Read Online A CALLAHAN CHRISTMAS MIRACLE by Tina Leonard - Free Book Online

It’s an art form with us.”
    “Not tonight, it’s not,” Rose heard Somer say as they went down the hall.
    Rose got up to close the door. It was getting late, later than last night when Galen had visited. Maybe he wasn’t coming tonight. She reached to turn off the lamp just as her door opened.
    “Whew. I thought they’d never leave,” Galen said, stepping inside. “I heard Jace say you’d brought me my midnight snack, you sweet girl. Thanks a million.”
    She put her hands on her hips. “I didn’t say this was for you.”
    “But you didn’t say it wasn’t.” He sat down and helped himself to gingerbread and tea. “Where are the smiley faces?”
    “The what?”
    He waved at her legs. “Your smiley-face nightwear.”
    “These are fine.” She glanced down at her pajamas. “You have a problem with ladybugs?”
    “Love ladybugs.” Galen looked pleased with himself. “Just thought the smiley faces suited you.”
    “I’ll keep that in mind.” She sat down next to him on the bed. “So what did you decide about your dilemma?”
    “I don’t know. We need another family meeting. My brothers and Ash will need to vote.” He sighed, sipped the tea. “Half of them will vote for burning out the tunnels. They’ll want to go all Armageddon on Wolf’s men, and Fiona, my warrior aunt, will be right there with that plan. The other half will want to stay this side of the law. We will stay this side of the law. And I appreciate your father talking with us today. He called me later to let me know he’s discussing the issue with some of his contacts. He thinks we’re in for a tough time around here, once the word gets out.” Galen looked at Rose, put his gingerbread down. “You know your father’s right, don’t you?”
    Her heart sank. “I’m not leaving, if that’s where you’re going with the Daddy-knows-best chat.”
    She sipped her tea, then crawled up onto the bed, bumping him over so he couldn’t hog all the space with his big frame.
    It felt really good, sitting so close to him.
    Galen slid down next to her, their shoulders together—just as they’d been last night.
    “I don’t want you to leave. But if that’s what it takes to keep you safe, that’s what we’ll do.”
    “I’m fine, except I’m sad that the kids will have to go.” She sighed, thinking about the four Callahan children she’d come to love. “Maybe Kendall and Sloan would allow me to go with them.”
    “To Hell’s Colony? They probably would. Or they might decide to go to Tempest. That decision is up to them.” Galen pulled her close to him, so she rested on his chest. Rose snuggled down, loving the feel of him. He was hard and strong beneath her, and he smelled sexy, like fresh-cut cedar.
    If she’d ever had any doubt she was falling for him, it fled her mind now.
    “This probably isn’t a good time to tell you this,” Galen said, “but I think I have a crush on you.”
    She looked up at him. “I’m open to that.”
    “Really?”
    “Why do you think I have gingerbread in my room? To feed the mice?” She snuggled against his chest again. “I was hoping to catch a big strong cowboy.”
    He pulled her face up so that his lips met hers, and for the second time, they kissed—really kissed, not just a brush of skin. Excitement swept Rose, and she rolled onto her back as the kiss deepened.
    It seemed as if they kissed for hours, unable to get enough of each other. She pressed close to Galen, loving how his hands cupped her hard against him.
    They heard someone in the hall, and Rose froze. Galen pressed against her, kissing her neck, her lips, and then lower.
    “Galen!” she whispered urgently. “Someone is out there!”
    “It’s all right. We’re not inviting them in.”
    He unbuttoned her pajama top and kissed her breasts with the same attention he’d paid to her lips. Rose no longer cared if someone might walk in. She was lost in the moment, lost in Galen, so happy to be in his arms.
    “Let’s get