by Sharon Booth
He stroked the soft hollow of her cheek and nodded. "Yes," he said. "I really think it could work."
"And what about the factory?" she said, smiling mischievously.
Kit swallowed. "Marley, are you sure about this? About us, I mean? Because I don't think I can go through all this again. We seem to go one step forward and two steps back. The other day, when I told you about the factory, you couldn't wait to get away. I thought for a moment that—"
"That I didn't want you anymore because you weren't the rich businessman I'd assumed you were."
"I'm sorry," he said, feeling ashamed. "It was only for a moment."
"It's okay, Kit. I understand that. We need to learn to trust each other, and I really believe we can do it. The truth is, when you told me about your financial problems, I had a moment of panic. Not because you had no money, but because I knew what I had to do. I knew, in that moment, that every plan I'd made over the last few years was going to be swept aside, and it scared the life out of me. I wasn't scared of giving up the money. I was scared that you meant so much to me that not giving you the money wasn't even an option. I knew that giving up Fox Lodge was huge. I'd built an entire future around it, and yet, all I wanted was to seal the deal with the Martins as quickly as possible so that I could help you. I guess my future is with you. Not some house."
He tapped her playfully on the nose. "Still went to London, though, didn't you?"
She laughed. "Too right. I thought, if I'm doomed to live in poverty for the rest of my life, I'm going to have one weekend in a swanky hotel and a bloody designer handbag to show for it. It's the least I deserved."
"You won't live in poverty," he promised her. "I'll work night and day to make this work. Carroll's Confectionary will be a success."
"And I'll work right beside you," she promised.
"You really think you can give up Fox Lodge?"
"I really do. Mind you, given that you've sold Fell House, I really hope you can cope with living in my tiny flat. I know it's miniscule after what you're used to, but we can make it work, can't we?"
"You want me to live with you?"
She blushed, very prettily. "I'm sorry. I sort of assumed you would."
He was silent for a moment, then he shook his head. "I can't live with you, Marley."
She pulled away a little, her face scarlet. "Oh. Right."
As she tried to climb off his knee, he wrapped his arm around her waist and held her securely. "Wait a minute. I've listened to your proposition, now it's time you listened to mine." He rummaged in his jacket pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. "You're not the only one who wants to make an investment in our future," he said softly. "The borehole wasn't your only present. I want you to know how much I love you, and I want you to believe that I'll never abandon you. My future is with you, or it's no future, at all. Will you marry me, Marley?"
He held his breath as she stared down at the diamond engagement ring, nestling in its satin bed. It felt as if she was never going to answer him.
"For God's sake, hurry up and say yes, you idiot!"
They both jumped and looked round, astonished and rather embarrassed to see the entire family standing in the doorway, faces rosy from the cold, clothes dotted with snowflakes. They had eager expressions on their faces as they waited for Marley's answer.
Kit looked at Marley, and she looked back at him. "Yes," she said, smiling. "Of course it's yes."
"God, I love you so much," he told her and pulled her to him, burying his face in her hair, while the family whooped with excitement.
"Must check on dinner," squealed Mrs Jacobs, while David ushered the boys in with stern warnings to keep away from the chocolate.
"Aw," Don said, plonking himself down on the sofa and reaching for a can of beer. "Now, that's what I call a happy ending."
"What else would you expect at Christmas?" said Olivia dreamily. "I said you were saved for a reason, Marley, and there it is. You were brought back to be with Kit. It's like a Christmas miracle. Nice ring," she added, nodding approvingly, as Kit slipped the diamond solitaire onto Marley's finger. "Shouldn't you make a speech, Kit? I seem to recall Marley bullied David into making one when we got engaged."
Marley wrinkled her nose and mouthed sorry to Kit. "Take no notice. You don't have to say anything, honestly."
"The microwave's pinged," Mrs Jacobs said, rushing back into the living room. "Dinner's nearly ready! Ooh, our Marley, what a lovely ring. Maybe he's not such a miserable old Scrooge, after all."
