Alinar Publishing
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Copyright ©2007 by Gayle eden

First published in 2007, 2007

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HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Gayle Eden

Copyright © 2007 Gayle Eden

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written consent of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

The right of Gayle Eden to be identified as the Author of the Work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

First Epublication November 2007

First Edition

All characters in this publication are purely fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Chapter One

Over a foot of snow had already covered the barely one lane road called Whitestone Pass. The thick woods, mostly white pines, towered up on either side of the mountain, and though there were spacious log homes, vacation cabins scattered about, most of the owners made use of them in summer and fall, and only nine families were usually there for the Christmas holidays.

Since the nearest town was forty-five minutes away from the main entry to the pass, providing the roads made it possible to get back off the mountain and to the main highway, the only goods or necessities available, once a person reached their cabin, was a small supply post. It had been one of the first structures built along the old logging road, a place the Hunter family had run for three generations.

Noble Hunter sat inside the snug store, his feet propped up on a worn stool while the radio gave regular updates between playing Christmas tunes. The front of the store had large windows on either side of the green door, where he'd hung swags of holly and wreaths, which his mother had made many years ago from pinecones and dried berries. A tree was decorated by the left one, twinkling lights amid ornaments made by his twelve-year-old son, Grey.

A standing fireplace warmed the mellowed interior of the store. In peak season he sold everything from bait to fishing rods and hunting gear, foodstuffs and things most people never think to pack for vacationing in the mountains.

He was just resting up between runs up the mountain, filling pre ordered lists and some last minute requests for overlooked items, as well as the firewood he cut and sold by the truckload.

The flatbed he used still had to have chains slapped on for traction once the sun went down, because if the temperature dipped the roads could become like glass. Since he knew the roads like the back of his hand, it was safer for him to deliver goods than most people to chance coming down for them.

Some of the biggest and most sprawling log homes were on the top most of the mountain, a few of the owners not from this part of Tennessee, as one was owned by some writer in New York, another built by a an executive in Chicago and a couple more were northern families. A glass, log and stone home he checked on year round was owned and used by the Bursell family, the only somewhat local group, since they were born and bred in Memphis, Josh Bursell was now a retired engineer.

The Bursell's had built their vacation home almost fifteen years ago, before their three daughters had grown up, and sometimes came to Whitestone every season for a few weeks.

Noble was aware that Josh's oldest daughters, their husbands and children, had already arrived because they'd stopped by yesterday to pick up a few things. The man was worried about the youngest, Lexy, who was supposed to driving in from somewhere out west, and hadn't arrived yet. He'd been asked to call up if he spotted her or if she came by.

Setting aside the catalogue he was reading, Noble lowered his boots from the stool and stood, stretching his six plus frame, glancing out the windows and guessing it was around three thirty in the evening, which meant it would be dark in a half hour or so. He needed to get those runs made, deliver wood, but he too was wondering if he should make a run down off the mountain, just in case there were stranded travelers.

That was one of his unofficial duties, but since he was the only regular resident, he had the heavy-duty truck and chains. He usually did the pulling cars out of ditch lines, and had come upon wrecks where the vehicles couldn't be saved, as they'd gone over the mountain. But he'd bring the people to the store until something could be done.

The area was pretty much privately owned; it wasn't traveled much by strangers unless one of the families had invited friends who weren't familiar with the roads. Still, he knew that with the snow this deep and night coming, he wasn't going to feel right until everyone who was supposed to arrive or expected, had made it.

Walking over to the window, Noble slid the tips of his fingers into his back Levis pockets, the reflection of the twinkling lights brought his attention to the tree. He tried not to feel that pang that his son Grey wanted to spend the holiday with his mother in Boston, rather than here with him.

It seemed like the older Grey became, the less he was interested in the things Noble had been raised to appreciate and revere. He was a full blood Cherokee himself, and running the store on this land, serving as guide and caretaker for it, was part of his heritage since his grandparents had started it with little more than a handful of hewn cabins, an idea that their knowledge of hunting and fishing, nature and such, would be a good way to make a living.

Noble had tried, really tried, to live another way after college. He'd taught high school for awhile, which was how he met Jasmine Quade, Grey's mother. But city or even town life suffocated him.

He'd always come here to help his parents in the summer months. Later just his dad, after his mom died, and there was no other feeling for him like walking the trails and fishing, or just sitting on the cliffs sometimes watching hawks and wildlife, hearing something besides traffic, noise and loud music from the neighbors.

Looking away from the tree, Noble realized it just wasn't that which ended his marriage in the first year, though they didn't divorce for another long and fight filled second.

Jasmine was a Boston bred beauty whose father was a heart surgeon, her mother a socialite. It did mark the contrast between them, because Jasmine was a part of that too. It was in her to be in the hub and heart of whatever made up social circles, just as it was in Noble to prefer solitude now and then. She had a whole different concept of marriage too, and a way of teasing him that held a hint of mockery for his country roots.

The truth was, that Noble felt that sleeping around and all that was a part of single life and he'd done his share of everything single guys do in college, and marriage was more serious, a commitment.

But Jasmine didn't see it that way. It didn't take her long to become bored, so she said, and seek out the clubs and nightspots. He didn't know when her affairs started, but it didn't really matter, because by the time they were conducted openly, he'd gotten the message clear enough, that whatever she'd wed him for had worn off.

He'd taken his son the first year he'd moved back to the mountain, after Jasmine went to Boston and the divorce was final. Then out of the blue when Grey was five, the year his father died, she'd wanted a relationship with their son. He'd agreed to it because he figured she'd changed and was more ready to be a mother, as she'd rarely spent an evening home when Grey was a baby. And through phone conversations, letters, he'd felt comfortable enough to allow her to meet him in the city, and pick up Grey and take him to Boston for awhile.

Now Grey called her folks grandma and grandpa. He spent summers with her instead of with Noble, and at twelve, already tall, mature, he was impressed doubtlessly, with the upscale lifestyle the Quade's had.

He was close to his mother in some odd way that meant he accepted her faults and all, and had seen more of the world with his grandparents than Noble ever wanted to. He didn't begrudge Grey the right to make his own choices about life. He just felt that blow to his gut this year, when Grey announced that his grandparents had sent him plane tickets and that he was spending Christmas with them instead of Noble, who always looked forward to their holiday together.

That it came after a year which saw his son becoming more distant and less interested in doing the things they usually shared, made Noble's gut cinch with a fear, that maybe his son would decide to never come back.

He hated feeling things like that. It had taken him a long time to get over the marriage and relationship problems. He didn't want to think that his son was going to walk out of his life too.

The phone on the counter rang and Noble turned and strode over to answer it. “Noble here."

"Noble, it's Josh Bursell. Have you seen any sign of Lexy yet?"

"No. sir. I'm sorry. Have you tried reaching her by cell?"

"Yes. I spoke with her about six this morning and she was making the trip fine. I ... “The man sighed and then said rather low under the sound of several female voices laughing and chatting.” The thing is, we've been somewhat estranged from Lexy for a couple of years. I'm sure you noticed she hasn't come with us here in five years or so. The relationship has been tense and I've been ... worried about her."

Noble had noticed but he'd never really made much of it. People got busy living and working. He simply figured she had family somewhere, husband and kids. Still, he didn't normally pry in people's lives, and when they came to Whitestone, he was more guide and caretaker, someone men talked to about fishing or local history, wildlife and sports, not really a friend, but not a stranger.

"I could drive off the mountain to check before I bring that wood up and make the rounds of deliveries."

"Would you, Noble? Thank you. Sylvia is trying to appear as if she's not worried, but we all are. It wouldn't be the first time Lexy has changed her mind and turned around and we'd not hear from her for another year. I would rather that, than some accident has occurred."

"Of course. And if I don't spot her before I've got to make this run, I always leave the store unlocked ... I'm sure it's just traffic or something, Josh. Could be she can't call you because there's no signal where she's at."

"Yes. I'm hoping that's all it is."

"I'll call you. Until then, don't worry."

"Thank you, Noble. I know we depend on you a lot, probably ruin your own holidays.” Josh chuckled. “But no one can handle these roads like you, and our vehicles don't handle that well once the roads freeze."

"It's no trouble. I'll call.” Noble hung up and went to build up the fire, putting in more logs, and then going through the door in the back of the store. Here the living quarters was attached, the bottom floor all stone and the upper floors cedar siding and glass.

"Snow.” He whistled, and from the upstairs came his part husky and wolf, its white coat thickened for winter, and blue/white eyes glowing in the dim light. “Guard the store, boy."

The dog headed through the doorway to the store.

He found a satchel and filled it with emergency equipment, first-aid kit and items he'd normally take whenever the weather was bad.

Going back out to the store, he grabbed his hip length denim coat, flannel lined, which had his gloves in the pocket, and the truck keys, then went out. The white flat bed was beat up but heavy and it ran fine.

He tossed the items in the cab and flipped the seat up, taking out the chains, which took awhile to put on the tires. Before he left, he jogged back in and poured the coffee he'd made in a thermos and scribbled a note for anyone who might wander in saying he'd be back. Not that he thought anyone would, but it was better to be safe.

Soon he had climbed in the truck and started it. Pulling his coat on, lifting his long hair out of the collar while the motor warmed. He couldn't turn the heat on until the defrost cleared the windshield, and it was nearly dark already.

When the window cleared, he put it in gear, looking out the back window as he backed beside the store to turn. His jeep and red pick up sat under the carport, pretty much useless in this kind of weather. He shifted and pulled out on the road, the big engine loud and truck not the smoothest riding vehicle, even with chains not on it, but he went slow descending, since the headlights showed icy patches already forming.

Fiddling with the radio, he found a local channel, the same he tuned in at the store, and found himself hoping it was some simple delay on the main roads. One thing he always told the vacationers was to arrive early and to call him from the highway in weather like this, rather than try the pass in an automobile not equipped for driving in the snow. Josh knew that, but Noble wondered from the hints if the man thought to find out what his daughter might be driving.

The song on the radio was Deck the Halls. It was almost Christmas. He didn't want to think about facing the tree in the main house with all of Grey's presents under it unopened, sitting down to a dinner he'd planned for them and staring at that empty plate and chair.

"Shit."

Chapter Two

"Shit!” Lexy Bursell beat the steering wheel again after trying to crank the engine and hearing that aggravating click. She'd been doing fine, managing the snow covered road well in the borrowed SUV, when suddenly the engine died and she'd slid backwards and sideways, plowing into the ditch with the bumper stuck in a snow bank.

Since that was over an hour ago, the windshield was frosted over and she could see her breath puffing out. The temperature dropped and it was now dark. The whole damn trip had been a bad idea.

Sitting back, gripping the wheel she muttered behind the scarf she'd pulled up over her freezing chin, “Why did I do this? Why didn't I just—not—agree to join the family for Christmas?"

She closed her eyes a moment and released a tight breath through her nose. No doubt her perfect sisters and their perfect husbands and children would have a field day with her running late, running her borrowed car in a ditch, and there would be another one of those blowup arguments, like the last time she'd seen any of her family.

"Perfect. Just damned perfect.” Lexy opened her eyes and looked around, seeing no blanket, only her suitcase and a box filled with gifts that she'd be paying for until next Christmas, which she'd bought her family. She had no idea what her sisters liked now, besides expensive, since they married well, had their kids in private school, and fit right in the country club set like their mother.

Lexy had thought she wanted that at one time. But since she'd always been the rebel, even had she wed the right man, which she hadn't, not right for her at least. She didn't think she'd gotten whatever gene it was that made her sister's excel at everything and just make the right choices too.

Lenore and Macy had that upper middle class breeding. They wore the right clothing and said the right thing. Lexy had been born with some aversion to that, though she had tried, god knew; she had tried and failed to fit into the Bursell mold.

There had come a time though, when she'd said to hell with it, and she'd tried to be herself. Whatever that was and the results weren't impressive. In fact life had been utter shit since.

Grunting and pushing away the crap, she was starting to get really anxious over her current situation. She was too far up the mountain to walk off, and she'd likely die of hypothermia if she tried it. The narrow road, high trees and no lights, meant little vision even when walking.

