CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
KATY
Christmas Eve
Katy woke and stretched in her very comfortable bed and remembered the day and where she was. She glanced at the window. Snowflakes floated from the sky.
She ran to the glass pane and looked out, propping her elbow on the windowsill and supporting her chin with her hand.
It was Christmas Eve.
Simply beautiful.
She got ready for the day, taking a shower in the very modern retrofitted bathrooms, breathing in the French soaps and lotions, and pampering herself. Then she changed into three different outfits before settling on an off-white sweater and leggings.
Maybe she was imagining more in Marcus’s gaze, but she sensed a softening. If he would have her again…
Her hand stilled as she applied a light coat of lip gloss.
Would she love him this time?
She listened to her heart.
Should I love him this time, Lord?
An answer didn’t come, and Katy took a deep breath. She hoped she could get the gift of discernment for Christmas.
Katy went down to breakfast, and Marcus wasn’t around yet. Stamping down her disappointment, she walked to the sideboard loaded with cheeses, thin slices of ham and roast beef, yogurts, and cereals. There were also chafing dishes of eggs and sausages. She took a plate of cheeses and meats just as Marcus entered the room.
Katy’s breath caught in her throat as she glimpsed him looking handsome in a blue sweater that looked good with his beard.
She took a seat at the table and started eating, acutely aware that behind her, Marcus was moving along at the buffet table.
Jay and Talia entered, hand in hand, laughing at a private joke. Talia broke away from her husband and ran up to Katy, hugging her.
“Did you see the snow today?” Talia practically squealed.
“Yes,” Katy said, amused by her friend’s excitement.
“I’ve arranged for us to ride in horse sleighs. Further up the mountains, there’s fresh snowfall. The first time in ten years, Jay says. It’’ll be so pretty.” She turned to Marcus. “Won’t you please join us?”
Marcus was considering her request, casting a glance toward Katy.
“If Katy would like me to,” he said.
Katy gazed into his eyes. “Yes.”
“Then I would love to.”
Katy pretended to be busy buttering her bread slice, remembering belatedly that she didn’t even care for butter. Gladness bubbled within her.
After breakfast, an SUV took them to the foothills of the Mondragón mountain range, where two dreamy old-fashioned sleighs waited for them. Garland decorated the horses, and they wore fancy feathered headdresses that bobbed in the breeze.
The wind picked up, stinging Katy across her cheeks and penetrating her coat, but there were blankets to cover them, if they wished, from head to toe. Burrowing in them, Katy warmed up. Marcus climbed in after her, tucking the blankets carefully around Katy and then him. She could feel his arm next to hers.
Talia and Jay climbed into the other sleigh.
The drivers flicked the teams of horses into a slow trot. They moved smoothly over the fresh snow, leaving tracks that sparkled in the sun.
Katy turned her face up to its warmth and then opened her eyes to Marcus gazing at her intently.
Katy’s body tingled. To her surprise, he put an arm over her shoulders and clasped her gloved hand in his. Then he raised it out of the blanket and kissed it.
Katy’s drew in a quick breath, her body on fire. He pulled her close, snuggled against his chest.
The horses wore sleigh bells, jingling as they made their way up slopes and into a field of snow. She looked over her shoulder. They were the first leaving tracks here. She hadn’t seen anything so beautiful. Back in New York, there would be slush and grime.
This was pure beauty. Sweet nature.
From the other sleigh, Talia waved at them. Katy waved back. She owed Talia. This was turning out to be a good day, a better day.
Katy flashed Marcus a smile, overflowing in her happiness.
His expression softened. He leaned forward and kissed her softly on her lips.
To add to the magic, snowflakes began drifting down on them. One landed on her nose. Another. Each time, Marcus chased them with a kiss.
She giggled. “There’s several on my lips.”
His gaze grew heated.
Katy’s toes curled in her boots when he kissed her like he never wanted to let her go.
Maybe there would be miracles this Christmas.
***
MARCUS
Marcus reveled in Katy’s goodness. In the way she tucked her head on his shoulder.
He couldn’t get enough of her.
Unfortunately, it was time to head back. He held her close, savoring her sweet scent and having her in his arms.
He recalled the sweet night when he and Katy snuggled for warmth. He hoped he could hold her close night after night, in the near future.
The sleigh stopped at the castle. He turned to Katy so he could do the gentlemanly thing and help her out. There was no graceful way out but into his arms before jumping off.
“Oh,” she said, breathless as he swung her out of the carriage and onto the ground. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Her eyes reeled him in, and he couldn’t look away.
Up on the steps, Talia and Jay walked on into the castle.
Marcus cleared his throat and gestured for Katy to go ahead. Talia met them and whisked Katy off. Katy gave him a sunny backward glance.
Inside, servants moved about, getting ready for the Christmas Eve Ball. A couple of them nearly smacked into him with a ladder. Marcus smiled to himself, even though part of him still didn’t feel the Christmas spirit.
His feelings for Katy had changed, however. He was surprised to realize he was no longer as sad about Amanda as much as he wanted to have Katy in his arms again.
He ran into Jay on his way to his bedroom. “You’re coming to the ball, aren’t you?”
Marcus grinned. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”