Christmas Wishes...Special Delivery by Mary Manners Page B

and the daggers in your eyes told me nothing between us would ever be the same again.”
    “And it can’t possibly be the same again.” Riley shook his head as he circled her waist, drew her close so her back nestled against his chest. “But it can be better…more.”
    Kaylee sniffled as she struggled to bring her tears under control. The warmth of him chased away the chill and she let herself tumble as an inner war ensued. Riley…the man presented a perfect paradox. Kaylee’s heart tugged at the nearness of him while her brain warned that his words were like the boxes that held holiday decorations she sorted through—pretty packaging, nothing more.
    “It’s too late, Riley. It frightens me too much, the thought of loving you and losing you again. I can’t stand to ever see that look in your eyes—hear that hollow, hopeless tone—again.”
    “You won’t lose me.” Riley pressed his lips to the crown of her head. “Give me a chance, Kaylee. I was young…foolish and hurting. I was barely a man back then and certainly lacked the wisdom necessary to deal with a situation so devastating.”
    Kaylee pressed a fist to her mouth as she hiccoughed, then swiped tears from her cheeks. Her lips trembled as she gathered words. “But you’ve found it now…this wisdom you need?”
    “There’s no simple answer to that question. I’m searching, suppose I’ve been searching for a long time, even though I’m just now beginning to realize what the years away from here, from you, have done to me. Coming back, seeing you, I realize all I’ve missed out on. I feel as if I’ve woken from a deep, exhausting sleep.”
    She understood exactly what he meant because she felt it, as well. As the gentle heat from him warmed, her nerve endings fired and her pulse thrummed like a guitar string that had been skillfully plucked. She drew a deep breath and stilled for a moment, simply reveling in the feeling. Then, calling on every ounce of willpower she possessed, Kaylee stepped away, breaking contact. She smoothed a hand over her sweater and moderated her voice.
    “Thank you for the tree.” She crossed the room to grasp a bough. Her fingers came away sticky with the scent of pine and she inhaled deeply, waiting for the room to right itself. A bell tingled from a blown-glass ornament, piquing Fluffy’s interest so the kitten scampered from the tree skirt to mewl around Kaylee’s ankles. “It’s gorgeous, and you certainly delighted Rosie.”
    “It pleased me, as well, to see her so happy.” He shifted feet and Kaylee saw a flash in his eyes that said he feared he’d lost her for good. Maybe he had. Time would tell.
    “I can’t imagine my life without her, Riley—can’t imagine sending her back to the sorrowful place she came from. Don’t get me wrong, I love my brother. But he needs help that he refuses to seek. You and I both know the devastation that can lead to.” She shook her head. “I won’t take that chance and absolutely refuse to place Rosie in jeopardy. Perhaps you’re right about letting you help. Are there papers you can have drawn up? Something quick and painless that would guarantee Rosie would remain with me, at least as long as she wants to?”
    “I’ll get the ball rolling, try my best to make the process as painless and quick as possible.” Riley jammed his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “Do you think Cody—or his ex-girlfriend—will object?”
    “I don’t see why.”
    “OK.” Riley took a tentative step toward her, drew her in once more. “In the meantime, I’d like you to trust me, Kaylee, to trust the love I feel for you. Do you think that’s possible?”
     
    ****
     
    Riley toweled water from his hair and shrugged into a T-shirt as he padded across the bedroom. The scuffed wood floor creaked with age, reminding him of the memories that lingered. Down the hall, Gran’s less-than-dainty snores told him she was sound asleep. He was glad she’d found a portion of rest—it