"God.” She grit and fumbled with the handle, trying again to open the door which seemed blocked with something she couldn't see. Her toes were cold though she had on beige cotton socks, hiking boots, and the low-rise worn jeans were thin, making her legs feel the chilly air in the vehicle.

She had on a long sleeve T-shirt, black with four buttons at the neck, and a knee length red wool coat, that looked cuter on the rack than suited to the cold. Her black scarf and gloves helped. But she hated herself for getting anxious enough about this reunion to get a short haircut.

The thick feathery layers were above the ears, a bright cherry red color with chic blond streaks. Right now she felt the four earrings, just tiny studs, were nothing more than cold metal in her ears. Her suitcase held layers she could put on, but did she really want to stay in the car and freeze to death, or try and make it up the mountain on foot?

She remembered the supply post, but had no idea how many miles that would be. Lexy had never really paid attention during those vacations. Because it was usually so strained in the car, her sisters and parents taking an opportunity while they had her where she couldn't walk off, to lecture her or instruct her on what she was doing wrong in her life.

Even as a young teen, they'd done that. Actually, Lexy couldn't recall a time when everyone didn't feel it was their obligation to tell her how to eat, breathe, speak and design her future.

"I may not have one now,” she muttered and slid out of the seat to try the other doors. “Finally.” She got one of the back doors open. Unfortunately it was against the incline, but she wasn't awash with choices at the moment. Holding to the door, she planted her foot in the deep snow and heaved out, holding to the edge of the window for balance while she looked up and down the curving road, still having no earthly idea what to do.

All sorts of things came to mind, but none of them would get her either off or up the mountain in any great hurry, and each would likely result in her freezing to death. Lexy looked up at the sky, a narrow stretch thanks to the trees, and saw overcast, no moon, and darkness. “Oh come on. Give me a break. Just one.” She sighed and looked up the road again.

There was the merest flash amid the woodsy white distance, and hope flared that it may be headlights. Since distance was hard to judge in a white landscape, a mountain too, she waited until she saw it again before allowing herself to murmur, “Thank you. I'll deal with the family crap. Just get me someplace warm."

It seemed like a long, cold time, before the lights became a pair of them, headlights that she could actually see shining on the road. The truck was loud and coming slow, the sound of the chains ratting in an echo, that may have been eerie had it not represented rescue.

When the lights flashed on her as the truck neared, she gave a wave, knowing the black SUV was visible since the front end was halfway in the road. The vehicle stopped with a creak, the motor idling loud before she heard a door slam.

As he passed in front of the truck, Lexy recognized at least that long raven hair. She remembered Noble Hunter though she hadn't thought of him in years. She remembered seeing him out the window of the vehicle as her dad had stopped at the supply post, and he'd come to the log house with supplies a time or two.

Six two or three, broad shouldered, handsome and bronze skinned, brown eyes, having the distinct features of a full blood Cherokee, which was common in some parts of the states, some counties there were generations of people who had that Cherokee blood.

Since she was usually dealing with some self-angst, she hadn't thought much about him, except in a distant way a person admires another with unique and handsome looks.

Right now, she was never so glad to see someone in her life.

"Is it stuck?” He stopped at front of the SUV looking at her as he called that.

"I don't know. It won't start."

"You're Lexy, right?"

"Yeah.” She started down the incline, meaning to walk around the vehicle but slipped and fell. “Shit."

"Wait.” He called out and then she heard the crunch off boots as he came round.

She was picking herself up and puffed, “It's been dead about an hour."

"You okay?"

"Yep. Just cold."

He said, “I'll help you get to the road, get to my trunk. You can get warm while I try to jump it.” His gloved hand reached for her arm, and he pulled her around the door, shifting his hold to her shoulder as he helped her about the vehicle.

Lexy managed the deep snow, trying to focus on that, though some part of her brain smelled his scent of wood smoke and cologne, a kind of wintry mint too.

Almost three years without men in her life was making her pathetic. On the road, he released her and stepped ahead, to open the passenger side. She grasped the handle and climbed up in the big truck, with a “Thanks", and saw him nod, his breath puffing out a cloud as he closed the door.

Thankful for the warm heater blowing, she watched out the window as he went back to the SUV and got in. she'd left the key and her luggage in there, and he was obviously trying to crank it. After a few moments he got out and came to the truck and around. Opening the door, he reached for something the size of a battery and a pair of cables, then went back to the SUV.

Winter Wonderland wafted over the radio while she watched him pop the hood and use the jumper and attempt to start the car. It had to be cold out there. In fact, she knew it was and felt terribly guilty that he was out there in it. While she thought this, Lexy noticed things any woman would about Noble at a distance.

His hair was long, mid back and a deep blue/black color. He had long legs, obviously muscular; in fact she recalled that they were from some vague summer memory of seeing him in denim shorts.

God Lexy, she muttered mentally, Just get through the holiday. You've done so well at least avoiding anymore of those disasters.

As he apparently gave up, she saw him fetch her luggage and the box. He carried them the truck bed and to a long lidded section, just behind the cab, which he opened and set them in before closing it.

When he got in the truck, he set the charger down in the floor, and handed her the keys, and her purse she'd forgotten. “I can't do much tonight. The battery is dead and in this cold, I don't think it's going to turn over.” He climbed in and closed the door.

Noble glanced at her, his handsome face flushed from the cold. “I'll have to drive down a ways before I can turn."

"That's fine. Thanks, I was trying to weigh my choices when I saw your headlights.” She smiled and shrugged.

"Your father called. He's been worried.” He nodded, his brown eyes looking at her like a person who was refamiliarizing themselves with someone they hadn't seen in years.

"I couldn't get a signal on the cell once I started up the mountain."

He put the truck in gear. “We can call him from the store."

"Yeah.” She eyed his profile as he watched the road; his name fit him because it was well ... noble, the bones and strength, his arched brows and proud nose, semi full lips. She supposed he was around thirty-five or six. The same age as Lenora.

He glanced at her, as if sensing her scrutiny, and rather than blush she gave him a short smile and turned to look out the window.

The cab was warm and the holiday music cheery, the mountain road downright scary though as he drove another mile and turned the flat bed, in a space she'd have bet no vehicle could possibly be turned in. it was jerky and rough, but Lexy held her breath until they were going back up the mountain. She let it out.

"Sorry. Did I scare you?” There was a white grin on his lips that would have melted a woman at twenty paces.

"No. Yes.” She laughed. “I was tense enough driving up it in the daylight. After dark, it looks twice as narrow."

"It's a dangerous road. If I hadn't been driving it most of my life, I wouldn't even attempt it in weather like this.” He reached and found the thermos. “There's coffee in here, help yourself."

She took it and held it between her knees, unscrewing the cap and pouring it full of hot brew. Replacing the cap, she set it in the seat. “Did you come out to look for me?"

"Yeah. I have to make a run tonight up the mountain.” His gaze touched her before he looked back to the road. “Sorry. But after we call Josh, I need to load the truck and get the deliveries done. I'd rather not chance two trips."

"No problem. I'm in no hurry.” She took a long drink, sensing he'd glanced at her again.

For a bit they were silent, nothing but the sound of the engine and the slap of extra chains. She finished the coffee, all the while picking up scents of him in the truck, along with the coffee and some faint tinge of pine. They were earthy and clean smells, warm and wintry ones.

"It must suck doing this on a holiday,” she murmured finally.

"Not really. My family always has, and there's not that many people here. Christmas I don't do much unless it's an emergency. But the firewood and everything, that's part of the business."

"Your father said you hadn't been around in awhile?"

"No,” Lexy muttered, “I probably shouldn't have come this time either.” When he said nothing, she glanced at him to find him watching the road too focused, as if he didn't want to pry. “Sorry. That was ... a reflex answer.” She finished the coffee replacing the cap and rubbing her gloved hands down her thighs. “So, do you have a family now?"

"My dad died awhile ago,” he said, then after a pause. “I'm divorced. My son, Grey, he's spending Christmas with his mom."

"That must be tough."

"Yeah. First time he's wanted to spend it in Boston. He usually goes there summers, but well, he's twelve. I guess being stuck up here with your dad is not all that, anymore."

Lexy heard something in his voice but said only, “Can I make another call at your store? That's a friend of mine's car, and I should probably call them, even if it's nothing. In case something happens."

"Sure.” He pulled off as they reached the supply post then glanced at her when the engine stopped. “Go on in, it's open. And my dog's name is Snow. If you call his name, he won't hurt you."

She grimaced on a laugh. “Are you sure?"

His white smile flashed. “Yeah. I'm sure. I have to load the truck."

She got out and headed for the door, standing a moment inside the door and calling, “Snow.” The dog appeared from by the fire and Lexy walked around to the counter slowly. He came to her, sniffed her and stood there while she pet him, then went back to the fire.

Stop noticing his smile, Lexy muttered as she dialed, Just stop looking at him when he speaks.

* * * *

While Lexy Bursell made her calls, Noble loaded the firewood on the truck and tied it down. He was mentally musing that her looks had changed, as he'd vaguely remembered her having dark brown hair and her sister's having been blond. She'd been the youngest so he supposed she was twenty-seven probably. She didn't favor her sisters and mother, but had Josh's green eyes and angled bones; where as her sisters were more classic.

As he'd helped her around the car he'd noted she was about five foot three or four, not skinny judging by her legs in those jeans, but probably the kind of woman who worked out. It was strange really, but she didn't seem to fit that family. It wasn't just her cherry red and blond streaked hair, though the rest of them were conservative, LL Bean in the fall and tweeds and mohair in the winter.

It was her voice, an accent, attitude, and no real façade maybe. And yeah probably that she wasn't polished. He always thought of Sylvia as polished, even on vacation, and the other daughters, their husbands, all had that look about them. They didn't lose it, not even in a rustic setting.

Though he thought Lexy looked like a city girl, she still struck him as a woman who probably wore sweats and jeans and didn't make dinner reservations. There was just something of, what you saw was what you got, which was attractive to anyone who'd been through the kind of marriage he had. Not that he was looking for anything. He went into town and met women, dated a few, but it never really worked out. He had his defenses up too, most of the time, and women took what he offered, the physical, and that was it. Having his son as well, that made a difference in his social life. If he wasn't at school or sporting events, he was here, so it wasn't like he was putting a lot of effort into finding a relationship again.

Noble was a little curious though, and admitted he wondered what happened in the five-year gap between the Bursell's and their youngest daughter. But as he went inside to fill the orders, he told himself that it was none of his business.

He certainly hadn't satisfied curiosity when he'd gotten a divorce, except for telling his dad, he'd shrugged off most of the prying from teachers who spoke to him when he was in town. It wasn't something you wanted to tell even your friends, even though he suspected some of the male ones had slept with Jasmine.

He got two boxes and was taking items off the shelves as she was leaning on the counter, speaking on the phone. He wasn't eavesdropping but could hear her side of the conversation, because she had turned the radio down.

"No. I called him and explained about the car. Yes, Dad. No I couldn't have rented something more reliable. Look, I'm okay, let's not get into this. I came in a friends car, one that should have made it okay, but didn't. I'm fine. Noble will bring me up when he's finished."

There was a pause and he looked over to see her with her hand to her forehead before she said, “There's no need to put mom on ... Dad ... Hello, Mom. Yes. I'm perfectly fine. I know ... I.... yes. No, Mother, I didn't have a car ... it's ... Is that really important right now? Mom. Mother, yes well, you are right, that is typical of me."

Noble could hear the tightness in her voice, getting even tighter.

"Mother, I don't have time for this. If you...” She held the phone away for several moments and had her head down pinching the bridge of her nose. Then she put it back to her ear, waited a beat and muttered, “I've got to hang up. Save it for when I get there, I'm sure you've been storing it up for five years.” She hung up the phone.

Noel looked away and reached for the other box. Looking over to see her leaning, arms folded and head down and he heard her muttering, “I don't want to do this. I never should have come."

He filled the box and took both to the truck and then came back in. “The living quarters are back there if you want to freshen up."

She raised her head and without looking at him said, “Thanks,” then went through the door. Sometime later he heard water running in the bathroom sink.

Noble walked to the back of the store and went through the door a few moments later.

She was sitting on the bottom of the stairs, her coat across her lap.

He switched on a lamp sitting on the small table by the handrail. “You okay."

