“Well, I did call your name a few times, Snowflake. You were in the zone.” He chuckles, pressing his lips to my temple as he slides his arms around me, holding me to him.
Even after all of this time together, nine months of blissful happiness, I still can’t believe that he’s mine. That somehow, our love was a result of that stupid feud that controlled our families for so long. That we were lucky enough to have each other in the end.
“Sorry, I was focusing.”
“I see that. A new design?”
I shake my head. “No, actually, I’m getting a head start on the… party for this year.”
Jackson laughs. “Of course, you are. You know we’ve got three months till Christmas, right?”
“Of course, I know that,” I say, my fingers running along the beard on his cheeks. I love when he grows it out some, and I love it even more when my thighs are scratched raw from it. “But as you know, having a plan is important, and I don’t want to wait till the last minute. Ever again. It’s chaotic and stressful.”
“You’re right. Well, you know if you need me, I’m here. Although, I think this is definitely a you, your mom, Ma, and Josie kind of thing now.”
He’s right, and I can’t even begin to explain how happy it makes me to say that. Not only did I get Jackson out of this feud, but I got his family, who is wonderful, supportive, and kind. They are just as important and special to me as he is, so being able to work with both my mom and his mom and sister this year on my favorite Christmas tradition?
Indescribable.
Hence getting an early start in… September. I just can’t help it. I’m feeling the Christmas spirit already.
“Yep, we’ve already decided to meet for dinner at your parents’ house this weekend while you and the guys are doing… men things.”
And by men things, I mean both of our dads and his brothers all taking a trip to go to his family’s cabin in the mountains. That leaves me at home with the girls, the best wine, and all of the Christmas planning.
The perfect place to be.
“Sounds like you’ve got it all figured out, then. Gotta show you something though. Come see,” he says as he lets me go and nods toward the living room.
I set my pen down on the table and hop out the chair, following behind him through the hallway to the spare bedroom at the end. My brow furrows in confusion, and he chuckles, swinging the door open.
“I’ve been doing some reorganizing, and I made room for your obscene amount of Christmas decorations. Don’t think they’re all gonna fit in my attic.”
Well, I mean, they fit in my attic just fine… wait.
“Why would I bring my Christmas decorations to your house, Jackson?”
He shrugs. “’Cause don’t you think it’s about time you officially moved in? You’ve got more stuff here than at your house at this point anyway. Plus… it would make Mo and Marley happy.”
Hearing their names, they come padding down the hallway with wide puppy eyes that make my heart squeeze.
I love these babies just as much as I love their daddy.
“I think… maybe that can be arranged,” I say, moving my hands over his chest before clasping them behind his neck. “I don’t know though. Are you sure you have enough room? You might have to sleep outside if I have to choose between storing the Christmas decorations or you.”
“Go check out the closet,” he says, nodding toward the door opposite us. “Let me know if you think there’s enough room.”
I walk across the empty spare room and open the closet door, my jaw falling open in shock as my hand flies to my mouth.
Inside is a nutcracker. But not just any nutcracker.
The very same nutcracker from the general store last year.
When I turn back toward him, he’s right there, his hands sliding around my waist and hauling me to him.
“You’ve had it all this time?” I say in disbelief.
He nods, a grin on his lips. “Of course, I did. Felt like now was the perfect time to give it to you. After all, it’s the reason why we fell in love in the first place. Full circle, Snowflake. Move in with me and put up as many damn decorations as you want. This place needs all the love you have to give it.”
Rising on my tiptoes, I kiss him, slipping my tongue past his lips and into his mouth while he holds me tightly against his hard body.
With him, I feel safe. I feel loved. I feel protected. I feel cherished.
There’s nothing I want more than to make me living here a permanent thing.
“I guess I could move in. On one condition…” I whisper, my hands behind his neck, holding him to me.
“And what’s that?”
“You let me put the decorations up… now.”
His deep groan turns into a laugh, and he shakes his head. “I don’t care if you want to leave the damn things up all year round. I just need you in my bed, permanently.”
Grinning, I pull back and untangle myself from his arms, dragging my hand down his chest to his stomach before pulling it away abruptly. “Well… how about we start there? Right now.”
I’m out of the room and sprinting down the hallway in a breath, only to feel him on my heels, chasing me, and then he’s hauling me backward into his arms.
My heart has never felt so full, so complete.
And I know that no matter what the future holds for us, Jackson Pearce will always be my Christmas wish.
Want more of Strawberry Hollow and Christmas Spice?
Turn the page to read about Parker Grant and his little brother’s best friend, Quinn!
chapter one
Quinn
"Quinn, that dress is so lovely on you. It really accentuates your curves. You know, you are such a beautiful girl, and if you only lost a few…" Aunt Polly leans in and whispers, not so quietly, on the other side of her hand, "pounds, you would be so breathtaking.”
‘Tis the damn season.
“Thanks, Aunt Polly, I'm just going to um…get another drink. It was really nice talking to you and catching up. I hope you enjoy the party!" I hold up the almost empty glass flute and offer the best smile I can manage after being insulted directly to my face with her backhanded ‘compliment.’
I thought the bright red, festive AF, empire-waist dress made of vintage satin did wonders for my body, but, as always, I'm only the ‘pretty’ fat girl. The ‘you have such a lovely face,’ but ‘you would be so much prettier if only you were a little thinner’ girl. Bringing the glass of champagne to my red-stained lips that match my dress, I down the last of the fizzling liquid and place the empty glass onto a waiter's tray as he passes by me.
While I sometimes miss home, the sleepy, snowy small town that I grew up in, the moment I return, I remember exactly what it was that made me leave Strawberry Hollow in the first place. The small-town gossip, everyone knows everyone kind of town.