The Gift of Hope (7 page)

“I’m falling in love with you.” His voice was balm on her aching heart. “No, more than that. I love you.”

“I love you,” she admitted in a voice so low she wasn’t sure he heard.

“You’re trembling,” he said with concern, reaching out to take her in his arms.

“Only because I was so afraid you could never love me,” she whispered against his throat.

Her lips met his without conscious intent, and she melted against him, scarcely able to believe the depth of her happiness.

“My father was wrong,” she said when she had breath to speak.

“Your father?”

“He denied the possibility of love for many years after my mother died.”

“Thanks to you, I’ll be spared the loneliness and desolation he must have suffered. I think I’ll be a better father because of it,” Noah said.

He kissed her again, and her world had never seemed so right.

“Merry Christmas,” she whispered.