White Hot Holidays 22: 'Twas The Knight Before Christmas Read online

  Without warning her car slammed into something solid and sent the vehicle into a spin. Whirling back across the road, her entire world tipped when she crashed into the ditch. Her head struck the side window and everything went black.

  “Oh my!” Norville raced across the road to peer in through her window. Blood ran down the left side of her face and she was motionless. Had he killed her?

  With a wave of his hand the window vanished and he put his hand on her shoulder. Her heartbeat was strong and true though the blow to her head had knocked her out cold. Pressing his fingers into the base of her skull, he whispered, “Wake.”

  Norville stepped back, the window reformed and the woman stirred. He smiled.

  When she opened her eyes, Star’s first thought was relief that she was still alive. Reaching for the wheel, she pulled herself upright. The engine had stalled but her radio and headlights were still working. She didn’t know how long she’d been out but her windows were covered with a light dusting of snow and her radio station had changed from rock and roll to fifties music.

  Damn, her head hurt.

  Dragging off her gloves, she touched her forehead, not surprised when her fingers found a small knot and the side of her face was sticky.

  Blood.

  Feeling for her seat belt release, Star racked her brain to remember where, exactly, she was. Her dashboard clock told her it was just after nine p.m. If she remembered correctly, she’d gone out to the Michaels’ home to check on their kids only to find them warm and safe. She’d spent maybe an hour with them to leave around seven then lost more time when she’d had a flat tire. Now, an hour and a half later and she still wasn’t home, instead here she was in a ditch on Christmas Eve.

  Great, just great.

  Free of the seat belt, she twisted around until one butt cheek was on the seat and the other on the console. Star reached for the wiper switch, and they swept the snow away to reveal her dilemma. The SUV was indeed in a ditch and was just short of being on its side.

  This night was getting better and better.

  The snow fell in a thick white curtain though it seemed to have slowed some. Scanning what little she could see of the road, a strange image took shape in her mind—a thick line of pine trees, the drop-off and a short chubby man in choir robes and sandals standing on the side of the road. He’d had a shocked look on his face and something akin to a cockeyed halo which dangled over his head.

  Star rubbed the spot between her eyes. She must’ve hit her head harder than she’d first thought. There was no way anyone with any sense would be on this road in the middle of a blizzard. Which, of course, meant she had no sense whatsoever.

  She dropped her hand. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d heard that analysis of her personality. It was her older sister Meghan’s favorite refrain. Heaving a sigh, she pushed away all thoughts of her family. It was obvious to her there was no way she could get the car out of this ditch, so driving home was out of the question.

  Well, that left her with two options. One was to sit there and slowly freeze to death and the other was to walk up the road and look for help.

  Seeing that she wasn’t a sitting kind of girl, it looked like she’d be taking a walk.

  After turning off everything in the car, she located her gloves and hat on the floor of the passenger seat. Bundling up as much as she could, Star struggled to open the door. A cascade of snow rained into her face and the wind flung open the door. Gasping when the icy air rushed into the cabin, she struggled to get to her feet, her movements hampered by heavy winter clothing.

  “Now why couldn’t this have happened in the summer?” she muttered to herself. “I’d much rather wreck in my bathing suit and get a tan while I walk than stumble around like a snow beast.”

  Struggling against the elements and her clothing, she climbed out of the SUV then dropped to the road. Her sturdy work shoes slid on the ice and she landed hard on her butt.

  “Well, hells bells.”

  A strange sound, almost like that of male laughter, brought up her head. As far as she could see, there was no one anywhere near her.

  “Great, now I’m hearing things,” she muttered.

  Scrambling to her feet in order to survey her surroundings, the faint zigzagging tire tracks from her trusty car were testament to her close call with the pine trees. Stomping to the other side of the road, her eyes widened when she reached the spot where she’d seen the funny little man. She resisted the urge to rub her eyes. Tire tracks were headed for the trees only to come to an abrupt stop to spin off across the road. Her eyes widened. There, on the shoulder, were two distinct footprints.

