“What do you mean?”
“We avoided it. She’d lost her brother. I’d lost my parents. Instead, we celebrated Winter Solstice.”
“A good compromise. But—”
“Maybe not so healthy in the long run.”
“I wouldn’t say that. You both did what you needed to do. Never doubt it.”
“You’re right.” Misty stepped away from him and put a hand against the window as she gazed out at the Red River. “So wonderful here.” She turned back and looked him up and down. “Just like you.”
He didn’t know if he felt so wonderful. He felt like he’d roped a buffalo and been hanging on for dear life. One slip and he could’ve lost Misty.
She slowly lifted her macramé necklace, kissed the angel pendant, and took the few steps back to him.
He stood very still, not knowing what to expect.
She lifted the necklace, dropped it over his head, and let the angel nestle against his chest. She tapped it with the tip of one finger, and then glanced up at his face. “You’re my Christmas angel.”
He smiled, feeling a warm glow deep inside. She’d come out on the side of the angels, strong and whole and beautiful.
“And I want you. Now.”
Chapter 29
When Trey gave Misty a tender kiss, she felt like Sleeping Beauty being awakened from a long sleep by Prince Charming. Perhaps she was romanticizing Trey, but when he swept her into his arms, she thought perhaps she was right.
He quickly carried her upstairs to his big, airy bedroom. A king-size bed with crimson bedspread and forest-green throw pillows dominated the room. Across from the bed, a huge flat-screen television hung from the brick wall between floor-to-ceiling windows with sheer white drapes that muted the afternoon sunlight. A contemporary steel ceiling fan lazily circulated cinnamon-scented air. Two partially open doors led to a bathroom and walk-in closet.
He gently set her down on the bench at the foot of his bed. He stepped back, cocked his head to one side, and looked at her.
She felt exposed to his scrutiny. After everything she’d revealed to him, she suddenly felt vulnerable. She crossed her legs.
“You’ve been through a lot.” He put his hands on his narrow hips. “Tell you what.” He walked over and pulled open the door to his bathroom. “A soothing bubble bath ought to be about right.”
“But Trey—”
“That’s only item number one on my list for you.” He grinned at her, a mischievous light in his eyes. “I’ll run downstairs and open a bottle of Slade’s muscadine wine.”
“He makes wine, too?” Now that she thought about it, she could easily imagine the big cowboy making wine along with his chili.
“He’s got a fine little vineyard on his ranch.”
“I’d like to try his wine.”
“It’s good.” He stepped into the bathroom and soon the sound of water gushing into a tub filled the bedroom.
Now that the euphoria of releasing so much so quickly was passing, Misty felt tiredness creeping up on her despite her desire for Trey. She wasn’t used to being pampered, but for now everything about it felt exactly right.
He walked back into the bedroom. “You’ve got lavender bubble bath. Mom swears by it.”
“I like it, too. But why does she keep it here?”
“Guess she anticipated you.” He chuckled as he left the room.
Misty heard him head down the stairs. She felt as if her life had been turned upside down. Maybe she’d inadvertently stepped from contemporary Texas into the Comancheria. She rubbed her forehead at the fanciful thought. Maybe she’d better simply get a bath and go with the flow. Plenty of time to figure out the ins and outs of her situation later.
She pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and checked for messages. “Yay!” from Cindi Lou. “Good news,” from Audrey. And that was that, at least for the moment.
Misty set her phone, keys, and lip gloss on Trey’s dresser. She quickly stripped, folded her clothes, and set them on the bench.
She looked at Trey’s bathroom. It was just as luxurious as she would’ve imagined after seeing the rest of his home. Wood, marble, glass, mirror, and chrome in warm russet and cream colors. Two sinks, one shower, toilet, and a jetted tub. The sweet scent of lavender filled the air. She was truly in heaven—as only befitted a Christmas angel. She laughed at her own thought.