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She stood and swiped her copy from the table. “Tell you what, let’s put my copy in the library now.”
“You sure?”
“Of course, what harm could that do? The box needs books, right?”
“True.” He forced himself not to mention the abandoned copy on the table. The one that confessed his love and told her he wanted to be with her forever. And when she strung her fingers between his and tugged him toward the front door, he didn’t care about words; he never wanted to let her go, to give up the warmth of her skin. He didn’t care about any bank or gossip in town with her by his side.
Without even donning their coats, they made it to the box. Despite the heavier snowfall now sticking to the sidewalk, the cold didn’t drive them inside.
“Look, someone’s already put a book in it. How cool is that?” Scarlet opened the door and pulled out a forest-green hardback book with frayed edges. Her face went snow white.
“What’s wrong?”
Scarlet held out the book to him. “It’s the Christmas book.”
Duke took it and eyed the title,Once Upon a Kisswritten in gold lettering with a mistletoe imprint below the title. “This is THE book? The book that promises Christmas miracles? The book that promises true love by Christmas?”
ChapterSix
The Book.
The legendary book.
The guaranteed happily ever after with the man she loves.
Snowflakes melted on Scarlet’s heated skin. Her breath escaped in small white puffs.
Duke slid her copy ofAll Creatures Great and Smallinto the free little library box. “It doesn’t look like much. I thought with the legend it carried, it would be more… ornate.”
“It can’t be. I mean. It’s only a legend.” Scarlet studied the plain cover with mistletoe underOnce Upon a Christmas Kiss. She opened the book and slid her fingers over Ms. Chamber’s inscription written in perfect cursive looping with graduated brilliance. The words sang like a childhood lullaby whispering in her memories.
To my dearest friend Charlotte. May your heart be filled with joy this Christmas season. I leave you with the long requested true love story of my parents from years ago. May it bring you the happiness and peace it has always brought to me—and maybe a love of your own. I will miss you sweet friend. Yours Affectionately, Elizabeth Chambers
More messages from women who’d found their true love were scribbled in various handwritings and ink colors.
True love does exist.
Once upon a Christmas, I found my husband thanks to this book.
Y’all, this book is the real deal! After reading this story, I met my forever love at the Cherry Creek Post Office...
A heartfelt thanks to Miss Chambers for the romantic Christmas magic she weaved into this story. I thought I would never find that special someone, but I truly believe this book made it happen.
Dozens of inscriptions littered the opening pages, but her gaze snagged on one in particular.
Don’t settle. Find Mr. Right.
The streetlight flickered, calling her attention back to the present. “Is this authentic?”
Duke covered her hands with his and scooted into her side, stealing the remaining breath from her lungs. “It looks like it’s real. I can’t believe the legend’s true. I’ve heard about this book. Women have been trying to find it at the library for years, and the librarian laughs each time someone enters the building asking for it. People say you can’t find the book, the book has to find you.”
Scarlet spent too much time skimming the messages from front to back, shivering in the cold. Not that she felt a hint of chill, but apparently her body did because Duke closed the little library door and cuddled her into his side, her shoulder easily fitting under his arm and her chest pressed into his side.
The warmth she once felt when they’d snuggled watching the stars shot through her like a reindeer flying after consuming three Monster drinks.
He ushered her inside and held her to his chest, the book blocking their connection, but she felt his arms around her, his strong, reassuring, I-believe-in-everything embrace. His breath grazed the top of her head.
She stood there, swaying, clinging, aching to move the book out of the way and feel him against her.
