The Perfect Present Read online

  Noah lay down next to Sierra and pulled her close. “I like everything neat.”

  She met his eyes. “Are you OCD?”

  He smiled. “I’m not that bad. I’m probably more anal than obsessive compulsive.”

  “We should get along well, because I’m also a little anal.”

  Noah’s smile faded. “Should, Sierra? We’re already getting along. So well that everyone believes we’ve known each other for a while.”

  “It is weird.” She let out a sigh. “I feel as if I know you as well as I know my brothers.”

  He rested his arm over her waist. “The only thing I have in common with your brothers is the military.”

  “Maybe that’s it.” Sierra yawned against his sweatshirt.

  “Go to sleep, babe. What time do you want me to wake you up?”

  She yawned again. “Six.”

  Noah shifted and reached for his cell phone on the bedside table, and set the alarm for six. The distinctive sound of sleet tapping against the windows faded as the frozen precipitation turned to rain. He knew it was just a matter of time when the airport would reopen, resuming flights in and out of O’Hare. He would miss the Nelsons, the large house filled with laughter, heated conversations, the tantalizing aromas of food, and the live Christmas tree.

  He stared at Sierra’s delicate features, her head resting on her folded arm as she slept. There was no need for him to photograph her, because he had committed her image to memory like a permanent tattoo. Noah understood her annoyance with her mother’s badgering her to find a husband with whom to settle down and have children, but he also recognized Sierra’s need for independence, something she’d probably had to struggle to achieve when growing up as the only girl in a family with three boys.

  Noah might not understand everything about his personality, but there was one thing he did know: He was a pragmatist. If it wasn’t real to him, then it was nothing more than fantasy. However, Sierra was real, yet she was also a fantasy—his version of the perfect woman with whom he could live happily ever after, much like the princes and princesses in fairy tales. He wasn’t a prince but a SEAL sniper who was able to eliminate his target with one fatal shot.

  Pressing his head to the pillow under his shoulders, Noah closed his eyes and willed his mind blank. He did not want to think about returning to his base, training for the next mission, or boarding a military transport to take him to a part of the world where his life and very survival would become the responsibility of the members of his team. They all were dependent on one another to complete the mission and return home without leaving anyone behind.

  His chest rose and fell, his breathing slow and even, and after a while everything around him disappeared when Morpheus claimed him.

  Chapter 7

  Noah pulled out a chair at the dining room table, seating Sierra before he sat beside her. Music flowed from hidden speakers as four generations of Nelsons sat down to enjoy another Christmas dinner. The gathering was a little more formal than the night before. The men wore slacks, shirts sans ties, while their female counterparts had selected skirts or tailored slacks, blouses, and a few opted for pumps. Sierra’s grandmother and grandfather were seated opposite each other at the head of the table. Evelyn had prepared plates for her grandchildren, serving them before the adults.

  Philip seated Evelyn, and then took his own chair. He nodded to his father. “Pop, you can bless the table.”

  Stephen bowed his head, everyone following suit. “I forget who said this, but I’ve always liked it. To my family. While our clan may be strange in many ways, it is nice to know I have a loving family whenever I am in need. And that is the strangest thing of all. I thank the Lord for our differences, for what we search for, and for what we have found. I thank Him for what brings us together and for what sets us apart. Most of all I thank Him for our special family that shares one heart. Amen.”

  Noah smiled and said amen along with the others. For what we search for, and for what we have found. The phrase bombarded him like missiles. Was the woman sitting by his side what he’d been searching for and now found? He knew he didn’t have much more time to figure that out, because the news had reported that O’Hare would reopen sometime after midnight, and once the planes were de-iced and the runways plowed, flights would resume. That meant if he was lucky he would spend Christmas Day with the Nelsons and Christmas night with his family.

  Philip picked up a platter with carved turkey, holding it while Evelyn selected a few slices. A merry-go-round of platters and bowls filled with prime rib, fresh ham, collard greens, rice and pigeon peas, macaroni and cheese, sweet potato casserole, green beans with white potatoes, cornbread, and roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon were passed around the table.

