Another breath. Deep. Calming. Since putting down the book last night, he framed most of his decisions by following Scrooge’s example. It took courage to admit his own fault and apologize to the Cratchits. Clark needed to find some courage of his own. With gentle fingers, he tugged on the end of his red scarf. Kate took the hint and turned her head back towards him. It still waited on her knees, as if her misery weighed too much to keep her head upright, but it was a step in the right direction.

And if this was the last time she’d ever let herself get caught dead in his presence, at least he’d have one last chance to look at her beautiful, bewitching eyes.

“So I could stop feeling things for you. So I could put you in a little box and forget you. Because I’ve never been in love before and falling in love is terrifying for someone like me. I like being in control. I like knowing exactly where I’m going and when I’m with you… You’ve turned everything upside down for me. It scared me. It still scares me, but—”

Once he started talking about her, he found it impossible to filter himself, but one purposeful look from those striking eyes silenced his rambling.

“I’ve never been in love before either.”

“Really?”

He found it hard to believe on two levels. One: no one in the world carried as much love inside of her as Kate Buckner. How in the world had no one ever unlocked it and treasured it before? Two: she’d never fallen in love before and yet she chose him? Impossible.

“No better time than Christmas, huh?”

A dreamlike haze settled across her face, only to be torn away with a shake of her head.

“No. No.” She held up her hands, brushing away invisible cobwebs. “You’re not smooth talking your way out of this. I have to protect myself.”

Yesterday, Clark would have shouted. Been indignant. Rejected her and all she stood for. Today, he slid down to the step below where she was sitting so he could look up at her, all while softening his sympathies.

“I’m sorry. Is that what you want to hear? I’m sorry I pushed you away. I’m sorry I shut you out and threatened to take away everything you love out of spite. And if you never want to see me again, I will walk out of this town forever but I can’t do that until I know I’ve made it right. Until you’ve had your Christmas and until you know you’ve changed my life.”

“That sounds a little dramatic,” she said, even as she hugged his heavy wool coat closer. He didn’t blame her for thinking it a bit farfetched. When had a man ever changed in one night?

Oh yeah. In A Christmas Carol.