McKenzie Cousins Box Set 1

by Lexi Buchanan

  Tanner hums in my ear. “It is, and I think we’ll find something amazing in here for Garret and Sirena’s son.”

  I clap my hands with glee. Thirty minutes later, we’re leaving the store with a large package held in Tanners hand. Elias’s first train set. “We’ll take him this after Christmas.” I meet his gaze and add, “You will come back with me, right? For a little while?”

  He cups my face with a gloved hand. “I’ve been thinking, as we’re having Christmas here, I thought that we could have New Year with your family in Lexington. My dad can come with us. I don’t really want him alone around the holidays.”

  I smile and go up on my tiptoes, kissing his cold lips. “I love that idea, and I agree about your dad.”

  I shove my thoughts to the back of my mind for now, because I don’t want doubt or my insecurities to creep in while I’m spending the day out with the man I love. We do have to talk though. If we want to live together, then we need to decide where that will be. I have no problem relocating, although I will have things to work out at McKenzies if that happens.

  “You’re thinking too hard.” Tanner kisses my forehead. “We’ll talk, but not right now.” He kisses me again and tugs me along. “I think I’m going to grab a coffee and relax while you browse.”

  I raise a brow and all I get in return is a smirk. “Trust me, you’ll love it…we’re here.”

  Seconds later, I’m standing in front of green trimmed double doors with ‘Books, Books, and Coffee’ engraved into the glass. The minute Tanner pushes open one of the doors and I step inside, my senses are assailed with a mixture of festive smells: coffee, spices: cinnamon, nutmeg. The smell of yeast as fresh bread bakes in the large oven I can see behind the counter of the small coffee area. The scent of hot chocolate and coffee has a sigh leaving my mouth. Just standing at the door, I feel like I’m in heaven.

  “It smells delicious.”

  Tanner chuckles. “Yes, it does. I sometimes come in here and sit right over there,” he points to a corner chair, “having a cup of coffee while I let the silence surround me. It’s peaceful.” He shrugs, a blush on his cheeks, and then his blush deepens as a lady behind him says, “Tanner, is that you?” She laughs. “Of course it is.”

  He turns and wraps the older woman up in a warm embrace. It looks like she doesn’t want to let him go, but once he finally untangles himself, he wraps an arm around my shoulders. “Denise, I’d like to introduce you to my girlfriend, Charlotte McKenzie.”

  She looks me over and then beams. “About time,” she mumbles smacking Tanner on his chest, “that you finally came to your senses.”

  The pleasantry over with she goes back to work as I give Tanner a quizzical glance.

  “She owns the store and has known me from the day I was born.”

  “Ah!” I wait, knowing there is more.

  “She helped me a lot. I don’t know what I’d have done without her.”

  I look at Denise. The woman is petite with grey streaked hair, tided at the nape of her neck. When she’d hugged Tanner, the top of her head hadn’t reached his shoulders. She was slender, and had an air of strength about her. As for age, I’d put her in her sixties.

  Glancing up to Tanner, he smirks. “Not my type.” He laughs. “Go and enjoy yourself and when you’re finished, I’ll buy you a hot chocolate.”

  “Hmm, sounds good.” I reach up and kiss his cheek.

  “Take as long as you want, okay? I’ll be fine waiting.”

  “God, how did I get so lucky?” I whisper against his lips before pulling away. “No chatting the women up.”

  He rolls his eyes and heads toward the counter while I stand for a moment and look around.

  There are floor to ceiling shelves against the walls, filled with books, bright signs for different categories pinned to the wood. Walking through the store there are shoulder-high bookshelves on the floor with round tables holding books on display.

  I find myself in the colorful children’s section filled with seasonal books, and a selection of board games and puzzles, and plush toys. Settling on the floor near the seasonal books, I select an interactive ‘Night Before Christmas’, running my fingers over the raised bumps on the cover. Another book I select is ‘The Snowman’ both for my nephew Elias. He’ll love the bright colors of the books and should enjoy them as he gets older.

