She ran at him too, almost tripping on her heels, but luckily Blaine steadied her and she didn’t go down.
“Thanks, Blaine,” she managed, out of breath from the heated way Zeke was looking at her and the thundering heartbeat resounding in her ears.
Zeke finally reached her, swept her off her feet, and kissed her. The world was full of light and happiness and his passionate, sweet, and warm kiss took all of her attention. She kissed him back desperately. Oh, how she’d missed him. He was here! And with her dad?
He set her on her feet but bent her backward in another thrilling kiss. When he straightened, he was grinning at her. “Ah, Mia. I’ve ached for you.”
“Ah, Rambo. I’m ruddy sure you have.”
He laughed and held her close.
“An American,” she heard.
“That kiss was scandalous.”
“I’d take the kiss and the soldier.”
Mia shook her head and laughed. “You’re going to get prattled on about,” she told him.
“I don’t care. I faced down your father today and it was scarier than taking on the Taliban.”
“But you won?”
She’d never known anyone but her mum to win against her father. She didn’t want to look away from Zeke, but she checked her parents’ position. They were still holding each other close and kissing … scandalously. Mia had never seen a better display.
A throat cleared far too close by.
“Cap,” Blaine said in a stiff voice.
“Lewis.” Zeke released one hand from Mia and shook Blaine’s hand. “Thank you, Commander,” he said almost as stiffly. “You’re a good man.”
“As are you.” Blaine pulled his hand back, nodded to Mia, and strode off.
“Okay, that was fun.” She looked up at Zeke. “Now tell me about my dad. What have you done to him?”
Zeke laughed and escorted her to the side of the room as if for privacy. It didn’t matter. Everyone was either watching her parents or watching them.
“We had it out, and it was rough. He asked me if I was worthy of you. I admitted I wasn’t.”
“Zeke, that’s not true.”
He hugged her. “I know you think so, Mia, and that’s all that matters to me. But I’ve been praying for help and strength.”
Her eyes widened. “Praying?”
“Yes. I took your words to heart and then Preach got going on me on the mission. I … I like this prayer stuff.”
“Oh, Zeke. That is a Christmas miracle.”
“Yeah,” he admitted, then pointed at her parents. “And that’s a Christmas miracle. Your dad ever approving of me is a Christmas miracle.”
“Well, he should approve of you. You’re the best and you’re my choice, not his.”
“I love your sass.”
“I love you.” She kissed him, then demanded, “Finish the story.”
He chuckled. “He almost shut the door on me and I felt like a little kid, powerless, naked, but then I remembered that I’d learned not to cry out, not to give in, and I’d gotten stronger. So I stuck my hand in the door. He didn’t like that.”