Carson waited for as long as possible on Saturday morning to call Erin. Finally at ten o’clock she couldn’t stand it anymore. Surely, ten o’clock was late enough and Erin would be up by now.

The events of last night played over and over in her mind. She had only meant to kiss Erin quickly and leave, just to familiarize herself with the feel of Erin’s lips and break the ice between them. Both of them felt the attraction, of that she was sure, but the longer things went on without a physical connection the more tension developed.

Carson thought if she kissed Erin quickly she could leave with the tension broken and a new bond established. Erin had other ideas, and after that first press of lips wouldn’t let Carson just walk away.

Her stomach clenched in remembered passion and Carson stumbled against the kitchen counter. She braced her hands against the granite and let the events play over again in her head. Erin had shoved her passionately back against the door and explored her mouth thoroughly while Carson had been helpless to do anything but cling to her. When it was over Carson’s blood pumped with fire and all she wanted was to make love to Erin.

The minor attraction to a track athlete in college dimmed in comparison to the raw and savage pleasure Erin could generate with just a touch or a look, and Carson understood the difference between a crush and being in love.

Carson smiled and closed her eyes as she relived Erin’s passionate embrace again. The knowledge that she was in love for the first time felt like some kind of right of passage, like she was finally an adult. It was silly, but that was the way it was.

Christmas was only a few days away, and she wanted nothing more than to spend that special day with Erin. But I wonder if she already has plans?

Carson walked out into the living room and sat on the leather sofa. The phone was an arms length away, and it only took a moment to reach a decision. She would just have to find out if Erin had plans, and if not, find a way to get Erin to spend the day with her.

She had only called Erin at home once, but that was enough for her numbers-oriented brain to remember the sequence. Carson dialed it without thought and the call was picked up halfway through the first ring. Had Erin been waiting for her call?

"Carson?"

The young woman smiled into the phone. Apparently Erin had caller id, and was eager to speak with her.

"Hi," Carson said breathlessly. "How did you sleep?"

"Better than I have for a very long time. You?"

Thoughts of her erotic dreams flashed through Carson’s mind, and she blushed unseen over the connection. Her dreams had given her a glimpse of Erin’s bare flesh, coral nipples and a flash of auburn hair at the apex of her thighs. Carson dreamt of things she had never experienced, and felt her bare toes tingle from the mental images.

"I had very good dreams," she answered honestly.

Erin chuckled a little and said, "I know exactly what you mean."

It was so easy to fall into this flirting banter, and Carson was pleased that neither of them sought to deny what happened last night.

"So what are you doing today?" Erin asked.

"Nothing special. I haven’t spent much time at home lately, so I just thought I’d stay here today. I might take a walk or do some reading. This afternoon I’ll have to go shopping for a turkey, but other than that I intend to be here."

"You’re going to make a turkey for Christmas? Are you having guests?"

Erin sounded surprised and Carson remembered that the attorney didn’t like to cook. Perhaps this was the opportunity she had been looking for.

"No, no guests. I just always make a turkey. I feel Christmas is a special day and should be celebrated, even if I do it alone. What about you? Any plans for tomorrow?"

"Not for tomorrow. Unfortunately, I told Ray that I would go to his house tonight. They have to drive to Dayton to see Martha’s parents tomorrow, but she wanted to have a small gathering before they did the family thing. To be honest I think she just felt sorry for me. Usually I just spend Christmas day working at home in my office."

That was all the invitation Carson needed. Erin had no plans for tomorrow or Christmas day, and the success of her plan hinged on not giving Erin time to back out.

"So you have no plans other than tonight?"

"No, why?"

"This year will not be spent working," Carson said quickly. "I will pick you up at twelve o’clock tomorrow, and you will spend the holiday with me."

Stunned silence greeted her, but then Erin said, "I will?"

"Yes. You can help me decorate the tree, and then on Christmas day we will open gifts and have turkey for dinner."

"But that means…"

"It means that you will spend the night here."

"Carson…" Erin sputtered.

