She was beautiful. Tiny, fierce, determined. Her grey eyes wide, shining. He could barely contain his happiness as Alice stood in front of him. So close he could touch her, hold her. Against the cold of the dying sunlight he felt her warmth.
Children played, animals grazed, adults laughed and chattered. The town centre was as full as he had ever seen it.
They had planned every detail and every possibility. ‘It’s time,’ he said.
She tilted her head. ‘You’ve said that to me before. I kept thinking you had a hidden meaning.’
He tried to think of the past few months and their words exchanged, but couldn’t recall.
‘I understand it now.’ Her lips curved. ‘You mean, it’s time for us.’
‘Always,’ he easily answered.
She looked around her, her eyes taking in the beauty, the laughter, and this most familiar and treasured of Christmas traditions.
For himself, he didn’t need to look anywhere else but at her.
‘Every person and most of the animals are here, and as far away from that barn as we could get them. When we light the fire, Eldric will ensure that all the animals nearby are free to run.’
‘I’m not worried. What I am is surprised at how much I’ll miss all this.’
She took his hand and placed it on the side of her cheek.
‘You’re cold,’ he said.
‘Not for much longer,’ she said.
‘Don’t. Not even in humour. Eldric will ensure nothing happens.’
She nodded. ‘We have to let them see us together now.’
‘How do you want to gain a crowd? Should we argue? And if so about what?’ he said.
She bit her lip. ‘What do you think will get their attention?’
His eyes on her lips, he said, ‘All I want to do is kiss you, and I don’t care if it’s in front of everybody.’
Before she could answer he swept his hand along her nape and tilted her lips to his. What was meant to be brief, warm, tender, quickly turned to so much more—and still not enough. He would never get enough.
When he pulled away it took Hugh a moment to hear the laughter and clapping over the roaring of his own blood. Even knowing that people watched them, he felt his body protest at pulling away from her.
Smiling, laughing, enjoying the ribald jokes that were making Alice blush, his happiness overwhelmed him.
Facing the crowd, he announced, ‘I want you all to know that Alice has agreed to become my wife!’
Cheering overpowered the sound of his words, but he knew Alice heard.
‘Exactly who proposed to whom?’ she said.
He glanced at her. Laughter was in her eyes. He could not love her more. ‘Are you ready? They’ve seen us together.’
‘With that kiss, they’ve more than seen us,’ she quipped.
As they hurried away from the town square, Alice’s heart expanded. Her love for Hugh was endless, the thread binding them together strong. But there were more steps to take this night, and she grew impatient for their lives to begin.
A few buildings away, Eldric came out of the shadows. While slowly walking past them he whispered, ‘It’s all set. Good luck.’
All they had to do was light the match. Alice gave him a quick smile and hoped it wouldn’t be long before they saw each other again.