Her gaze had followed him and she was looking at a picture of Grey on the table by the lamp. “He looks like you."

"Yeah. He wears his hair shorter, more hip.” He grinned and leaned against the wall slightly in front of her. His gaze went over her long sleeved shirt as she removed her gloves.

Lexy switched her gaze to him. “Hair like yours is always hip."

Noble held a slight smile, taking in her features, strained and tense, her mouth was glossed lightly and her make up some kind of light beige that was a bit darker at the edges but more natural. “I need to make those runs."

"Any chance of your truck breaking down before you reach Dad's?” she laughed lamely.

"Probably not. Is it that bad?"

She nodded unsmiling. “Long story and always with the same ending when it comes to them.” She shook her head. “I wish I hadn't come. I can't take three, four days of it."

She stood and he watched her eyes do a swift scan of him before she looked away and put her coat on. As she did that, he saw a healthy shaped body. Not one of those women with no ass and hips, but one with mature curves and enough softness to look womanly and healthy.

Lexy glanced around. “This is nice. I never even knew it was back here."

"My folks just had this lower floor. I built the other on when Dad died.” He looked around at the large stone hearth, beige furnishings that were plump and oversized and the large windows.

There was a kitchen through the one door, his bedroom and upstairs a large bath, Grey's room and a TV room; also it had a balcony facing the woods. It was rustic and nothing fancy, meant to be comfortable and to blend into the outdoors.

She didn't put her gloves on but had her hands in her pockets as he looked at her again.

"Guess I'm ready,” she nodded.

He turned and went through the door, she was following behind.

"Your friend okay about the SUV?” He held the exit door for her.

"Yeah. He freaked less than Dad did. But then, Dad is more freaked because I didn't have my own car, rather than the fact I slid into a ditch."

When they were in the truck he pulled out, heading up the mountain road before he said, “Is that a sore point or something?"

"It will be. They don't know all that much about my life, now. I don't keep in touch."

"He sounded worried about you."

She shrugged. “I suppose."

Noble glanced at her, seeing her elbow on the door, her fingers against her tense mouth. “Parent's are a pain in the ass. No matter how old you get. It's hard to let your kids grow up sometimes, run their own lives."

She looked at him. “It's not that. They've always been this way. I'm the one they couldn't mold. I tried it, but ... I dunno. They see me as flawed, because I'm not like my sisters.” She grunted. “It wouldn't matter what I did at this point, they'd never stop criticizing."

He nodded and looked back at the road. “So, what have you been doing for five years?"

"Failing. Even by my standards, which are considerably lower than theirs."

"Mistakes are a part of life,” he murmured.

"Well, there are the big ones, which anyone would say are mistakes. And then there are the ones I have made since I left the college they wanted me to go to. Dad refused to pay tuition anywhere else. He figured when I got a job bartending, which I'm sure he told his friends was something else, something more respectable, that I'd learn my lesson and see the error of my ways. I didn't. I graduated with a degree in art. My sisters by the way, even though they don't use them, have Harvard degrees.

I didn't find much demand for an art degree and worked a dozen jobs after that. None of which dad approved of, and though I went home a few times, I got the same lectures and criticism, only my sisters took up the crusade to save me from myself."

He smiled and shook his head. “Hey, at least you are trying to support yourself."

"Yeah. The last time I was around them, I'd been though a bad time personally and it just got to be too much. A big argument was the result, and my mother basically said I was the disappointment of her life. She recommended a discreet therapist. Dad swore I was on drugs, and my sisters ... well you get the idea."

"That's rough."

"Um. I don't know why I even went home. I was under some delusion I could share my problems and ... It was not a good time for me."

Noble pulled off the road and went down the drive toward a lit and decorated log house. “I've got to run some supplies in.” He left the truck idling and got out, taking the box off the bed and carrying it to the wide front porch. He stepped up and headed for the door, ringing the doorbell, and then turning to go. He heard the owner call out a greeting and threw his hand up, hurrying to the truck because he was running late.

Back on the road he chanced, “Are you married?"

"Nope.” She sighed and shifted in the seat. “I was. After I left that last time, I found the first man Dad would approve of and married him."

"Yeah?"

"Turns out he knew my family. Thought he was getting someone like mom or my sisters. He found himself a mistress and moved her in before I had time to pack."

"Damn."

She laughed. “He did me a favor. I didn't like him very much anyway. But I'd been in a relationship, one of those rebellious ones with a guy who didn't believe in work. I'd had a miscarriage and we'd gotten in a fight and got kicked out of our apartment. After going home, reminding myself of what that was like—how much worse could I make it, besides marrying someone I didn't like?"

"It's all about learning though. You aren't that old, still."

"Old enough. Anyway, I've been avoiding men and working at whatever pays the rent. I have a couple of good friends, and still no desire to listen to my family criticize me. They hardly know me. In fact they don't. I stopped answering truthfully years ago, because they only ask about my life to gain fuel for their lectures. I'd never tell them anything personal. Because my struggles you see, are a result of my lifetime of rebellion."

Noble shot her a look. “Are you sure it isn't?"

"Positive.” She glanced at him. “If you don't fit, you just don't. I wasn't miserable living the blueprint laid out for me, but neither was I content. I didn't care about the country club set and I never really got the whole deal the way my sisters did. It wasn't intentional. It was just always the way I felt. When I left that college that was a choice I made because I knew I wouldn't be happy following the rest of the plan."

He looked at the road. “I get that. I taught awhile. Lived another life, and my ex's family is well above upper middle class. Could blame the bad marriage on us being young, but actually, I don't know why she married me, unless it was because she was in the mood to.” He laughed short. “She was a party girl, loved crowds and clubs."

"You divorced her or..."

"She divorced me, but she was ... she never really committed to the marriage the way I did. Didn't see it the way I do. It took me awhile to realize that men were a part of her nights out."

"Sorry."

He shrugged. “You shouldn't marry people you don't know well enough. But we had Grey. Eventually she wanted a relationship with him. He says they get on well. I think she was married again for a short time. I don't really keep up that way. As long as she's decent to him..."

They were silent while he made another stop and then before he headed to her fathers house, he drove a bit and stopped. Letting the truck idle in the road, since there was no traffic nor likely to be, Noble looked at her. “It would likely be worse if you just refuse to see them."

Her gaze met his. “Yes."

"I'm sorry."

She smiled slightly. “I'm a grown woman. It's just too bad the car broke down. That was my exit plan if it all got too much for me."

He turned and leaned against the door a bit, his arm along the back of the seat. He did feel like shit, because what she described, he believed. Some part of him understood the way the Burwell's were, because he knew people like that. And he knew that you just couldn't change people.

It occurred to him that the woman he was looking at probably spent a lot of her time dealing with the every day shit in life by herself, that she had the perfect family on the surface but one who neither supported her nor was there when she needed someone to listen.

"Hey,” she laughed at his silence. “I didn't mean to lay some trip on you. Holidays with the family aren't rosy for a lot of people."

He nodded, “What do you do for a living now?"

"I've been doing graphic design. My friend, the one who owns the car, he and his girlfriend have this big apartment and I live there, do some work for them on weekends. It's just ... another job. Dad wouldn't be impressed."

He chewed the inside of his lip. “How long since the divorce?"

"You mean since men? Two, almost three years.” She shifted and leaned against her door. “When I go out or get tempted, you know, you meet someone and think maybe it's going to be different and you can have a relationship, I never can get to that point where you talk about all the normal things, growing up, your family, your past."

"Yeah?"

She nodded. “What's to say? Doesn't seem to be any point if it's not going to be a relationship anyway. Doesn't matter if they understand you if they're not going to hang around for the long haul."

"I get that.” He glanced out the windshield. “Do you think you're looking for something? A dream job, a life that you'll fit in?"

"Probably. But in some sense, I accept that maybe I never will. Seems to be something I've felt most of my life. I don't feel like I'm chasing anything, so much as I'd like to find a place where it's okay to not be perfect and have all the answers, where whatever I make of my life is me living and not measuring myself against something."

After a moment she added. “I'm past the age where blaming my relationship with my parents answers for not being able to find healthy ones myself. I suppose I thought, this is it, I'll give it one last shot and if they still don't accept me, and if things haven't changed. It's time to let go. Sad, but I think that they wouldn't be satisfied even if I moved home and let them remold me. Either way, one of us is miserable."

He mused aloud, “I suppose I was fortunate in that. My parents wanted me to love doing this, but they never said a word when I finished college and began teaching history, nor when I lived in the city those couple of years. It was obvious from my summers working here, I loved it.

But they seemed to let me make choices, mistakes and all.” He pushed his hair back with his fingers. “The only thing Dad said after the divorce was that he hoped I learned something from it.” He laughed. “He liked her okay when they met, but would shake his head sometimes, as if he could see how opposite we were."

"You're lucky your parents ware like that. I don't think mine hate me. I just think they see me as some reflection of themselves, and they see the differences between us as some sort of glaring flaw."

She pursed her lips. “Even as a teen I suppose, the music I liked, my clothing, my friends, anything, it just grated on their nerves."

"I don't know that you can change that kind of thinking."

"You can't.” she sat up. “But I wish to god I didn't feel this tension in my stomach. The last gathering was pretty ugly, and I don't want to do that anymore."

Noble glanced at her. “If it gets bad or there's an argument. Call the store. I'll come up and get you."

Her gaze went over him. “You'd do that?"

"Sure."

She bit her lip and looked away. “All right. Thanks."

"No Problem.” He straightened and put the truck in gear driving a few miles then turning off to the house.

The large windows showed that the lights were on. It was decorated with all the greenery and twinkling lights, wreaths in every window.

"I have to unload this wood."

They got out, and though the front door opened and he could see Josh Bursell standing there, in a pair of black slacks and red sweater. Lexy joined him around the back of the truck.

"I'll help.” She grabbed one of the logs.

"I've got it."

She shook her head. “It's called delay tactics."

He laughed and loaded his arms full, carrying the wood to the holder on the porch.

"Evening,” He nodded to Josh.

The man had been looking at his daughter, an expression of distaste on his face as he took in her hair. He smoothed his features and said, “Evening, Noble. Thank you for the trouble you went to."

"No trouble.” Noble looked at Lexy as he turned to go. He shouldn't have, but he said in her father's hearing, “Sorry I forgot your bags; I'll bring them up tomorrow."

She apparently had seen Josh's expression because she shot him a look of relief. “Yes. Thank you."

He left, having no idea why he was getting in the middle of something like that, nor how she'd explain it if she drove off with him tomorrow. Hell, he didn't want problems with people he was going to have to deal with in the future.

But as he got into the truck and backed out, he could see her father didn't embrace her, nor did Sylvia who stepped out. In fact whatever they were saying Lexy's body language spoke volumes. Her arms were crossed and she looked down at the porch floor. It wasn't going to be a happy reunion.

Chapter Three

The following morning Noble was standing barefoot in the kitchen frying eggs, waiting for coffee to brew, when the phone rang.

He slid the skillet off the burner and grabbed the cordless off the small counter. “Noble here."

"Hey, it's Lexy."

"Hi. You're up early. Is something—"

"No. I'm upstairs in one of the guest rooms, haven't slept."

He winced and sat down on a stool, fiddling with the potholder. “How'd it go?"

"We at least got inside before they started in. I don't remember at what point my sister's sent the kids out of the room, as if my life or their version of it, would corrupt them."

She laughed. “Dad ranted about my irresponsibly of borrowing someone's car. My lack of driving skill, which ended in a ditch. Mom wanted to see my checkbook after she asked what my latest job was, and sometime or other the marriage and divorce came out..."

"Damn."

"Yeah. The fact he had a mistress was a moot point. Mother said my attitude was at fault and if I'd paid attention to everything they tried to teach me, I'd have a quote, normal life."

He ran his fingers back through his hair. “I was going to take straps and pull the SUV out, haul it up here before I came to get you."

"That's fine. I'm either numb or just ... I came up here while they were in their rooms, likely discussing what to do about me. I've decided to be mature and instead of just vanishing, I wrote everything they never seem to let me say in a letter. I'll leave it on the breakfast table. Noble ... I'm sorry for screwing up your Christmas. I'll probably have to bum your sofa..."

