A Canyon Road Christmas Read online

  “With pleasure.” Once again, he scooped me up in his arms, then ascended the wide staircase that led to the second floor. A bit of fumbling with the buttons on the back of my dress, and then I was free of the heavy satin creation.

  I wouldn’t let it tumble to the floor, however. Standing there in my bustier and panties and thigh-highs, I grabbed the gown and then carefully laid it over the back of a nearby chair. While I was busy with that task, Rafe summoned a fire to the hearth, then stood there and watched me, an appreciative gleam in his eyes.

  “What are you looking at?” I asked.

  “You,” he said simply. “Earlier, I told you that you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. Now I’m wondering whether I was underestimating you.”

  “I doubt it,” I said, a flush spreading over my face. While I enjoyed his admiration, I’d never been very good about accepting compliments.

  “Oh, I know it.”

  He came to me and kissed me again, and I pulled at his tie, freeing it from around his neck. Soon enough, his suit coat, shirt, pants, and socks landed in an unceremonious pile near the foot of the bed, since clearly he didn’t care much about their fate.

  Not that I was thinking about our clothes by that point. Our bodies were pressed together, our mouths locked, and his fingers slipped into me even as I wrapped my hand around his shaft, feeling how hard he was already. By this point, we both knew how much the other person could take before the climax hit; I released my grasp on him at the same time he pushed me down onto the covers, plunging into me, the two of us moving as one, bringing the other closer, closer….

  Rafe came first, but barely…or maybe it was the sensation of him reaching orgasm that pushed me over the edge, my entire body shuddering with release, my legs wrapped around him to hold him in for just a bit longer, so I might extend this moment, this timeless expanse where our hearts seemed to beat as one and nothing else in the universe really mattered all that much.

  At last, though, we pulled apart, but not for very long. Within the next moment, he was holding me close, my head pillowed on the firm muscles of his chest. This wasn’t my first time with him, of course, but it still felt that way.

  And somehow I knew it always would.

  8

  The night air was brisk and cold against my face as we all emerged from our dinner at Geronimo — Rafe and me, Eduardo, Cat, my parents. Rafe’s sisters Louisa and Malena and their families had been invited as well, but they’d declined, saying it would be too late an evening for their little ones.

  Just as well, since keeping even six of us together in the Christmas Eve crowds on Canyon Road was difficult enough. Cat had tried to give me an idea of what this particular Santa Fe tradition was like, but her words really hadn’t prepared me for the masses of humanity that crowded every nook and cranny of the usually tranquil street. Moms and dads pushing strollers. People with their dogs, some on leashes, the smaller ones cradled in their owners’ arms or even riding in a backpack. Little children laughing and running from bonfire to bonfire.

  For someone who’d never experienced such a thing before, it was all a little overwhelming. I clung to Rafe’s hand and strained to hear what my parents were saying to Eduardo and Cat. It sounded as though they were talking about Jerome’s tradition of “lighting up the mountain,” which basically meant everyone decorating their homes and shops within an inch of their lives, and turning on all the holiday lights the first Saturday after Thanksgiving. Usually, the choir from Mingus High would sing, and everyone would hang out near the steps across the street from the Spirit Room, but that quiet gathering didn’t bear much of a resemblance to the rowdy celebration here on Canyon Road.

  I could tell my parents were enjoying themselves, though, and it was fun to thread our way through the various galleries, especially since I hadn’t yet had much of a chance to explore the shops here, despite living so close by. And I loved the little group of singers who stood on a balcony above the street, so that it sounded as if the lilting notes of “Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella” were drifting down to us from heaven itself.

  And suddenly, that wasn’t the only thing falling down on Canyon Road from somewhere above. As we’d walked over to the restaurant earlier, I’d noticed how heavy and lowering the clouds had been, but I couldn’t be sure if the weather-workers’ spells were still holding back the storm or not. Now, though, tiny, airy flakes began to fall, not heavily, but like little swirling bits of the finest down. They didn’t seem ready to stick to anything yet, but rather disappeared as soon as they touched the ground, the trees, and even the coats and jackets we wore.

  Still, I heard a delighted “oh!” sweep through the gathered throng, and for a moment, everyone was still, the crowd’s collective gaze tilted upward to the sky.

  “It’s beautiful,” my mother murmured. She was standing next to my father, her head pillowed on his shoulder.

