Debra Kastner - A Holiday Prayer

The Phantom’s warm hand lightly resting on her back sent shivers up her spine that had nothing to do with cold. Her spirit soared.

With a deep inner sigh, she allowed him to draw her closer. Being in his arms felt good and right. She would face her regrets tomorrow.

For tonight, she was going to dance.

The Phantom leaned back to study the petite woman in his arms. Her face, framed by cinnamon-brown hair, was rosy with color. In her silvery ball gown and glass slippers she made a perfect Cinderella.

Though he still wasn’t certain why, she’d caught his eye the moment he had entered the ballroom. Perhaps it was because she looked small, and shy, and completely ill at ease.

He suspected that there was a latent fireman in him someplace, because she looked just like a little lost kitten stranded in a treetop. He felt like grabbing a ladder and rescuing her. Putting a smile on her heart-shaped face, a sparkle in her shadowed brown eyes.

He shifted forward so he could feel the satin softness of her cheek against his. Immediately, he felt her muscles bunch as if she were preparing to spring from his grasp.

She seemed as jumpy as a jackrabbit being chased by a fox. But if she wanted to run away, he couldn’t bring himself to let her go. There was something familiar about her—something he couldn’t name, but which compelled him to keep her close.

He hadn’t even planned to come to the benefit in the first place. He rarely went out anymore.

And he never danced. What had drawn him onto the dance floor was as much a mystery to him as was the woman in his arms.

It didn’t matter anyway. He was here now. And he didn’t plan to leave. Or to let her go.

His face lingered near her bare shoulder, inhaling her light, musky fragrance. She wasn’t smothered in expensive perfume like most women of his acquaintance. No. She smelled like…

Moonlight.

If there were any way to blot out the nightmare of thoughts haunting him, it would be this beautiful woman.

He leaned back and smiled down at her, feeling her body stiffen when his gaze met hers.

Why was she so afraid?

His throat tightened at the look of utter helplessness in her huge brown eyes, and he became suddenly determined to change the course of her evening.

Before the night was through, he vowed to himself, he would hear the sweet sound of her laughter.

Maddie expected him to release her after the song ended, but he continued to sway back and forth as if the orchestra continued to play. She glanced around the room, terrified that she was making a spectacle of herself, but no one seemed to notice the still-dancing couple.

Moments later she heard the shrill wail of a saxophone and sagged with relief as the Phantom adjusted their steps to the beat of the new song. He was obviously determined to enjoy the evening. With her.

Well, so was she. With him.

“What’s your name?” he whispered into her ear.

Maddie stepped back and curtsied playfully. “I thought you would have guessed by now,” she teased. “Cinderella, of course!”

The Phantom let out a full-bodied laugh that caused those dancing around them to peer at them curiously.

“We’re going to play games, are we?” He took a step back and gave an elegant bow. “I guess that would make me your Phantom.”

Maddie was more than content to leave the introductions at that. They would all unmask at midnight, after all. If she stayed that long…

She had a sneaking suspicion she just might.

For the moment she was content just to remain in his arms and lose herself in the music. It was pure magic, and she didn’t intend to waste a single moment.

The song came to a close and the orchestra’s lead violist surprised everyone by breaking out in a fiddling tune. In moments a country line-dance was formed.

Her Phantom chuckled and drew her to the edge of the floor. “Sorry, love. I don’t do country.”

Maddie shrugged. It wasn’t hard to smile. Country wasn’t her style, either. “I’m ready for a break.”

The Phantom indicated a chair and held it for her, while she gathered her skirts and sat. “Are you thirsty? Why don’t I get you some…” His sentence trailed off.

She looked up, surprised. His eyes were cloudy and unreadable. He seemed to be sidetracked by something at the far corner of the ballroom.

She followed his gaze but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Unless it was one of a number of beautiful young women over there.

She replied, “No, that’s okay. I’m not thirsty.”

But the Phantom was not listening. He was already walking away from her, his mind obviously elsewhere. As if with great effort, he tossed one quick glance back at her. “Excuse me. I’ll just…”

And then he was gone.

Maddie sighed and crossed her arms over her chest, though she could feel a hesitant smile still hovering on her lips.

Her fantasy was over. And she really should be angry with the man for abandoning her so abruptly. But the lovely warmth, telling her that she still had a heart, lingered. She felt alive, really alive, for the first time in years.

There would be no regrets. It didn’t matter that she’d been deserted for fresher prey. She was more than content just to sit here and watch wildly costumed dancers wiggling to some latest craze in line-dancing.

One young man, dressed most appropriately as a rooster; was crowing loudly and shaking his tail feathers in wild abandon. The music did sound rather like a clucking chicken.

She felt a small rumble building deep in her chest, growing promptly into full-fledged laughter. She clapped a hand over her mouth to keep from appearing rude.

But not to stem the flow of laughter. It felt so good—better even than whirling around on the dance floor. She felt like leaping up and shaking her own tail feathers.

Laughter scoured her insides clean. Maybe she’d get really brave and find a partner for one last dance.

“That chicken is really something.” The rich, soft, unmistakable baritone came from behind her, next to her ear. Her Phantom was back.

Her heart leapt into her throat, her head buzzing with excitement and the purely female thrill of attracting a handsome man. Not once, but twice. “Yes, he is, isn’t he?”

The Phantom chuckled. “I meant the music. It’s called ‘The Chicken.’ I guess ‘cause it sounds like a chicken clucking.”

Maddie grinned. “I noticed.”

“What do you say we get out of here for a while?” he whispered.

It had been a few years, but his words sounded distinctly like a come-on. She cocked her eyebrow. “Out?”

He grinned and held up his hands as if to ward off her unspoken accusation. “Just out for a breath of air and some peace and quiet. That’s all. I promise. Promise.”

“Oh, but they’re going to unmask at midnight!” she protested, though it sounded weak, even to her. She was being worn down, and his wink told her that he knew it. But she really did want to dance again before she left. Desperately.

“Never fear. We’ll be back before then. Come on, let’s get some air.”

Maddie cast one last disappointed glance at the dance floor, then shrugged. It wouldn’t hurt to leave for a few minutes. And he’d promised to be back before they unmasked. She hoped they’d have one more dance together before the night ended.

He led her to the door and assisted her with her coat. “I’ve got a surprise for you.”

“Surprise?” she repeated lamely, and then wondered at the wisdom of following an unknown man onto the streets of downtown Denver. A woman couldn’t be too careful. And she was no innocent child.

She searched his eyes for some sign of his intentions, but found only a gleam of humor lurking in their black depths. He wasn’t giving anything away.