"I will see you at noon. Don’t forget to pack a bag."

Carson could hear Erin stammer over the connection, but hung up before the other woman could refuse.

Doubts assailed Carson after she ended the call. What if Erin didn’t want to spend the day with her? Had she just gone too far, and pushed her away? What would she do if Erin called back and told her she wasn’t coming?

If that happened she would deal with it, Carson decided. Until then she had a hundred things to do. She didn’t even have a tree yet, much less decorations or brightly colored gifts. Usually she just made the traditional turkey dinner and left it at that. So much for her walk!

With so many things to do, Carson would need help, and she could think of only one person to call. She picked up the phone and dialed Jay’s number. It rang four times and just when Carson decided her friend wasn’t home Jay picked it up.

"Hello?"

The older woman sounded a little flustered, and Carson spared a hope that she hadn’t interrupted anything, but her own panic overrode any other concerns.

"Hi, Jay. It’s Carson. Are you free today?"

"Well, I was just going to clean my carpets. I’ve already got the shampoo out."

"Good, so you’re not busy. Can you go shopping with me?"

"Huh? Carson slow down, you sound like you’re flipping out."

Carson took a deep breath and explained what happened. By the time she finished Jay was in almost hysterical laughter.

"Oh, that’s good. You just steam rolled over your new girlfriend before you thought about the consequences. That is so not like you."

Carson waited a few seconds for Jay’s laughter to taper off again before she said, "She is not my girlfriend, well at least not yet. Now are you going to help me or not?"

"Are you kidding? I’ve been waiting years for you to get hooked up so I could give you a hard time about it. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Pick me up in an hour, and we’ll go to that little Christmas tree lot on Sheridan Road. Jeremy says they have a lot of really nice trees to choose from."

"Thank you, Jay. I owe you one."

"Yes, you do. And don’t think I’ll let you forget it."

Jay hung up without saying goodbye. That was typical of her friend, and Carson thought nothing of it as she rushed to get dressed. She was still in her robe and pajamas, and it would take twenty minutes to get to Jay’s apartment.

Exactly one hour later Carson pulled up in front of the apartment building on Prince Street. Jay was already outside with a huge grin on her face, and Carson knew she was in for it. Jay would be having fun at her expense for the foreseeable future.

The door opened and Jay climbed up in the Lexus. For a moment all Carson could see was the top of her salt and pepper head. Then she saw the flash of white teeth and steeled herself for the first comment.

"So, did you decide what to get your girlfriend for Christmas? She’s no slouch, you know?"

"I am very well aware of that fact," Carson said dryly. "Perhaps we could start with the tree and go from there?"

"In other words you have no idea what to get her." Jay burst out laughing while Carson pulled out into traffic. "This is gong to be fun!"

Carson rolled her eyes. Fun for whom?

They spent all day shopping. Carson settled on a nine-foot tree, but Jay insisted that she purchase a Douglas fir because they were a fuller-looking tree. The lot attendant tied it to the roof of the Lexus and Carson was glad she had purchased the optional luggage rack that would protect the paint job.

"Don’t forget the tree stand," Jay reminded her.

After that they drove to the mall where Carson purchased so many tree decorations that Jay was in stitches again, and claimed the tree would never hold that many lights, tinsel, or ornaments. Outside colored lights, and yard décor were added to the purchase before they left the Christmas shop. Both of them were loaded with bags and the women had to go back to the SUV to unload before they went back in.

"Don’t you think you’re overdoing it a little here?" Jay asked at one point.

Carson shrugged. "Too many decorations are better than too few. Besides, I don’t know what Erin likes."

"So you want to cover all your bases, is that it?"

The computer exec ignored Jay’s double meaning, and walked toward the food court. "Are you hungry?"

"Sure, let’s take a break. My arms are sore from carrying all that stuff."

They went to the small pseudo Chinese kiosk and got some lunch. After they sat down to eat Jay asked, "Have you decided what to get her yet?"

"Actually, I was thinking about something I saw on her desk."

