A Magical Holiday Romance
Page 17
“We’re going to have so much fun,” Carter promised him. “I swear you can count on me. I won’t let you down.”
Another thing Carter was grateful for—among the many things Carter was grateful for—was that he still had his grandfather’s cufflinks in this life. He hadn’t given the heirlooms much thought when he’d impulsively jumped on that plane two years earlier. Not that he wouldn’t do the same thing again, but he was happy he remembered about them once they landed. A quick call to the hotel had secured his possessions until he returned to New York—including the little box he kept tucked deep in his duffle bag. One day, he’d pass the cufflinks on to Brady, along with the pocket watch . . . and a certain little silver bell.
Brady fussed, his mouth rooting around, and Carter turned to wake Kenzie.
She opened sleepy eyes, holding her arms out to take the baby and settling him against her breast.
Carter stood with his hands in his pockets, looking down on his wife as she nursed his infant son. He fingered the little bell he now kept on his key ring, a constant reminder that sometimes life took funny turns . . . that love was always worth fighting for . . .
And that miracles happened every day.
Outside Room 665 at Lenox Hill Hospital, a blond man and a pink-haired woman stood together in the hallway, watching the events inside the little hospital room with smiles on their faces. People passing by avoided bumping into them, kept away by an unseen force, although they didn’t really see them.
They could have seen them, if they were looking. But people so rarely really looked.
“Brady?” Tess questioned, turning to the man standing next to her. “Did you do that?”
Henry shrugged. “That’s above my paygrade,” he said simply.
Tess smiled, her attention drawn back by a laugh inside the room. Carter had settled on the side of the bed, playing with his son’s fingers, and smiling at Kenzie.
“I’m glad we came back,” she murmured quietly. “It’s nice to see things are working out for them.”
“Yeah,” Henry replied. “There’s something special about them, isn’t there?” He watched for a moment before tilting his head toward the exit. “Come on. It’s time to go.”
Tess turned to walk down the hallway, taking one last look at the happy family before she stepped away.
“You did a good job,” Henry stated as they made their way to the stairs.
Tess’s gaze snapped to him. “Thanks,” she said with a bright smile, reaching out to loop her arm through his. “Does that mean I’ll get my own assignment soon?”
Henry rolled his eyes. “You tired of working with me already?”
“No, it’s not that,” she said playfully, hugging his arm as they walked out onto the streets of New York. “It’s just . . . after all the training I’ve had, it would be nice to know that someone has some confidence in my abilities. Get a chance to spread my wings, so to speak.”
Henry laughed, taking a deep breath of the crisp winter air. “Like I haven’t heard that before,” he said. “You know it’s not up to me. I’m sure you’ll get your chance when it’s time. Just be patient.”
“Like I haven’t heard that before,” Tess muttered.
“Look,” Henry said softly, distracting Tess from her thoughts. She looked to the horizon, where the first light of dawn was peeking over the skyline. “No matter how many times I see it, it always takes my breath away,” he added.
They stood quietly amidst the bustling city streets, ignoring the crowds and the cars. Their eyes were on the sky, watching the twisting and twirling ribbons of color—pinks and oranges and yellows finally giving way to pale blue as the new day broke.
Their minds were on the little family back at the hospital that was just starting a new life together.
Henry took a deep breath. “Perfect,” he said, leaning down to press a kiss to the top of Tess’s head. “Merry Christmas, Tess.”
She smiled sunnily back up at him.
“Merry Christmas, Daddy.”
Want a little more? Check out Visions of Sugar Plums, a Magical Sequel to Second Chances.
Get it HERE and find out more about Carter and Kenzie’s happily ever after!
SWEET & SWOONY ROMANCE
Love in Holiday Junction
Falling for Her Best Friend
Falling for Her Biggest Headache
Falling for Her Opposing Counsel
Falling for the Wrong Guy
Six Sweet Short Romantic Stories
...And Then They Fell in Love
A Fun and Quirky YA Romance
How to Get Ainsley Bishop to Fall in Love with You
A Magical Holiday Romance
Second Chances
Visions of Sugar Plums
Adventure and Romance on the High Seas
Cutlass
Sweet & Funny “Rock Star” Romance
Cecilia’s Soulful Heart
ACTION-PACKED FANTASY STORIES, WRITTEN AS T.M. FRANKLIN
The MORE Trilogy
“Reminiscent of the Mortal Instruments series... only better!” – Penny Dreadful Reviews
MORE
The Guardians
TWELVE
The New Super Humans
Super Humans
Super Powers
Super Natural
Super Heroes
Many thanks to my wonderful editor, Kathie Spitz and my proofreader, Rose David. I couldn’t do any of this without you!
Thanks also to the T.M. Franklin Book Club for helping to spread the word about my books, and to the many bloggers and readers who do the same.
Thanks to the awesome authors of Enchanted Publications - Jeanne McDonald, Sydney Logan, Lindsey Gray, Jennifer Locklear, Melanie Moreland, Carrie Elks, Jo Richardson, Jiffy Kate, Jami Denise, Ayden K. Morgen, Alexix Riddley and Cara Dee. Be sure and check out their books!
And thanks most of all to my family for their unceasing love and support.
Tami Franklin writes sweet and wholesome romance that will sweep you away. A former TV news producer and freelance writer, she now enjoys sharing stories about people destined to be together... they just might need a little help getting there.
Franklin also writes contemporary and YA fantasy under the penname T.M. Franklin.
Connect with Tami at her website: www.TMFranklin.com.
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