Near daybreak, Lisiantha, Ichirou, and Mére were in the living room, hanging the gingerbread men on the tree, when the back door banged. Footsteps followed. Lisiantha looked up to see a familiar figure framed in the doorway. Snowflakes melted on the broad shoulders of his black coat, and a scarf was thrown over one shoulder, more for show than protection against the elements. His curly chestnut hair tumbled around a pale, perfect face and a jawline peppered with stubble. She met his ...