Youre praying for me to find someone? Really? She sipped her tea, which warmed her instantly. Even though you know I have a five-year plan?
You and your plans. Meg leaned back, legs crossed. Dont tell me. You made a pro-con list, too.
Dont mock my pro-con lists. I wouldnt be able to make a good, workable plan without them.
I wasnt mocking, honest. Just curious. Where are you putting romance in your plans?
Im not. When the time came, she had a very definite idea about the kind of man she would fall fordependable, honest, loyal and kindand even then, he would have to fit into her plans. Wasnt that what plans were for? Am I smart, or what?
How exactly do you want me to answer that?
Im not sure I do. Chelsea rolled her eyes, shaking her head. Somewhere outside rang a dogs distant bark.
The doorbell chimed, echoing through the sprawling house. Bayly lifted his head from his dog bed, gave a halfhearted bark and yawned wide. His watchdog abilities were sorely lacking.
Ooh, could be the delivery dude. Meg bounded from her chair, mug in hand. Maybe my package finally came. No, stay where you are. Youd better rest up while you can because in about ten minutes, you have a ladder to climb.
Will I be climbing it alone? She arched one brow, kind of wondering what else her sister had planned for her.
It depends. Megs voice trailed behind her as she wove through the house. If its not a busy day at the clinic, then Johanna will be able to lend a hand.
Probably not busy in this weather. Their dad ran a veterinary clinic, now joined by Meg and Johanna, who were vets, too.
Hey, thats not the delivery truck. Megs surprise lilted through the house. The door whispered open, but Chelseas feet were already on the floor of their own accord. She pushed away from the breakfast bar, driven by the tingle at the back of her neck.
Im Michael Kramer. A mans rich baritone rumbled from the doorway. Is Chelsea home?
Sure. Let me guess. Youre the cemetery guy. Meg tugged the door wider. Here she is right now. Howdy, sis. Theres someone here to see you.
So I heard. She did her best not to gape at the tall, solemn and handsome man towering in the doorway. Make that remarkably handsome, now that she got a good look at him in the full light of day. He wore a black wool coat, jeans and hiking boots. Shed be hard-pressed to recall when shed last been around such a good-looking guy.
Wow, Meg mouthed.
It was hard to argue. Wow, indeed. His chiseled face, lean lines and wide, dependable shoulders made her heart catch. Her knees went weak and her heart skipped two beats, but it had to be from the surprise of seeing him again. A perfectly understandable reaction.
Chelsea. A hint of a smile shaped the corners of his chiseled mouth. The intensity of his gaze zeroed in on her like a target. Looks like I got the right house.
G-guess so, she stuttered out. Great. Brilliant. Shed never been what youd call confident around handsome men. Im surprised youre out and about on these roads.
Theyve been plowed. I wanted to return these. He held up the afghans her mom had made. Thanks again.
Not a problem. Somehow she was in front of him and multicolored granny squares tumbled into her arms. The yarn, soft and full of memories, smelled of fabric softener, clearly freshly laundered. That was thoughtful of him. Wasnt it? How is Macie?
Better. Shes talking with your sister. He gestured down the walkway, pointing out of sight. At least, she thought they were out of sight. Maybe she couldnt see Sara Beth or Macie because she couldnt make her gaze move past the man.
He loomed above her at well over six feet, his sandy-brown hair tousled by the wind. Blink, Chelsea, she told herself. Stop staring.
It was a simple fracture, no complications, no real swelling, so the doc casted her last night. His voice dipped, tender with fatherly concern. Shes much better this morning.
Glad to hear it. Chelsea dumped the afghans unceremoniously on the nearby bench, wishing her gray matter would kick into gear. Why couldnt she be amusing and charming and unaffected? Where was her confidence when she needed it?
Footsteps thumping up the porch steps saved her from fruitlessly searching for something clever to say.
Hi, Chelsea! Macie peered around her dad. Daisy, the McKaslins yellow lab, hopped up and down with excitement at her side. Sara Beth said I can choose the lights.
She did, did she? Now that her vision had cleared, Chelsea spotted her sister down the walkway, leaning against one of two ladders.
Sorry. Tall, sweet and beautiful, Sara Beth gave her lustrous brown hair a toss. I couldnt resist letting her pick.