"That's okay. I wasn't looking forward to spending it alone anyway. And I think you're right. Maybe they'll read it and finally you'll have given them your point of view."

"Yeah, Maybe.” She sighed. “Guess it's true, you can never really go home, not in any sense, not even at Christmas. I should be glad the lecture didn't result in yelling. The evening ended in a rather stony silence. Where everyone just glared at me as if I'd ruined their holiday. If I hadn't come, oh hell. I'll see you when you get here, and thanks."

"You're welcome."

He clicked off and finished his eggs, drank coffee and then pulled on boots and a coat, going out to get in the truck. It took nearly an hour to strap the SUV and pull it out. He hauled it to the store and beside his own vehicles. He tried cranking it again but nothing happened. Finally he headed to the Bursell house.

She was standing out in the driveway, in her coat, no gloves, and came up to the driver door. “Could you hand me the box of gifts, I'll leave them on the porch."

He got out and as he handed them to her, Josh and Sylvia walked out onto the porch. They were clad in their sleep ware and robes and in the misty early morning, they watched her set the box down.

"Running away solves nothing, Lexy,” her father snapped.

She stood a moment, hands in her pockets. “I left a letter. I'm not running anywhere. I'm sorry I ruined your holiday.” She turned and headed off the porch. “I'll be at the supply post until I can get the SUV started."

Sylvia walked to the edge of the porch. Her gaze flickered on Noble, who stood by the open truck door. Her salon styled hair looked perfect for someone who had slept on it, and her face was tense as she glanced at Lexy's back and said, “Your father called a friend of his and has arranged for you to pick out a car after Christmas. Consider it our gift."

Lexy turned. “No thank you, Mom."

"Don't be obstinate, Lexy."

Lexy shrugged. “Whatever.” She turned and walked toward the truck door and got in.

He did too and closed the door, backing out and seeing Sylvia and Josh go back in the house.

She didn't speak much on the way down. He said as they pulled in front of the store, “I'll take you off after Christmas; you'll probably have to get a new battery."

She nodded.

He parked and cut the engine, then as she got out, he collected her suitcase and led the way through the store.

Since there wasn't likely to be anyone arriving, he'd only left a light on behind the counter and the Christmas ones blinking on the tree. He led her through and then to the living area. “You can use my son's room.” He handed her the suitcase.

"Thanks.” She went upstairs.

Noble shed his coat and wet boots and then padded up to his own room to change. Pulling out the SUV had gotten his trousers wet, and he stripped and donned another pair of jeans, a denim shirt.

His son's room was on the other side, past the bath and TV area. It was more modern than his own rustic one, having Grey's computer and gadgets, posters, and with a bed that was full but had a red plaid comforter.

It wasn't half the size of his, but other than the sofas, there wasn't anything else, and it was private, so he hoped she'd be okay with it.

He padded to the doorway and saw her coming across the lamp lit sitting room. She had on denims too, low rise, and a green T-shirt.

"The room is kind of small."

"It's cool.” She laughed softly. “Say's a lot about him.” She stopped and ran her fingers through her short hair. “Actually looks like most kids that age would."

"Yeah.” He tried not to notice how the snug shirt fit over her breasts and how it pulled up an inch or two when she did that, ran her hand through her hair. “You had breakfast yet?"

"No. I don't think I can eat. Is there soda in the store?"

"Yep. In the fridge too.” He started downstairs with her behind him, and motioned to the kitchen. “Go on in and help yourself.” He began to lay a fire in the huge stone fireplace, the oversized sofa and side tables at his back.

She came in later looking around, her hand holding a cola, and as he waited for the logs to catch he saw her walk to the sofa and stand, looking at all the pictures there. Ones of his parents, himself and Grey, a mix from many years past.

"Your parents look like a lot of fun."

He stood and dusted his hands, going over to stand beside her, seeing that she was looking at the ones where his mom and dad were on four wheelers, or smiling and acting foolish. “Yeah, they laughed a lot together."

She leaned over and pointed to one of himself and his mother dancing. “That's cute."

"It was the year before she died. We always joked around, waltzed, but this was the last Christmas, she loved Perry Como and I'd found all these CD's..."

She glanced at him and Noble met it, liking her smile, telling himself to just chill and not show his attraction to her. “You must be tired if you haven't slept?"

She sat down on the sofa and he did likewise. The soda on her thigh she looked at the fire. “Do you listen to those CD's?"

"Yeah. Every Christmas."

Her head went back, relaxed against the cushion.

He got up and went to the stereo which was in a niche to the right. After some searching he filled the six slots with CD's, two of them Como, and others a mix of old and new Christmas tunes. Leaving the volume at an amenable level, he rose and as she seemed to be in her own thoughts, he went to the kitchen, poured Snow's bowl full of food and cleaned up his breakfast mess.

It began to snow a bit, just tiny crystal flakes fluttering past the wide kitchen windows. With the music, the smell and warmth from the fireplace, he sighed and leaned his elbows on the counter below it, feeling that pleasant ease that Christmas here brought him.

* * * *

Lexy finished the soda, watching the flames and emptying her head of all the voices from the night before. Macy had hugged her rather stiffly, but after looking at her hair Lenora had sighed as if Lexy wore it like that to deliberately insult her.

The letter, yes, writing it had helped. She'd sat up there most of the night, just trying to be honest and not accusatory, simply saying she loved them and nothing about her life was meant to reflect upon them. She'd tried to explain her choices, her mistakes, her life, and then she'd said she couldn't promise them anything. But she loved them, and wished them merry Christmas.

It was freeing, as if something lifted off her. She arose and walked to the kitchen, to toss the bottle in the trash. Pausing in the doorway and observing Noble who leaned there watching the snow.

Attraction to a man who looked like him would be perfectly normal. But he was nice too, and unpretentious, obviously intelligent and mature. She let her gaze go up his long legs. His feet were bare, and yeah, he filled out those Levis with a body that probably looked good in the raw. His unique skin color and hair, they made him distinct. In the well-worn denim shirt, those broad shoulders were pronounced. She remembered noticing in the upper hall that his eyes were a warm bedroom brown.

Okay, Lexy, she murmured in her mind, he's damned good looking and you can list black brows, lashes, sensual mouth, proud nose and broad forehead, you can think about his voice, kind of deep and quiet. It's all a package that any woman with blood in her veins would get a little tingly looking at.

She cleared her throat knowing he straightened and turned as she went to the trash bin by the back door. Lexy turned, running her palms down her hips. “It's snowing.” She glanced at the window. “Makes it quite beautiful here."

His gaze went down her real swift, but she caught it just the same. “You sure you aren't hungry?"

"No. Am I in your way? Keeping you from something?"

He shook his head. “I've got to bring in more wood later and do a few things, but you're not in my way.” He pulled away from the counter and found a cup, filling it with coffee. “I was coming back to join you. I just got distracted."

She followed him back to the sofa, watching him relax, prop his feet on the suede topped table after he'd sat down, not really a foot from her. He sipped and she tried to not stare at him, though it was an attractive and masculine picture, his big body relaxed like that, bare feet ... that mane sliding a bit over his shoulders. Oh lord, those three celibate years were catching up with her.

"Why don't you have a car?"

She glanced at him. “I do. It's in the shop. I should probably trade it in,” she shrugged. “It's one I bought years ago and I just keep putting parts on it. My friend, he's getting it out of the shop for me after Christmas."

"His girlfriend, she's not your friend?"

"She is. I just knew him first.” Lexy looked away because she was feeling too attracted to hold his gaze. “They're a modern couple, very busy, go out a lot. I moved in after apartment sitting because it's a large place and they're not home much."

"So, you go out sometimes?"

"Now and then.” She looked at her feet absently. “Movies, shows, an occasional club. I work odd hours so."

"But it's not what you want to do?"

"I could do it and be all right. I guess it's not a passion."

"Why did you take art?"

She did glance at him then. “Because it interested me more than science or business. Moved me, I guess. I think misfits and people, who don't fit in the place designed for them, are attracted to all creative things. I don't think I had natural talent. I like to sketch and I paint. But even music and books, anything in that realm, you get drawn to it because it expresses something you relate to. But as a career, I should have done something more practical."

He nodded and looked across the room, taking a sip of coffee before saying, “I enjoyed teaching. I probably could have done that until retirement. I may have if the rest of my life had worked out. But I wanted to be here when Grey was little and I was trying to sort through the shit after the divorce. When Dad died, and as Grey gets older, I'm glad I have this place and this job. I do some tutoring, and I sub if the money gets tight. But ... it feels right."

"It does.” She looked at him. “You seem natural here. I remember seeing you around. You seemed even then like you enjoyed doing this.” When he looked at her she flushed this time and covered it with adding, “It's a dream life for a lot of people caught up in the rat race. Otherwise they wouldn't have built their vacation homes here."

"That's true.” He nodded and leaned up to set his cup on the table, then sat back with his arm along the sofa back. The Christmas music wafted on. He gazed in the fire a moment. “Do you cook?"

"Yes."

"I was dreading cooking that traditional Christmas meal, setting the table and staring at Grey's plate.” He grinned a bit. “I was half way to considering making a sandwich and forgetting about it. But do you want to help me cook it on Christmas..."

"Sure. I'd like that.” She smiled. “I normally eat soup and lay around watching movies. I don't think I've ... well, I never have cooked a whole Christmas dinner. Mom has to do everything perfectly; she and my sisters, everything has a special bowl or spoon, so I wouldn't have dared offered to help."

"Are you sure you can cook?"

"I think I can manage. I won't guarantee it will be perfect, but..."

"Never mind perfect. We settle for eatable around here. My mom insisted I learn to cook. But I never make a variety because Grey is picky."

"Yeah, what's his favorite?"

"Mexican food.” He laughed. “The kid has a cast iron stomach."

"Mmm.” She nodded. “George, my friend. He loves Italian and his girlfriend Lucy won't eat anything but salad and sushi. Me, I'm pretty basic, though if I didn't go to the gym once a week I'd probably be forty pounds heavier."

"I don't think I'm picky either.” He looked around a moment. “I even have a couple of bottles of wine we can open."

"Sounds good.” She offered.

He put his feet down saying, “Well, I'm going to get wood in, check on things.” And he left, going up the stairs, coming down later in boots, and entering the room once, after going out, to replenish the logs in the hearth.

She sat there lulled by the music and the fire, wondering what it was going to be like cooking in the kitchen with him, trying not to have thoughts about it that had nothing to do with food. The next time he left he was gone awhile and Lexy felt the lack of sleep catch up with her. She didn't register when her lids drifted closed, but some time later she was vaguely aware of being turned so that she lay on the sofa and covered with a light blanket.

* * * *

Lexy awoke disoriented. Pushing the cover down, she lifted to her elbow on the sofa, recalled where she was as her gaze moved to a small arc light shining from the opened kitchen door and the fireplace still warmed the area. No music, but a winter quiet had settled upon the house.

She sat up, running fingers through her hair, and then stood, folding the blanket and laying it on the back of the couch. She padded to the stairs, trying to be quiet going up.

Lexy passed his room on the way to use the bathroom, the door was open; he was talking on a phone, lounging up against the headboard in the lamp light. What she could make out was a rustic bed, nice big windows and a landscape on the wall. The colors were amber and pine green, a few splashes of red, like the rug on the floor and a blanket folded along the bottom of the bed.

He waved slightly at her, saying into the phone, “Skiing? Wow, I'll bet that was fun. Yes, it's snowing here now ... I don't think it will accumulate much. No. I'm ... fine...."

Lexy went in and did her business, hearing his low voice and looking at the mess she was in the mirror, while washing her hands, makeup smudged, hair sticking up. Great. What a frightening site to show a man you were attracted to, Bride of Frankenstein when she wakes up, man, raccoon eyes and hair like Alfalfa.

She crept out and crossed the TV area, going to Grey's room, opening her suitcase and taking out her personal items, grabbing a pair of flannel draw string PJ's and a Tank T shirt. White thongs and tulip cup bra, the necessities, and then went back to the bath.

She was trying not to think about the fact he had his shirt off, and she'd seen six pack abs, hard pecs and a sinewy throat. But since she wanted to make sure the shower wouldn't bother him, she set her things down on a little bench in the bath, stepped out and went to his doorway, mouthing as he spoke to his son apparently, shower?