  Sierra tapped Noah’s cordial glass containing a clear liquid. “That’s Grandpa’s special brew.”

  Noah picked up the glass, put it to his mouth, and tossed it back in one swallow. It began icy before exploding in a fireball in his chest. Tears filled his eyes and he blinked them back before they fell. “Holy . . .” He managed to swallow the curse before it slipped past his lips.

  “How do you like it, sonny?” Stephen asked.

  Noah’s shoulders shook as he tried not to laugh. “It tastes like my grandpop’s hooch.”

  Stephen nodded. “That’s because it is hooch. I’ve tried to get my boys to drink it, but they claim it’s too strong for their candy asses.”

  “Pop! The kids can hear you,” Evelyn admonished softly.

  Stephen glared at his daughter-in-law. “I’m willing to bet they’ve heard a lot worse from their own parents.”

  “Nana, please tell Pop that the children don’t need to hear that type of language from their great-grandfather.”

  Sandra slowly shook her head. “My telling Stephen what to and what not to say will go in one ear and out the other. I’ve been married to him for sixty-eight years, and he never listens to me until I threaten him with divorce.”

  Heads turned in Sandra’s direction as if they’d been choreographed in advance. “You talked about divorcing my father?” Philip questioned.

  Sandra’s expression reminded Noah of someone hiding a secret. “More times than I can count,” she admitted. “Contrary to what you want to believe about your so-called perfect father, he’s not that perfect.”

  Sierra leaned forward. “Are you saying, Nana, that Grandpop fooled around?”

  “Oh! Stephen would never cheat on me. When we were first married we lived in an apartment, and Stephen used to hang out on the weekends with some guys in the neighborhood who were into shady stuff.”

  Philip swallowed a mouthful of mac and cheese, and then touched the napkin to his mouth. “What do you mean, Mama, by shady stuff ?”

  “I think they used to boost clothes and meat and then sell them to folks on the block. A few of them were also running numbers. I told Stephen if he didn’t stop going down to that basement to drink hooch and play cards, then I was going to leave him. Apparently he thought I was bluffing, but when he came back from work and found me gone, it finally hit home for him.”

  “Where did you go, Nana?” Mark asked.

  “Next door to my neighbor. I knew Stephen wouldn’t ask my parents about my whereabouts, because he didn’t want to have to explain to my father that he couldn’t find his wife. Daddy and Stephen never got along too well. Daddy wanted me to marry his best friend’s son, but I ran away and eloped with Stephen.”

  Totally engrossed in his grandmother’s revelation, Luke rested his elbows on the table. “What happened after that, Nana?”

  “I was pregnant with your father at the time, so I didn’t want to go back to my parents, and I also didn’t want to lose my baby’s father. I’d peek through the curtains of the neighbor’s living room to watch Stephen coming and going. After a few days he looked like what you young folks call a hot mess. When I thought he’d suffered enough, I waited for him to leave for work before I went back to our apartment. When he came ho
me and found me in bed, he swore on the Bible that he would never go back to that basement again.”

  “Did you ever go back, Grandpa?” Daniel asked.

  “Hell no. Not when your grandmother told me she had gone to stay with her old boyfriend, who said he would pay for her divorce, marry her, and then raise my boy as his own. It wasn’t until years later that she confessed to being next door.”

  Everyone laughed until tears rolled down their faces, and Noah saw the love in Stephen’s eyes as he gazed down the length of the table at the woman who truly was the love of his life. Dinner had become a leisurely affair, as no one seemed anxious to leave the table. It was after ten when the Nelson men and Noah volunteered to clear the table and put away leftovers, while the women and the children retreated to the great room.

  Philip patted Noah’s back. “Are you certain you want to get involved with this crazy family?”

  “I’m already involved—with your daughter.”

  “I don’t want to get into your personal business, but you intend to take your involvement with my daughter to another level?”

