Drake Sisters 02 - The Twilight Before Christmas

me down.” Inez at the grocery store had mentioned Sarah was in town, as wel as Hannah and Abigail, three of her six sisters, but Inez hadn’t said a word about Kate.
    “Sarah came back for a visit, and you know how my family is, we get together as often as possible.” She shrugged, a simple enough gesture, but on her it was damned sexy. “I’ve been in London doing research for my latest thril er.” She laughed softly. The sound played right down his spine and did interesting things to his body. “London fog is always so perfect for a scary setting. Before that it was Borneo.” Kate traveled the world, researching and writing her bestsel ing novels and murder mysteries. She was so beautiful it hurt to look at her, so sophisticated he felt primitive in her presence. She was so sexy he always had the desire to turn caveman and toss her over his shoulder and carry her off to his private lair. “Sarah’s engaged to Damon Wilder.”
    She tilted her head slightly and patted the horse’s neck again. “Have you met him?”
    “No, but everyone is talking about it. No one expected Sarah to get married.”
    Matt watched the way the sunlight kissed her hair, turning the silky strands into a blazing mass of temptation. His gaze fol owed her hand stroking the horse’s neck, and he noted the absence of a ring with relief.
    Danny cleared his throat. He leaned out the driver’s side. “You’re drooling, bro.” He whispered it in an over-loud voice.
    Without missing a beat, Matt kicked the door closed. “Are you going to be staying very long this visit?” He held his breath waiting for her answer.
    To make matters worse, Danny snickered. Matt sent up a silent vow that their parents would have one less child to fuss over before the day was out.
    “I’ve actual y decided to stay and make Sea Haven my home base. I bought the old mil up on the cliffs above Sea Lion Cove. I’m planning on renovating the mil into a bookstore and coffee shop, and to modernize the house so I can live in it. I’m tired of wandering. I’m ready to come home again.”
    Kate smiled. She had perfect teeth to go with her perfect skin. Matt found himself staring at her while the earth shook beneath his feet. He stood there, grinning at the thought of Kate living in their hometown permanently.
    A shadow swept across the sky, black threads swirling and boiling, a dark cauldron of clouds blotting out the sun. A seagul shrieked once. Then the entire flock of birds overhead took up the warning cry. Matt was so caught up in Kate’s smile, he didn’t realize the ground was real y rol ing, and it wasn’t just her amazing effect on him. The horse backed dangerously close to the road, tossing its head in fright, nearly dragging Kate from her feet. Matt swiftly reached past her and gathered the reins in one hand to steady the animal. He swept his other arm around Kate’s waist, anchoring her smal er body to his, to keep her from fal ing as a jagged crack opened several feet from them and spread rapidly along the ground, heading right for Kate’s feet. Matt lifted her up and away from the gaping hole, dragging her back several feet, horse in tow, away from the spreading crack. It was only a few inches wide, but it was several inches deep, very long, and ran up the side of the embankment.
    “You al right, Danny?” he cal ed to his brother.
    “Yeah, I’m fine. That was a big one.”
    Kate clung to Matt, her smal hands clutching at his shoulders. He heard the sharp intake of her breath that belied her calm demeanor, but she didn’t cry out. The ground settled, and Matt al owed her feet to touch the path but retained his hold on her. She was incredibly warm and soft and smel ed of fresh flowers. He leaned over her, inhaling her fragrance, his chin brushing the top of her head. “You okay, Kate?”

    Appearing as serene as ever, Kate murmured soothingly to the horse. Nothing ruffled her. Not earthquakes and certainly not Matthew Granite.
    “Yes, of course, it was just a little earthquake.” She glanced up at the boiling clouds with a smal frown of puzzlement.
    “It was a fairly good one. And the ground opened damn near at your feet.”
    Kate continued to pat the horse’s neck, seemingly unaware that Matt was stil holding her, caging her body between his and the animal. He could see her hands tremble as she struggled to maintain composure, and it made him admire her al the more. She lifted her face to the wind. “I love the sea breeze. The