He Came Upon A Midnight Clear Read online

  They nodded.

  “These are for you. Merry Christmas.”

  Libby frowned as she opened her envelope and pulled out the letter inside. She read it in shock, read it again and burst out laughing.

  “Oh, my God.” She had trouble catching her breath. “I can’t believe it.” She looked at Cody.

  He sat in his chair with a stunned look on his face. “Me, either.”

  “What does yours say?”

  “You first.”

  She cleared her throat.

  Dear Libby,

  I know you wanted an exciting one-night stand, something beyond your dreams. I wanted that for you, too. And sometimes Fate intervenes when we really need it to. When I read the application form Cody Alvarez, I got this strange feeling that something electric was about to happen. Then I opened your application right after his and I knew. Magic. If I could put the two of you together in the right circumstances, chemistry would take care of the rest. That’s why I so carefully arranged for the two of you to be the only ones on the flight from Seattle to Castle.

  My spies told me they saw the sparks in the beginning, but the two of you were a little slow off the mark. I was afraid I’d have to give you a nudge and I really wanted this to occur spontaneously. Then it happened, with all the magic I hoped for.

  I wish you and Cody a long life together.

  Affectionately,

  Madame Evangeline

  “Mine says almost the same thing,” he told her.

  She could barely contain her excitement. “Read it to me.”

  “Okay.” He smoothed the paper out.

  Dear Cody,

  When I opened Libby’s application right after yours, I had the strangest feeling that Fate was guiding my hand. I checked her thoroughly and discovered that she is exactly the woman you need. I had a sixth sense about it, something I’ve developed after all these years. Did you not wonder why you two were the only ones on the plane? I didn’t want another couple to disrupt the magic. My spies tell me sparks flew at once but then things stalled much to my dismay, I must admit. I worried that I’d have to give the two of you another nudge, but thankfully you took care of it for me.

  So now you have had your one-night stand with the woman I am certain will be the one to help you keep that ranch and build a rich full life. I hope to hear an announcement at the ball.

  Affectionately,

  Madame Evangeline

  Cody stared at Libby. She stared back at him before they both burst into laughter again.

  “Well,” he said, catching his breath. “Let me ask you this.” He leaned across the table, watching her intently. “Could you stand to live in Texas? With a couple of thousand head of cattle and a bunch of rowdy hands?”

  Her lips turned up in a little smile. “Will you be there?”

  “You bet.”

  “Then of course I could. Cody, I’m totally unattached. Free. I can go anywhere and do anything I want to.”

  He took both of her hands in his. “I know this is fast, but I also know in my heart what I want. Libby, will you marry me?”

  She wet her lips and for a moment he was afraid she’d changed her mind. Then she grinned. “Yes. Yes, I will.”

  “Then what are we sitting here for?” He raised his hand to call the waiter.

  “Aren’t you going to call the attorney and share your news?”

  “After.”

  “After what?”

  “After I kiss you again to make sure you don’t change your mind.”

  She grinned at him. “Never happen.”

  “And after I go to the front desk and get the ring I had them stash in the safe for me. Just in case.” He stood up and winked at her then urged her from her chair, pulling her into his arms.

  “The ring’s just the icing on the cake, Cody. What I really want is that kiss.”

  And there in the restaurant, in full view of everyone eating there, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her until they were both out of breath. The sound of applause startled them back into reality. When Cody looked, he saw everyone clapping for them.

  “I assume congratulations are in order.” A tall man with dark coloring, dark hair and a warm expression walked over to them and held out his hand. “Nick Castillo. I manage the property for the family.”

  Cody could tell Libby was as dazed as he was. He shook Nick’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  “I had a heads up from Madame Eve. I hope you’ll allow us to make the announcement at the ball.”

  Cody looked down into Libby’s warm hazel eyes. “Yes, by all means. Tell everyone the future Mr. and Mrs. Cody Alvarez are looking forward to a long and happy future together.”

  ~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~

  Desiree Holt’s writing is flavored with the rich experiences of her life, including a long stretch in the music business representing every kind of artist from country singer to heavy metal rock bands. For several years she also ran her own public relations agency handling any client that interested her, many of whom might recognize themselves in the pages of her stories. She is twice a finalist for an EPIC E-Book Award, a nominee for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, winner of the first 5 Heart Sweetheart of the Year Award at The Romance Studio as well as twice a CAPA Award for best BDSM book of the year, winner of two Holt Medallion Awards of Merit, and is published by five different houses. Romance Junkies said of her work: “Desiree Holt is the most amazing erotica author of our time and each story is more fulfilling then the last.”

  Visit Desiree online at:

  http://www.desireeholt.com