Someone knocked on the door. Eric hoped it was Petra and Kinley first. Sure enough, it was. Petra carried a handful of wrapped presents, which Eric promptly took from her and stole a kiss at the same time. "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas right back. Love the hat!" She tugged on the white ball at the end of his Santa hat. "Very festive." Her eyes lit up. She looked so happy.
"Twee! You have a twee!" Kinley ran to it and gawked at the presents under it.
"Surprise!" Eric grinned.
"It looks and smells great in here! What can I help with?"
Another knock. Eric nodded at the door. "You can get that for me while I check on the ham." He'd done a lot of calling his sister, but Eric managed not to burn a single part of dinner.
"Mom, Dad!" Petra sounded surprised. "You came!"
"Of course we did. It's Christmas!"
"Welcome, Mr and Mrs. Cavannaugh. Thanks for coming. Merry Christmas." Eric swallowed his nervousness down with a sip of water and waved.
"Thank you for inviting us. What a lovely job you've done in here." Petra's mom smiled, and it was actually genuine.
He continued to stare at the door, hoping his parents and sister would show. Eric hadn't talked much to his dad since the day he went over there, and the waiting for the results to find out if he was a match seemed to take forever.
As he pulled the ham out of the oven, another knock sounded at the door.
"Want me to get that for you?" Petra asked.
"Please." He set the hot food down and searched for a good cutting knife.
"Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Jensen. Hi Cameron. Come on in."
"Merry Christmas!" Eric's sister waved.
"Dinner's ready whenever we are," Eric informed them. "Hi Mom, Dad. Hi Cameron. Thanks for coming."
"Merry Christmas, son." Dad reached out and shook his hand. Odd gesture, but Eric would take it.
"Merry Christmas, Dad."
"I heard today you weren't a match."
Eric held his breath, waiting for the comments. The disappointment. His father's expression was grim.
That wasn't what he got.
"Even though you aren't a match, I want to thank you. I know we haven't had the best relationship in years."
Eric stood there, flabbergasted. His father had managed to shock him. In the background, Mom watched them. So maybe she'd said something. Most likely, Mom had to drag his father here.
"I'm sorry I'm not a match," Eric finally got out. He waited.
"It is what it is." He ran a hand through his thin gray hair. "You uh, did a great job in here tonight."
Once again, Eric was surprised. A compliment from his father? Wow.
"Thanks, Dad." He'd tried hard.
For now, that was the end of their conversation. Who knows what would come out of his father's mouth the next time, but they'd been civil and calm. A good start.
After getting everyone served, they were all seated around the table, Eric cleared his throat. All eyes were on him. "Thanks for coming, everyone. I'm glad we can be here together for Christmas. I want to thank you all for giving me a chance to start over. It's been a rough few years, and in the last month or so I learned what could happen if I ever fell back into my angry ways. I could lose so much. I don't know how I managed to, but I got a second chance. This time, I'm going to do my best to do right by my family." His gaze landed on Petra before he looked at her parents. "Mr. and Mrs. Cavannaugh, I love your daughter. I know you have no reason to believe or trust me, but with my second chance I'm going to make her as happy as I possibly can."
Tears were in Petra's eyes when he met her stare. Since they were sitting beside each other, Eric covered her hand with his. "I love you, Petra. I love your strength and the woman you've become. I love our daughter, and I love that you're here with me this Christmas." With his other hand, he picked up his glass. "Now I know people usually toast with an alcoholic beverage, but being two years sober, I don't want any of that stuff near me. So, it's with this juice I toast to second chances and forgiveness."
Everyone raised their glasses and echoed his toast. Petra leaned over, kissed his cheek, and whispered. "I love you, too."
The two families ate, talked, laughed, and spent their first Christmas together as a true, united family. Eric couldn't ask for anything better.
Epilogue
Petra brought Eric as her date to Robin's wedding a week later. The new year was less than twelve hours away, and she looked forward to it.
Robin's dress fit her perfectly. With long sleeves and a V neck, she wore a pearl necklace that matched the design that danced along the top bodice of the dress. The bottom flowed down, and the ivory color shimmered in the light. She didn't have a long train. Jonas looked dashing in a black tux. He raised his soon-to-be-wife's veil and took her hands in his.
Both of their voices choked up going through their vows. Talk about second chances. Robin and Jonas had known each other a while, dated right after high school, then broke up when Jonas left town. He'd come back and found a different version of Robin, but his love and persistence paid off. Now here they were, saying their vows.
Petra squeezed Eric's hand. Not that she was thinking of a wedding any time soon, but it was great to be here with a plus one, and someone whose company she enjoyed.
This morning, she informed him that she was not pregnant. Both of them were relieved. This wasn't the right time for a new baby in their lives.
"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride," the preacher exclaimed.
Everyone cheered and clapped. Jonas swept Robin in his arms and kissed her.
"I present to you, Mr and Mrs. Jonas Aimes!"