"Oh?"

"She has this old-fashioned ink well that must be at least twenty years old. I was thinking about something like that."

Jay thought between bites and then said, "There’s a stationary store in the back of the mall. They have some period pieces like inkwells and feather pens, things like that. Want to check it out?"

"I knew I brought you along for a reason," Carson smiled.

"You mean for other than giving you a hard time?" Carson shared the teasing grin and they finished their lunch.

A stop by the stationary store yielded just the right thing, and they were almost out of the mall when something else caught her eye. Part of the joy of Christmas was opening gifts, and she wanted to get Erin something else.

Jay’s delighted laugh followed Carson into the store, but at least her friend refrained from any comments.

After leaving the mall Carson suggested a stop by the market to pick up her turkey, and all the trimmings. Throughout the entire day Jay gamely went along with any and all suggestions, even coming up with a few of her own along the way without complaint.

"Oops, you forgot spiced rum. You can’t have eggnog without rum. And what about mistletoe?"

Jay looked at her funny when Carson blushed at the mention of mistletoe, but Carson wordlessly walked away and refused to elaborate.

Finally, Carson had everything on her list as well as several other things that weren’t there. In fact the SUV was so loaded she was convinced they couldn’t have fit anything else inside if they tried. It was almost dark when she pulled up in front of Jay’s building.

"Thanks for the day," Jay said grinning. "I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time."

"Glad you enjoyed yourself," Carson responded dryly. Then she stopped Jay with a touch on the arm before she could get out of the car. "Wait a minute. I have something for you."

Curious Jay turned back toward her. Carson pulled a small gold wrapped box from beneath her seat and handed it to her best friend. "Merry Christmas."

"What’s this?"

The question was rhetorical. Jay took the small box and eagerly ripped it open to reveal a baby blue box with a white ribbon. Jay was quiet for the first time Carson had known her as she opened the box to see what was inside. Then she looked up with a suspicious glint in her eyes.

"Carson?"

"You are the best friend I have ever had," Carson said softly. "Even when I was considered the class geek you were there for me, and have always been someone I could count on. I consider you family, Jay."

Jay leaned across the leather seats and hugged Carson close. She wasn’t a woman given to physical gestures, and Carson realized how moved she was by the present.

Then Jay pulled back and took the Rolex out of the box. She carefully strapped the heavy, silver watch to her wrist before she looked back up at Carson.

"You really are a special person. I hope Erin realizes what a lucky woman she is. Merry Christmas, Carson."

"Merry Christmas, Jay."

Jay got out of the Lexus but before she closed the door she said, "Have fun unloading all that stuff by yourself."

Visions of unloading the tree alone flashed through Carson’s mind and her eyes went wide. The sound of Jay’s laugh rang in her ears long after she drove away from Prince Street.

It was completely dark by the time Carson finished unloading the car. When she unloaded the tree it scraped against the side of the Lexus, and Carson was afraid she had scratched the paint. She groused all the while, and Carson thought she should have waited until she unpacked to take Jay home.

Eventually everything was inside and Carson struggled to set the tree into the stand before she filled the basin with water. Now where would be the best place for it? Maybe Erin would enjoy it beside the fireplace.

Carson dragged the whole contraption a few feet over, and moved the Persian rug out of the way. When she stood back to survey her handiwork she thought it was perfect. The groceries had been put away, and the wine was in the chiller. The tree ornaments were stacked neatly in a corner, and all there was left was to wrap Erin’s gifts and put them out of sight until the tree was decorated.

It was getting late and Carson felt worn out. All she wanted now was a shower, a glass of wine and her bed. She could wrap the gifts in the morning.

There wasn’t a message on her machine so Erin hadn’t called to back out, and Carson felt her heart skip a beat. She would spend Christmas with someone else for the first time since she’d left home, and not just anyone, but a very beautiful woman that she was hopelessly in love with.