He nodded and covered the mouthpiece a moment. “Sure. I put dinner back on the stove when you're done."

She nodded, her eyes going over him this time because the way he sat, one knee up, one to the side just drew attention to his taunt waist and half-undone jeans. God, she finally turned away and went to have her shower, all the while washing and scrubbing, shaving her legs and underarms, seeing that long hair against his coppery skin and thinking that his ex must have been out of her mind. Just looking at him, at that tall, cut, muscular, frame and handsome face, would do it for most women. And he was nice too, she said again in her head.

After the shower, she dried and put on lotions and slipped on her undies, then PJ's, tying the string a bit under her navel and pulling the snug tank undershirt over her head.

Using moisturizer on her face, then brushing her teeth before applying lip balm, she slid her toiletries over, out of the way, and brushed back her short hair. She stood a moment eyeing her face, makeup free and mature. She wondered why she always thought to find some explanation there as to why her family just couldn't seem to accept her.

She never found it. She had her dad's eyes, but must really favor some long ago ancestor. The hair, yeah, she had really done it with the hair, should have known her parents and sisters would see it as they had. They were conservative in style. No one at her mother's bridge parties had cherry red hair, or four holes in each ear.

She shook those thoughts off and moved to the celibate deal, which had more to do with the unfinished business with her family. She didn't think three years ago that she could move on and let go of things, give her all to something with a guy, if she still had issues.

She was older now, and knew it was time to just let go. She couldn't do all the work on a one-way relationship.

She turned and gathered up her clothing, hearing him laughing in a deep roll, catching something about a sports team, while she went back to the rooms. Lexy dug out a pair of socks and put them on.

Grabbing her purse and riffling through it for a cigarette. It was pretty bad since she'd bought that pack on the trip after not smoking a year. But she didn't count on her hormones being part of her stress, nor Noble Hunter...

She found her coat and after looking through the glass doors on the open balcony, saw a dry place she could sit just under the over hang. She took herself out there, put her coat on and huddled with her sinful cigarette, seeing in the bluish light of night an absolutely breathtaking view of the treetops and the light snow fluttering down.

It was a great spot. He'd said he built the upper floor, and she could imagine standing there in summer, looking over the woods, any season really. The air smelled cool and clean, pine tinged, and the place was just very soothing and inside. Like a home, a real home.

The thing is, Lexy, she talked to herself, you're waiting for him to make a pass at you, and nice guys, nice handsome guys, don't make moves on women they have just met, women who dump all their crap on them and are in a middle of a family feud. Technically they hadn't just met; they'd known each other, sort of, for years. Yeah right ... like even saying that didn't change the fact they didn't really know each other.

Taking a long tense drag of smoke, she released it, needing the crisp air to clear her thoughts, even if it didn't help clear images of Noble. She knew the signs, though she'd never been one of those women who scratched every itch. She recognized all the tingling and damp spots, the fact that her pulse was a bit quicker, her skin sensitized, all her senses really.

It had been a long time since she felt this aware of someone. Actually, she couldn't recall exactly this much intensity. Had it really been three years? No, more like two years, three months, but who was counting? It felt like forever.

The doors slid open and he stepped out, he had on some sort of lined slipper boots and a flannel shirt, hands in his front pockets. “You okay out here? Your hair is still wet."

"Yep. Just needed a moment."

He motioned to the cigarette, “Got another one?"

She handed him the pack and lighter, “How is your son?"

He lit the smoke, handed the items to her and sat on his haunches blowing smoke. “Happy. Excited. He went skiing today. They're heading to Maine, to his grandfather's brother or something.” He took a long drag.

"You feel guilty about wanting him here?” She guessed.

"Yeah, I do. I know he's having a good time.” He looked through the rails across from them. “It's not his fault I haven't rebuilt my life the way she did. Not that I think she saw hers as wrecked.” He laughed and glanced at her. “Guess I didn't want to admit what I should, that having him here keeps me from having to take another chance."

She nodded and drew in smoke, exhaled it. “You don't date?"

"Seldom."

"Her cheating on you, that messes with your mind, I know. I didn't care about Henry's per se; it was the way he did it. But you had a lot more invested in your marriage and relationship."

"I did.” He stood and kept one hand tucked in his pocket as he smoked, looking at the tree tops.

She eyed his body and then looked away. “I'm sure you know it has nothing to do with you. It was probably her own personal thing. Despite what my mom says, I don't blame myself for Henry cheating. I never really put a lot into relationships, but then I picked men who didn't either. It was that drifting stage, not sure what you're doing. I dated more in college, but you grow up and start dealing with the future."

He uttered, “In a sense I know it's not that. But I avoid relationships because the physical, that kind of keeps the line drawn, I don't have to invest anything in it, so if they cheat..."

Lexy grunted and put the cigarette out, wrapping her arms around herself. “Yeah it's something you have to commit to, and know the other person is too. I've never had that myself, but I think somewhere in the back of my mind, I thought, when I can finally be okay with who I am, I might attract better men."

She chuckled. “Funny how you view this stuff in hindsight. I made some drastic decisions, at the time I ended the last thing, I was working in a great job, really, a tattoo place where I did many of the designs. I changed my whole life when I quit, probably thinking it would matter to the family. Turns out, it just mattered to me."

He put his out too and glanced at her, their eyes meeting a moment. “That's the way it is when you grow up. Some things you let go of, others you work on as you go.” He turned and slid the door open and they went inside. Lexy shed her coat in the room and did a quick blow-dry on low, to take the chill off her hair.

He wasn't upstairs so she went down to find him in the kitchen. He'd taken off those slippers. And his shirt. It was around one AM. “I've kept you up?"

"No.” He uncovered a plate and set it before her on the counter. “I slept about an hour, then Grey called.” He got her a soda and put it by her plate.

Lexy dug into the stir fry, watching as he went by the back door and pet Snow, who sighed loud. Afterwards he was at the sink washing up a few dishes. She ate and looked at his back, his hair, his ass.

When she finished eating she took the soda bottle to the trash.

"Did you do those, design them?"

She turned to find him leaning against the sink. “What?"

"The tattoos."

"Oh.” She looked over, at the back of her shoulder. The other was on her spine and he'd probably seen it because of the hem of the shirt riding up. “Yeah. I designed them. I have a few more but these are my favorite."

He dried his hands on a towel. “Can I?” He motioned for her to turn so he could look at them.

She did, feeling him standing close, his hand lightly touched her shoulder and then his thumb brushed her spine. Squeezing her eyes closed, her stomach jerked in, trembled at that touch.

He murmured, “It's really amazing, Lexy. Can you tattoo?"

"Yes.” She husked. “My stuff is at the apartment, but I do some now and then for friends."

"Maybe when you come back here, you can do one for me."

He stepped back and she turned, “Sure ... if you have an idea or a picture, I can design something, e mail it to you for approval."

He reached on the top of the fridge and took down a pack, handing her a picture of his son and Snow. They were sitting amid the pines, beautiful colors of deep green and a spray of sun amid the woods. The dogs white coat and Grey's beautiful looks gave such depth and vividness to it.

"I'll try.” She looked up. “Maybe I'll come back in the spring. When my car can make it."

He was looking at her. “Do that."

She swallowed and excused herself, taking the picture up to put in her suitcase. As she exited, he was standing in the TV room, and said, “You can watch a movie or something, there's a variety over there in the unit."

Movies. That was her non-existent life in the apartment. She would much rather talk to him. Look at him. She was out of her ever-loving mind thinking that, because she was humming inside from that touch on her skin.

"I'm invading your space,” she murmured. “I'm sorry. Just do what you normally do. I'll be fine, really."

He was leaning against the wall, just inside the doorway. “I'd be reading or trying not to think about Grey maybe someday deciding to live there with his mom."

She nodded and looked around. “I hope he doesn't. I doubt he will. It's just that boys want to be doing things, and that's probably very exciting for him."

"Thanks. That's what I keep thinking. I don't want to be carrying around garbage because what Jasmine and I went through."

Lexy's gaze touched him again. After he held hers a few moments, the stillness and the fact that they were alone in the house, were two grown ups, it all seemed really obvious.

"What do you do tomorrow? Christmas Eve?"

"Get up, go for a walk after breakfast, usually Grey and I play games or watch a movie, and we just find things to do..."

"It sounds nice."

"It is."

The tension was there, tightening, and she had a feeling he was looking for things to talk about, as was she.

"I'll walk with you, in the morning."

"That would be great.” He smiled a bit. “You can use one of Grey's coats, their in the closet in his room."

"I will."

He bit his lip a moment then pushed away from the wall, stood there looking at her before he said softly, “I don't want you to feel awkward here. Maybe I've forgotten how to be social around ... well, women."

He raked his white teeth over his bottom lip. “You can make yourself at home, there's no real formality because it's just me and Grey and we're used to each other."

He winced on a grin. “I get used to my own company too. And I can be content by myself. But I like you and I don't want to be talking your ear off or anything."

Gosh. She could melt right through the floor. He looked at the moment, abashed, a little self-conscious, and oh so handsome. “I like you too. And you're not making me feel it. I just ... well I'm not real good around guys that have been as nice as you've been. Considering you kind of got stuck rescuing me. And you got the whole story just thrown in there..."

She grinned softly. “Don't take this wrong, but ... you're very handsome and I'm trying not to ... you know, act the way a woman does when she's real attracted to a guy who is ... nice and doing her a great favor ... all that."

"Thank you.” His full smile bloomed. “I thought it was just me, feeling attracted."

"Nope.” She had to look away from him. If she didn't, she was going to blush. “Anyway. You've been really great and I'm looking forward to hanging around here through Christmas. You're an easy man to talk to and you've been...” oh god, she was not to say really great again. But when she fell silent, the absence of voices made the tension tighter instead of their words having eased it between them.

His voice was still deep and soft as he murmured, “I'll have coffee and breakfast ready in the morning. We'll take that walk, talk, get to know each other better. Bagels okay?"

"Bagels are wonderful.” She gave him a smile. “I'll just go ... goodnight, Noble."

"Night."

* * * *

Noble lay in his room, atop the covers, in the dark, thinking, knowing he had done the right thing, giving them a day to spend together before any physical moves. It was hard to convince his body of that, however. Particularly since everything she said went through him like hot currents. He smelled her lotion and perfume in the bathroom and got aroused earlier during his shower. Every time she smiled something just squeezed in his chest and stomach. When he was looking at those tattoos, he'd wanted to kiss her shoulder.

Yeah, when he'd brushed her spine, looking at that depiction of exotic birds and flowers, a tiny little wood nymph hidden among the green foliage, he'd wanted to brush his mouth over her skin. And her ass, he could tell a lot from what she'd had on, and white thongs and bra was good enough for him with a woman shaped like that. He liked the fact that she had some roundness, soft, soft round ass, and...

He scooped up the pillow, putting it over his face a moment while his groin tightened. He could have sex with her. She'd probably want sex, considering—and that's exactly what his body cared about at the moment.

But some intuition and a lot of what she'd said about her life, her past, and her relationships. He just didn't want to be anyone's mistake anymore.

He sighed and moved the pillow, laying there staring at the ceiling. He liked her hair, dammit. He was attracted to the fact that she was—nice too. He knew that.

He got that from her. And she was talented, artistic, and her frigging family was missing out on knowing her. He got a lot in the short time he'd been around her, and he'd sensed she was used to feeling unwanted, or at the least, just a distraction. And he'd been trying to converse and be real, so she'd be comfortable around him.

Resting his palms on his stomach Noble let a few scenes sift through his mind. He felt her looking at him, checking him out, but then he'd done the same. He loved her eyes; they were jade green and deep eyes ... sexy eyes. Her lips, they were a light pink, and glossed with the balm they just kept drawing his stare. He didn't consider himself a smooth kind of guy, far from it.

He got laid because he was attractive. That wasn't ego. He didn't engage though, beyond the lay, and the last time, a couple of months ago, he'd just run into someone who had wanted to waste a lunch hour screwing. It was like as soon as he left, he figured they forgot about him. He didn't dwell a lot on them either. There were no prospects for a relationship there, and he understood that. It was his fault, because he gave off signals that he wasn't looking for one. Women had picked up on it. They screwed. End of story.

