Chapter Seventy-Three
"The Christmas Caper"
Hope Valley was dressed in its Holiday Finest, with the enormous traditional Wishing Tree presiding over the center of Town, bedecked with huge Lights, Red Bows, Ornaments, and many wonderful Wishes to be fulfilled.
Twinkly Lights, interlaced into Evergreen Garlands, were draped from every Business's Boardwalk Ceiling and wrapped around every Banister, Door, Railing, and Post.
Huge Red Pots of Evergreen and Poinsettias lined the Boardwalk on both sides of the Street every few feet, for as far as you could see.
There wasn't a Door in Town without a beautiful gigantic Evergreen Wreath, thanks to the last Saturday of November! All the Ladies of the Town had gathered and decorated their individual Wreaths to the hilt with each responsible for one of the Businesses in Town!
It had grown to be quite the Competition!
The Wreath Theme chosen for this year was "Christmas Carols," so every single Wreath had been decorated to pertain in some way to the most memorable music of Christmas!
Each Wreath had been assigned a specific Christmas Carol as its theme, and the end results had been innovative, as well as outstanding, with each of the Ladies trying to top those around her.
The Ladies had had so much fun that they promised to make this Wreath Making an Annual Event for the last Saturday of November each year moving forward.
Carolers in traditional dress were singing everyone's favorite Carols in perfect harmony as they moved from corner to corner.
The Scent of Chestnuts, Christmas Cookies, and Gingerbread wafted through the air, along with delectable aromas of Christmas Ham and other Christmas Foods, all coming from the Café and the Queen of Hearts and a few Christmas Eatery Booths that had been set up on the Main Street, just in front of the Boardwalk.
All in all, the entire Town was dripping with Christmas Enchantment, looking, and feeling just like a Storybook Christmas of Years gone By.
The Townspeople were full of Holiday Cheer!
How could they not be in this extraordinary setting?
Holiday Joy filled their faces and there was an extra spring in their step as they bustled around, preparing for their own individual Christmases for those they loved.
Allie had been right! This Christmas was going to be their very best Christmas ever!
'We're due a real Christmas now that we finally are at home!' thought Nathan.
And he couldn't help but smile, as he inwardly added, 'And we are expanding our Family of two with more Love than either of us could have imagined! Yes, Allie Bean, this without a doubt is going to be our best Christmas ever!'
Elizabeth and Allie were baking Christmas Cakes and Cookies today for all their Friends. Rosemary was planning to join them a bit later after she ran an errand. Frederic and Little Jack were just excited to spend the day playing together!
Later that evening, Allie was going to leave to spend the night at Opal's.
And Elizabeth and Nathan were going to take advantage of their time alone to wrap the Children's Christmas gifts together, along with their other presents for Family and Friends!
Nathan was going to pick up their meal from the Café so neither of them would have to worry about Cooking Dinner.
When Nathan saw the four strange men in front of the Livery on his way to his Office, he immediately sensed trouble, but what kind he couldn't pinpoint, other than the general variety.
But Nathan had learned a long time ago, things are never quite as simple as they seem. And this morning, he got the distinct impression, these crude "Gentlemen" (and the term is being used very loosely) weren't visiting Hope Valley just to be stopping by or passing through the little Town!
They were on a mission of sorts, or so it seemed.
"Good Morning, may I help you?" he asked.
The tallest Man quickly spoke up, proving to Nathan he was the ringleader of whatever this was.
"Yes, Constable. We be looking for a place to git some eats and maybe some ennertainment if you git ma' drift…" and he snarled a grin that showed he had very few of his God-given teeth still left in his mouth.
"Oh, I get your "Drift" in more ways than one," said Nathan in a low even tone, with their stench almost overcoming him.
With eyes of steel, he surveyed the unkempt crew.
"But Hope Valley doesn't have what you're looking for as far as 'Entertainment,' so I suggest you go somewhere that does if that's what you're looking for. The food we can handle. There's a Café and a Saloon, the Queen of Hearts. Take your pick. And after you're fed, I'll be happy to see you out of Town."
"Why, Constable! That ain't very hospible. And it sure don't show any Christmas Spirit! We mite jus like it here and we jus mite stay a while. Ain't that so, Boys?"
"Well, if that be the case," and Nathan lowered his eyes because he was still a head taller than the tallest Man, "I'd suggest you keep it real clean. You don't want to overstep your Welcome, you understand that?"
