From Danny Vining, Starlight Bend, Montana, to Santa Claus, The North Pole

Dear Santa,

Thank you for giving me the best Christmas ever. Maddox Campbell took me over to Oregon to see my dad. Maddox stayed with me the whole way, even the scary part in the prison, waiting with all the other kids to see their dads.

I was afraid I wouldn’t know what to say, because I hadn’t seen Dad in so long. I was really little when he went away.

But when I spotted him in the room waiting for us, I didn’t worry anymore. They let me go right up to him, so I ran to him and hugged him hard.

Dad hugged me back, and he started crying. I asked him what was wrong, and he said he was crying because he was happy.

He said thank you to Maddox for bringing me to see him. Maddox said no, it was Haley that made it happen, and told Dad he was going to marry Haley, who is very pretty. Dad said, Good for you, and tell her thank you.

Then he asked about Mom. Mom hadn’t wanted to come, and Dad said he understood. He’d done a bad thing leaving her, but he regretted it, and hoped that when he finished paying for what he’d done—he’d robbed a store so he could buy more alcohol, he told me straight out, and told me it was the worst mistake he’d made in his life. Maybe someday he could go apologize to Mom and see if they could at least be friends again.

I told him I’d talk to her, and he laughed. Then he hugged me again and asked me to tell him everything.

Maddox sat with us, and I told Dad things that had happened at home since I’d seen him. Maddox seemed surprised I had so much to say, because I don’t talk much around him. That’s not because I don’t want to, but I figure no one is interested in what I want to talk about. Dad wanted to hear everything.

I had to leave too soon, but Dad said I could come back anytime. Maddox promised to bring me, said he’d set up a schedule. I didn’t tell Dad, but I decided I’d talk to Mom and see if she’d start coming with me. Maybe not next time, but when she was ready.

I hugged and kissed Dad good-bye, and then Maddox took me out. He and Haley are getting married in January, and they already invited me to the wedding. I will take lots of pictures and show them to Dad.

So, thank you, Santa. I knew you wouldn’t let me down. I know Maddox and Haley set it up, but they couldn’t have without you. Haley even helped me with this letter to you, making sure I spelled everything right. She’s a nice lady.

Stay warm at the North Pole. Maddox says it’s even colder there than in Montana, and we’re pretty cold here.

Talk to you next year.

Love,

Danny

* * *

One year later

“Just about done.” Maddox hung an ornament in the shape of Seattle’s Space Needle near the top of the tree, and looked at his work with satisfaction.

“It could use more.” Haley sat behind him on the sofa, among tissue paper, lights, and more ornaments than any man could get on a tree of any size. If Maddox put on everything Haley and Aunt Jane wanted, he wouldn’t be done decorating until April.

“I want it perfect for Dad,” Haley said, lifting her head to look at Maddox.

Maddox fell in love with her all over again.

His wife’s honey-colored hair was caught in a simple ponytail, and she wore jeans and a sweater, long ago adopting clothes more suited to living on a ranch where summers were cool and winter snows were deep. Haley caught his stare with her brown eyes and flashed him a smile.

She was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

Maddox tapped the ornament, a souvenir from their last visit to Seattle, descended the ladder, and crossed the living room to her. Haley’s face softened as Maddox leaned down and gently kissed her mouth.

Sweet, warm Haley. She laced her arms around Maddox’s neck and pulled him close, opening her lips to kiss him fully. Her sweater hugged her chest, letting Maddox feel the woman inside as he slid his hand down to cup her breast.

Hot breath touched his thigh, then a pile of fur pushed between himself and Haley, along with the smell of snowy dog. Haley laughed as the kiss broke, and she bent to Lance, rubbing his body and resting her cheek on the top of his head.

“Great timing, my friend,” Maddox growled.

Lance panted up at him, looking smug. Sure he was. Haley was now all over him.

Since February, when Haley and Maddox had returned from their honeymoon in the sunshine of Maui, Haley had been working her job online, telecommuting to her father’s business. They’d set up an office for her in one of the upstairs bedrooms, and she travelled to Seattle from time to time to meet with her father and other executives. Or her father and colleagues came here. Starlight Bend in the summer was a beautiful place, and more fishing got done than working.

