She didn’t know what time Sam had gotten back or even if he’d returned. There was no doubt he had plenty of options for where to spend the night before Christmas based on the number of women who’d sought him out in town.

Bella was all too aware of his popularity with the ladies. He’d earned a reputation in Magnolia, although she’d noticed that his social life had taken a severe nosedive in the past several months.

Even before that, he’d never brought a woman to spend the night at the duplex. And since they didn’t exactly run in the same social circles, everything she knew about his romantic life in Magnolia was secondhand.

Tonight she’d gotten an up close view of his appeal to the opposite sex. At least a half dozen women had approached him during the caroling event, including the two that had pulled him away when the Jake Combs concert started. Women who’d alternately flirted, then pouted, demanding Sam’s attention and gleefully reminding him of their shared pasts with a knowing wink.

It was as if most of the women in Ridgeway had allergies related to Sam. All that winking and feigned trouble catching their breath. Bella had wanted to start handing out inhalers just to calm the panting he seemed to invoke.

She felt like ten kinds of a fool because she’d actually started to believe there might be something special between the two of them. He’d stayed at her side for much of the time spent with his family, making sure she was comfortable and felt cared for. He’d looked after Tater with a protectiveness that melted Bella’s heart.

Her stupid, foolish heart.

It was to blame for getting her into this situation. Making her believe there might be something more than friendship or a sense of guilt between them.

But he’d allowed himself to be drawn away tonight without an ounce of protest. His brother had been sweet and asked her to dance, but Bella had feigned being tired. When Jayne suggested taking one of the cars to head home before the rest of the group, Bella had been happy to go along.

Sam certainly wouldn’t notice she’d left.

She smiled as Tater rolled onto his back in the dry grass, then glanced up at the sound of crunching gravel.

Her puppy gave a gleeful bark, and she quickly bent to shush him as Sam approached from the main cabin.

He wore the same faded jeans he’d had on earlier, only he’d also added a thick fleece over his denim shirt. The mountain air was crisp, although at the moment heat poured through Bella like someone had turned on the hot tap at the faucet.

“You’re up late,” he said with a hesitant smile.

“You’re home early,” she countered.

“Am I?” His smile faded. “I came looking for you when Jake Combs started ‘Only Your Love.’ Heidi told me you’d left with Dad and Jayne.” He drew in a deep breath. “And Kyle.”