He wasn't sure about Lexy Bursell. It wasn't like they lived close or would see each other often. But there was something there ... Maybe it was the knowing everything, getting all that info happened so fast. But there was something more there, and he didn't want to mess up and screw her and maybe have her wave him off without a backward glance.

He wanted her. He really wanted to taste those lips. To see what she was like turned on. Almost three years, she said. Yeah, he could picture making up for that ... He'd love to.

He groaned and set up, sighing heavily as he stared at the door. He had to sleep. In the morning, he'd know what to do, how much, because she admitted she liked him, was attracted. He'd just look for the right moment and finally, finally, kiss her.

Noble rolled over half on his side and bunched the pillow under his head. It was nice having someone there. It had been great talking, no matter what it was about. He realized suddenly how he missed adult relationships, conversations.

He liked that it was her here. She was someone he clicked with and knew he'd enjoy being around.

Don't mess this up, buddy. He told himself. If it's just that she wants sex with you, make it good ... Hell no, make it great, because you want to, you really want to taste and feel that woman. It wasn't just any woman. He could have invited them here if that was it, and he never did.

It was Lexy Bursell with her tattoos and cherry streaked hair, her really easy way of being, like she didn't want to be in his way, and was thankful for everything he did, that really wasn't a big deal. He'd bet she did make good friends, because she was ... hell, nice.

Chapter Four

Christmas music was playing loud when she came down the next morning. A nice soft rock mix, which made her smile and suited that feeling alive mood. The fireplace mantle had cinnamon apple candles flickering in glass bulb holders and the floor had been mopped.

She tossed the coat she bummed on the sofa, having donned a green sweater and jeans, her socks and boots. She'd applied some light makeup, and spritzed on perfume. As she walked into the kitchen, Noble looked up and asked if she wanted him to turn the music down.

She shook her head no and sat down at the short bar to have coffee and bagels. He was eating them too, looking out the window, drinking his coffee.

Lexy found herself humming the song, surprised that after tossing and turning, grumbling at her body, that she could feel so invigorated. Half of that was likely just saying it. Hey Noble, I think you're hot. Hadn't been exactly like that, but there it was. After initially kicking herself in the ass for saying it, she'd laid there in bed realizing it was better said, since they were both feeling awkward at the time.

It certainly helped that he was attracted to her too.

Finished eating, she saw him heading for the back door and then picking up his boots and socks he'd laid over them. In the living room, he put them on and whistled for Snow. After the dog arrived, he turned the music down a bit and told her, “I'll meet you out back. We'll take him with us, but I'm going to let him run a bit."

"Okay.” She put on her coat after they left, sliding on her gloves. Noble wore darker jeans, a thermal undershirt in a dark red, with an unsnapped denim shirt over that. When she met him out back, he had on a waist length coat of denim and flannel.

She chuckled, watching the dog romp and run in the snow. Noble glanced at her, having been laughing at Snow's antics too. “He's loving this. We'll take that trail."

She moved up to walk beside him, into the woods behind the house. Snow ran ahead, and the lane was large enough for four wheelers, which he must have ridden through it after the first heavy snow. It was still deep in places, but she enjoyed looking at the blue sky and pines, their arms brushing as they both had their hands in their pockets.

"It's so stunning here.” She stopped a moment, looking around. “So vibrant and fresh. It gives you a feeling of peace, doesn't it?"

"Yeah, any season.” He leaned his head back looking at the sky. “No snow today looks like."

"Um.” She nodded and they walked more.

A bit down the trail she picked up a branch. Since Snow ran to her barking, Lexy broke it, and threw a piece, watching him dash off to fetch it. Her laughter rang out as she played with him, tossing it, then running a bit and wrestling with him for the stick in the deep snow.

Noble guffawed as she slipped and slid, holding to a tree trunk after misjudging the drift and sliding over. He helped her back on the trail and while she dusted snow off her knees, he tossed the stick again for Snow.

They began to talk, easy stuff, about the area, nature, and about the schools and towns. It was general talk, pleasant, and that moved to some of his prior students, laughter over their own high school angst, and for a bit over an hour their quiet conversation joined the crunch of their foot falls amid the towering trees.

He asked her about pets, she'd had a bird once. She'd always wanted a dog, but didn't want to keep one in the apartment.

Lexy talked about her jobs, people she'd worked with, states she'd lived in, and right now it was Arizona. She realized in talking about it, that she hadn't done half bad despite her terrible choice of men. She could even laugh about the dumb mistakes, just as he did, at some of his own.

They turned back at the stream, waiting until Snow lapped up water and marked a few trees. Lexy felt him walking a bit closer and reached down to pat his head. Noble also walked closer, and she glanced up to find he'd looked at her too.

"This has been fun."

"It has,” he agreed, his eyes roaming her face then holding her gaze again. “Snow likes you."

"I like him too.” She looked down at the dog and ruffled his coat.

For most of the walk back they were silent, but there was awareness between them. And when they went inside, she continued upstairs to shed her damp clothing and boots, refreshing a bit.

Coming out of the room, wearing jeans, socks and a T-shirt, she saw him in the TV room. The game was on and he sat on the sofa.

"Do you mind?” He asked offering her a beer.

"No. I normally watch it too.” She sat down beside him, taking the beer and sipped.

There followed some grumbling on bad calls, razzing of the players, and general fan comments between them. Lexy enjoyed watching him get all excited and then shake his head, disgusted at a fumble or bad call. She teased him some, just to get a reaction, and he took it well, laughing in that low rumble and throwing one of the cushions at her when she deliberately took the Refs side.

Somewhere around half time, he left and came back dumping snacks on the coffee table. While the usual gazillion commercials were on, they munched and talked, discussed other sports and teams.

The second half saw him standing on his feet, yelling and laughing at the screen as his team made a touchdown. He did a “Yeah baby!” thing, pumping with his arm that just sent her into peels of laughter.

Sitting again he elbowed her. “Told you. I knew he'd pull it out before the last quarter."

Wiping her eyes from chuckling she responded, “It was worth it, just watching you almost jump the coffee table."

He chuckled and finished his beer, and spent the rest of the game in the same happy, teasing mood, which Lexy found completely male, and attractive.

The game went off and she helped him clean up the mess. They turned everything off. Since it was getting dark, he built a fire downstairs and they piled on the sofa with coffee.

She had her head on the stuffed arm, her feet on the cushions and he lay opposite. “You can put some music on."

He leaned up, found a remote, and clicked on the stereo. Sitting up like that by her feet, he'd taken off his denim shirt. Red was a very good color on him.

Sitting up, his knee by her feet, his hand rested on the top of her foot, his brown eyes warm and reflecting colors of the fire. Lexy felt it, the charge and change in the air. His hair was silky and had slid forward, his focus intent on her, in that male/female way.

She slid up a little and adjusted so that his hand was on her knee. Sitting close, she reached up and threaded her fingers through his hair, smoothing it back from his handsome face. When she left it there, on his cheekbone, he lifted his own and was leaning as he touched her face. Her lashes drifted down. His mouth touched hers. It was soft and velvet warm, so wonderful.

They kissed with lips relaxed, soft and testing, rubbing and exchanging small kisses at first. Her breath came out shaky because her hunger spiked and she was already trembling by the time he titled his head and eased his tongue inside.

Oh god. It was wonderful, deliciously erotic. He slid his hand to the back of her head, moving his in circles while he laved his tongue under and over, around. Very slow, but each time a bit deeper. His mouth, inside was sensual in some dark and erotic way.

Lexy moaned and her hand moved from his cheek to the side of his strong neck, her fingers delving down into the round collar of the shirt, feeling heated male skin.

His breathing wasn't steady either. They pulled back a few inches, lashes seeming to lift at the same time. She was too aware that her sex was damp, throbbing. She saw desire and hungers in his eyes. His expression was sensual, and there was something sexy about him not hiding that.

His hand slid around while he held her gaze, his thumb rubbed soft just under her bottom lip. “I've wanted to do that since we met. It was worth the wait.” Then he leaned in again, kissing her deeply, while that hand smoothed down her neck and over her shoulder, to the back of it to bring her closer.

She leaned up, putting both arms around him, and he did the rest, taking her by the waist, turning her so that she lay across his lap. Lexy could hear and feel how hard his heart was beating as he lifted his head. Her own echoed that, speeding up when his hand fit just at her side, under the hem of her shirt. A warm and strong hand.

Turned more toward him, she took the next kiss, and long, long moments were lost doing just that, saying a lot with their mouths. She slid her lips across his jaw and just under his chin.

He arched his neck while she laved and bit there, loving the tang and flavor of him, the heated taste. Her hand was busy too, going over his broad shoulder, down his powerful arm and then up his side to rub at his nipples through the T-shirt.

When she went back for another kiss, Noble's palm went up her back under the shirt, caressing her, feeling her, and then he pulled back and nudged her so he could slide his hand around to her ribs, rubbing down to her waist band and back to just under her bra.

Her eyes closed. She knew he could feel the tremors, the muscles quivering and jerking on her stomach. Her panting breath was probably too loud, but she couldn't help it.

When he moved it higher, tracing the edge of the bra, around the cups with his fingertips, she lifted her lashes a few inches, high on arousal and too hungry, too stirred by his merest touch to articulate it.

He'd been watching her apparently and still watched as he found the front snap and undid it, gliding his palm over one breast then the other, to push the cups aside.

Lexy's hands shook as she stopped him a moment then set up to pull the sweater off, and the bra, sitting it somewhere in the floor. Her size B's were firm, chilled from sensitivity and the blush pink nipples stood out, begging for attention.

Before he could move her back, she kissed him, and peeled up his shirt from the hem up. When the kiss ended, he pulled it over his head and tossed it somewhere, rasping something as her hands ran over his chest and her thumbs brushed his tight nipples.

His strong hands found her hips and he pulled her astride him, leaning her back before his tongue and teeth played at her nipples.

"Oh, god.” Lexy clung to his forearms, her back arched and head back, and by the time he was suckling them, she was making sexual sounds usually reserved for sex itself. Thighs flexing against his, she slid and rode a little, feeling every suckle between her legs, and going a little crazy from how well he did that.

Noble leaned her up, kissed her, revealing his heated and shorter breaths before he found the snaps on her jeans and had her lifting more to her knees while his palms delved down the back, rubbing and molding her ass and running his fingertips down the strip of green thong before he said against her mouth, “Stand up a moment."

She stumbled doing it, her legs were mush. But standing at his knees while he slid her pants, down she touched his hair, his shoulders, and went willing back as he lay her across his lap again. This time he kissed from throat to breast. His hand smoothed down her abdomen and over the front of her panties. He cupped lower, fingers covering her warm and firm, then running up and down the strip.

She was obviously wet, very wet.

Lexy looked at him as he lifted his head, his hair mussed from her hands. He was asking, and her legs parted more, for all they were shaking.

"Mmmm.” He made that sound as his fingers slid over the curls there, and his white teeth were bearing down on his lower lip the moment he touched between them.

She hissed and blinked, and then arched her hips up as his finger found her sex and eased in deeper, slow, and deeper. “Noble...” She had to look helpless. She felt it. Lexy sucked in her breath when he extracted his finger, but since he was peeling the panties off, she did her best to cooperate.

This time he didn't waste time, but he was still slow and erotic sliding to touch her inside. He started a leisurely rhythm and after kissing her nipples, bit lightly at her arched throat. Finally he whispered against her ear, “You're sexy as hell."

She felt it. She felt like moaning and screaming and melting all at the same time. His finger slid out and up, finding the magic spot that brought a low groan of pleasure from her. She sat up and scooted back enough, curling so he could touch her and she could suckle and lave his nipples.

For several moments scorching breaths and intense heat swirled around them. Her hips moved to his touch and she wanted to lave all over his sculpted body. When his finger entered her again she gasped and rested her forehead against him to groan, “You do that so good. I'm sorry but I'm..."

"You feel good.” He husked, before nudging her head back so he could look at her. “Do you like oral sex?"

"You don't have to..."

"I don't want to do anything you're uncomfortable with."

She blew out a slow hot breath and whispered, “I like it. Do you?"