I totally get it. It was so easy to remember shed been little and the four of them rallied around Dad shouting out their preferences for lights. Once, hed put up two different strings, one over the top of the other, just to keep everyone happy. The house had been so brightly festive, you could see the Christmas lights a good half mile across the horse pasture. She blinked away the recollection of Moms laughter at the sight. Which ones did you like best, Macie?
The white ones. Her round face was relaxed and smiling, a welcome change from last night. I like those the best because theyre like icicles.
Me, too. Good choice. Chelsea grabbed her winter coat off the tree by the door and shrugged into it, crossing the porch. Hey, I like your pink cast.
Me, too.
And it matches your coat. Aware of Michaels gaze prickling across her back, she knelt to get a good look at the girls arm. You were brave to get an X-ray and see a doctor.
I didnt have to go the hospital. Dad took me to his office. Macie gulped, wrestling with her emotions. The hospital is where my mom died.
Mine, too. She shared an understanding look with the girl. Do you know what you need?
What? Macies forehead crinkled.
Stickers. I dont know how to tell you this, but you cant go around with a cast like that. Its just plain wrong.
It is?
Sure. Youve got to decorate it. Chelsea felt the tug of Michaels gaze, drawing her to him. There went her heart rate, galloping again. Why dont you two come in?
I think we could spare the time. The deep notes of his voice shivered over her, as warm as steaming cocoa on a cold winters day. But youre clearly busy.
Nothing that cant wait. Were talking about stickers here. Important stuff.
Suddenly Meg had returnedChelsea wasnt even sure where shed went. Meg, ever helpful, grinned exceptionally brightly from the hallway. Come in, Macie. Lets go raid my sisters stash of stickers, okay?
Okay. Does she have a good stash? Macie trailed into the house and down the hall. DaisyDee for shortscrabbled after her, doggy nails tapping a cheerful rhythm on the wood floor.
Alone with Michael, Chelsea took a deep breath, fighting the unsettling sensation of being close to him. It troubled her, trickling in like the cold wind through her coat and she shivered. Now what did she say? Nothing brilliant came to mind. Funny, shed been uncomfortable with him last night for an entirely different reason.
Alone with Michael, Chelsea took a deep breath, fighting the unsettling sensation of being close to him. It troubled her, trickling in like the cold wind through her coat and she shivered. Now what did she say? Nothing brilliant came to mind. Funny, shed been uncomfortable with him last night for an entirely different reason.
He looked as uneasy as she felt. He jammed his fists into his coat pockets, looking like a male model striking a pose for winter wear. He shifted his weight from his left foot to his right and his high intelligent forehead furrowed as if he were searching for something sociable to say to break the lengthening silence.
Talk about awkward. He was still standing on the porch! Why hadnt her brain worked enough to invite him in? Maybe youd like some hot chocolate?
No, I dont like hot chocolate. His deep blue eyes transmitted his apology.
Okay, then
Like an answer to a prayer, Sara Beth breezed up the steps, her face pink from the freezing wind. Hey, Chels, its time to get the lights up. Weve got two hours tops before Dad rolls in.
Right. The perfect excuse. Maybe you could take Michael inside? Maybe get him something to drink.
Sure. Hi, Michael. Sara Beth nodded, apparently acquainted with the man. A total surprise. Come on in and make yourself at home. Maybe keep an eye on Macie. No telling what kind of trouble she and Meg will get into with those stickers.
Stickers are not my domain. Id rather avoid it. Another hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. Besides, when a man sees a ladder, he has to climb it.
Fine by me. Sara Beth shot Chelsea a grin and wagged her eyebrows. Ill just go and fetch the lights. You two can get to work.
Us two? Chelsea shot her sister a death-ray glare. What was going on? Wait, Sara Beth. Arent you going to help?
Why should I, when we have a volunteer to do it? Sara Beth sashayed down the hallway, leaving Chelsea alone with the man again.
Why did she suspect her sister had some kind of motive?
I know Sara Beth from the riding stables. He broke the silence, taking the first step in the direction of the ladders. Shes teaching riding. Shes Macies instructor.
That explains it. Chelsea closed the door behind her, shivering in the cold wind on the porch. Sara Beth is the best.
