Lauren clutched her stomach as she opened the front door. She was glad Kyle had taken care of getting Kristen. It would give her a few minutes alone with her mom and dad before they met the rest of the Preston clan.
As always, her mother waited inside the car until her father came around to open the passenger door. Tears spilled from her eyes with the sight of them. Her father was older than she remembered. His hair was more silver than black now. He'd taken off his overcoat during the long ride. Lauren guessed he wore a size or two larger that he had seven years ago. As her mother stepped out of the car, she saw how the years had taken its toll, but Brenda Alexander was still as beautiful as Lauren remembered.
All fear of her parent's rejection was cast aside when Brenda opened her arms to Lauren. Lauren ran to her. The arms she never thought would hold her, clutched her tight. Samuel placed his arms around the two of them and they huddled in the driveway for a long overdue embrace.
"I'm so glad you're here," Lauren said, sniffing back happy tears.
"Me, too," Brenda cried.
"Where is my beautiful granddaughter?" Samuel asked.
Lauren couldn't help but giggle. She'd waited so long for this moment. "She's inside with Kyle. Come on and meet the Prestons. You'll like them."
She walked up the driveway arm in arm with Brenda. Samuel walked on her other side of Lauren, a bundle of brightly wrapped presents in his arms.
Brenda tugged at her. "Kyle seems like a good man."
She looked up and saw Kyle standing on the porch, holding Kristen in his arms. Words didn't describe how she felt about Kyle Preston. She swallowed the lump in her throat. "Yes, Mom, he is a very good man."
"I'm happy you found him."
Lauren could have told her that Kyle had been the one to find her broken down in an empty parking lot. He'd rescued her that night. In more ways than one. Did he really know what he'd done? She'd have to make a point to tell him in her own special way.
They all walked into the house together and introductions were made. Judy and Will stayed back as Lauren introduced Kristen to her grandparents.
"This is Grandma and Grandpa, Krissy."
Kristen clung to Lauren and stared at her grandparents. Lauren had expected as much and hoped her parents were hurt by Kristen's shy reaction.
Samuel took Kristen by the hand and said, "Do you see this bag? I'll bet you can find a present or two in here with your name on it. You want to sit down with your Grandma and Grandpa and take a look?"
Kristen peered up at Lauren with a weary expression.
"It's okay, honey. I'm right here."
Lauren stayed by Kristen's side as she unwrap more gifts. She was aware of Kyle's gaze the whole time. When it looked as though Kristen was comfortable being doted on by Brenda and Samuel, Lauren went to Kyle's side.
"Thank you for this," she said, taking his hand, knowing she could never adequately express her feelings for all he'd given her.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her head. "You got your Christmas wish."
"And what about you, Kyle? What's your Christmas wish?"
He breathed deeply and she felt his chest press firmly against her breast. He tipped her chin with his fingers so she'd meet his gaze. "I have everything I want right here in my arms."
She sighed. "It's not just me. This is a package deal."
"I wouldn't have it any other way. I love that little girl as much as if she was my own flesh and blood."
"I know. I just needed to hear you say it."
Kyle bent his head and kissed her. "I have something for you," he murmured against her lips.
She chuckled softly. "Kyle, you've done enough. What more could I possibly need or want?"
"For us to be a family. I can't think of anything I'd want more."
She gazed into his eyes and saw the promise of forever. "You're serious."
He pulled a velvet box from pocket. The room went still as if everyone was focused on the two of them alone. Kyle opened the box to reveal a sparkling diamond solitaire. "Oh, Kyle," Lauren gasped.
He placed the ring on her trembling finger, and she peered at it through tear-filled eyes.
"This was my Christmas wish. I love you and I want us to be a family." He took a deep breath and held her, pressing her hard against his body.
"I love you, too. So much."
"Now maybe we could find a way to make Kristen's Christmas wish come true."
"You mean it, Kyle?" Kristen squealed from the other side of the room. Everyone in the room started to laugh.
Kyle crouched down to Kristen's level, and she ran to him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Would you like me to be your daddy?"
Kristen beamed up at Lauren, as if hoping to get approval. When Lauren smiled and nodded, Kristen jumped up and down and said, "You bet!"
The next moments were filled with hugs and kisses from the whole family congratulating them on their engagement. Julie and Kristen were giggling about being sisters. Judy and Brenda laughed about how wonderful it was to have a wedding to look forward to in the coming year. And Samuel and Will were busy getting acquainted.
Lauren couldn't remember ever feeling as happy as she did at that moment.
Kyle drew up behind her, resting his and on her shoulder. "You got quiet all of the sudden. Are you feeling a little overwhelmed?"
"Never. Just appreciating my blessings."
