Melody Anne - Baby, It’s Cold Outside

“I don’t think you’re acting,” he finally said. The two of them faced off for several moments before he shocked her by smiling. What did it mean?

“Um . . .” She wasn’t sure what she wanted to ask.

“Fine. You say you aren’t playing a game. I believe you. Argument over.” Then he sat down and took off his shoes and began putting on his ice skates.

“So . . . We’re okay?” She didn’t know how to define what the two of them had been before their little tiff, so she didn’t know what to ask him about them now.

“Yep. We’re now officially on our first date.”

“Just like that?”

“Yep. Why hold a grudge?”

Turning, he placed an arm behind her and gave her that simmering look that had made her fall for him in the first place. No grudge. No holding it over her head. This was something Natalie was in no way used to. When she’d been growing up, if she’d done something to upset her mother, she wouldn’t hear the end of it for months to come.

What if this was his idea of a joke? What if she made a complete fool of herself? What if she fell on her face, which was more than likely, considering she’d never been graceful—face it, she’d always been a real klutz.

There were plenty of what-ifs, but the bottom line was that she was here and their fight was over, and it was their first real date. She would breathe and she would get through it. So, taking her cue from him, she decided to act casual and pretend they hadn’t fought. If he could do it then so could she.

“I’m warning you now, Hawk, I’m not going to be graceful.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll be there to catch you when you slip.”

“Oh? When I slip?”

“Yeah, we both know it will happen. I think you enjoy falling into my arms. I know I certainly like it.”

Before she could stop herself, she blurted out her thoughts. “You have killer eyes. Seriously! Does anyone ever deny you anything you want?”

Hawk looked startled. Then he laughed. “I can honestly say that no one has asked me that before.” He leaned closer and whispered in her ear. “But, if I had known it was that easy . . .”

He didn’t have to finish that sentence to make her thighs press tighter together in a semisatisfying squeeze. This man was making her shiver and heating her up all at once, and Natalie had to confess she liked the wild sensations running through her body.

Natalie jumped up, needing to move, to displace the sudden energy burning through her. She had gone through a myriad of emotions over the last few days, and right now she felt joy. It just felt right when she was in Hawk’s presence. Smiling, she stood and made her way to the rink.

It didn’t take Hawk long to follow her, and soon, Natalie was laughing as Hawk lifted her into his arms and spun her around as he glided seamlessly in and out of the other couples on the ice. She was out of breath by the time he set her back on her wobbly feet.

“How in the heck did you get so good at ice-skating?” she gasped.

“I play ice hockey every year,” he said smugly.

“Mmm. Now, that’s something I have to see.”

After another hour on the ice, she was growing more confident, taking longer strides, and even spinning a few times with a few of her students who happened to be there. She wasn’t even cold anymore—in fact, with all the activity, she was a little warm. In Montana, of all places!

When she fell against the wall and then felt solid arms cage her in, she didn’t hesitate to turn around. She forgot all about the crowd when Hawk’s lips captured hers and she found herself lost in his embrace.

* * *

Bethel lifted a cup of steaming cider to her lips and took a sip. “I know I should be a lot happier about this. But those two kids are leaving us with nothing to do,” she groused from the sidelines of the ice-skating rink.

“I know. I thought we’d surely have to do a little more meddling,” Eileen said with a grumble of her own.

“Yes. They appear to be falling in love,” Maggie sighed, too happy to be grumpy about it.

“What are you ladies up to?”

The three women turned guilty stares to their friend Martin Whitman.

“Oh, just enjoying watching the kids skate,” Bethel said. Unfortunately, she’d never been good at telling a fib and she flushed, but she hoped he thought it was from the cold.

His eyes narrowed and he looked out at the ice. It didn’t take long for him to home in on Hawk and Natalie, who were still locked in a passionate embrace.

“Enjoying the show, huh?” he said as he sat down.

“Yes. The kids are really getting good,” Eileen said with a nervous giggle.

“Somehow I don’t think it’s the little kids you’re watching,” Martin said with a laugh. “You know, you’d better spill everything to me right now, or I might have to figure it out on my own and tell other people what you’re up to.”

Maggie’s outrage showed only too clearly. “Martin Whitman, you wouldn’t dare.”

“I’m sure your husband wouldn’t be too pleased if he learns that you’re meddling in the kids’ lives,” Martin said with a self-satisfied grin.

“All right. Fine, then,” Maggie snapped, and she gave a nod to her two best friends.

They spilled the whole story. They would be pleased to know that their meddling was putting some ideas into Martin’s head about his own stubborn sons, who still refused to settle down . . .

The stage filled with children in red, white, and green, and even a few in traditional costumes associated with the Near East and Africa. The young performers giggled as they looked out upon the audience, searching for their parents and waving excitedly.

Natalie felt like she was going to be sick. They weren’t ready! She was going to prove herself a failure—had she taught them well, given them good direction? Or would they choke out there?

The last week of rehearsals had zipped right by. The only things she could remember about the time were the looks that Hawk threw her from across the gym, making her forget her voice as she tried to sing along with the kids. Now Natalie was standing in the wings, shaking in her nice slacks as the auditorium filled with parents all expecting to see a show as good as the one put on last year.

