Firefighter Under the Mistletoe Page 15

  Leanne stepped out of the changing room wearing the perfect dress for the Christmas Magic in Hood Hamlet dinner and silent auction. She wanted to look nice. Christian’s family would be there. “What do you think?”

  Three pairs of eyes stared at her.

  Her heart sunk. “What? Do I look fat?”

  “Not at all,” Hannah said. “It shows off your figure nicely.”

  Two little lines formed above Carly’s nose. “It’s just—”

  “You’re going to a Christmas party, not a funeral, Leanne,” Zoe interrupted.

  “Black is versatile,” Leanne countered.

  “Black is boring.” Zoe motioned with her hand. “Turn around.”

  Leanne did.

  “I’ll be right back.” With that, Zoe disappeared from the dressing room.

  Leanne stared at her reflection in the three-part mirror. “A funeral, huh?”

  Carly shrugged. “Maybe if it didn’t have long sleeves.”

  “Or a just-below-the-knee hem,” Hannah added.

  Leanne sighed. “I’m so not good at this.”

  “No worries.” Zoe appeared with a handful of colorful, sparkly dresses. “Because you have me, and I’m great at this.”

  Leanne gulped.

  Zoe held up a yellow dress in front of Leanne. “Washes you out.”

  Next came a red one with a deep V-neckline. “The color is good. But the design screams nightclub, not community dinner.”

  Carly and Hannah nodded.

  “This purple one might work.” Zoe scrunched her nose. “No, too prim and proper. We want Christian’s eyes to bug out when he sees you.”

  “No man’s eyes are going to bug out around me,” Leanne said, resolved to her fate. “I’m one of the guys. Well, minus the hot-pink toenail polish.”

  Carly laughed. “You are not one of the guys.”

  “They only pretend not to notice you,” Hannah added.

  Leanne made a face. “That’s not true.”

  “All you have to do is crook your little finger and they’d come running,” Carly said. “Trust me.”

  Leanne shook her head. “No way.”

  “You’ll see.” Zoe placed a shimmery blue dress in front of Leanne. Satisfaction filled the former socialite’s eyes. “This one.”

  The little girl inside Leanne, the one who used to live in princess dresses and play with makeup from the time she could open a container of eyeshadow, stared at the dress with a longing so intense she couldn’t breathe. But that girly girl had died along with her family. “Isn’t it a bit too…sparkly?”

  “It’s perfect.” Zoe shoved the dress into Leanne’s hands. “What’s your shoe size?”

  “Eight.”

  Leanne stared at the dress. It was so beautiful. Her fingertips itched to feel the fabric, but self-preservation held her back. “If I wear something like this, I’m never going to hear the end of it.”

  Carly’s eyes softened. “You’re stronger than most men I know. You can take it.”

  “But—”

  “Put it on.” Zoe waved her into the dressing room. She looked at Hannah and Carly. “Keep her in the dress. I’ll be back with shoes and accessories. I love makeovers.”

  “This isn’t necessary,” Leanne said.

  Zoe closed the door. “No, but it sure is fun.”

  Inside the dressing room, Leanne slipped on the blue dress. The fabric floated over her body, clinging to her hips in a flattering way.

  “Do you have the dress on?” Hannah asked.

  Leanne glimpsed at her reflection in the mirror. She felt feminine and pretty, the way she’d always dreamed of feeling. But the dress was so not her. She would never be able to pull it off. “Yes.”

  “Let us see,” Carly said.

  With a slight hesitation, Leanne opened the dressing room door. Both Carly’s and Hannah’s mouths gaped.

  Leanne stiffened. “I look silly.”

  “Beautiful.” Carly grinned. “You’re buying the dress. And whatever accessories Zoe thinks you need to go with it.”

  “You’re not walking out of here without that dress.” Hannah said. “Men aren’t going to be able to take their eyes off you, Leanne.”

  She didn’t care about men looking at her. Only one man. Christian. She didn’t check the price tag, a first for her. “Okay, I’ll buy it.”

  On Saturday, Christian stepped outside the station after shift change. Not a cloud or a snow flurry in sight. Only clear-blue skies overhead for the big event today.