"Why, Constable? The way I see it, there's jus one of you and let me see…math was never ma strong suit. But yep, there's one…two…three…four? Yep, four of us! Our sides a little heavy-handed and your side's comin' up mighty short!" and he let out a raucous, threatening laugh.
His crew joined in.
Nathan's entire face had turned to steel by this time, but he laughed back with a sneer no one should ever want to see on this Mountie's face, least of all someone on the other side of the Law.
"It might look that way, mightn't it? But, let me tell you something," in a voice that left no doubt, he meant every word, and in one swift move, he grabbed the Man by his collar and lifted him right off the ground, straight up to his face.
"You make one false move, and you'll live to regret it. All four of you will. I promise you that! Now, Gentlemen, are we understood? You all have a good day, and Merry Christmas!"
It didn't take the two Constables long to get their much-needed information, with both of them working on it at top speed, and along with Headquarters pulling some strings.
Especially when Nathan had pretty much figured it out on his fast-paced walk to the Office, he knew it had to have something to do with Packer Johnston and Lucas Bouchard.
"Nathan, just as you thought, these guys are Cousins to one of Packer's Gang Members."
Nathan flew out of his chair, grabbing an extra pistol.
Aaron continued, "The word at the Prison is Packer's recruiting a Henchman. They're here to kill Bouchard. To finish the job, Packer couldn't complete, so to speak!"
Aaron grabbed his extra pistol, too, and quickly tucked it in his serge.
He was immediately at the door by Nathan's side.
As they came out to the Boardwalk and crossed the Street, they could see there was a lot of coming and going, to and from the Saloon.
"Thank goodness! The Saloon is super busy. They're not going to shoot him right in front of everyone. My guess is they'll try to kidnap him unless they can get him alone," figured Nathan.
As the two Constables hurriedly crossed the Street, Florence appeared out of nowhere, as if by magic, with yet another citizen complaint!
"Florence, sorry, it has to wait. Get Bill to the Saloon right now! Tell him there's four of them, and we need backup," directed Nathan.
"Yes, Constable!" and she was off to Bill's Office as fast as she could go!
"Aaron, ready for some Lunch?"
"Ripe and ready, Nathan. Let's do this!"
The four grungy Visitors were all sitting center stage in the Queen of Hearts, and thankfully, Lucas was nowhere to be seen.
But Nathan did see Sophie and walked straight toward her keeping his back to the men.
"So nice to see you, Carole!" he said more loudly than he usually would have.
"Act natural. Go back to Lucas's apartment and make sure he stays there with you. Do not leave. Understood?" he whispered.
Somehow Sophie managed to give a feeble smile, which Nathan coached her to widen, as the men were watching their interaction intently.
"Carole, Masie's coming to see you this afternoon. I hope that's alright and works into your schedule!" he said, again loudly enough for the Men to hear.
"Oh, sure, Nathan. I've been dying to see her. Just have her tell Gustav when she gets here, and he'll get a message to me somehow."
"Will do!" Nathan answered loudly, then whispered, "Stay, under no circumstances do either of you come out."
Sophie smiled a broad smile and reached to kiss Nathan on the cheek, so she could whisper, "Lucas isn't here. I don't know where he is…"
"Thanks again, Carole!" said Nathan loudly as he turned and waved.
Nathan strolled over to Gustav and wrote on the napkin, "Where's Lucas?"
"Oil Office," he whispered low.
"Don't mention his or Sophie's name…" warned Nathan in a low whisper.
"Gustav, I'd like a round of drinks for my new friends here, and Aaron's going to order lunch for us. I'll be right back," he announced loudly.
As Nathan walked out the Saloon Doors, Bill was about to come in.
"Bill, here's what we've got. Packer's recruiting a Henchman to kill Bouchard for real this time. Four low-lifes, Cousins to one of his Gang Members, have taken the job with a high payout. Aaron's in the Saloon watching them. Sophie is staying in Lucas's apartment. I'm on my way to get Lucas at the Oil Company and slip him in the back, here, to stay with Sophie. Can you join Aaron? I'll be right back."
"Got it, but Nathan, oh, never mind. We'll stay with them…"
"Nathan, so glad you stopped by. I've been worried sick about my Bachelor Gentlemen's Night. They're late on shipping my drinks and of all things, they…."
