Marry Me at Christmas

Which was an interesting attitude, she thought. Jonny valued his privacy. He’d moved all the way out here to find peace from his star status. Yet he was willing to let a couple of old ladies flash his butt on their cable access show.

She wasn’t sure what that said about him. Obviously the town was sucking him in. She liked that he wanted to belong. But the competitive streak was interesting, too. And kind of sexy.

“Before you know it, you’ll be volunteering to be the sacrifice at the Máa-zib festival.”

“I don’t know what that is.”

“It’s a festival that celebrates the first settlers in the area. Hundreds of years ago a group of Mayan women left their village and headed north. They settled here and created a matriarchal society. Every year, at the festival, a female warrior rides a horse. The horse dances and then they cut out the heart of the male sacrifice. Not literally.”

“Good to know. And you’re volunteering me for this? I thought you liked me.”

“I do, but you’re trying to fit in. This is me helping.”

He laughed. “That kind of help I don’t need.”

“Chicken.”

“I want to keep my heart beating in my chest and not on some female warrior’s plate.”

“They just cut it out. They don’t eat it.”

“Still.”

They walked along the gravel path. The dogs stopped to do their business and sniff the ground. The night was still. Madeline felt a whisper of cold on her cheek. As she turned toward the sensation, she felt the temperature dropping.

“The cold front,” she whispered. “It’s right here.”

They stood and let the chilly air wash over them. Raven moved closer to Jonny, as if concerned about the temperature. When they were both shivering, they turned back to the house.

“Does the spirit of the Máa-zib tribe live on?” he asked.

“Naturally. The kids collecting toys for the toy drive are part of the Future Warriors of the Máa-zib. It’s a little like scouting, but with a Fool’s Gold twist.” She smiled at him. “The warriors are girls.”

“Why do I know Eddie used to be one?”

Madeline laughed. “I’m sure she was.”

“Were you?”

“Yes, I started as an Acorn and graduated when I was a Mighty Oak.”

They reached the house. Jonny pushed open the front door, then waited for her to step inside. They unleashed the dogs. All four of them hurried inside. Raven walked the slowest, and when she was partway across the room, she turned back, as if checking to see if the humans were still there.

“A mighty oak?” Jonny asked.

“Acorns, Sprouts, Saplings, Sky-Reachers and Mighty Oaks. It was fun. I learned to tie knots and do crafts. My mom was a Grove Keeper.”

His dark green gaze settled on her face. “And when you have a daughter?”

She felt the beginnings of a shiver, although it had nothing to do with temperature. Inside the house was plenty warm. “I hope she’ll want to join the FWM and carry on the tradition.”

“Will you be the Grove Keeper?”

“Probably. It’s fun to be involved.”

“I want to tell you I’ll never get sucked into anything like that,” he told her. “Yet here I am with a busted-up hand and four dogs that aren’t mine.”

“It’s Fool’s Gold Christmas magic.”

“Are you an elf?”

The shivers became tingles and heated her from the inside out. “If you’d like me to be.”

“I would. Very much.” He moved closer to her. “Hmm, I’m going to have a little trouble, though. What with my hand being bandaged.”

“I think we can work around that.”

She stepped into his embrace. His arms came around her as he kissed her. The feel of his lips on hers was magical. Arousing, delicious and unexpectedly tender. Just like the man himself.

* * *

Madeline woke sometime in the middle of the night. She wasn’t sure what had disturbed her sleep. Beside her, Jonny was breathing deeply. He’d only resisted a little before taking a painkiller before bed. There’d been no sign of bleeding on the white bandage and he swore his hand barely hurt, so she didn’t think he was the reason she’d awakened.

She got up and reached for the robe Jonny had lent her, then slipped it on and got out of bed. The night was still and dark. There were a couple of night-lights in the hall.

She walked to the living room to check on the dogs. They’d taken them out just before turning in around midnight, so she doubted they had to go again.