Theresa took it all back. “Says who?” She winked, and Brianna hugged her.
The next present Brianna grabbed was labeled to me. She set it on my lap and bit her lip. “I honestly didn’t know what to get you, but I think I made a good choice.”
The box was heavy, and I could hear the sound of glass clanking together. When I opened it up, my eyes burned with unshed tears. Inside was a dozen jars of my three favorite pickled vegetables: beets, okra, and carrots. “I love it, Brianna. Did you pickle them yourself?”
Brianna nodded. “I didn’t know what to get you since you have everything, so I thought this would be more appropriate. You told me your grandmother used to make them for you when she was alive.”
A tear fell down my cheek. “She did. This means a lot to me. Thank you.” I hugged her hard and nodded at the presents. “Yours is the big one over there.”
She walked over to the largest present in the room. Her face lit up when she saw it was hers. She ripped the paper open and tore into the box. It was filled to the brim with my designs. “Holy …” She screamed so loud we had to cover our ears. “This is seriously the best gift ever.” She ran over to me and hugged me so hard I could barely breathe. “Thank you so much.”
I laughed. “You’re welcome. I had them all flown in.”
While Brianna was busy sorting through all of her clothes, Theresa picked up the last two presents and handed them to Colin. My heart raced as he looked at the tags. Sighing, he looked over at me. “You didn’t have to do this.”
I rolled my eyes. “Just open them. Do the small one first.”
He opened the small one, which revealed the manual for a coffeemaker I’d bought him. It was an espresso machine as well. Shaking his head, he held it up. “Didn’t like my coffeemaker?”
Sheepishly, I shrugged. “I thought you could use a new one. It works a lot faster. I already have it in your kitchen, ready to use. You can try it out tonight if you want.”
His lips lifted slightly. “I might just do that.”
When he got to the next present, my pulse was in overdrive. He opened the box and moved away all the tissue paper, revealing what was underneath. He stared at it for the longest time, his eyes taking in every single inch.
Theresa and Brianna rushed over, and both gasped. “It’s beautiful,” Theresa cried, wiping a tear away.
Brianna agreed with a nod. “It is. It’s almost like they’re here.”
Colin held up the canvas, giving us all a good look at it. After I’d met Mrs. Denton, Glenda, from the art gallery, I had her paint a picture of the Snowflake Lane Inn. On the front porch swing were Theresa and Brianna, and standing in the front were Colin and his grandparents with his arms around them. Brianna had nailed the meaning behind it. I wanted it to be like they were still around.
Colin handed the painting to his mother and pulled me into his arms. It was the closest I’d been to him in days. “Thank you, Layla. That picture means a lot to me.”
“You’re welcome,” I murmured. I didn’t want to leave his arms, but my phone rang. Reluctantly, I stepped away from him and focused on the number. It was from New York. “I’ll be right back,” I said to everyone. I stepped into the library across the hall and answered it. “Hello?”
“Ms. Aberdeen?”
“Yes,” I said, trying to recognize the voice. It sounded familiar.
“Hi, I’m Andrea, Mrs. Parrish’s assistant. I’ve spoken to you before, but I didn’t know if you’d remember me.”
Completely caught off guard, my knees gave out, and I fell into one of the brown leather chairs. “Andrea, yes. I remember you. How are you?”
“Great, as a matter of fact. Miriam’s been dying to talk to you. She’s on the other line. Do you mind if I connect you?”
The breath left my lungs. “Seriously?”
Andrea burst out laughing. “Yes, seriously. I’ll let her tell you the good news.”
Good news? I was clueless. The line beeped, and Miriam cleared her throat. “Layla?”
“Miriam,” I replied nervously, “to what do I owe this pleasure?”
“Your new designs, of course. I’ve looked over them all, and I’m in love.”
“What? How?”
“Your assistant, Brianna, sent them over to me. Amazing job, my dear. I know you took it hard after your last line, but you’ve totally redeemed yourself. I’d love to meet with you after Christmas.”
