A Woman With A Mystery Part 24

For two months, the cop had searched for her. Then to his delight, she'd turned up with Slade. The cop reprogrammed her that evening on the phone and had her steal some files-including the one on Slade's mother-and some money, hoping that would be the end of it.

But of course it wasn't.

It all made sense now. Why Holly hadn't wanted Slade to go to the police when he'd found her in the snowstorm. Why she'd been afraid for her life.

After a few weeks in Tobago, waiting for everything to die down, Slade and Holly and the twins returned home to Montana.

"You know we don't have to stay in Dry Creek," Slade had said.

"No, Rawlins, we don't. But we will," she said smiling as she'd leaned over to kiss him. "Because it's home."

His eyes had widened. "We're going to have to buy a house!"

She'd laughed. "One with an art studio and a big backyard."

They'd found a house-right next door to Sh.e.l.ley's and closed on it the same day Sh.e.l.ley announced her engagement to John, the wonderful man she'd met while vacationing in Tobago.

It had taken time for Slade to forgive Norma. Then, one day when Norma had stopped over, Holly heard him tell the twins, "This is your gramma." Holly felt tears come to her eyes even now, just remembering the look on Norma's face.

Norma had been a part of their family ever since. The family was growing too; Sh.e.l.ley and John were expecting in March.

"You've been through a lot," Holly said now to Norma as the Christmas tree started taking shape to the sound of "Jingle Bells" and laughter.

"Pish," Norma said. "I've been through nothing compared to you and Slade and the twins. No, I mean Slade. I never thought I'd see the day that he would actually be enjoying Christmas again."

Holly tried not to cry. She was so emotional these days. Just the sight of Slade and the twins made her close to tears of happiness. "I can't tell you how thankful I am to have him and our little angels."

"You don't have to," Norma said. "Believe me, I know."

Courtney toddled over with one of the ornaments cradled in her small hands. "Oook," she said smiling up at her grandmother.

Carmen toddled over to take a look at her twin's ornament, then showed her grandmother hers. "Look, angels, Gramma."

"They're beautiful," Norma said of the ornaments. "Just like the two of you!"

"Are you ready?" Sh.e.l.ley called out. She nodded to John to do the honors. He plugged in the lights.

The tree lit up, a warm glow of bright colored ornaments and twinkling lights.

"It's beautiful," Holly breathed, unable this time to hold back the tears. The twins climbed up onto the couch, one on each side of her, their eyes huge with surprise and excitement.

Slade sat down on the floor at her feet. "How are you feeling?" he asked, putting his hand on Holly's swollen belly. He smiled up at her as he felt a small foot kick.

"Rawlins, what would you think about having Christmas babies?" she asked as she felt another contraction coming.

"Are you serious?" he cried getting onto his knees in front of her. "You don't mean...now?"

In an instant, he was on his feet. "She's going to have the babies!"

Sh.e.l.ley was at his side. "Take it easy. Go get her suitcase and start the pickup. Mom and I and Johnny can take care of Courtney and Carmen. But who's going to take care of Slade?"

Slade hadn't moved. He was looking down at Holly, his eyes so filled with love Holly thought she would burst.

"I just want this time to be...different," he said quietly.

"It will be, Rawlins," she said, smiling up at him. "This time I'm having twin boys!"

Books by B.J. Daniels

HARLEQUIN INTRIGUE.

312-ODD MAN OUT

353-OUTLAWED!

417-HOTSHOT P.I.

446-UNDERCOVER CHRISTMAS

493-A FATHER FOR HER BABY

533-STOLEN MOMENTS

555-LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

566-INTIMATE SECRETS

585-THE AGENT'S SECRET CHILD

604-MYSTERY BRIDE

617-SECRET BODYGUARD

643-A WOMAN WITH A MYSTERY