  “It’s a good omen,” Eduardo said. “We haven’t had snow on Christmas Eve for many years now.”

  “What does it predict?” I asked.

  He smiled down at me, dark eyes crinkling at the corners. “It means good luck and prosperity for the year to come.”

  “We could definitely use some luck after the past few months,” Cat remarked. She held out one gloved hand and watched as the delicate little flakes settled on her palm and then disappeared.

  No one could argue with that comment. Yes, we’d come out the other side of our fight with Simon Escobar and emerged victorious, but that battle had still taken its toll, had cost the Castillos their prima and inflicted far too much pain and suffering on those who’d been lucky enough to survive.

  I thought of the books of dark magic that Rafe’s cousin Sophia had hidden in her house, and wondered whether the safeguards I’d put in place would be enough. They had to be. I was prima now, and it was my responsibility to make sure I kept the clan safe.

  The carolers on their balcony began to quietly sing “Silent Night,” and, to my surprise, those gathered around and watching the snow fall began to sing along. Even Rafe, whose fine tenor also took me by surprise. I’d never been much of a singer, but I could carry a tune…barely…and so I held on to his hand and joined in as well, the notes of the old, old tune floating on the cold night air. And when we were done, everyone stood quietly for a moment, as though they didn’t want to break the spell of this snowy Christmas Eve.

  But then people began to move, and talk in their little groups, and some of the noise and chatter returned to Canyon Road. I’d never look at it quite the same way, though, because I knew it had its own magic, something quite separate from the kind of magic that flowed in my veins.

  “Well,” my father said, “I don’t know if we’ll be able to top that experience. It’s getting late, anyway, so I think it’s time to head back to Jerome.”

  “Discreetly,” my mother added, a small smile quirking the corners of her mouth. “We’ll find a quiet corner where we can disappear without anyone noticing.”

  Even though I’d known they hadn’t planned to stay after this evening, I couldn’t quite hold back the pang of disappointment that went through me. They were right — it was getting late, and yet I wished I could make this evening last forever.

  But I told myself that I needed to be a grown-up and not try to urge them to stay any longer. They had obligations back in Arizona. I should be glad that they’d been here to see me get married to Rafe, had been able to spend Christmas Eve with me.

  I hugged them both and wished them a happy holiday, then stepped away so my mother could give Rafe a quick embrace. He looked a little startled, but then managed a smile and said he was very glad that we’d been able to spend this time together.

  Eduardo and Cat chimed in, saying that they were happy we’d all been able to be together for the wedding and the holiday, and then my parents slipped through the crowd and disappeared into a narrow alley between two galleries. No sign to show that they’d teleported away once they were hidden fr
om view, but I still knew they were gone.

  The snow had continued to fall, but now it was growing thicker, the wind picking up. Even though I wore a warm coat and gloves and a knit cap on my head, I could tell it wouldn’t be comfortable to stand out here much longer.

  “We should probably head back to the house,” Eduardo said, and no one tried to contradict him.

  The crowds were beginning to disperse, too, everyone heading toward the base of Canyon Road and the streets and parking lots where they’d left their cars. We didn’t have nearly as far to go, since all we had to do was cut across Gonzales Road and walk a few blocks to reach the big house where Rafe and I now lived.

  A short pause on the covered front porch so we could knock the snow off our boots and jackets, and then we all went inside. The Christmas tree glimmered from the living room, and the air was scented with cinnamon and cloves, thanks to the potpourri I’d put out earlier that day.

  “I can make some coffee,” I suggested, but Eduardo shook his head.

  “Thank you for the offer, but I don’t drink coffee in the evening.” He paused and looked over at his daughter. “But if Cat would like some….”

  “No, that’s all right,” she said immediately. “It would only keep me up, too. Besides,” she went on, “you’re going to be cooking all day for us tomorrow. You don’t need us sticking around until all hours tonight.”

  That was true enough; the goose for next day’s Christmas dinner was already soaking in a brine solution, and the refrigerator was packed with all the items I’d bought to create the various side dishes and desserts that would accompany the goose. Rafe had teased me about going overboard with the whole thing, but I wanted to make sure Eduardo and Cat got a proper holiday meal.

  Still, I thought I should attempt at least a token protest. “It’s really no trouble — ”

  “We’re fine,” she said gently. “Tomorrow at three, right?”

  “Right,” I replied, admitting defeat.

