The bang of the front door slammed shut her hope as he went out to start his car.
She sighed heavenward. “God, what am I supposed to do?” No sooner had the prayer been spoken than the front door opened again. Matt dusted large snowflakes from his coat and hair.
“There’s no way I’m taking the risk of driving you two home tonight. The roads haven’t been plowed or sanded, and it’s snowed way more than I thought. We’ll just have to put Melody to bed here. It’s no big deal, she’s used to her room.”
Relief then fear flooded in. She’d have time to share her heart and a night—and a whole lot more.
“Surely it’s not that bad, Matt.”
“Yes, Anna, it is. I’m a confident driver, and even I don’t feel comfortable going down that mountain. I’m not about to risk the two most important people in my life.
Anna nodded in agreement.
Together they bathed, changed, and put Melody to bed.
“You’re so loved, my baby girl,” Matt said, giving her one more hug. Melody burrowed into his arms and snuggled there.
“Why don’t we go into the living room by the fire, and I’ll rock her to sleep.
“Matt,” Anna said, “she’s got you wrapped around her little finger, and she’s not even four months old yet.”
“Did you hear what your mama just said, Melody?” Her head lifted and a big smile formed as if to prove she understood every word. They both laughed.
Matt settled in the rocking chair with Melody’s favorite blanket and bottle in hand.
Anna watched the love between father and child, and her heart overflowed with joy. Everything was right about them together as a family, and she needed to set the record straight. She waited until Melody nodded off and Matt took her down the hall to her bedroom.
When he returned, she patted the seat beside her. “Come, sit.”
His eyebrows lifted. He hesitated but moved from the chair he was about to sink into and joined Anna on the couch.
When she reached for his hand and pulled him down beside her, his eyes opened wide in surprise, but he didn’t say a word. She let her head relax against his shoulder. Tentatively, he placed his arm around her as if waiting for her to protest.
They sat quietly, mesmerized by the dancing flames. The warmth of touch and the joy of togetherness filled her soul. When she could feel the tension relax within him and his body sink into the cushions, she knew the moment was perfect.
“I have something to ask you, Matt, but you need to open up your Christmas gift first.” From behind her back she pulled a small box wrapped in sparkling gold paper with a matching bow.
He removed the bow with the quick precision of a doctor, tore the paper free and lifted the lid.
“What is this?”
“Read it, silly.”
He pulled out the heart-shaped note and read out loud. “This coupon is good for one gold wedding band.” His breath whistled between his teeth before he sucked a gulp of air into his lungs.
“Anna, does this mean what I think it means?”
“Yes, Matt. I love you more than words can say. Will you marry me and be my husband, my lover, my friend, and an everyday father to Melody?”
His arms enveloped her. He kissed her brow, her cheeks, the tip of her nose, whispering, “Yes, yes, yes. Anna, I thought this day would never come.”
Anna’s cheeks flushed hot.
His lips touched her in tender gentleness awaiting her response. A passion as old as time and as natural as breathing swept over her. Fire hungrily met fire. His kiss deepened and she responded in kind. His hands moved restlessly over her layers of clothing as taste, touch, and sensation took on a life of their own.
Melody’s faint cry in the faraway distance brought Anna to her senses. She tugged away from Matt and popped up from the couch. One hand smoothed over her messy hair and the other pulled her shirt back into place. “I’m … I’m going to check on Melody.”
Matt groaned and raked his hands through his hair in frustration.
A good half hour passed before Anna returned. It took only a moment to calm Melody and watch her nod off, but it took much longer for Anna to cool herself. Wow, did they have chemistry … it was going to be a long night, but she wanted to follow God’s heart more than her own. That meant waiting for marriage despite their history.
When she returned she found Matt in the same spot, with his elbows on his knees and head in his hands. He looked up.
“Anna, I’m sorry. When it comes to you, I’m undone … undisciplined. If only I had an ounce of good sense, I wouldn’t think I could play with fire—”
“This isn’t your fault, Matt. It’s mine.”
“Come on, Anna, a Christian man should have a little self-control.”
“You’ve had a lot of control, Matt, waiting for me. We should’ve been married months ago.”
A smile split across his face. “No argument there. Let’s not waste any more time.”
“Whoa, whoa, Matt … I have something else I need to tell you, and what I’m about to ask may well turn your hair prematurely gray.” She sat beside him and shifted her body so she could read his face.
He covered her trembling hands with his. “Anna, what is it?”
“How would you feel about being a dad to two little ones?”
“Two, Anna? Last time I checked, a good kiss doesn’t create a baby … no matter how great it is.” He grinned from ear to ear.
“I hope you’re still smiling when I’m done telling you what I mean by two. I’ve offered to adopt Lorena’s baby.”
His eyes popped wide.
“It’s not a done deal or anything, but there’s a very real possibility Lorena
