A Soldier's Christmas

“Emma, he hasn’t finished his coffee yet,” Martha started, “and while we’ve been in here the snow has begun again.”

Logan’s heart sank at her words because he sure as hell didn’t want to

be stranded at the house with her family. He’d love to be stranded in town with Emma, though.

Emma let go of his hand and looked out of the kitchen window. The slump of her shoulders told him that Martha hadn’t been exaggerating.

Could he get through in his truck? He joined Emma at the window and realized that the snow had only just started. Should he risk it with Emma in the truck with him?

He decided to ignore Martha because he really wasn’t sure that she approved of him with her daughter, and turned to face Gabe. “If I left now with Emma, will we be okay getting to town? My truck has brand new tires and chains.”

Gabe looked uncomfortable, but stepped to join them at the window.

“I think you need to let Emma stay where it’s safe and warm,” Martha stated.

“Mom, stop.” Bree shuffled over to her husband. “It’s only just started. I know it can change quickly, but, Logan, I think you’ll both be just fine if you left now.” She smiled.

“Why don’t you both stay for dinner at least?” Martha tried again to get them to stay.

“I’ll probably get snowed in here if we do that.” That wasn’t an option, and he hoped Emma was on the same page as he was.

“Mom, we won’t be here for dinner.” Emma turned to him and quickly kissed his cheek, grinning at his surprise, and added, “Give me a minute to go and grab my purse and boots from my room. Then we can leave.” She dashed out of the room, leaving him to face her family.

“What are your intentions?” Gabe asked him before he could think of something to say.

He laughed because the question had been unexpected, although it shouldn’t have been. “My intentions are no one’s business but mine and Emma’s.”

Gabe frowned.

“But I will, hopefully, put your mind at ease by saying that I have no intention of hurting Emma.” Logan sighed, and left it at that.

He knew her family meant well, but the adrenaline high he’d been on since he’d arrived had left him drained, and he was more than ready to be on the road.

“I’m ready.”

Logan found his girl and started to laugh. Emma only had one boot on, and that wasn’t even fastened. Her purse looked heavy and she was seconds away from dropping everything in a heap on the floor. So he rushed forward and took everything from her.

He placed them down on the table and helped her into her coat before he pushed her down into a chair. Logan grinned while he crouched down and fastened her boots onto her feet. “You ready?”

“Yes.”

Logan took her hand and kept her close while they said their goodbyes to her family. Bree and her husband smiled, but Martha didn’t seem happy that her daughter was going off with him.

Chapter 10

They hadn’t exchanged words while getting into Logan’s truck. The silence was comfortable and it gave Emma pause to think. Her mom hadn’t been her usual warm self, and she seemed to be against her going off with Logan. Something had been going on with her mom for a time, and Emma had only just realized it. But what? Her mom was usually the most welcoming of people, and she’d go out of her way to help anyone. In fact, her mom had been trying to marry her off to Seth, despite how quickly their relationship had cooled. Now another eligible bachelor had come into town and she was cold to him. What the heck had changed?

“Are you sure that you want to come with me?” Logan asked as he started his truck and left it idling while he watched her.

Emma turned to smile at him and felt her eyes fill with tears. She blinked them away but more appeared.

Logan unclipped his seatbelt and moved closer, his hands cupped her face as he gently placed a sweet kiss to her lips. He smiled softly at her, and dipped his head again. The kisses were light as butterflies as pleasure took flight in her belly. They were only brief touches to her lips, but she felt joy at being with him. He was the one person who made her feel whole.

“Emma?”

“Mmm.”

His smile split his face. “We need to go.”