A CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
Page 48
While the two women were being pampered, they kept up a lively conversation, brought on by the fizzy champagne high and a healthy dose of nerves.
“How did you know David was the one? And when did you decide?” Brooke asked, sipping her second glass of the icy cold bubbles that caught in her throat and made her laugh.
“I knew the first time he kissed me.” Cindy’s eyes closed dreamily, and she smiled. “It was soft and gentle, and filled with tenderness. I fell in love right then and there.” She glanced down at the Asian lady doing her nails, who didn’t appear to be listening. “I’d been so used to guys groping and thrusting their tongues down my throat,” she pretended to gag. “As if that would turn a girl on.”
Brooke giggled. “Know what you mean. Some guys just don’t have a clue, do they?” She licked her lips and leaned back in the chair, eyes half closed.
“Now, Brad,” Cindy said. “That man knows how to kiss.”
“Tell me more,” Brooke encouraged. “When will we ever get the chance for a girl’s talk again?”
That thought sobered them both up. With Brooke married and leading her own life, days like this would be infrequent for sure.
Eventually the two Korean women had them both glammed up, and they left, smiling and chattering over the big tip. Cindy called downstairs and ordered them both salads for lunch. They talked about boyfriends from the past, and all kinds of girl stuff, but neither mentioned the wedding in a few hours, although certainly it was on both their minds.
Tyler came home soon after that, smelling like a stable boy. He was grinning ear to ear, as he told them about the carriage ride and feeding the ducks in the pond. “But there was bird poo everywhere and I didn’t see it in time,” he laughed. “I slipped on my fanny, and got guck on my jeans.”
Cindy held her nose. “No wonder you stink, little man. Come with me. Time for a bubble bath.”
“Okay.” He started stripping off his clothes. “I wish we could have brought Jingles here. I bet he’s missing me.”
David’s parents were staying at the house overnight to take care of the new pup, and she knew that they loved the little dog too.
“We have a wedding to go to, and then a big party afterwards. Who’d take care of a frisky pup? Besides, Pa will be giving Jingles plenty of walks, and Nana will be sneaking him treats. He’ll miss you, of course, but they will take good care of him for you.”
“I know. I just want him here.”
“They don’t allow pets in this hotel, honey. And even if they did, little Jingles would be left alone too long.”
“I could stay with him ’stead of being a ring bear.”
She laughed. “You have a very important job at this wedding, my dear. You will be carrying the ring on a pillow as you walk slowly down the aisle. Just the way we practiced it, remember?”
“Uh-huh. I know. Just wish Jingles could have walked along beside me.”
“I think it’s better this way.”
Brooke had gone into the bathroom and started running Tyler’s bath. She’d dumped half a bottle of bubble bath in the tub, and now it threatened to engulf the room.
“Bubbles!” Tyler cried. “Everywhere.” He ran around trying to capture the bubbles floating out of the bathroom.
“Brooke. Holy crap. Turn off the water.”
Brooke put her champagne down and ran into the bathroom, and slipped on the tiles. “Ouch!” she cried, rubbing at her knee, and away came some blood. “Oh, no. I’m bleeding. My gown…”
“Are you okay?” Cindy helped her sister off the floor. “Let me look.”
She’d skinned one knee, but other than that, she appeared fine.
“So much for looking good in my new bikini,” she said, and tears popped into her eyes. “Dammit!”
Cindy grabbed a wet cloth and handed it to her. “Clean the sore, and I’ll run downstairs and see if they have an ointment and a band aid. It’s the best I can do.”
“I know. Of all the rotten luck.”
“Hold tight. I’ll be right back. Ty, help Auntie Brooke!” She dashed off, and took the elevator down to the lobby, figuring she’d find a small shop that would sell most anything. Or the front desk…
She spun around, trying to figure out where it would be and bumped right into a familiar figure.
“Brad?” Her mouth dropped open. “What are you doing here?”
“Checking in. I have a wedding to go to, and this hotel is just around the corner.”
“A wedding? You’re going to my sister’s wedding?”
“Yes. I was invited. Remember?”
“Sure. I know. But I figured that you would have forgotten about it, or would have something better to do. It is New Year’s Eve, after all.”
“I’m well aware of that, but no I have nothing better to do. I’ve been looking forward to this.”
“Why in the world would you look forward to this wedding? You barely know my sister.”
“I know you.”
“And that means what, exactly?”
“It means I came because of you.”
“Why? You sold my house. Well done. That concludes our business arrangement.”
“Are you always such a pain in the ass?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“You heard what I said.” He placed a hand on her arm. “I’ve missed you.”
“Don’t.” She backed away, her eyes on his face. “Don’t say that.”
“Why not? I mean it.”
“This is going to be a very emotional day, and I sure in hell can’t have you messing with my feelings.”
“I don’t intend to. I just wanted to see you again, and figured that this might be a good place to start.”
“I think it’s the worst place to start. Why don’t you not check in, and go back home. Wherever that is.”
“Why don’t you try to be nice?” He smiled, but she could see from his eyes that his feelings were hurt. “I didn’t want you alone today. Not today. I know how much you’d be hurting, and I wanted to be here for you.”
