Page 31 of Hard Candy Christmas

I glanced over everyone for a moment before letting my eyes land on Belinda, and once more, her story came to mind. How many Christmases did she have alone? How many did she suffer through? How many did she work to give someone else a day off and then regret it?

Well, that’s going to stop now. At least, I hope she lets me help her stop it. Because this woman deserves every good thing in the world.

And if she’s game, I want to give it all to her.

So, once everyone was done, I cleared my throat to get their attention. I looked around, all eyes on me, and I had to swallow hard.

Okay, maybe asking in front of my family wasn’t the best idea I ever had. However, it was far too late to turn tail and run. I was here, she was here, the ring was in my pocket, I was committed to this.

“As you all know, I became a hell of a man, ten years ago. I was wild, reckless, not caring about anything, or anyone. Because my heart was ripped from my body, and it was never given back to me. Maybe that was for the better, debate is still out on that one.

“But a talk with my dad tonight showed me that maybe it was better that things happened the way they did. That way, when we got to the right time, everything would fall into place. I tried fighting with fate and lost, she’s a mean ol’ lady who knocked me on my ass.”

I walked over to the other side of the room and sat down next to Belinda on the floor.

“What I know now, though, is that I’m the best kind of man I could ever be for the job I’m looking forward to most in the world. Ten years ago, I gave you my heart, Belinda. When you left, I thought I wanted it back. No, I did want it back. But I’m really glad you didn’t give it to me like I wished.”

She frowned as she glanced around the room, our mom’s dabbing at their eyes, before she turned back to me. No one knew I was doing this, especially not tonight. Hell, I wasn’t certain it was my plan, but it just felt right.

“Chase?” she muttered quietly, and I gave her my most endearing smile.

“I didn’t just lay my heart on the line for you, Belinda. You’ve always had it, you’re the only woman who has ever had it. And you’re the only woman I’ve ever loved, could ever love now that I come to think of it.

“So, I’m done waiting. Your back, and I refused to let you go. I waited ten long fucking years to ask this, but,” I took the ring out of my pocket and grabbed her hand, enjoying her gasp. I looked up into her tear-filled eyes, wanting to kiss every last one of them away. “Will you allow me to have you in my arms for a lifetime and beyond?”

Chapter Seventeen:Epilogue

Belinda

“Did you think this would happen?”

“A Christmas wedding eleven years ago, no.”

I swayed with my now husband to our song, ‘Hard Candy Christmas’. Over fifteen years ago, he asked me to dance at our Homecoming dance, and this song had come on. He asked me, just as we were done, to go out, and the rest is history.

“I meant us being here.”

“Oh, back then, sure. When I left, not so much. I swear Chase, I was so worried you hated me when I came back, I never saw us getting married. But when you popped the question last Christmas, there was just no way I was going to say no. And well, there was no way I wasn’t having at least a Winter Wonderland wedding. It might not be Christmas, but I’ll take our wedding on Christmas Eve.”

He chuckled as he spun me, then dipped me, giving me a deep kiss as the song ended.

“Time to get you to your cabin for the weekend.”

I couldn’t help the blush that crept up on my cheeks.

The family only laughed when we told them our plans. That we would be gone for Christmas, enjoying a private time then come back to celebrate it. Honestly, they didn’t seem to mind at all.

Twenty minutes later, after bidding goodbye to everyone, we climbed into the cab of his truck and made our way to the private cabin that is family owned. Okay, so it wasn’t far away, but it was a special honeymoon until we could both leave. Which, mind you, we were planning for next year. We just wanted a few solo nights.

I grinned as he took my hand, interlacing our fingers.

It felt so right being here with him like this. It was a long time coming.

“I’m not sure I ever told you just how beautiful you looked in this gown. I love the velvet trim on it. Fit the theme.”

“The purpose, Chase.” I laid my head on his shoulder as he turned the radio up, our song coming on. I think that was a sign in the making.

Minutes later, he pulled up to the cabin, and easily lifted me out of the truck and carried me into the cabin, where a fire was already going. I had to make sure to thank whoever came up here to get it ready.

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