Marley looked horrified, but Kit laughed as he looked around at the big, happy family that he had become a part of. "There's really only one thing I can say to that," he said. He pulled Marley close and beamed at them all. "Merry Christmas, and God bless us—every—"
But he didn't get to end the quotation. As Don and David groaned, Mrs Jacobs yelled, "Corny!" and Olivia threw a cushion at him in disgust.
Marley, however, shut him up in the way she knew best, and Kit decided he didn't have to finish that sentence, after all. He already knew he was blessed, and this was going to be the merriest Christmas ever.
The End
Acknowledgements
Saving Mr Scrooge was tricky! Because the storyline dips frequently back into the past, it was essential that I didn't confuse the reader about what was happening and when. And, with Marley being the character who really needed saving, I was faced with creating a heroine who wasn't always nice. Certainly, she had her flaws, and I've read enough "How-To-Write" books to know that the main character should, above all else, be likeable. How to make someone who had a selfish streak a mile wide and was — on the surface at least — pretty shallow, likeable?
Luckily for me, I have a team of beta readers who, as ever, were on hand with plenty of feedback, advice and opinions. Of course, they didn't always agree with each other, which did make for some confusion and cause me some head-scratching, but generally it was all very useful. I certainly couldn't have done it without them, so huge thanks and much love to Jo Bartlett, Alex Weston and Julie Heslington, who are absolute superstars. Thanks also to Pat Posner, who cast a look over the story, spotted typos, made some sharp observations and gave me huge encouragement. Thank you so much, Pat!
Back in the spring, my lovely daughter and daughter-in-law took me to the John Bull Factory near Bridlington, so that I could immerse myself in the world of Carroll's Confectionary. I even had a go at making a stick of rock. Trust me, it's harder work than it looks! I also had a wander around their fantastic shop and couldn't resist their rose creams and violet creams. Yummy! Thank you so much, Jemma and Sarah, for always being willing to ferry me around, and for happily accepting my (often weird) requests.
Thanks to JB Editing Services for their sterling work with my manuscript. A fabulous job, as always, and any mistakes that remain are mine. Huge gratitude to Berni Stevens, for her fabulous cover design. I love it!
Special thanks to all of you, who are reading this book. I appreciate each and every one of you, and I hope you enjoyed Saving Mr Scrooge. If you did, perhaps you'd consider leaving a short review on Amazon? It doesn't have to be more than a few words and it really does make a difference.
Finally, to my husband, Mr E, who puts up with so much from me, and is always ready and willing to take me off to different areas of Yorkshire, researching locations for my books, is always super proud of me, cheers when I'm doing well, encourages when I'm feeling low, and uncomplainingly brings me cups of tea and snacks while I'm locked away upstairs writing. You really are a star, and I appreciate you more than I can ever say.
Wishing you all a very merry Christmas!
Sharon xxx
Other novels by Sharon Booth
Resisting Mr Rochester (Moorland Heroes Book 1)
Cara Truelove has always been a romantic, burying her head in books and dreaming of being swept off her feet by her very own Brontë hero. When she was a gullible teenager, she believed boyfriend Seth to be a modern-day brooding Heathcliff. Fourt
een years later, when Seth has proved to be more like Homer Simpson, Cara vows never to fall in love again, and turns her back on romance for good.
Leaving Seth behind, Cara secures a job as nanny at Moreland Hall on the Yorkshire Moors, but is shocked to discover her new employer is none other than the tall, dark, and disturbingly handsome Mr Rochester.
Her resolve to be more level-headed is soon tested when strange things begin to happen at Moreland Hall. Why is Mr Rochester's mother hidden away upstairs? What are the strange noises she hears from the attic? Why is the housekeeper so reluctant to leave her on her own? And where is Mr Rochester's mysterious wife?
As events unfold, Cara knows she must keep a cool head, curb her imagination – and resist Mr Rochester at all costs. After all, one Brontë hero in a lifetime is more than enough for any woman. Two would be downright greedy. Wouldn't it?
