I can’t quit glancing over at her as I drive us into town. I think her face is still a little flushed from our romp in the shower. She seemed really relaxed until we got into town. Now she’s rubbing the back of her neck, and she keeps biting the inside of her cheek.

The clinic parking lot is empty. I park right up front and jump out to open her door. She has her head between her knees, breathing rapidly. “I think I’m going to be sick.”

I squat and lightly rub her back. Her shirt is damp from perspiration despite the cold weather. “I think you’re having a panic attack. Try to slow your breathing.”

She gets it back under control and leans her head back against the seat. Her hair around her nape is wet. “I don’t know why I lost it. It’s not like we will get the results today, right?”

“No. I’m sure it will take a couple of weeks. Come on. Let’s get this over with.” I hold out my hand for her to take and as soon as she’s upright, I wrap my arm around her waist and kiss the side of her head.

She fills out the paperwork, and I tell the receptionist where to get Timber’s records from. “Do you want me to go in with you,” I ask her.

“No, don’t be silly. It’s only a lab draw.”

I watch her until the door to the lab shuts behind her. I made a promise to her that I wouldn’t mention Timber’s name again. That might be a little difficult, but I think for the first time, I’ve seen her as Shay. She is different in many ways from Timber. Maybe it’s age that has changed her. More than likely, everything she’s been through. Timber was always such a free spirit. Shay is much more guarded, even though today she loosened up some with me. I’m sure a stupid smile covers my face. I haven’t been this happy in twelve long years. I’m looking forward to spending more time with her alone.

She comes back out with a Band-Aid on her right forearm. “The lab technician said it would take about two weeks to get the results back.”

“Where are they sending them?”

“I told them if they’d call me, I’d come pick them up since I don’t have an address here.”

I wish she would have had them sent to me, but I’m sure she wants to get her hands on the results before I do. “Promise me, we’ll open it together.”

She nods.

Her rental truck is being delivered when we pull up to the cottage. “Now that you have some wheels again, I really need to get home for a few hours.” I hand her my cell phone. “Program your number in for me. Text me a list of things you need, and I’ll get them for you.”

“I don’t want to be trapped here. I saw on the map there is another little town not far from here. I’ll go get a few groceries, so I won’t be seen in town.”

I walk her to the door and kiss her. “I’ll come by later. Promise me, you won’t leave town on me.”

“I will stay here until we figure things out.”

As soon as I pull up to work, Emmalyn is leaving the store.

“Hey, Dad. Did you find her?”

It takes me a minute to think about what’s she’s asking. “No, so far, it’s a dead-end lead, but I’m not giving up finding Wolfe’s sister.” I swallow hard, hating to lie to her.

“Where are you headed?”

“Grandpa is taking me ice fishing. We’re going to be out all night. Will you be okay?”

“Sure, why do you ask?”

“I know this time of year you’re lonely. I can skip the fishing if you want.”

I rub the top of her head. “Don’t be silly. Have a good time. I have work here I need to catch up on.”

“Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Don’t forget we open our stockings before bedtime,” she says, skipping off.

I hit my office long enough to check my messages, then I run downstairs to finish up getting stocking stuffers for Emmalyn. A piece of jewelry that I’ve never seen in here before catches my eye. It’s a long silver beaded necklace with an etched feather dangling from it, surrounded by two turquoise beads. I take it to the counter and pay for it, then have it gift wrapped.

I stuff it in the glove box and head for my house. Mom is in the kitchen making her traditional sausage and cheese meatballs. I pop one in my mouth, and she smacks my hand.

“Those are hot,” she protests.

I open my mouth letting the hot air out before it burns my tongue.

“Serves you right.” She laughs. “Where have you been? I’ve missed you around here.”

“Working on finding Wolfe’s sister.” I steal another sausage ball.

“I know you want to find her, but maybe it’s not meant to be. Wolfe wouldn’t want you to spend your life looking for her.” She pats me on the cheek.

“I promise I won’t search much longer for her, just a few more days.”

“You are going to be here for Christmas Eve dinner.”

It’s not a question but an expectation. I kiss her forehead. “I wouldn’t miss it.” I wish I could bring Shay. I stop in my tracks when I realize I didn’t call her Timber. It’s the first time I’ve really thought of them as two separate people. I’m already itching to get back to her, and I think since Emmalyn is preoccupied with Dad, I will do just that after I pack some things up.

“I’m going to be working late tonight. I’ll crash on a cot in my office.”