"Lucas, right now, there's a much bigger concern. The bad news is four Men are sitting in the Saloon, who appear to be as dumb as a box of rocks, but Packer's hired them from prison to kill you. They're probably going to try to kidnap you first. I'm taking you to your apartment. Sophie's already there. Don't dare say her name. She is now Carole. And under no circumstances do either of you leave your apartment! Understood?"
"Understood!"
"Let's go now! I want you off the streets and locked inside. You have your gun there? And ammunition? Good."
"I'm sorry… I'm really sorry, Nathan."
"This is my job, and this is not your fault. And as your Best Man, I can promise you this Wedding's not going to be postponed for any reason. We'll have this taken care of by the end of the day. You and Sophie spend your day focusing on your Christmas Eve Wedding. Leave the rest to us."
Lucas looked like he was about to crumble.
But instead, he came up to Nathan and hugged him.
Nathan could feel him shaking, as though he were terrified and about to cry.
"I know I don't deserve your help, but I appreciate it. Will we always be running from Packer?"
"As I told you, all that personal stuff is behind us. So, yes, you deserve our protection just as much as anyone else in Hope Valley. As for Packer, I don't think so. They'll tighten Packer's ability to communicate even further after this fiasco. Let's get a move on! Besides, I'm the Best Man! So, I guess it's my job times two!" and Nathan grinned that lop-sided grin of his.
Then Nathan thought of something, "Lucas, is anyone expected here in the office today?"
"No, everyone's off for the day, in fact, the week. I had hoped to work here alone all day!"
"Good…can you give me the key?"
Back at the Queen of Hearts, Bill and Aaron had ordered their Lunch, along with Nathan's.
The four unkempt Visitors had eaten their Meals, ordered another round of Drinks, and had moved to the Corner Table next to the piano.
"Well, I'll be…a criminal pianist!" mumbled Bill with a smirk.
And sure enough, the youngest of the group of visitors sat down to play the ivories and began belting out the Christmas Carol, "Deck the Halls!" while the other three put their heads together around their Table.
As it turned out, apparently, that was the only Christmas Carol he knew, and probably the only song he knew, because he played it over and over and over.
"We need to get them out of here, Nathan. What are we going to do?" asked Aaron. "Plus, if I hear that blasted Carol one more time, I can't be responsible for what I'll do!"
"I've got the key to the Oil Office, and no one's supposed to be there at all today…" said Nathan in a very low voice.
"I know what we do!" and Bill started writing on a scratchpad he pulled from his pocket.
As they read the Judge's scribbling, it was all Aaron and Nathan could do not to laugh!
"Okay, I'll get Hickham to take care of moving him! You two get the word out to these four stooges! I'll meet you there," ordered Bill.
Nathan and Aaron finished their Lunch to give Bill plenty of time to complete his assigned task.
Then they pretended to order more Beer and started laughing and talking loudly, more than loud enough for the four scruffy Men in the corner to hear them.
Thankfully, by this time, most of the Customers had finished eating and cleared out.
"I can't believe Lucas ever agreed to it! Can you imagine Bouchard as Santa Claus?" exclaimed Aaron, laughing loudly and uncontrollably. "It's just too funny for words!"
"Well, I suppose Lucas could pass for a rather formal Santa Claus! But, yeah, I'm surprised he agreed. I saw him dressed up in the red suit with his beard, and it's hysterical! He was headed on his way to his Oil Office. Said he had to rest up before he faced all those kids this evening!" and Nathan shook his head, and ran his hands through his hair, as his body convulsed with laughter.
The two Constables laughed till they were red in the face!
And that was all it took.
Both Constables knew their bait had been taken hook, line, and sinker!
They winked to Gustav as they paid their bill and exited the establishment, quickly heading to the Oil Company, running behind the Town's buildings, out of sight.
As they got there, Bill and Mike Hickham ran out of the building to meet them, and all of them quickly moved to the side of the Oil Office together, all out of sight.
"Thanks, Mike! We owe you one!" said Nathan. "But you probably need to exit pretty quickly! They're on their way here…"
"Let me know how it goes. Good luck! And Merry Christmas!" and Mike ran behind the buildings so he wouldn't be seen.
"I don't like shootin' Santa. It just ain't right!" whaled the youngest one, whose name was Jasper. "Talk about bein' on the Naughty List! I'll never git off!"
"You Idiot. He ain't really Santa. He's just dressed up like one!" said their wise esteemed Leader.
"But if we kidnap him, everone's gonna see us with the Huge Guy in the Red Suit and all," that was from the shortest fellow, named Sampson. "And I jus hate bein' the one kidnappin' Santa Claus!"
