It Must've Been the Mistletoe
Page 20
Gasping, I jerked awake. Looking around, there was still no sign of Adeline. Pulling out my phone, I called Jessica.
She yawned. “Will, you okay? It’s late.”
I looked down at my watch and it was closing in on midnight. “I’m sorry. I accidentally fell asleep on Adeline’s front porch. She never came home.”
She yawned again. “That’s because she stays at her parents’ house all night on Christmas Eve.”
Groaning, I stood and rubbed my eyes. “She didn’t tell me that.”
“Are you okay? You don’t sound right.”
“I don’t know, Jess. I wish I knew how to explain it. I’m sorry I called you so late.”
“No worries. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
We hung up and I got in my truck. If my dreams were real, there was only one way to find out for sure.
Thirty-Two
Adeline
I woke up to a white Christmas. Tiny snowflakes billowed in the wind, creating a magnificent winter wonderland. It was early, and still a little dark outside. I had to get back home to prepare for the party. After taking a quick shower, I put on my red sweater and black tights, then curled my blonde hair until it hung in waves down my back. I wanted everything to be perfect.
Grabbing my bag, I went downstairs and found my parents sitting in the living room, drinking their morning coffee. My mother was still in the same red and white Christmas pajamas she wore every year.
Her eyes widened. “You look beautiful, sweetheart. Merry Christmas.”
I set my bag down and joined her on the couch. “Merry Christmas to both of you.” My father winked at me and went back to reading his newspaper.
She patted me on the leg. “I’ll be over at your house early, so I can help you set everything out.”
I waved her off. “No worries. All I have to do is put the ham in the oven and cook our sweet potato casserole. We made all the goodies last night. With everyone bringing a side dish, we’ll have plenty enough to eat.”
“True,” she agreed. “Your aunt Donna is making our favorite broccoli salad.”
My stomach growled. “That’s why I love this time of year. I get to see my family and friends, and eat as much as I want.”
Giggling, she slapped her thighs. “Wish I could. I don’t want these getting any bigger than they are now. When you get older, you have to watch what you eat, more so than when you’re younger.” She stood and walked over to the tree, grabbing a present from underneath. “Here. Open this before you go.” With a wide grin, she bounced on her feet excitedly.
Her excitement for me to open my present made my heart race. I slid my finger under the wrapping paper and tore it apart. It was just a white box underneath, taped on all sides. My mother loved to use a lot of tape when she wrapped.
“Did you use a whole roll?” I asked, laughing.
She shrugged. “It keeps the suspense up longer.”
My father got up and grabbed a pair of scissors for me. “Here you go, sweetheart.”
My mother slapped his arm playfully. “You’re not supposed to make it easy on her.”
When I got the box open, there were layers of tissue paper in the way. Tossing it all to the side, I thought my heart was going to stop. Inside, was an 1895 Peacock edition of Pride and Prejudice.
“Oh . . . my . . . God,” I breathed. “This had to have cost a fortune.” Gently, I took the book out and ever-so-carefully flipped through it. The binding was old and extremely fragile. It wasn’t a book I could just put on my bookshelf and leave. The illustrations were phenomenal.
Eyes burning, I flung my arms around my mother. “Thanks, Mom. It’s the most amazing gift ever.”
She rubbed her hands lovingly over my back. “You’re welcome, honey. I know you love that book, so I searched for one of the old editions. When I found it, I knew it had to be yours.”
I sat back and held the book to my chest. “I’ll take excellent care of it. It’s going in my glass case in the library.” It was where I kept all my valuable, old books.
My mother cupped my cheek and smiled. “You deserve it. I’m just glad it made you happy.”
“It did.” I hugged her again, then walked over to my dad to hug him. “I’ll see you two later. I need to get home.”
My dad went into the kitchen and picked up the box of tinned goodies. “I’ll load this into your car.”
I carefully placed my book back in the box and grabbed my bag, before hurrying out the door. It was cold, and the snow crunched under my feet. There was always something so magical about a white Christmas. My father put the box in the car and waved as I backed out of the driveway.
When I got home, I rushed inside and put the ham in the oven. The decorations were all in place, and the house smelled like cinnamon apples and cloves. Once I had the treats laid out on the table, everything was done, except for the Christmas music. Moving over to the speakers, I synched my phone to them, and started the Christmas playlist I’d put together weeks beforehand.
Now, all I had to do was wait for my guests. The list had dwindled over the years, especially once my grandparents and most of their friends passed away. But I wasn’t worried. One day, it’d get big again, when I had my own kids. Then I could pass the house down to them.
Time passed by quickly, and people started to show up. I was surprised I hadn’t heard anything from William yet. I’d been too busy to call or text, but I thought that maybe there’d be a message on my phone when I checked it. There was nothing.
My parents arrived first, followed by a few of my aunts and uncles. They always liked to sit in the parlor and catch up with my parents. And before I knew it, the kitchen was overrun with food.
The door opened as I was unwrapping my aunt’s casserole, and Jessica walked in, carrying a big bowl of salad. She gasped when she saw all the food. “My God, I think it’s more food than last year.”
