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in his arms.
    “I’ll explain everything, but first we’ll get the kids inside,” he finally whispered, slowly releasing her.
    Noel nodded. After kicking off their snowy boots outside the door, they carried the sleeping children into the house.
    She was rocked with memories of Christmas. Just as during her childhood holidays, a blazing fire filled the stone hearth of the living-room fireplace and the smell of homemade beef stew filled the air.
    A huge Christmas tree decorated with strings of lights sat in the corner of the living room. Her grandparents’ old-fashioned ornaments overflowed from boxes on the floor.
    Dan waved at the tree. “After we eat, you and Holly can hang the ornaments.”
    Her mouth curved with happiness at his thoughtfulness. Her weariness slipped away after she relaxed.
    Gaily wrapped gifts crowded a table against the wall, but the best present was his being here. Noel trembled after they settled Holly and Nicholas on the couch.
    “Tell me,” she demanded. Her hand reached to touch him. She bit her lip to keep from shouting with joy—he was real. “What happened?”
    “Mommy, are we home?” Holly interrupted.
    “I guess this discussion will have to wait,” Noel said with a helpless shrug. Dan grinned.
    Holly sat up and yawned widely. She scrubbed her eyes with her fists before she pointed at the fireplace. “Look, we have a place to hang stockings.”
    “In one of these boxes is the one that was mine when I was little,” Noel said before she smiled at Dan. “She’s so excited.”
    “Since I knew you’d be here tonight, I found one for Holly and one for Nicholas, too.”
    “And what about you?” Noel questioned as his eyes gleamed with humor.
    “One for me, too,” he assured her. His wide grin increased her joy.
    Holly slipped from the couch to examine the colorful tree decorations. In a few minutes she noticed the tiny manger in its place of honor under the tree. After carefully studying the shepherds and three Magi, she pushed the Kings closer.
    “Look, Mommy, they have gifts, too,” Holly exclaimed.
    “Remember? The gifts are why they journeyed to see the holy family,” Dan said softly. “Giving gifts shows love.”
    Holly nodded and bent to pet Harriet, and Noel turned to Dan.
    “Tell me everything,” Noel murmured.
    After he took her hand and kissed her fingers, his eyes shone like warm chocolate. “The building is gone, but my insurance man tells me a Christmas angel paid the premium. So I have a check coming, and I decided to see if that angel wants to be with me.”
    “I want you more than I can say,” she whispered. All her longing burst like a huge bubble. “I love you, Dan.”
    Suddenly, she was in his arms, home at last. She pressed her face into his chest and inhaled his familiar scent. She hadn’t known how much she needed him, until they were apart.
    “And I love you. We’ll do whatever you want. This is a nice house, Noel. It wouldn’t take much to fix it up. That insurance check would be more than enough.” He stroked her hair, his hand gentle. “Rita let me inside when I explained who I am. She’s a romantic at heart.”
    She lifted her head. “Did Rita also tell you she sells real estate? I talked to her earlier. A developer made an offer to buy the surrounding acreage, leaving ten acres and the house. I’ll have enough money to help you rebuild the café.”
    “What? What did you say?” he asked, stunned with surprise.
    “I don’t care where I live as long as it’s with you,” she murmured while she put her hand over his rapidly beating heart.
    He gathered her close. “We don’t need to make a decision tonight. Just tell me you’ll marry me!”
    He fumbled in his shirt pocket and removed a diamond solitaire. When she nodded, he slipped the gold band on her finger. It fit perfectly. She hadn’t thought she could be happier but felt a glowing haze surround them as they kissed.
    “Where’s the cookies? And milk for Santa?” Holly