Sleigh Bells in the Snow (O'Neil Brothers 1)

“Not long if you don’t have the right equipment. Fortunately we do. These help you walk on deep snow without sinking into the powder.” He helped her put on snowshoes and hefted the rucksack onto his back.

“What’s in there?”

“Sustenance, just in case we need it.” He took her hand and led her along the snowy trail, through heavily laden trees and into the depth of the forest until Dana and the sled were no longer visible and the only sound was the occasional howl of the dogs as they waited impatiently to start running again.

Kayla paused, looking through the trees illuminated by moonlight and his head torch. “I’d spook myself if I were on my own.”

“You’re not on your own.” He curved his arm around her and pulled her against him. “Listen.”

It started to snow, big soft flakes drifting down in a steady flow, settling on her hat and her jacket.

“What am I listening for?” She tilted her head. “I don’t hear anything.”

“Exactly. It’s just you, me and the forest. Some of these trees, especially the white pine and the sugar maple, have been standing here for hundreds of years. When I was a kid I used to think that was so cool. I used to wonder who else had walked past and seen these same trees.” He stooped and picked up a beautifully shaped pinecone from the surface of the deep snow. “I was fascinated by how the trees could change with the seasons and yet still be here. In the fall, if you stand up on the ridge where we were skiing this morning, it’s like looking at a sunset. Reds, golds, oranges—all mixed together.”

“It must be spectacular.”

“It is, but this has always been my favorite time of year. Not just winter, but Christmas. When I was a kid I used to come up here with Gramps. We’d haul the sled and choose a tree for the lodge. I co

uld never understand why people wanted to cut them down and put them indoors.” He studied the pinecone in his hand. “I couldn’t understand why folks wanted to spray these silver and put them in a bowl in the center of the dining table with big red bows. A tree belongs in a forest. For me, coming here with Gramps was Christmas. It wasn’t the decorations, lights or turkey. It was everything right here.”

His words made her eyes sting.

“This is real. The rest is all an illusion.”

“It’s time you had some new memories of Christmas, Kayla.” His voice was as soft and gentle as the snow falling around them. “We’re going to make them together so that you have something good to take away with you. That’s my gift to you. Merry Christmas.”

The sting in her throat became a lump as he slid the pinecone into her palm.

“A souvenir from Vermont. Put it on your desk and it will remind you of the forest when you’re back in the craziness of your life.”

Kayla stared at it for a long moment and then tucked the pinecone carefully into her pocket, wondering why the prospect of returning to the craziness of her life didn’t lift her mood.

It was what she did, and she’d done it for so long she didn’t even question whether there might be another way.

Or maybe she was just too afraid to look.

Maybe he was right about that.

Jackson lifted his hand and brushed snow away from her hat. “We should get back.”

The chemistry was a sharp pull in her stomach, a snatch of breath, a pound of her heart—as powerful as ever, drawing them together. She wasn’t a romantic person but there was something about the soft fall of snow and the intense blue of Jackson’s eyes that made it hard to breathe.

And she knew he was going to kiss her, here in this frozen forest, the trees their only witness.

There was an inevitability to it that made her heart kick at her ribs and when his arms came around her and his mouth finally claimed hers, she gave a soft sigh. His lips were cool, the outside temperature below freezing, but the kiss was perfect—lit by stars and moonbeams, the heat and fire cooled by the soft brush of falling snowflakes on her skin, and she knew that, whatever happened, she would go back with new memories of Christmas.

It had to end, of course. It was too cold to allow such a perfect moment to last, but the warmth stayed with her as they walked back through the silent forest to Dana and the waiting husky team.

They snuggled back down in the sleeping bag, drank hot chocolate to warm themselves and then continued on the trail, along the side of the lake and back to Kayla’s cabin.

“Thank you.” Kayla shivered as her boots touched the snow. “That was the best experience of my life.”

“Top that, Jackson.” Dana winked at her cousin. “Want me to run you back to your barn?”

“I do not.” A smile touching his mouth, he strolled over to his cousin and hugged her. “Thanks, Dana.”

Her eyes twinkled. “You could invite me in for a coffee.”