Lindsey felt warm all over. Something had changed between her and Jake. After the uncomfortable night feeling guilty for how she'd been angry with him for no reason, she'd meant to apologize. She hadn't done that, but things felt right again.

He'd said several sweet things on the ride over, and then he'd given her a tour of his home. It was an adorable three bedroom farm house. Everything was old, but it was clean and well taken care of. Steven would complain that the kitchen and bathrooms needed updating, but Lindsey found she preferred them the way they were. Welcoming and warm.

"Here, I knew I had another pair of gloves around." Jake passed her a pair of men's ski gloves. "Hopefully, they won't be too big."

"Thank you."

"Momma?" Katie tugged on her pants. "Snow?"

"Yes sweetie, we're going to play in the snow." Lindsey bent down to pick her daughter up.

Before she could ask Jake about Jessica, the teen came through the front door with four other kids her age. "Let's get this party started."

"Okay, everyone out to the barn. I'll get the snowmobile and the sleds ready." Jake shooed them toward the door while Lindsey put Katie's coat back on.

"Mr. Wilson, I brought my snowmobile too." One of the boys hooked a thumb toward another truck parked out front.

"The other one is mine." A second boy grinned. "Early Christmas present."

"That's great, but please don't call me Mr. Wilson. Makes me feel old. It's just Jake."

Both boys nodded and headed for the truck to unload.

Lindsey smiled as she watched Jake help them. He really was good with kids of all ages. She noticed he treated all of them the same, even Katie. He genuinely was interested in what they thought and wanted.

You've never met a better man. The thought startled her because it didn't feel like her own. She closed her eyes for a moment and tried to just feel.

God, are you trying to tell me something?

No more words came to her mind, but she felt that same peace she'd felt the day before. For now, that would have to be enough.

"Ready, Lindsey?" Jake's voice grabbed her attention.

Katie had already wobbled her way across the snow to him. She looked like such a tiny marshmallow next to the big man. Lindsey felt her heart swell. Yes, Katie needed someone very much like Jake in her life.

So do you.

Lindsey gasped in surprise, glancing around.

"Something wrong?" Jake was immediately by her side, his hand on her elbow.

"No, nothing's wrong." She tried to smile, but the last thought had definitely not been hers. However, the truth of it pierced her heart.

* * *

"Are you sure?" Jake asked again.

This time Lindsey's smile reached her eyes. "Yes, just got caught off guard by something, that's all."

"Okay. Come on. I'll pull you and Katie. I don't quite trust the daredevils to do it." Jake carried Katie and took Lindsey's hand. He hadn't planned it, but it felt right. She glanced up at him, but didn't pull away. They reached the barn way too soon. "Wait here, I'll get the sleds."

He hated to let her go, but walked into the barn and gassed up the snowmobile. The sound of the other vehicles reached him through the walls, along with the teens' laugher. Jessica joined him inside.

"So, you'll have to let me give you and Lindsey a ride at some point today." She talked while she pulled the sleds from their storage spot.

"Maybe." Jake liked the idea, but he wouldn't let Jess know how much.

"Okay then."

Jake could see his sister smile even though she wasn't looking at him. It made him smile too. As far as little sisters went, Jess was pretty awesome.

He pulled Katie and Lindsey on one of the sleds at safe speeds for the two year-old while the teens raced all over the place. After almost an hour, he stopped by the house.

"Are you guys frozen?" he asked.

"A little." Lindsey laughed. "Mostly, I think this one needs a nap."

"No nap." Katie said, then yawned.

Jake realized he'd never seen anything so beautiful in his life as Lindsey holding her daughter. "Well, let's see what we can do about both of those things. Come on in. I'll start the fireplace and make some hot chocolate. I'm sure the others will want some soon."

Once inside, Lindsey removed Katie's wet coat, gloves and boots and hung them by his front door. Then she added hers to the hooks that had been empty for the last three years. "What can I do to help?"

Jake stared at the coats filling the space, thrilling at their very existence.

"Jake?"

He turned to see Lindsey watching him. "Sorry, do you want to put Katie in the guest room while I get that fire going?"

"Sounds good."

Jake led her to the room and turned to leave. He heard her start humming before he closed the door. One look had melted his heart even more. Lindsey lay propped up on one elbow beside Katie. She stroked the little girl's head and back while she hummed a lullaby.

Lindsey had glanced up and met his gaze. He knew in that moment she was worth taking a chance. She would leave, or she wouldn't. It didn't matter. He needed to let her know how she made him want more than he ever had before.

Once the wood was crackling, he headed to the kitchen. The pot of water was heating on the stove, and he'd set out enough mugs for all the kids along with a bag of mini marshmallows by the time Lindsey joined him.

"Looks like you've got it all taken care of." She spoke softly.

Jake watched her study the kitchen again. What did she think of it? What did she really think of him?

