Free A Heart for Christmas by Lisa Watson Page B

mountains, fields of wildflowers, seeing animals in their environments—it all makes me feel calm and appreciative of life.  I also love the look Lacey gets on her face when I do something that surprises her, or how she still curls up in the fetal position when she sleeps.” 
    “You’re beaming right now,” Christopher noted.
    “I can’t help it.”  She tapped his hand.  “Now it’s your turn.  What are some things you like?”
    “Hmm…I’m very competitive, so I love sports.  Soccer, football, lacrosse, basketball, you name it I’ve either played it, or I watch it.  Not surprising, but I really do enjoy Christmas.  It’s a time for me to reflect on the true meaning of the day.  Don’t get me wrong, I love the whole buildup with trees, lights, decorating for the holidays.”
    “You’re truly a romantic,” she noted.
    “Ha.  I love the water and nature, too.”
    “So you love natural beauty, too.”
    Christopher ran a thumb over the back of her hand.  “I find beauty in a lot of things ,” he said pointedly. 
    Yvette was still for a moment.  Their eyes eventually connected and when they did, she found it difficult to look away.  It wasn’t until their server lowered their plates on the table that the air of desire winding around them dissipated.
    “What else?”  She prompted after taking a bite of food.
    “Well, I think this is an amazing planet we’ve been blessed to live on, and that we need to do our part to ensure that we take care of the Earth like she takes care of us.  I like pitching in where I can to help.  I also like taking long drives; whether in a car, by boat, ATV, or riding a horse.  I use the time to clear my head or think over something important.”
    She nodded.  “I can see that.”
     
    Twenty minutes later, they were done eating and pondering ordering dessert.
    “There’s no way,” Yvette lamented.  “I’m way too full to risk it.  You go ahead.”
    “I’m fine,” he laughed.
    Yes, you are .  She said to herself.
    As if she had spoken aloud, he stared at her with a huge grin.
    Yvette stared in disbelief.  It was the second time Christopher had looked at her as if he could sense her thoughts.
    “What?” she couldn’t help saying.
    He tilted his head to the side.  “You know what.”
    She frowned.  “No, I don’t.”
    “Your eyes, Yvie.  You give yourself away—remember?”
    “If that’s the case, what was I thinking, Mr. Darcy?”
    He signed the bill, placed his card back in his wallet, and then leaned forward until he was mere inches from her face.
    “You were thinking that you find me appealing…very much so.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN
     
    Yvette reared back as though she had just been shocked by an electric current.   This time she did gape at him.  “Okay, you’re starting to freak me out with that.”
    “I can’t help if you’re easy to read.  In fact, I kind of like it.”  He winked.
    “Why, because it gives you an advantage?”
    “No, because these days most people go out of their way to keep things to themselves.  They hide their true feelings.  You aren’t like that and I like it…a lot.” 
    Yvette shrugged.  “I told like subterfuge.  I want people to be honest with me, and I expect the same.”
    Christopher stood up, and extended his hand to help Yvette to her feet.  They walked hand in hand out of the restaurant and to his car.  Placing the key in the ignition, Christopher was about to start the engine, but then stopped.  He rotated in his seat until he faced Yvette.
    “In the interest of honesty, I feel it necessary to tell you something.”
    She observed his serious expression and steeled herself for bad news.  Please don’t let it be a wife somewhere .  She lamented to herself.  She could handle anything but that.
    “Sure,” she replied, slowly.
    “I’ve liked you since the first day I met you.”
    Yvette tried, but it was hard not to grin too much.  “Me too.”
    “No, not since the