  “Perfect weather.” He glanced at Leanne, who walked toward her car. “It’s got to be Christmas magic.”

  “You know how fast things can change up here.” She tossed a duffel bag into her car. She wore jeans and a red sweater. A candy-cane-striped scarf and Santa hat finished off her outfit. “I hope the weather holds.”

  Leanne could be so stubborn. He should have known she wouldn’t play along even today.

  “Ready?” she asked.

  Christian was ready to spend another twenty-four hours with her. He’d spent the past twenty-four hours with her. Minus the time driving to calls, responding to calls and sleeping. He didn’t want to think about what would happen after today. At least they still had to climb at Smith Rock. “Let’s go.”

  They walked the short distance to Main Street.

  “Lots of traffic this morning,” Leanne noted.

  As they rounded the corner, she gasped. People crowded the sidewalks of Main Street. A group of carolers dressed in Victorian costumes sang. The Hood Hamlet city manager roasted chestnuts on the corner of Main and First. The scent lingered in the cool, mountain air.

  “Yes.” Christian pumped his fist. “This is awesome.”

  Lines creased Leanne’s forehead. “It’s not supposed to start until ten.”

  “Nobody’s going to complain. Come on.” He took her gloved hand in his. The gesture felt so natural to him. “Let’s get to the information booth.”

  Hood Hamlet merchants and business owners smiled. A line of people stood outside the coffee shop. More waited in a line outside the café. The brewpub, serving a special breakfast buffet this morning, also had a wait.

  Leanne squeezed Christian’s hand. “I can’t believe it.”

  “Believe.”

  A funny look crossed her face. “You’re the second person who’s said that to me recently.”

  “Who was the first?” he asked.

  “Santa Claus.”

  Christian laughed. “Well, Santa knows best.”

  As they approached the information booth, she slipped her hand out of his hand.

  “Here they are,” Sean Hughes announced. “The cochairs extraordinaire.”

  “Hold your applause,” Leanne teased. “We have work to do.”

  Bells jingled.

  Christian glanced down Main Street. A beautiful, black horse pulled a red-and-green sleigh decorated with fresh, green garland. Two lanterns, tied with red ribbon, bobbed. The driver looked like something from a Dickens’s novel in his stovepipe hat and cap.

  Christmas magic. Christian had no doubt. If only Leanne could see it. Feel it. Maybe by the end of the day, she would.

  That night, Leanne entered the foyer of the community center where the dinner and silent auction were being held. White lights outlined the doorways. She felt like a fairy princess in her sparkling blue dress, silver shoes and makeup. She wore her hair down at Zoe’s urging, something Leanne never did, as well as makeup and jewelry.

  The day had been an overwhelming success. The toy drive donation barrels overflowed. Cash registers continued to ring up sales. Not even a traffic jam into town dampened people’s enthusiasm. She hoped tonight went as well.

  She glided into the multipurpose room, decorated with more white lights, flocked trees, white tulle and shining silver stars. It looked…magical. Compliments of the dinner’s sponsor, Welton Winery, and Hood Hamlet Flowers.

  “Whoa, Thomas.” Her partner, O’Ryan’s gaze filled wit
h male appreciation. “You look…nice.”

  Nice hadn’t been the adjective Zoe was after, but Leanne would take it. She’d dressed up for weddings, but never like this. “Um, thanks.”

  O’Ryan kept staring at her. Okay, her breasts. “You should wear dresses more often.”

  Everywhere she turned people made similar comments. A few people didn’t recognize her. Handsome Johnny Gearhart, the owner of the Hood Hamlet Snowboarding Camp and Academy asked if she had plans for New Year’s Eve. The compliments gave her a boost of confidence. Maybe Christian would want to spend the holidays with her.

  Leanne saw him on the other side of the room. Christian looked so handsome in his navy suit, dress shirt and tie. She wove her way through the crowd toward him.

  When he saw her, his eyes widened. A smile spread across his face. He met her halfway. “You look hot.”

  Zoe had been right. Leanne shivered with delight. “Thank-you.”

