“I guess you could say that.”

“How come?”

Erin drew in a deep breath and released it slowly. “It’s been a long time, a very long time, since I allowed anything like this to happen.”

“And what exactly would you say is happening?”

His intense gaze made it impossible for her to look away. “I don’t know yet, but today’s been fun so far.”

He reached out to drag his fingertip over her cheek, which made her want to lean into his touch. “Best day I’ve had since the last time I saw you.” Keeping his eyes open, he kissed her again, softly, fleetingly. Too fleetingly for her liking. It only left her wanting more, which was probably another one of his goals.

After a quick stop at the liquor store, they headed to the lighthouse, where Slim wrestled the tree up the spiral staircase. “Whoever had the big idea to put spiral stairs in here wasn’t thinking about Christmas,” he muttered, holding the tree over his head as he navigated the tight curves.

“And now you see why I didn’t bother with a tree.”

“It’ll be worth it. You’ll see.”

Thankfully, the tree came with a built-in cross stand that made it easy to position in a corner of the living room. Next, he saw to soaking their “ornaments” in bleach in a bucket he unearthed from the mudroom.

Entertained by his industriousness, Erin brewed a cup of tea and offered him some.

“No tea for me, thanks. I’m a coffee guy, and only in the morning.”

She filed away the information along with the other things she was learning about him as they spent more time together. Taking her tea to the sofa, she watched him string the lights until he was satisfied with the coverage.

“Does it hurt to look at?” he asked.

Smiling, she said, “Downright painful.”

“Perfect.”

Using fishing string and superglue he found in a kitchen drawer, Slim created hooks for their ornaments and handed them to her for placement, until the only thing left was the topper that was so ugly it was beautiful. Slim surprised her when he placed his hands at her hips and lifted her so she could do the honors.

He brought her down slowly and gently and then turned her, his hands resting on her shoulders. “It’s beautiful,” he said of the tree, but he was looking at her.

“Yes, it is. I love it. Thank you for talking me into getting a tree.”

“Thank you for letting me talk you into it.”

He stared down at her, and then raised his hands to frame her face.

Erin couldn’t breathe as she waited to see what he would do, and he didn’t disappoint.