I was in shock and didn’t know what to think. “Of course,” I blurted. “After Christmas is great.”
“Wonderful. Andrea will get it scheduled in. Right now, I have to finish drinking my eggnog. See you soon.” She hung up, and I stood there, mouth gaping.
Brianna walked by with a sugar cookie in her hand and stopped when she saw me. “You okay?”
I held up my phone. “You tell me. I just got a call from Miriam.”
She held up her hands and stepped back, a look of terror on her face. “Please don’t be mad at me. When you left your sketchpad in Colin’s truck, I was afraid you wouldn’t do anything with them so I made copies. I knew that Miriam Parrish was the woman to speak to, so I called, pretending to be your assistant.” On the verge of tears, she walked into the library. “What did she say?”
Without a smile on my face, I stared at her for a few seconds, hoping to make her sweat. She lowered her head, and I smiled, drawing her attention back when I snickered. “She loved them,” I announced happily. “She wants to get together after Christmas.”
“Everything okay in here?” Colin asked, standing in the doorway.
Brianna jumped up and down excitedly. “Miriam liked Layla’s designs. They’re going to discuss everything after Christmas.”
Colin looked over at me. “Congratulations, Layla. You’ve worked hard for it.”
“Did you know?” I asked him.
Sighing, he glanced down at Brianna. “I was told yesterday to keep it a secret.”
Sheepishly, Brianna shrugged. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay,” I said, draping my arm over Brianna’s shoulder. “Looks like I have an assistant now. That is, if you’re up for the job.”
Her eyes widened, and she froze. “This is literally the best Christmas ever. Someone pinch me.”
Theresa peeked her head around the corner and motioned for me. “You haven’t seen your Christmas present yet. Come on.” Colin smiled and stepped out of the way when I walked past. Theresa pointed to the front door. “Look out there.”
I walked to the door, and outside, there was a couple getting out of a car. It didn’t take long to realize who they were. “Oh my God.”
I raced outside, and my mom flung her arms open. “Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”
Excited beyond belief, I hugged both my parents. “What are you two doing here?”
My dad kissed the top of my head. “We were hoping to surprise you. We’ve been planning this for weeks.”
I hugged them again. I couldn’t believe they’d kept that from me. “Thank you. I didn’t want to spend Christmas without you two.”
By now, Colin, Brianna, and Theresa were all outside. I introduced them to my parents, and Colin helped grab their bags from their rental car. We walked side by side back into the inn. “You should spend tonight with your parents. We can take a rain check on the new coffeemaker.”
Sadly, I nodded, but I had my parents for Christmas, which made me extremely happy. For once, in a very long time, everything was looking up for me.
Chapter Fourteen
Layla
Christmas Day
My parents stayed in Colin’s cottage with me. We spent the entire night talking about anything and everything. They were extremely excited about my new line. There was a lot to think about as far as where I wanted to go after that. Did I want to move back to the big city or keep a low profile? I knew what my heart wanted.
“Layla, we’re going to the main house for breakfast. Are you coming?” my mother called out.
I leaned o
ut of my bedroom door, holding my red sweater over my chest. “I’ll be there in a minute. Go ahead without me.” The front door shut, so I quickly slipped on my sweater, jeans, and boots.
It was Christmas morning. Colin’s entire family would be arriving soon at the inn. I was going to meet the whole Jennings side.
Once I grabbed my phone, I opened the front door, only to come toe to toe with Colin. “Whoa,” I said, sucking in a breath. “You scared me.”
The wind blew his cologne my way, and I breathed it in. He chuckled and glanced down my body. “Sorry. You look beautiful, by the way.”
“Thanks. You look rather dapper yourself.” And he did, dressed in his jeans and gray sweater. I missed him wearing his plaid shirts. I had begun to get used to them.
Clearing his throat, he glanced down at a small wrapped box in his hands. “I wanted to find some time to get you alone. When I saw your parents leave, I figured it was now or never.”
He handed me the present, and I opened it. Inside was a gorgeous, sparkling snowflake necklace. “Colin, it’s beautiful.” I pulled it out, and he fastened it around my neck.