Erin nervously paced the living room of the penthouse apartment. Her bags were packed to spend the holiday weekend with Carson, and she still couldn’t help but wonder how she found herself in this position. What began as a very pleasant conversation with a young woman that she had fallen for in the space of a week had ended with the unexpected date for the entire weekend. Dinner was one thing, but Erin wasn’t sure Carson was ready for anything more that spending a weekend together might imply.

Several times Erin considered calling back to cancel, but changed her mind. She wanted to see Carson, and was curious about where she lived. There was so much Erin needed to know about Carson like what was her favorite color? Did Carson like baths or showers better? It would be safer for both of them to keep things light for a while and embark on normal dating endeavors such as dinner, coffee or even a movie, but Erin didn’t want that. She wanted so much more, but had to remind herself that if Carson wanted to go slow then they would go slow. This was too important to rush and possibly ruin.

This was simply a case of two women who happened to be attracted to each other sharing Christmas rather than celebrate it alone. Erin had to remember that and not allow her own desire to frighten the young woman who was discovering love for the first time. At least Erin hoped it was love on Carson’s part. She didn’t know what she would do if she fell any deeper for the younger woman only to have Carson unable to return her emotions.

Nervously she replayed the events of last night in her mind. Erin didn’t know why she practically dragged Carson into her apartment to kiss her. All she knew was Carson was about to run away after merely smashing their lips together for a few precious seconds, and Erin wasn’t willing to settle for that. Anticipation got the best of her and made Erin throw caution to the wind, and she had been rewarded with countless minutes of passion that made her forget Carson’s fear. From the way Carson responded she had forgotten it, too.

Then Erin had invited Carson to stay the night, her intentions very clear and Erin watched the panic rush back into the younger woman’s face. Erin could have kicked herself.

Now, Carson had invited Erin to spend Christmas with her and Erin was confused.

It wasn’t like Carson gave her much of a choice, she just informed Erin to bring an overnight bag and she would pick her up at noon.

The doorbell rang and Erin jumped at the sound. Her heart accelerated almost painfully, and she was suddenly out of time to decide.

"Come in."

Carson walked through the door looking entirely too wonderful and for a moment all Erin could do was stare.

She was dressed casually in jeans, white tennis shoes, and a blue button-down shirt covered by a denim jacket. Carson’s blonde hair spilled gloriously around her shoulders, and Erin remembered how the thick strands had felt between her fingers.

"Hi," she said softly, almost shyly.

"Hi," Carson returned. "Are you ready to go?"

Erin nodded and put on her jacket before she picked up her bags. One was a black, leather duffle, and the other was a shoulder bag. The shoulder bag held the gifts Erin had run out for after talking with Carson on the phone. She could hardly spend Christmas with the younger woman and not get presents.

Carson took the duffle bag from her, and Erin picked up her purse.

"You look wonderful," Carson said. "This is the first time I haven’t seen you in a skirt."

Erin looked down reflexively at her faded jeans and hiking boots. She wore a purple sweater, and a leather coat.

"Well, you said you live out on one of the old estates so I wanted to be prepared."

"I live on an estate, Erin, not on a farm. You won’t have to worry about slogging through the mud."

Humor threaded Carson’s voice and Erin laughed. "You’re just going to have to show me this place so I’ll know what to expect next time."

Erin wondered if Carson thought she was presumptuous for implying there would be a next time, but she didn’t say anything. Carson merely smiled that gentle smile that was more in her eyes and walked out into the hall. Erin locked the door and they walked down to the lobby.

Carson had used valet parking for the first time, and they had to wait a few minutes while the Lexus was brought around to the front. The Lexus’ gold finish caught her eye and Erin followed Carson to the car. They were out of the city in minutes. Sunlight glinted off the great lake as Carson drove up the Kennedy Expressway, and Erin relaxed against the heated seats. The atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable.

"It’s been a long time since I’ve been to this part of the city," Erin admitted softly as she looked out over the water at the gray mist. In the deep summer people enjoyed sailing schooners and catamarans, and Erin appreciated the vivid colors against the blue water, but now the water was too cold for outdoor excursions.