Maddox, unused to hot climates, hadn’t thought he’d like Hawaii, but he’d found ranchers there who were as willing to fling back a beer and chew the fat as his cronies in Starlight Bend. He’d made friends with the ranchers, discussing the differences between running cattle in cold country and warm, though it snowed on the tops of the high volcanoes on the Big Island. He talked horses with Hawaiians while Haley looked sexy in her bathing suit at the beach, adorable in her snorkel gear.

The nights in their retreat on the secluded side of Maui made Maddox realize he might not mind a wife with money. The romantic hideaway where they could make love all night in the moonlight or lie back listening to the rain was worth it.

Outside, a car door slammed. Lance squirted out from Haley’s embrace and headed for the front door, which he shoved open, letting in a blast of freezing air.

“It’s Dad!” Haley jumped to her feet, scattering lights and paper garlands, her eyes starry. “Lance must have come to tell us he’s here.”

She caught Maddox’s hand and dragged him behind her on the way out the door, not stopping for a coat or gloves. She stomped down the porch stairs in her boots, flinging out her sweatered arms to grab her father in a fervent embrace.

Robert McKee had silver hair, a trim body, and Haley’s brown eyes. He caught his daughter up and swung her around, both of them laughing as he set her on her feet.

Robert came forward, his arm outstretched, as Maddox reached them. He shook Maddox’s hand in a grip that was firm but not harsh. Maddox had realized his strength when they’d first met, just before the wedding. He’d also realized that he liked Robert McKee, who was quiet, thoughtful, and considerate to others, something Maddox hadn’t expected from a rich corporate man. He’d rearranged his prejudices a lot since meeting Haley’s family.

“How are you, Maddox?” Robert asked with enthusiasm. “Is she taking care of you all right?”

“Oh, she’s muddling through,” Maddox said with a shrug.

Haley rolled her eyes at both of them and started for the house. Aunt Jane intercepted them on the porch.

“I’ve never met a man who was so punctual,” Aunt Jane said crisply. “Must be a record. I’ve got supper ready to serve, but you have time to wash up first.”

Robert rubbed his gloved hands. “I’ve been thinking about Jane Howard’s delicious steak and potatoes all the way from Seattle. Made me break all kinds of speed limit laws.”

Aunt Jane was pleased but strove to hide it. “Leave the suitcases for now. Maddox will grab them after dinner.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Robert said. “Hello, Lance. How are you, old buddy?” He leaned down and half hugged Lance, patting his sides with as much enthusiasm as Haley did. Lance loved it, wagging his tail so hard his entire body moved, as did Robert’s.

Robert straightened up and headed inside. His eyes met Aunt Jane’s on the way and his face softened as he smiled just a little bit. Aunt Jane—severe Aunt Jane—flushed a carnation pink, but gazed right back at him.

Robert disappeared inside and Aunt Jane followed, giving him directions to the bathroom, even though he already knew where it was.

Maddox gestured for Haley to precede him into the warm house, but she hung back and clutched his sleeve. “Did you see that?” she whispered.

“Yep. Also saw it last time he visited.”

Haley started to glare, then the glare vanished. “Yeah, I did too.” She looked thoughtful. “Hmm.”

She started in after Aunt Jane, but Maddox pulled her back to the doorway, above which mistletoe had been nailed. “We should let them work it out for themselves.”

“Like we did?” Haley’s eyes glinted with humor. “’Cause we did so well. It almost didn’t happen, we’re both so stubborn.”

“Hey, we’re here, aren’t we?” Maddox pulled her closer. The cold didn’t push at him with Haley against his body. He gave her a leisurely kiss, brushing her soft lips, liking how her lashes swept down as she kissed him back.

“Yes,” Haley said softly. “We’re here. I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

“Miss the big city?” Maddox’s heart beat faster as he waited for her answer. Haley had seemed happy here for the last year, but he’d never pressed the question.

“Sometimes.” Haley’s breath brushed his lips. “But that’s what cars and airplanes are for. I can visit anytime I want, though I don’t seem to want to as much as I thought I would.”

Maddox nodded. “Montana grows on you.”

“No, you grow on me.” Haley grinned. “I want to be where you are, Maddox. Always.”

