“Come, my lovely. You look way too attractive when you’re angry, and the church isn’t the place to kiss that pout off your lips.”
She slapped him on the arm. “You’re incorrigible, Matt, and quit flirting with me.” She turned and made for the door.
“I’ll never stop, Anna. Never!”
Her heart picked up speed as anger flew out the window. With or without the likes of Myrtle Pinsmith, she planned on having a fantastic Christmas.
The two of them played with Melody for a bit before Anna tucked her into bed. She found Matt in the living room where he’d taken it upon himself to turn the Christmas tree lights on, the overhead lights off, and make a fire that crackled and glowed.
Anna felt a raw intimacy and began to babble as she fussed with a Christmas bulb on the tree.
“I’m glad that Lorena’s getting away to enjoy some sun. They’re at an all-inclusive resort in hopes Lorena eats a lot. She’s way too thin.
“Oh, and did I tell you Todd is stoked … his words not mine. He got to bring a friend—”
“Anna.” Matt interrupted. “Do you really think I’m interested in your nervous chatter about Mexico?”
Anna whirled around from the tree to catch a lazy smile play across his face. Her heart tripped a beat at him sprawled across her couch in total relaxation. Her breath hitched as she noticed a wayward curl that hung across his forehead. Her fingers itched to run through his curly locks and smooth that curl into place. Her eyes locked with his as she took a trip down memory lane to the passionate night they shared. Heat immediately rushed to her face.
He sat up straight and patted the spot beside him on the couch. “Come sit with me.”
She made her way over and sat on the opposite end of the couch facing him.
“What, now I bite?” He asked lightheartedly as a crooked smile activated that crazy dimple on the right side of his cheek.
“Good thing you can laugh, Matt, because I’m so not comfortable here.”
“Why? Are you afraid of allowing yourself to feel, Anna?”
He was so close to the truth that it hurt.
He slid closer and grabbed one hand and lifted it to his lips. Tenderly, he kissed each finger and then placed her hand over his heart.
She could feel the rapid movement beneath her finger tips through the weight of his sweater.
“That’s what you do to me, Anna. I can’t be in your presence without my heart racing like Street Sense in the Kentucky Derby.” He laughed and dropped her hand but nudged closer.
“You should have seen that horse run. I was fortunate enough to be there. I’ll have to take you to a race sometime so you’ll know what I mean.”
The low rumble of his voice relaxed Anna, and she sank into the cushions. When he slipped an arm around her shoulder, she allowed it to stay there. Warm. Welcome. Wonderful.
Christmas morning dawned bright and beautiful. Matt stood at his window with the view of the city and lake spread before him. His perch up on Dilworth Mountain was one of the best. There had been a time when his possessions and status mattered, but not anymore. He would sell his house in a flash and live with Anna in her quiet unassuming neighborhood far below, if only she’d have him. Just the thought set his pulse racing.
She had no idea of the torture she had placed him in the night before. Nor could she begin to understand the discipline it took to have her close and not succumb to the desire to kiss her or nuzzle her long graceful neck relaxed against him.
She couldn’t know that he had prayed for a miracle as they sat side-by-side and begged God to heal her insecurities. All Anna would know is that they had a wonderful time. They laughed, talked, and enjoyed each other’s company.
God, however, knew he prayed for so much more. The hope of a new day opened before him. A whole day to spend with his two favorite girls. He would make the most of it.
Covered beneath a dusting of fresh snow, the remnant of a few twinkling lights dotted the view. The world looked unspoiled and serene. He moved to his favorite chair with a hot cup of coffee in hand to watch the sun crest the eastern ridge. Like a million diamonds upon the surface of the earth, sunbeams spread and danced across the snow.
His cat, Abby, wound around his legs purring. He picked her up and stroked her back as he prayed.
“Thank you, God, for so many blessings. I surrender the difficult and believe you have all in your control.
“What a wonderful way to start both Christmas and my birthday. No one could’ve told me last Christmas, God, that in the span of the next year I’d have the gift of you, the gift of my beautiful baby, and the gift of a spirited, stubborn, but special woman in my life. My dreams never got that big. You have truly blessed me.” Matt whispered an amen into the heavens.
He opened his Bible to read, but his mind drifted to the conversation he knew he had to have with Anna. If they were going to make it as a couple or raise Melody in harmony, Anna would have to accept the fact he had money and lots of it.
Pastor Harry had taught him how some people were given the gift of going to the ends of the earth to evangelize and others the need to support them financially and prayerfully. With an already philanthropic viewpoint, Matt found the idea of tithing and giving to missions exciting.
He could tell his possessions intimidated Anna. Born into money, he’d grown up in a privileged home where education and affluence were an everyday experience. Though he had worked hard, he’d been given every tool with which to succeed. He no longer felt the urge to hide his