"How long?"

"Hmm, at least two years," Erin admitted with some surprise. "Since before I took over the penthouse from my dad. The summer before that I went to Paris for a symposium, but it only lasted three days."

"That’s not much time for sightseeing. I have never been to Paris."

Erin barely refrained from commenting that they could go together some time and said instead, "You should go. The Eiffel Tower is amazing."

"Is it true that the Eiffel Tower used to be a radio station?"

Erin nodded, "Yes. It was abandoned for years and the French government almost tore it down before it was turned into a tourist attraction. Now they make far too much from the proceeds to even consider it."

"Not to mention the tourism trade it draws to the city itself."

"Very true. Have you ever been out of the United States?" Erin asked curiously. She knew Carson spent most of her young life in school and developing the company, but Erin didn’t know if she had ever taken any time off.

"Sadly, no. But someday I would like to go on the haunted castle tour in England. I hear it is an amazing experience."

"That sounds like fun."

Carson turned on her blinker and Erin sat up a little straighter, more interested in their surroundings. They turned onto a small, tree-lined road and Erin felt like they had done more than leave the city. A lot of the trees here were evergreens, and the sudden contrast of color against the usual bleak winter backdrop gave her a surreal feeling.

A few hundred yards up the lane Carson turned into a private drive and had to stop for a moment while a black wrought iron security gate opened. Then they drove through and the lane made a sharp cut back to the right.

Erin gasped at the first sight of Carson’s home. The façade of the house was brick and it set up on a pad higher than the surrounding property. It was two stories, and Erin counted three chimneys from the front. Smoke drifted from the chimney closest to the entrance, and Erin guessed that was where the living area was. In warmer weather the smoke of a fire would have been invisible, but in the intense cold it stood out like a brush fire. In the distance she could just make out the glint of water.

"You have a private lake?"

"It’s more of a duck pond, really."

Then they went around the corner and Erin had the full view of Lake Michigan. Even through the construction equipment currently employed to build the sea wall the view was impressive.

"You didn’t tell me about this!"

"I wanted you to be surprised."

Erin could hear the pride in Carson’s voice and couldn’t blame her. "This place is amazing."

"Thank you."

"What’s the heavy equipment for?"

"Right now they’re building a sea wall," Carson said. "I just didn’t feel safe being so close to the lake without protection. There will be a lot of other work done as well, but I don’t anticipate it taking as long as the sea wall has so far."

They must have drove past a sensor because Erin didn’t see Carson press any buttons, but the huge doors to the garage began to rise. Lights came on automatically as they pulled inside, and the doors lowered again.

Even the garage was quite roomy. A tool cart sat at one end, and a large freezer took up another corner, but other than that the garage was empty.

Erin got out of the car and was surprised again when she felt heated air instead of the usual cool dampness typical of a carport. A heated garage?

"Let me help get your bags."

Bags in hand Carson led the way to a door and they emerged in the kitchen. Erin followed and her eyes popped as she looked around.

"This kitchen is huge, not to mention well-stocked. You must have every cooking gadget known to man."

Right off Erin identified an espresso machine, food processor, and a wrought iron rack so loaded with various cooking pots she thought it was a wonder it didn’t fall from the ceiling. Some things she couldn’t identify and she walked up to one of the mystery gadgets curiously.

"It’s a pasta press."

"You make your own pasta? Isn’t that very time consuming?"

"Very," Carson agreed. "But I did tell you I like to cook."

"Yes, you did. I just had no idea how serious you were about it. I’m surprised you didn’t become a chef instead of a computer whiz."

"I’ll remind you of that later," Carson said with gentle humor. "You might change your mind."

Erin had a feeling Carson was being modest. The well-equipped room hinted at a love of cooking that went beyond mere food preparation. The gadgets were obviously frequently used, yet kept immaculately clean. That much love of something creative was indicative of a tender, sensitive soul, and Erin looked at Carson with fresh eyes.