  “Oh my—”

  A rush of icy air caught her in the face and she staggered against the current. Before her eyes, the prints vanished in a flurry of snow and an abnormally fierce wind. Sleet pricked her skin causing her to stagger back toward her car. Seeking shelter near the tailgate, Star pondered her few options.

  Her home was at least five to six miles away at the base of the mountain. If she were foolish enough to try and make it she’d be a human Popsicle within an hour. Already her feet were cold and it was only a matter of time before they went numb. Frostbite was a serious danger so the only viable option was to walk up the mountain toward Justice Knight’s home.

  A slow tingle began in her belly at the thought of the handsome deputy. He was, without a doubt, the nicest and sexiest man she’d ever met.

  Yowza.

  Stepping away from the car, she wrapped her arms across her chest and began the trek upward. The good thing about walking toward his house was that just thinking about his tight butt would keep her warm for hours.

  It was last October that she’d first met Deputy Knight. He’d been assigned to assist her in removing two children from a home where the father was known to carry a gun. Justice had been courteous, friendly and skilled in diffusing tense situations. With his dark blond hair in a military cut and his panty-dampening smile, he’d become a familiar fantasy when she climbed into bed at night. There’d been many an evening she’d fallen asleep with a smile and her body humming with sexual satisfaction thanks to her vibrator and a very vivid imagination.

  Snickering into her scarf, Star’s breath already came in pants from breaking a path through the knee-deep snow. Their paths had crossed on numerous occasions and each time he’d been welcoming, friendly and, if she wasn’t mistaken, flirtatious.

  Her one Christmas wish had been to find someone to spend her life with. She hated being alone at the holidays, and seeing that it was Christmas Eve and she was stranded on a mountain, it didn’t look like that wish would be answered anytime soon. Hmm, maybe, if she were really lucky, Santa would bring her a naked Justice Knight and leave him under the tree.

  Unable to help herself, Star burst out laughing. Okay, it was cold outside so maybe he wouldn’t have to be completely naked as she didn’t want him to catch cold. Maybe he could wear a red ribbon.

  Around his erect cock.

  Laughing out loud at the image of Justice wearing only a smile and a ribbon, she continued her uphill walk through the deepening snow. In order to have that Christmas wish granted, she’d have to have been a very good girl indeed.

  * * * * *

  “Hey Maddie, can you bring me another beer?” Justice wiggled his sock-clad feet, enjoying the warmth of the fireplace and the welcome silence of his home. The refrigerator door opened then closed. Footsteps and the clicking of toenails heralded the arrival of his constant companion.

  “Thanks, beautiful.”

  The medium-sized beagle-boxer mix trotted to his chair with a bottle of ice-cold beer clamped in her teeth. With her stubby tail wiggling furiously, he gave her ears a flop then took his beer.

  Life didn’t get any better than this.

  As he cracked open the fresh brew, Maddie leapt onto the couch to sprawl across the cushions in a picture of canine abandon. Outside the storm wailed and shrieked but they were cozy inside the log cabin. He and his
brothers had built every inch of this place and a little wind and snow wasn’t going to bother them.

  In the corner near the wide front windows stood the Christmas tree his niece and nephews had erected. A little lopsided and looking distinctly Charlie Brown-ish, it was the most beautiful tree in the world as far as he was concerned.

  Right now at the base of the mountain his family was gathered at his brother Garrett’s house for the annual Christmas Eve celebration. No doubt they’d have feasted on smoked venison steaks, his Aunt Martha’s world famous, sour cream potato mash and his sister-in-law Caroline’s excellent pecan pies.

  His stomach rumbled.

  Justice’s original plan was to have gone down and joined them but the weather had changed his mind. Only a fool would try driving down the mountain during a storm like this. Besides, he’d been craving a little alone time lately. This time last year he’d been contemplating giving a ring to his now ex-girlfriend, Claire. Luckily for him, before he’d popped the question she’d shown her true colors when he’d caught her with another man.

