CPOV

I kept my eyes closed longer than I needed too but I didn't want the dream to end. It was the same one I had woken from yesterday but today I had a face to go with it. A beautiful face.

When my mother had entered the room yesterday, I never thought she wouldn't be alone. She had only left less than an hour before but I didn't dare wish that she had found her, and so quickly at that. We had all heard Ana's giggle, even my brother was quiet. Well until she had stepped through the door that is.

I could do nothing to keep the smile from my face and I didn't want to, especially when her smile joined mine.

Her touch had calmed me in the days before and it did once again when her hand touched mine. I just hope she can get here again today so I could take her hand in mine once again. I don't think I have ever willed it to stop snowing so much before.

The nurse came in and did her checks, one thing I did like here was they were all professional. They treated me as a patient and not something to drool over.

"Do you know how long I will have to stay here" I asked her.

"The doctor will decide. He will be around for his rounds when breakfast has finished. Eat up now before it gets cold" she said smiling as she took the tray from the woman at the door before they left me in peace.

I had an omelet with toast, and thankfully some black coffee as laying in bed all day was making me more tired than I should feel. I wanted to stay awake. The last thing I wanted to do if Ana came in, was fall asleep.

"Come in" I called when there was a knock on the door, before Taylor stepped inside.

"I thought you had gone back home" I said as I had yet to see him.

"Sorry sir, I have been dealing with the helicopter and press. I thought leaving you in the safe hands of your family was best. I have also been helping Chief Steele and his daughter."

That had my attention as I looked to him.

"What about Ana."

He told me about when she left yesterday and I was angry. She shouldn't have to deal with all of them because she saved my life.

"Her father spoke to her after she had left and Miss Steele had confirmed that she had arrived back home safely."

"That's good, are the press still here."

"Yes but they seem to be dwindling. The cold probably has something to do with it. When you check out of the hospital, we plan to let them know that you have left on your journey back to Seattle. Your helicopter is being moved Friday so I didn't know what your plans are until then."

See Ana, I hope is the only plan I had.

"Do I have a room here when I'm released" I asked him.

"Yes the bed & breakfast is booked out for the forcible future until the plans are finalised for every one to leave."

I know my family has jobs to go back to in Seattle but I know they won't leave without me.

"Knock knock you descent" I heard my brother from the other side of the door. "Hey Taylor, I was just announcing my presence in case you were not alone Christian. Thought maybe a brunette was here" I wish.

"No, just me Elliot" Taylor said making me smirk, he's used to my brother.

"How are you doing brother, any sign of release yet as I was thinking of busting you out of the joint. There a cool bar here."

"I'm hoping when the doctor comes around, he will let me go."

"How's the ribs" he asks seriously.

"I'm fine Elliot, I'm just thankful I didn't break any."

"You will be shouting at everyone again before you know it" he laughed, knowing he was right.

The doctor came in shortly afterwards to check my ribs and head. He told me I was free to leave as long as I took it easy and had a check up with my doctor in Seattle to make sure there was no further bruising. I had to see him especially if I start having headaches.

"You're free, bar here we come" Elliot said as I started to pack my things.

The snow had stopped outside now but still no Ana. I just hope she isn't snowed in and If she is, that she's ok.

..

My mum opened the door to my hotel room, it was small compared to the rooms I had stayed in before but it was very cosy.

"Do you need anything son" my mother asked me.

"No I'm fine, you haven't seen Ana have you." I asked her as she shook her head.

My mother had been gone about thirty minutes and I was settling down for a nap when there was a knock on my door. Getting up slowly, I opened it to see my brother.

"Did I wake you" he asked me.

"I'm fine, is everything ok."

"Yes. Ana is downstairs in the living room" he smiled as I put my shoes back on and followed him down the stairs.

Ana was talking to Mia when we reached the room and turned to greet us when they heard our footsteps. Her smile was back and once again it matched mine as I breathed a sigh of relief that she was here.

"You escaped" Ana said as we moved over to the chairs by the roaring fire.

"Yes, my brother sprung me out and said something about a bar" I told her as I heard my brothers laugh fading away as he left the room with my sister.

Ana laughed as she took her coat off and put it onto the back of her chair before taking a seat. The chairs were too far away as far as I was concerned and Ana knew it. She moved hers closer to mine as I reached for her hand, which she placed in mine.

"How are you feeling."

"A bit sore, but nowhere near as bad as yesterday. The pain killers work, although they make me a bit loopy and tired."

"If you need to go back to your room and sleep Christian, tell me to go" I was shaking my head straight away, the last think I wanted was for her to leave.

