Читать книгу The Complete Christmas Collection - Джанис Мейнард, Rebecca Winters - Страница 50

Hope. One syllable with so much promise and the richest reward. The most comforting word in existence.

Logan smiled and spun the crib mobile with his fingertips. The silver stars dangling from the center glinted in the low light of the bedroom lamp with each twist. His son’s eyes followed the movement, wide with wonder.

“Give it a try, Ethan,” he whispered.

Ethan curled his knees to his chest and kicked his feet against the mattress. His gaze refocused on the star above and he stretched his arms up. At four months old, he had difficulty controlling the direction of his movements but he gave it his best shot anyway. His small hands opened and closed, his fingers dancing in the air as he tried to capture the shiny object.

“You can do it.” Logan held out his finger, raising it just beyond his son’s reach.

Ethan shifted his attention to Logan’s hand and his grasping fingers followed. He caught hold of Logan’s finger, wrapping it tight in his palm. His eyebrows lifted and a smile broke out across his face as he gurgled with delight.

Logan chuckled. “That’s my boy.”

“Are you two still playing?”

Slim arms encircled Logan from behind, hands splaying over his chest and soft curves pressing against his back. His body tightened, flooding with warmth. He turned, wrapping his hands around Amy’s hips and tugging her close.

“Feeling left out?” he teased, touching a kiss to her nose. “Because I’d be more than happy to schedule extra playtime for us if that’d raise your spirits.”

“Hmm. That might be a good idea...”

Her head tilted back as he kissed her neck. He moved his mouth over her skin, breathing in her sweet scent and touching the tip of his tongue to the pulse at the base of her throat.

He closed his eyes, savoring the taste and feel of her, and knew he’d never get enough. His love for Amy grew every day and this one was no exception. They’d had an extra busy Christmas morning with family, followed by a boisterous afternoon playing with the kids, and they should all be exhausted. But it seemed none of them were ready to call it a night.

A disgruntled cry emerged from the crib. Logan groaned, stealing one more kiss as Amy edged around him.

“What’s the matter, handsome?” Amy slipped her hands under Ethan and lifted him to her chest, murmuring soothing words.

Logan grinned and stroked his palm over Ethan’s downy black hair. “We’ve gotta work on your timing, son.”

“Oh, he’ll settle down soon.” Amy kissed the top of Ethan’s head and rubbed a hand over his back. “He just likes a stroll before bedtime.”

She crossed the bedroom and stood by the window, humming a Christmas tune and swaying from side to side. Ethan’s eyes grew heavy and eventually fluttered shut, his rosy cheek pressed tight to Amy’s chest.

A wave of sweet heat rushed through Logan. Dear God, they were beautiful. The most precious parts of his life.

“Logan.” Amy glanced over her shoulder, mouth parting with excitement. “Come look.”

He moved close, wrapping his arms around them both and looking out the window. The glow of the white Christmas lights lining the porch rails of the house spilled over, illuminating the space below their window. A silent shower of puffy white flakes fluttered to the ground. They piled up to form a festive blanket that tucked up against the edge of the house.

“A white Christmas.” She laughed softly. “In Georgia. Can you believe it?”

“Yeah.” Logan squeezed Amy closer and smoothed a palm over his son’s back. “Anything is possible.”

They stayed awake, watching the snow fall, and Logan’s heart filled up. Like his arms, it overflowed. With love, happiness and hope.