"Sorry, Sis. I know you need to concentrate."
Feechi waited, throwing furtive glances at Carsten and Ian.
Finally, the two men walked over to them and Carsten greeted Dee. "I see Feechi roped you into things again."
"Yes, she did. It's been interesting seeing how this business works."
"What did you do with Jack?" He asked Feechi, who was watching the silent communication between her sister and Ian.
"He's with Mom," she said. "We're picking him up on the way home."
Angling her head toward Carsten, Feechi asked, "When did you get back?"
"I came straight from the airport."
"Seriously?"
"Seriously." Folding both arms, Carsten watched Dee doing her calculations. "Did you guys drive here?"
Without raising her head, Dee answered. "Yes, we did and yes, you can leave me. Ian and I are having drinks. Just pick up Jack on the way home."
Hands in his pockets, Carsten chuckled. "Feechi, did I ever tell you how much I like your sister? Dee is such a proactive woman."
After several more jokes shared between Carsten and Dee, Feechi collected the cash pan and put it into the auction box, which she handed to Carsten and then picked up her handbag. They left Ian leaning against the wall, chatting with Dee.
Carsten held on to Feechi's arm as they went down the corridor and out of the building, keeping her close to his side. He stashed the box somewhere behind his seat before helping her inside the SUV. Then he leaned in close and whispered. "Did you miss me?"
She kissed his chin. "You know I did."
Under the light from the van's roof, he looked into her eyes. "This has been the first time I've ever wanted to come back home as badly as I did."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, ma'am. I think you put some kind of hex on me."
"And what kind would that be?"
"A can't-stay-away-from-Feechi spell."
"Right."
Before shutting the door, he said, "You need to direct me to your mother's house."
She told him where they were headed and then sat back, enjoying the variety of glittering lights on the shopping malls. Vendors selling live Christmas trees lined the sidewalks while shoppers bargained for the trees they wanted. Though she had dreams about one day having the real thing, for this year her synthetic tree would do. Maybe next year, she'd splurge and go for the real thing.
Fifteen minutes later, they pulled into her mother's driveway. Feechi and Dee had grown up in the one-story house with a verandah that extended along the sides of the building. In recent times, the climbing crime rate had forced her mother to grille the open space, plus all the doors and windows.
The front door opened and Jack raced on to the verandah. Feechi's mother appeared behind him and opened the grille to let them in.
Feechi hugged Jack to her side. "Auntie Dee told me you'd be staying up, and you did it."
"With only one nap in between," her mother added in a dry tone.
"Uncle Carsten, you're back. What did you bring me?"
"Jack!" Feechi and her mother yelled his name at the same time.
"You can't do that," Feechi said, her face hot.
Jack stood akimbo with his head thrown back. "Why not? He said he was bringing something for me, so I'm asking for it."
"It's okay," Carsten said, stooping to Jack's eye level. "I did promise you, but since I haven't unpacked yet, I'll make sure you get it by Christmas Day."
"Okay, thanks. See, Mommy, I knew he wouldn't mind if I asked."
"Where's your sidekick?" Carsten asked.
"You mean Max?"
When Carsten nodded, Jack giggled. "He's sleeping."
"Not anymore," Feechi said, when a sharp bark came from inside the house.
Carsten stood up and extended his hand toward Feechi's mother. "Sorry about my bad manners, I'm Carsten Raimes."
"Not to worry, I'm Maxine."
"It's good to finally meet you."
"I've heard about you, so it's nice to put a face to the name."
"Same here."
Maxine slid her arm through Carsten's. "I know you don't have all night, but come inside and tell me a little bit about yourself."
Feechi used the time to gather Jack's things from one of the bedrooms, while listening to him talk about everything he'd eaten and done since he left home. When she had his knapsack in hand, they made a detour to the kitchen to get a few sheets of newspaper before returning to the living room.
Feechi's mother was smiling as if she'd received good news. "Carsten has agreed to come for Chirstmas dinner."
"He can't." Feechi looked from one to the other. "Don't you have plans with your family?"
"I'll overnight on Christmas Eve and then come back to Kingston on Christmas Day."
"Are you sure? That's a lot of movement for a couple of days, and traveling on Christmas day? I don't want Faith to be angry with me."
He got up and squeezed her arm. "She won't. I'll work it out."
Her mother rose and went with them to the grille, herding Jack and Max ahead of her. "So nice of you to come and meet me, Carsten."
"It's no problem. I'll see you in a few days."
Jack was full of chatter when they got into the van, but when they got home, he was asleep in the back seat with Max curled against his legs.
Despite her protests, Carsten lifted Jack out of the van and carried him inside the house, while she picked up Max who wriggled and then snuggled deeper into her arms.
She directed Carsten to Jack's room, where she let Max down on the floor. Then, she woke Jack and got him out of his clothes and into his pajamas. After that, she walked him to the bathroom to brush his teeth and got him into bed. She'd barely turned out the light when Max flopped down at the foot of the bed.
