by Emma Jackson
‘That would be nice,’ I murmured, staring at him as he seemingly studied each strand of my hair, finding them equally fascinating. Privacy. That was something I yearned for too. Between me still living at the hotel and Nick staying at his brother’s it had been hard to come by.
As though on cue, there was another knock on the door. We looked at each other and laughed, reading each other’s minds, before he let go of me. Lydia and Rachel had arrived wearing their decorating clothes and after seeing Nick was there too, completely ignored me to give him hugs, see how he was and show him pictures of little Ivy. I could hardly blame them for wanting his attention.
I popped open the tins of paint, sky blue and sunny yellow, and handed out rollers.
‘Since you’re here, make yourself useful,’ I joked, handing Nick a paintbrush and pinching his bottom as I walked away.
The room was filled with industrious chatter and music as we covered the walls in colour. When the light outside began to dim, my back was aching, but not as much as my cheeks, from all the laughter and singing. We packed the paint away and Lydia and Rachel went ahead to the bar for a well-deserved drink. I locked the door and Nick and I held hands as we followed them at a slower pace. The stone exterior of the hotel was glowing orange as the sun set behind us.
Nick had gone a little quiet, so I squeezed his hand and asked him whether he was okay.
‘I am. I was just wondering. How would you feel if I looked for somewhere to live down here?’
I paused and turned to look him. ‘Like, in Loganbury?’
‘Or close by. Would it freak you out or…?’ He caught his sexy bottom lip in his teeth and lifted his eyebrows.
‘I’d love it, Nick.’
‘I’m so pleased you said that.’ He lifted me off my feet and spun me around. We were both laughing as he lowered me back to my feet. ‘I love you,’ he whispered in my ear before kissing me. I tightened my arms behind his neck to stop myself from falling. Physically at least. Emotionally I knew it was already too late.
‘I love you too,’ I smiled into his mouth. ‘Shall we move this celebration inside?’
He nudged my nose playfully with his own, a glint in his eye. ‘Are you talking about going into the bar, or upstairs?’
‘Hey, don’t knock the bar – I seem to remember us having a very nice time there together.’
‘Yeah, but not with your mother as an audience.’ He laughed and this time I kissed him, catching that happiness and drinking it in like nectar.
We grew quiet, immersed in each other. The future was something we knew was coming and welcomed, and the past, however painful, was something that had shaped us and brought us to this point.
Right where we belonged.
Acknowledgements
I’d like to thank Victoria and Olivia at Orion Dash, for seeing something in my Christmas story, and for offering me the chance to make it shine and to share it with readers. Also, for their advice and reassurance, and for their patience answering my many emails full of questions.
Thanks must also go to the Romantic Novelists’ Association, who have been instrumental in their support. I wish I remember who it was on Twitter that encouraged me to join the New Writers’ Scheme because it was one of the best bits of advice I’ve ever had. The RNA awarded me a bursary so that I could attend their conference in July 2019, and if I hadn’t been at that conference, I wouldn’t have heard about the new digital first imprint, Orion Dash, and submitted to them.
Through the RNA I also met Sue, Suzanne, Wendy, Maureen, Deirdre, Margaret, and Liz, who welcomed me their monthly writing chats. They’ve shared their wealth of experience with me without reservation and I’m so grateful to them for helping me realise that yes, being a writer is hard, but it’s possible.
The fantastic ‘Bar Babes’ from the RNA conference, particularly Christina, my wonderful critique partner, and Emma and Jenny, who have been so generous in their support both before and after I was able to announce my big news. Also, a shout-out must go to the fabulous #UKRomChat crew from Twitter and the Chick-Lit & Prosecco Facebook group, who are always so much fun and great communities to be part of.
To my best friends Tanya, Charlotte and Wendy who have listened to me talking about writing and my dreams of being published for a long time and never questioned that I was capable or that it would happen. It’s truly a gift to know you have friends in your life who believe in you and share your joy.
Dan, the best partner I could wish for, and to my two gorgeous daughters, Lily and Penny, who cannot give me a minute’s peace, even as I’m trying to write this! Being your mum has made me realise I must lead by example when I try to encourage you to follow your dreams. I hope one day you will feel as proud of me as I always feel of you.
I’m sure I’ve forgotten lots of people, so to all my friends and family and online buddies, thank you!
About the Author
A devoted bookworm and secret-story-scribbler since she was 6 years old, Emma joined the Romantic Novelists’ Association on their New Writers’ Scheme at the beginning of 2019, determined to focus on her writing. She has been overwhelmed by the encouragement given by the published authors and fellow NWS members who are part of the RNA and highly recommends joining to any romance writers looking for support and friendly guidance (there are some bursaries available).
When she’s not running around after her two daughters and trying to complete her current work-in-progress, Emma loves to read, bake, catch up on binge-watching TV programmes with her partner and plan lots of craft projects that will inevitably end up unfinished. A MISTLETOE MIRACLE is her debut novel, published by Orion Dash.
You can find out news about Emma via her website https://esjackson.co.uk or on:
Twitter @ESJackson1
Facebook @EmmaJacksonAuthor
Instagram @emma_s_jackson
Copyright
AN ORION EBOOK
First published in 2019 by Orion Fiction
Copyright © Emma Jackson 2019
The right of Emma Jackson to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the publisher, nor to be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published without a similar condition, including this condition, being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
All the characters in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN: 978 1 4091 9771 3
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