A Hero Grinch for Christmas Read online

  “Thanks, Pete.”

  When he pulled to the curb, she hopped out and ran through the double doors. The nurse at the desk was on the phone. Dani was ready to scream to get her attention. When another nurse came around the corner, she nearly tackled her.

  “I’m here to see Hunter Armstrong. He was in an accident in the mountains.”

  “Are you family?”

  She knew the rules and unless she lied about being a relative, she’d never get any information.

  “Yes.”

  The woman studied Dani. “Down the hall, cubicle to the right.”

  Frantic, Dani took off.

  “He’ll need to keep that bandage on his head,” the nurse called after her.

  Dani peered into the first room. Seeing no one, she rushed to the next. A groaning sound caught her attention. She paused in the doorway. A man lying on a stretcher moaned. Bandage? His entire head was wrapped up; she couldn’t see his face. Only his eyes and mouth were visible through the blood-soaked bandages.

  Oh my God!

  Her knees trembled, she slumped against the door, taking deep breaths to calm her racing heart. Why was he in this room alone? Where was the doctor, a nurse? Shouldn’t someone be here caring for him?

  He moaned again.

  Dear God.

  She staggered to the gurney. Fear clawed its way from her chest to her throat and threatened to strangle her. She had to be strong, for Hunter.

  Fay believed when someone was unconscious, they could still hear their loved one’s voice.

  “I’m going on faith here.” My God, was that her voice? She took a deep breath and tried again. “I hope you can hear me. I love you. So very much.”

  She wanted to hold his hand, but the blanket covered everything from his feet to his neck.

  “I’m sorry for your friends. So sorry for your grief. But life goes on. And I want to share it with you.”

  Maybe he could hear her. “Don’t leave,” she choked on a sob. “Don’t leave me.”

  A tear ran down her cheek and she swiped it away.

  “I was on my way to ask you not to go. I know you think my life is in New York. But I want to be with you.” Her lip trembled as she realized how true the statement was. The only thing she wanted was to be with Hunter.

  “Did you hear me? If that’s in Wyattsville, great. If not, I’ll go with you. Wherever you want. I’ve never met anyone like you.” Tears streamed down her face.

  “Please, Hunter. Don’t leave me.”

  “Dani?”

  “Yes.” She swiped the tears from her cheeks. “Yes. I’m here.”

  “What are you doing?”

  It took a moment for her to realize Hunter’s voice was coming from behind her and not from the man on the gurney. She turned and found Hunter standing just inside the door. She blinked, thinking her eyes were playing tricks on her. Her gaze shifted to the man she’d been pouring her heart out to, then darted back to Hunter.

  “Hunter?”

  “Yes.” He took one step and caught her in his arms.

  “What are you doing in here?”

  “I thought . . .”

  “Who’s that man?”

  “I don’t know.” She pulled back then saw the bandage on the side of his head.

  “Damn rear view mirror flew off and hit me in the head. Couple of stitches.”

  “Is that all?”

  He flinched. “Is that all?”

  “I mean . . .” Her heart skipped a beat again. “I thought you were . . .” She turned and pointed. “Him! I was so scared.”

  “Come on.” Hunter took her arm. “Let’s get out of here.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Hunter pulled into the private lane leading to the cabin. Needing time alone, he’d suggested Dani return with him. Why she agreed to let him drive back up that mountain after his accident could only be blamed on temporary insanity. Her heart was doing the thinking.

  They hurried inside to get out of the cold. He’d not taken her into his arms as she expected. Instead, he hung his coat by the door and headed to the fireplace. She watched, thinking of how close she’d come to losing him.

  Flames roared to life, then Hunter threw on a few more logs. When he stood, she admired his physique. God, he was a well-built man. Now she knew him better, she’d do whatever it took to make him hers.

  “Hunter. I know we’ve only known each other a short time, but I want to know more. I like you. A lot.”

  “I like you, too.” He flashed her a wide grin. “A lot.”

  “When I heard about your wreck . . . when I saw . . .” He opened his arms and she ran into them.

  “I’m fine.” He tucked her under his chin and one hand caressed her nape. His strength calmed her fear and sent tremors of longing through her body.

  “I uh . . . don’t know about you, but, I don’t want this to end,” she murmured.

  Reaching down, he scooped her up and carried her to the couch. Settling her on his lap, he rubbed her back with long sure strokes, lulling her into a peaceful coziness.

  “From the first moment I saw you, I wanted to make love to you.”

  “You did?” Giddy excitement tingled in her chest. She searched his eyes and what she saw hit her hard. He stroked the side of her head, letting her hair glide through his fingers as if he relished touching it.