She ruffled his coat, which was not as dense since he'd been to the groomers, before shaking a finger at him. "Don't climb into the bed."
He yowled, cocked his ears and rolled onto his side.
Feechi shook her head, knowing that before the night was out, he'd be sleeping at Jack's feet.
In the bathroom, she washed her hands and smiled into the mirror, happy that the man who'd changed so much in her life in such a short time was back.
Carsten got up when she came into the living area. Without a word exchanged, they met in the middle of the room. Carsten's mouth settled over hers in a soft caress, and her eyes closed.
It was the most wonderful sensation, that slight brushing of his lips over hers. It held the promise of good things to come and as their kiss deepened, the assurance that what she felt for him had grown in the time he'd been away.
Chapter 21
Jack stood in the living room doorway waving at Carsten. In his other hand, he carried his new prized possession. "G'night, Uncle Carsten. This was the best Christmas ever."
"No problem. See you tomorrow."
"You're gonna come and see us again?"
"You can count on it."
Turning away, Jack rubbed Max's head. "Come, boy. It's time for bed."
Over his shoulder, Max yipped as if to say goodnight.
Sighing, Feechi got to her feet. "I'll be back in a minute."
Carsten took her hand in his. "You sound tired."
"Just a little bit. It's been a long day."
Carsten had arrived at midday, by which time Jack was in a frenzy over what he'd get for Christmas. Feechi had gotten him a set of boys' adventure books and a tablet, while Carsten got him a PS4 gaming system. Jack had insisted he was waiting until Uncle Carsten came before he opened his presents. Of course, he'd opened Carsten's gift first and after he showered thanks on him, had plowed through the others.
When she sat him between Carsten and herself and told him he could keep Max, Jack squeezed her so tight Feechi feared he'd stop her breath. The soft kiss he placed on her cheek and the whispered words had swollen her heart and brought tears to her eyes.
"I love you, Mommy. You're the best mommy
in the world."
Even now, she heard the words echoing in her head. The dog had grown on her, so it wasn't a hardship to add him to their family permanently and anything that kept Jack happy was fine with her.
Curled under the sheet after brushing his teeth, Jack yawned and then mumbled. "There's one thing I didn't get for Christmas."
"What's that, hon?"
"I still didn't get a daddy, but it's okay. Uncle Carsten is great."
Jack's lashes closed, and Feechi smiled, thankful she didn't have to answer any awkward questions tonight. She switched off the light and left the door open in case Max wanted to get out. Outside the bedroom, she leaned against the wall with one hand wrapped around the gift they'd gotten for Carsten.
Dee had decided to spend the night at their mother's house, so Feechi and Carsten would have the house to themselves.
Carsten had hinted tonight was an excellent time to 'conclude their business' as he'd put it, and just thinking about what she had to tell him made Feechi queasy.
She hadn't put a lot of thought into her decision since he'd returned. She'd done all her thinking while she'd been running around for the last two auctions and during the nights when she'd lain awake examining herself and trying to put her fears aside to make a good choice.
She took a long breath before continuing down the passage.
Carsten greeted her with a smile and pulled her down to sit beside him. "Everybody's down for the night?"
"Yes, they're all tired out with the food and excitement."
"Your mom's a great cook."
"I can't disagree with you there. She takes cooking to another level."
They'd all chipped in and their mother put on a lavish spread of honey-glazed ham, baked chicken, curry goat, potato salad, rice & peas, raw vegetables, and had rounded off everything with a delicious dark fruit cake, topped with whipped cream. Then they had sorrel, the traditional Christmas drink, to wash down all they'd eaten.
After dinner, when Carsten protested he couldn’t eat another crumb, their mother had wrapped a chunk of fruit cake for him to take home.
While he muted the television and placed the remote on the center table, Feechi laid her gift to one side. She told herself to relax and waited for him to start what was going to be the most crucial conversation she'd had in a while.
Carsten clasped her hand in his, running his thumb across her skin. "I believe this has been one of the best Christmases for me."
"I'm glad."
"And it's going to be even better."
"It is?"
"Yeah, after you tell me what I've been waiting to hear since I got back."
"Sounds like you know what's on my mind."
"I can make a good guess."
They chuckled and when the room was quiet, Feechi's gaze landed on the Christmas tree. "I got you something," she said, fingering the chain he'd given her earlier.
"I wasn't sure what to get you since I couldn't think of anything you needed—"
He put his finger over her lip. "Whatever you got me is fine."
"It's from Jack and me."
She'd gotten Carsten a six-inch desk ornament made from mahoe with his name carved into the wood. The elegant lettering in the polished ornament would look great on his desk.
Feechi handed him the package which he tore open. He laid the gift on the palm of his hand. "Nice and classy, like you. Tell Jack it won't leave my desk."
"I will. He'll love that."
Her fingers went back to the pendant at her neck. She'd been in two minds about accepting something so valuable from him. The delicate gold chain with three pendants attached had puzzled her. Two of the pendants were red gold and the pendant in the middle, white. She'd put it out of her mind, but now she wanted some answers. She lifted the pendants from her skin. "Does this mean anything in particular?"