Everything the young woman did, she did completely with a focused intensity that would drown out the world around her. When Carson finally fell hard enough, would she bring that fervor to making love? If she were ever lucky enough to be the recipient of that intensity, Erin didn’t know if she could survive it. But what a way to go!

A shiver traveled up her spine and Erin said in a gravelly voice, "When do I get the honor of taking you up on that?"

Carson’s eyes darkened, and Erin wondered if she picked up on the undertones that laced the question.

"Tonight, actually. Since we are having a traditional holiday meal tomorrow, I thought we could just grill steaks tonight. Do you like steak?"

"I adore it," Erin admitted and wasn’t sure she was talking about meat. "Oh, that reminds me."

Erin sat her bags down and reached into the one that held Carson’s present. She carefully pulled out another large bag wrapped in plastic to keep from wetting the gift-wrapping.

"I didn’t want to come empty handed, so I brought the wine."

"You brought a red and a white?"

Erin grinned. "Well, I didn’t know what we’d be having."

"So you planned for every possibility," Carson finished. "Good thinking. I’ll put the wine away and then show you to your room so you can settle in."

"All right, but after that do you mind if I have the tour. I really would love to see the rest of your home."

Erin could see she had said the right thing. Carson got that little shy smile on her face that barely curved her lips, but shone almost brilliantly in her blue eyes.

"I’d like that."

Carson put the white wine in a refrigerated cooler under the massive kitchen island, and placed the red in a wine rack set beneath a cupboard. Then she picked up Erin’s duffle bag and led the way through her house toward the guest room. Carson had never used the room before and hoped it would be to Erin’s liking.

When they walked through the living room Erin gasped, and Carson looked back to see what was wrong.

"That’s the biggest tree I’ve ever seen, at least in someone’s house!"

"Wait until we decorate it."

Carson stifled a laugh as Erin’s eyes bugged slightly, and started toward the bedroom again. She sat the duffle on the bed and then turned to her guest.

"There is a private bathroom in the corner," she pointed, "and that door leads out to the back deck. Towels are in a cupboard in the bathroom, but I have taken the liberty of laying out a few for you. My room is directly across the hall."

The last bit she added in a rush, and hoped she didn’t sound too awkward. What she really wanted was for Erin to sleep in her room, or perhaps more than sleep, but it was entirely too soon for that. Still, just the thought of the attorney sleeping across the hall would probably be enough to keep her up all night.

The room was an array of blues and silvers. A nautical theme of tiny sailboats, and seashells adorned the wall shelves, and a ship in a bottle sat center of the dresser. An old-fashioned white life preserver hung on the wall on the far side, but the bed linens were far from rustic.

The blue chenille spread had been turned down at the top to reveal creamy white sheets, and the pillows looked like clouds.

"It’s lovely. Thank you."

Carson thought she could fall into those eyes, and she quickly said, "Well, get settled in, and I’ll show you around a little." Then she left before she did something to make a fool of herself.

With Erin just down the hall Carson felt she didn’t know what to do with her hands. This is ridiculous! This is my home, and I should just do what I would if she wasn’t here. Okay, what would I do? Music!

Carson had picked out several CD’s when Erin joined her a few minutes later. The attorney gripped her hands, and looked as nervous as Carson felt. To ease the tension a little Carson asked, "What kind of music would you like?"

"I like oldies, or perhaps a little jazz," Erin suggested.

Carson looked at the discs she had selected and said, "How about Diana Krall, Kenny G, and Enigma to start?"

"Sounds good."

Erin looked around the room while Carson put on the stereo. With the music in the background Erin reminded Carson again of the tour. They started on the lower floor, most of which Erin had already seen, before they went upstairs. Off the second floor family room Carson opened the French doors and stepped out onto the Juliet balcony. Erin was only a step behind her, and Carson watched her closely for a reaction.

Awe was the word that came to Carson’s mind.

Erin’s hands gripped the wooden railing as she looked out over the distance of the property. There was a duck pond a little to the left of the house that was frozen over, but that didn’t keep cardinals from landing and taking off again, and then straight out was the view of the great lake. From Carson’s balcony it looked like it went on forever.