“Calm down. It’ll be fine.”

Hawk was standing beside her, a reassuring smile on his lips. But instead of calming down, she felt her heart pick up speed while she remembered that twelve short hours ago he hadn’t been telling her to calm down. He’d been making her cry out.

“I can’t do this,” she said in a hushed wail.

“Not only can you do this, but you will do it, and you’ll do it well. I’ve been here with you the entire time. You’re amazing with the kids. They love you. And so they’ll perform their little hearts out for you.” He rested a hand on her shoulder.

The gesture settled her down, finally. Hawk believed in her, and if this man, a man she was falling so deeply for, believed in her, how could she go wrong?

“You’ll save me if I freeze?” Funny question to ask a fire chief . . .

“I won’t need to rescue you, Natalie. You’re confident, beautiful, and more than capable of hosting a pageant. Go and knock the socks off these parents.”

He nudged her forward, and Natalie had no choice but to step from behind the curtain and face the entire town. Feeling her cheeks turn as bright as the lights she was under, Natalie nevertheless walked to the microphone with what she hoped appeared to be confidence. A hush fell over the crowd as the children behind her continued to giggle and wave.

“Thank you all for coming out this snowy evening.” Natalie felt her throat tighten. These people didn’t want her to fail. They just wanted to enjoy their children. If only she’d realized this sooner, she wouldn’t have been such a wreck.

“I have to admit that when I first arrived in Sterling and walked out of those airport doors, I was in shock. When I saw the one lone street of businesses, I didn’t know how I’d survive.” No one said anything as she paused to swallow her emotions. “But during this last month, I’ve fallen in love with this town. How could I not when my neighbors have brought me goodies and cheer, when my classroom is full of beautiful, talented students, all eager to learn, and when every time I step from my home there is always someone passing by with a wave and a good morning? All I wanted to do in the beginning was to run far away to somewhere bigger and warmer, but now I can’t imagine teaching anywhere else. Thank you for trusting me with your children, and for believing in me to give you a good pageant. I can guarantee the children are ready. As for me, on the other hand . . .” She trailed off with a laugh that had the audience doing the same.

“I can’t promise perfection, but I can guarantee I’ll always put in a thousand percent effort. Enough about me and my silly emotions. It’s time to watch the show!”

Natalie knelt down in front of the kids, and they took over, singing their songs in celebration of Christmas, completely off tune and with full delight.

During the last number, five children stepped forward, and while the kids behind them sang “Silent Night,” they signed the words for a mother in the audience who was deaf. It had been something one of her young students had asked to do for her mother, and Natalie had been touched immeasurably by the request. Standing next to the kids, she signed along with them, looking down and smiling at the woman they were doing it for.

When the song ended, the audience maintained a reverential silence for a few moments, and then several people lifted their hands and waved, the universal sign language for applause. The children were glowing with pride as they walked offstage, and as Natalie prepared to thank everyone and call an end to the pageant, Martin Whitman stood up and walked to the microphone.

“The parents would like to extend a very special thank-you to our newest teacher, Ms. Natalie Duncan, for directing another beautiful pageant. You were thrown in at the last minute, and you’ve done a spectacular job.

“And we’d also like to present an award to our very own fire chief, Mr. Hawk Winchester. This year marks his tenth pageant, and his help with building sets, moving equipment, bringing in the other firefighters to set it all up, and coordinating the necessary fund-raising has always been invaluable. Would you come out here and join us, Hawk?”

The audience burst into applause, and Natalie found herself standing next to Martin as Hawk approached. Their gazes connected and even a room full of people was unable to tear her eyes from him until he turned toward the audience with his most winning smile.

“Thanks, Martin,” Hawk said. “I love these pageants, and I feel that I’m getting far more from it than the help I’m giving. I hope you keep me around helping for at least another ten years.”

“We’re not going to let you go that soon, son,” Martin joked.

“Not a chance,” someone in the audience called out.

Then Hawk placed an arm around Natalie’s shoulders and turned them both to allow photographs to be taken. But instead of facing the camera, she looked up into Hawk’s eyes, instantly feeling lost in their deep brown depths. And then, right there in front of the entire town, Hawk claimed her lips and at the same time captured the rest of her heart.

I can’t come with your family!”

Natalie was standing in her living room, still wearing her pajamas and looking at Hawk as if he were insane. There was no way she would intrude on his family at Christmas. It was bad enough she’d been thrust upon them on Thanksgiving.

“You’re coming,” he said with the same sickeningly confident smile he’d been sporting since he’d walked in the front door.

“No, I’m not, Hawk. Christmas is family time.”

“And you have no other family, so my mother has decided to adopt you,” he told her. “Besides, she’s invited a few other friends. The holidays are about more than just family being together. It’s a time to leave no one out.”

Natalie turned away, pretending to wipe dust from the spotless end table as tears forced their way into her eyes. Dammit, she was always crying now, like some sappy twit, and she sure as sin didn’t want to expose her vulnerability where family was concerned. Her relationship with Hawk had been moving at the speed of light, and she felt overwhelmed.