reading him accurately.
She scanned his tall, lean form. The well-worn leather bomber jacket he wore proclaimed he was a pilot in the Air Force. His light blue shirt was open at the collar, revealing a white T-shirt and a few strands of dark chest hair. He wore a pair of comfortable jeans and, to her delight, a pair of scuffed cowboy boots. Where had he gotten those? Knowing Kyle, he'd probably always had them, a tie to his Arizona roots and heritage. With his tan, he looked more like a Westerner than an Air Force major.
Kyle smiled, the exhaustion torn from him as he saw Gale waiting restlessly at the rear of the crowd gath-ered at the doors. Christmas music was playing as he entered the small airport lounge decorated with a tree, tinsel and a cardboard Santa Claus waving his hand merrily to all arriving visitors.
It was Gale that Kyle hungrily homed in on. She was wearing a dark green wool dress, the full skirt brushing her knees. The red scarf around her neck emphasized the blush on her cheeks. The festive Christmas colors enhanced the natural radiance of her features.
He hadn't seen her since last year, since Mike's funeral. A part of him breathed a sigh of relief: Gale had regained her previous weight; her cheeks were no longer gaunt. As Kyle slowly made his way through the wall of waiting people, he saw her in an entirely different light. She looked like a rose in full bloom, her parted lips red and filled with promise, her cheeks deepening with a blush that did nothing but make her sparkling green eyes that much more beautiful.
Shyness suddenly seized Kyle. He stopped in front of her, managing a lame smile of welcome. It was impossible to hug her because his hands were filled with luggage. 'Hi, stranger,' he greeted her, his voice hoarse.
Gale was equally shy. 'Hi, yourself,' she whispered.
Awkwardly, Kyle looked around. 'Where's my folks?'
Gale laughed softly, tying the belt around her camel-hair coat. 'They'll see you at home.' Gale motioned to the window. 'You know they don't like driving in snow, and Flag has had a record amount this year. I told them I'd brave it and come to pick you up.'
'Sounds good. Lead the way, I've got my baggage on me.'
Gale turned and walked down the crowded hall. She saw how reticent Kyle was and understood. So was she. They were on an entirely different footing with each other for the first time. Was he here as her friend, or as something more? She didn't know, but she had to find out. 'I'm so glad you came.'
'Your cryptic telegram made me come.' He studied her intently, sensing her nervousness and shyness. He felt just as off balance. Trying to make her more at ease, he said teasingly, 'What am I going to do around here for ten days?'
A small gasp escaped Gale and she lifted her chin. 'You got ten days?'
Kyle didn't know how to read her reaction. 'Yeah. Is that too long?'
'Uh, no… no, that's wonderful! I didn't think you'd stay that long.'
'Cryptic telegrams make me nervous. I didn't realize you were down here for Christmas and I thought something was wrong that might demand more than a couple of days of my time.'
'Nothing's wrong… I changed my mind at the last minute about spending Christmas in Medford-alone. I-well, Sedona just seemed the right place for me to be, Kyle.'
He understood. Five years of her life had revolved around the Taylors. She needed their support as she was still easing through the loss of Mike. Yet another part of Kyle was severely disappointed. 'Sedona's always a good place to come,' he agreed hoarsely.
She smiled. 'The best, Major Anderson.'
'Why do I have the feeling I'm the fly and you're the spider, Ms. Taylor?' He met her smile, a sharp ache awakening in him. Gale was wearing her hair long and loose, a golden-brown cloak around her shoulders. It gleamed beneath the lights of the terminal. He wanted desperately to sift those strands through his fingers. He gently shut the lid on his heart's urgent request.
Taking a huge risk, Gale curled her hand around his arm and led Kyle out of the terminal and into the chilly evening air. It was beginning to snow again. 'As always, you're perceptive,' Gale said with a laugh.
