The greenhouse hummed with energy, the misters running on the exotic section as I rinsed off my mortar and pestle. Night was already falling beyond the panes of glass.

The back door opened, and Gerry strode in. “I got all your plants in.” He swiped his ball cap off and scratched his forehead. “But I see you’ve noticed.”

I’d taken the new arrivals out and arranged them in their respective spots the previous night. “Yep, they all look good.”

He bent over and scrutinized some of the grafted hybrids that were already beginning to thicken along the stem. “You think these are going to make some sort of Frankencucumber?”

I laughed. “I don’t think so. Probably a medium-sized cucumber with superior pest resistance.” I clapped the dirt off my hands and moved along the row toward him. “But I’ll eventually have to field test. Probably with aphids.”

He stood straight and peered around. “You want to set aphids loose in here?”

“Of course not.” I pointed at the yard. “Maybe sometime in the summer we can put a few test gardens out there.”

“I reckon Mr. Lindstrom would be fine with that. Yeah.” He stared out at the dormant grass, the sunlight fading behind the trees.

“I’m surprised you’re working today. You don’t get Christmas Eve off?”

“I do.” He slapped his worn cap back onto his gray hair. “I just wanted to come by and make sure you were happy with the deliveries.”

“I am.” I have everything I need.

“Good. If you want anything else, I’ll be by again soon.”

“Great. See you then.” I smiled. “And thanks for everything.”

“Yes ma’am. Very welcome.” He strode away. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas.”

He left me alone with my greenery and my thoughts. The morning with Sebastian had been mind-blowing and unexpected. There was some piece of me inexplicably tangled up in him. I’d been foolish to think I’d ever get these stolen days back, that I’d ever be able to move on as I had before. He’d changed me, and as I returned to the sink and finished rinsing my tools, I couldn’t tell if it was for the better.

The door to the house swung open. “How did Gerry do on the plant delivery?” Sebastian walked to me and wrapped his arms around my waist as I dried my hands.

“Perfect.”

“That’s what I like to hear.”

“Anything of particular interest?” He glanced down the rows of plants.

The coil of tension in my shoulders relaxed under his steady touch. “Not really, unless you’re into orchids.”

“I’m afraid I’m not much of a gardener. Nothing like you. If you asked me to point out which plant in here was an orchid, we’d be here all day.”

“Noted.” I turned and looked into his eyes. “But I’m not much for business, so I suppose we’re even.”

He leaned in. “You have any mistletoe?”

“No. Mistletoe is actually a parasite that affixes to trees and feeds from their nutrient systems.”

He smirked. “A vampire plant?”

“Something like that, yeah.”

“Is there anything you don’t know about plants?”

“I’m sure there is.” His nearness sent my compass spinning. “Someone would have to ask me the right question.”

“Speaking of questions, what do you want for Christmas?”

“I think you know.” It was worth a try.

He sighed. “Other than that.”

“Hmm, let me think about it?”

“All right.” He took my hand, and we walked into the house. “Aren’t you going to ask me what I want?”

I crinkled my nose. “I’m certain it would be an exceptionally explicit sexual favor.”

He kissed the back of my hand. “See? You already know me so well.”

He led me to the foyer.

“Where are we going?”

“I want to show you something.”

“What?” I cocked my head at him as he handed me a coat.

“It’s a surprise.”

“Is it bodies? It’s bodies, isn’t it?”

He laughed, a full-throated sound that tried to melt every pocket of resistance inside me. “No. Maybe I’ll take you on that tour a little later.”

He helped me into my coat, then snugged a knit hat down over my ears. “Warm enough?”

“Toasty.”

“Excellent.” He grabbed his own coat and led me out the front door. His phone buzzed incessantly, but he silenced it.

“Glad the anklet still works,” I said dryly. “Would hate for it to go out.”

“I’m glad we agree there.” He pressed his hand to my lower back and led me to a black ATV sitting just outside the front door. A cold sweat broke out along my skin. Did he know what I was up to?

“Let’s go.” He slung a leg over the seat and patted the leather behind him. I followed and climbed on.

Before I could ask where we were headed, he took off down the smooth driveway. Darkness had fallen quickly, the gloom growing deeper with each passing moment.

I clung to him as he gunned it, the cold air cutting past us as we hurtled away from my prison. A fleeting thought of him releasing me scurried through my mind. I swept it away before my heart put any stock in it. Sebastian wasn’t going to change his mind. That much I knew. And that’s why my course was set. Even so, I pressed my cheek against his strong back and breathed him in.

He slowed as we crested a small rise along the tree line. Turning the ATV, he stopped and switched the motor off.

I took his hand, and he helped me up. The house looked like something from a Bronte novel, all stone and glass, with a façade that spoke of hidden passageways and history. A small herd of deer grazed near the woods along the far side of the lawn.

“What are we doing?” I tilted my head back and inspected the stars that glittered through the blackness.

He pulled his phone from his pocket and tapped away for a moment, then stowed it again. “Come here.”

I melted into his embrace, my back to his chest as he directed me to watch the house.

“Wait for it.”

The lights inside the house faded, leaving the structure shadowy and foreboding. Then something magical happened. White lights sparkled across the eaves, the roof, along the windows, and straight down the corners of the house. Every cornice, every stone outcrop was lined with the twinkling lights that reminded me of holidays spent at home, but on an even grander scale. Like a vista from a snow globe, the lights promised a happy holiday with loved ones.

“It’s all for you.” He kissed the crown of my head.

A tear slipped down my cheek. “It’s beautiful.” Somehow my voice made it past the knot in my throat.

“I knew you’d like it.” The simple joy in his voice threatened to break my resolve. But I couldn’t give up on my plan. Not now.

We stood for a little while longer, watching as the lights glowed into the cold night.