“I don’t need you here for me. I don’t want you here.” She bit her bottom lip, and felt like she might cry. Crying would ruin her make-up, make her eyes puffy, and an object of pity. That was not going to happen.
“Cindy? You look like something’s wrong. What is it?”
Tears filled her eyes. “It’s Brooke. She slipped in the bathroom and skinned her knee. It’s bleeding. On her wedding day.”
“She has a couple of hours. It’ll stop, and she’ll be good as new.”
“You don’t get it. Wedding days are very special. This might be a bad omen.”
“I doubt that. Have you two been drinking?”
“Just a little champagne.”
“Did you eat?”
“Yes. Salad.”
“That’s the problem then. You need something solid in your stomach. You need food and a bandage, and everything will be wonderful again.”
She blinked. He was smiling, and the smile hurt her to the core. Tears washed down her face, but she couldn’t stop them for the world.
His arms came around her, and he held her face against his chest. She felt his heart beating under her wet cheek.
“Why are you being nice to me?” she whispered when she could find her voice.
“Because I realized something very important.” He kissed the top of her head.
“What’s that?” she said, holding her breath, afraid to hope.
“I realized that I’ve fallen in love with you. And that my job with you isn’t done. It’s just starting. You see, I want you in my life, and that great kid of yours too.”
She pulled away from him, needing to see his face. His eyes were kind, they were honest, and they were full of love.
“Is it true?” she asked. “Please don’t play with me.”
“When I play with you, you’ll know it, and it will be to your liking. I promise you that.”
She smiled. He was serious, and as he said
, he never lied. Her heart lifted and swelled—like a balloon ready to burst.
“Do you trust me?” he said. “I need you to believe me. I’m a changed man.”
If she’d learned anything, it was to live each day in the moment. Who knew what tomorrow might bring?
She nodded and licked her lips, her eyes glued to his. Her pulse raced and her heart fluttered like a bird. “Perhaps then, you could show me later?” She moved a step closer. “But first we have a wedding to attend, and we can’t be late. Can you help me find a bandage for the bride?”
“Of course.” He put his hands on her face and kissed her gently, tenderly, with a sweetness that pulled at her heartstrings.
She accepted at that moment that she loved him too. She’d fought her feelings for weeks, but no more. She did trust him. Totally. “And you…are you the band-aid for my heart?”
“For now, and for always.” He looked deeply into her eyes. “I love you, Cindy Harris, and I hope that one day you’ll be my bride.”
Happiness bubbled inside, threatening to erupt into giggles and cheers. She had wanted this so very much, without daring to hope.
“I hope so too.” She linked her fingers with his. “I’ll save you the first dance.”
“And the last,” he said firmly, bringing her fingers to his lips.
“Oh my. This could be the second most wonderful day of my life.”
“I hope that our wedding will be the first.”
She didn’t bother to argue with that. He was her future, not her past, and she was ready to embrace it with an open heart and an open mind.
* * *
The wedding went off without a hitch. Brooke glided down the aisle like an elegant vision, her long auburn hair was swept off her face in a classic French roll, and she wore a small veil covering only her straight nose and wide, violet eyes. The designer gown had a heart shaped neckline, and was worn off the shoulders. The dress slithered over her slim hips, draped to the floor, with a ten-foot train.
Cindy followed behind, and Tyler shuffled slowly, twenty paces after his mother.
Brad had somehow found her parents and sat next to her father. He winked when he saw her, and her heart stuttered and stopped, then gained strength and beat wildly against her chest.
The Chapel was an architectural delight, almost as beautiful as the bride herself. The organ’s music echoed through the cavernous walls like an angel’s hymn.
It was the most stunning wedding imaginable, and Cindy didn’t feel a moment of envy. Everything she wanted was waiting for her—in the pew—next to her father. He was here. He was now.
She glanced his way and their eyes met and held, and then Tyler saw him and let out a yelp. His hands flew up in the air, and the ring went flying.
Brad jumped out of his seat and caught it with one hand.
“Nice catch, son,” her father said, clapping him on the shoulder.
“I would like to marry your daughter,” Brad spoke loud enough for the congregation to hear.
“Only one wedding at a time,” her dad answered.
“Yes. Sorry, sir.”
“Don’t be sorry. I want both my girls to be happy, and I feel that you might be the one to put a smile back on Cindy’s face. It is Cindy you’re after, right?”
“Yes, sir. And as for that smile, I sure aim to try.”
The ceremony began and Cindy felt a world of emotion. An unexpected joy that was almost a guilty pleasure, this being her sister’s wedding and not her own. But there was an underlying sadness too. She wished her sister and Adam a lifetime of happiness, and not to be short-changed as she had been.
She glanced at Brad, and felt a warmth seep into her soul. She knew she was blessed with a second chance at love—and this amazing man would take away her loneliness and be the daddy her son desired.
This had turned out to be the best holiday season of all. And Brad, the world’s best Santa.
A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
Thank you for reading A CHRISTMAS COLLECTION! If you enjoyed this book, I’d appreciate it if you’d help others find it so they can enjoy it too.
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