belle’s signal. Even a white-haired wig and wire-rimmed glasses couldn’t abate the feelings he had for Emma. He just hoped her jovial mood continued until tomorrow morning, because he had a special surprise planned for her and the butter bean.
“Did you hear that?” Belle said from the living room. “I think I heard reindeer on the roof. Who wants to run upstairs and check it out for me?”
“I will, I will,” the kids shouted. They waited until they heard tiny footsteps on the staircase before emerging from the bedroom.
“Ho, ho, ho!” Dylan belted in his deepest voice as he and Emma walked toward the fireplace.
“We probably should’ve put the fire out before we did this. They’re never going to believe we came down that thing.” Emma squeezed beside him. “Ho, ho, ho!” She leaned closer and asked, “Mrs. Claus says, ‘ho, ho, ho,’ right?”
“Every time she catches Santa at the strip joint,” Wes offered. “Be careful you don’t set your bloomers on fire.”
Belle started to laugh. “Then we can call you hot-pants.”
Emma stuck her tongue out.
“Who’s been naughty and who’s been nice?” Dylan chuckled in his best Santa impression.
“I swear to God,” Emma said with a hiss. “If any of you say anything, I’ll make sure there’s a lump of coal in your stocking tomorrow morning.”
At least they were all laughing when the kids clambered down the stairs. After twenty minutes of beard pulling, questions about reindeer poop and Elvis almost attacking his jingle bells, Dylan had enough Santa for the year.
Once they had changed and the kids were tucked into their beds for the night, Dylan drove Emma back to the lodge and walked her to her door.
“Thank you for inviting me tonight. I really enjoyed spending time with your family.”
“The pleasure was all mine. Thank you for letting this rift between us go for the holiday.”
“Maybe peace on earth could spread past tomorrow.” Emma looked up at him. “I would love to ask you in, but I’m afraid I don’t have the strength or the stamina to give you what you want.”
Dylan took her hand in his and lifted it to his mouth, kissing the top of it. “The only thing I want is your happiness. Merry Christmas, Emma.” His lips brushed hers in a brief yet tender kiss. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Merry Christmas, Dylan. Thank you for making tonight special.”
Dylan felt like he was walking on air by the time he reached the lobby. After three days of silence, he finally felt hopeful again. His Christmas wish: a lifetime with Emma and her daughter.