A Christmas to Remember Read online

  Everyone hugged and promised to talk tomorrow at their meeting, but it was not family time. Bo and her men led Anna and Shelly down one of the many aisles. “I still can’t believe they did this. It’s amazing.” Shelly took a deep breath and sighed. “All we’re missing is snow.”

  Suddenly she looked up and stopped. Snow was falling all around them. Shouts of cheer and cries of happiness could be heard.

  Anna jumped up and down. “It’s snowing!” She held out her tongue, waiting to catch a snowflake, and Shelly couldn’t help but join her.

  Chapter Twelve

  Bo watched Little Wolf and Anna playing in the snow and was thrilled at everyone’s reaction. It had taken all of the men to work on this special surprise for their families and it was well worth it.

  The smiles and laughs in everyone’s faces would be remembered for a long time. He looked over at Remi and he nodded. Jaycee was twirling around, laughing like a little girl.

  “Come on, I think I see a tree.” Shelly pulled on his hand, leading him forward. “And don’t think we didn’t know all of you were up to something. You guys all worked on this, didn’t you?”

  He shrugged. “We wanted to give all of you a little something extra.”

  “That you did, and we’ll never forget this night, thank you.” She squeezed his hand and pointed to a fat blue spruce tree. It had to be close to seven feet tall.

  “It’s so pretty.” Anna walked around the tree with Shelly and they both nodded.

  “Well, I guess it’s settled.” Bo looked at Argo and he nodded.

  “It’s perfect. It will go great in front of the front window. Is that where you were thinking?” Buck looked at Shelly, who nodded.

  “Whoever comes into our home will see it first and it will be seen in the living room, plus the kitchen.” She smiled from ear to ear as Argo reached down and grabbed hold of the pot.

  “Well, let’s go home then and decorate this baby.” Argo lifted the tree up and started to walk away with it like it was nothing.

  “Show off,” Bo muttered and winked at Anna before scooping her up in his arms. “So tell me, Little Cat, what would you like Santa to bring to you?”

  The little girl hesitated a little, looking at Shelly, but after a few minutes in his arms she relaxed again. “I want my doll and maybe some books, but my Elle was burned when Mommy and Daddy died.” She rested her head against his chest and he cuddled her close.

  “We’ll see what Santa brings, sweetie, but first tonight we’ll eat supper while decorating our tree. Mommy Shelly has all sorts of decorations you two can go through.”

  “I thought we could make popcorn strings and put it on the tree. I also have box of pine cones I collected before we came down here. They’re all different colors and we can tie those to the tree too,” Shelly said next to him, holding onto Buck’s hand. “Oh, we must not forget the music too. From what I’ve been told your Daddy White Eagle and Bo used to be in a band…” She nudged him in the hip.

  “Maybe we can get them to play some music on the guitars I saw in the closet?”

  Anna’s head lifted and she grinned.

  “I’d love to learn how to play guitar! That’s what I want for Christmas. My Daddy was going to teach me this year, but maybe you can?” she asked as they turned down the private tunnel to their home.

  “Then that will be my gift to you. We’ll start next week, one lesson every week, just you and I,” Bo promised.

  Anna clapped her hands before wrapping them around his neck and squeezing. “Thank you!”

  White Eagle opened the door for Argo as Shelly and Anna watched him set it where his Little Wolf wanted it. Buck flipped on the Christmas music, while White Eagle and he started to drag the decorations out into the living room.

  “This is perfect. Now let me go throw some steaks on.” He set a box down and covered her mouth with his in a quick kiss.

  “No, we’re cooking. You and Anna are going to decorate the tree. Buck, start the popcorn so these ladies can make their garland. I’ll start the steaks and we have a nice casserole Mom made for us too,” Bo announced when he lifted his head. “Tonight is all about you two. Things are going to rough in the next few days.” He rested his forehead against hers.

  “I want tonight to be my Christmas present to you. All of us together, laughing, enjoying each other. Nothing else matters, just you and Anna. Thank you for standing beside me when everything went to hell.” He looked around. “Us, that is, a thank you for allowing all of us to be part of your life.”

  She slapped his chest and stepped back. Her face was red and so were her eyes as tears slid down her cheeks. “Damn it, Bo, you guys had to get all mushy now. I’m going to be crying all night now and have red dots on my face.”

  “Well, we could play connect the dots on Mommy’s face,” Argo teased winking at Anna, who tried not to laugh, but started giggling.

  “You! And here I thought you were on my side.” Shelly raised her hands up, her fingers moving. “Time for the tickle monster to attack.” She raced around the house, chasing Anna.

  There were a few times Shelly almost tripped over boxes, scaring the crap out of all of them, but nothing would take away this night. Bo and the others would remember it always, helping them get through the fighting that was soon to come. Their family was whole and tonight was just for them.

  THE END

  Watch for Book nine coming soon!

  Copyright Information

  A Ravenous Romance® Original Publication

  www.ravenousromance.com

  Running in Fear: A Christmas to Remember

  Copyright © 2013 by Trinity Blacio

  Ravenous Romance®

  100 Cummings Center

  Suite 123A

  Beverly, MA 01915

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher, except by reviewers who may quote brief excerpts in connection with a review.

  ISBN-13: 978-1-60777-574-4

  This book is a work of fiction, and any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

  About the Author

  Trinity Blacio has been writing professionally for eight years. She also writes under two other pen names. Right now you can find her works at Freya’s Bower and Ravenous Romance. Trinity believes in passing it forward: no matter how big or small an author is, she should always help others in the publishing profession. With this idea in mind, she has created a place where authors, editors, publishers, and anyone in the publishing business can come together to help each other. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/publishingtrove/. With the success of her Running in Fear werewolf ménage series at Ravenous Romance, Trinity has been able to give up her full-time job outside the home, and devote herself to writing full time. She has two children, Cheyenne and Rudy. When Trinity has time you can find her reading all sorts of romance novels. But, as you would expect, her favorites categories are dark fantasy, erotic romance, ménage, and erotic horror. You can find her on Facebook, MySpace, Yahoo, and of course, at her website http://trinityblacio.com.