Page 37 of HoHoHo for You

My breath rushed out of me as a little knot of tension gave way in my chest. I cupped her jaw, letting my fingers play on her neck. “I’m really glad to hear that.”

She nodded again, and even though her smile was a little sad, it was still beautiful.

“I just… I need you to know that I’m still nervous—but not of you.”

“Okay.”

“I’m not used to letting people all the way into this. I know I need to do more. But I need to do it in my own time. So… let me tell Gerald when the time’s right.”

I nodded. “I will.”

“Don’t tell anyone else.”

“Babe, I won’t!” I dropped my voice to a fierce whisper. “You’re safe with me.”

“I know. I mean that, Iknow.”

“Good. Then you should also know, you never have to face any of that again—I’ll make sure of it. I’m watching out for you, Bridget. For as long as I’m alive.”

Her smile sweetened and she reached one hand up to drag her fingers through my hair, her nails scraping my scalp, which feltdivine.

I gave her a low rumble, and her eyes sparkled. But then her smile faded and she swallowed hard.

She nodded. “I thought when my Dad died it would make all of this easier, and it scared the hell out of me when it got worse. I losing hope again. But now…” She blew out a breath and it fluttered against my chest. “I feel lighter, Sam,” she breathed, like she was afraid to admit it, like it might flee. “I don’t feel as afraid now as I did before. But it’s not gone. My life is still there. My heart ispounding.But I feel it… I can feel you sharing it. And that’s… that’s incredible.”

“Good. You’re not alone in this anymore, Bridget.”

“I know. Thank you. This is, quite literally, the best Christmasever.And it’s all because of you, Sam.”

I couldn’t stop the smile. I felt like beating my chest and held her there, staring into my eyes. “I think this calls for a celebration. Why don’t we go figure out which trip we want to book for next year?”

Her grin turned playful. “I’d like that.”

But then I let my expression get serious. “You just have to promise me one thing.”

She blinked. “What’s that?”

I sighed and dragged my fingers through her hair, combing a strand back so it wouldn’t stick to her cheek. “Between now and then, you have to promise me you’ll be averynaughty girl.”

She gave a little burst of laughter, an obvious release of tension. “NowthatI can do. I give you my word, Sam.”

I kissed her then, deep and sweet, then pulled back far enough to smile at her and whisper, “That’s Krampus, the Anti-Santa, to you.”

THE END (but not for long…)