Chapter 5 Holly
Holly
Competition day dawned crisp and clear, fresh snow sparkling like diamonds across the mountain. I stood at the kitchen window nursing my third cup of coffee, watching Riley make final adjustments to our memorial display in the early morning light.
We'd made it three whole days of working side by side, stolen kisses, and enough sexual tension to melt the snow around us. Three days of Riley's hands on me as we worked, of catching him staring with heat in his blue eyes, of falling asleep wrapped in his arms by the fire.
It was the most incredible intimacy I'd ever experienced.
Our memorial display was perfect—stars arranged in constellation patterns, each one representing a fallen soldier, connected by threads of light that pulsed gently like heartbeats. It was beautiful and meaningful, exactly what Edith would have wanted.
Now we just had to wait for the judges.
"Coffee's getting cold," I called through the window.
Riley looked up from where he was checking connections, snow dusting his dark hair. Even after three days of nonstop work, he was still the most gorgeous man I'd ever seen. Especially when he smiled at me like that—soft and warm and full of promise.
"Almost done," he called back.
I watched him work, admiring the efficient way he moved. We'd become a perfect team, anticipating each other's needs, moving together like we'd been partners for years instead of days.
Tonight. After the judging, after we found out if our hard work had paid off, tonight we were going to celebrate properly. The promise had hung between us every time our eyes met, every time he said my name in that rough voice that made my knees weak.
The rumble of engines coming up the mountain road interrupted my thoughts.
"They're early!" I called, rushing outside despite the cold.
Three vehicles were winding up the road—the judges, plus what looked like half the town following behind. Word had gotten out about our memorial display.
Riley appeared at my side, his expression controlled but his hand finding mine automatically.
"Ready for this?" he asked.
"With you? I'm ready for anything."
The judges climbed out of their truck, clipboards in hand. Behind them, I recognized several faces from town, including Rick Sweeney. His expression was carefully neutral, but I could see tension in his shoulders.
"Ms. LaBelle?" The head judge, a woman in her sixties with kind eyes, approached us. "I'm Margaret Fitzgerald, competition coordinator. This is quite impressive."
"Thank you. This is Riley Knapp, my partner."
Riley's hand tightened on mine at the word, and I felt him relax slightly.
"Mr. Knapp." Margaret nodded. "I understand you knew Edith well."
"Yes, ma'am. She was a good woman."
"She was indeed. We were all sorry to lose her." Margaret looked between us, then at the display. "Shall we begin?"
The judging took nearly an hour. Margaret and her team examined every aspect, asking questions about the design, the meaning behind the constellations, the technical execution.
Riley handled the technical questions while I explained the concept—how we'd used Edith's letters as inspiration, how each star represented someone who didn't make it home.
Through it all, I was hyperaware of Riley beside me. The way he stood protectively at my back. The pride in his voice when he talked about our work. The way his eyes found mine every time I mentioned Edith, offering silent support.
When the judges finally finished and moved on to examine other displays in town, I felt like I could breathe again.
"Think we did okay?" I asked as the crowd dispersed.
"Better than okay." Riley pulled me closer, his arm wrapping around my waist. "You were incredible up there. The way you talked about Edith, about the soldiers... you made them understand."
"We made them understand. We did this together."
His eyes darkened at my words, and for a moment I thought he was going to kiss me right there. Instead, he cleared his throat and stepped back slightly.
"Results won't be announced until tonight. Town meeting at seven."
"That's hours away. What are we supposed to do until then?"
The look he gave me made my breath catch. "I have some ideas."
Heat flooded through me, but before I could respond, Rick Sweeney was approaching across the yard. His expression was harder than during the judging, and I felt Riley tense.
"Impressive display," Rick said when he reached us. "Very... artistic."
"Thank you," I replied carefully.
"’Course, some folks might say it's a bit much. Using dead soldiers to win a Christmas competition." His tone was conversational, but there was an edge underneath.
"Those soldiers died defending this country," Riley's voice was deadly quiet. "Honoring their memory isn't 'using' them."
"If you say so." Rick shrugged. "It just seems like some people will do anything to win. Even exploit tragedy."
The temperature seemed to drop ten degrees. Riley stepped forward, violence brewing in his posture.
"You want to repeat that?" Riley's voice was soft, dangerous.
"Riley, don't." I grabbed his arm, feeling tension vibrating through him.
"Smart girl," Rick said with a smirk. "Knows when to keep her man on a leash."
That was the wrong thing to say.
Riley moved so fast I barely saw it. One second Rick was standing there smugly, the next he was pressed against his truck with Riley's forearm across his throat.
"You want to apologize to the lady," Riley said conversationally. "Then get in your truck and drive away. Before I forget Holly asked me to be nice."
Rick's eyes were wide, his face reddening. "You... you can't..."
"I can do whatever I want on my property. And right now, I want you gone."
"Riley." I touched his shoulder, felt the coiled tension. "Let him go."
For a moment I wasn't sure he would. Then Riley stepped back, releasing Rick, who gasped and rubbed his throat.
"This isn't over," Rick wheezed.
"Yeah, it is." Riley's voice was flat, final. "Stay away from us. Or next time, Holly won't be here to stop me."
Rick climbed into his truck without another word, tires spinning as he drove away too fast.
I stared at Riley, my heart pounding. I should have been horrified by the violence, by the barely controlled rage I'd seen. Instead, I was turned on beyond belief.
"Are you okay?" he asked, voice rough with adrenaline.
"Am I okay?" I stepped closer, close enough to feel heat radiating from his body. "Riley, that was..."
"That was me losing my temper. I'm sorry—"
"That was you protecting me. Protecting us." I reached up and cupped his face, feeling tension in his jaw. "And it was incredibly hot."
His eyes widened. "Holly..."
"I mean it. Watching you defend our memorial, defend what we built together..." I pressed closer, my body flush against his. "I've never wanted anyone more in my life."
"You're killing me," he groaned, his hands gripping my hips.
"Good." I rose on my toes, lips brushing his ear. "I want you, Riley. Right now."
He pulled back to look at me, eyes dark with want and something deeper. "The results..."
"Won't be announced for hours. And even if we don't win, even if we lose everything..." I smiled, fierce and certain. "We have this. We have each other. Take me inside," I whispered. "Make love to me."
He didn't need to be asked twice.
The walk to the cabin felt like forever, every step charged with anticipation. When we reached the porch, he stopped, turning to face me.
"You're everything." His forehead rested against mine. "I'm falling in love with you. Hell, I think I'm already there."
My heart stopped, then started again with a rhythm that felt like coming home. "Riley..."
"I know it's fast. I know it's crazy. But I need you to know before we... before I..."
I silenced him with a kiss, pouring everything I felt into the contact. When we broke apart, we were both breathing hard.
"I love you too," I whispered against his lips. "I've been falling since the moment I saw you."
The smile that spread across his face was like sunrise. "Really?"
"Really. Now are you going to keep talking, or are you going to take me to bed?"
He swept me up in his arms, making me laugh as he carried me through the door. "Yes ma’am.”