“That’s my girl,” Amanda declared. “I’m heading over to drop gifts at the Burgoons’. Call if you need me.”
Rita hadn’t done more than repair her makeup and fluff her hair when the doorbell rang. She hurried to open it, wanting to send the visitors on their way so she could go after her man.
But surprise, surprise. Like a special delivery from Santa, Tyler stood there on the front porch, a huge box in his arms and a charming smile on his face. She could see the nerves in his sexy blue eyes, though.
“Hey, Rita,” he greeted. “Wanna ask me in before the snow messes up this pretty present?”
Shocked, she stepped aside so he could cross over and put the big box on the dining table.
Sure, she’d been all set to chase him down, but now that he was here, looking so gorgeous and expectant, she had no clue what to say. So she cocked her hip to one side, crossed her arms under her breasts and lifted her chin.
“I, um, brought this,” he said, pointing at the box.
“For me?” she asked, not really caring but too anxious to ask why he was really there. “What is it?”
“This?” Tyler looked over at the festively wrapped gift, complete with ribbon, bells and a sprig of holly, and shrugged. “It’s an apology, a bribe or a peace offering. Whichever’s necessary.”
“All of that in one box?” Rita stepped closer to poke at the large, heavy package. “Can I open it?”
“It’s not really for you,” he said with a sheepish smile.
“You brought me an apology, bribe and offering that belongs to someone else?”
Now that she was closer, Rita could see the doubt in those sexy blue eyes as he shoved his hands in the front pockets of his jeans.
“It’s your victrola,” he said in a hushed tone. “It’s my fault you spent your money on a plane ticket. I guess you haven’t kept up much on town happenings to know my mom bought the antiques store about five years ago. She told me you’d called the store to say you couldn’t make the last payment so I made it for you.”
“You did?” She forced herself to consider reality this time, not just what she wished to see. “Why? Out of guilt?”
“Yes. No.” Tyler shoved a hand through his hair and gave her a frustrated look. “I mean, I did feel guilty about being such a jerk, and about screwing up your Christmas. But that’s not why I did it. I know how much it meant to you. How hard you’d worked for it. I just wanted…”
He shrugged, then gave her a look so heart-meltingly sweet her knees went soggy. “I just wanted everyone to see how wonderful you were. How sweet and thoughtful.”
Rita’s mouth dropped. Did this mean what she thought it meant? She didn’t move, though. She couldn’t. She wanted—no, needed—him to say it.
Reading her perfectly well, Tyler hunched his shoulders.
“I was a dick,” he said without preamble. “I overreacted. I’m so used to jumping off the deep end over Randy, I blew it.”
Rita’s heart pounded, but she didn’t say anything. She couldn’t stop her bottom lip from trembling, though.
Seeing that as a minor victory, Tyler took a step closer. “I know you, Rita. You’re amazing. You connect with people. You’d never hurt anyone on purpose.”
She pressed her lips together, warning herself to get a grip before she started crying.
“I’m sorry I hurt you,” he said. “I really am. I was so afraid of falling in love, I stopped thinking rationally.”
Shock was the only thing that kept her from leaping into his arms.
Finally, he grimaced and asked, “Well? Aren’t you going to say anything?”
Tears choking her voice, Rita only shook her head. Instead of words, she walked over, put her hands on either side of his chiseled cheeks and, standing on tiptoe, brushed her lips softly over his.
Tyler groaned, wrapping his arms tightly around her for a real kiss. The kind that made her head buzz and her knees melt.
“Thank you,” she whispered as she pulled back.
“For?”
“For looking past the packaging. For seeing the real me, and making me see the real me, too.” Rita traced the tips of her fingers over his jaw and smiled tremulously. “And for making me feel so wonderful about who I really am.”
“You should,” he said with a confused shrug. “You’re incredible, Rita.”
Which was all she needed to hear.
“I love you,” she whispered.
He closed his eyes and sighed in relief.
“I love you back,” he said, then he lifted her off her feet to spin her in a quick circle.
Rita giggled, throwing her head back in joy. Looked like she’d gotten the perfect Christmas gift after all.