"We've got a lifetime of those ahead."
"I'm so glad. Merry Christmas, Kyle.”
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against him, kissing her long and forcefully. She had a family again and a lifetime of kisses from a man that took her breath away. Who could ask for anything more?
THE END
* * * * *
Dear Reader:
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS…IS YOU holds a special place in my heart because it was my first published novel back in 1998. It was the beginning of a career in storytelling that has been amazing. I hope you enjoy reading this story as much as I did writing it. If you enjoyed the story, please consider posting a review online at Amazon.com.
I love to hear from readers. Please email me at [email protected] or visit me at http://www.lisamondello.blogspot.com.
Also available on ebook:
The Marriage Contract
The Knight and Maggie’s Baby
Nothing But Trouble
Cradle of Secrets – Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense*
Her Only Protector – Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense*
Yuletide Protector – Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense
Fresh-Start Family – Harlequin Love Inspired Romance
In a Doctor’s Arms – Harlequin Love Inspired Romance
Please look for more e-books by me to be published in 2011 and 2012 available in all e-book formats.
Warmest regards,
Lisa Mondello
Excerpt from THE KNIGHT AND MAGGIE’S BABY
THE KNIGHT AND MAGGIE’S BABY
There were more digits in his bank account than most corporate portfolios saw in a lifetime of business. But right now, for the second time in his life, Jonah Wallace had empty pockets.
As a flurry of people swirled around him, he stood on the crowded Harvard Square sidewalk, roasting in the blistering sun, contemplating his options, such as they were. Dragging a deep breath of humidity into his lungs, he decided it was no use. He was going to have to swallow a mammoth lump of pride to get out of this pickle.
The first time he'd been forced to admit his failings he'd been thirteen, alone, and on the run. He had made an oath then it would be the last time he found himself in such a scrape. The fact that he was standing there penniless, wearing a satin-lined tuxedo in the middle of an August steam bath of an afternoon, the sun unmercifully beating him into the concrete, only magnified his current predicament.
How had he managed to let this happen again?
A taxi horn whined loud and long at his back, signal
ing the driver's unrest over the hordes of people jaywalking through the Square. Every one of them was in a hurry to go somewhere. At this time of the day, they were probably all heading home, which was where he intended to go.
But first...
He dragged his gaze back to the coffee shop door. It was his last hope. Tugging on his bow tie to give him some needed room, he reasoned the fastest way to make it home and deal with his disastrous day would be to swallow what was left of his stolen pride.
That is if he didn't choke on it first.
As his hand connected with the door handle, the heated metal bit into his palm. Jonah yanked open the door in front of which he had just spent the last ten minutes standing, hoping there was no one other than the owner inside. If he had no choice but to grovel, he'd prefer it be without audience.
As he swung through the doorway, the cool air from the air conditioning bathed his face, giving him immediate relief from the heat.
He drew in a deep breath to gather some courage and scanned the empty diner as his eyes adjusted from the sudden change of light. The room smelled of sugar and cinnamon and gravy. A strangely appealing combination, he thought. But at this point, anything was appealing. His stomach protested loudly at the scent of food assaulting his nostrils. Yeah, he was starving, but first things first.
Jonah had never stepped foot inside the small coffee shop, despite the fact that he practically lived at his office, located just across the street, for the past three years. The diner was compact; just a few booths lined the outer-glassed wall. A few more tables with red and white checked vinyl tablecloths occupied the center of the room. It reminded him more of something he'd see in the North End of Boston rather than Harvard Square.
Clusters of white spotlights shone against the brightly colored walls, and it took a moment for his eyes to register the color fully. Behind the counter were rows of parfait cups lying upside down on a glass shelf along with glasses and dinnerware.
A picture on the wall by the kitchen door caught his attention. Since the restaurant was empty, he took a few steps toward the counter for a better look. The photo was of two women, one elderly and one much younger, maybe even in her early teens, standing on the sidewalk from which he'd just come, arm in arm, smiling affectionately. Draped around the frame was a tiny cross of gold on a delicate chain.
A swish of cool air blew into the room. Instinctively, he glanced up toward the source. That's when he noticed the woman standing in the kitchen doorway, one arm on the door, the other in the pocket of her apron. She let go of the door and breezed into the dining room, slipping a psychedelic purple pencil from her apron pocket, and reaching for a small notepad at the same time.
“You caught me. I was just about to close up the shop early. I think the heat has been keeping people away.”
Her voice was smooth as velvet and her smile seemed genuine, not just pasted on for show. Her rich dark hair was pulled back tight into a ponytail, resistant tendrils curled around her face, framing high cheekbones.
The woman motioned with her hands toward the vinyl-covered stool at the counter. “You can sit wherever you’d like.”
