Kendra brought it into her bedroom and shut the door. Then she flipped on the radio. It was already tuned to the country station. It was Aria’s favorite.
The popular DJ Chad Anderson spoke, and it took a second for Kendra to realize what he was saying.
“…have in our station with us a special surprise. Someone has come in this morning, asking to get on the radio. Now, we don’t normally do this, folks, but this is someone you are all familiar with on this radio station, so we were apt to grant him this wish.”
“Thank you so much, Chad.” Jacob’s voice was unmistakable, and Kendra sat down and gripped her bedspread.
“Now, I’m going to tell you, when Jacob Mitchell entered my little sound booth, I was a bit starstruck. It’s not every day that this small station in Colorado gets a visit like this. But enough about me. Jacob has something he’d like to say.”
“Yes, I do, Chad. I’ve recently had some things come up in my personal life that have forced me to cancel my upcoming tour, and I’m deeply sorry about this. Don’t worry, all your tickets will be refunded. And in case you’re wondering, I’m fine, but a family member has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and I’m taking some time off from things.”
Kendra drew in a shaky breath. He really did cancel his tour? Her mind spun with what that would mean for Jacob, financially, and for his relationship with his father.
Jacob continued. “But that’s not why I’m here today.”
“It’s not?” Chad asked.
“No. Today, I need your help in correcting a mistake I made several years ago. I let someone slip away from me. Someone I shouldn’t have let go. And recently we’ve reconnected, but like an idiot, I did something that upset her, and I want to fix things between us.”
“What can we do, Jacob?”
“As I was flying back, I had this song come to me, so I wrote it down. I’ve never played it before, but I was wondering, would you let me sing it for the first time, on air?”
“We’d be honored.”
There were a few moments of silence, then the strum of a guitar, and Kendra’s heart lodged in her throat as she heard Jacob start to sing.
My life was once so full and free,
I had love, and love had me,
But I walked away and never could see
That you were the one who completed me.
I love you, Kendra, I’m asking on bended knee,
Will you marry me?
Her vision blurred as his song lyrics fully registered in her head. Jacob was asking her to marry him? She was too shocked to know what to think. Then she realized Chad was talking again.
“Whoa, this is big. You just asked a girl to marry you? That’s a first for KLCD, folks.”
“Yes,” Jacob said. “I should have married this girl six years ago. And even though we’ve been apart, my heart has always been with her. Every song I sing is about her. Every time I breathe in, it’s her I’m thinking about. I can’t live another day without her as my bride.”
“Wow. How can she not say yes to you, after that speech?”
Jacob chuckled. “That’s what I’m hoping, Chad.”
“How will our listeners know if she said yes?”
“Tune in tonight to channel ten. If she said yes, I’ll make sure it makes the news. If she said no, then you’ll know by the sound of my wretched cries as I go hide somewhere to lick my wounds.”
A text came through on Kendra’s phone, and she jumped. She’d been holding her breath and staring at the Dora radio for so long, she’d forgotten she even owned a phone. She picked it up. The text was from Jacob.
I’m outside your house with a news crew. If your answer is yes, come outside. If not…well, you’ll break my heart, but if your answer is no, stay inside and we will leave in ten minutes.
Kendra’s fingers shook as she read the message over and over. Jacob asked her to marry him. And he was waiting outside for the answer.
All her brain could focus on was the fact that the radio station was a good one-hour drive from there, and it was impossible for him to be at her house. When the banter continued on the radio between Jacob and Chad, something in her mind clicked and she realized it must have been taped earlier in the day. Duh.
And now, Jacob was outside her house. Waiting. And she had no idea what she was going to do.
Chapter 21
Jacob blew heat onto his hands, even though it wasn’t that cold outside. His nerves were frayed. He’d sent the text five minutes ago. Five. Long. Minutes. And now he was worried Kendra wouldn’t come out.
That her answer would be no.
He’d planned everything so perfectly. At least, he thought he had. He’d even called Janet to bring her in on it so she could make sure Kendra was listening to the radio. He knew Kendra was inside. He knew she had her phone. And yet, no text.
And no Kendra.
The news crew consisted of one guy with a camera. Not really much of a crew, but he couldn’t think of what else to say in his text, and he didn’t want her to come outside and be on film without a warning.
The guy with the camera, he’d said his name was Todd, was standing there like he was bored. “So, she gonna come out, or what?”
Jacob swallowed and shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Todd chuckled and pulled out a toothpick from his pocket. He put the pick in his mouth, like it was the cool thing to do. “Would be pretty embarrassing if she didn’t come out, huh?”
Jacob wondered how much bad press he’d get if he decked the guy. “Yeah,” was all he said. He shoved his fists into his pockets so he wouldn’t be tempted.
Had another minute passed? Two? Was this his answer? Maybe putting Kendra on the spot like this was a bad idea. Maybe she was mad at him for making it a public thing. Maybe she hated him and he blew his only chance to—
The door opened and Jacob’s heart jumped. Kendra tentatively stepped out onto the porch. She raised her hand, like she was shielding her eyes from the sunlight. “Jacob?”
