Unforgettable Christmas - Gifts of Love (The Unforgettables Book 3)

by Mimi Barbour

  Back in the car, he drove on, pointing at interesting buildings. They crossed a local market and finally stopped by a beach with white sand and huge rocks. He parked the car and tugged her towards the rocks. They climbed them and sat on the highest point admiring the crystal clear waters.

  “This is Wingaersheek Beach where we used to play and swim as kids.”

  Emma inhaled deeply, appreciating the tranquility and beauty of the isolated beach. They lapsed into silence for a moment.

  “It’s so peaceful, so romantic,” she whispered, almost afraid to spoil the surrounding serenity.

  “Yes, it’s a romantic place. The perfect place to celebrate our engagement,” he answered in the same hushed tone.

  “Oh.” Hadn’t they already toasted the happy event with his parents and her stepmother? She threw him a questioning glance.

  He dug into his pocket and brought out a velvet box.

  Her throat suddenly dried and she kept staring at his fingers as he opened the box to reveal a stunning diamond ring.

  The air in her chest vanished. “Oh Josh. Oh my God,” she babbled, her heart so tight she had trouble withstanding the surge of happiness that had just wiped away the sadness of the past months.

  He took her hand, slipped the ring on her finger, and then brought her hand to his lips.

  “Oh Josh, it’s so beautiful.”

  His eyes locked on hers and he caressed her cheek. “I love you, my darling.”

  “I love you too. I love you so much.”

  He gathered her in his arms. “I wanted a perfect setting to seal our commitment to each other.” He captured her mouth in a long kiss. “No need to rush. We have a whole weekend to ourselves. Tonight and every night from now on.” Desire and passion entwined as his tongue swept over hers, teasing, exploring, tempting.

  She couldn’t wait to be in his arms. Tonight and every night.

  Epilogue

  On Christmas Day, the Dutton residence sparkled with outdoor and indoor decorations. The snow storm of two days ago had transformed the beautiful mansion into a postcard fairytale castle, all white and glittering with multicolored lights.

  Nancy had insisted on decorating three floor-to-ceiling natural pine trees installed in the foyer, family room and kitchen, all adorned with shimmery balls and porcelain family heirlooms.

  Emma helped her string holly branches around the wooden rails of the antique staircase. To add a romantic note to the Christmassy atmosphere, Josh installed mistletoes branches at the top of every doorway and checked his handiwork with a lopsided grin.

  “Hey Emma, come here and give me your opinion,” he called.

  She innocently approached. “About what?”

  “This.” He pointed up and captured her mouth for a bone-melting kiss. Tugging her toward another door, he chuckled. “How about this one?” Without giving her time to answer, he kissed her again. “I have six other doorways for you to check.” She burst out laughing and collapsed against his chest.

  The aroma of a delicious hot cider punch wafted from the family room, heralding the beginning of the festivities.

  Last night, Emma had joined Josh and his family to attend the midnight mass, a first time for her. Being part of this strongly united family had warmed her heart.

  Her mind flew to the days following the violent audit of the auto shops. Scott and Stan had been arrested. Charged and convicted with embezzlement of funds and attempted murder, Scott recently received a fifteen year sentence and Stan ten years.

  To keep his promise to Maria and bring her family around her, Josh had taken Emma to visit Patricia in New York and explained the past events. Stan couldn’t hurt her anymore. They’d managed to convince her to move to Boston with Derek and live with Maria. Later, Josh introduced her to Ed Martin who hired her to work on forensic audits with him.

  By then Emma had accepted the Duttons’ invitation for her and Rino to move to their mansion. Josh’s former bedroom seemed ideal to Emma while Rino occupied one of the three heated kennels attached to the garage. He got along well with Brian’s golden retriever but couldn’t stand Nancy’s spoiled poodle.

  Although Josh officially kept his condo, he dwelt more often at his parent’s place than in his lonely apartment.

  In addition to the traditional Christmas, today the Duttons were also celebrating Senator Howard’s reelection to the Senate and Josh and Emma’s rehearsal dinner.