I laughed. “I believe so.”
She set her bowl down and grinned. “William came looking for you last night. He said he fell asleep on your front porch.”
“What?” I shrieked.
She giggled. “I know, right? He sounded a little odd though. I don’t think you told him that you spend the night at your parents.”
Groaning, I crossed my arms over my chest. “You’re right, I didn’t. I wonder what he was doing here.”
She shrugged. “Not sure, but it sounded kind of important.”
“Really?” That was strange. “Have you seen or talked to him today?”
“Nope. He’s supposed to be here though. I’m sure he’ll show up soon. I need to get back out there. Your aunt Donna wants to hear about the honeymoon.” She hugged me, and I squeezed her back. “Merry Christmas, Addie.”
“Merry Christmas, Jess.” I followed her out into the foyer and laughter filled the air. I couldn’t help but smile. This was why I wanted Christmas day to last forever. It was a time when everyone could forget their troubles and just enjoy time with each other.
A sound caught my attention and my heart raced; it was William’s truck coming down the driveway. My breath caught as he walked up the front porch stairs and opened the door. He had on a gray sweater, and jeans that fit his athletic build perfectly. In his hands he held a small, wrapped box.
It was as if I couldn’t move from my spot, as our gazes locked. There was something different about him. Maybe it was the serious look in his eyes, or the way he walked toward me with determination. All I knew, was that no one else existed in that moment.
He stopped in front of me, his chest rising and falling with his deep breaths. I’d seen that look on his face before. It was the night he told me he loved me. He glanced down at the present in his hands. “I got you something.”
I took the box and smiled. The wrapping paper was blue and silver with white snowflakes on it. “Thank you, that’s so sweet. Can I open it now?”
“Actually,” he looked around, before settling on me again, “do you mind if we go outside? I want t
o speak to you alone.”
My whole body trembled. “Sure. We can go out back to the gazebo. No one should be out there.”
He followed me through the house to the back door, his body so close to mine, it was causing a shiver to run up my spine. I grabbed my jacket and slipped it on. We walked outside across my patio, which was draped with garland and white lights, and then down the stairs to the gardens.
Holding the present in my hands, I turned around and took in a nervous breath. “Is everything okay?”
He brushed a hand down my cheek. “I don’t know. So many strange things have been happening.”
“Like what?” I knew exactly how he felt.
He shook his head. “Open your present first.”
My heart pounded in my ears, and my hands shook as I opened my present. The box had the antique store stamp on it, so I knew whatever was inside was going to be amazing. However, when I opened it, I slapped a hand over my mouth and tears sprang to my eyes.
“Oh my god.” So many emotions ran through my body. I didn’t know what to make of it. Inside, was the exact same angel ornament William had given me in my dream. “How is this possible?” I whispered.
William grabbed my arms, his voice low and desperate. “You’ve seen it before, haven’t you?”
Nodding, I looked up into his eyes. It was as if he was searching my face for answers. “Have you?” I countered.
He swallowed hard. “When I saw it in the store, I knew it’d be perfect for you. It was like I’d seen it somewhere, only I didn’t know where. At least, not until last night.” Letting me go, he stepped back and turned around, running a hand through his hair. “I know this sounds crazy, but in my dreams, I gave that to you.”
Stumbling back, the tears fell down my cheeks. “William.” Eyes wide, he jerked around and that was when I noticed what was different with him. “You remember.”
He sucked in a breath. “Do you?”
I nodded. “I never forgot.”
“This makes no sense to me. It was a dream.” With a heavy sigh, he closed his eyes. “Or was it? I feel like I’m losing my mind.”
I grabbed his hands and he opened his eyes. Excitement bubbled in my chest. I had to know what he remembered. “You’re not losing your mind. When you gave me this ornament, we were in your cabin. I helped you decorate your tree and we made snickerdoodles.” Mouth gaping, he looked at me in shock. “Now, tell me . . . what do you remember? I have to hear it.”
He glanced over at the house and nodded. “I met you for the first time in your parlor. You ran into me.”
More tears fell down my cheeks. “That’s right.”
Then he growled. “And there was this guy I absolutely couldn’t stand. He wanted you and I wasn’t having any of it.”
I snickered. “James Ferguson.”
“Yep, that’s his name.” Sliding his hands up my arms, I shivered in response. He rubbed his fingers over my shoulder. “I remember touching you like this in the woods, when I helped you out of your dress.”
I leaned into his touch. “What else do you remember?”
His eyes met mine. “That I told you how much I loved you.”
“And I reciprocated, because it’s true.”
“But how is this real? It can’t be.”
I shrugged. “I’ve been struggling to find that exact answer for the past week. I’ve been told people can share dreams though. It’s happened before, with people who have a close connection. What made you remember?”