"I apologise for not coming this morning. I had to wait until the plough had been, as the snow was a bit deep for my car to go through."

"Its ok, I'm glad you're here. I'm sorry about the press Ana."

"Its alright, it was an old pupil who told them who I was. Plus I didn't see any body's on my way back this morning."

"What do you mean" I laughed.

"My Dad told all the press yesterday that if they followed me, he was going to arrest them for trespassing. Also if they followed and got stuck, then they would have to wait until spring for him to dig them out."

"I like your Dad" I smiled.

"Me, too. He's the best Dad ever."

The fire was crackling in front of us and just like the hand that I held, it was soothing too.

"Sorry, I automatically reach for your hand. Is there a boyfriend going to burst through the door, angry at me for holding it" I asked as her smile dropped, I was about to pull my hand back when she gripped it harder.

"Not for a long time" she said looking to me. "My ex thought, I wasn't worth waiting for."

"Ana" I asked.

"Its ok its in the past. He's not someone I like thinking about let alone talking about. Unfortunately when you live in a town this small, you can't get away from them. Especially when the woman who he cheated with, lives here as well."

"I can understand why you don't live here permanently."

"Oh I could happily, if I wanted too. I love it here and I won't stand by and let anyone ruin it for me. Coving her in muddy water when she sent the press my way, certainly make me laugh. What about you, do you have a girlfriend who's going to come running in."

"No" I shook my head.

"Good, she would be a pretty useless girlfriend if you have been here for days and she only turned up now."

Susanna would have turned up just to pose in front of the press. That would be before she ended up face first in the snow, courtesy of my sister no doubt.

"My ex was more interested in my bank balance and what I could buy her than me. She was quickly gotten rid of when I realised that was what she wanted. Her mother Elena was a friend of my mothers and there was a big falling out when we found out she had encouraged her daughter to get everything she could get out of our relationship including stealing from me."

"She stole money from you" Ana asked shocked.

"Money I didn't care about but when she tried to take a watch that my grandfather had left me, it all came out. I made sure she couldn't get back into my apartment or my offices again."

"We're a right pair aren't me" she said making us both laugh. We certainly were.

"Can I get you anything" I asked.

"No I'm fine, I think I had four cups of tea impatiently waiting for the plough to arrive. Any more and we will be talking with me inside the bathroom."

"When are you going back to Seattle."

"I drive back on Sunday around lunch. By the time I've made sure everything is locked up and said goodbye to my Dad, its usually early afternoon when I get back into Seattle. When do you leave, I know Welch is it, said the helicopter is going to be moved on Friday."

"We're not sure yet."

"If you're here for thanksgiving tomorrow, you're all welcome to join us at the diner" Ana told me.

"I think us all being here, has intruded on everyone enough."

"You won't be intruding Christian, you're all welcome. Some of the smaller family's join up at the diner for dinner. It saves them being on their own and my Dad goes every year. I'm happy I can join him this year and I know you will all be welcome too."

"What could we bring" I asked her.

"Just bring yourselves. There is always enough food for everyone, usually most going back home again but its fun. As long as you don't mind Mrs March squeezing your cheeks."

"Who's Mrs March."

"She was my Dads teacher in school and she still squeezes his cheeks every time she sees him."

"If you don't think we will be intruding Ana, then I will speak to my parents."

She squeezed my hand and smiled as she nodded.

"Where were you coming from before you landed in my garden" she asked me.

"Landed, I would hardly call it landing."

"Ok came down in my garden, yard, mountain side" she laughed.

"I had flown to Wenatchee to meet a man who was selling his lumber company. Elliot works in construction so having the materials within house so to speak, is a bonus for the company's. I was on my way back, when I crashed into your mountain."

"I have been there once, years ago. It's a lot colder there than Winchester. I thought I would need thermals on top of thermals."

"You don't look like the sort of person who wears thermals Ana" I laughed.

"Live long enough in this town and thermal underwear is the first thing you reach for in the morning, especially if you're outside a lot."

"I will have to invest in some then."

We spoke about her work at the publishing company, you could tell that she loved her job and how much she loved to read.

"Have you always lived in Seattle" she asked me.

"No, I was adopted when I was four. Before that I lived in Detroit."

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to" she said squeezing my hand, sensing my distaste of the subject.

"I don't remember a lot Ana and what I do, I don't want to remember. My life began the second that my parents took me into their home and they are the only family I could ever want."

"How old were you when you opened your company" Ana asked me, thankfully changing the subject.

"I was 21. My grandfather had passed away the winter before and he had left us all a sizeable amount of money each. The only stipulation to spending it, was for us to follow our dreams."

"And you did."