"Let's go celebrate this occasion!" Jonas said, raising his and Robin's clasped hands. She laughed and followed her husband out of the church.
Petra giggled as she stood. "Good thing it's right next door."
"Love is in the air!" Caitlin sang off key. She passed Petra and shot her a smug look.
Petra stuck her tongue out at her friend, ignoring what she was insinuating.
"Dare I ask?" Eric's breaths were warm as he stood so close behind her. They waited for people to file out of the church.
"I think she's hinting that we should be next," Petra informed him.
He got quiet.
Petra laughed. "Don't worry, I'm not thinking about that yet." And she really wasn't. They had no need to rush things when they were both content with keeping it slow.
"You think we ever will?" he asked as their turn to leave arrived. Hand in hand, they headed for the reception.
"I think time will tell," Petra replied, choosing her words carefully.
At the reception, when it came time to do the bouquet toss, Caitlin kept pushing Petra toward the front, as if she was trying to get her to catch it. The woman wasn't even drinking, but she had a giddy act going on. What was up with that?
When Robin tossed her flowers behind her, Petra was shoved again. Then the shouts and squeals began. Petra looked around to see who'd caught them. It sure wasn't her.
Standing in shock beside her, holding the flowers, was Caitlin. "What the hell? No way!" She nearly dropped the bouquet as if it were poisonous. What was her story? Why did Caitlin have such a strange expression on her face?
Petra laughed. "You were trying to get me to catch them, and you got your karma!"
"But ... I don't think so!" Caitlin tried to hand her the flowers. "You next. Not me. I won't be walking down the aisle."
"If the flowers were caught..." Petra laughed, but Caitlin's serious freak out over it had her wondering. She sauntered over to Eric, who'd been watching the exchange with an amused grin. "There. The pressure's all on her now. Maybe they'll just let us be."
"Doubt it, but her reaction was priceless." Eric laughed.
"So, do you dance?"
"I might be better at it than skating. I can almost guarantee we won't end up in the ER with the worry of a sprained foot." He held out his hand. A twinkle lit up
his eyes.
"Only almost? It's a risk I'll take." Petra's skin tingled at his touch. So this was what it felt like to be happy with a man. Yeah, she was most definitely looking forward to a new year with this new version of Eric.
This season brought so much to them, and Petra was thankful.
And who would have thought? Eric Jensen was a fantastic dancer out on that floor.
He continued to surprise her with the things he could do and the parts of him he allowed her to now see.
THE END
Thank you for giving this story a chance. If you enjoyed it, please consider leaving a review at your retailer of choice. Reviews help other readers decide on whether to purchase a book.
About The Author
I'm an avid lover of books. I've been writing as far back as I can remember, completing my first "book" by fifth grade in one of those one subject spiral notebooks. I have a passion for music, photography, jewelry and all things creative. I live in Arizona with my husband and son, but dream of being somewhere much colder and stormier. For now, I'll have to live that life through my characters and stick it out with the summer heat.
Places to find me on the web:
Website: wwww.nikkilynnbarrett.com
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Email: [email protected]
I love to hear from readers!
Elsewhere - Linda Lee Williams
If you enjoy contemporary romances with a paranormal aspect, then feel free to check out this excerpt of Elsewhere.
When Errol Fleming moves in across the hall from Andie McNaughton, her life takes another unforeseen and perilous turn. Sweet, shy, and a bit reclusive, Andie has enough phobias to confirm that she's "crazy." Beautiful but imperfect, Errol bears his own disability. Despite the challenges their relationship faces, they decide to take a chance on each other.
Their future is threatened, however, when Andie hears a voice and dreams about "Noah." She begins having visions of the handsome stranger and traveling in her mind to a mystical tropical island. Errol's haunting dreams about the island and Noah's obsession with Andie only add to the mystery of what's happening...
Is Noah a figment of Andie's imagination? Or does he exist in an alternate reality? More important, can Errol save Andie from the idyllic world she's escaped to? Or will he lose her to her phantom lover?
Excerpt
Of course, this was a dream, invented by her subconscious - a tropical paradise that didn't exist. And yet, she felt as if she'd been here before, in a long ago dream, and that she was meant to come back, but she didn't know why...
Andie wasn't frightened, but she was wary, and she wished that Errol were there with her. It struck her as odd she'd have that thought in a dream; but then, she had no idea how her fractured mind worked, awake or asleep.
She started walking toward a forested parcel, thick with palm trees and other vegetation. Glancing behind her, she noticed that she left no footprints in the sand. Still, she kept walking, as if she knew where she was going. Maybe she did. After all, it was her dream.
A sandy path, bordered by shrubs with bright coral flowers, led up a slope through the wooded area. Andie stopped, her heart beating fast. It was strange she could feel that, but it was coming from inside her. Stranger still that it was the thrill of anticipation, and not fear. She was certain that something wonderful waited for her on the other side of the hill.
