Two hours later the sun was going down and they weren’t even halfway through uncovering the beautiful artwork or reading about it.

“So,” Raylen held out a hand to help her up off the floor, “if you put all this stuff up it’s going to look like a miniature Christmas light drive like the ones they put on in Dallas.”

“Every year when we are in a town that has a light exhibit, Mama and I take a drive through it. Is there one around here?” Liz asked.

“The prettiest one is in Chickasha, Oklahoma. But if you put up all this, you can bet folks will come from miles around to drive down your lane,” he said.

“I’ll sit on the porch in the evening and hand out candy canes when they reach the house and turn around.” She remembered the time that they’d gone through a light show in east Texas and there had been a donation booth at the end for a charity. The lady there had worn a Mrs. Claus suit and gave out candy canes. Did she have time to buy a costume like that? What would she look like in a white wig?

“You goin’ to wear a belly dancin’ outfit while you hand out candy canes?” Raylen teased as he pulled her up to her feet.

“Of course, and if anyone wants to put ten dollars in my jar, I’ll do a dance out in the yard for them,” she shot back.

His didn’t let go of her hand once she was standing. “You can’t do that. This is a small town, Liz, but that would draw idiots from everywhere and you might get hurt. Promise me you won’t do that, or if you do, let me come over to protect you.”

“I was teasing, but Raylen, I can take care of myself. I’ve been fending off people for years. I was thinking about a Mrs. Claus costume. You want to be Santa?” she said quickly.

“Thank God.” Raylen breathed a sigh of relief, “And no, thank you.”

He drew her closer, looking down into her dark eyes, trying to find the faint glimmer of something that would not fly away. But he didn’t want to think about tomorrow or the future. He just wanted to think about the moment at hand—and kissing her.

His mouth lowered to hers, and she rolled up on her toes to meet him halfway. Lips devoured lips when they met in a clash of passion. She wrapped her arms around his back, her fingers digging into his tight muscles and broad shoulders.

“Hey, anyone here?” Gemma’s voice came from the doorway.

Liz stepped out of Raylen’s embrace and blushed.

“We’re in the loft. Be down in a minute,” Raylen called down.

“I’ve got food,” Gemma singsonged back up.

Raylen pulled Liz back into his embrace and brushed a feathery soft kiss across her mouth. “You have the sweetest lips,” he whispered.

“I bet you say that to all the girls, don’t you?” she said.