"Yes I did, my grandfather was an amazing man who just like our parents supported us in everything we ever did."

"You must have felt good that something you had worked hard on, had come to fruition."

"I did. It was a lot of hard work but I finally realised my dream and my company has gone from strength to strength. Have you always loved to read" I asked her.

"Yes, my Dad said if I wasn't reading then I was out getting lost in the mountains somewhere."

"Do you get lost often."

"Here no, I know these mountains like the back of my hand but if we visit somewhere new, I like to explore. I don't think I'm the type of person who could be inside permanent."

I smiled at her as she described her love of the outdoors, a love I share.

She was very animated as she described her favourite places on the mountain, and made me want to visit everyone of them.

"I can't believe your thirty" she smiled when I had told her my birth date.

"Seems like five minutes since my 21st. Time goes by so fast."

"I know that. Kate tuned 24 a few weeks ago and you would think it was the end of the world as next year she will be in her mid twenties. Me it's just another birthday, bring on 25" she laughed.

"Christian are you hungry" my mother asked as she came into the living room and said hello to Ana.

I hadn't realised how long we had been sat talking as the time ticked by.

"I am mum, where would we eat" I has no idea what was here in town, besides the bar Elliot mentioned.

"There is the restaurant nearby or we can bring you something back."

"Are you hungry" I asked Ana.

"I wouldn't want to intrude" she said making me roll my eyes.

"Now who's talking about intruding and just like you told me, you wouldn't be. Is the restaurant within walking distance" I asked mum.

"Next door."

"Ok, restaurant and you Miss Steele are coming with us."

I got out of the chair while Ana stood up and reached for her coat. She had it on before I could help her and was texting on her phone and smiled when she had her reply.

My mum had gone to my room to get my own coat. I know I should be resting but after being in the hospital for the past few day, it was nice to get some fresh air and just be free. When my helicopter came down, I didn't expect to see anything again so it's like looking at everything with new eyes. I was alive and that was all thanks to Ana.

We walked to the restaurant while Ana spoke to my parents. I had to let her hand go as my brother had his arm through mine at the moment in case I slid on the ice. I had gotten away lucky with only bruised ribs and a concussion but falling and hurting myself will just make it worse.

"Hi Ana" we were greeted when we entered the restaurant.

It was very cosy with an open fire just like the b&b. They already had a Christmas tree up in the corner and there were decorations hanging from the ceiling.

"Bruce's already busy with Christmas" Ana asked the woman as they looked over to who I assume is Bruce, putting mistletoe now over the kitchen door.

"Yes my husband gets in the Christmas spirit earlier every year, so the tree comes out earlier every year. With the mistletoe, he is either being a romantic or looking for any kiss he can get" she laughed as she showed us to our seats.

"Thanks Maggie" Ana said as we were all handed menus.

I had tried to be the gentleman and hold the seat out for Ana but she smiled, as I struggle to do it.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome" I said as I took my own seat beside her.

"Ana was telling me about thanksgiving tomorrow at the diner, if we all want to go" my mother said.

"We wouldn't be intruding would we" my Dad said making me laugh. It hurt my ribs but it was worth it to see the smile on Ana's face.

"No Carrick I have already message Jose who owns the diner and he said you're all more than welcome."

"That's settled then, we have a lot to be thankful for" Mia said looking at Ana and I couldn't agree more.

Like with the hospital, we were left alone to eat. We were not watched like if we were out to dinner in Seattle and it was good to have a meal out with my family with a beautiful woman beside me.

I was reluctant to say goodbye when our meal was over. I know It was time to go back to the hotel as my ribs were starting to ache and I knew I would need my medication soon.

Watching her drive away though, I hope she would get home safely. Even though no more snow had fallen, didn't mean I wouldn't worry.

"You're in trouble brother" Elliot said, pulling me from my thoughts.

He was right, I had known Ana only a few days and she was already in every thought I had.

"I am. Is it thanksgiving yet" I said as we walked towards the b&b.

"I don't know what will happen with you and Ana Christian, but I hope something does. If spending a couple of days together can bring the smile that is on your face now, who knows what a life time together will do. Plus with the amount of mistletoe that was put up in the restaurant, if it's the same in the diner, then there will be plenty of occasions for a kiss."

I pointed Elliot to over the door of he b&b that we must have all missed when we came out. Mistletoe.

"I love you bro but no" he laughed before rushing inside.

Looking the way Ana had left once more and the mistletoe above the door. I smiled hopeful, that a kiss from Ana was in the very near future.

Thank you for reading and reviewing, I'm very happy that you like my story

Until next time, for thanksgiving

Take care

Caroline.