"Jake—“

"Lindsey—“

They both laughed.

"Ladies first."

"I just wanted to say how much I've enjoyed today. Thank you." She stood only a foot or two away.

Jake gave in to the need to step closer, hoping she wouldn't run again. "I'm glad. You deserve to be happy."

She nodded, but didn't look convinced. He stepped even closer, reaching for her hands. This was it. His chance to tell her how he felt. If only he knew what to say.

"Lindsey,"

"Hey Jake, you have any warm drinks in there?" Jessica's voice reached them a split second before she entered the kitchen. She started at them standing so close. "Oh, and you never let me give you that ride."

* * *

Lindsey tried to catch her breath. Jake still held her hands, but he'd moved back a bit. For a moment she'd thought he might kiss her. She knew Jessica was probably staring, but she couldn't look away from Jake's eyes. What had he been about to say?

"Jess, I might just take you up on that ride offer." Jake didn't take his eyes off of her, even though he spoke to his sister. "That is if Lindsey will join me."

"On a sled?" She warmed further at the thought of him holding her tight.

He nodded his head.

"Okay."

"Yippee! Jake never lets me pull him." Jessica jumped and headed for the door.

"Hey, wait a minute." Jake dropped Lindsey's hands and followed his sister. "We need one of your friends to sit in here in case Katie wakes up."

Lindsey marveled once again at how he always thought of others first.

"Oh, sure. I bet I could get Colton to finish the cocoa and stay in here." She waved absently in the air.

Jake turned to Lindsey. "She can get Colton to do almost anything."

"Shut up and come on. I'll get him while you bundle back up."

By the time they had their coats, hats and gloves on, Colton was bounding up the front porch. Lindsey hoped Katie would stay asleep, because she was really looking forward to this ride.

"Do you want the front?" Jake asked.

"Sure." Lindsey knew she was trembling, but hoped he thought it was from the cold.

She sat on the sled and Jake followed. His long legs stretched out around her hips and thighs as he scooted closer. Her heart raced as he wrapped one arm around her and spoke into her ear.

"Hold on tight, Jess is a wild woman on a snowmobile."

His words seemed disconnected with the way his voice made her feel. Before she could figure it out, the sled jumped forward. Lindsey held on to Jake's legs for dear life. This was nothing like riding with Katie.

Jessica pulled them at full speed, even on the bumpier spots of ground. After they passed the barn, she started to zigzag across the field.

Lindsey screamed and laughed and screamed some more.

"Hold on." Jake embraced her tighter as they raced toward a fence.

"Are we going to stop?" Lindsey yelled, but wasn't sure if he could hear her.

She saw Jessica turn. Lindsey watched the rope towing them go slack for half a second before being pulled taunt again. The sled lurched and whipped around.

The momentum had her flying. The snow was harder and colder than she'd expected. Something knocked her shoulder and then she rolled to a stop.

Jake crawled over from where he landed and brushed snow from her face and hair. "Are you okay?"

Lindsey smiled up at him. "More than okay."

"I'm so sorry!" Jessica came trudging over. "Are you hurt?"

"We're fine, but you're sitting on the sled while we drive the snowmobile back." Jake growled at her. When she hung her head, he took a deep breath. "I'm sorry Jess, but you could have hurt Lindsey. She's not used to your craziness."

"I forgot, okay?" Jessica moved in to hug Lindsey. "I really am sorry."

"No big deal. We're fine." She glanced at Jake. "But that cocoa sounds good about now."

And the ride back holding onto Jake sounded even better. She felt colder now that he wasn't holding her.

"Hop on the sled, Jess." Jake climbed on the vehicle. "Lindsey, you can ride with me."

Lindsey blushed and snuggled up to the back of Jake on the snowmobile. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled herself closer. The ride didn't last nearly long enough. Jake took her in to sit by the fire while he helped the kids put the sleds away and load the boys' snowmobiles back in the truck. Katie was still sleeping when he came back in and sat beside her on the couch.

"Are you sure you're okay?" his fingers trailed down her cheek.

Lindsey shivered, but leaned into his touch. "I had a wonderful time today. It was nearly perfect."

"What would have made it perfect?"

Lindsey felt her face heat up. "Um, I don't know, I didn't mean..."

She looked up and knew exactly what she'd meant. His eyes struck her once again. They really were the opposite of Steven's. Jake saw her. Really saw her. It was intoxicating.

"Would it be okay if I kissed you?" Jake had leaned closer.

She nodded her head. His lips met hers lightly at first. A gentle questioning that she answered by reaching her arms around his neck and scooting closer. She heard him whisper her name before deepening the kiss. Emotions and sensations she'd never felt in all her married years woke for the first time. This is what all those romance novels talked about. She felt cherished and desired all at once.

Jake stopped and rested his forehead against hers.

"How did you know?" she asked.

"What?"

"That kiss made the day perfect."