"If you're asking, it means you know there's a little something behind it."
"I kind of thought so," she said.
"The two gold pendants represent you and I and the one in the middle is for Jack."
Loosening her hand from his, Feechi sat so their knees touched. "You're taking a lot for granted."
Carsten stroked her cheek and gripped her by the back of her neck. "No, I'm not."
"No?"
He shook his head. "Nuh-uh. The moment I looked into your eyes at the auction, I knew what was up. Of course, I'm not a guy who takes anything as a given, so you're gonna have to convince me we're on the same page.
Leaning forward, Feechi brushed his lips with hers. "Is that so?"
"Yes, Miss Anoduro. I'm not leaving tonight until you tell me what I want to hear."
Feechi chuckled and her amusement soon turned into full-blown laugher. "Carsten Raimes, you are something else."
She took his cheeks between her hands and placed soft kisses on his lips, moving from one side of his mouth to the other. Then pulling away, she met his eyes. "I have to thank you."
"For what?"
"For making me believe in love again and for loving me, despite everything."
"Are you saying you love me?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
He nibbled her earlobe and whispered, "If I was a thousand per cent certain, I wouldn't be asking."
"But you just said you knew something had changed when you saw me tonight."
"That doesn't mean I don't need confirmation. I'm a man like any other and I want to hear the words."
Cupping his face, she sighed. "Carsten, never doubt how I feel about you. I love you because you loved me despite all my flaws and my doubts. I love you for the kindness you've shown to my son and for your generosity to me. I love you because you taught me how to love again."
Feechi blinked hard and lowered her gaze after Carsten brushed away the tear that fell.
"So, you're telling me you're sold on me?"
"Can you forget about work on Christmas day?"
"I'm not a workaholic by a long shot, but there's something I want to know." He pressed soft kisses to her cheek, using them to punctuate each word. "Are. You. Sold. On. Me?"
She sniffed and then stared him in the eyes. "Yes, Carsten. I'm buying into this love business with you."
She blinked and then swallowed several times, overwhelmed again at the thought of being loved by this man. Then, feeling mischievous, she kissed him several times, murmuring between each one. "Hook. Line. And sinker, Mr. Raimes."
He hugged her, showering kisses on her face. In a light, yet serious tone, he asked, "So then you'll marry me?"
Despite feeling as if her chest would explode from the joy bubbling inside her, Feechi murmured in Carsten's ear. "Don't get carried away. I've barely met your family."
"So you're saying we can't get married?"
"Maybe in another six months or so, if that's all right with you."
"That's plenty fine with me," he said. "The house in Mandeville, did I tell you I'm keeping it?"
"You know you didn't."
"Well, I am."
"Are you saying we'd live there, you know, if you ask me to be your wife when we know each other lots better, and if I agree to marry you?"
"Whatever you want, Feechi."
"No, Carsten. Whatever you want is what I want."
"So, it's a matter of time then?"
Squeezing him tight, Feechi blinked away the tears that pricked her eyes. "You've got that right."
After delivering a slow kiss that had her head spinning, Carsten said, "You've made me a happy man and I aim to keep you locked into our relationship for the rest of our lives. Oh, and anything you want that's in my power to give you will be yours."
Feechi smiled through tears that wouldn't go away and finally got out the words she wanted to say. "Thanks for making this the best Christmas Jack and I have had in years."
Touching his forehead to hers, Carsten whispered. "You deserve everything I have to give. Merry Christmas, my love."
A Note from the Author
Thanks so much f
or reading Sold! It has been a pleasure getting to know Carsten and Feechi. If you enjoyed this story, please take a moment to share your thoughts in a review on whichever platform/s you choose.
About the Author
J.L. Campbell is an award-winning, Jamaican author who writes romantic suspense, women's fiction, new and young adult novels. She has written sixteen books, seven novellas and two short story collections. She is a certified editor, who also writes non-fiction. Feel free to join her mailing list for news and updates http://eepurl.com/n29ZH.
Contact
Find J.L. Campbell on the web at www.joylcampbell.com
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Other Books by J.L. Campbell
Savor the taste of tropical living by sampling the Island Adventure Romance series, which currently has five exciting, stand-alone stories that feature feisty women and determined men.
Romantic Suspense (Island Adventure Series)
Anya's Wish (free novella)
Chasing Anya
Contraband
Taming Celeste
Grudge
Hardware
New Adult
Perfection
Fixation
Women's Fiction
A Baker's Dozen-13 Steps to Distraction (novella)
Dissolution
Distraction
Retribution
Absolution
Young Adult
Christine's Odyssey
Saving Sam
Short Story Collections
Don't Get Mad...Get Even (free)
Don't Get Mad...Get Even: Kicked to the Kerb
Contemporary Romance (Sweet Holiday Series)
The Vet's Christmas Pet
The Vet's Valentine Gift
The Vet's Secret Wish
Contemporary Romance (Par for the Course)
The Short Game
Sold!: A Holiday Romance Page 15