  Pushing myself up from the floor, I spot the romance section. Slipping past a couple of teenage girls reading a book together, I let my finger slide across the difference color spines, coming to a stop on a novel by Rona Jameson, Summer at Rose Cottage. I slowly pull it from the shelf and read the synopsis on the back…

  Set in the beautiful coastal town of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, ‘Summer at Rose Cottage’ explores two love stories—one lost in time and the other flourishing in the present. McKenzie (Mack) Harper needs to get away and the small cottage just outside of Cape Elizabeth is the perfect location to unwind and bond with her six-year-old nephew, Lucas. It’s here at this quaint summer rental that Mack discovers a diary dated March 4th, 1947, which pulls her into a world of love and heartache.

  Each entry into the diary is brought to life through the words written by nineteen-year-old, Rose Degan, who falls in love with a man her parents disapprove of. Her heart knows what and whom it wants, Jacob Evans, a fire fighter in Cape Elizabeth. He hasn’t been in town long when they meet on the cliffs while she watches the rescue of a crew from a collier ship that went aground during a fierce storm.

  Back in the present, Mack discovers that Jacob is still alive and tries to find him. She leaves a message that falls into the hands of Jacob’s grandson, Dean Evans. With his curiosity piqued, Dean decides the mystery woman, along with her diary, is an excellent excuse to slip away from home, earning a break from his mother’s matchmaking shenanigans—a grandchild being her sole focus.

  All these characters come together in a story of love and friendship. It shows that love and family can transcend time.

  As soon as I read the last line, I know this book is meant to be mine, so, with a smile, I head toward the counter to pay.

  I smile at the young girl behind the counter as the scanner beeps with my purchases. Sliding my bankcard into the machine, I quickly pay and collect my package.

  Turning, I head over to the coffee section and smile at Tanner with his head stuck inside a newspaper and a coffee cup in his hand. The grinding of the coffee beans catches my attention, and so does Denise, who waves me over to her.

  “I saw you at the cash register, so I started on your hot chocolate.” She glances at Tanner. “He ordered it when he paid for his own.” She shakes her head. “That boy only ever allows me to make him a coffee on the house when it’s his birthday.” She grins. “But nothing says I can’t give you a plate of treats on the house, now does it.”

  Laughing, I take the plate of cookies. “Thank you for this, it’s lovely of you.”

  “Nonsense. He’s a good man and until you showed up, he’s been missing what he deserves. Happiness.” She surprises me with a kiss to the cheek. “Let’s take these over to him.”

  Placing the plate onto the table, Denise puts my hot chocolate in front of my seat smiling. She doesn’t say anything before retreating.

  “I see she’s given us some of her Christmas cookies.” Tanner grins. “I’ve eaten these every Christmas since I was a kid.”

  Sitting beside him, I lean over and kiss his rough cheek. I smooth my hand over his jaw. “I love feeling this scruff. It’s sexy,” I whisper.

  “Hmm, I think you better stop giving me ideas while I’m sitting here.”

  Chuckling, I pick the sugar cookie up and take a large bite. My eyes pop wide when the flavor bursts on my tongue and then I moan, closing my eyes as I munch on the cookie.

  When I open my eyes, Tanner’s gaze is fixed on me, and the look he’s giving me makes me forget everything but him.

  “You are driving me nuts with your little moans,” he admits, fidgeting in his chair.
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br />   Picking my drink up, I take a sip and moan again, holding Tanner’s gaze above the tall glass. Chuckling, I take another sip and sigh in pleasure as the cinnamon-flavored foam hits my taste buds. “God, I’m going to be in a sugar coma later.”

  “Just as long as we’re at home when that hits you, then I might just survive it,” he mumbles, his eyes tracking my tongue, licking the cream from my lips.

  76

  Tanner

  The amazing woman by my side is so full of life that the look on her face when I suggested we put the packages in the truck and then visit the ice rink was one I don’t think I’ll forget anytime soon. Apparently, she doesn’t have very good balance…something I’m about to witness.

  The rink is a small one built on the town square and surrounded by snow-covered trees with lots of twinkling lights. There is outdoor seating and tables with couples holding hands, drinking the warm cider that the concession stand is selling.