  “Are you asking me if I plan to marry your daughter?”

  Philip nodded. “Yes.”

  Noah angled his head. “Maybe one of these days.”

  “What’s stopping you?”

  “My career. It’s . . . it’s what I do.”

  A beat passed. “I have an idea of what you do,” Philip said in a quiet tone. “The first time I saw you walk in with my daughter, the first thing that ran through my mind was that cocky SOB has to be Special Ops.” He leaned in close. “SEALs?” Noah’s impassive expression did not change. There was a barely perceptible nod of his head. “And you believe that’s a deterrent to planning a future with Sierra?”

  “It’s part of it.” Noah didn’t want to tell Philip that the other part was he had to be in love with Sierra in order for him to propose marriage. And that would only come with time.

  “What’s the other part?”

  “Sierra’s not in love with me. We like each other, but we haven’t reached the stage where we can honestly say that we’re in love. I suppose with time that will come.”

  “But you’re sleeping together.”

  “Yes, Philip, we do share a bed, but even the best sex in the world can’t save a marriage when two people fall out of love. For me, it has to be more than that. And I know it’s the same with Sierra.”

  “My daughter’s lucky to have you. No pressure. Okay?”

  Noah gave Philip a bro hug. “Okay.”

  “Let’s get this kitchen cleaned up so we can join the others.”

  * * *

  Noah heard laughter and music coming from the direction of the great room. There was still a half hour before midnight, the time to open presents, and he could feel the energy even before walking in. The rug had been rolled up and Sierra was dancing with one of her nephews.

  Crossing his arms over his chest, he smiled as she executed the steps to the latest dance craze.

  The playlist segued into a slower dance number and he strolled across the floor and extended his hand. “May I have this dance, Miss Nelson?”

  Sierra inclined her head. “Of course, Mr. Crawford.” She buried her face against the column of his strong neck. “You dance well.”

  “I only slow dance.”

  She breathed in his ear, and Noah was helpless to control his growing erection. He’d shared a bed with Sierra not once but twice, and each time he had been able to control himself. It was on a very rare occasion that he would sleep with a woman and not make love to her. Thankfully the next tune was also slow and it allowed time for his erection to go down. A cheer went up from the assembly, and he turned to find Philip and Evelyn kissing under a sprig of mistletoe someone had hung from the large crystal chandelier.

  “It’s your turn, Dad,” Caleb shouted.

  Daniel pulled Naomi to her feet and over to the chandelier. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he bent her back and kissed her until she struggled to free herself. Their children were cheering as if their team had won a sporting event.

  Naomi was blushing when her husband finally released her. “You’re next, Delia.”

  Luke eased Delia from her chair, his hand going to the small of her back. “Kissing is what got her into this condition,” he teased. Cradling her face in his hands, Luke gave her a tender kiss, before leading her back to the love seat.

  Luke slapped Mark’s back. “You’re up next, little brother.”

  Mark and Pilar danced salsa and locked lips as everyone counted to eighteen before they finally came up for air. They alternated bowing to applause and whistling. Mark gestured to Noah. “You’re up next.”

  Noah saw indecision in Sierra’s eyes as he reached for her hand. “We can do this,” he whispered in her ear.

  He waited until they were under the mistletoe, and then swept her up in his arms and brushed a light kiss over her mouth, slowly deepening it when her lips parted. His curiosity as to how her lips tasted was assuaged as he made love to her mouth. He ended it, both staring at each other in shock. Bending slightly, Noah set Sierra on her feet to thunderous applause.

  “You’re next, Nana and Grandpa,” Mark said to his grandparents. Stephen and Sandra, sitting together, held hands and kissed each other, which thrilled their great-grandchildren.

  Noah knew he could easily get used to the tradition of couples kissing under the mistletoe, because it was an open and unashamed display that reaffirmed their love for each other. The music and dancing continued until the clock on the mantel chimed the hour. It was midnight, and a minute later it was Christmas.