  “I was afraid, Dani. I didn’t know how to handle a spirited woman who attacked my defensive walls every time I turned around. I hated just about everything in my life when I came to Wyattsville. The last thing I wanted to think about was Christmas.”

  “Grinch,” she muttered.

  He smiled.

  “Decisions are made in the blink of an eye in the military. Hesitation could get a guy killed. I learned how to live in the moment.”

  Her heart plummeted. “Is that all we have? This moment?”

  He stroked her cheeks with his thumbs. “What I’m trying to explain, is that I make assessments quickly. In the scant amount of time we’ve spent together, it didn’t take me long to know what I want. And I want more than moments.”

  “You were leaving Wyattsville, weren’t you?”

  “The famous Wyattsville grapevine.” He shook his head, and snuggled her back against his chest. “I was coming to tell you when I slid off the road. I’ve done a lot of thinking. You made a good point about my buddies’ families. I’m thinking of visiting Mike’s parents. He was young, but they should know he was a good Ranger, and he had the respect of his unit.”

  “Coming from his commander, I’m sure it would mean a lot.”

  “For the first time in a very long time, I‘ve felt alive. You did that, Dani. You’ve made my life matter. You matter.”

  With tears in her eyes, she leaned back so she could see his face.

  “You make me want things I thought I couldn’t have. You make me want to take a chance at happiness.”

  She couldn’t keep the smile off her face. Love was shining in his eyes. Her whole world lit up.

  “You’ve taken off my blinders and allowed light back into my life. We’re made for each other. No one else has made me think of forever.”

  Forever?

  She took a quick breath and cupped his cheek. “All I want is a guy who loves me. Someone to share my life with. A guy who makes passionate love to me—and you do that most devotedly.”

  “I don’t have a choice.” He raised a brow and rewarded her with the sexiest grin. “You’re very persuasive.”

  “A real smile. Do you know how hard I tried to get one out of you?”

  “You didn’t have any trouble getting a rise out me.” His teeth bit her lip playfully.

  “As in—”

  “You know what I mean,” he growled while rubbing his nose along her jaw. She loved when he did that. He spread kisses to the sensitive spot just below her ear, and then he gently bit her lobe.

  “That tickles.” Suddenly, she stilled. “I was so worried. Oh dear.”

  �
�What?”

  “That poor man.”

  “The one you were talking to in the hospital?”

  “I told him I loved him. I mean you. I thought he was you. I heard him moaning and I went inside. I was looking for you. The nurse said you had a head injury and they had to keep the bandage on your head. When I saw the blood . . .” She shivered. Hunter tightened his hold.

  “Errr. The poor man. Although, he did stop moaning while I talked to him.”

  “I’ll bet he thought you were an angel.”

  “You say the sweetest things.” He lowered his head and she arched into his warmth, accepting all the love he put into their kiss. Full of happiness, she curled into his chest, loving the feel of his massaging fingers on her back.

  “I’ll do whatever it takes to make this work.” His voice vibrated along her neck. “I can’t imagine my life without you in it. Until I met you, I had no idea what I’d been missing. I’m not sure I like a woman having this much control over me.”

  “Do you have doubts?”

  His mouth curled into a lazy smile. “Not a one. I want you, Dani. Now and always.” He pressed his lips against hers. Passion flared between them as swift as a bolt of lightning streaking across the sky.

  Always.

  “Hunter, I love you.” She wrapped her arms around him and held on tight.

  “Babe, I love you, too.” He ran his hands up and down her back in sensual caresses.

  “Tis the season. I think you’re my Christmas present.”

  He held her tighter. “Baby, you feel like a Christmas miracle to me.”

  BOOKS BY SAMANTHYA WYATT

  Please read my first contemporary with a strong heroine who lives in a man’s world.

  “Something More” - The setting is New York.

  A determined man, a headstrong woman, and a battle of wills.

  On his way to an important meeting, a light flirtation turns into more than Matthew expects. The alluring beauty does not need his money, and makes it clear she does not need him.

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  Historical series – The One and Only Series

  See how it all started with Book 1 in a case of mistaken identity.

  “The Right One” - Book 1 – Morgan’s Story

  He abducts the wrong woman . . . she proves she is the right one.

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  If you liked the introduction of the duke in the first book, and again in the second book where he rescued Stephen, now read

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  From the first moment Alexandria saw the duke she decided he would be hers.

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  Please visit my website for more info and updates on me and my books.

  www.samanthyawaytt.com