“Hi. I was wondering if we could talk?”
“If you’ll excuse me,” his grandmother said, “I have to check on dinner. You will stay, won’t you, Doc?”
Jess looked at Tanner, then at Margie. “Can I wait and answer that after Tanner and I talk?”
“Of course,” the older woman said.
Once they were alone, Tanner grabbed her hand and tugged her outside, onto the front porch. As if suddenly realizing she might not be here with good news, he asked, “Is everything okay? Is it Mr. Preston?”
“No, he’s fine. It meant a lot, what you did.”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“You acknowledged him. Valued him. For a lot of people in that place, that’s something they don’t even let themselves dream about anymore.”
He nodded once, understanding, as she’d known he would. “I’m glad. Now, what are you doing here?”
“I’ve been thinking about what I said to you before you left last night.”
He held up a hand, waving off her apology. “Don’t worry about it, I really do understand.”
She grabbed that hand, twining her fingers through his. “I was being stupid. Believe me, Lieutenant Boudreau, I am not a coward.”
“I never thought you were,” he said, lifting his hand to her face and brushing his fingertips against her skin.
She curled her cheek into his palm, noting, of course, his strength, but also the innate tenderness she’d seen in him from their very first meeting all those years ago.
“I couldn’t let you leave again, not so soon, not without taking advantage of the little time you have here. And not without letting you know that I care—very much—about when you’re coming back.” Taking a deep breath for courage, hoping she hadn’t misread his feelings, that hers weren’t one-sided, she added, “I’ll be here waiting for you, if you want me to. I don’t care how long it takes.”
He smiled, then actually started to laugh.
She moved her lips to his rough palm. “What’s so funny?”
“Oh, Doc. I’ve been waiting for you for more than three years.”
She edged closer to him, loving the way his hands fit so perfectly in the indentation of her hips. He drew her close, staring down at her, those gentle brown eyes gleaming with emotion.
“Now come inside and you can be there when I share the news with my family, because the wait isn’t going to be nearly as long as you think.”
He wouldn’t say more. Intrigued by the cryptic tone and the sexy smile, she couldn’t wait to hear the rest. But first, she just needed to taste him. Feel his heart beating against her chest, share his warm breath, taste his tender mouth.
They melted together in a kiss as natural and easy as if they’d been long-time lovers. As if they’d always been meant to be together.
And somehow, though the future was still uncertain and she didn’t know how long her wait might be, she suspected that someday they would.
Epilogue
NOTICE:
To all residents of Rolling Acres-
And don’t forget: The wedding will take place on New Year’s Eve, right here in the common room and all are invited!
THE END
About the Author
Leslie Kelly is a national-bestselling author who writes in numerous genres. Her contemporary romances range from sweetly-sexy to downright sizzling and she has published more than fifty books with Harlequin. As Leslie Parrish and Leslie A. Smith she writes dark romantic suspense and straight thrillers.
Leslie’s books have been honored with multiple National Reader’s Choice Awards, as well as numerous others, and she is a four-time RWA Rita Award nominee.
Leslie lives in Maryland with her husband and daughters, and spends her days trying to decide whether she’s in the mood to write sex or murder.
For more information on Leslie’s latest releases, visit her webpage:
www.lesliekelly.com
Extended Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Box Set Contents
Seducing Santa
Copyright
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
About Janelle
Other Books by Janelle Denison
Midnight Angel
Copyright
A Note From Carly
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Epilogue
Thank You
Connect with Carly
About Carly
Carly’s Booklist
About the Love Unexpected Series
Dirty Little Christmas
Copyright
Praise for the “DIRTY” series
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Marisela’s Dictionary of Dirty (and not-so-dirty) Spanish
Afterword
Other Works by Julie
About Julie
Contact Information
Wrapped and Sealed
Copyright
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Epilogue
About Leslie