  Noah volunteered to become Santa as he sat on the floor and handed out gifts. The younger Nelsons screamed and cheered when they received many of the items on their Christmas list. Pilar’s twin daughters were almost hysterical when they were given the latest version of the iPhone.

  Delia dissolved into tears when she peeled back the tissue paper in a box to find a christening set Sierra had crocheted for her new baby. Delicate scalloping and silk ribbons on the dress, coat, and the hat made the handmade garment a treasured heirloom Delia could pass down through future generations.

  Sierra had knitted and crocheted for family members scarves, hats, and sweaters, whose prices would be prohibitive if sold in stores. He opened a box with a tag bearing his name, and he stared at her in amazement. Noah opened the box to find a charcoal-gray knitted cashmere scarf. He mouthed a thank-you and she nodded in acknowledgment. It was after one, and presents and gift cards were scattered about the floor as everyone decided it was time to retire to bed.

  * * *

  Sierra came out of the bathroom in a nightgown to find Noah sitting up in bed. He patted the mattress. “Come to bed with me.”

  Her bare feet were silent on the rug as she walked around the bed, got in, and pulled the sheet and blankets up to her neck. She shivered slightly when Noah’s bare leg rubbed against hers. “Merry Christmas.”

  His mouth covered hers. “Merry Christmas.” He pulled her into his arms. “I hadn’t expected you to get me anything.”

  “I must confess I made the scarf for my grandfather, but Nana told me he’s developed an allergy to wool, so you got it by default.”

  He kissed her forehead. “Lucky me. Your needlework is exquisite. Who taught you to knit and crochet?”

  “I volunteer at a senior center on the weekends, and I bonded with a woman who had a shop where she carried some of the most expensive yarns on the West Coast. At one time she made knitted garments for several celebrities. Nana taught me to knit and crochet, but it was Mrs. Wells who introduced me to imported yarns. She said if you’re going to wear a handmade garment, you should use materials of the finest quality.”

  “If you ever retire from teaching, you can always have a second career as a knitting instructor.”

  She rubbed her toes up and down his hairy legs. “Once I retire from teaching, I doubt if I’d want to teach again—not even i
f it’s needlework.”

  “What would you do?”

  “I don’t know yet. I have at least another twenty-five years to make up my mind.”

  “Do you believe in destiny?” Noah asked after a lengthy silence.

  “I don’t know. Why?”

  “Originally I wasn’t scheduled to be on the same flight as you. I’d agreed to give up my seat on an earlier flight, to a wheelchair-bound college student who’d broken both legs in an automobile accident. If I’d never made that decision, we never would’ve met.”

  “I think it worked out well for both of us. You’ve made this Christmas one I’ll remember for a long time.”

  Noah closed his eyes as he buried his face in her hair. “I’ve known my share of women, but you are the first one I feel so at ease with. I will never forget you.”

  “Nor I you.”

  It was the last thing they said as they fell asleep in each other’s arms.

  Chapter 8

  Noah woke with a start. He had a hard-on. He tried not to panic, hoping Sierra wasn’t aware that his body had betrayed him.

  Rising on an elbow, he peered over her shoulder to find her still asleep. He managed to slip out of bed without waking her, picking up his cell phone as he walked into the bathroom. It wasn’t quite seven, and he knew he could not get back into bed until his erection went down. He waited, suffering through the pleasurable throbbing that refused to give him ease. Then he did what he hadn’t had to do in years. Stepping into the shower stall, he turned on the water and the cold spray took its effect.

  Realization came at Noah like someone hitting him in the nose. He wanted Sierra in his life, both in and out of bed. She was the whole of all of the little things he liked in other women, tied up in a big red bow. It had taken only days for him to fall in love with her and her family. She was open, unpretentious, generous, spirited, and loyal to those she loved. He went through the motions of washing his hair and body. After his shower, he wrapped a towel around his waist and stood at the vanity, staring into the mirror. He looked the same, even though he knew he wasn’t the same man who’d boarded the jet to fly across the country to spend the Christmas holiday with his family.