  So long Claire, hello Maddie.

  The female in question lay with all four paws in the air, snoring happily into the afghan his mother had made when he was a child. Love could be treacherous and the only female who’d stuck with him was his dog. One issue was probably his job. With his uncertain shifts and long hours, it was hard to plan a social life when he could get called in at any time. Another issue was finding a woman who would be content to live on a mountain with him, a barn full of animals and a child on each hip. Most just weren’t interested in his lifestyle and they’d sought to change him. Little did they realize that he had no desire to change his entire way of life for a woman. Adapt, yes, change completely, no.

  Not that he was down on love, not at all. His heart had taken a bruising, though he could admit now he’d never been in love with Claire. Maybe he’d felt slight family pressure because his older brother was happily married with three wonderful kids and another on the way. It was a lifestyle Justice had always envisioned for himself though it hadn’t worked out that way. He had a nice house, acreage, a good-paying job, a trustworthy hound and now he just needed to find the perfect woman.

  Unbidden, an image of Star Whitefeather formed in his mind.

  He took a long drink of his beer. Now why would he have thought of her? She was a lovely woman in a librarian, button-down sort of way. Every time he’d worked with Star, her long hair had been screwed back into a tight bun and her body enveloped in oversized clothing that hid her figure. It was only when she laughed that he could see the true beauty that lay hidden beneath stretched out taupe sweaters and geeky black shoes.

  Besides, when he’d tried flirting with her she hadn’t responded at all. Still, he couldn’t help but wonder what she looked like without her clothing. Would she be soft and rounded or stick thin with tiny breasts? He’d spent many a sleepless night pondering such thoughts about the social worker though he was no closer to an answer than he ever was.

  Justice was a breast and ass man. He loved big breasts and big bottoms as they gave a man something to hang onto. He was pretty sure she had a great ass, as on many occasions she’d bent down to pick up children and he’d had to look away. When those baggy pants had tightened over the curves of her ass, he’d immediately begun thinking of stripping her bare and taking her from behind. A streak of warmth snaked through his groin. Oh yeah, Star had a grade A, prime ass—

  A tremendous crack sounded outside and the house plunged into darkness. With a bark, Maddie rolled off the couch and ran over to the window to investigate the sound. Putting down his beer, Justice got to his feet to peer outside. The wind still howled and the snow was blinding. He could barely see two feet off the front porch. Obviously something had taken down the power lines and he’d have to start up the generator or the temperature in the house would plummet.

  With Maddie trailing, Justice headed into the kitchen. Stopping to grab his coat and boots, they walked through the mud room then outside into the storm. Maddie took off like a shot, vanishing into the snow while he walked several yards to the shed.

  Once inside, it took only a few moments to get the generator running and he was heartily glad. Even sheltered from the storm, the temperature in the shed hovered around freezing and his feet were going numb. After filling the gas tank and rechecking the generator, he opened the vents on the east side of the building before exiting.

  Walking back to the house, he was surprised Maddie wasn’t waiting for him at the back door. Grabbing the porch post, he called for the dog. In the distance he heard a mournful bay that was distinctly hers. What the devil was she doing out there?

  Concerned by the unusual response, he ducked inside and grabbed a roll of nylon rope. Tying one end to the rail and the other to his right arm, he set out into the storm, calling her name.

  Maddie’s baying drew him like a homing pigeon and he struggled through the mid-thigh-deep snow toward the sound. Muttering under his breath about her dubious lineage, he was relieved when he found her.

  “Come on, girl. Let’s get back inside!”

  Maddie responded by baying again then bounding away through the snow before stopping to see if he was following.

  “What are you doing, girl?”

  She leapt toward him again then danced away when he reached for her.

  Damn dog.

  “Okay, Lassie, lead the way.”

  Maddie took off and Justice followed her stubby tail. Hampered by the snow and poor visibility, he walked a ways until the white of the snow was broken by something dark. The dog stopped by the dark object then sat with an expectant expression. Reaching down, he grasped the dark shape to discover it was a human arm. A thin layer of snow covered the person and he struggled to roll them over.

