The Christmas Vow by Shanna Hatfield Page A

you.”
    Arlan set down the brush and placed a warm, moist kiss to her neck. “I’ve got a few more things I can show you, Mrs. Guthry. Are you interested?”
    She turned and pressed her lips to his in a heated exchange. When she pulled back, desire glowed in her eyes. “You bet I am.”

Chapter Eight
     
    Nerves unlike anything Adam had ever experienced made it impossible for him to swallow any of his breakfast the following morning. He refused the coffee Alex offered him, eventually agreeing to a cup of tea.
    He left the house with Arlan and Alex, accompanying them to the point where they headed toward the school. For a few minutes, he watched them walk together. Arlan would help Alex get a fire going at the school and bring in more wood for the stove before he went to the bank for the day.
    Leisurely strolling through town, Adam admired the festive pine garlands and bright bows several businesses had put out to decorate their storefronts in the last few days. The effect was appealing and cheerful — a reminder Christmas would soon be upon them.
    Thoughts of spending the holiday with Tia and Toby made him consider what would be appropriate gifts for the two of them. An idea for a gift for Toby came to mind and Adam decided whether Tia wed him or not, he’d make the present for the boy.
    He veered toward the mercantile, intent on finding the necessary supplies, then decided he needed to ask Tia the question weighing heavy on his mind before he lost his nerve.
    As he meandered toward her home, he waved to people he’d known most of his life, pleased by their smiles and words of greeting.
    The friendly atmosphere of the town was one thing he missed living in Portland. No one in the neighborhood where he lived waved from their porch or invited him to stop in for a cup of coffee. For the most part, people didn’t even make eye contact as they hurried down the street, intent on their errands.
    Adam stopped at the end of Tia’s front walk and stared at the snug little house. With the roof repaired, it appeared to be in good shape, although he was sure he could find a few things to work on if Tia let him.
    “Might as well get this over with,” he muttered as he trudged down the walk and up the porch steps, shoving his gloves into his coat pockets.
     Prior to his hand connecting with the wood of the door to knock, he inhaled a deep breath.
    The loud rap reverberated in the still of the morning. At least the day hinted that it would be one full of sunshine as streaks of gold gradually filled the sky.
    The door swung inward and Tia smiled at him through the screen door. “Good morning, Adam. What brings you by so early in the day?”
    “I um… there’s a matter I…” Adam struggled to hang onto his thoughts as Tia’s enticing scent ensnared his senses while his eyes lingered on the luxurious depths of her hair. It fell to her waist in a cascade of finger-tempting waves.
    As children, he’d tugged on her hair plenty of times. He’d dipped the end of her braid into an inkwell just to see what color it would turn, and even threaded flowers into it one spring day when she declared she’d wanted a crown for her head.
    Captivated, he wondered if the strands would feel as soft and silky now as they did then. Before he voiced his thoughts, Tia pushed open the screen and stepped back, allowing him to enter.
    “Now, tell me what’s got you on my doorstep before the school bell has even rung.” Tia motioned for him to take a seat in the parlor.
    He waited until she sat on the sofa then settled himself in a chair by the fire. The steady increase of his temperature caused by Tia’s lovely presence forced him to shed his coat and scarf. Absently, he wondered if he’d taken ill with some malady. His stomach churned, his throat ached, and if he touched his forehead, he was sure it would be as clammy as his palms.
    Briskly wiping his hands along the legs of his trousers, he inhaled another calming breath and met Tia’s