where I met a sexy mountain man.
He lived his life on his own terms, in a cabin in the woods.
But deep inside, he was covering up his own pain.
He was nothing like my ex -- he was older than me, a former Air Force Pilot, and more of a bad boy than a gentleman.
But this gorgeous guy made me want to take risks, with my body, and with my heart.
I might be a virgin, but I was determined to make him notice me.
I got his attention in a different way, when I nearly died on a snowy hill.
He rescued me from certain death.
Stranded together in a snowstorm, we celebrated Christmas.
But his life was not as simple as it appeared.
This trip turned into more than just a good time.
I’m in love with my rugged mountain man.
Will I ever break through the wall around his heart?
With the odds stacked against us, can I show my handsome mountain man that Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year?
Bethany
“Do you think Winston will pop the question tonight?”
My best friend Mia was asking the question that I’d been wondering about for a few weeks now.
I couldn’t suppress my smile as I arranged the fresh garland over the mantle. “I think he will.” I kept my voice low. I glanced across our living room where my mother and our interior decorator were finishing the main Christmas tree. It was a big space but I did not want my mother to hear what I was saying.
My boyfriend had been elusive all day.
Mia pressed her hands over her heart. “I cannot wait to see your ring.”
“He knows I want to get engaged at Christmas.”
“And then you have a year-long engagement and get married next Christmas.”
“Exactly,” I said.
Mia and I finished the garland and joined my other good friend Emmaline in the kitchen. This was my favorite night of the year. The Annual Christmas Tour of Homes. We lived on the street with the most Christmas spirit; every year, every single house on our street was decorated for Christmas. We did not just string lights and hang stockings. We decorated every single room. Even the bathrooms had their own small Christmas trees.
For $15 a person, anyone could tour our homes. We raised thousands of dollars for the local children's hospital. My best friends Mia and Emmaline lived on the same street too. But their mothers hired professional decorators to handle every detail. My mother was a busy lawyer at a non-profit, and she did hire a decorator to help, but she enjoyed picking the decorations out herself. As did I. Emmaline and Mia had been joining us since we were all about six years old.
My fifteen-year-old sister was not as interested in our house. She was locked in her bedroom, irritated that a passel of strangers would soon be parading through our home all night. My ten-year-old brother was excited. My mother had allowed him to display a Star Wars themed tree in his room, complete with a stormtrooper helmet on top.
“Time to start the music,” Emmaline said. She disappeared into my father’s study. She’d been in charge of the playlist since we were fourteen. My dad even had an account for her on his computer, and the house had tiny speakers wired into the ceiling in every room, just for this special night.
Emmaline favored traditional music, and an instrumental version of Silver Bells began to play throughout the house.
“Scents are next!” Mia called out. In the kitchen, she sliced oranges and sprinkled cinnamon on top and then added it to a simmering pot of water. She tossed in some clives and the smell of Christmas would soon fill the kitchen and dining area.
My mother smiled at us as we posed in front of the fireplace for our annual photo. We always wore festive dresses that were cut in a 1950’s party style. I wore red, Emma wore green, and Mia wore silver.
My father was in the foyer setting up the snacks and drinks, which he’d serve with a Santa hat. Mia’s dad usually showed up to help, because her mother hired caterers to handle their food.
I looked at my watch. Winston was usually here by now. He must be fine-tuning the proposal.
Emmaline rushed past me with the carafe we used for apple cider in her hands. “I bet he’s late because he’s getting everything ready.”
“I bet you’re right.” Winston wasn’t romantic at all, but he was flashy. He liked showing off. If it were up to