Snowflake Wishes (Holly Springs Romance Book 1)
Page 16
“What did you wish for this year?” he asked softly.
“To have my dad with me this Christmas.”
“Well, didn’t you?”
I turned sharply to look him in the eyes. “No.”
His mouth formed a small smile. “You don’t think he was there, watching over you just now in The Bell?”
I thought back to the moment when Jake had asked for the phone and I’d turned my back on him and faced the photo of my dad. I had felt him close then. And, I supposed, I felt the same way when I was singing to the elderly in the nursing home, and when I’d decorated the tree with Jake.
Even when I’d placed the snowflake on the tree, I’d felt a warmth and an inclination that Dad was watching me.
“I guess,” I said slowly, “he was around. Maybe not physically, but he was with me.”
Nodding, Jake tentatively reached for my hand. “And what would he say about me?”
“That you screwed up. But then, haven’t we all?” I said right away. “He would probably also say that I should give you another chance.”
He smiled contritely and I felt myself grin. “And will you?” he asked.
I glanced back at the tree. Maybe Jake had messed up, but so had I. No one was perfect, but Jake was here and he was trying to make amends.
I looked into his eyes, trying to determine whether or not I was making the right choice. He’d done a dumb thing by keeping the whole truth from me, but I could see how he had only been trying to help. As misguided as his process was, his motives were good. I sucked in a breath and chose to go for it.
“Sure, I’ll give you another chance,” I said. “But don’t mess it up this time.”
He grinned, wider than I’d ever seen, and picked me up in his arms, swinging me around in a circle. I laughed at the shock of it all and found my voice muffled when he pressed his lips against mine. Kissing me, he slowly lowered my feet to the ground without breaking contact. I heard whoops and hollering behind me and broke away to see that a crowd had formed outside The Bell.
Turning back to Jake, the hourglass ornament behind him caught my eye and I stilled. I approached the tree and tapped the glass, but the sand didn’t run. It had finally all settled on the bottom half of the ornament.
Arms slid around my waist from behind and pulled me tight against a solid chest, and I leaned my head back, listening to the steady beat of Jake’s heart.
Maybe Christmas miracles did exist, after all.
Epilogue
Madison
I hung up the phone and went back into Mrs. Hart’s living room, bringing a pumpkin pie with me and setting it on the coffee table in the center of the living room.
“What did she say?” Jake asked as I slipped back onto the sofa beside him, nestling into the crook of his arm.
“She said she would be happy to decorate the bakery,” I said.
“Who is this?” Mrs. Hart asked, coming back down the stairs to join us in front of the fire.
“Ivy Winston. I just hired her to redecorate The Bell while we remodel it to be a bakery.”
Mrs. Hart smiled, lowering herself into her chair. “What a lovely idea. That woman is a dear.”
“And she’s talented, besides,” I agreed.
Jake pulled himself off the couch, reaching a hand out to help me up. “Walk with me?”
“In twenty-degree weather?”
“Yes,” he said concisely.
I let him help me into my coat and caught a wink from Mrs. Hart before stepping into the frigid night. We walked down the porch steps and to the sidewalk, meandering down the road.
Snow began to fall around us and I laughed, looking up.
“You know what you were saying, about your dad being with you this season?” he asked.
I nodded.
“Well, I have a feeling he will always be around. And I know I can’t ever get to know him, but I’m pretty sure he’s going to hang around us, just to keep me in line.”
I had to laugh. “Yeah, that sounds like him.”
Jake grinned, pausing on the sidewalk and pulling me toward him. “Really, I just wanted to do this.” He leaned down and kissed me, his hands wrapping around me tightly.
I grabbed the pockets of his coat and pulled him closer, deepening the kiss. Snow fell on us, and I could feel the cold flakes landing on my cheeks.
“Hey!” a small voice yelled from across the street. “What are you guys doing?”
Groaning, Jake pulled away, resting his forehead against mine for a moment before turning his head toward the kid and yelling, “Nothing.”
I laughed as Jake leaned down to kiss me again and the small voice hollered, “But what are you doing?”
Sighing, Jake backed away from me, pulling my hand with him, and shouted, “Go home, Bradley.”
I glanced over my shoulder to find Bradley grinning on the other side of the street.
“He’s a troublemaker,” Jake muttered.
“Yeah, maybe. But he’s not the only one.”
Grinning, Jake turned suddenly and lifted me into the air. “Watch what you say, missy. I can be lots of trouble.”
I looked into his eyes and counted my blessings: this man, my home, my bakery. Even my town was a blessing. I sighed in contented bliss; I couldn’t be happier.
Thank heavens for snowflake wishes.
Next in the Holly Springs series
Twelve Dates of Christmas
Separating from her husband left Ivy feeling heartbroken and lost. Six months later, she’s empowered and independent. So, when her soon to be ex-husband reveals his desire to get back together, her fear of losing her recently found confidence competes with the sudden longing to be back in his arms.
A trial separation was the last thing Derick expected his wife to suggest. But after six months of mulling it over, he understands why she asked him to leave. Having made the changes necessary to show he’s invested in their marriage, he’s ready to win her back.
Derick tries to convince Ivy that their marriage is worth fighting for. But in a town shrouded in holiday tradition, Ivy, the town’s party planner only has time and room in her heart for twelve days of convincing — until Christmas eve. Will twelve dates be enough for her to forgive and forget his past mistakes, or for them to remember why they fell in love in the first place?
Also by Kasey Stockton
Contemporary Romance
Snowflake Wishes, A Holly Springs Romance
His Stand In Holiday Girlfriend, Christmas in the City 1
Snowed In on Main Street, Christmas in the City 2
* * *
Women of Worth Series
Love in the Bargain, Book one
Love for the Spinster, Book two
Love at the House Party, Book three
Love in the Wager, Book four
Love in the Ballroom, Book five
Stand-alone Historical Romance
A Duke for Lady Eve, Belles of Christmas Book 5
To Be Loved By the Earl
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About the Author
Kasey Stockton is a staunch lover of all things romantic. She doesn't discriminate between genres and enjoys a wide variety of happily ever afters. Drawn to the Regency period at a young age when gifted a copy of Sense and Sensibility by her grandmother, Kasey initially began writing Regency romances. She has since written in a variety of genres, but all of her titles fall under sweet romance. A native of northern California, she now resides in Texas with her own prince charming and their three children. When not reading, writing, or binge-watching sappy chick flicks, she enjoys running, cutting hair, and anything chocolate.
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