He’d been so happy to see the door open, he’d forgotten what he was going to do. He dropped down to one knee, overjoyed to see her. He pulled out the ring from his pocket and opened the little box. “Kendra, I was lost these last few years without you. I miss you. I can’t imagine living the next six years without you by my side. I have put my career on hold for you. And today, I hold out my heart to you. All I want from you is to say yes. Say you’ll be my wife.”
Jacob wasn’t sure exactly what he’d said. He’d strayed from his practiced speech, and started rambling, but now he held his breath, waiting for Kendra to speak. To say yes. To tell him she’d be his wife.
Kendra wiped at her cheeks, then she ran to him, threw her arms around his neck. “Yes, Jacob. I’ll marry you.”
Relief washed over him like cool water and he stood and picked Kendra up, swinging her around in a circle. “I love you,” he said after he set her back down on the ground. “I’ve always loved you.”
Kendra smiled through her tears. “I’m sorry. For what I said. I was stupid.”
He cupped her cheeks and kissed her lips, elated that she was there. All his frustrations from a few days ago were gone. He loved her, and all he cared about was that she’d said yes. “No. You’re not stupid. You’re beautiful.”
The door opened again, and Aria came outside. “Jake!” She came running to him.
He and Kendra broke apart and he bent down to pick up Aria. “Hey, squirt. How are you?”
“I missed you,” she said, putting her head on his shoulder.
“You did?” His heart warmed in his chest. “I missed you, too, sweetie.”
“I’m glad you’re back.”
“Me, too. And guess what?”
Aria looked at him, her eyes wide. “What?”
“We’re going to be a family. You, me, and your mother.” Saying the words made his throat constrict, and his voice broke.
Aria clapped her hands. “Yay! A family!”
“Ye
ah,” he said, trying to gain control again of his emotions.
Todd, the camera man, stepped back and put his camera down. “Okay, I got it. Glad you didn’t end up looking like a schmuck.” He chuckled to himself for his lame joke.
“Yeah. Thanks,” Jacob said. He’d forgotten Todd was even there, to be honest. All he cared about was Kendra, and Aria, and that they were together. Together forever.
Kendra smiled and leaned in to give him another kiss. “I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you, too.” And he was going to spend the rest of eternity showing her just how much.
Epilogue
One year later.
Kendra stared at the massive Christmas tree, lit up with a billion tiny white lights and trimmed with golden ribbons. The foyer of the resort was decked out for the holidays, even though the resort was in the sunny Cayman Islands.
It was a gorgeous eighty degrees outside, and Aria tugged on her hand, showing her the large fountain in the foyer. “Mommy! We can make a wish!”
Kendra smiled. “Yes, we can, sweetie.” Although she didn’t know what she’d wish for. All her wishes had come true.
Jacob walked in, and her heart leapt like it always did when she saw him, even in his silly baseball cap. He came to her and kissed her cheek. “I know this isn’t a traditional Christmas vacation, but I thought this would be a fun place to relax.”
Kendra didn’t want to tell him, but anywhere in the world would be fine, as long as they were together for Christmas. “It’s perfect.”
He pressed his lips to hers and butterflies erupted in her stomach. She hoped she never lost that feeling. The excitement of kissing Jacob Mitchell. It was like a roller-coaster ride. Every time.
A woman with bright red, curly hair approached them. She looked like she’d tried to tame her hair, pulled it back, but strands of it had rebelled and worked their way out of the ponytail. “Welcome to The Billionaire Club,” she said, her smile growing when she saw Aria.
Jacob’s eyebrows pulled down. “This isn’t The Diamond Oasis?”
The woman laughed, throwing her head back. “Sorry, yes, of course it is. I just forgot myself for a moment. The locals all call this The Billionaire Club.” She motioned. “Because of the clientele we attract. Come, let’s get you and your beautiful family checked in.”
The woman walked behind the counter and clicked on her keyboard. “I’m Kay, by the way. I’ll be taking care of everything you need.” She smiled, her straight, white teeth in contrast to her red lipstick.
Aria stood on her tiptoes to try to see over the counter, but she was too short. Kendra picked her up.
Kay wore a large ring on her right hand. It was in the shape of an oval, and the stone looked like a speckled turquoise. Aria stared at it as the woman typed.
“What’s your last name?”
“Mitchell,” Jacob said.
Kay nodded. “Yes, here you are, in a family suite.” She clicked on the keys again and then grabbed two key cards. After keying them to the room, she handed them to Jacob.
“The pool closes at midnight.”
Aria wiggled down from Kendra’s arms. “I want to go see the pool.”
“Okay, let’s go get settled in the room first,” Kendra said. She turned to Jacob. “When will your mother arrive?”
He stiffened. He’d had a rocky period with her after he learned about his father’s illness. Luckily, Jacob had been able to take more than half a year off from his work, and he spent the last few months of his father’s life with him, getting to know him. Aria had taken to Jacob’s father right away, and they had spent a lot of time together with him and the rest of Jacob’s extended family.
It was only in the last few months that Jacob had tried to reconnect with his mother. Things were still strained, but he knew it was important to mend things. “She’ll be here tomorrow.”
