Page 42 of Christmas Promises

He really hoped, for his sake, that she found it in herself to stand up to her mother. If he lost her now—again—he would be devastated.

“The good news is that I now know what I want,” Laney said. “It’s what I’ve always wanted. To live in Sugarville Grove and marry Nolan Hayes.” She clapped her hand over her mouth. “I can’t believe I just said that.”

“I’m glad you did.” His heart soared higher and higher until he thought he might burst from joy. “I want the same thing.”

“No one will get this,” Laney said.

“You’re right. They’ll think we’ve lost touch with reality.”

“But we know the truth, right?”

“That we belong together?” Nolan asked.

“Don’t you think?”

“I do. I do absolutely think we belong together. And we’re going to have to make a pact that no matter what my family or yours says, we know the truth.”

They finished dinner, talking more about their dreams for the future and all of the memories they could make together. By the time they were finished, both of their plates and glasses were empty. But he felt full in a way food never could fill a person, of life and love and the possibilities for the future.

“Shall we decorate that tree?” Laney asked. “And do the dishes later?”

“Yes. Let’s do it.” He poured them each another glass of wine. “Lead the way.”

He’d lined all the ornaments up on the coffee table, except for the balls, which were still tucked into their packages.

Laney held up the carved wooden reindeer. “The craftsmanship on some of these is exquisite. So much better than some generic ornaments you could find anywhere.”

“As far as I know, the ornaments sold out at the tree farm are all made by local artists.” Nolan stepped back to look at the tree. “My mom buys a few every year, usually ones that represent something that recently happened.”

“We should do that.” She tugged on her earring. “I mean, you should do that.”

If he had anything to do with it, she would be right here by his side at this time next year.

Nolan picked up the snowy cabin ornament from the coffee table. He turned it over in his hands, the painted details catching the light. “This one reminds me of Sugarville Grove.”

“Me too. I love it. This commemorates the first Christmas I spent in Sugarville Grove. With you.”

While he hung the cabin, she reached for the fox ornament. “When we look back on this, we’ll remember this was the year I bought Clever Fox Bookstore.”

He grinned, never happier with any words spoken ever. “You have a deal.” He picked up the brass bell. Its small clapper made a soft chime as he held it up. “What do you think? Does this one have a meaning we can tie to the year?”

Laney’s eyes lit up. “Hmm…wedding bells?”

He must have made a face, because she laughed. “Not the ones I didn’t have but the ones I might have,” Laney said.

“Do you mean it?” He reached for her, brushing her hair away from her face. “Do you really want this? It’s not just something you’re getting yourself wrapped up in as a way to get over your broken heart? Because if that’s true, it might permanently break me.”

“It’s not true.” She cupped his face in her hands. “We both need to have a little faith. In each other as well as whatever fate has in store for us.”

Laney turned her attention to the wooden snowflakes, picking up one and holding it against the light to admire its intricate design. “These will remind us of the early snowfall this year.”

“Yes, that’s right,” Nolan said, handing her a few more. They worked together to scatter them evenly, each snowflake adding a rustic charm to the tree.

When they came to the red velvet ribbons, Laney paused. “I’ve always wanted ribbons for my tree.”

“How come you didn’t have them before now?”

She blinked, looking at him. “You know, I have no idea. Probably because my mother wouldn’t like them, so I just went along with whatever she thought.”

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