  To think that tomorrow she’d become Josh’s wife. This wonderful, self-confident lawyer yet tender lover would be her companion for better or worse. Her heart fluttering like a leaf in a strong wind, Emma rushed to her room to change into a dark green silk dress. In spite of the discreet raps followed by loud knocks on her door she didn’t open it until she was ready.

  “Are you going to keep me out all day?” Josh protested, but then his eyes widened in admiration. “You look stunning.”

  “You shouldn’t come here.” She laughed at his besotted expression. “Your conscience should tell you it’s not very proper on Christmas Day.”

  “Really? Well, my conscience is quite understanding.” He entered the room and closed the door behind him. “Sweetheart, I want to give you my Christmas gift before our guests arrive.” He opened a velvet box and showed her a diamond heart attached to a golden chain. “It will remind you that you own my heart forever.” He clasped the chain behind her neck and adjusted the heart on her chest.

  “Oh Josh, it’s so beautiful. I love you.”

  “No mistletoe here?”

  “I don’t need any.” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. “I have a Christmas gift for you too.” She gave him a big box wrapped in silver paper.

  He tore it open and grinned like a little boy at the sight of a silver miniature of his BMW.

  “For your desk.”

  “Thank you, sweetheart. I love it.” Another round of kisses delayed them some more.

  “Emma, you never told me who you chose to walk you down the aisle? You know my father or one of my brothers would be happy to do it.”

  She shook her head and smiled sheepishly. “I’ve already planned my walk down the aisle and prefer not to discuss it now.” To avoid any arguments, she gave Josh a passionate kiss he couldn’t resist.

  “I think I can hear our guests arriving,” Emma said when she could finally breathe.

  Hand in hand they climbed down the large stairways to greet their guests.

  ~*~

  The day after Christmas, the staff of Dutton & Cramer, LLP gathered at St. Paul Parish to celebrate the wedding of their boss, Joshua Dutton and their colleague, Emma Cassiero. Colin and Gary who had resumed their respective jobs a few weeks after surgery and rehab, now sat with Sue, Connie and the lawyers of Josh’s firm.

  The church slowly filled up with relatives, friends, and supporters of Senator Dutton.

  The end of each pew had been decorated with small baskets of poinsettias and two vases of red roses adorned the altar where Josh impatiently waited for his bride with his young brother, Brian, who was his best man. A big reception would follow at the Dutton mansion.

  The Dutton family occupied the first rows on the right. His chin high and a bright smile on his face, Senator Howard proudly walked his wife Nancy to their seats.

  Behind them, Maria Cassiero hung on the arm of Derek Garett, her handsome grandson. They joined Patricia on the first pew of the left side. Sitting next to Patricia, Ed Martin, her new boss hadn’t stopped chatting with her for the last fifteen minutes.

  In the middle rows of the church, Josh recognized the Speedy Auto Shops mechanics, friends, and former employees of Emma’s dad. They’d been re-hired by Emma before she sold the shops. The new owner had been quite pleased to have an experienced group from day one.

  Josh checked his watch for the tenth time. Today the hours and minutes seemed to have frozen.

  The organist played the Mendelssohn Wedding March and Josh exhaled with relief. Emma should be here any minute. He suddenly f
rowned. Had he heard a bark or was his imagination playing tricks on him?

  Rino should be in his kennel at the Dutton house with an extra treat to celebrate Emma’s wedding.

  Josh remembered the day he and Emma had picked up a well-bandaged and whining Rino from the animal clinic. Josh had settled him on the backseat of his van, with Rino’s head on Emma’s lap. Her faithful dog had demonstrated his happiness at being with her again by nuzzling her hand and casting adoring eyes on her. But then he endured some painful time until his hips healed.

  A din started in the church and Brian chuckled. “No way.”

  Josh turned his head to the door and his jaw sagged.

  In a long satin gown embroidered with sequins and beads, his beautiful bride proceeded down the aisle and hardly hid a quivering smile under her veil. Her arms encased in long white gloves, Emma held a bouquet of pink roses in one hand and a rhinestone leash in the other.