  “No, thank you.” His gaze practically caressed. “So you got plans for New Year’s Eve?”

  She flashed a flirty smile. “Maybe.”

  “I’m only half joking,” he whispered.

  “Me, too.”

  “Come with me.” He led her ten feet to the right. “Oh, look. We’re standing under the mistletoe.”

  “Christian.”

  “Come on,” he urged. “It’s tradition.”

  People stared at them. Apprehension coursed through her. She didn’t like being the center of attention, but she longed to feel Christian’s lips against hers again. Even if that meant kissing in public. No one would say anything if it was just a mistletoe kiss. “Make it fast.”

  As she parted her lips, he lowered his mouth to capture hers.

  Sparks. Again. She nearly gasped at the intensity of them. Forget the fireworks a local ski resort shot off on New Year’s Eve. Nothing could compare to the pleasurable sensations Christian’s kiss brought.

  His lips pressed against hers with desire and longing. Matching the pressure, she leaned into him, eager to get closer.

  Hot. But no fire extinguisher needed. She wouldn’t mind cranking up the heat. She wanted more of his kiss, more of him.

  The kiss went on, and on, and on.

  Someone cleared his throat. She recognized the sound. The fire chief.

  Leanne backed away from Christian, her lips on fire, her cheeks burning and her heart pounding. The kiss left her shaken and wanting more. She took a deep breath to calm herself. It didn’t help. “Th-thanks.”

  Desire shone in his eyes. “We’ll take this up where we left off later when not so many people are around.”

  With her lips tingling, all Leanne wanted to do was kiss Christian again. But that would have to wait until later. She nodded.

  He straightened his tie. “We’d better attend to our duties.”

  During the meal, Leanne didn’t have time to eat. She closed two of the silent auction tables and urged people to place bids at the final ones. Not that she was hungry for anything but Christian’s kisses.

  A giggle welled up inside of her. She felt as if were…floating. Her sling-back heels didn’t seem to touch the floor.

  She liked feeling special, desired and most especially feminine, a side she’d neglected way too long in order to fit in, a side Christian didn’t seem to mind at all.

  Maybe he would say yes when she invited him snowshoeing. Maybe she would even have someone to ring in the New Year with.

  Leanne touched her lips that still throbbed.

  “That was some kiss earlier,” Paulson said.

  Her cheeks heated. She lowered her hand. A kiss couldn’t change everything, but every relationship had to start somewhere. “You know Welton.”

  “I do.” A muscle throbbed at Paulson’s jaw. “He’s a player, Leanne.”

  “I’ve told him what I want.” She raised her chin. “He wouldn’t have kissed me like that unless he’d changed his mind and wanted that, too.”

  “You’ve fallen for him.”

  “Yeah, I have.” No one had ever made her feel the way Christian did. “My heart is still pounding from his kiss.”

  Paulson grimaced. “Lee—”

  “I appreciate the concern, Bill. I really do, but it’ll be okay. I know what I’m doing.”

  He didn’t look convinced. “I hope so for your sake.”

  Her heart brimmed with anticipation at seeing Christian again. This was the perfect time to invite him snowshoeing. “I need to close the final tables. We’ll talk later.”

  Christian stood with his sister and brother-in-law. His grandparents had left with Owen. His cousin had wanted to call it an early night due to his injuries and still using a walker.

  “Who were you kissing earlier?” His thirty-eight weeks pregnant sister, Brianna, asked.

  “Leanne Thomas.” Christian looked for her in the crowd. He couldn’t wait to get her under the mistletoe again later. “She’s one of the members of the rescue team who found Owen and me.”

  His brother-in-law, Jeff, gasped. “That’s her? We met during the rescue. She cleans up well.”

  She kissed even better. Christian grinned.

  “I thought Kelly turned you off ever getting serious again,” Brianna said. “Good to know I was wrong. Will Leanne be joining us for Christmas?”

  Only people in relationships spent Christmas together. Christian put up his hands. “Whoa, sis. You’re way off base. There’s nothing serious going on here.”

  Just the thought made his collar shrink two sizes.