"That's why we're goin jus shoot him rite there and get it over with, Stupid!" explained the third member of this motley crew. "Ain't I rite, Eldon?"
"Yep, you're rite, alrite! That's what we gonna do, and we gonna do it quick too, Smithy, so's we can get out of here fast. Wait…forgot the dang Horses!"
So, the four did an about-face in the middle of the Street and headed back to the Livery to get their forgotten Get-Away Horses!
Bill, Aaron, and Nathan could barely stand it, wanting to laugh so bad they were about to burst, but not daring to actually do so!
The Judge and two Constables waited in silence while their prey finally led their horses down the center of the Street, back toward them.
It was rather hard to believe the four ruffian "Gentlemen" standing in the Street were actual criminals who could successfully carry out a crime of any sort. Still, their records said they had pulled off quite a few, which most certainly didn't speak so highly of Law Enforcement everywhere!
So, although it seemed ludicrous, it was imperative that Aaron, Nathan, and Bill take every precaution.
The visitors tied up their Horses a little before they reached the Oil Office, seemingly to further discuss their plan of attack.
But thankfully, they were close enough to be overheard, tying themselves up into more guilt, even more tightly than their Horses had just been tied to their posts!
"Sampson and I gonna lead the way, but Smithy, you bring Jasper wit' you. He needs to be learnin' how to do this here stuff! He ain't never killt before!"
"Bingo,' whispered Bill in a low mumble to his Constables, "Now, we've got every last one of you!"
"We gonna shoot the door in?" asked Jasper.
"No, Stupid," and their Leader turned the knob to the unlocked door, motioning for them all to follow.
As soon as they got inside, "This is how you do it, Boys!"
He pulled his gun and shot the 'sleeping' Santa through the back of his head.
Their Leader did get extra points for using his silencer, but Aaron and Bill had their guns in the backs of all three Henchmen before they could turn around. And Nathan came through the back door for their Leader, facing him directly.
"Drop it now!" Nathan ordered. "To the floor."
Even the Gang's esteemed Leader had made a drastic mistake.
Once he shot Santa, he had lowered his gun…
And the rest is history.
Back at the Jail, what Aaron and Nathan hadn't expected, was that playing the piano wasn't the only thing Jasper could do with his hands.
They had already locked the Leader, Eldon, and Smithy in the first Cell. And they were getting ready to do the same thing with Sampson and Jasper when Jasper somehow slipped out of his restraints and walloped Nathan in the jaw as he was opening the door to the Cell, and just as quickly turned to do the same, only worse, to Aaron!
Bill grabbed Sampson and locked him up, while it took both Nathan and Aaron on the floor to hogtie slithery Jasper and bind him again, not once but twice!
"Pretty stupid, Kid!" and that was not from Bill, Nathan, or Aaron, but his own fearless Leader!
"Guess I haven't learnt you not to do that yet!" and Eldon just shook his head.
Bill just covered his face…in all his years of keeping the Law, he wasn't sure he'd ever seen anything quite this crazy, and at Christmas, too!
Elizabeth ran to her front porch as soon as she heard Nathan's knock!
She was in the middle of kissing him when she realized he was loaded down carrying their Dinner
It wasn't until he stepped inside that she was horrified to see his face…
"Nathan, Darling, what happened? You're black and blue!"
"Aaron's bruised a lot worse, and the town's stuffed Santa is even worse than him…he has a bullet through his head," whispered Nathan as he saw the Children come running to him.
"Nathan Grant, that is not funny!"
"Well, if you'd been there, it sort of is!" declared Nathan.
"What happened, Dad?" asked Allie anxiously.
"Let me put all this Food down, Sweetheart, and I'll explain it all!"
Elizabeth followed him to the Kitchen, closing the door behind her.
"Are you really alright?" and she took her hand and very gently touched his battered cheek.
"I'm fine, Darling! It's all part of the job, not a fun part, but Aaron and I are lucky that bruised jaws are all we got."
And he reached to kiss her to prove it, but kissing her proved to be a bit more painful than he had imagined as he winced at the touch of her soft skin pressed against his cheek.
"Here, let's try it this way," and he turned his face so that his other cheek was against hers.
And that was the answer…
"See perfect!"
"Perfect! But I'm still upset, and you are giving me the entire story after Allie leaves and Jack's in bed. And that's an order!"
