Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16622 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16622 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
I sighed, lifting Maddy to my shoulder and rubbing her back in long passes. I was almost grateful our house was small and couldn’t hold them all. It would have been wild. Then I grinned.
“Christmas Eve. I can’t believe, a year ago, I was hammering on your shop door, hoping the nice old lady who owned the store would let me in to pick out some gifts.”
Callie laughed quietly. “Not so old, I guess.”
I leaned forward and kissed her. “But very nice.”
She traced my jaw with her fingertip. “I thought you were the most handsome man I had ever seen.” She quirked her eyebrow. “And generous.”
I laughed. “I have never been as grateful for lost parcels as I was that night. I didn’t care how much it cost me if it meant spending a few more moments with you.”
Callie frowned. “Did they ever get them? The lost parcels, I mean?”
I lifted one shoulder. “I have no idea. I totally forgot to ask. I assume they showed up at some point.” I bent close, teasing. “And this year, I didn’t have to worry. I have a wife now who does all that stuff.”
She laughed with me, and I kissed her. We had shopped together, decorated the house, and I found joy in small things I had never noticed until now. The season had taken on a whole new meaning, thanks to the birth of my little girl and the gift of my wife.
“Last year was all about the lost parcels. This year, it’s all about the very best thing. My own family. I never could have imagined how my life would change when you opened the door. How blessed I would be.” I held her gaze. “Thank you, my beautiful wife.”
“I love you,” she whispered.
I cupped her cheek. “I love you, my Callie. Merry Christmas.”
Her smile was bright. “Merry Christmas.”