  Curiosity filled his big sister’s eyes. “But that kiss…”

  “Mistletoe and holiday cheer,” he explained. “Leanne knows exactly where I stand when it comes to relationships.”

  Still, Christian hoped Leanne took him up on his New Year’s Eve offer. Maybe she’d be willing to settle for something casual, hanging out and having fun. No one would have to know.

  Brianna frowned. “You know, just because you don’t want to live your life like Dad did, doesn’t mean you have to run away from being with anyone.”

  “I’m not running away from anything.”

  She looked doubtful. “If you say so, but do you want to end up alone?”

  “If I’m alone, it’s because I choose to be alone.”

  “Tying yourself to others, whether it’s a woman or your family, won’t turn you into Dad. Being with those you care about is a choice. Your choice, Christian.”

  “That choice still means giving things up.” He glanced at his watch. “I’ll find you later. I have a couple more things to do.”

  Christian headed toward the silent auction tables.

  “Welton.” Paulson cornered him by one of the tall, flocked trees decorated with white lights and red bows. “What the hell are you doing with Leanne?”

  Leanne, not Thomas. “If you’re talking about that kiss—”

  “Everybody is talking about that kiss. Including the chief.” Paulson’s eyes darkened. “Leave her alone. Leanne deserves better than to have her heart broken by someone who isn’t good enough to polish her shoes.”

  Christian put up his hands as he’d done with his sister. “No hearts are involved, dude. It was just a kiss.”

  “You might think so.” Paulson lowered his voice. “But not Leanne. She’s all starry-eyed, and it’s because of you. Fix it. Before she’s hurt even more.”

  “Fine. I’ll fix it.” Christian didn’t buy for a minute what Paulson said was true. “But you’re overreacting.”

  Fifteen minutes later, Leanne approached him. She looked radiant and beautiful. Her eyes sparkled, too. But that didn’t mean anything.

  “Hi.” She sounded breathless. “You were right. We’ve exceeded our toy donation quota!”

  “Great.” Christian fought the urge to touch her long hair. He liked seeing her finally wear it down. The strands looked silky soft. “Everything’s turned out better than I imagined.”

  “I know.” She beamed. “I feel all Christmassy. Speaki
ng of which, I was wondering if you wanted to go snowshoeing on Christmas Day. A group of us go every year.”

  An invitation for Christmas meant one thing. Leanne wanted a relationship even though Christian told her that wasn’t what he wanted. His heart dropped to the toes of his tight dress shoes. Paulson had been right. Brianna, too.

  His muscles tensed. Disappointment washed over him.

  Leanne Thomas wasn’t different. She wanted him to give himself up and live his life a certain way. Be a certain way. Her way.

  No way. He’d been honest with her. It wasn’t his fault if she chose not to listen. “I’m spending Christmas Day with my family.”

  “It’s only for a couple hours,” she explained. “We’re never out long so people can get back to their families.”

  He wasn’t about to be pressured into saying yes. Into anything. She’d proven nothing, not even kisses, came without strings. “No, thanks.”

  “Th-that’s okay.” Leanne wouldn’t meet his eyes. “I saw you with your family. It looks like everything is going well.”

  “Yeah, the bridge is being mended.” He had her to thank for that, but if he said anything she might get the wrong idea. “I showed my grandfather an empty storefront on Main Street. Told him he should open a tasting room and store up here.”

  “I’m happy for you, Christian.”

  Leanne didn’t sound happy. She looked a little sad. Not his problem. Better to disappoint her a little now rather than hurt her more later. “Thanks for all your hard work on everything.”

  Her face brightened. “It was a team effort. Cochairs extraordinaire.”

  “Yeah, about that.” He shifted his weight between his feet. “I only did this to repay you and the rescue team for saving me and Owen. Now you have enough donations for the toy drive and OMSAR has money for gear and training. We’re even.”

  Confusion clouded her eyes. “All this was your way of paying us back?”

  Christian nodded.

  “We didn’t rescue you in order to get something from you.”

  “You admitted you were happy it happened.”

  “So did you.” Leanne stared into his eyes. “Where did the kisses under the mistletoe fit into this?”