Andie climbed the slope, her breath echoing in her ears. She was excited, not winded, and unaware of exerting herself. Small, colorful birds flitted among the bushes, their song similar to goldfinches'. She reached for a flower, but her hand passed through the branch, as if she were a ghost.
As Andie approached the top, she spied a gleaming white rooftop, and then another. There seemed to be some kind of village - which meant that there were people. She came to a halt, wondering if she dare go any further. Then Andie reminded herself that this was only a dream, and that dreams were hallucinatory by nature. She had nothing to fear from anything she imagined in her sleep.
He was standing near the crest, and the sight of Andie startled him more than the sight of him towering over her. Tall, with long, muscular limbs, he was wearing red plaid shorts and a white T-shirt. Like her, he was barefoot.
His sable eyes flew wide, and he flinched. "Oh, my God. Andie, it's you! I know that this is just a dream, but you look so real. Are you? Are you here in my dream, Andie?"
For an instant, she nearly lost her balance and toppled backward. All she could do was stare at him. "This is my dream, not yours. And who the hell are you, anyway?"
His face, lightly tanned and handsome, relaxed, softening his features. "You don't remember me, do you? I was afraid of that. That's why I've been unable to make contact with you."
Andie folded her arms. "What are you talking about?"
The wind ruffled his long dark curls, and he shook his head ruefully. "Why did you come to me, Andie? How did you get inside my dream?"
"I've dreamed about you before. I saw you on the beach," she said, gesturing behind her. "I keep dreaming about this damn beach, and you, but I don't know why."
He moved toward her. "I keep dreaming about you, too. It's just, I've never gotten this close to you before. I've never been able to speak to you. Andie..." He reached for her, and she took a step back down the path.
"I'm not real," she told him. "I'm invisible. Watch." She passed her hand through the dark, shiny leaves on a shrub, waited for his reaction.
He frowned. "You're a dream, that's all. A dream. I'm imagining you and everything we're saying to each other. If you were really here with me, things might be different."
Andie laughed in disbelief. "Listen, Mr. Whoever-you-are: You're in my dream. I'm not in your dream, and we're having this conversation because I'm talking to you. Got it?"
He smiled, drawing her gaze to his well-shaped mouth and the cleft in his chin. "At this point, I don't care. I'm just so happy to see you, Andie. To hear your voice again..."
"All right, I'm done with this," she said, trembling with anger. "If you're the voice I've been hearing, then I want you to stop speaking to me. In fact, I think I understand my dream completely now. I was meant to confront you in my unconscious, and tell you to stay the hell out of my life!
"How can I do that, when I know we're meant to be together? I'm the one who found you, aren't I?"
"Okay, that's it. I'm waking up now."
"Andie, wait. Please don't go yet. Even if you're not really here, there's so much I want to say to you."
"Look, Noah. Just forget it."
Heat rushed into her face, and she wondered if he could see her blush. He studied her curiously. "You used my name."
"Why not? It's the name I've given you."
"It's the name I've had all my life. Andie, can't you see what this means?"
"Yes. It means that I'm crazy, even in my sleep."
"You're not crazy. Not here, Andie."
Her vision blurred. "I don't know you, I don't like you, and I don't want anything to do with you."
"That's not what you told me once," he said quietly.
Her chest ached, as if he were causing her physical pain. An image of her sitting between his legs on the beach, wrapped in his arms, flashed into memory.
"I made you up, don't you understand that? I'm trying to get healthy, to move on with my life, and I don't want you to be part of it. Please leave me alone." She smudged away tears. "Oh, this is ridiculous, standing here arguing with myself. Wake up, Andie. Wake up, wake up, wake up..."
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Tahoe Blues - Aubree Lane
If you enjoy contemporary romances with a little bit of mystery, then check out this excerpt of Tahoe Blues.
When Cara Lee Greene finds that the glitz and glitter of casino life isn't all that it's cracked up to be, she divorces the Lake's self-proclaimed King of Tahoe, and tries to separate herself from the rich and powerful Alexander family.
In her quest for a new life, Cara is able to reconnect with some old friends. She finds a new home, a new love and a new piece of jewelry around her ankle. Under house arrest and accused of a crime she didn't commit, Cara must rely on a funky group of misfits to uncover the truth and set her free.
Believing himself above society's mores, Duncan Alexander doesn't know what he has until his beautiful college professor wife walks in and finds him in bed with another woman. Losing Cara is not an option and Duncan will do anything to get her back.
With a family whose wealth was built on profiteering during the Prohibition years, Duncan is not above doing what he deems necessary to retrieve his queen. His family sits on the side-lines. They have given Duncan free rein, but in the end will Duncan be able to retain his throne?
Excerpt
Duncan Alexander was part of the wealthiest family on the Nevada side of North Lake Tahoe, and he was probably the hottest man alive. Women loved to associate with the newly crowned King of Tahoe and owner of the Cascade Bay Resort and Casino, and Cara's privileged husband had become far too accommodating.
Tis The Season For Forgiving Page 16