Part 44 (2/2)

”What'd I say?”

Jill and Elizabeth started talking at once. Craig and Travis exchanged knowing looks. Holly blushed. Jordan knew Kyle had simply voiced what everyone else was thinking. It was obvious something was going on between Holly and himself, and they wanted to know what.

Sandy and Elizabeth got busy pa.s.sing out the rest of the presents. Jordan's brothers had given him some tools for his new garage. Kyle was disgusted to find out he really was getting wallpaper, then his good humor returned when he opened a box containing tickets for a Caribbean cruise.

Sandy placed a large, flat package in front of Jordan. He looked at the tag. It was from Holly. She scooted over on the carpet to give him room to open it. He tore away the paper and exposed a stunning Impressionist painting.

”Holly, you can't give me this.”

She shrugged. ”It's not by anyone really famous, so don't get too excited.”

She'd mentioned a find of lesser-known artists at an estate sale about six months ago. She'd sold most of the paintings, but had admitted to keeping a couple of favorites for herself.

Her blue eyes were dark with a warm and welcoming emotion. ”I wanted to give you something special,” she said softly so the others couldn't hear. A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. ”Just be polite and say thank you. Isn't that what you told me?”

”Thank you,” he said.

”I thought it would look nice in the dining room.”

He grinned. ”That's the only room that's finished, so I suppose it makes sense.”

There was a second box wrapped in gaudy red-and-silver paper. The gift tag had a paw print on it. ”It's from Mistletoe,” she told him.

”I figured that.” He shook the box. ”What do you think she put inside? Something that explodes, or at the very least smells bad?”

”Jordan, Mistletoe is a wonderful cat. I'm not sure why she hasn't taken to you, but as she likes everyone else, maybe this is your problem and not hers.”

He grinned. ”Great. I've been judged and found wanting by a cat.”

He tore the paper. When he opened the oversize s.h.i.+rt box, he found a thick pullover sweater in black, gray and midnight blue.

”Mistletoe is sorry she used your favorite sweater for a bed,” Holly said.

”No, she's not.”

One corner of Holly's mouth curved up. ”Even if she isn't, I am.”

Around them the other adults were opening packages. Happy comments were exchanged, along with hugs and kisses. If a few of the embraces went on a little long, it only added to the festivity of the morning.

Jordan wanted to haul Holly into his arms and show her exactly how happy she made him. Instead, he forced himself to give her a quick kiss on the forehead. Even as he reminded himself he respected her need to come to terms with their odd relations.h.i.+p, he wanted to claim her as his. He wanted everyone to know that they were lovers and that he cared about her. He wanted her to be comfortable touching him in public.

”Oh, look what I just found under the tree,” Elizabeth said, and handed Holly a small, square, jewelry-size box. His sister-in-law raised her eyebrows. ”I've always been curious about your taste, Jordan. Guess I finally get to see what it's like.”

”Guess so,” he said mildly, but his heart started pounding hard against his ribs.

He'd wanted to get Holly something special. Something that would remind her of him without being threatening. His condition hadn't helped matters. For a while he'd been afraid he wouldn't be able to get out and around in time. But the physical therapy had done wonders, and he'd been able to find exactly what he wanted.

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