  Rafe and I gave the two of them goodnight hugs, and then they were hurrying down the front steps and through the garden to the driveway, which was where Eduardo had left his car parked. After he shut the door, Rafe gave me an inquiring look.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Why wouldn’t I be?” I responded…although I knew what he’d really been asking.

  “I’m sorry your parents won’t be here for Christmas dinner tomorrow.”

  “It’s all right,” I told him…and then I realized it really was. This was my home now, and Eduardo and Cat my family. Of course, I hoped my parents would come back to visit soon, and I assumed Rafe and I would go to Jerome in the not-too-distant future, but my place was here — here in Santa Fe, with the man I loved at my side.

  I reached out and took his hand, then stood on my tiptoes so I could kiss him on the cheek.

  “You’re all I want for Christmas, Rafe,” I said. “You, and your family, and my life here.”

  A smile touched his lips, and he pulled me to him, his embrace a homecoming.

  Yes, I truly had come home.

  The Witches of Canyon Road will continue with Cat’s story in Demon Born, due out in January 2019.

  Also by Christine Pope

  PROJECT DEMON HUNTERS

  (Paranormal Romance)

  Unquiet Souls

  Unbound Spirits

  Unholy Ground

  THE WITCHES OF CANYON ROAD

  (Paranormal Romance)

  Hidden Gifts

  Darker Paths

  Mysterious Ways

  A Canyon Road Christmas

  Demon Born

  An Ill Wind

  Higher Ground

  THE WITCHES OF CLEOPATRA HILL*

  (Paranormal Romance)

  Darkangel

  Darknight

  Darkmoon

  Sympathetic Magic

  Protector

  Spellbound

  A Cleopatra Hill Christmas

  Impractical Magic

  Strange Magic

  The Arrangement

  Defender

  Bad Blood

  Deep Magic

  Darktide

  Books 1-3 and Books 4-6 of this series are also available in two separate omnibus editions at special boxed set prices. Chronicles of Cleopatra Hill includes the series’ two “back in time” novellas, Bad Blood and The Arrangement.

  Or get the entire series in one enormous, specially priced boxed set! (Not available on Amazon.)

  THE DJINN WARS

  (Paranormal Romance)

  Chosen

  Taken

  Fallen

  Broken

  Forsaken

  Forbidden

  Awoken

  Illuminated

  Stolen

  Forgotten

  Driven

  Unspoken (June 2019)

  Books 1-3 and Books 4-6 of this series are also available in two separate omnibus editions at special boxed set prices!

  THE WATCHERS TRILOGY*

  (Paranormal Romance)

  Falling Dark

  Dead of Night

  Rising Dawn

  The Watchers Trilogy is also available in a specially priced boxed set!

  THE SEDONA FILES*

  (Paranormal Romance)

  Bad Vibrations

  Desert Hearts

  Angel Fire

  Star Crossed

  Falling Angels

  Enemy Mine

  Get the first three books of this series in an omnibus edition, or read the complete six-book series in one super-low-priced boxed set!

  TALES OF THE LATTER KINGDOMS

  (Fantasy Romance)

  All Fall Down

  Dragon Rose

  Binding Spell

  Ashes of Roses

  One Thousand Nights

  Threads of Gold

  The Wolf of Harrow Hall

  Moon Dance

  The Song of the Thrush

  Books 1-3 and Books 4-6 of this series are also available in two separate omnibus editions at special boxed set prices.

  THE GAIAN CONSORTIUM SERIES*

  (Science Fiction Romance)

  Beast (free prequel novella)

  Blood Will Tell

  Breath of Life

  The Gaia Gambit

  The Mandala Maneuver

  The Titan Trap

  The Zhore Deception

  The Refugee Ruse

  Books 1-3 of this series are also available in an omnibus edition at a special boxed set price!

  STANDALONE TITLES

  Hearts on Fire

  Sympathy for the Devil

  Taking Dictation

  Night Music

  Golden Heart

  * Indicates a completed series

  About the Author

  USA Today bestselling author Christine Pope has been writing stories ever since she commandeered her family’s Smith-Corona typewriter back in grade school. Her work includes paranormal romance, fantasy romance, and science fiction/space opera romance. She makes her home in Arizona.

  Don’t miss out on any of Christine’s new releases — sign up for her newsletter today!

  * * *

  Christine Pope on the Web:

  www.christinepope.com