Suddenly, Kyle realized that he'd never felt happier and he laughed with her. Large white snowflakes wafted down slowly from the darkening sky. Taking a deep breath of the cold, frosty air, he shortened his stride to match Gale's. He was home.
'So, what have you got on the agenda for me?' Kyle wanted to say
Glancing at her watch, Gale said, 'Your mom has fixed the two families' Christmas Eve dinner. They're waiting for us. Afterward, we'll decorate both families' trees.'
Kyle looked for some hint of unhappiness, of grief, in Gale's eyes, but he found none. Instead, he found excitement and sparkling joy. 'That's a nice thing to do,' he said, meaning it.
'It's about time we all had something good happen to us,' Gale murmured. She squeezed his arm, feeling his muscles tense and then relax beneath her hand. 'And for the next ten days, we're going to laugh and have fun, Kyle.' Gale held his gaze. 'No crying, no tears,' she whispered.
'You've got a deal, lady,' he returned thickly. Christmas had never looked so good or so hopeful to Kyle. He sensed that Gale had released Mike and put her love for him in a chamber of her heart that held memories. Good, warm memories. Her green eyes were clear, and he saw renewed life within them. Her small hand on his arm felt good-felt great.
'Right after the meal, we'll start with your parents' Christmas tree,' Gale said, halting at her bright red sports car. 'And then we'll all go to the Taylors'. Mom Taylor has made dessert and egg nog for us.' Gale opened the door and smiled. 'I have your gift, too. Wait until you see it.'
He grinned, hearing the excitement in her voice. Kyle placed his luggage in the trunk of the car. 'I already sent you your Christmas present.'
'It's tucked under the tree,' she said, 'and I haven't opened it yet.'
'Better not have,' he teased. Kyle wanted to lean down and brush her smiling mouth with a kiss. The need to do it was nearly overwhelming. For so long, he'd hurt for Gale, for her loss. The wind swirled, moving her hair restlessly across her shoulders. Snowflakes nestled in the golden-brown strands, and Kyle found himself reaching out, gently removing them one at a time.
Gale stood very still, drowning in Kyle's nearness. When his mouth softened as he lightly touched her hair, she closed her eyes and remembered his gentleness, his ability to give to her. As she opened them, she took a chance and caught his hand in her own, squeezing it because she wanted his closeness.
'Come on, let's go home-'
'Together,' he agreed, returning the pressure.
It was nearly 1:00 a.m. before the Anderson household finally quieted down for the night. Kyle led Gale into the den. In front of them was a cheerful fire in the fireplace. Christmas music softly moved through the blue-carpeted room. The laughter, the sharing between the two families, had been nonstop. The Taylors had recovered from Mike's death, obviously happy that both Kyle and Gale were home for Christmas.
It was as if a miracle had occurred in the past year. Kyle remembered how devastated Mike's parents had been. Now, the Taylors were the way he'd always known them-jovial and sharing. His own parents reminded him of joyous puppies, covering him with kisses, hugs and tears of gladness upon arrival. The decorating of both Christmas trees had been bonding, healing.
He sat on the couch facing the fire. Glancing up, he saw Gale studying him, a pensive look on her face. If nothing else, he was aware of how much he loved her. Did she love him? Or did she still see him as simply a friend? He patted the space next to him.
'Come on, sit with me.' How would she interpret his gesture? Probably as one of friendship. The fear he felt at trying to communicate that he loved her, had always loved her, scared him. If he put his arm around her shoulders, what would she do? If he tried to kiss her, what would be her reaction? Kyle was scared to death that Gale would turn away from his advances. The thought was shattering and one he couldn't overcome right now.
She smiled and sat next to him, her hand touching his shoulder. The uncertainty in his eyes kept her on edge. The last few hours of sharing and laughter with both families had been incredibly healing. Incredibly wonderful. Whenever she caught Kyle looking at her, an ache of longing had swept through her like a tidal wave. Gale could barely hang on to the words,