Maddox tried to think of a smart-ass comeback to continue their smart-ass comeback competition, but nothing sprang to his lips. He only wanted to kiss Haley again.

He scooped her to him to take her mouth. Haley’s fire heated his blood, and the scrape of her teeth on his lips made him wish dinner was a long way off. His wife was one hell of a good kisser, and Maddox wanted to savor her all night.

He eased away and cupped her cheek. “Come on. Let’s pretend we don’t notice them making sheep’s eyes at each other.”

Haley laughed. “This should be fun.”

Maddox gripped her elbow and guided her in, shutting out the cold for the warmth of his home.

* * *

After dinner, snow began to fall, which grew thicker and heavier the darker the night became. Robert offered to help Aunt Jane wash up so the newlyweds could enjoy snuggling by the fire. Maddox and Haley exchanged a surreptitious, knowing look.

Later, when they sought their bed in the large front bedroom they’d moved into, Maddox moved into Haley’s warmth, kissing her hair, her neck, letting his hands wander her bare body. “Heard we’ll be snowed in by morning.”

Haley made a noise of pleasure low in her throat. “No bad thing. Being snowbound is fun—when you’re snowbound with the right person.”

“Damn straight. You’re the right one for me, Haley Campbell.”

“You know you are for me. Or else I wouldn’t have made you stop in the middle of nowhere and propose to me.”

“Is that what you did?” He kissed her breast then circled her nipple with his tongue. “I thought getting married was my idea.”

“It was our idea.” Haley touched his face, and when he raised his head, she pulled him in for a deep kiss.

“I like that,” he said when he finished.

She gave him a sly look. “I might as well give you your Christmas present now.”

“Mmm, and I like the sound of that.” Maddox started to kiss her again, positioning her so he could slide inside her.

Haley put her hands on his chest. “You don’t know what it is, yet.”

“No?” Maddox raised his brows. “I thought you were giving me you.”

“That’s not just for Christmas.” Haley blushed hard as soon as the words came out, as though she hadn’t meant to say it like that. “You know what I mean.”

Maddox chuckled. “Yeah, I do, and I’m enjoying it.”

Haley pushed at him before he could kiss her. “The present is—next year we’ll need to convert another bedroom. And we’ll have a bigger gathering at Christmas.”

Maddox frowned a moment, and then his heart gave one big bang as his body registered what she meant before his brain caught up.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” The words were a croak. “You’re— We—” As usual, his throat squeezed shut when it was time to say the most important things.

“Yes, I’m … We are …” Haley touched his lips. “Having a baby.”

“Holy shit.”

Maddox stared at his beautiful wife as incredible waves of happiness spilled over him.

He was going to be a dad. With Haley, the woman he loved more than his own life. Their love had only deepened and grown in the last year, from a bright opening spark to a long-burning flame. And now it would grow, and grow. Maddox drew a ragged breath, barely able to take in the news.

Haley frowned. “Maddox? You okay?”

Maddox let out the breath in one explosive exhale. “Hell yes, I’m okay. I’m all kinds of okay. Son of a bitch! That’s one hell of a Christmas gift. The best one I ever got—well, except for you saying you’d marry me.”

Haley looked relieved. “Good. For a second I thought you were upset.”

“Upset? What the hell would I be upset about? I love kids, and I’ll love this kid.” Maddox’s face ached with his big smile as he slid his hand to her belly. “Love her—or him—like I love her—or his—mama.”

Haley laughed in delight. “We’ll have to find out which it is so you’ll be able to talk coherently.”

“I don’t care. I’ll love him—or her—I’m not bothered which.” Maddox repressed the urge to spring out of bed and run around shouting by holding Haley tight. “I love you Haley Campbell.”

“I love you, Maddox Campbell.” Haley touched the bridge of his nose. “I think we should be snowbound every Christmas.”

“I’ll arrange it.” He didn’t care if it snowed or not—he’d lock them in the house and make love to her until spring.

Haley rose up and kissed him, wrapping him in her arms and pulling him down to her warmth. Her love for him closed around Maddox, and he loved her in return, sliding his hands over her beautiful body before he sought the heat inside her.

They loved each other as snow whispered against the window, the quiet of the night settling peace in Maddox’s soul, love in his heart. He looked into Haley’s eyes, and surrendered to the magic.