A McKenzie Christmas (McKenzie Brothers, #5.5)

The snow fell around them as they walked through the market and Rosie couldn’t help but smile. She was glad that Lily had suggested the Christmas market, and she was delighted that she’d also managed to get her husband to take time off to be with her. Ruben worked hard to keep his club at the top and Rosie was so proud of him and what he’d accomplished.

They did get time to themselves, but not usually around the holidays because Kenza would always be jam-packed—more than usual. During the holidays, it was all-hands-on-deck and no one, not even the boss took time off. So she’d been delighted when he’d agreed and brought her to the market. The open air market was magical with the small snow flakes drifting down around them and the sparkling lights of each stall. Their breath fogged in the crisp air, but Rosie felt warm as she snuggled into her husband’s arm as they walked around the market. They stopped and watched carolers as they sang Silent Night while Ruben wrapped his arms around her.

She loved this time of year and wanted Ruben to enjoy it as much as she did. He grinned and hummed in her ear along to the song, so he was getting there. But as Silent Night came to an end, and it looked like the singers were about to take a break, Ruben kept one arm around her shoulders and moved them toward the ice rink.

Rosie knew that he dreaded the ice and felt a twinge of regret that she had to force him to do this since he was only doing this part for her. When they had their skates on, if he still didn’t want to step on the ice, she’d let him off the hook. She loved him and certainly didn’t want him to be forced into ice-skating if he was so against it.

The rink had a large Christmas tree to one side with Santa, reindeer, and snowmen set up in a display to delight any one who was a child at heart, herself included.

“Mmm.” Rosie sighed, and looked up at her husband. Her heart melted when she saw the love for her on his face. His eyes heated as she caressed his cheek. “I love you,” she whispered. “I just needed to tell you.”

Ruben rested his forehead against hers. “You tell me all the time and it never gets old hearing it, because I love you too. Always, Rosie.”

She reached up and kissed his cold lips, her hand against his jaw. “Will you take me on the ice?”

He grinned and answered, “I’ll take you anywhere.” He kissed her on the nose. “But, I think we’d get arrested.”

It took her a minute but when she realized what she actually said, she batted his hands away. “I can’t believe you. I’m trying to be loving and romantic and you’re teasing.” She laughed.

Ruben’s face fell at her words, but he grabbed her wrists and pulled her back into him. “I’m sorry.” He cupped her cold face with his gloved hands. “I love you, and yes, I will put on ice skates and hold your hand on the ice.”

She smiled with fresh snowflakes on her lashes. “Thank you.” She placed a quick kiss to his lips before she offered, “If you really don’t want to go on the ice, its okay, Ruben. I don’t want to force you and I know you’d rather watch ice hockey than actually be on the ice.”

“Babe, I’ll do anything you want. Anything for my Rosie.” He placed a chaste kiss to her cold lips, took her hand and headed toward the booth for the skates.

She was speechless and let him guide her. So much so, that he had her boots off and skates on before she came back to her senses. She watched her husband in silence as he sat on the bench beside her to see to his own boots and skates. Before he could move, Rosie straddled him and wrapped her arms around his neck to hug him close.

Ruben tipped her face up to his. “What’s wrong, Rosie?”

She shook her head and stayed silent. If she tried to talk she’d probably burst into tears. “I’m okay,” she whispered, “just overwhelmed.”

It took her a few minutes to pull herself together, and she climbed shakily to her feet. She swayed on her skates but quickly found her balance. “Let’s go on the ice.” She held her hand out to Ruben, who wrapped her smaller one up in his as they made their way to the rink.

The rink wasn’t designed for hockey matches but it was designed for families to enjoy the ice…or for lovers to skate together. It wasn’t huge, but it was big enough for their town. They took a few minutes to watch some of the children skate around while their parents watched from the sidelines. The kids were good, and so much better than she knew her and Ruben would be.

But what were a few Christmas bumps, right? “This looks like fun,” she commented, wondering if she’d made a mistake because, really, she couldn’t ice skate either. She just liked the idea and how romantic it would be to hold Ruben’s hand as they skated.

“Um, Rosie?”

She glanced at her husband, who grinned now that he was on to her. “You can do this, right?”

“Of course I can.”

Ruben started laughing. “C’mon. Once around the rink,” he took her hand, “and then hot chocolate with marshmallows.”