So I hear. Macie wants to be like her.
Good call. Sara Beth is awesome. Shes a world-ranked rider. Pride for her sister came through. She won a bronze medal in the last Olympics.
And a gold and a silver in a couple World Championships. I know all about it. Not because he knew anything about the McKaslin family, but because a little sprite he knew talked on and on about it.
How long has Macie been riding?
Since the school year started. His attempt to make her life as normal as possible after her mothers passing. Not an easy thing to do, and remembering how hard it had been for Macie still choked him up. My wife loved horses. For our last Christmas together, Diana promised riding lessons and a horse to Macie. I will never forget our last holiday together as a family.
Those memories are great treasures. That was like Moms last Christmas with us. We did everything to the max, decorating, gifts, the food. All that mattered was that she was with us.
I understand. His throat tightened. As he ambled down the shoveled pathway, his feelings stirred. Maybe it was the bracing air that burned in his lungs with each breath or the quiet beauty of the December morning. I would give everything I have to give Macie one more day with her mother.
I know the feeling, wanting to do anything to turn back time. Her understanding touched him like a blessing. A gentle gust of wind caressed her light chestnut locks, which fell like gleaming silk over her slender shoulders. I have to believe that love lives on.
Me, too. He wasnt sure what was happening to his stoic heart. He tipped back his head to study the placement of the ladders, stretching up two stories. Footsteps crunched close behind him and Sara Beth waltzed around the corner of the garage carrying a big plastic storage tub in both arms. It looked like an awfully awkward bin, so he headed toward her. Let me get that.
Ill get it. Chelsea sailed in front of him, and the long lean line she made as she plunged through the snow made him think of music videos and wholesome country stars and the innocent grace of Christmas carols. Her long hair swept behind her like a rippling melody. She handled the big tub with ease. Sara Beth, youre staying to help, right?
Sorry, I changed my mind. Sara Beths dark eyes looked him up and down, and her grin was just shy of mischievous. She turned on her heel and tossed over her shoulder, Ive got better things to do.
Someone is getting coal in their stocking come Christmas morning. Im not naming any names, but it could be you. Chelsea flipped off the containers lid and sunlight shone on the thousand miniature lights inside. Can you believe it? She abandoned me.
Whats the world coming to, right?
Right. Her brows arched, an adorable little twist of her beautiful face, and exactly how lovely she was hit him like a snowball to the chest. Her porcelain jawline and dainty chin gave her a sweethearts look. Her sloping nose and friendly blue eyes could make stronger men than he stop in their tracks. She didnt seem aware of it as she plucked a coil of white lights from the container. You dont look like the handyman type. So, really, why are you doing this?
Because one good turn deserves another. He took possession of the coil, lifting it from her slender fingers. Besides, itll give me practice. Macie is bound to talk me into stringing lights at home, and this way Ill make all my mistakes here.
With our lights? Right. She wasnt fooled. She fished out a plastic bag of gutter hooks, sneaking another peek at him. Had he always been so tall? He had to be a few inches over six foot and he smelled good, like pine.
He snagged the plastic bag of gutter clips and seized a ladder rung. Without a second of hesitation, he climbed with confidence and speed. Since she didnt want to be shown up by a man, she headed for the second ladder, took a steadying breath and grabbed hold of a metal rung. Lord, please dont let me crash to my death.
Determined not to visualize doom, she launched off the ground. The ladder trembled and shook with every step she took.
That didnt bode well, but she kept her eyes on the next rung and didnt look down. Maybe the height wouldnt bother her if she didnt see it. Made sense, right?
The wind gusted, wobbling the ladder. Eek. She clutched the metal, although there was no crashing to the ground and no doom. Still, she hated the way the ground seemed miles away. She swallowed hard, determined to keep going.
Why dont you get down? Michaels deep baritone warmed the words, he really was a good guy. Ive got this.
You arent getting rid of me that easily. Sorry. She might not like heights, but no way was she quitting. Not when shed made up her mind to do something.
Determined, she trained her gaze on the gutter above. Three steps more. Two. Safely at the top she slowly uncoiled the string of lights and hoped Michael didnt notice how much her hands were shaking.
Chapter Three