Free Mistaken Gifts by Elena Aitken Page A

up against his. He crossed the space between them and slid one arm under her legs, lifting her.  
    "Hey. You don’t have to—" She swatted at him and tried to wiggle away.  
    "Cut it out, Eva. You're going to hurt yourself." He pulled her close and wrapped his other arm around her shoulders, pressing her to his chest. Aware of her sore arm, he had her pinned, and easily cradled in his arms.  
    "Put me down." She tried to squirm, but didn't get anywhere. "I don't need you to treat me like a child."
    "Well, if you're going to act like one…"
    "I am not—"
    "Seriously," he said, forcing the humor out of his voice. "Just relax. Your arm might be broken and the last thing you need is to slip and fall again. It won't kill you to let me help you."
    She stilled in his arms and he could practically feel her entire body sulking. "Fine," she said.  
    Jeff picked his way carefully through the snow, which was considerably harder with Eva in his arms, and deposited her gently into the sleigh.  
    "You're welcome," he said with a smile.  
    Eva huffed and looked away. "I didn't ask for your help."  
    "Well, you're still very welcome." He couldn't help it but his smile grew wider. There was something about Eva that fired him up and he loved watching the way her skin flushed when she got angry.  
    Leaving her in the sleigh, Jeff returned to the log pile and retrieved Eva's basket and cutters. He scooped up the bits of holly that had fallen out and delivered them to her before sliding into the seat next to her.  
    "What do you think you're doing?" she asked him.  
    "Is this a trick question?" He peered over at her and took in her pout mixed with a grimace of pain that diluted the effect she was no doubt going for. Jeff pointed to her arm, which was starting to swell. "I'm taking you back to the Lodge," he said with more seriousness. "That arm does not look good and we need to get it looked at properly."
    "I'm fine." Eva attempted to cross her arms but a groan of pain escaped her lips. "Okay," she admitted. "It hurts. But I really need the holly. I don't have any more time and I need to get the centerpieces done. Andi is counting on me."
    "I think she'd understand."
    Eva shook her head. "No. I mean, yes. Of course she'd understand. But I promised my best friend an amazing wedding that she didn't have to lift a finger to create and I intend to deliver on that promise. I need the holly. Just give me a few more minutes to—"
    "Oh no," he said. "There's no way you're going back out there. Since I've met you, all you've done is slip and fall in the snow and I will not be responsible for any further injuries. No way."
    "Jeff. I need the holly."  
    She genuinely looked upset and no matter what, Jeff didn’t want to see her unhappy. He resisted the urge to kiss her frown away, but instead he sighed and stood up, grabbing the basket and clippers as he did so. "I'll do it."  
    "You don't have to."
    "Yes. I do." He glanced down at Eva, who looked much smaller and fragile than she had earlier, and softened his tone. "It's not a big deal. It will only take me a minute. Will you be warm enough?"
    A tiny smile played across her lips and he hoped she’d say no, so he could warm her up himself. But she nodded and said, "Yes. Thank you, Jeff."  
    "You can thank me later," he said and held her gaze just long enough to convey what he hoped was an invitation for another kiss, before he headed off through the snow to fill her basket with holly and ultimately see that sweet smile again.  

CHAPTER SEVEN

    Eva popped two more painkillers in her mouth and grabbed her bottle of water with her good hand. Her arm hurt way more than she cared to admit, especially to Jeff, but she was thankful he'd pushed the issue of getting her back to the Lodge and to the doctor.  
    She'd been reassured it wasn't broken, just a bad sprain, which in her mind might as well have meant it was broken because she sure couldn't do much with her left arm all bandaged up and in