"It’s like something out of a painting. How can you ever bear to leave?"

To Carson it seemed Erin tore her eyes away from the scene with great difficulty to look at her.

"It is hard on some days. On those days I remind myself that I would not have this if not for my company, and it’s a little easier. On days like today, with you here, it would not be possible."

She hadn’t meant to admit that, and Carson was nervous about the reaction she would get, but Erin didn’t seem to mind. She stepped toward her, and for a second Carson wondered if Erin would kiss her again. Instead Erin slid her arms inside Carson’s coat and hugged her gently.

Carson wrapped her longer arms around Erin’s shoulders, and held her as she relished the feel of the warm body. Auburn hair tickled her cheek and chin, and Carson inhaled the flowery scent of her shampoo.

After a moment Erin said, "Carson?"

"Hmm?"

"Can we go back inside before my toes freeze?"

Carson laughed and pulled away. "Of course. Let me show you the rest."

"There’s more?"

"Oh yes, much more. You haven’t seen the solarium, the spa, or my library yet."

"Oh dear!"

Fifteen minutes later the tour was complete and they were sitting on the couch. Their coats had been deposited in the coat closet; Carson had lit a fire in the stone fireplace, and made a pot of coffee. The coffee and cups sat on a silver tray near at hand along with a sugar and milk dispenser.

Carson poured coffee into the fine china before she handed one to Erin.

"To first Christmases together."

Erin’s eyes sparkled when she lifted her cup to return the toast. "First Christmases,"

They sipped the strong brew quietly. Erin spotted the boxes of decorations piled in one corner and said, "Good Lord! Are we really going to try and get all of that on the tree?"

"Well maybe not all of it, but I did want us to have a good selection. Would you like to start?"

Erin considered for a second before she grinned and said, "Why not!"

Carson eagerly knelt in front of the boxes with Erin beside her and started to dig through the assortment. Then she decided she wanted to be comfortable and sat down to take off her shoes. Erin laughed at how childlike Carson looked before she dropped onto the floor, and followed suit.

The next few hours were spent drinking coffee and decorating the tree. They strung the lights first, but when Carson plugged them into the wall nothing happened. Erin doubled over in delighted laughter while Carson frowned mightily. Now there was no choice, but to pull the whole strand off and try to find the burned out bulb.

The lights were strung out all the way to the kitchen, and both women were on their hands and knees to find the culprit. Carson was back toward the tree while Erin had gone the other direction. The attorney’s triumphant cry made Carson look up to get an eye full of Erin’s rounded cheeks.

Riveted by the sight of Erin’s jean-clad rear end, Carson could only stare until Erin said, "Found it! One of the bulbs is broken. Can you bring me one of the spares?"

"Uh, yeah. Sure."

Finally the lights were repaired and repositioned on the tree. Suggestions for ornament placement were freely offered, along with some teasing remarks about the bulbs being too close together, or too much tinsel in one place. The coffee was finished, and the music had long since stopped.

When they were finished Carson and Erin stood back to take stock of their handy work.

"It’s perfect."

Erin nodded her agreement. "All it needs are some gifts underneath. I have yours!" she added eagerly and tore off through the house toward the guest room.

Carson guffawed at the enthusiastic way the normally composed attorney ran on stocking feet toward the bedroom. Then she shouted, "I have yours, too!"

It took longer for Carson to retrieve her packages, and Erin beat her back to the tree. When she returned Erin had already placed two bundles beneath the tree, one was very large and one was very small and rectangular shaped.

Carson placed her own boxes under the tree before she looked significantly at the smaller package Erin had brought, and then back up to the attorney. "Don’t tell me you gave me cigars, too?"

Erin easily caught on to the reference of shopping in the mall together. Erin had gone into the cigar store to get a humidor for her father, and mentioned that she had also bought cigars.

"Nice try, but I’m not going to tell you what’s inside."

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