“I'm not here to eat. I was hoping I could ask a bit of a favor.”
She stopped short, a slow grin lifting the corners of her lips. Not the genuine smile of courtesy. This one was different, a hint of...something, perhaps mixed with a bit of surprise. Jonah wasn't quite sure.
“You're not from around here, are you?” she said, fiery blue eyes wide with interest. They were uniquely lit, not just by the canned lights positioned on the ceiling above her, but with gold streaks set into their deep sapphire color.
“Well, actually yes. My office is in the building just diagonal from you.” Jonah motioned out the window toward the street and beyond the honking horns and bumper-to-bumper late afternoon traffic. When he looked back, her gaze was fixed on him.
Her eyes widened, twinkling with a hint amusement. She flipped an errant lock of hair that had fallen from her ponytail neatly behind her ear and just stared at him.
“You may work in town, but I know for sure you're not from around Cambridge, Massachusetts.”
Jonah glanced down at his black tuxedo as he slid into the stool by the counter, brushing his hand absentmindedly across the smooth, clean Formica countertop.
“I know I look rather odd given the fact that it's about a thousand degrees outside.”
“One hundred and two if you want to be technical,” she said, cutting in. She thumbed back to the double doors at the end of the counter. “I had the radio on in the office.”
Jonah pulled at the collar of his wilting white tuxedo shirt until the top button popped free. “It feels every bit of it,” he said, forcing a smile.
And it was getting a whole lot hotter. It had already turned out to be the worst day of his life. Making a fool of himself couldn't possibly make it any worse.
As Jonah drew in a deep breath, he watched the smile play at the corner of the waitress's mouth. Her full lips were bare of color, and he wondered if she'd chosen not to wear any lipstick or if working a full day and conversing with customers had chewed off what color she'd applied earlier. His mind instantly pictured her full lips in ruby to compliment her dark hair.
He silently berated himself for thinking along those lines. If the day had gone as planned, he'd be on a flight to Aruba with his new wife at his side.
The best laid plans...
“Well, regardless of where you're from, you look a little lost,” she said. “I don't see many tuxedos here at the Coffee Drop. Everyone who's been in here today was wearing shorts and shirts that barely meet proper dress code.”
“The clothes. Is that what gave me away?”
“Actually, it was your accent,” the woman said, dropping the notepad on the shiny counter top.
Heat crept up his skin from beneath his collar. He'd naturally assumed she'd been referring to his clothes when of course, his British accent would be a dead giveaway no matter what he was wearing. All he'd managed to do is draw more attention to himself.
“Now, since you've already informed me you're not here to eat, how about a coffee? I have to warn you though. Despite the name, I don't serve any of the fancy stuff here. No special blends, no cappuccino or espresso delights. No latte or chai. Only thing on my menu is old fashioned regular and decaf.”
It was now or never.
“I'm afraid I don't have...” He shook his head. It was never a good day for humiliation and it was something he didn't do well even if it was. If Catherine had at least left him with his keys when she fled the courthouse, none of this would be happening. “Never mind, it doesn't really matter.”
She appeared completely oblivious to his bumbling. “Oh, that extends to iced coffee, too. Given how oppressive it is outside, I'm sure you'd prefer that over something hot.”
She turned and pulled a clean white coffee filter from a plastic bag tucked to the right of the coffee machine and proceeded to make a pot of coffee.
“No, that won't be necessary...” As she turned around, Jonah took the opportunity to glance at her nametag. “Maggie. Yes, what I really wondered is whether I could use your telephone.”
She stopped spooning coffee into the filter and propped her slender hip against the counter. She stated the obvious. Obvious to anyone who'd stepped one foot on either side of the coffee shop door.
“No cell phone?”
“It’s in my other coat, I’m afraid.”
“There are pay phones lining Harvard Square.”
“I know.”
He dipped his head, embarrassment burning its way to the surface of his cheeks more than the blazing sun he'd escaped outside. If only he hadn't agreed when Catherine insisted they take the car instead of having his driver take them to the airport after the ceremony. Unfortunately, when she walked out on him moments before the ceremony began, she'd taken flight with his car and luggage as well. Since the clerk at City Hall was less than thrilled with the ide
a of allowing him to call his driver from her phone, given the scene that had erupted in the City Hall lobby, he'd taken the next step and pulled out his pockets.
Only to trip over them.
“I don't have any change and...I'm afraid I'm without my billfold at the moment as well.”
Her eyes grew impossibly wide, the fine features of her face registering panic. “Oh, I see,” she said, quickly lifting an empty cup from beneath the counter and placing it in front of him as if she were suddenly on automatic pilot.
“Are you hurt? Do you need some water or--”
He shook his head.
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