building snowdrifts to the weathered front door.
Under the protection of a Swiss-style eave, he began to fumble in his pocket for a key when he felt a current of warm air brush against his face. Looking up, he saw that the front door had swung open, and standing before him was Evita Vargas.
Her long black hair flowed down over her shoulders, contrasting sharply with a long, white silk gown. Her eyes glistened with hope as she gazed out at the tall figure standing motionless in the doorway. Behind her, a fire crackled in a rock fireplace, its flames casting wavering images of golden light against the dark log walls of the living room, and as an added touch to an already perfect holiday greeting, a fully-decorated Christmas tree stood in a corner of the room, its twinkling colored lights illuminating a small pile of presents that had been placed beneath its branches.
Enveloped in the cold swirling snow, Leo was speechless as he stared at the vision inside. Evita’s brown eyes crinkled at the edges, her smile growing as she watched his reaction, and for a long moment, both were oblivious to the chill of the wind as their eyes met in perfect silence.
Reaching out, she took him by the hand and slowly pulled him through the front door into the warmth of the cabin.
“Come in, my love.”
