After he’d treated her to a kiss that curled her toes inside her sheepskin-lined boots, she leaned back in the circle of his strong arms. “Goodness. I was saying you have a gleam in your eye,” she managed to say, sounding as breathless as she felt. “Clearly I was right.”

“Not bad for an old guy, huh?” A devilish grin creased his cheeks and he leaned down to nuzzle her neck. “You smell mighty good, Mrs. Krause. Like sugar cookies and pinecones. And…” He breathed deep and nibbled the sensitive bit of skin behind her ear. “Magic.”

“As I said, it’s in the air,” she murmured, savoring the pleasurable tingles skittering down her spine.

“Every time I’m near you,” Roland agreed, lifting his head to smile at her. Then his expression sobered. “But I don’t want you gettin’ your hopes up that romance will bloom here this week and then bein’ disappointed.”

“Nonsense. We have a number of single guests registered, you know. And all my ‘Christmas Magic’ senses are tingling.”

“That’s because I just kissed you.”

She laughed. “True. But that special holiday magic is shimmering all around us, Roland. I can feel it. You mark my words. Before Christmas arrives, love will once again bloom at Timberline Lodge.”

Chapter 2

Jessica Hayden gratefully absorbed the delicious warmth emitting from the snapping fire, which danced in the huge stone fireplace in the lobby of the Timberline Lodge. She wasn’t certain how long it would take Eric to get them registered, but after braving the two-hour drive here-the last few miles at a crawl due to the sudden heavy snowfall-then the blustery wind that hit them on their walk across the parking lot, she didn’t mind lingering near this heated coziness, at least for a few minutes. But more than thawing out by the fire, she was anxious for her and Eric to get to their cabin, where they’d generate their own heat.

Which couldn’t happen soon enough for her.