“I wanted to give it to you last night but never got the chance.”
I placed a hand over the snowflake. “Thank you.” It was obvious there was more to say by the determined look on his face. “Why are you really here, Colin?”
With a heavy sigh, he stepped back and ran a hand through his hair. “Layla, there’s so many things. After last night and hearing about New York, it made me realize how stupid I’ve been.”
He closed the distance and grabbed my hands. “When we ran into Gabe at the tree farm and he told us both to take a chance, I didn’t realize what he meant at first. But then, I got to thinking. For so long, I was afraid to take a chance on anyone, least of all you. You’re famous as hell. What would you ever want with someone like me?”
I started to speak, but he held up a hand. “I have to get this out.” Taking my hands again, he held them to his chest. “I’ve fallen for you, Layla. I tried to keep my distance because I knew there was a huge chance you were going to leave. And then I started second-guessing myself on whether I was good enough for you.”
“Colin,” I breathed. My heart pounded so hard I was sure he could hear it.
He moved closer, his lips only a breath away. “It turns out, it doesn’t matter if I am or not. I want to be with you, Layla.”
I looked right into his emerald eyes. “Do you have any idea how long I’ve waited to hear you say that? You’ve dodged me every time I’ve tried getting answers from you.”
He sighed. “I know. All I wanted to do was tell you how I felt. I couldn’t let you leave without knowing the truth.”
I smiled up at him. “I’m glad you did … because I fell for you too.”
That devilish smile of his was back. “You did?”
“Yes,” I said with a giggle. “And just so you know, I’m not going anywhere. I’ve decided to stay here no matter what. Granted, I’ll have to travel every now and again, but my home is here.”
He held my hands tighter against his chest. “I don’t know what to say. What happens now?”
I looked up above his head where a bundle of mistletoe hung from the doorway. He followed my line of sight and chuckled. “Guess that answers it then.”
We stared into each other’s eyes and he leaned in close, our lips touching gently. I closed my eyes and he deepened the kiss. Our lips parted and he rested his forehead to mine. “Merry Christmas, Layla. Moving here wasn’t so bad was it?”
“It was the best decision I ever made.”
Runaway Christmas Bride
CINDI MADSEN
Chapter One
This was the day she’d dreamed about for so long, of having a winter wedding and being a Christmas bride. Then all her plans, her future—everything she’d been so sure about—had been ripped away the instant her groom had looked at her and said, “I’m sorry, Regina. I just can’t. I can’t marry you.”
Naturally he’d chosen to say it while they were standing at the front of the chapel, their family and friends all witnesses as she was dumped at the altar. Her bridesmaids had tried to stop her from fleeing the scene, but she’d needed out of there so she’d hopped in her car—decorated with streamers and cans, and don’t even get her started on the “Just married!!!” written in white shoe polish on the back window. The stupid, overly cheery phrase taunted her every time she glanced in the rearview mirror.
Tears had streamed down her face as she’d driven north. She wasn’t even sure how long she’d been on the road or where she was—she was almost sure there’d been a sign about entering Massachusetts—but the tears had finally mostly dried up. The gas tank was about to go dry too, which meant she needed to stop soon.
I should’ve seen this coming. Steve had always told her she didn’t know how to relax and have fun. They’d had fights about having fun—talk about the opposite of a good time. He thought she was too structured, and she thought he needed more organization and responsibility in his life. Silly her, she’d thought that was why they would make a good pair. Their weaknesses were each other’s strengths, and wasn’t there something poetic in that? She thought love would smooth out the times they grew irritated at their differences.
Perhaps, over the past few crazy months, she’d been a little too fixated on plans and the future instead of the groom. Still, he could’ve pulled her aside a dozen times to tell her he wanted to call off the wedding. It would’ve stung, sure, but there was stinging and then there was feeling naked and exposed in front of your family and friends.
We were supposed to be spending Christmas on the beach, and now I’ll spend it all alone.