  “No way,” Josh repeated.

  His head dressed with a Christmas pixie, Rino walked at the same slow path as his beloved mistress but with a slight limp.

  “Rino is giving her away,” Brian joked.

  When she reached the altar, Josh stepped down and held her hand. “You’re so beautiful and amazing.”

  “I hope no one will be upset at me for bringing Rino to church. He saved my life. I couldn’t forget him today of all days.”

  Josh took her hand. “No one is upset. The congregation is laughing.”

  Derek came forward to give Rino a special treat. The faithful dog nuzzled the entwined hands of the bride and groom, barked a few happy woofs, and then followed Derek to sit next to his pew.

  “Merry Christmas, Emma. I love you.” Josh brushed her lips with a kiss.

  “Merry Christmas, I love you too. With you and Rino, I will never worry about a thing,” Emma said with a tender smile.

  Josh knew he had found long lasting happiness with his loving bride and her loyal German shepherd.

  The End

  A Note from the Author

  Thank you for reading TWO LOVES FOR CHRISTMAS. If you enjoyed this romance novel, please recommend and review the book, and other books by the same author.

  Please, join my newsletter to hear about my new novels.

  A BRIDE FOR PRINCE PAUL

  Modern Princes Series

  Mona Risk

  Copyrights © 2017 by Mona Risk

  Book Description

  The reigning Prince of Rensy Island is very sick. To secure the future of his country he decides to match his grandson Paul with the American descendant of a Rensian princess.

  Prince Paul is a successful businessman who leads a jet set life and often feeds the tabloids with juicy gossip. And he’s the last person who would let anyone manipulate him into an arranged marriage. Yet to please his dying grandfather, Paul agrees to meet the young woman in Paris and drives her around without revealing his title or goal.

  Dr. Amy Tyrone has been planning a vacation to celebrate her appointment as a fellow in pediatrics at Harvard. When her boyfriend refuses to accompany her because of a medical conference cruise, she reassesses their lukewarm relationship and travels to Paris without him.

  Attraction sizzles between Paul and Amy and soon turns into an irresistible passion. But Amy is a dedicated pediatrician who puts her patients and career above all else. When the ruling prince’s health fails, Paul and Amy are summoned to Rensy Island. To Amy’s shock, their engagement is announced.

  Will Paul be able to convince Amy that he sincerely loves her?

  How can she abandon her patients for his crown?

  The inspiration for the story.

  While cruising the British Isles, I visited Guernsey, in the English Channel. This quaint island with special privileges and autonomy became Rensy Island, the setting of my new story. The prince’s romance was inspired by Prince William and Kate’s, but my heroine is a dedicated American doctor.

  Prologue

  “Good news, Your Highness. We have located the great-great-granddaughter of Princess Elizabeth Amalia.” Raymond DeBow’s words echoed in the silence of the stately office decorated in rich mahogany and cognac colored woodwork.

  “Ah.” The hardly audible rasp worried the Chief of Security as much as the sluggish pose of his sovereign. Slumped into his majestic leather chair, Prince Edward absently stared at the coats of arms adorning the wall, a lion with a crown, between a sword and a cross, and above it the motto of his family encrusted in golden leaves. My Duty Before My Right.

  Illness had ravaged the dashing Edward III, Prince of Rensy Island, and reduced him to a pale and gaunt image of himself, coughing and talking with difficulty. Today, no vases of flowers added coziness to the prince’s favorite dwelling. Per order of his doctor, all fragrances had been banished from around the prince to avoid exacerbating his labored breathing. Heavy draperies decorating the tall arched windows added to the gloom of a rainy day on Rensy Island.

  Anxious to no end, DeBow leaned over the imposing cherry wood desk for once uncluttered by official papers and lowered his voice to a softer tone. “Her name is Amy. Dr. Amy Elizabeth Tyrone.”

  “Fantastic.” Edward pulled himself up and a trembling smile lit his face. “Same name as her ancestor. Good omen.”