It was clear to see Elizabeth meant business.
'Sort of like being called to the Principal's,' Nathan thought. 'Yes, she's for sure upset, really upset...'
She kissed his neck, tenderly caressing the back of his neck with her free hand, and Nathan decided he'd better enjoy it while it lasted!
And then she pulled back to smile at him.
"I'm crazy in love with you, Constable!"
"I love you, Elizabeth, more than you'll ever know!" and he meant it with every ounce of his being, bruised and swelling jaw included!
Nathan wasn't very experienced in this sort of thing, but he was desperately hoping, all would be forgiven and forgotten.
'Although probably way too early for that...' he correctly surmised.
The Couple sidled through the Kitchen door arm in arm to let the Children know Nathan was truly okay.
They all sat on the Settee in front of the Christmas Tree, watching the Lights dance around the Tree for a few moments.
Nathan put his arm around Allie and lifted Little Jack to his lap, as Elizabeth nestled into his other side, looping her arm around the one he was holding Jack with.
"Okay, here's the story. On my way to Town, I ran into four very crude and rough-looking Men at the Livery. It turns out they weren't very nice people, and Aaron, Bill, and I ended up having to put them in Jail. Two were locked in their Cell, and as I was opening the door to the second Cell, somehow the youngest guy, who played the piano, by the way, Allie, got out of his restraints and took a swing at me before I could even realize what was happening. He was so quick, and he got Aaron too! And that's about it!"
"But, Dad, does it hurt bad?"
"Not bad, Allie Bean. Only when I touch it! It will be gone in no time. Nothing's broken. And yes, Carson checked us both out! All clear, just bad bruises!" he turned his head and added for Elizabeth's benefit.
"Well, that's a relief! Thank you, Carson!" said a very grateful Elizabeth.
"Is Uncle Bill okay, Dad?" asked a concerned Allie.
"Yes, Uncle Bill is fine. He was a big help, though," bragged Nathan. "He was actually the mastermind of our plan to get them!"
"Dat!"
"You want a kiss, Big Guy?" and Little Jack reached to give Nathan a sloppy kiss.
"I tell you what, why don't I go set the table with the food, and I'll serve you three for a change!" offered Nathan.
"Only if you let me help!" insisted Elizabeth. "Allie, do you mind watching Jack?"
"Of course not, Mrs. Thornton," and Allie reached to take Jack from her Dad.
Elizabeth shut the Kitchen door tightly behind her, "Don't you dare think you're getting away with that short version for me!"
"Wouldn't dream of it! You'll get every sordid and hysterically funny detail!" laughed Nathan.
"Um, hum!"
"No, I'm serious, as funny as any arrest can be! Mountie's honor!"
"We'll see…" pronounced Elizabeth with a very skeptical look on her face.
Nathan laid out the Food while Elizabeth got out the plates and drinks.
They had Dinner on the Table and ready to eat in a matter of minutes.
"Allie, Jack, come for Dinner!" called Elizabeth.
Nathan walked Allie to Opal's, more for alone time together than anything else…
"Dad, I'm quite capable of walking myself!"
"I know you are, but can't a Dad walk his Daughter to an Overnight just because he loves her?"
Allie beamed and grabbed him around the waist, "I love you, Dad!"
"You and Opal have fun, and mind Mrs. Weise! Help her, too!"
"Yes, Sir!"
Nathan smiled and waved as the Weises' met Allie at their front door.
He then turned and hurried back to Elizabeth's, where Little Jack was waiting for him to tuck him into bed!
"I tried to tuck him in myself, Darling. But he wanted you!" explained Elizabeth.
Elizabeth had tried to do it herself to save time, but Jack had insisted that "Na'tan do it!"
As Nathan walked down her stairs, having completed a story, a song, and a kiss for Little Jack, he had a grin on his face, at least one as wide as his bruised, sore, and now totally swollen, jaw would allow.
Elizabeth shuddered slightly, sitting amid all the wrapping paraphernalia she had assembled for their night of wrapping Christmas Presents while he had been upstairs.
"It physically hurts me to see you hurt, Darling. I can barely stand it! And it's swelling more!" and she looked down, so she wouldn't have to see his jaw.
He would apply something cold later.
But for now, he took her in his arms, trying to guard his bruise, though not really caring.
All he cared about at this precise moment was comforting the Woman he loved, letting her know he was fine, and showing he loved her beyond measure.
