Silent Night, Unexpected Night by Ella Jade Page A

headed to Colorado the day after Christmas to ski. The trip
had become a staple over the years. It was one of the things Tanner looked
forward to most during the holiday season.
    Tanner changed out of his suit, poured himself
a brandy and turned on the gas fire place.  Once he settled into his leather
recliner, he put on It's a Wonderful Life . He had traditions too. His
just didn’t include family or friends on this particular evening. Struggling to
keep his eyes opened through the movie, he vaguely heard the words…
    “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets
his wings…”
    A few minutes later, the sound of his
own doorbell jolted him awake. He glanced out the picture window of the family
room and noticed the snow came down at an impressive rate. He wasn't expecting
anyone, so he couldn't imagine who would be calling at this hour in the middle
of a storm. Perhaps it was the TV and not the doorbell.  Maybe he’d dreamt it.
That thought was quickly negated when he heard the chimes again.
    He walked down the foyer and pulled the
mahogany door open. He wasn't prepared for who stood on the other side. It had
been quite some time since he’d seen the pretty girl who shivered before him.
    “Um, hi, Dr. Rhodes.” Sofia Genovese, Aiden's
childhood friend stood on the porch in a short black coat.
    “Sofia? What are you doing here?”  His
voice was groggy from his nap, and he must have appeared out of sorts.
    “I hope I’m not intruding.”
    “No, of course not. I wasn’t expecting
anyone tonight.”
    “I wanted to drop off Aiden's present
and I baked some cookies.” She nodded toward the packages in her hands. “Is
that okay?”
    “Sure.” Tanner motioned for her to come
out of the storm as he took the boxes from her. “You must be freezing.”
    “I didn't realize how badly it was
snowing. I wanted to deliver the cookies to some friends before it got too
late. You're my last stop.”
    “Can I take your coat?” he asked. “Perhaps
you'd like to sit by the fire for a few minutes?”
    “I don’t want to bother you,” she said. “It's
late.”
    “You're not.” He placed the packages on
the foyer table and then helped her out of her coat. “Aiden is with his mother
tonight and I’m watching a movie.” The company might be nice even if only for a
few minutes.
    “My dad is at the police station,
working the night shift.” Her father, a prominent lieutenant in the city, took
his job very seriously and often worked holidays. Sofia's mother didn’t live in
the area, so it was just her and her dad. She had spent many afternoons and
summers hanging out at Tanner’s house.  There were a few years where she was a
permanent fixture. She and Aiden were inseparable through most of high school.
The best of friends. Tanner had always admired their relationship.
    “Then we'll keep one another company for
a bit.” He smiled. “I'll get you a drink to warm your system.”
    “If you’re sure.”
    “I'm positive.”
    As soon as Tanner took her coat, he
stopped, mesmerized by her elegance. He hadn't expected the girl standing in
front of him. She'd turned into a flawless woman in the past few years.
    How did I miss that?
    Her dark hair was loosely pulled up in
the back, but a few strands hung around her face. Her cheeks were rosy,
probably from the cold, and her long, luscious legs didn't appear to end. She wore
a short, tight-fitting, backless red and black dress. It hooked around her neck
leaving no accommodations for a bra.
     S top it, Tanner!
    “Are you okay?” she asked. “You look
surprised.”
    He hoped he wasn't drooling.
    “Yes, it's just that, well, forgive my
forwardness, but you look stunning.” He overstepped, but he couldn't help it.
She had taken him by surprise. She had always been a tomboy. Climbing trees
with Aiden and getting her hands dirty. Tanner remembered tending to many
skinned knees and twisted ankles when she was a child.
    “Thank you.” She looked down and he
noticed her cheeks