All I Want for Christmas: A Kinnison Legacy Holiday novella by Amanda McIntyre Page A

what’s going on in that head of yours?” He tapped her shoulder with his soda can, forcing her gaze to his.
    “Do you think, maybe….”
    “Not for a minute.” Dalton shook his head. “I had a feeling Rein’s concern might be giving you doubts.”
    She swallowed. Her relationship with Rein before they began their summer fling had been nothing short of volatile. In fact, she’d deduced finally that the animosity between them had been a thinly wrapped veil of pent-up attraction that neither wanted to admit to. Once that line was crossed, sparks flew.
    “Maybe we moved too fast. It was too soon after the fire. I was feeling so much guilt, I’d have said yes to anything he asked me.”
    Dalton narrowed his gaze. “And did you? Did you tell him yes, that you’d marry him, out of guilt, Liberty? Really? Because from where I stood, it looked like you won the lottery and Rein looked the same.” He chuckled. “That day in Vegas, after you testified against your bozo ex-boss, when Rein got down on one knee on the courthouse steps and proposed…hell, I’ve never seen a man so smitten in my life—exception being me, of course.”
    His observation made her smile. “You and Angelique belong together. You have a beautiful family.”
    He eyed her. “Listen, Rein loves you. God knows what you see in the guy,” he said with a smile. “But I know this as well as I know that I’m breathing.”
    She took her brother’s hand and squeezed it. “It’s just that he’s experienced so much loss in his life. I wish I could give him what he wants.”
    A shadow fell over the table. “I wondered where you’d gone.”
    Dalton rose and patted Rein on the shoulder as he offered him his seat. “I’m going to text Betty. Figure that woman has a direct line to the big man upstairs.”
    Rein nodded, then edged in next to Liberty. “I caught just the last part of your conversation. Baby, what are you worried about?” he asked, shifting toward her and draping his arm over the booth behind her.
    “There’s just a lot going on right now. I know all you’ve been through and I wish…” Tears welled and she blinked them away.
    He pulled her close. “Hey, we talked about this. And I meant what I said. I’m concerned for both Sally and Clay. I want things to go well for them just as we all do. But Liberty, as much as I’d like to have a family, it doesn’t compare to how much I love you and want you by my side. Don’t you ever forget that.”
    She buried her face in his shoulder, inhaling his all-male scent.
    “Are you okay? Are we on the same page here?” he asked.
    She nodded. “I’m sorry. I just know how much you wish it was us having a child.”
    He hugged her tight. “And if that’s what’s supposed to be, then it will happen for us one day. Meantime, we can have fun trying, right?”
    “Wild Thing” began to ring on his phone, and he pulled it out with a surprised look.
    Liberty fished her phone from her jeans pocket. “Sorry, I think I might’ve butt-dialed you.”
    Rein glanced around at the empty cafeteria. “I love it when you talk dirty,” he said with a grin.
    She smacked his shoulder. “Seriously?”
    “Hey, I’m sure there is a broom closet or something around here.”
    She shook her head. “Let me out and let’s get back to the waiting room.”
    He lowered his head and kissed her softly. “You’re sure?”
    “I have to pee. Now move.”
    “I’ll head back to the waiting room, then.”
    Liberty walked across the hall to the restroom. She splashed her face with cold water and, taking a deep cleansing breath, caught a whiff of the potent hospital disinfectant used when cleaning. Her stomach lurched and she ran to the stall just in time.
    ***
    Rein glanced up from where he stood with Dalton as they waited for the surgical auxiliary lady to make a fresh pot of coffee. She was a spry, gray-haired woman with bright blue eyes and a gentle smile. Completing her mission, she offered magazines to