He shrugged. “Being here at your house. I fell asleep on your porch, and that’s when it all came to me. In the dream, you told me to promise that I wouldn’t forget.” Pulling me closer, he leaned his forehead to mine. “It took me awhile, but Adeline, I didn’t forget. I remember kissing you for the first time on your front porch. And the way your hair smelled like raspberries. Or how stubborn you were when I tried to offer you a ride home and you chose to walk.” He twirled a strand of my hair through his fingers. “Your hair still smells the same, and I have no doubt you’re still just as stubborn.”
“I am,” I murmured with a smile. “What about you? Are you the same William from my dreams?”
Leaning back, he looked into my eyes, still holding me close. “Yes. Everything I said and did is who I am, even sledding down the hill in front of your house. I demand a rematch, by the way.”
“You’re on.”
He moved in, his lips so near to mine. “What I remember most of all are the nights we spent together, getting to know one another . . . especially the one when I told you I loved you. I still do, Adeline. I love you.”
“William,” I whispered, holding him tight. “I love you too.” Ever so slowly, his lips connected with mine. It felt like we were right back in our dream. “I have to say, this is the best Christmas yet.”
Chuckling, he stepped back and looked up. Right above us, was a cluster of mistletoe. “I still don’t understand how any of this is real. Stuff like this doesn’t happen.”
A glimmer of light caught my attention and I found Margaret on the patio with a mischievous smile on her face. She winked and then disappeared inside.
“Someone once told me that with a little mistletoe, and a lot of Christmas magic, anything’s possible.”
He cupped my cheek. “I see that now. And you being mine is the only gift I’ll ever need. Merry Christmas, Adeline.”
I held his hand to my face. “Merry Christmas, William.”
* * *
THE END
~Keep a watch out for more mistletoe magic in 2018~
Recipe Time
Do you remember reading about Mary Adeline’s famous homemade biscuits back in 1865 and how Adeline makes them in today’s time? I LOVE making homemade biscuits and my family looks forward to them at our gatherings. Who am I kidding? I look forward to making them, especially with a ton of butter melted inside. I thought I’d incorporate a part of me into the story.
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INGREDIENTS:
3 cups All Purpose Flour
3 tsp. baking powder
¾ tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
¾ cup Crisco All-vegetable shortening
1 cup Buttermilk to start but I always add more until I get the right consistency
Extra cup of flour to roll the biscuits in before baking
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NOTE: A lot of times, I half this recipe if I’m only cooking for my husband and daughters. It makes 6 HUGE biscuits. Doing the full recipe will double that.
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DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease the pan.
Put aside a plate or a sheet of parchment paper with about a cup of flour on top so you can roll the dough around in it.
Measure out the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl. Mix them all together. Add in the shortening, and this time, use your hand to incorporate the mixture into it. (This is the messy part) Next, you’ll add in the buttermilk and mix by hand. If the dough is still dry, add in a splash of buttermilk until the dough is sticky and wet, but not runny. I don’t like dry tasting biscuits. Once the dough is ready, grab a handful and set it on top of the flour. Roll it around until it’s covered and place it on the pan. If you want crunchy edges, then separate the biscuits so that when they’re baking, they don’t touch. However, if you’re like me, place them semi-close together so that the middle biscuits on the pan have the soft, fluffy edges. ??
As far as baking time, I usually start at 20 minutes, but I watch them closely after that. I like making HUGE biscuits so they take a bit longer to cook. Once the tops and edges are golden brown, I take them out.
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Optional: Once the biscuits are done, cut them open and add butter. The biscuits will practically melt in your mouth.
About the Author
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author L. P. Dover is a southern belle living in North Carolina with her husband and two beautiful girls. Before she
began her literary journey she worked in periodontics, enjoying the wonderment of dental surgeries.
She loves to write, but she also loves to play tennis, go on mountain hikes and white water rafting, and has a passion for singing. Her two youngest fans expect a concert each and every night before bedtime, usually Christmas carols.
Dover has written countless novels, including her Forever Fae series, the Second Chances series, the Gloves Off series, the Armed & Dangerous series, the Royal Shifters series, the Society X series, the Circle of Justice series, and her standalone novel Love, Lies, and Deception. Her favorite genre to read and write is romantic suspense, but if she got to choose a setting in which to live, it would be with her faeries in the Land of the Fae.
L.P. Dover is represented by Marisa Corvisiero of Corvisiero Literary Agency and Italia Gandolfo of Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Literary Management for dramatic rights.
Connect with L.P. Dover
www.lpdover.com
authorlpdover@gmail.com
Also by L.P. Dover
THE FOREVER FAE SERIES
Forever Fae
Betrayals of Spring
Summer of Frost
Reign of Ice
* * *
SECOND CHANCES SERIES
Love’s Second Chance
Trusting You
What He Wants
Meant for Me
Fighting for Love
Intercepting Love
Catching Summer
Defending Hayden
Last Chance
Intended for Bristol
* * *
GLOVES OFF SERIES
A Fighter’s Desire: Part One
A Fighter’s Desire: Part Two
Tyler’s Undoing
Ryley’s Revenge
Winter Kiss: Ryley & Ashley [A Gloves Off Novella]