  “Her father, the descendant of our Rensian princess, died three years ago. The mother, Heather Tyrone, is an American nurse.”

  Prince Edward nodded. “Tell me more.”

  “There are a few problems. The young woman is a hard-working pediatrician dedicated to her patients and determined to build a career. And she has a boyfriend.”

  “Bad.” Irritation crisscrossed Edward’s forehead with deep furrows. “Are they engaged?” Like his grandson Paul, the ruling prince detested being contradicted.

  “No engagement. But the hospital staff considers them to be a serious couple.”

  “Pfft.” The scowl smoothed and a hint of a smile appeared on his emaciated face. “Wait till she meets our Paul. His charm can go a long way.” The old prince jerked his fingers as if to flick away a speck of dust. “Any other difficulties?”

  “Yes. She planned a two week vacation in Paris and—”

  “Perfect.” Edward rubbed his hands, his energy returning in spades. “We will allow her a week in Paris, then she should come to Charlesburg. DeBow, contact her mother. Inform her that Amy must claim her inheritance before the hundred-year defect rule applies.”

  “What inheritance?” For once taken aback, Raymond arched his eyebrows.

  Prince Edward shrugged. “Find something between Charlesburg and the shore, a nice mansion we can use to lure them here.”

  “Yes, Your Highness.” Raymond bowed to the prince.

  “For the sake of Rensy Island, Paul must marry the descendant of Princess Elizabeth Amalia. The sooner, the better.” The old man slapped the arm of his chair and shoved it back.

  “Yes, Your Highness,” Raymond repeated. “I will do everything in my power to fulfill your wishes. We will send the young person an invitation to visit Charlesburg and claim her mansion. Or... or estate?”

  “Whatever. Do that, my friend. And do it fast. My days are numbered. We have to secure the future of our beloved country before I meet my maker.”

  “We will, Your Highness.” Raymond exhaled loudly. He didn’t need to be reminded that according to the constitution, if the ruling prince died without a direct married heir, England or France could claim the little Channel island. Their country would face a chaotic situation and the residents would lose their exceptional no-tax status and generous healthcare benefits.

  “I hope Prince Paul won’t give me hell for interfering in his personal affairs,” Raymond grunted under his breath. He scratched his earlobe, already hearing the young prince’s expletives at his grandfather’s meddling.

  “Summon him now,” Prince Edward ordered.

  ~*~

  Three hours later, Paul Maxim Devereux, Duke of Clareburn, strode into his grandfather’s
office and stopped in front of the huge desk, squinting. “Good God, what happened to you?” His expression fractured with concern at the sight of the frail man half-lying in his chair. “Your Highness, Grandpa.” Paul circled the desk to lower himself on one knee next to the old man. “Why did they hide your worsening condition from me?” He tossed a glare at DeBow. He and his grandfather’s right hand man had never seen eye to eye.

  Paul had been traveling in France, Switzerland and Scandinavia for over a month to promote his business and enlist new contracts for his multimillion-dollar/Euro financial investment company. Had he known his dear grandfather’s health was deteriorating so fast, he would have cut short the trip to rush to his side.

  Prince Edward patted his grandson’s hand. “There was no need to worry you yet. I still have all my wits about me and can lead our country, but we need your cooperation now.”

  “Prince Paul.” DeBow cleared his throat. “I will soon introduce you to the descendant of Princess Elizabeth Amalia. You should date and—”

  “Mr. DeBow,” Paul bellowed. “You forget yourself. Whom I date is none of your d… hmm, business.”

  “Quiet, Paul,” Edward snapped and closed his eyes, his breath wheezing out. “Don’t take your anger out on DeBow. He is following my orders. As you should, too.” His voice rose and his ruddy cheeks assumed a dangerous purple tinge. “It is time for you to settle down with a respectable bride. A Rensian princess who will help you keep our island safe.” Exhausted by his long tirade, the prince had a fit of coughing.

  “Easy, Grandpa. Don’t aggravate your condition.”

  “I count on you to do your duty.” The old prince squeezed Paul’s arm. “My Duty Before My Right,” his grandfather recited.