“Okay. My mother will arrive on Christmas Eve.” Kendra was a little anxious about how things would go. They hadn’t all gotten together since they’d eloped. Her mother hadn’t been super happy with the quick marriage, but maybe after she got to see them so happy, she’d calm down.
They found their suite and entered. Lavish was an understatement. Everything was marble or dark wood, and accented in gold. They had a Jacuzzi tub in the bathroom as well as a shower. The large sliding glass door opened to the beach. Kendra whistled. “This is amazing.”
Aria skipped through the suite, humming to herself. Jacob pulled her close to him. “Thank you for the happiest year of my life. I know it’s not quite our anniversary, but I wanted to give you your gift.”
She peered up at him, suddenly curious. “Okay.”
He slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out a jewelry box. “I love you.”
Kendra opened it and gasped at the beautiful necklace. It had three stones on it. Their birthstones, his, hers and Aria’s. She smiled at him. “It’s gorgeous.” Then she looked at him through her lashes. “But it’s missing something.”
He seemed confused. “What?”
“We’ll have to add a stone. In about seven months.”
Comprehension struck and his eyes widened. “Really?” He placed a hand on her abdomen. “Are you serious?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
He blinked and she could see the emotion gathering in his eyes. “I’m so happy.”
“I was hoping you would be.”
He leaned down and kissed her, slow and thorough. “I’ve never been happier.”
And Kendra had to admit she felt the same way.
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Christmas with the Recluse
Chapter 1
Charley tapped the steering wheel of the rental car as Bobby Helms belted out “Jingle Bell Rock” from her car speakers. This was the best time of year. Charley loved everything about Christmas, and even though she would spend her first holiday season away from home, she was excited to be on this adventure. This was her first real job as an antique appraiser.
The Colorado air was crisp with the promise of snow, and Charley could hardly wait. Growing up on the coast of Florida, she had never experienced a white Christmas. She once again silently thanked her father for sending her on this job.
The GPS told her to take the next turn, and as she traveled up the winding road, her excitement peaked. The tall trees that lined the road gave the driveway a majestic feeling. She rounded another turn and a towering mansion came into view. The Neoclassical style of architecture took her breath away. Four large columns supported a curved balcony above the second floor. Everything about the mansion was stately. She couldn’t wait to see what antique treasures she’d find inside.
She pulled to a stop and hopped out of the car. She smoothed her skirt down as she pulled her suitcase behind her. Her father said the job would take a while, and the guy was willing to give her a guest room while she was there. Judging from the outside of the house, he probably had quite a few empty guest rooms.
She stepped up to the ornately carved front door and pressed the bell. She heard a buzz inside and then footsteps. A man answered the door. He looked to be in his late sixties and wore a suit. “May I help you?”
“Hi, Mr. Norris. I’m Charley Davis. I’m here to appraise your antiques.”
The man frowned. “And I’m Thomas Aims, the butler.”
“Oh. Right.” Charley felt her cheeks heat and she shrunk into her coat.
“Please come in. I’ll go get Mr. Norris.” The butler o
pened the door for her and she walked into the massive entryway, her suitcase wheels gliding across the smooth tile floor.
“Have a seat,” Thomas said, pointing to an antique settee. Charley obeyed, tugging at her socks. Maybe wearing candy-cane striped knee-high socks hadn’t been the best choice for her first day on the job. She suddenly felt underdressed.
The butler disappeared around the corner and Charley waited, tapping her foot to the sound of Jingle Bell Rock that still played in her head. The house was quieter than she’d expected. She did hear the distant sound of pots and pans being washed in the kitchen.
And then footsteps approached, and she stood when Mr. Norris came around the corner. The first thing she noticed was how distinguished the man looked. And handsome. He was tall and slender but well built. The suit he was wearing made him look like he belonged on the pages of GQ. His jet-black hair complemented his dark brown eyes. They were stunning.
The second thing she noticed was the scowl on his face. His gaze traveled down her outfit before he glared. “Who are you? And what in the world are you wearing?”
Oh, no. This was not going well. She definitely shouldn’t have worn the socks. But she could salvage this. She had to. She stuck out her hand. “Hello, Mr. Norris. I’m Charley. I’m excited to be here—”
“Wait.” He held up a hand, leaving her hand outstretched and hanging. She stopped talking.
“You’re Charles Davis?”
“Charley.”
He shook his head. “I contacted the world-renowned appraiser Gregory Davis last week. He told me he couldn’t come out, but he was sending a man who could do the job. A Charles Davis.” His gaze traveled down her once more. “You’re obviously not the man he was talking about.”
This wasn’t the first time Charley’s name had given someone the wrong impression, but she had always managed to correct any misunderstandings in the past. Usually all that was needed was a brief explanation. She plastered on a smile. “This happens sometimes. See, my name is Charley, and every once in a while, people get the impression I’m a man, but, as you can see, I’m not. But don’t worry. I know my way around antiques. I can do the job.” She clasped her hands in front of her and rocked forward on her toes.
A Christmas Collection: Four Sweet Holiday Romances Page 12