Baxter's Christmas Wish ~ A Fabrian Books' Feel-Good Novel
When Ellie Jackson's marriage unexpectedly ends, she and her young son, Jake, seek refuge with Ellie's cousin, Maddie. But Maddie soon tires of her house guests, including her own boisterous rescue Boxer dog, Baxter.
A trip to the park proves eventful, when Baxter literally bumps into Dylan. Kind, funny, and not-too-shabby in the looks department, Dylan soon wins Ellie and Jake over, and Ellie dares to dream of a happy ending at last.
But as the snow starts to fall and Christmas approaches, Ellie realises time is running out for them. Dylan clearly has a secret that may ruin their happiness, Baxter's home is in jeopardy, and she has no way of making Jake's wishes come true.
Must Ellie give up on her dreams, or can Baxter lead her back to happiness?
Light the fire, switch on those Christmas tree lights, curl up with a hot chocolate, and enjoy this heart-warming festive story of love, home, and second chances.
Christmas at the Country Practice ~ A Fabrian Books' Feel-Good Novel
Christmas has arrived in Bramblewick, along with plenty of snow and festive good cheer. The village is gearing up for the Christmas Eve wedding of popular GP Connor Blake, and much-loved receptionist Anna.
At the Bramblewick Surgery, a new GP, Riley MacDonald, is working alongside Connor, and he's proving to be highly efficient and organised.
When Nell Williamson, proprietor of Spill the Beans café and bakery in the village, first sets eyes on Riley, it's love at first sight. Nell has always believed that she would know "the one" when she met him, and she's convinced that Riley is the man she's been waiting for.
Riley, on the other hand, is a hardened cynic. Having survived a humiliating broken engagement, he's keeping well away from relationships, and is confused by Nell's attentions.
Her every attempt to attract him pushes him further away, convincing her friends she's on a hiding to nothing, even though he turns into a clumsy mess whenever Nell's around. Deciding she's a control freak who should be avoided at all costs, Riley makes a serious error of judgement which could cost her dearly.
As Christmas approaches, best man Riley and bridesmaid Nell are further apart than ever.
Can the two of them reach an understanding before their friends' big day, or will it be the most awkward wedding in Bramblewick's history?
Other Fabrian Books you may enjoy
Christmas Wishes … New Year Kisses by Pat Posner
From their very first meeting, sparks fly between Rose and Matthew. Discovering they have a lot in common – they are both coping with loss and both have a parentless child to love and care for – sometimes calms things and sometimes ignites those sparks further as they lend each other moral support through tough times. And though they both wish there could be a relationship between them, there are reasons there can’t be.
It doesn’t help that they’re thrown together when their little nieces become best friends and want to see a lot of each other. There’s fun and laughter and silly happenings when they spend time together. Neither Rose nor Matthew can deny the little girls something that so clearly helps them – especially as Christmas is drawing near and memories can be painful.
But Christmas is a time for making wishes. But how can Christmas wishes come true for Rose and Matthew and the two little best friends?
The Christmas Shop at Central Park by Jo Bartlett
Libby Cooper hasn't celebrated Christmas for four years. How can she when the most important people in her life are no longer around to enjoy the festivities — because of her?
Hiding out in her grandparents' failing micro-pub, she wants to forget that the season of goodwill even exists; but her grandmother has other ideas. It's time for Libby to face her fears — and Christmas — head on. And what better way to immerse herself in the celebrations than working in her great aunt's Christmas shop, just three blocks from Central Park?
Making new friends is the easy bit, but leaving the past behind proves much more difficult. The only way Libby can cope is by taking long walks in Central Park and joining an art therapy group to help her express her emotions.
Harry Stanwick is a Central Park Ranger, who's as beautiful on the inside as he is on the outside. He seems to know instinctively when Libby wants to talk and when she just needs to be left alone.
Working with Harry and the rest of her new friends to save an off-Broadway theatre from closure, Libby finally starts to remember the magic of Christmas. But she can't stop questioning her right to be happy when her parents are gone.
Can Harry convince Libby that she deserves her own Christmas miracle, or will she leave her heart — and her chance of happiness — in the Christmas shop at Central Park?