“I got it, Nick.” He hung up his own coat.
Paige stood in the kitchen with her hands in her pockets. “Rylee, it smells so good in here, can I help with anything?”
“Nope, everything is almost ready.” She went to the stove, took the potatoes out of the oven, and walked them to the table. With a glance over the table setting she was satisfied everything was perfect. “You could bring over the sweet potato casserole.”
“Okay.” Paige grabbed the casserole from the stove, and set it on the table, flashing her hand into Rylee’s face.
“Oh... My... God!” Rylee exclaimed once it registered that Paige was flashing a large diamond ring in her face. “Oh my God! Paige!” She grabbed her and hugged her tightly. “Congratulations!”
“Thank you. He gave it to me this morning; it was hanging on our little tree. Can you even imagine? Oh my God.” She was rambling excitedly. “You are the first besides Gram to know. I couldn’t wait to get over here to tell you!”
“She barely held it together all morning, Ry,” Tyler said from the doorway. “ ‘I have to tell Rylee’, was all she could say.” He smiled.
“Well, welcome to our little family, Tyler.” Rylee gave him a big hug.
“You should be used to it by now Ty. You know I always tell Rylee everything first, before anyone else!” Paige giggled and shrugged.
Nick grinned at them. “Congrats, Ty.” He shook his hand.
“Ty, did you see Rylee’s gift?” Paige cooed, obviously happy for her best friend.
“I did. It really is beautiful, Ry.” Tyler smiled. “So it’s a Merry Christmas all the way around.”
“Okay, enough of this mushy stuff! Let’s eat!” Gram called out, breaking up the love fest amongst the friends.
CHAPTER 20
Rylee laid her head on Nick’s lap as they relaxed on the couch, basking in the warmth from the fire and drinking the remainder of the wine. Christmas music played in the background. Nick toyed with her auburn hair, pushing it out of her face so he could see her eyes.
“Did you have a nice Christmas?” he asked softly.
“I did, very much. Did you at least enjoy yourself?” She had hoped he’d had a good time. Their down-home Christmas couldn’t have been what he was used to; he was able to jet off to anywhere he pleased.
“It was perfect. Especially getting to join in on the wonderful news of Tyler and Paige.” He looked down at Rylee, as she stared up at him. “How’s your ankle? You did a lot of standing on it today and in those heels no less.”
“It’s fine… Unless it not being fine would mean you would have to stay with me a few more days, because in that case, it isn’t fine, not at all.” A smile rolled across her lips as she gently turned herself around and crawled into Nick’s lap. Placing her lips against his, she tasted his warm mouth. She pressed her chest to his when he pulled her closer at her waist. He opened his mouth and gently pushed his way into hers, exploring with his tongue.
The roaring fire and Christmas lights created a golden glow in the dim room. As he started to unbutton her blouse, he whispered, “I wasn’t planning on leaving.”
***
“Ty, can you bring out the marshmallows?” Paige called into the house.
Tyler had built a fire in their backyard fire pit. He walked out the back door, dragging a cooler full of beer to the porch, and the marshmallows in his arm. “Here, babe.” He tossed them to Paige. “Rylee, your cookies are out on the kitchen table, and your pie is too.”
“Rylee, I am so excited, I love your ricotta pie. You make it just like Gram.” Paige exclaimed as her marshmallow caught on fire and she let out a breath to blow it out.
Rylee looked over at Trina and Sam sitting together in the corner. The way he was staring into her eyes and rubbing her belly, she wasn’t sure he realized all these people were even here. Toby the golden retriever jumped up at Paige trying to get her marshmallow while Belle the Siberian Husky watched on looking bored with it all.
“No Toby, not for you!” Paige scolded.
“Tri!” Tyler yelled to his sister. “Watch your damn dog!” He obviously could watch Toby himself, but harassing his sister was apparently more fun.
“Ty, this is really nice. I’m surprised the fire pit is so warm,” Rylee commented as she looked around the yard covered in two feet of snow.
“Yeah, we love to sit out here. Ty and I cleaned off all the chairs this morning and shoveled the yard around the pit. I think it’s the perfect way to spend New Year’s Eve until it’s time for the ball to drop.” She grabbed a couple of beers out of the cooler and tossed them to Rylee and Nick.
Nick opened his bottle, then wrapped an arm around Rylee. She’d worn her new soft puffy winter jacket because he’d smiled and commented earlier that it looked good on her. As snug as it was, it was more fun to cuddle into him.
She’d convinced him that the roads were too bad for him to drive home last night, even if he did have an SUV. She had added a little extra incentive by wearing nothing but a hockey jersey when she’d asked him.
He rubbed his hands together. Despite the warmth of the fire pit, the air had a cold bite. “You all right?” He squeezed her around the waist.
“I’m fine.” She wasn’t sure if it was the fire pit, the beer, or sitting in Nick’s arms that kept her so warm. She looked over at him, and her heart skipped a beat. He looked ruggedly handsome in his blue jeans and hiking boots, with his brown leather jacket.
She couldn’t help smiling. It made her so happy that things had worked out for Paige and Tyler. And she had to admit, she was happy for herself, too. She had never expected love to find her again after all these years. Maybe Gram had known what she was doing when she moved into the retirement home. It had forced Rylee out of her caregiver role and made her think about her own life for a change. Maybe she’d just needed time alone, and a Renegades game. Or maybe Nick was just too perfect for her to ignore.
***
They all gathered around the television inside as Toby and Belle lay sound asleep in the corner of the room. Paige had put the Rockin’ New Year’s Eve special on, and they were all waiting for the ball to drop.
“Okay folks…” Tyler brought champagne into the living room, and handed everyone a glass. He started to fill each one up with the bubbly drink, except for Trina, she had ginger ale. “It’s almost time!”
The countdown began. “Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one!” They all yelled together, “Happy New Year!” and toasted their glasses in the air before taking a sip.
Each couple started to pair off, giving the traditional first kiss of the New Year.
“Rylee,” Nick said as he dipped his head to hers. “I am so glad we get to start the New Year together. There is nothing I want more. It’s going to be a great year as long as I’m with you. Here’s to an amazing year. Rylee, I love you.”
“Thank you for coming into my life, Nick,” she whispered. “I love you too.”
He bent his head down to hers. “Happy New Year,” he whispered against her lips.
THE END
Zambonis and Mistletoe - A Holiday Romance (The Renegades Series Book 4) Page 14