"Elizabeth, look at me. This bruise will be gone in a week's time. But I'll still be here. I'll always be here for you, Darling! Always! Let's get Coffee, and I'll tell you everything."
"It really is funny," he teased with sparkling eyes.
"You know it's not fair for your eyes to sparkle!"
"I know…" and then all their words were replaced by just their lips bringing them together as one.
"Better?" he asked tenderly.
"Better!" she whispered, "But you're still telling me the whole story!"
They got their Coffee and took it to the Settee where he drew her to his lap, being careful to position her on his right side.
"I knew something was up when I saw them at the Livery. The Leader had fewer teeth than a Baby, and they were, let's just say, very unrefined… Of course, I didn't know their names at the time, but they are Eldon, the Leader, Sampson, Smithy, and Jasper, the youngest, who also plays the piano. He entertained us at the Saloon with a Concert of one Christmas Carol!"
"And yes, they threatened me, thinking I was the only one. So, I set them straight, telling them how it was going to be. As I walked back to my Office, I knew they had something to do with Packer and Lucas, so Aaron and I researched everything at a furious speed, even getting Headquarters in on the search. Aaron confirmed that it was indeed Packer who had sent them to kill Lucas for real this time."
"So, Aaron and I went to the Saloon, running into Florence on the way, who we sent to get Bill. I bought our surly visitors a round of drinks. After talking with Sophie and realizing that Lucas wasn't there, Gustav let me know he was at the Oil Company. Got Lucas and took him to his Apartment with Sophie. Then had Lunch with Aaron and Bill, watching our four Visitors. And yes, Jasper, the youngest, the one with the punch, played 'Deck the Halls' on the Bar's piano, but apparently, that was all he knew how to play, because he played it over and over again, until poor Aaron was about to go crazy!"
"We needed to get the four Men outside of the Saloon, so Bill came up with the idea that we would let them overhear us talking about Lucas playing Santa Claus while also dropping the fact that he was at his Oil Office. That's where Bill and Hickham come in. You know the life-size stuffed Santa Claus that stands in front of the Mercantile? They placed him in Lucas's Office Chair and then turned him to face the far wall of his Office."
"We slipped behind the Oil Office and waited for them. But they were so dumb, they first forgot their Get-Away Horses, so they had to turn around and go to the Livery to get them. Then when they got back, they tied the Horses up and laid out their plan, telling us everything we needed to know and incriminating themselves in the process. All four of them went inside, which was exactly what we wanted, so they would all share in the guilt. Apparently, they were teaching Jasper how to kill."
"Aaron and Bill took the backs of the three from the front door after the Leader shot Santa. I went around through the back door and took the Leader, who did get extra points for using a silencer, by the way! But he lowered his gun and never even realized he had shot the stuffed Santa. He actually thought he had killed Lucas, which is exactly what we want Packer to think!"
"Everything went fine, till we got to the Jail, and you pretty much know the rest. Bill had the first two in their Cell, and I was opening the door to the 2nd Cell for the last two when Jasper, the wily little thing, came out of his restraints. Aaron and I still haven't figured out how! He hit me from the side before I could even see what was happening. And just as quickly turned and pummeled Aaron.
It took both of us to subdue him on the floor and put him back into double restraints this time!"
"And although this Christmas Caper was hysterical from the get-go (you'd understand if you saw these characters) after Jasper hit us, Eldon, the Leader told him, "Pretty stupid, Kid! Guess I hadn't learnt you not to do that yet! Oh, and at first Jasper was the one that didn't want to shoot Santa, that there was 'just something not right about it'…that he'd 'never get off Santa's naughty list now!' They were also worried about being seen kidnapping the Huge Guy in the Red Suit if the murder didn't work out!"
"Now, see, isn't that sort of funny?" Nathan whispered into her ear.
But he couldn't quite read the look on her face.
She turned so she could look at him straight through his beautiful blue eyes.
"Someday, we will laugh about this together, my Love. But not tonight, Nathan Alexander Grant."
"Not tonight…and not as long as that bruise is on your face," she added.
Thankfully, Nathan instinctively knew enough not to tease, for her look was a formidable one.
That of a Woman completely in Love with the bruised and swollen Man, who was thankfully holding her.
Nathan tried his best to keep a solemn face, though he couldn't help the slightest of smiles that played at his lips or the sparkles that danced in his eyes…
He would definitely pay for his role in this little Christmas Caper, but it was going to be so worth it when they fully made up...