“Here, take these peanut butter cookies before I eat the entire plate.” She hands me a baggy full of them.

“Thanks, Mom. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I drive faster than normal to get back to Shay. When I pull up, she’s outside building a snowman. I park the Wrangler and reach inside the glove box, pulling at the present I bought for her. I stuff it in my backpack and open the door.

“You’re back a lot quicker than I thought,” she says as she places a red Santa hat on the snowman’s head.

I scoop her up into my arms and swing her around. She giggles like a schoolgirl. “I missed you,” I say, planting a kiss on her lips.

“Funny, I missed you too.” She kisses me back.

“You’ve done a fine job here,” I say, looking at the leaning snowman.

“He’s the first one I’ve ever built.” She looks at me like I’m going to contradict her and tell her Timber built them all the time. Instead, I smile and straighten the red hat.

“I bought the last turkey at the grocery store. I figured you would be having dinner with your family tomorrow night, so I wanted to cook for you.”

“Do you know how to cook a turkey?” I tease.

“Yes, Paul taught me a couple years ago.”

I’m not going to be snarky and jealous. I repeat this to myself several times. “I’ll keep you company while you cook.” She weaves her fingers with mine, and we head indoors.

As she has her back turned to me, putting the turkey in the oven, I place the little, wrapped box on the kitchen table where I’m sitting. “My mom baked cookies.” I show her the bag as she turns around.

“I knew I smelled peanut butter. I was beginning to think you had on some weird aftershave,” she says. Taking the bag from me, she sees the wrapped gift.

“What’s that?” She smiles.

“It’s for you. I was finishing up buying Emmalyn’s stocking stuffers when I saw something that reminded me of you.”

She’s beaming. “Can I open it?”

I take one finger and slide it toward her. I laugh out loud at her excitement as she rips into it.

“I love this.” She holds the necklace up in front of her, then slides it over her head. She walks around the table and sits in my lap. “Thank you. Turquoise is my favorite.

“You’re more than welcome.” I kiss her deeply.

“I do have a surprise for you later.” She bats her eyes at me.

“I don’t get mine now?” I pout.

“No because if you get it now, our food will burn.”

“I’m liking the sound of that.” She gets up, and I playfully swat her ass. She yelps and laughs.

We enjoyed our meal together, flirting with each other the entire time. Our shoulders would touch, or every now and then I’d feel her foot graze my leg. I found myself touching her every chance that I got, and her bright smile said she enjoyed it too.

She told me funny stories about her clients and their bad behavior. I shared with her the last Christmas I spent with Wolfe. He came home with me for the holidays and dressed up as Santa. He thought Emmalyn still believed in Santa Claus and was disappointed when she called him by his name.

After the kitchen is cleaned up, she slips out of the room when I fix myself a drink. “Shay! Where did you sneak off to?”

“Up here!” I hear from the bedroom.

I place the screen in front of the fireplace, turn off the lights, and head up the stairs. Flickering candles light up the bedroom. Shay is lying in the middle of the bed in a red Santa jacket and hat with no bottoms on. She kneels in the center of the bed as I approach her.

“What do we have here?” I play with a strand of her dark hair lying on her chest.

“I was a bad Santa and didn’t buy you any gifts, and you’ve been such a good boy.” She loops one of her fingers with mine. “I think I should be punished.” She bats her long lashes at me.

“Oh, really?” I try to be serious. “What do you think I should do to you?”

She takes my hand in hers and faces it palm side up. “I don’t know…I think maybe some sort of punishment with these big, broad hands of yours.”

I struggle to keep a straight face. “You think I should spank you?”

Her eyes grow darker, and she draws her bottom lip into her mouth. “Maybe.”

I sit on the side of the bed. “I don’t think you not getting me a present justifies a spanking.” I toy with her. Then she surprises the hell out of me.

She leans over my lap with her naked ass in the air and says, “Please.”

I inhale sharply and rub my hand on her bare bottom. “Remember you begged me.” She nods. I cup my hand and smack her. She squeals but it quickly changes into a moan. I massage where I hit her and smack her again, a little harder this time. The sound she makes is almost like a purr. I repeat the process several times. My dick is hard as a rock underneath her. After the last swat, I put my fingers between her legs and feel how wet she is.

“I think you liked getting spanked.” She stands and unbuckles my pants. I pull them off and sit back down. She straddles me, sliding my cock deep inside her. She proceeds to ride me until we come undone together.