He nodded but said, “I want to focus on you first, taste you.” So saying he withdrew his hand from between her legs and slid her further up on the couch seat, turning so that he lay between her legs, his face at her breasts while she smoothed his hair back.

"You tell me what feels good.” He kissed her nipple and moved down, spreading her bent legs more and then parting her to lave long, then began a suckling before he nipped and rubbed the swollen spot with his tongue.

"Yes. Yes.” She grasped his hair, moving with his cadence. He started touching her too, and it was nearly enough to give her heart failure. “You're good at this...” she moaned.

He must have felt the firmness of her climax building, because he focused mostly on creating friction, before her whispers told him she was there. His lips latched tight and the softest suckle sent her over the edge, the climax rippling through her strongly with a jerk and making her thighs tremble against him.

Lexy lay there with her eyes closed. He moved up and kissed soft at her throat, his elbows beside her head holding most of his weight. She could only thank him by soothing, touching, caressing him, because she was truly speechless.

Finally her lashes lifted on heavy lids and met his watching brown eyes. He kissed her lips then, tinged with her scent, and raised again to murmur, “Did celibacy include no orgasms?"

"No. Although it's not the same, you know."

He smiled tense. “I know. More like tension release."

"True.” She smiled lazily and touched his hair, running her hands through it. “I've never had a guy who could do it that good. Last time, I think it was oh ... years and years ago. But not that good."

"Thanks. I wanted to. I still want to.” He raised his brow slightly.

"I want you,” she said softly looking into his eyes. “I'd like to touch you, your body, let you feel this too."

He swallowed and husked, “I think you need good lovin’ and I want to be in you more than a few minutes. How about we pleasure each other and go from there."

"Sounds wonderful.” She pushed on his chest, following him up, and then sitting there, watching him go and add a log to the fire. He paused when he turned. “You want to move to the bedroom?"

"I'm fine where you are."

Noble came over and scooped her up. “I think we'll like it up here."

She laughed. “Um. I'd like you anywhere."

In the bedroom, he placed her on the bed. Excused himself a moment and she heard him going downstairs, probably getting their shirts and checking on things. She lay on her stomach hearing him pad back up and then go to the restroom.

There was a spill of amber light to her right from the lamp. She leaned up on her side as he entered, her eyes going down his nude frame, a taunt and muscled one.

Lexy rose to her knees when he neared the bed, her hands reaching out to stop him before he lowered himself. She wanted to look at him, all the sinew and veins. From the top of that silky black hair, down over his throat, chest, abs and legs, he was really breathtaking. His sex was fully aroused, thick and erotic.

Her fingers reached to comb through the black curls around it. And then she used both palms to smooth up from his thighs to that hair. She curled her hand around the breadth of his sex and peeked up, to find him watching her, his face showing pleasure and sensual tension.

She smoothed her hands back to his taut buttocks, and leaned in to kiss across his abdomen, his navel, smelling a mixture of male heat and that unique wintry scent. She kissed and laved down until running her lips up and down the length of his sex. She felt his hands gently on her head.

Her mouth opened on the soft crown, liking everything about the smooth, hot skin. She tasted him with her tongue, moaned low and took him deeper.

"God.” She heard that guttural groan and felt his legs tremble. She moved her head and sensually gave him what he'd given her, and with honest pleasure in it. At some point she was lost, until she felt him draw back, moving her mouth from him. He eased her back on the bed, swiftly covering her and kissing her explicitly.

When she caught her breath, Lexy held him back to look at him and whispered, “I'm okay, let me finish."

"I'm not okay,” was his half laugh, half-groaned, reply, before he eased his hand down her body and touched her.

Lexy touched him too, and they did that, slow stroking while looking at each other. It was intense and heavy, like a fire building to an inferno.

He rested his forehead against her hair and whispered gruffly, “Stop. wait.” and tried to catch his breath.

She moved his hand from her, knowing what he was trying to do, as if he thought she'd mind. She sat up, nudging him to his back and ignoring whatever he said.

She settled between his muscular thighs and caressed his body, while her mouth found him again. He was right, it didn't take long, but he was sexy and so masculine in those moments of climax, saying something she couldn't make out while his body shuddered with pleasure.

* * * *

An hour had passed since Lexy had left the bed, gone to the bathroom and rinsed, brushed her teeth and ran a bath.

She had kissed him, let him mumble all sorts of compliments in between saying she didn't have to. And as she sat in the bubbles, she smiled, thinking he really had a hard time accepting pleasuring for himself. She got the feeling he wasn't a man who got loved on much, and that was shame. He was made for it.

Lexy was laying back and had left the door open when he came through with a glass of wine. He wore his jeans half buttoned, and said as he set on the tub edge, “I figured it wouldn't hurt if we opened a bottle tonight."

"Thanks.” She reached and took the frosty glass, closing her eyes as it went down smooth.

He sat down on the floor by the tub, having his own glass, and lit a cigarette, leaning back against the edge of the half wall near the tub.

She opened her eyes seeing him looking over her, lingering on the other tattoo on her right breast. It was a simple silver butterfly. She motioned for a drag of the smoke, and he held it to her lips, kissing her short and soft after she blew out the smoke.

For a moment there wasn't any sound but the trickle of water and soft intimate ones. Their gazes touched often, lingered, as they drank, or shared the smoke. It was like touching.

"You think you'll really come back in the spring?” He asked quietly, his head slightly back and his gaze on hers.

"Yeah. I really will.” She grinned. “Unless of course, you're married and I'd be..."

"—No chance of that.” He lowered his head and shook it, then crushed out the cigarette. He got up and moved to the sink, loading a toothbrush and brushing his teeth.

Lexy even enjoyed that. Watching him brush his teeth and rinse. Distracted by muscles rippling everywhere, she finished the wine and stood, reaching for a long towel, aware he was looking at her in the mirror. She wrapped it around herself.

"I need a shower,” he said turning around as she pulled the plug. He moved up behind her, deliberately rubbing their bodies as he started the faucets running. Then kissed her shoulder, across them and murmured, “You still want me?"

She turned and looked up at him. “I still want you."

He pulled the towel off her by inserting his hand between her breasts. He started the shower and lifted her in there first, before joining her. Pulling the door closed, he got under the spray. And she got to watch him, watch that water bead and spray over his long hair and coppery skin.

He washed his hair, and rinsed it, and it lengthened wet, became even more blue/black. His brown eyes looked at her through spiky lashes as he smoothed it back and let the spray go over his broad back. His gaze ran down her before he reached for soap and bathed.

Lexy stepped up close to him and smoothed her hands with his over his body. His strong palms covered the top of her hands, guiding them, smoothing them between the steam, it was erotic and sensual, and obviously turned him on. By the time he cut the water and taps off, they were both a little glassy-eyed.

Once more out of the shower, they dried and Lexy used another towel to squeeze water out of her hair. He hung his head over and dried the long length of his, then worked a comb through it.

"It's very attractive.” She met his gaze as he stood a bit behind her.

"Thank you.” He smiled and with the towel on his waist, stepped up and ran his hands through hers. “I like this. It looks good on you."

She chuckled. “Um. It's bright and short."

He looped his arms around her from behind a moment, letting her lean back against him, their gazes still in the mirror. “Did I say—"

"Um, yeah you did,” she cut him off and turned in his arms, rising on tiptoe to kiss him. It was hot and explicit, no subtly at all. And when they parted, they both turned and went to his bedroom.

Towels dropped to the floor. He followed her down on the bed, kissing her, touching, shaping her breasts, teasing her nipples before finally gliding down to her moist sex.

He turned her on. Absolutely, just got her hotter than she ever remembered feeling. His body was warm and hard, big in a way that reeked masculine power, and yet he kissed both soft and deep, perfect.

Noble moved to settle between her legs, hand hands cupping her head. He shuttered a sizzling breath when her knees raised and hips flexed to meet the entry of his hard sex.

It was a smooth and intensely pleasurable fit, a moment that they hardly breathed and Lexy's inner muscles rippled to hold him snugly.

"God, you feel good.” He moaned.

"Yes,” she managed. “Just don't move a moment, I feel you so intensely my skin is tingling."

He held still, snug and deep in her, then eased out and back in with slow and steady thrusts.

She arched her neck and took him deeper, her fingers gripping his back. “More ... harder.” Feverishly she sank into the pleasure.

He gave her more, sank in solid and hard, and at some point he raised to his knees, gripping her hips and Lexy grasped the coverlet, moaning, crying out, hardly knowing what she said but pretty sure it was raw and sexual.

"Damn.” He sucked in a breath of air, driving in and out faster and faster.

She lost track of the sexual chills running up her spine, the pleasure chasing its way through her blood and muscle. Every time she lifted her lashes and looked at him, moving and thrusting, his face so intensely sexy, she bit her lip and moaned.

Lexy knew the moment he was going over the edge, he slowed and reached down, finding the sensitive nerves and rubbing her as he stroked in shallower.

"Don't wait for me.” She moved his hand away. “Take me...” She arched her hips. “Come."

He leaned over her, driving in and out, losing himself in her until he came rasping, “Lexy ... unnhh,” and gathering her tight.

She stroked him, soothed him and when he lifted his weight, she held his attempt to touch her off. “Enjoy the feeling, I'm just going to clean up a moment.” She left his side and went to the bathroom. Returning a bit later and smiling at his sleepy eyed pose sprawled on the bed.

He got up next and went to the restroom, returning and reaching for her. As he kissed her, his fingers caressed, finishing what he started and just as intense and good, until she shuddered against him.

He arose and pulled down the covers, looking at her. “Will you sleep in here?"

She nodded and crawled in, soon gathered in his arms after he switched off the lamp.

Laying there sated, amazed, feeling a lot of things it was probably too soon to feel, Lexy could tell he was staring into the dark too.

"I don't think it would have made a difference,” he said quietly, “if we'd waited or met each other another time. It would have still been that good. At least for me."

"Me too."

He sighed but it was a content one, and his arm tightened a bit around her. “Would you consider a relationship? Working something out?"

"Yes.” She smiled against his chest. “Would you?"

He laughed short. “Yeah, Lexy. That's why I asked."

She chuckled softly and smoothed her hand down his side. “I could come sometime when Grey is here. Meet him. I'll leave you my phone number, e-mail, all of that. You can give me yours."

"Okay."

"Let's get some sleep. Tomorrow is Christmas."

He smoothed her back and they drifted off to sleep, turning sometime in the night spoon fashion.

Chapter Five

Lexy woke up alone, but smelled the wood fire and coffee. Stretching and then crawling out of his bed, she showered and dressed before she sat down and replayed the night before.

She'd put on the green silk blouse and short black skirt she'd packed to wear. Did her hair and makeup and put in tiny diamond studs before slipping on stockings and heels.

Standing in the bedroom, Grey's this time. She smiled thinking that she wouldn't have regretted it, even had he never mentioned a relationship. She couldn't regret making love to a man like him.

Stepping back, she smoothed her hands down her body, thinking that it felt more like one since she'd been made love to. Her fingers patted a wayward strand of hair back in place, and then she checked to make sure the woodsy shadow she'd applied was straight. She was just a little nervous as she went out and down the stairs. Just a little anxious that maybe he'd said what he had in the afterglow of good sex.

When she heard that Perry Como music, Lexy couldn't help but smile. The song was, I Wish It Was Christmas Every Day. As she entered the kitchen, she smelled that he already had a turkey baking, and was standing and looking out the window with his coffee.

He'd braided his hair in one braid in the back and wore nice black slacks and a red shirt. She leaned against the facing a moment, just watching him.

Noble turned, paused in the middle of taking a drink from his mug, as his gaze went from her hair, over her face, down her body. They lingered on her legs and came back up slow. Finally meeting her eyes he husked, “You look great."

"So do you."

He pulled his gaze away and poured her coffee, setting it on the bar. “Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas,” she returned, accepting the coffee flavored kiss he placed softly on her mouth with a warm feeling.

She sipped her coffee, and he got out several bowls and pans, packages and vegetables. He motioned to the counter and a piece of paper, “The recipes are all there. We should manage okay."

She reached for it and looked it over. “I'm hungry already."

"Me too."

Glancing up she found him looking at her, his meaning having nothing to do with food.

