A roar of voices cheered us on, but I didn’t pull away, only buried my fingers into the flannel shirt peeking from between his coat.Move along folks, this arch is occupied.And I was taking it back with me so I could install it outside my room at the inn. I was going to hold court under it.
I smiled against Jack’s lips. “I guess I’m staying for Christmas.”
With a discontented growl in the back of his throat, he brushed his mouth over mine again. “Just Christmas? Looks like I have my work cut out for me to make you stay longer.”
Chapter 14
Delia
—Christmas Eve—
What a whirlwind of a week.
Thanks to the publicity of a Bradley Farm tree in the town square, and after Jack’s very public, and very swoon-worthy display of affection, everyone was willing to give him a second chance, and all whispers of the past faded in the face of Jack’s new friendly temperament. The tree farm had an eleventh-hour surge of success as people shopped for last-minute trees with promises to return next year, wreaths, and decorated garlands Grandma Jean and I rushed to put together.
I may have even used some magic to meet the quota, but that was my business. I wasn’t about to spend night and day assembling branches when I could join Jack in the fields. By the end of the week, there wasn’t a tree we hadn’t slipped behind for a long, lingering kiss. Plus, I got pretty good at using the saw.
Simon and Becky had left town right after the festival, and I couldn’t have been happier. Not only because I was rid of my once and only in my head romantic rival, but Becky was off to chase her dreams, and Simon was handling her case. If any agent could grant her a miracle, it would be him.
And just maybe, by the secret looks they had cast each other before they left, Becky might get two miracles for one. Lucky girl. I may have found love, but I hadn’t followed agency rules, and it was unlikely I’d get a promotion. After the holiday, I’d have to head back to the office with my tail between my legs and report to my dreary cube next to Agatha for my punishment.
Though I had considered hanging my own shingle. I’d have to find my own clients and do all my own research. It would be a huge undertaking, but might be worth it to continue doing what I love.
There was also one more sticky situation. Jack still thought I wrote for a magazine, and discovering the reality about who I was and what I did for a living might be one magical truth too far. Grandma Jean promised me he’d understand and even accept who I was, but I was worried and had decided not to say anything until after Christmas.
Let him have one memorable Christmas before I potentially ruin everything.This was probably what Simon had meant about consequences. There was no guarantee our relationship would work out, though I wasn’t planning to give up without a fight.
Heaving a sigh, I flipped the closed sign on the little stand of wreaths and set about putting away the last of our materials. It was Christmas Eve, and the town was finally settling down for the night to enjoy the holiday. But for Jack and I, there was still lots to do. With all the chaos over the last few days, the inn was still devoid of decorations. That was changing tonight.
Grandma Jean poked her head through the door of the wooden shelter and stepped inside, doing a little twirl to show off her stylish outfit. She wore a red silk blouse with a ruffled neckline and a pair of trim black pants. Silver chains jingled together around her neckline.
“Wow, Grandma Jean, you look great!”
“Thank you, dear. I’m off to meet the ladies from the club for a few holiday cordials. Are you sure you don’t want to come? They’d love to have you.”
“I would be there in a second, but I promised Jack I’d help get the decorations down from the attic, and I already sent him up there to make sure he clears out any wildlife before I arrive. But squirrels or no, we can’t wake up tomorrow with the place looking like it is.”
Grandma Jean laughed. “Good plan, and no, we can’t! Well, then I will leave all the decorating to you.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t let you down.”
“I have faith in you, dear. I did from the moment you arrived. See you later tonight.” She leaned in and gave me a tight hug, then with a cheery smile, she jangled her keys and bustled out the door to meet her friends.
As I walked back to the inn with the setting sun at my back, I took a deep breath of the fresh pine air and looked around. This was a wonderful place to spend Christmas, and after a lifetime of lonely Christmases, I was ready to spend one with a family.
Taking the steps two at a time, I made my way toward the attic staircase. Boxes shuffled over my head, and I heard a muffled curse echoing down the hall. Balancing on the retractable stairs, I climbed into the attic and waved away the thick dust motes hanging in the air.
Jack stood in the corner, massive garlands and boxes of ornaments lay at his feet. He fumbled with a string of lights, cursing again at the knotted lengths that had somehow wrapped around his arms.
“How are you tangled up in Christmas lights?” I asked, humor threading through my voice.
“These are a scourge on Christmas and should be banned!” Jack grumbled, struggling out of the strings and dropping the whole mess onto the floor.
“They’re just lights, Jack. They can’t fight back.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. They trick you by having one light out of a hundred on the strand blow out, and the next thing you know, you’re snarled in their grasp desperately trying to find the right blub. It’s a festive snare and you can’t convince me otherwise.”
Nudging the web of lights away with my foot, I wrapped my arms around Jack’s neck and gazed up at him. “Looks like I couldn’t charm all the Scrooge out of you, after all.”
