by KD Fisher
In all of my worrying and second-guessing over what would ultimately bring me happiness, I never would have guessed that I could find such profound joy in the simple, quotidian details. But it was the small things with Matt that made life feel easy and safe. The way Matt, always rising before the sun, moved through the cabin in the dark to make coffee and bring it to me in bed. The way he always pressed a kiss to my hair before heading out to the field. The way I’d complained once about the cafeteria food at school and the next morning I found a bagged lunch waiting for me in the fridge. The way we just fit. I trusted Matt, trusted our life together.
The brush of Matt’s lips on my temple startled me from my drowsy, contented thoughts. I was burrowed into his warmth, eyelids heavy. Shit, had I been falling asleep? And why was everyone staring at me?
“Mikah?” Matt’s lips quirked up. “You awake, baby?”
“Oh, sorry. Yeah. I was um…. Sorry. What’s up?” I rubbed my eyes.
Matt grabbed the back of his neck and looked at me for a long moment. Then he rose to his feet in a smooth motion, fumbling around in his pocket. My stomach flipped. His blue eyes were still locked on my face as he sank down to one knee, his gaze once again level with mine. Holy shit.
“Are you proposing to me right now?” My voice was high with incredulity. All of the breath seemed to have rushed out of my body.
“Um, yup.” His hands, so big and rugged, came to rest on my shoulders.
I swallowed hard and tried to etch every detail of the moment in my brain: the tiny cut on Matt’s chin where he’d nicked himself shaving this morning, the silver wash of moonlight on the snow outside—the way Matt was looking at me like I was everything he wanted. “Well, go ahead, then….”
He shook his head and scrubbed a hand over his face, clearly amused and a little flustered. His cheeks and ears flushed pink. “You know what I want to ask you.”
“Dude, you have to actually say it,” John supplied from his spot in the armchair.
I laughed shakily, but my eyes filled with tears, blurring Matt’s face and the glow of the Christmas tree behind it. Happiness burned bright inside me.
“Okay, okay,” Matt grumbled, “Mikah, I love you. You make me happier than I ever hoped I would be. I never thought I would find someone who makes my life so… good. And I want us to spend the rest of it together.” His voice dropped low, and he cleared his throat. There were tears in his eyes too. “Do you want to get married?”
I nodded convulsively, but no words would come. Matt opened his palm, revealing two simple gold wedding bands. Clearly he’d been holding them tight. His rough hand showed small circular indentations where he’d been gripping the rings. They were perfect. He was perfect. I tipped forward so fast my head spun a little, and pressed my lips to his, savoring his steadfast heat. “I love you so much,” I breathed into the tiny sliver of air between our faces. “And, of course, I really fucking want to marry you.”
Although I’d barely whispered the words, everyone in the living room erupted into cheers of congratulations. Distantly, I was aware of our families: the pop of a champagne cork, Katie muttering about how we all swore like sailors, a swirl of excited chatter about when and where we would have the wedding. Matt rose to stand, bringing me up with him and drawing me in close. I was exactly where I wanted to be, safe and warm in the arms of the man I loved. I was home. And I could stay there forever.
KD FISHER is a queer New England-based writer of authentic, heartfelt LGBTQ+ narratives. KD grew up all over the United States, bouncing from North Carolina to Hawaiʻi to Illinois, and finally settling in Maine where she spends far too much time at the beach.
When KD isn’t writing, she can usually be found hiking with her overly enthusiastic dog, obsessing over plants, or cooking elaborate meals. She loves classic country, perfectly ripe tomatoes, and falling asleep in the sun.
Website: kdfisher.squarespace.com
Twitter: @kdfisher_author
Instagram: @kdfisherauthor
Coming in December 2019
Dreamspun Desires #95
Santa’s Last Gift by Sandine Tomas
The greatest gift might be what they already have.
After years away building his career, event planner Sebastian Chesnut returns to his small hometown of Fir Falls to reconnect with his mother, sister, and young nieces before his job takes him to London.
He doesn't expect to find his high school boyfriend, Matty, has become a virtual member of Seb's family. Back then, Matty only offered a casual relationship, but Seb fell hard, and history is soon repeating itself. Seb’s afraid to hope for a second chance, no matter how much they’ve grown and despite the family they share. Instead, he focuses on creating a last perfect holiday, which won’t be easy with his sister’s ex planning to take the girls over Christmas.
Seb and Matty might not know what to do about their feelings for each other, but one thing’s for sure—it won’t be Christmas without the kids. Can these star-crossed lovers pull off a holiday miracle?
Published by
DREAMSPINNER PRESS
5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886 USA
www.dreamspinnerpress.com
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of author imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
A Christmas Cabin for Two
© 2019 KD Fisher
Editorial Development by Sue Brown-Moore
Cover Art
© 2019 Alexandria Corza
http://www.seeingstatic.com/
Cover content is for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted on the cover is a model.
All rights reserved. This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of international copyright law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines, and/or imprisonment. Any eBook format cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press, 5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886, USA, or www.dreamspinnerpress.com.
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-64108-182-5
Digital ISBN: 978-1-64405-334-8
Library of Congress Control Number: 2019943703
Digital published November 2019
v. 1.0
Printed in the United States of America