“It’s the least I could do to repay you for babysitting the twins yesterday. They talked thirty minutes nonstop about the fun they had at your house.”
“They’re adorable. Tanner and I thoroughly enjoyed them.”
“He spoils them terribly. But then, he’s no worse than Paul. My husband is convinced that he’s fathered the sweetest, most beautiful, most brilliant children in the whole wide world. Of course, I agree.” She laughed at herself.
Amanda felt a stab of envy, and then she was ashamed of herself. But, oh, how she would love to be sitting beside this fire talking about her own children—hers and Tanner’s.
“By the way,” Martie continued. “Where is Tanner? Did I see him sneaking out the back door with that husband of mine?”
Amanda was grateful to change the subject. “You did. Hallie was with them.”
Martie chuckled. “Then you can bet they’re up to mischief.”
“Probably. Tanner calls it a surprise. He told me not to budge from the fire until he comes for me. And I’m only too happy to oblige. After that lunch Anna served, I’m amazed I haven’t fallen asleep.”
“You’re welcome to nap upstairs if you like. One of the things I love about this family is that everybody does pretty much what he or she wants to do.”
“What are Jacob and Hannah doing? If I counted correctly, they are the only Donovans missing.”
“You did. Jacob is ballooning somewhere over North Africa, and Hannah is in Fairbanks getting her sled dogs ready to run the Yukon Quest.”
Amanda laughed. “That makes running an antique clothing store very tame work. I’m surprised Tanner doesn’t run away from sheer boredom.”
Martie leaned over and patted her hand. “Amanda, from the way Tanner looks at you, I’d say running away is the last thing on his mind.”
“Is someone taking my name in vain?” Tanner lounged against the doorframe, smiling. The warm family scene delighted him. There was nothing he enjoyed more than seeing the woman he loved being welcomed into the bosom of his family.
Martie rose and went to him. “Don’t let Paul hear you say that.” She hugged his neck.
“He’s been trying to reform my wicked tongue for years.” Tanner winked at Amanda over Martie’s head.
“Without success, I might add.” The Reverend Paul Donovan strode into the room. “Angel, when you finish charming that devil, how about charming me?”
With a squeal of delight Martie rushed into his arms. “Paul! You’ve been gone forever! What is this wonderful surprise? You know I adore surprises.”
“I’ll let Tanner tell. It’s his surprise.”
“Bundle up, ladies.” Tanner crossed to Amanda’s chair and put his hand possessively on her shoulder. “If we hurry, we can build a snowman before the snow melts.”
Martie and Amanda both looked out the window. “Snow in fifty-degree weather?” Amanda smiled up at him. “What’s going on, Tanner?”
“The twins wanted a white Christmas, so I gave it to them.”
“Real snow?” Martie asked.
“Yes, angel,” Paul told her. “All the way from the Blue Ridge Mountains. Tanner had it brought down in two refrigerated trucks. It’s on the patio now. Let’s get the twins before Hallie uses it all up making snowballs.”
Martie and Paul left to get their children. Tanner quickly walked across the room and shut the door. Amanda was already out of her chair and in his arms when he turned back around.
Tanner’s face was against her hair. “I haven’t touched you in six hours. I’m dying inside. Rescue me.”
She wound her hands into the hair at the back of his head, pulling him close. “Then whose hand was that on my knee under the table at lunch?”
“That doesn’t count.” His lips descended on hers, and it was a long time before they spoke. “I mean, really touched,” he murmured, “as in joined together. Like this morning.”
She pulled back from him and cocked her head to one side, laughing. “This morning? Did something happen this morning? I must have been asleep.”
He roared with laughter. “Baby, if you can do all those tricks in your sleep, I can’t wait to see what you do when you’re awake.”
“Mind your tongue. There’s a preacher in the house.”
Tanner sobered. “Yes, there is, Amanda, and nothing would thrill my brother more than to perform a wedding ceremony for us.”
Amanda closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder. Their time together was almost over. Tomorrow would be Christmas. Right after New Year’s Day Tanner would be going back to Dallas. Only eight more days. It didn’t seem fair. Eight days was too short a time to make up for all the years of missing Tanner Donovan.