A figure on the side of the road caught her eye. She’d never been able to walk by someone in need without handing over any spare change she had, and while her parents had made her promise to stop picking up hitchhikers unless she at least had company, she couldn’t leave the guy standing there with his thumb up. Not with the brewing snowstorm, and not when she’d experienced enough desperation today to have empathy for someone else who might be in a dire situation.
Regina slowed the car and pulled onto the side of the road. An icy gust of air whooshed inside as she unrolled the window, and she shivered, her bare shoulders breaking out in goose bumps. She’d worked so hard to get extra definition in her arms, and while she had a fluffy white wrap to go over her dress, she’d abandoned it like the rest of her wedding.
“Need a ride?” she asked, which she supposed was unnecessary considering most people didn’t hail cars if they didn’t need a ride.
A scruffy guy, wearing a dirty, worn beanie with holes and a coat that had seen better days, stuck his head inside. His bloodshot eyes widened as he took in her wedding dress. She could only imagine how crazy she looked, driving a car in poofy layers of white tulle, her veil batted back over pinned curls she felt coming undone, her professionally applied makeup a smeared mess by now, no doubt. “I’d love a ride,” he said. “Just down the way.”
“Hopefully, not too far down the way. I’m running low on gas.”
“It’s about fifteen miles, give or take. Friendship is a pretty small town, but you can refill your car and stop and have some dinner. Like its name suggests, there are a lot of friendly people there. It’s sort of my makeshift home for now,” he said with a chuckle. “House or not.”
Regina assumed that meant he didn’t have a house, and a pang of sympathy went through her. Here she was feeling sorry for herself because she’d wasted money on an extravagant wedding that had fallen through, and this guy didn’t have a place to live. “I’ll gladly take you there.”
He grabbed a worn bag and eyed the backseat, probably thinking she’d rather have him there. She wasn’t sure what proper etiquette in this situation was, possibly because there wasn’t any.
“Feel free to sit up front,” she said. “I don’t bite. I might cry, though, so I hope that doesn’t scare you.”
> “I think I can handle a few tears.” He settled into the passenger seat, and she cranked up the heater as he reached out to warm his hands. He smelled like it’d been a while since his last bath. “Anything I can do to help?”
She shrugged. “I could use a new groom,” she said with a mostly sarcastic laugh. Apparently it wasn’t quite funny yet. “Or maybe what I need is the desire to never have one.” All her life she’d pictured her future self with a loving husband and a couple of children, an idyllic little family who often laughed together.
“You’ll find somebody. Somebody who deserves you and will love you for you.” The confidence in his voice assured her, despite the fact that he had no way of knowing something like that.
“Thank you.” She extended her hand. “I’m Regina, by the way.”
He shook her hand, one firm shake that convinced her he was of good, solid character. Sometimes you could just tell. “Gabe.”
After carefully checking over her shoulder for oncoming traffic, she pulled onto the freeway. Or was it a highway? Come to think of it, there hadn’t been another car in forever, and the road looked too dinky to be an interstate.
Well, that’s mildly disconcerting. Then again, on a scale of one to sucky, it couldn’t compare to the rest of her day. But if she thought about that too much, she’d start crying again, so she made small talk with Gabe.
He wasn’t a man of many words, answering most of her questions with a simple yes or no, but it helped pass the time. Then he pointed out the turnoff into Friendship, its big happy sign greeting them as they officially entered town. Flurries danced through the air, falling to the window in pretty white puffs, and she glanced at the time.
She’d been driving for almost seven hours without so much as one bathroom stop, and now that food had been mentioned, she couldn’t stop thinking about it. On top of the exercising, she’d been on a low-sugar diet, one that basically meant that if a food brought you joy, it was out. She’d kept motivated on the treadmill by thoughts of her gorgeous, tiered wedding cake with the spongy chocolate goodness waiting under the fluffy white frosting. She’d told herself it’d be that much better after a month of no sweets, and since she hadn’t had so much as a taste, she was planning on ordering dinner and dessert. Maybe even two desserts.
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