Read Online A Boulder Creek Christmas by Mary Manners - Free Book Online

it’s about time that you pour your heart out to him instead of me?”
    Lani turned toward the door to find Ryan there, holding it wide to usher Mrs. Wexell.
    “I’ve come to have my hair done,” she announced. “A bit late, but it’s still Friday, isn’t it?”
    “Yes indeed,” Lani smiled. “And I see you have a handsome chauffeur again today.” The bruise above Ryan’s right eye did little to detract from his good looks, yet the injury stole Lani’s breath. Once again she considered God’s grace that the injury proved minor. “I’ll be right with you. But first I have a bit of personal business to attend to.”
    “I’m sure you do.” Mrs. Wexell made her way to the drink station. “Don’t let me get in the way. Come on, Chloe…come have a soda with me.”
    Lani closed the distance to Ryan and wrapped her arms around his waist as the door slipped closed. She didn’t mind the chill of wintry air that washed over her…Ryan’s touch warmed her to the core. “I’ve missed you.”
    “Ditto.” He smoothed hair from her cheek and leaned in to kiss the swell of her neck just below her left earlobe. The feather-light touch kindled desire that blossomed in the pit of her belly. Ryan’s breath was a flame against her skin. “It’s been an eternity…”
    “I know.”
    “Just give me one more minute.” Ryan eased back, keeping his fingers twined with hers. His gaze crossed the room to the drink station where Mrs. Wexell and Chloe lounged in side-by-side seats. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Wexell, but you’re going to have to trust Chloe to style your hair today because Lani’s mine for the evening.”
    “Only the evening?” Mrs. Wexell uncapped grape soda and drew a sip. “Why, Ryan Connolly…surely you have a greater vision than that.”
    “Time will tell.” He snatched Lani’s coat from the wall hook and placed it over her shoulders. “Yes, time will tell…”
    ~*~
    “You look beautiful,” Ryan said as he escorted her to the pick-up following the candlelight service.
    “Thank you.” Lani gathered the buttons at the opening of her wool coat and bound them tightly. “The storm is bearing down. Feel that wind?”
    “Yes.” It nipped at Ryan’s cheeks and swirled beneath the collar of his jacket to chill his neck. “But we still have time.”
    “For what?”
    “To do what I promised you before I rushed from your house the night of the fire.” He winked as he opened the passenger door for her. “Get in. You’ll see.”
    The streets were blanketed in white as snow continued to fall like oversized pieces of confetti from the sky, but Ryan’s four-wheel drive had little difficulty navigating the slippery pavement.
    “It’s lovely,” Lani whispered. “Look at the town square. It’s hard to believe a garden will grow there within a few months…thanks to you.”
    “Thanks to the town. It’s teamwork that makes things happen. I’m glad you’re on my team now—that we’re on each other’s team.”
    “I’m ashamed to say that I wasn’t much of a team player this year when it came to the Fighters for Hire auction, and I’m sorry for that.”
    “It’s OK. I understand. I’ve fallen behind on my chores at the house, but I plan to fix that starting the day after Christmas. While the rest of the world is shopping, I’ll be up on the ladder, patching shingles on the roof.”
    “That’s not necessary, Ryan.”
    “Oh, but it is.” He switched on the radio, and the melody of “Silent Night” filled the cab. “I have a confession…concerning the auction, that is.”
    “I’m listening.”
    “I know who made the anonymous bid in your name.” He slowed as they came to the jewelry store, still in the process of being repaired. The front window was boarded, and the brick held the black of soot. But, inside, the repairs were well underway. “It was Mrs. Wexell.”
    “Mrs. Wexell?” Lani’s slight gasp mirrored her surprise. “How do you know?”
    “I found the receipt in