Page 45 of Christmas Promises

"Six..." The voices grew louder.

"Five...Four..."

"Three..." The mayor’s voice boomed over the crowd, urging the final numbers.

"Two...One!"

The tree burst to life in a cascade of dazzling white lights. Gasps of awe rippled through the crowd, followed by a wave of cheers and applause. Laney found herself swept up in the magic, clapping and laughing along with everyone else, her heart alight with the wonder of the moment.

“It’s so pretty,” Laney said, gazing up at the gorgeous man beside her. “What a wonderful tradition. Thank you for being with me.”

“It is. Growing up here, I forgot how special it is.” He leaned down to peck her mouth. “You’ve brought back my Christmas spirit.”

She might float up to the sky with the pure happiness that spread through her entire being. “That’s what you’re doing for me.”

“You’re the best gift anyone could ask for.” He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off her feet, twirling her in a circle, as she squealed and laughed.

That’s when she heard someone call her name. “Laney?”

Oh no. Was that her mother’s voice? No one else could say her name the way Penelope Gray could especially when Laney was in trouble. Back on her feet, she turned slowly, dread creeping into her stomach, and there they were—her parents, standing just a few feet away, clearly in shock at the sight of her in a man’s arms.

Laney’s pulse raced. “Mom? Dad? What are you doing here?”

Her mother, dressed impeccably in a lavender cashmere coat and scarf, was the first to speak. “We came early. To surprise you. But it seems the surprise is on us.”

“We missed you, sweetheart.” Her father pulled her into his loving embrace. In his arms, just as it had been when she was a little girl, she felt safe and warm.

“I missed you too, Daddy.”

“Who have we here?” Dad asked, turning toward Nolan.

“Nolan Hayes, sir.” He stepped closer and offered his hand, which her father shook.

“Nice to see you. I’m Tucker Gray. This is my wife, Penelope.”

Nolan turned to her mother, who was staring at him as if he were either a ghost or the devil. She couldn’t be sure which. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Gray.”

“Hayes?” Mom asked. “Your mother’s Edna’s friend, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“You have brothers. Gobs of them if I recall correctly?” Mom asked.

“There’s four of us.”

“Which one are you?” Mom asked.

“I’m the youngest,” Nolan said.

“Nolan’s a college professor now,” Laney said. “But he’s the one I couldn’t stop talking about when I got home after my summer here. Remember?”

“Right. Yes. Nolan.” Mom didn’t take her eyes off of him. “I see you’ve reconnected.”

Her father took his wife’s arm. “We’re sorry to barge in on you two like this, but we just couldn’t wait to see our Laney. What a charming town you have here.”

“It is, sir,” Nolan said. “Especially at Christmas.”

Her mother’s sharp gaze darted between Laney and Nolan, her lips pursed. “I thought you were coming here to spend time with Aunt Edna, Laney. I didn’t realize you were…dating.”

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