But that could wait until at least the morning. Tonight they had other things that needed attention. Paul wrapped his arms around the wonderful woman in his lap, his woman, and they melted into each other.

Ranger Paul Callahan watched as the snow fell thick and silent. From his position as lookout at the opening of the shallow cave high in the mountains of Afghanistan, he could see far down the trail below them. He and his men had been lucky to find this defensible spot right before dusk and taken up shelter there for the night. A small crunch of boot on gravel alerted him that one of his teammates was coming to relieve him from his guard duty where he'd been hunkered down over his rifle for the last four hours. The man tapped him on the helmet and he moved aside to let him assume the overwatch position. Wordlessly he tapped back to acknowledge the silent change of watch and moved over to the other side of the opening. Although he was now free to return to the cave and grab some chow and rack time, he didn't move inside. Instead, he closed his eyes for a minute, let the tension drain from his neck and shoulders, and allowed his mind to shift out of guard mode to more pleasant thoughts.

Mail call had found them right before they went out again and their holiday packages from home had arrived. As always, Marcy had packed enough for not only him but extras that he could share with his men, and even enough for some of the locals. It was never easy being away from her at this time of year, but her traditional extravaganza of cookies and brownies, hand warmers, and homemade goodies sure did make it easier to bear until he could get back home and hold her in his arms. He made sure he always told her how much she meant to him, how having her as his partner in this world made such a difference in his life, but he wasn't sure she could ever truly comprehend just how much of a difference. She was the heart of his home. She was where he lived. No matter where his duty took his body, his soul was in her keeping.

Paul looked down at the luminescent dial on his watch: 2200. Their daily ritual time. He removed his winter glove and touched the wedding ring wrapped in tape on his finger. He stared at it for a few moments, then reached into his inside breast pocket and pulled out a tiny stuffed Beany Bear dressed in camo BDUs-just like the one on his Christmas stocking-that he always carried with him. He looked westward and sent a silent ‘Merry Christmas, Darling’ to his sweet wife at home. Soon, Sweetheart. Soon.

On the other side of the world, Marcy looked up from decorating their tree. The hair on the back of her neck tickled and her heart got a warm glow. Paul was thinking about her. She looked at her watch-1300 on the dot. Yup… her Ranger was right on time, as usual. This was their daily ritual, developed over the years to tie them together, but on this day-Christmas Eve-it was always extra special. She brought her wedding ring to her lips and then to her heart. Almost the same motion Paul had made right before he proposed to her. Later he'd told her the kiss on it was ‘for love and luck.'

When the minute passed, she carefully placed the last ornament on their tree. As always, she'd saved the best for last: the miniature inflatable raft ornament with a sparkling crystal tied to the front by a teeny red ribbon. She smiled down at it, remembering, then looked over to the fireplace where Paul's stocking hung by the chimney with great care. She gave a deep sigh.

It would be a lonely Christmas without him, but that was sometimes the fate of an Army wife. She'd known what the deal was when she'd signed on and she accepted that. He'd rotate home after the first of the year and they would have a wonderful celebration when he got here. After all, Christmas wasn't just a specific day on the calendar. It would be their holiday time WHENEVER he made it home to her. She kissed her fingertips, reached over and placed them lovingly on the heart of the stocking's bear and smiled. Her Sweet Army Ranger Bear.

She went back to decorating the tree with tinsel, gently laying the strands one by one. There was a click and whir as the CD changed and after a few moments Marcy began to hum along with the new tune, then sang softly, "… Christmas Eve will find me… Where the love light beams… I'll be home for Christmas… If only in my dreams…"

Merry Christmas, Sweetheart. Be safe and warm and come home to me soon. Christmas is wherever you are, whenever we are together. I Love You.

Anne Elizabeth is a marketing consultant and the monthly columnist for RT BOOK Reviews on the topic of comics, manga, and graphic novels. She has a BS in Business and MS in Communications from Boston University and has over a decade and a half in the corporate and private business sectors, though she prefers writing, interviews, research, and reader events.

AE is a member of the Author's Guild; Romance Writers of America; and a regular presenter at the Romantic Times BOOK LOVERS Convention. Among her published credits are the Atria/Simon & Schuster anthologies, CARAMEL FLAVA & HONEY FLAVA, and the Highland Press sweet collection, RECIPE FOR LOVE; the Spec Ops Military Anthologies OPERATION: L.O.V.E. and HOLIDAY OP and the soon-to-be released book: FOR YOUR HEART ONLY. Her graphic novel, PULSE OF POWER, debuts with the Dabel Brothers in February 2010.

She enjoys Kenpo, hiking, mountain biking, yoga, Body Rev, painting, and kayaking. Her husband is a retired Navy SEAL, and they are active in the West Coast Navy SEAL community. Her favorite motto is “Passion is the breath of life. Live boldly!” Also, a quote inspired by her grandfather gathers much of her creative advice into one sentence, “Look inside, find the message that is yours to share, and give it to the world."

This fictional story is dedicated to the outstanding men and women of the United States military. With much gratitude to those who protect and serve, eternally we salute you with the greatest respect and praise we may share. Thank you!

With many thanks to Lori Avocato, Tara Nina, DC DeVane, and Lia DeAngelo for participating in the collection, and to Christina Skye for her cover quote; to Leanne Burroughs for her vision, support, and belief in the collection and the anthology series, and for allowing us to continue to donate to the SOWF; to Patty Howell for her terrific edits; to Charles DeVane for all things computer-related; to my brilliant mentor, my cherished friends, my talented agent, and enormous HOOYAHs to the EOD guru-for help with the facts and advice on the fiction; to the BBers-Brenda, Rose, Mary, Jan, Ing, Stephanie, Catherine, Mic, Lynn, Ginger, Robin, Beki, Peg, Erika, and Cindy; to Izaline and Frank who celebrate family; to my blessed and dearly missed brother; to my amazing parents-I love you-you are THE BEST; and to my wonderful husband, Carl who reminds me every day that life must hold pleasure, joy, fun, smiles, and enormous bouts of laughter as well as everlasting love.