Holiday Homecoming by Jillian Hart Page B

were one thing. They had bonds that would never break.
    But romantic love was a whole different story— that kind of love was like a fragile bloom on the hard Montana plains. Short-lived and quick to wither in the bitter north winds.
    A movement caught her eye. A man’s broad-shouldered shadow fell across the snow in front of the picture window. That profile sure looked familiar. The doorbell rang, although it was hard to hear above the noise of the cranked-up TV and the men shouting like the crazed fans they were in the living room. She alone seemed to notice the visitor’s silhouette against the etched glass in the door.
    Kristin yanked open the door, glad to see Ryan Sanders blocking the porch light, snow glistening in his dark hair. “Hey, what are you doing here? You clean up real nice.”
    â€œRight. Oh, I shaved.” He ran one hand along his square jaw. “I bring good news and the fudge my mom promised your mom but didn’t get a chance to drop by. She said since I was coming over, I’d better not come empty-handed. I need something to bribe my way through the door.”
    â€œWe don’t let your kind in otherwise.”
    When he laughed, dimples framed his smile. He had a great smile, the kind that lit him up from within. And it made Kristin feel bright inside, too. She took the offered tin, topped with an amber-and-orange ribbon.
    She breathed in the fudgy aroma. “Hmm, my mouth is already watering. Your mom makes the best fudge in three states. Did you want to come in? Or are you just dropping this by? Did you hear about Samantha?”
    â€œI did. God must have heard your prayers because Tim told me they took a bone spur out of her neck, between C2 and C3 vertebrae. The bone didn’t penetrate her spinal cord, and except for a little swelling against the nerve roots, she’s fine.”
    â€œAnd does that mean she’s going to be all right?”
    â€œYeah. They pinned a broken bone in her lower right leg, turned out to be a fracture, but other than that, she’s fine. Considering the cold, it could have been a lot worse. It’s a good thing we came along when we did.”
    It was no coincidence. The certainty of it steadied her. The long events of the last night had happened for a reason. What if Ryan hadn’t flown into Seattle for his job interview? Then he would never have been on the flight that was diverted to Boise. And if not for the storm, then he wouldn’t have been anywhere near the lonely stretch of road where Samantha Fields had crashed. As the Good Lord would have it, Ryan, a doctor, was there to help when he was needed. He made a true difference in the world.
    â€œIs that football?” Ryan leaned past her to sneak a look at the game in full-color glory on the wide screen. “Man, look at that TV.”
    â€œIt’s Dad’s pride and joy. Don’t tell me you like football.”
    â€œLike it? It’s only like the most important thing in the world.” He rolled his eyes, which sparkled with humor. “How could you not know that?”
    â€œMy mistake. Sorry. Football ranks right above world peace. I should have known. You’re welcome to come inside and watch the game.”
    â€œThanks. Ooh, a fumble!” Ryan’s groan matched the series of painful noises rising up in the living room.
    â€œCome in. Stay. There’s probably room for you on the floor in the corner. We won’t charge you admission this time, since you’re a friend of the family and all.”
    â€œKristin, you’re fabulous. You know that, right? It’s been killin’ me not being able to see this game. Mom’s satellite is out.” He took a step forward, enough to see the replay of his team’s fumble. “That’s killin’ me, too.”
    â€œTake off your coat before you go gawk at the TV.” She held out her hand.
    But Ryan, all his attention focused on the game, shrugged out