  It was a woman.

  Her face was shrouded by a scarf and hat but the long, dark spill of hair gave away her gender. Was she dead? Adrenaline surged forth and he tore off his gloves before pulling her scarf way to check for a pulse. He breathed a sigh of relief when he felt the slow, steady thumping. He needed to get her inside and quick.

  Picking up the woman, he eased her over his shoulder before calling to Maddie.

  “Home, girl.”

  The dog bounded through the snow, stopping every few feet to make sure they still followed. Hampered even more by the dead weight of the woman, Justice struggled on, heaving a sigh of relief when the back porch became visible. His feet felt frozen by the time he staggered up the steps and through the door.

  The heat inside the house was searing and his body felt frozen. Stumbling into the kitchen, his numb feet caused him to fall to his knees. The woman landed on the floor and he tore at her hat and scarf. Disbelief shot through him when he realized it was the woman he’d been fantasizing about earlier, Star Whitefeather.

  Her normally golden skin was pale, causing the knot on her head to stand out. Her black hair was a tangle about her head and snowflakes were melting on her face.

  “Star, wake up,” he called as he stripped out of his coat and boots.

  Her lashes fluttered then slowly opened. Her dark brown eyes were unfocused and he moved his hand in front of her face.

  “Star, can you hear me?”

  Slowly she seemed to gather herself and her gaze landed on him. A soft, dreamy smile kissed her full lips and they parted.

  “Merry Christmas.”

  * * * * *

  Norville heaved a sigh of relief when the door shut behind them. Mission accomplished! He did a little jig, kicking up the snow with his sandals. Cutting the power had been a stroke of genius if he did say so himself. Now he could zip back upstairs and get settled in just in time to catch a screening of It’s a Wonderful Life. He just loved that movie—

  “Not so fast, Probie.”

  Archangel Michael materialized out of the darkness. His broad wings stirred up currents of air and snow. “Saint Peter told you to watch out for her until morning.” He pointed to the s
tormy sky. “You have quite a few more hours to go, my friend.”

  “But she’s safe inside…”

  “Are you sure you’ve answered her Christmas wish?” Michael gave him an enigmatic smile. “Take care of the job, Norville, and straighten that halo.” He vanished in a swirl of snow and wind.

  Looking back at the house, Norville watched the young man carry Star into the living room. “Oh bother!”

  Chapter Three

  Merry Christmas?

  Justice looked at Maddie. “Just what kind of woman passes out on the floor after muttering that kind of a greeting?”

  The dog’s head cocked while her stub of a tail wiggled madly.

  “Aw, forget it.”

  Getting to his feet, he hurried into the living room. Gathering his sleeping bags and a queen-sized inflatable mattress from the front closet, he created a pallet on the floor before the fireplace. Ducking into the bathroom, he grabbed the first-aid kit and placed it with the sleeping bags.

  In the kitchen, Maddie still sat by Star and neither had moved an inch. After removing her serviceable black coat and gloves, he rechecked her pulse. Even though her breathing and pulse were even, he was concerned about her low body temperature and unnatural pallor. As a Native American, she’d been blessed with the high cheekbones and coloring of her people. Now, her skin held an unhealthy gray pallor and her lips were tinged with blue.

  After stripping her feet of the ugly shoes and damp socks, he carried her into the living room to lie on the pallet. Making quick work of removing her hat, he examined the wound on her head. It was superficial though it had bled quite a bit, not unusual for that type of injury, and he doubted it would have any lasting effects upon her.

  Justice couldn’t help but grin when he noticed she was dressed in bulky clothing. Caroline might say Star was a fashion victim but he found her clothing modest and in his estimation, refreshing.

  Underneath her cardigan she wore a plain white cotton shirt. Should he remove it? Even as that thought crossed his mind she began to shiver. Her movements were slow at first then began to increase in intensity.