Free Deep Freeze Christmas by Marian P. Merritt Page A

to the fireplace. He bent over to stoke the fire and add another log. "I feel like I've settled."
    His heartfelt words swelled her heart. She couldn't imagine feeling so lost and trapped. "Have you talked to your dad about this?"
    He returned to his seat. "No, I'm not sure he'd understand."
    She placed her hand on his shoulder and looked into his eyes. "You'll never know unless you say something."
    "You're right. I need to say something before he gets too far along with this New Orleans office. I want to be in New Orleans." He reached for her hand. "But in a tiny restaurant kitchen simmering up awesome dishes, not in a high-rise office building negotiating movie deals for movies I have no desire to watch."
    Leona loved sitting next to her old flame, Georgie. It was as though the years had made them older in age, but their hearts were still back in that Lakeshore tree house all those years ago. Talking with him tonight was as comfortable and familiar as wearing her favorite pair of tennis shoes.
    "You're the only one who can make a change. You have to decide what you want to do and go for it. But usually before I decide anything, I pray. Ask God's direction for my life. Many times, my choices and His don't align. But after prayerful consideration, I usually have some clue. Sometime just waiting is enough. The right answer presents itself."
    Although the wind howled and the light fluffy snow swirled in circles outside the window under the porch, Leona didn't care. Inside the cabin was warm and comfortable. Being with Cameron warmed her soul.
    He met her gaze and tilted his head. His soft gaze glistened in the firelight. "You always knew the right thing to say. I can't believe I let you slip completely out of my life. What a fool I've been." His failure to acknowledge her comment about God ambushed her.
    A flutter in Leona's stomach jerked and her heart shrank. She suspected that she hadn't been the only thing he'd loved that he’d let slip out of his life. She guessed his lifestyle in Los Angeles would have been far different than hers in Louisiana. Had he given up on God completely? Lost his true values? The image of the kiss Cameron and Marissa shared flashed through her mind. He hadn't seemed like a man fighting off unwanted advances.
    The man she dreamed of marrying one day would be a Christian who would lead their family in Christian values. Could Cameron be considered that man if they were unevenly yoked?
     
    ****
     
    Cameron rested his arm on the loveseat behind Leona. Being with her like this was a Christmas present. One that was far more than he had hoped for or imagined. He'd been drawn to her personality from that first day he'd almost run into her in the lodge, and now he knew why. She was his little René.
    "Why don't you go by René anymore?" He crossed his foot over his knee and turned more toward her.
    She ran her hand through her hair to push the flattened strands away from her face. "When I graduated from culinary school, I dreamed of opening Leo's again. So I started using my middle name—my grandmother's name. She made the restaurant famous, and I wanted to follow in her footsteps. And Dad's. He kept the restaurant going after she died. But it's what I want, not what they've expected me to do."
    "I'm happy for you. You look as if you love what you do, and I'm starting to realize how important that is."
    She cocked her head to the side. "I don't make a ton of money like you do."
    "And look where that's gotten me. Full bank account, empty heart." He'd kept busy working deals and acquiring possessions. He'd never considered how lonely he'd been until tonight.
    Her smile faded. "I'll pray for you." She glanced downward where she thumbed the hem of her jeans.
    Max, with slow deliberate movements, stood and ambled to Cameron. He placed his paw on Cameron's leg. "What is it, boy? You need to go outdoors?"
    Leona smirked and shrugged. "He picked you. His leash is in the duffel bag."
    Cameron put Max's leash on