He kissed my neck. “Let’s get you inside before you freeze.”

The ride back to the festive house was over in a few short moments, and he hustled me inside and helped me strip out of the coat and hat. The ATV remained on the front lawn, and I watched from the corner of my eye as he pocketed the key and then hung up his coat next to mine. I hadn’t planned for such an easy getaway, but I’d take whatever opportunities I found. Of course, I wouldn’t get far on just an ATV. I ran my fingers over the small packet hidden in my jeans pocket. I’d need to use it if I had any hope of leaving the grounds.

The scent of dinner wafted down the long hallway.

“Rita made a feast and plans to make another one for tomorrow.” His dark hair fell into his eyes as he smiled down at me.

I brushed the strands away and had the urge to get on my tiptoes and kiss him.

“You can.”

“I can what?”

“Kiss me. You always glance to my lips when you think about it.”

“Psycho.” I bounced up on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for the lights.”

“You’re welcome.”

We walked to the dining room and took our usual places at the table as Rita served more food than a small army could possibly consume. Turkey, dressing, rolls, green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potato with a pecan crust, and more.

Despite the feast, I picked at my food. My stomach roiled, and I wondered if I could go through with it. But I had to. I kept reminding myself that there was no other way. The only way out of this was the one I had to make for myself.

“What’s wrong?” Sebastian took a sip from his glass of red.

“Nothing.” I speared what looked like a delicious green bean, but it tasted like ash in my mouth.

“Something.” He took my hand. “You can tell me.”

It was now or never. I grabbed my wine glass, stood, and stepped over to him. He pushed back from the table, and I sat in his lap.

His easy smile, the one that was true, spread across his lips. “To what do I owe this affection?”

“I just wanted to tell you that I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. The library, the greenhouse, the lights, that night in the city.” My heart swelled with unsaid feelings and smothered thoughts. But this would have to be enough. A simple thank you.

“If any of it made you happy, even for a moment, it was worth it.” He kissed me, slow and soft, a seductive dance that he was far too good at.

I could have stayed there, given in to him, and accepted my fate as his captive. It would have been so easy to just accept it. A dark voice inside me pleaded with me to do just that. Instead of listening to it, I broke the kiss and stood. But when I did, I juggled my glass and dropped it, the shattering sound rocketing around the large dining room.

“Watch it.” Sebastian lifted me and set me on the other side of the table, away from the broken glass.

Rita rushed in and immediately began cleaning up my mess.

“I’m so sorry.”

“It’s all right.” Sebastian knelt and handed a few of the larger pieces of glass to Rita.

I slid the packet from my pocket and shook its contents into his drink. The tiny bits of ground leaves sank into the red liquid, all but disappearing before my eyes.

Sebastian rose and walked to the sideboard for another glass. He filled it halfway for me and handed it across the table.

Rita wiped up the wine and returned to the kitchen.

“Thanks,” I called to her retreating back.

Sebastian re-took his seat. “I don’t think I’ve ever eaten so much in my life.” He grabbed his glass and brought it to his lips.

I held my breath.

“Hang on.” He pulled back and peered at me.

My stomach sank.

“Let’s toast.”

“Oh?” I thought I might pass out from the sheer stress of it. “To what?”

“To us.” He held his glass out.

I took mine and clinked it against his.

With a smile, he put the glass to his lips and drank. I followed suit, taking two large pulls of wine.

From my brief study of Conium maculatum, commonly known as deadly hemlock, I knew that the most potent toxins resided in its leaves. When I’d asked for the plant from Gerry, I’d hoped no one would pay any attention to the plant that looked like nothing more than a smaller version of Queen Anne’s Lace. My hopes had paid off. When I’d returned from the city, the plant had been included in Gerry’s delivery.

I’d taken only two leaves from the plant, dried them with salt, and ground them down with the mortar and pestle. Six leaves would cause death. Two, though, would cause temporary paralysis.

Sebastian set his glass down. “Would you like to—” He coughed and gripped the sides of his chair.

“Are you all right?” I stood.

“I’m okay.” He blinked a few times. “I’m—” He stiffened and fell with a crash. My heart thumped with a thick beat of dread when he hit the floor, but this was the only way.

Rita rushed from the kitchen, her eyes wide when she saw Sebastian lying on the floor, his eyes closed.

I had to run. I wouldn’t get a second chance. “I’m sorry.” Tears blurred my vision as I dashed to the hallway and into the foyer. Grabbing Sebastian’s coat, I wrenched the front door open and snagged the keys from his pocket.

The ATV started right up, and I jetted down the front driveway, the brightly lit house at my back. Freedom was right in front of me. All I had to do was brave the icy air, my breaking heart, and the guilt that threatened to crush me.

I crested the hill from earlier and gunned it down the straight shot to the gate along the highway. By some stroke of luck, it was wide open. The ATV whizzed through the dark night, carrying me and all my hopes on its back. When I reached the open gate and sped onto the highway, I almost couldn’t believe it.

Turning right, I headed toward the city. No cars passed as I fled, but that was to be expected on Christmas Eve night in the boonies. The road dipped and fell, each mile slightly different than the last. At one point, both sides of the road rose up, gray stone walls shining in the moonlight. After a few more minutes, a sound began to encroach on the hum of the engine. A steady thump. One that I recognized.

All the blood drained from my face as a helicopter flew overhead and began its lazy float to the ground about fifty yards ahead. I looked behind me and saw headlights. A flash of hope died when I recognized Sebastian’s limo.

I stopped. All the hope I’d bottled up leaked away and disappeared into the frigid air. He’d caught me, just like he’d always told me he would. There was no escape. It was over.

The helicopter landed, and Sebastian—the same man I thought I’d paralyzed only minutes ago—stepped down and strode over to me.