Part 22 (2/2)

”Just tell her how you feel. Don't try to decipher her expressions or body language. And never a.s.sume anything based on what she says when she's upset. That's where you get into trouble. And trust me, it's not worth it.” He pretended to s.h.i.+ver in fear. ”Talk to her-plainly-and then listen.”

”If it were so easy . . .”

Jonathan stopped walking and put a gloved hand on Archie's shoulder. ”Oh, I didn't say it was easy. It's never easy. But I'm giving you the best chance at success.” He turned back and lifted his side of the tree.

But what if Jane refused him? What if he told her how she felt and Jane didn't return his love? The thought was like a hole in his heart. ”Is a grown man supposed to feel terrified by the very idea?”

”Absolutely terrified, or you're not ready.” Jonathan smirked.

”I suppose I'm ready, then.”

Jonathan nodded in approval. ”Best of luck to you, old boy. I know none of this has come off as you expected.”

”It's true.” Archie kneaded his hands for a moment, trying to release a cramp from clutching the branch so tightly. He thought of his imagined proposal beneath the Christmas tree in Waverly House's great hall after a lovely Christmas Eve supper. He'd planned to give Jane the book then, to steal a kiss in the candlelight as they admired the sparkling tree and drank mulled cider from delicate china cups. ”Not one blasted thing worked out as I'd hoped.”

Jonathan rolled his shoulders. ”It may not have felt like it to you, but this Christmas was just what my family needed.” He turned more fully toward Archie. ”I don't know how Mother would have survived a house party or a ball this year. But here, away from crowds and memories and society, she's been a new person. And Maryann has been so happy.”

”Very likely because her husband's been happy, as well.” Archie grabbed on to the branch again.

Jonathan considered for a moment, then grasped the tree, pulling it forward. ”I suppose I have.”

In the early morning light, Archie saw a thoughtful smile bend his friend's mouth.

They continued in silence, each lost in his own thoughts until they reached the cabin.

”Shake off as much of the snow as possible before we bring it inside,” Archie said.

They lifted the tree upright and brushed off the branches, sending showers of snow into powdery piles. He opened the door and stepped inside, pulling the tree in behind him.

”Oh, thank goodness you're back.” Maryann rushed toward him, followed closely by Kathleen.

Something in her voice sent an uneasy tingle up Archie's spine. He looked closer at her and Kathleen. The women were crying. ”Has something happened?”

Maryann grabbed his arm. ”Jane's gone.”

The uneasy tingle grew.

Jonathan stepped around the tree, closing the door behind him. ”What do you mean, 'gone'?”

”When I woke, she was nowhere to be found,” Kathleen said. ”We've searched the cottage.”

”She must have had another spell,” Maryann settled into her husband's embrace, looking frantic. ”Brought about by her weeping last night.”

”We'll find her,” Jonathan whispered to his wife.

Panic jumped over Archie's skin in p.r.i.c.kly bursts. How long had she been gone? She could be cold, lost, hurt . . . He leaned the tree against the wall and strode back outside, Jonathan following. The men's footprints from this morning were clear in the snow, but aside from the trail the company had made on their outing the day before and the path toward the Cringlewoods', there were no others.

”Find Simon.” Archie pointed toward the woods. ”He may have seen her, or at least have an idea of where to look.” Archie started along the other path. ”I'll search in this direction.”

Jonathan nodded and started toward the Cringlewoods' house.

Archie moved as quickly as he could through the deep snow, nearly at a run. His mind spun with scenarios. When had she left? Was she dressed in her nightclothes, as she'd been when she went missing last spring? He thought of that night, how they'd found her wet and afraid and with no memory of how she'd come to be there. But here in the freezing snow, the danger was so much worse. His breathing grew ragged and his thoughts frantic. If he didn't find her soon . . . The alternative was too painful to imagine, and he couldn't allow himself to dwell on the thought.

He moved up the hill, following the footprints past where the s...o...b..ll battle had taken place. Oh, Jane, where have you- He stopped, hearing voices. With a fresh burst of energy, he reached the top of the hill and looked between the trees beyond.

Simon Cringlewood was pulling the sled. Tied to it was a freshly chopped pine tree. But Archie didn't focus on Simon for longer than an instant when he realized Jane walked beside him.

When she saw him, she raised her hand, a wide smile spreading over her face. ”Happy Christmas, Archie!” she called. ”We've brought a tree!”

”Happy Christmas to ya, yer lords.h.i.+p.” Simon gave a small bow.

Archie drew in a breath; the relief at seeing her safe and warm, bundled in her cloak and mittens, filled him so strongly that he thought his insides would melt. He sprinted down the hill and pulled her into his arms. ”Jane. I was so worried. When I returned and they said you were gone . . .” He held her tighter, wanting to rea.s.sure himself that she was here and unharmed.

”I hoped to be back before anyone was awake. But finding just the right tree took longer than I expected, then Simon had to chop it with the ax and tie it to the sled.”

Archie still did not trust himself to speak.

Jane wriggled out of his grasp and stood back, studying him. ”Archie, what is wrong?” Her eyes rounded with realization. ”Oh my. You feared I'd wandered off.”

He nodded, worried how she might receive the affirmation.

”I did not even consider,” she said, her brows pinching together. ”I thought I left early enough to return before everyone awoke. I-Oh, I am sorry, Archie.”

”Shall I continue on to the cottage, Miss Croft?” Simon pulled on the sled's rope.

”Oh, yes. I suppose we all should.”

Simon started off, and they followed. Archie was torn between wanting to walk slowly to extend the time they had alone and knowing he needed to return to rea.s.sure the others that she was safe.

Jane took Archie's hand. ”I remembered what you said about the Tannenbaum and how special it is to you. I wanted . . .”

Her words trailed off, and Archie was overcome, unable to believe that she would go into the cold, dark woods alone to find a tree for him. ”Jane, I . . .” He had no words to express how deeply her gesture touched him. The swing from panic to relief to tenderness tumbled his emotions all over one another, and his mind was still attempting to catch up.

Jane watched him, the crease between her brows deepening. ”I didn't mean to frighten you. I am so sorry.”

”I told you I would always worry about you.”

She nodded. ”I remember.”

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