He finally looked away and handed her an apron. She got up and put it on, and they set to cooking, just the thing to set them teasing and joking again, passing each other in the small space, and critiquing each others chopping and stirring methods.

Lexy hummed, mixed, chopped and prepared, breathing in the scent of celery, nutmeg and veggies. He left and put on more CD's, fed Snow and built up the fire. He returned, and stole one her carrots to munch on while sautéing mushrooms.

They opened the wine from the night before, sipped and finally had everything ready. While he went up to call his son, she relaxed on the sofa, her mouth watering from the scents wafting from the kitchen.

* * * *

Noble hung up after talking to Grey, discovering they were in the middle of opening gifts. His son would call him later. He'd mentioned subtly that he had a guest, female, and Grey had teased him but been too distracted, thankfully, to probe for details. Noble couldn't imagine what he would say really, since he didn't know where it would go. He only knew where he hoped it would.

While he was up there he stripped the bed, changed sheets, remade it and then went back down to find her sitting with her feet on the coffee table. Nice legs, beautiful woman sitting there on his sofa, and he was still trying to absorb the fact that he'd gotten to make love to her.

She'd been good, better than that. And when she touched, kissed, had her mouth on him, he'd gotten his mind blown too.

Home for the Holidays was playing on the Como CD and he held his hands out to her.

She stood and moved into his arms, and he danced her across and around the living room, hearing her laughter and finding himself glancing at his mother's picture, remembering how she had loved the song and the traditional Christmas dance. Some time in the moving and holding her he looked in her eyes and saw them shining, saw her joy and pleasure at something so simple as a dance on Christmas Day.

Noble kissed her, in the middle of their laughter, he just had to. He felt her body cuddling against his, her hand on his nape and around his back. And when he lifted his head that sparkle in her eyes had turned to a warm glow.

He danced her again until the song ended, then led her back to the kitchen. His foldout table was extracted from the pantry and put in front of the fireplace.

A white cloth draped over it, and then he slid two chairs from the corner in the kitchen, on either side. His mother's china and silverware was set, with red napkins and two candles for the center.

Their hands sought and found each other as they admired the simple setting before going back and bringing in the food.

He turned down the music, switched to a harp and flute CD and they sat down, said grace, and then began to eat.

Their eyes met, large and surprised after the first few bites.

"This is delicious,” She whispered and laughed.

He chewed and smiled. “It's better than I've ever tasted."

"Were not half bad, Hunter.” She raised her wine glass and they toasted.

About half way through the meal a loud banging from the store sent Snow running through the house barking.

Noble and Lexy wiped their mouths and got up to follow the dog and see what the commotion was about.

Noble walked ahead to get the door at the store, but Lexy could see them, her family gathered outside!

Noble opened the door and even as she was walking to it, Lexy could see they were quite snow covered and that each held some box or something in their hands.

Her father came in first, his wool dress coat a mess and though he was laughing, he was crying too. “We started out an hour ago and slid over in a ditch. I wrecked my brand new car.” He laughed.

The children and her sisters, her mother and brothers in law, were all piling in and when the door shut, Noble was leading them into the main house.

Sylvia eyed the intimate dinner by the fire, then set down her china dish with it. Next the sisters added something to the feast, and amid taking off coats, wraps and hats, one of the children came to Lexy who stood stunned amid voices and laughter, and handed her an oversized card.

It read, we're sorry. We love you. Merry Christmas. And everyone had signed it.

Crying, she looked up at their anxious faces then flew to hug her father and mother, murmuring, “I'm sorry too. Merry Christmas. I love you all."

She was weeping and laughing, hugging everyone within reach as the children dashed around, romping with Snow—who was apparently enjoying the bustle.

Lexy found Noble watching her from his place by the kitchen, a warm and happy grin on his face. He winked at her and she laughed, then announced, “Help yourselves everyone. Noble and I cooked a feast, and I promise you, a miracle has occurred, it's actually eatable!"

After that, everyone was busy chatting and getting plates, digging into the food and standing or sitting, the children giving Snow bites from their plate.

Lexy bit her lip, her heart full and her eyes still watery as she looked around. When she felt a hand on her shoulder, she peeked over it to find Noble standing there.

He leaned down and murmured near her ear, “Welcome home."

She forgot everyone for a moment and kissed his cheek. Turning back to find her sisters and mother looking between them with raised brows.

Noble, ever the rescuer came from around her and said to the room in general. “Thanks for the Christmas gift, Josh. If Lexy hadn't run her car in a ditch, I'd have never discovered what a wonderful woman she is.” He grinned. “Be careful, you might have a full blood Indian in the family if I have anything to do with it."

Not missing a beat, her father looked at him, then at Lexy and said, “You're a good man, Noble. The best. And it takes that kind to recognize what others can't see. If Lexy is happy, we'll conspire among ourselves to make sure she is around often enough for the two of you to see each other more."

Lexy, a bit stunned by the implication in Noble's words stared at him, at his soft, dark brown eyes, and she saw the intimate man, the man who took walks, watched football, toasted bagels, and made good love. She saw a man easy to talk to, hot to hold; and one who loved his son, loved life.

She said, “This has been the best Christmas I can remember. I found more in a few short hours, than I have looked for my whole life."

Noble sighed long and deep and gave her another slow wink before he had the men upstairs watching the TV, eating the ready baked pies they had fixed.

Lexy talked to her sisters, played with the children, and was surprised at how much, how often, her mother laughed, particularly when they talked about piling in the cars and sliding in the ditch. It seems they walked, carrying all that stuff, for almost a mile to the store. Each had fallen and her sister Macy was in hysterical tears telling about her husband trying to keep Josh from falling and ending up rolling down an embankment.

It sounded like quite an adventure, and not one the Bursell's would take on a Christmas day. But Lexy chuckled and shook her head, because they'd been coming to spend it with her.

The women cleaned up the table and put it away, the kitchen too, while laughing and talking—and though it would have fit 10 times inside Sylvia's, even in the vacation house, she rolled up her sleeves and washed and dried, scraped plates, while they wrapped leftovers and nibbled on chocolates that Macy had made.

The men came down and there was some carols sung. There was a very good chemistry between Noble and the brothers-in-law, who sang along. Noble got Sylvia to her feet to dance, and Lexy waltzed with her father, feeling such comfort in the smell of his aftershave and wool sweater, the familiar sight when she looked into his eyes.

Lexy realized her family wasn't perfect. She knew that they must have struggled to come to her and to make that card, to walk a mile in the snow.

"I love you, Daddy,” she whispered in his ear. “Thank you."

His green eyes were damp as he bussed her cheek. “I love you too, baby. I am sorry I wasn't there for you. I promise though, I will be from now on."

She hugged him tight and when the dance finished, Lexy watched the men go with Noble to pull their cars out of the ditches. The women bundled up and took Snow for a night walk, all of them laughing at Sylvia—who borrowed a pair of Grey's motorcycle boots to traipse down the bluish white trail.

By the time they returned, both vehicles were safe and sitting in front of the store, no damage done.

"You're all welcome to stay,” Noble offered.

"No. I think we'll be fine. I just have to remember to keep my eye on the road and not Sylvia's legs."

The whole family laughed as Sylvia, who was in a skirt, and just exposing a bit of thigh as she exchanged the boots for her black pumps, blushed but murmured, “I'll drive back up. You can gawk all you want."

"We'll follow you?” Noble looked at Lexy in question.

She nodded, and they did. They drove the white truck, everyone going slow, and when they reached the log home, she and Noble sat there, watching her family pile out in the beam of headlights, laughing and racing for the porch, obviously in a fun and playful mood still.

They were all inside after waves and calls of Merry Christmas. Noble backed out, and then he headed down the mountain to the store again.

Inside, it seemed warm and still in some hushed way echoing fondly with the voices of the grown ups and laughter from the kids.

After taking off their coats, he fixed them coffee. They sat on the sofa, slightly facing each other.

"Would you move back here? There are plenty of jobs that may fit your interest. Some at the school or the opera house in town ... and if you wanted to, you could run something here, for the vacationers..."

"Yes. I could move back here."

"Really?"

His gaze was so hopeful and watchful she grinned. “Really. I could see myself being happy here."

The phone rang. He excused himself, going into the kitchen to answer it.

Lexy heard him speaking to Grey and then watched him go through the house to the store. He returned with a gift, and while cradling the phone, laughing and talking with his son, he opened it.

She sat up, looking at his expression, his hands moving over the hand-hewn sign. He dashed some tears out of his eyes.

Laughing huskily, she heard him say over the phone, “No. I'm not getting all sappy and crying. Yeah ... It's ... perfect, son. Just like you."

Lexy smiled feeling her own eyes water because he was gripping the gift, pressing the heel of his hand to his eyes while he tried to joke and stay cheerful sounding. It was obvious he was moved, and she stood and went to kneel behind him, putting her arms around him, holding him and soothing his chest. She felt the emotional shudder as he said goodbye and clicked the phone off, setting it to the side.

Her cheek against his broad upper back, she felt his hands cover hers before he lifted them, kissed them and turned around.

Sinew quivered in his lean cheeks while he tried to contain himself. “He made this ... for me."

She looked down and saw in his hands a decorated wood sign with hooks. It had burned in the wood amid mountains and deer, amazing depictions of wildlife, Noble Hunter. The best Dad in the world.

"You are.” She reached up and touched his face. “Your son is never going to be further away from you than a phone call. He loves you, Noble."

He nodded, his brown eyes shiny. “He said ... he can't wait to come home and beat my ass at Alaskan Hunt."

She chuckled, knowing that was a video game. “I'm betting he will, too."

He suddenly reached for her, and they held tight for a long time. He released her and stood, helping her up, wiping his face again before they were seated on the sofa.

"You don't think it's too soon for us to feel this..."

She was already shaking her head. “I'm falling in love with you."

"I am too,” he said then laughed huskily. “I mean, I'm falling too. I'm trying not to be scared that when you leave, things will look different for you and..."

"No. No they won't.” She took his hand. “We'll keep in touch while I tie up my life in Arizona. You talk to Grey, and when I come back here, I want to get to know him before we make this permanent. I'll live in Dad's house. I want him to like me."

"Oh, he'll love you.” Noble's laughter rumbled again. “The hair, the tattoos, the fact that you're hot, and an artist. Shit, he'll be on top of the world."

"I play video games too,” she said with mock seriousness.

He nodded seriously back. “Serious brownie points for that."

After a moment of looking down at their joined hands he glanced up, scanned her face and murmured, “Can I take you to bed?"

"Yes.” She stood and they walked up the stairs.

Sometime deep in the night, they lay awake under the covers, the room settling from the intimate heat of incredible lovemaking, part tender and part possessive, wholly free.

His hand ruffled through her short hair as her head rested on his chest, and Noble whispered, “Did you feel it, that you belonged here. I did, when you were asleep the first night."

"I felt it. It scared me a bit."

"It felt more like a home to me."

"I had that sense when I walked in.” She caressed his hip. “But I really feel at home right here, close to you."

"You're welcome here, Lexy Bursell. Right here, close to me."

Lexy knew that. She felt it in every kiss and touch, every long look he had given her when they made love. It was true ... you could go home for Christmas. It was simply a matter of recognizing, finally discovering, where, and with whom, you belonged.

AUTHOR BIO

ST Romance author Eve Asbury, and Sensual Romance writer Gayle Eden are also fiction author B.D. Dillon. They are all alter egos of Dian Addair, an author whose dreams of writing were put on hold in her twenties while she raised a son and daughter and worked several jobs. Romance novels kept her sane during some of those busy years, which took her from West Virginia to living in a suburb of Washington, DC for fifteen more, until finally settling her in East Tennessee, surrounded by the North Holston River, where she can write to her hearts content.

She calls her life as a young grandmother, controlled chaos and sets aside Saturdays for family, cooking, and romping with her 5 grandchildren. The rest of the week, when not stealing an hour with her busy husband, she's at the computer immersing herself in another good plot.

A writer who believes in story telling, in giving herself the freedom to write whatever story speaks to her heart. She's found its better to indulge her muse than try and control it. A bit like real life, it happens, and there's always something new and surprising that makes the experience rewarding.

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