Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 128260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
“I’d never forget our kids, buttercup.”
I laughed and sniffled. “Merry Christmas, Carson.”
“Merry Christmas, Grace. Come on, let’s get up. I have something for you.”
He stood up and started to move toward the bathroom to toss the condom he’d thankfully been awake enough to grab, and I sat up too. “What? You have something for me? How?”
“Don’t worry about that,” he called from the hallway. “Just get up and meet me in the kitchen.”
I got up and pulled on Carson’s boxer shorts and one of my sweatshirts.
I stopped by the bathroom and then went out to the kitchen to find Carson making coffee. I got the ingredients out for pancakes and bacon and started preparing to cook.
He came up behind me and put his arms around my waist, whispering into my ear, “I love you, I love you, I love you.” He smiled against my neck. “I love saying that.”
I grinned and turned my head so that I could kiss him. “Hmmm…I love hearing it. I love you.”
We stood that way for a few minutes and then I whispered sadly, “I wish everything back in Vegas was magically fixed and we could just stay here forever.”
He sighed. “Yeah, unfortunately it doesn’t work that way, buttercup. It’s going to be okay though. Somehow, it is. And we’re going to come back up here for Christmas next year and we’re going to bring all our friends and family, and we’re going to celebrate the fact that it’s all behind us.”
God, that sounded like a dream come true. I turned around, facing him now. “Promise?”
He nodded. “Yeah, I promise,” he said, kissing me softly on my lips. “Now make me breakfast, woman.”
I pushed him away and then swatted him on his ass. “Move back, Carson Stinger. You’re about to experience the best pancakes you’ve ever eaten.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, chuckling and going back to the coffeemaker.
We sat down at the kitchen island to eat and Carson groaned when he took the first bite of my pancakes. “Good God, woman, you know your way around a bowl of batter.”
I laughed. “Damn straight. I’m the Christmas morning pancake maker in my house,” I said, picking up a piece of bacon and dipping it in syrup.
Carson took a sip of coffee, studying me over the rim of his mug before lowering it. “Are you okay not being with them today?” he asked.
“I miss them. I need to call them in a little bit here. But there’s nowhere I’d rather be than right here with you.”
He smiled. We finished our breakfast and then brought a second cup of coffee each into the family room. There was a small present sitting under the tree. I stopped and turned to Carson. “Seriously, how’d you manage that?” I asked, tilting my head toward the gift below the tree.
“I picked something up in town when I was buying your boots and coat.”
I put my hands on my hips. “Hmmm, very sneaky.” I frowned. “But no fair because I don’t have anything for you. And you got me something. And it’s our first Christmas.”
Carson took my coffee and set both our cups on the side table and then pulled me to him. “Grace, I don’t think you get me very well. You broke off your engagement, changed Christmas plans with your family, ran through an airport, changed a flight, borrowed a car, drove six hours, hiked through snow, and practically got frostbite to be with me. And then when I told you I was involved in activities not exactly looked upon favorably by the legal system, a system in which you’ve made your career, you trusted me and accepted it without batting an eyelash. You asked how we were going to handle this when I told you about Josh, and you…well, you’re pretty fantastic in bed too.” He smiled and it was sort of teasing, but mostly it was tender and full of love. And though I gave him a small laugh, tears were also burning the backs of my eyes. “You’ve given me so many gifts that I’m overwhelmed.”
“Well then,” I whispered, “I guess a better question is, is that all you got me?”
He laughed. “Yeah. I’ll try to do better next year.” He let go of me to light a fire in the fireplace as I sat on the couch sipping my coffee. He brought me the small gift, and I smiled at him as I tore the paper open.
It was a jewelry store box. I glanced up at Carson and he smiled gently at me, a glint of nervousness in his eyes.
I pulled the top open and inside was a beautiful silver charm bracelet. “It’s beautiful,” I whispered.
“Do you have one?” he asked.
“No, I don’t have a charm bracelet,” I said. “Will you put it on me?” I held my wrist out.