The only problem was he didn't know if he and Holly were going to stay friends. She filled his life with joy. Even more, she filled the empty hole in his soul. He'd only known her a short time, yet he couldn't imagine his world without her. That would be trouble for both of them. He didn't want to hurt her; he didn't want to be hurt himself.

So where did that leave them? He had no answer to the question. He would simply have to take each day as it arrived and hope for the best. For today Holly was with him, and that was enough.

"Oh, my. These can't be for me," Holly said, drawing him back into the conversation.

He glanced up and saw Elizabeth and Sandy pa.s.sing out presents. There were several boxes stacked in front of Holly.

She looked up at him. "Jordan?"

He shrugged. "Don't ask me. I'm always the last to know."

She counted. "Fourteen boxes? This is crazy."

Elizabeth paused by her and touched her hand. "It's not crazy. They're gifts. We all wanted to get you something."

"But I can't accept. It's too much."

"You don't even know what it is yet," Craig said, and pointed. "At least open a couple so we can all see." He glanced at his wife. "I bet you already know what it is."

"Of course," Jill said, then rested her hand on her belly. "The women always know everything."

"Don't you hate that?" Craig said.

"Yeah," Travis grumbled. "We need to think up some secrets to keep from them."

Elizabeth kissed him briefly on the mouth. "It would never happen, but it's sweet of you to want to try." She returned her attention to Holly. "Please open one of the boxes. If you really don't want the gift, you can tell us then."

Jordan understood Holly's confusion. She hadn't known everyone was going to get her a gift. He hadn't known, either, or he would have warned her. She'd baked cookies and pa.s.sed them out, but he knew she wouldn't think that was equitable.

He leaned forward and put his hand on her shoulder. "They're trying to be nice. It means they like you."

She nodded, then reached for one of the packages. When it was unwrapped, she opened the plain brown box and removed a white china cup and saucer. The old-fashioned design reminded him of some of the dishes he'd seen in catalogs she'd brought home from the store.

Sandy pointed. "We know you lost everything when your apartment was wrecked," she said. "So we got together and bought you new china. Each box is a place setting, and the other two are the completer set and some serving pieces. Please say you like them."

"They're beautiful," Holly said, sounding a little sh.e.l.l-shocked. She held the cup up to him.

He took it and touched the soft, cool piece. He could see this cup in Holly's capable hands. His mind filled with the image of her in bed, dressed in satin and lace, sipping her morning coffee. Even more terrifying, he could see himself there, too.

Longing twisted his gut until he couldn't think about anything else. He wanted her. He needed her. If only there was a safe way to keep her in his life.

"Just be polite and say thank you," he told her. "You'll make my family happy, and you'll get some plates out of it, too. Not a bad deal."

Elizabeth drew her eyebrows together. "We were trying to help. I hope you understand."

Holly nodded. "You're all so wonderful. Thank you. I love my gift." She leaned over and hugged Elizabeth.

"I think it's great," Kyle said, "but twelve place settings seems like a lot for one person. Of course, if she marries-"

He stopped talking suddenly as Sandy jabbed him in the ribs.

"What'd I say?"

Jill and Elizabeth started talking at once. Craig and Travis exchanged knowing looks. Holly blushed. Jordan knew Kyle had simply voiced what everyone else was thinking. It was obvious something was going on between Holly and himself, and they wanted to know what.

Sandy and Elizabeth got busy pa.s.sing out the rest of the presents. Jordan's brothers had given him some tools for his new garage. Kyle was disgusted to find out he really was getting wallpaper, then his good humor returned when he opened a box containing tickets for a Caribbean cruise.

Sandy placed a large, flat package in front of Jordan. He looked at the tag. It was from Holly. She scooted over on the carpet to give him room to open it. He tore away the paper and exposed a stunning Impressionist painting.

"Holly, you can't give me this."

She shrugged. "It's not by anyone really famous, so don't get too excited."

She'd mentioned a find of lesser-known artists at an estate sale about six months ago. She'd sold most of the paintings, but had admitted to keeping a couple of favorites for herself.

Her blue eyes were dark with a warm and welcoming emotion. "I wanted to give you something special," she said softly so the others couldn't hear. A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. "Just be polite and say thank you. Isn't that what you told me?"

"Thank you," he said.

"I thought it would look nice in the dining room."

He grinned. "That's the only room that's finished, so I suppose it makes sense."

There was a second box wrapped in gaudy red-and-silver paper. The gift tag had a paw print on it. "It's from Mistletoe," she told him.

"I figured that." He shook the box. "What do you think she put inside? Something that explodes, or at the very least smells bad?"

"Jordan, Mistletoe is a wonderful cat. I'm not sure why she hasn't taken to you, but as she likes everyone else, maybe this is your problem and not hers."

He grinned. "Great. I've been judged and found wanting by a cat."

He tore the paper. When he opened the oversize shirt box, he found a thick pullover sweater in black, gray and midnight blue.

"Mistletoe is sorry she used your favorite sweater for a bed," Holly said.

"No, she's not."

One corner of Holly's mouth curved up. "Even if she isn't, I am."

Around them the other adults were opening packages. Happy comments were exchanged, along with hugs and kisses. If a few of the embraces went on a little long, it only added to the festivity of the morning.

Jordan wanted to haul Holly into his arms and show her exactly how happy she made him. Instead, he forced himself to give her a quick kiss on the forehead. Even as he reminded himself he respected her need to come to terms with their odd relationship, he wanted to claim her as his. He wanted everyone to know that they were lovers and that he cared about her. He wanted her to be comfortable touching him in public.

"Oh, look what I just found under the tree," Elizabeth said, and handed Holly a small, square, jewelry-size box. His sister-in-law raised her eyebrows. "I've always been curious about your taste, Jordan. Guess I finally get to see what it's like."

"Guess so," he said mildly, but his heart started pounding hard against his ribs.

He'd wanted to get Holly something special. Something that would remind her of him without being threatening. His condition hadn't helped matters. For a while he'd been afraid he wouldn't be able to get out and around in time. But the physical therapy had done wonders, and he'd been able to find exactly what he wanted.