November made its way quickly into December with snow and sleet. Snow I could handle, sleet was a different matter. Kettle and Corn wormed their way into my heart and became permanent residents in my home. Scorch loved and looked after them as if they were his own. The Thanksgiving decorations were taken down and boxed up and I spent several days putting up the Christmas tree and decorating the inside of the house. Keaton put up white snowflake lights on the outside for me. Scented candles perfumed the house with a cinnamon and apple pie scent.
The Que Syrah Syrah Wine Shop was hosting their annual Christmas Wine Dinner on Christmas Eve and I couldn’t wait. There weren’t many opportunities to dress up in Vine Grove, but I’d been told this was the one event everyone attended and dressed to the hilt.
Driving anywhere other than Vine Grove to shop for a dress was out of the question. Gran had a personal shopper who promised she would find me the prefect holiday dress. The event was one week away and the dress wasn’t here yet. More importantly, I hadn’t found the perfect Christmas gift for Keaton.
My gran was full of ideas. She’d see and done it all before. “Hi Gran. Happy Holidays.”
“Oh my dear, it’s so good to hear from you. How are you?” Gran’s warm voice worked on calming my anxiety.
“I’m terrific. I’d be super terrific if my dress was here.” I rubbed between my eyebrows with my finger. A headache was forming.
“It was shipped today for overnight delivery. I personally viewed it and it’s spectacular. Nobody in Vine Grove will have anything like it.”
“It’s not made of meat like Lady Gaga’s dress is it?” That got a youthful giggle out of Gran.
“No, honey. It’s all silver and shimmers brilliantly when it moves. Keaton won’t let you out of his sight.”
“It’s worth the waiting and anxiety, then. Now I have to figure out what to buy Keaton for Christmas. Any ideas?”
“I do. There are tons of organizations that help animals out there. There is one I’m particularly fond of. I can email you their website. Shelters are in need of repair and support services for their animals, but do not have the operating budgets to implement needed changes. That’s where volunteers and professional advisors come in, but they need funding. You could donate money in Keaton’s name.”
“That’s the perfect gift for such a giving, caring person and one who adores animals as much as I do. I already bought him a ‘first Christmas together’ ornament.”
“I’m two-for-two today. Enjoy your party and I’ll see you on New Year’s Eve. I can’t wait to see your little town and all its wonderful people.”
“I love you and can’t wait to see you, too. Talk to you soon.”
“Bye, honey.”
It didn’t take long to purchase Keaton’s present. I printed it and slipped it into his Christmas card.
CHAPTER NINE
Christmas Eve
The night of the Christmas Wine Party, Keaton arrived right on time. When I opened the door, awe transformed his handsome face into a boy-like-grin.
“You look absolutely amazing.” He picked up my hand and kissed the back of it. “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen and the only one I’ve ever loved.”
“I love you, too.” His heartfelt words brought tears to my eyes. I dabbed at them before they spilled over and ruined hours’ worth of preparation. “I will not cry, I will not cry,” I chanted and he laughed.
“Come on.” He took my hand. “We don’t want to be late for the Christmas party.”
Several inches of snow had accumulated throughout the day. Vine Grove looked like a fairy tale winter wonderland. The majority of homes sparkled with lights as we drove through town.
The lodge where the Christmas party was being held was something out of a Better Homes and Gardens magazine. Large and small poinsettias sat prominently on the tables and in each corner of the room. The large stone fireplace glowed with warmth and ambiance. Lighted wreaths decorated with poinsettias, acorns, dried berries, and colored ornament balls hung from the walls. The large mantel had mini trees, LED candles, and lots of fragrant greens. Decorative reindeer with the poinsettias sat in each corner of the room. Christmas music played softly in the background and the scent of cinnamon and berries wafted through out the room. Everything felt right—the people, the atmosphere, and especially being here witty Keaton.
We drank spectacular wine, nibbled on amazing appetizers and mingled with our friends. When a romantic song started to play, Keaton took my hand and led me to the double doors leading outside.
“Would you like to take a stroll?”
“I’d go anywhere with you.” I wound my hands behind his neck and pulled him down for a kiss, just a brush of my mouth to his. No man had ever made me feel the way Keaton did. Then he took my face in his hands and gave me a tender kiss. He had magnificent lips, smooth and warm, and I could feel every dip and arc of his lips.
Keaton took my hand and led me to the heated, enclosed garden gazebo and pulled me down to sit on his lap, kissed me, and then wrapped me in his embrace.
“I love you with all my heart and soul,” he declared and then reached into his pocket and removed a small, gold paper wrapped box and held it out to me.
“We said we wouldn’t open our presents until Christmas morning.” I stroked the satiny paper.