  As I fasten the skates onto Charlotte’s feet, she glances nervously around us so, standing above her, I force her eyes to mine. “I promise not to let you go.” I kiss her lips, feeling the coldness, so I dip down again and hover. “I’m looking forward to warming you up once we’re home.”

  She groans and smiles. “I can’t wait.” She glances at the rink. “I just hope I don’t break anything before then.”

  “No way will that happen.” I tug her up and keep my arm around her as I walk her to the entrance onto the rink.

  She doesn’t pause and keeps going, stepping with confidence onto the ice. I slip my arm around her waist and take hold of her arm with my other hand. “You have this. Just let your feet glide.”

  We start slow, keeping the pace even as confident skaters make turns and twirls in front of us. Couples holding hands catch Charlotte’s attention when she nods toward them. “They look so cute,” she adds, referring to an elderly couple skating by.

  “They open the rink every year and have done so for as long as I can remember.”

  “That’s so sweet.” Charlotte wobbles but I keep us upright while the song changes to another Christmas carol.

  The sound of kids laughing makes me smile, it never stops even when three of them fall over each other ending in a heap on the ice. They roll to their backs laughing while others help them up.

  Slowly coming to a stop with Charlotte, the sound of our blades scraping on the ice is familiar. We lean on the barrier, and I admit, “I used to play ice hockey here every winter.” I smile fondly. “Grade four through to grade nine. I loved it.”

  “Why did you stop?”

  Sighing, I look behind me at the kids again. “We spent a few years at the ranch in Texas, and well, there doesn’t tend to be outdoor ice rinks there.” I grin. “I missed it and then I don’t really know why I didn’t start again when I came home. Just never got around to it.”

  “I see the appeal but it isn’t really for me, although I wouldn’t mind watching you out there. I bet you were hot and had all the girls drooling over you.”

  Slinging an arm around her neck, I bring her nose-to-nose, and tell her, “None of them were as beautiful or as sexy as you are.”

  “Hmm, I love you Tanner Jackson.”

  The joy in my eyes is there for her to see as she reaches that inch and kisses me. “You are a very special man and I’m so glad I get to call you mine.”

  “Do you want to leave?” I ask, suddenly.

  “Tree lot next, right?”

  I laugh. “I haven’t forgotten. They also have a large room full of decorations. If you don’t find anything there that you like, then there’s something wrong.” I grin. “They have things for all occasions.”

  “Lead the way.” She gingerly steps from the ice and once we have our boots back on our feet, I take her hand and lead her over to the coffee stand.

  “This will warm us up. I think fresh snow will be falling soon, but a bad storm isn’t in the forecast until later tomorrow.”

  “I’ll never refuse coffee.”

  By the time we arrive at the Christmas tree farm, there are small flurries in the air to match the grey sky. The snow is piled at the side of the lot as I help Charlotte from the truck.

  Shivering, she snuggles under my arm, mumbling, “It’s so cold.”

  “We won’t be out long, but if you want to wait inside and browse the ornaments while I get us a tree, I’d be okay with that. I just want you warm.”

  Opening the rickety door, I shove her inside and grin when she stamps her feet to warm herself up on the old thick mat. Her grin as she meets my gaze warms me up.

  “Let me warm up for a couple of minutes. I’m not missing our first time together at getting our tree. No way.”

  I brush her hair over her shoulder, and ripping a glove off, I cup the back of her neck. “I love you,” I whisper against her lips before I claim them in a long, searching kiss.

  Pulling away, I grin at the sight of her struggling to open her eyes. Everything around us disappears and it’s just the two of us, lost in each other. Her eyes finally flutter open and the silly grin she has on her face has me cupping her rosy red cheeks and bringing her closer for a big sloppy kiss.

  Her arms wrap around my neck and mine go around her waist, holding her tightly against me. “I think everyone in town will know about you before dusk,” I breathe between kisses.

  Charlotte looks confused so I move my eyes to the side and very slowly, she turns. Our stunned audience takes a moment and then when Maggie, the owner, starts clapping, the rest follow.

