On the other side of that door, down the hall, everyone waited for her. Everyone who mattered.
They’d chosen the Stanley Hotel’s smallest wedding reception room for their wedding. There was a crackling fire in the fireplace which was draped with green garland entwined with red ribbons. Red poinsettias decorated the room as well as a tall fir tree that glowed with white twinkling lights. The room smelled like Christmas and looked like a wedding.
There was a view of Lake Estes and the Rocky Mountains outside the window. When she’d peeked outside a few minutes ago, she saw that it was snowing. No girl could ask for a more beautiful and magical place to say her vows.
Her hands trembled, causing the bouquet of red roses to shake.
Her father, dressed in a dark gray suit with a red tie noticed. “Tabitha,” he said, his voice full of concern. “Are you sure you want to do this? It hasn’t been long since your divorce. We can walk right out and no one will think anything less of you for it.”
Tabitha met her father’s gaze. “I’ve never wanted anything more.” She lifted her chin and smiled. “I’m just nervous that’s what Adam will do.”
“Adam is good man. I just checked. He’s out there. Waiting.”
“Was he nervous?”
“He didn’t look nervous. He was laughing with both his brother and yours.”
Tabitha smiled at the image.
The song All I want for Christmas drifted from the other room.
“That’s our cue,” her father said.
She took a deep breath.
“Just say the word, and we’ll walk out of here. No questions asked.”
Tabitha laughed, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed her father on the cheek. “You couldn’t drag me away from here with wild horses.”
“That’s good to know,” he said.
Adam laughed at something Tabitha’s brother, Justin, had said. Her family had flown in – her brother and his wife and fifteen-month old child, and her mother and father. Aunt Allie was here, for both of them. Adam’s parents were here as well as his brother, Morgan. Morgan had come alone, despite the invitation to bring a plus one. He swore he wasn’t seeing anyone. Their mother was beside herself to find a girl for him.
Adam watched the door. All I want for Christmas was her cue to walk through that door. Ever since she was attacked by Bobby, he experienced a wave of anxiety when she wasn’t within sight and it was worse when she was late.
He took a deep breath. Bobby was in prison and would be there for the foreseeable future. The judge had thrown the book at him after taking one look at Tabitha’s bruised face. Fortunately, she had pictures from all three times Bobby had hit her face. Then there was the arson charge and attempted murder of Adam. Yes, Bobby would be away for a very long time.
When the door opened and she stood there, his heart did somersaults in his chest.
This gorgeous, kind, smart, funny woman had agreed to spend the rest of her life with him. Every other Christmas until death do them part.
They’d already started rebuilding the store – one big store this time – with two levels. And they would build a house out near his parents on the side of a mountain with a view of the mountains. She wanted lots of glass – floor to ceiling. She wanted to be able to see every snowflake possible.
Her department chair, Dr. Barker had agreed to let her teach all her classes online from home. She would make occasional trips in to the university as needed.
All in all, everything had fallen into place.
Just as she had fallen into his life.
A smile on her face, she walked toward him. Adam hardly noticed her father walking next to her or anyone else watching. He saw only Tabitha. Her hair fell in soft waves around her face. Hair that she had somehow woven white ribbons into.
He was looking forward to having the reception over with so he could mess up her hair.
As she stood next to him, their hands touching, time began to move quickly. They had agreed no cameras and no videos during the wedding. Although he said I do, it wasn’t something he remembered. In fact, the ceremony was a blur. Up until the kiss.
The kiss was something Tabitha would also remember. It wasn’t a chaste kiss that represented their relationship to this point. Instead, it was a passionate steamy kiss that hinted of things to come.
During the reception, Tabitha took a glass of champagne and stood at the window, watching the fluffy snowflakes as they fluttered against the windowsill.
Her brother, Justin, came to stand next to her. “I’m proud of you,” he said.
“Proud of me for what?” She turned to her brother, a hint of amusement in her voice. What could her attorney brother with the perfect wife and child have to be proud of her for?
“I’m proud of you for getting out of a bad situation and not letting it hold you back from getting into a good relationship.”
“Thank you.” She swallowed, suddenly feeling tearful.
“I see so many women who go from one bad relationship to another.”
“How can you tell up front that it’s a good relationship?”
“Geez. Are you kidding? After you’ve done about a zillion divorces, you can tell which ones are on a revolving door.”
“Revolving door?”
“Yeah, they’ll come in with their new boyfriend toward the end of the divorce procedure. I’ve gotten pretty good at telling which ones will be right on back with the next divorced.”
“My brother the psychic.” She sipped her champagne, but turned her gaze from the window to her new husband. He raised his glass and smiled at her. Her pulse quickened and returned the smile.
“You’re good,” he said. “Go. Go be with your new husband.”
Tabitha kissed her brother on the cheek and went to stand with her new husband.
The one she’d just promised to spend the next fifty Christmases with. Soft Christmas music drifted in the air.
Make my wish come true. All I want for Christmas is you.
A Very Merry Christmas Gift (Winter Kisses Book 1) Page 15