“I’m just happy,” she answered. “I’ve never spent Christmas with anyone like this. It’s special.”
“So are you. “He reached into the middle of the tree and took out a box, about four inches square. “I tucked this in here before we left. I thought about waiting for tomorrow, but I want you to have it tonight.”
He held it out, and she took the red foil-wrapped box into her hands. It was light, and with shaky fingers she undid the ribbon and slid her fingernail beneath the tape holding the paper in place.
She lifted the lid and found an ornament inside—the same one she’d found at the bookstore at the Evergreen Festival, a perfectly round ball covered with paper quotes.
“Oh, Dave. It’s lovely.” She held it in her fingers. “It’s the Shakespeare one, right?”
His gaze was intent on her as he gave a slight nod. “Yes.”
It was very thoughtful, and she remembered him being a little longer in the store that day. “You said that they were changing the register tape, but you were buying this, weren’t you?”
“I was.”
“I love it.” She was so perfectly happy at this moment, she was positive life couldn’t get any better. But then she picked it up by the loop and went to hang it on the tree and a splash of green caught her eye. Bright green, like from a highlighter pen. She drew her hand back and turned the orb so that she could examine the strip of paper.
I would not wish any companion in the world but you.
A lump grew in her throat and the text blurred for a second. “Oh, Dave.” She drew in an emotional breath. “What’s it from?”
He put his arm around her waist and drew her close. “I looked it up. It’s from The Tempest.”
She took one step forward and hung it on a branch right in the middle of the tree. “I love you. You know that, right?”
“I do. So what do you say, Chuckles?”
“Say?”
He lifted her hand to his lips. She looked up at him, unsure of what he was asking, simply loving the sight of him there before her, knowing she loved him and was loved in return. Nothing could be sweeter.
“Companions. Partners. Lovers. I want it all. I want it all with you.”
Okay, so she hadn’t quite expected for her wish to be granted so quickly. But she was learning not to look a gift horse in the mouth. “I want that too.”
“I’m on a month-to-month lease with Tom.”
“And there’s more than enough room for us here,” she added, feeling ridiculously starry-eyed.
“We can always put on an addition later…”
“For the kids. Are you okay with that? I don’t know what’s going to happen with Daniel, but I want children, Dave. At least a couple.”
He grinned at her. “I’m more than okay with that.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “We’re really going to do this.”
“Yeah,” she said. “We are.”
He reached for her, curled a hand around her neck, and pulled her close for a long, searing kiss that left her breathless. Charlie let out a moan as he pulled her earlobe into his mouth, sending a dart of pure desire to her core. She reached for his dress shirt and started unbuttoning it, but his hands got in the way as he touched her breasts and pulled her against his hard body.
It only seemed to take seconds and they were stretched out on the rug in front of the fire. Without saying a word, they slowed their hands, took their time, savored each second. There was no urgency, just the sweet rush of anticipation. Charlie looked up at Dave and saw more than just a man. She saw her future.
“Merry Christmas, sweetheart,” he said, and kissed her tenderly.
“You’re my favorite Christmas gift,” she decreed, and then the rest of the world disappeared. It was just the two of them, a sweet little cottage on the bay, and a dream for forever.
Christmas with the Billionaire Rancher
by Mandy Baxter
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thanks to my agent, Natanya Wheeler and everyone at NYLA and to my amazing editor, Monique Patterson. A huge thanks also goes to Alexandra Sehulster, the talented cover designers, copy editors, and marketing staff at St. Martin’s Press! As always, any mistakes are my own. I can only imagine what I’d miss without the amazing support of SMP staff to keep me looking neat and tidy!
ONE
“I’m so sorry for your loss, Nate. Your father was truly an extraordinary man.”