  I tug Charlotte into my arms and laugh when she buries her face into my chest.

  Maggie hushes everyone, and then comes rushing over. I’ve known her most of my life, like I have the majority of people in the town. She’s around eighty and has always been the person people would go to for advice. Like an agony column. As a child, I used to think that she was Mrs. Clause because she’s exactly as the Mrs is depicted in books and on the TV.

  “I’ve heard all about you,” she gushes to Charlotte, a huge smile on her wrinkled face. “Just so you know,” she whispers so as not to be overheard, “we’re all so relieved that Tanner came to his senses before it was too late.” Clapping her hands while clearing her throat. “Welcome to our small town, Charlotte. I hope you’ll be staying…”

  I laugh. “Nice try, Maggie. Wherever we go, I can promise you it will be together.” I kiss her weathered cheek. “I’ve brought my girl to choose our first Christmas tree. We also want some decorations that will last.”

  “Oh,” she mumbles, dabbing at her face. “I’ve waited so long for this.” She takes my hand. “So long, Tanner.”

  Releasing her hold, she ushers us back out of the store. “Go and choose your tree, and then come back in here.” The door bangs behind her retreating figure.

  I stare at Charlotte and we laugh. “I like her,” Charlotte says on a giggle. “I kept expecting Santa to join her.”

  “You’re not far off the truth there.”

  She frowns.

  “You’ll see.” I shove my glove on and lead her to the tree lot, and we straightaway bump into Maggie’s husband, Kris, as the flurries in the air become thicker.

  The smell of pine hits my nose bringing back memories of my childhood. Trees with a light dusting of snow are in lines with gaps between from where trees have been taken. Soft Christmas music plays in the background as kids chase each other around.

  It’s a magical place and I used to love coming here, in fact, I’d forgotten how much. I glance at Charlotte and her eyes are fixed on Kris as he helps a customer with her choice of tree.

  With a gentle tug on Charlotte’s hand, I lead her deeper through the spruce and finally come to the noble firs. “The thick needles are my favorite.” I lean in and inhale. “Smell that? So fresh and green.”

  Her face lights up. “Then I think we have a tree.” She wraps an arm around my waist, and rests her head on my shoulder. “I can’t believe we found one so quickly. My siblings an
d I would drive our parents nuts when we’d go to get a tree. It would take us forever, but you know what? Our parents never once got angry or annoyed or impatient with us over it. They basically let us run wild around the lot until we settled on one.” She pauses. “There was one main rule set before we’d leave home. No making pests of ourselves and to respect other people. We loved it…Today means so much to me, Tanner.” She tilts her head. “Thank you.”

  I’m choked at her memory, and her words, so I dip my head and kiss her. Turns out, we’re right under the mistletoe.

  77

  Charlotte

  “Threading popcorn and cranberries onto string is just as exciting as I remember.” I nudge Tanner’s thigh with my foot. “Did you ever do this?”

  He offers me a soft smile. “I did. The three of us used to sit like we’re doing right now, and spend the evening threading. Mom would have gingerbread cooking in the oven because she said it reminded her of her grandma’s house at Christmas. She loved the smell.”

  “I’m glad you have those memories, Tanner. It keeps her alive in your heart.”

  He pauses before turning to meet my gaze. “You’d have loved her.”

  “She set you on the right track to becoming a man, and your father finished the job.” I softly smile. “She’d have been so proud of you.”

  He swallows hard and gazes into the burning fire in the fireplace. Sitting forward, I remove the bowls of popcorn and cranberries from our laps, place the strings onto the coffee table, and finally settle against his side. His arm wraps around my waist as the comfortable silence settles over us.

  The large mantel above the fire is filled with photographs of Tanner with his parents, and when I browsed them the other day, I noticed there were some newer images of just him and his father. They made me smile to realize he’d continued what his mother had obviously started. I’d also spotted the one of me that he’d hidden behind the large frames. It had been taken at Sirena’s wedding on the back lawn. I left it in place, and as yet, I haven’t acknowledged that I’m aware of its presence.