Page 32 of My Knight Before Christmas
Epilogue
Fourteen months later
I'dbarelyopenedourfront door when Amy pounced like a Labrador.
“There’s mail for you,” she said as a greeting while I stomped my boots on the rug to get the snow off.
“Probably junk, like most days.”
She grinned, waving me inside. "Come on."
She was way too excited about my bills. My brows furrowed. “Can I at least drop my shopping bags in my room and possibly go to the bathroom before I see what has you so excited?”
“Yes, but hurry.”
Sheesh, couldn’t a gal get comfortable (aka remove my bra) before being pestered? I wasn’t expecting anything to be delivered. The only mail I received besides bills was from a company very concerned that my car warranty had expired.
To irk Amy, I took an extra-long time changing into yoga pants and using the restroom. Five o’clock was the perfect time to tweeze my brows and push my cuticles back. A pounding on the door startled me. I jabbed my skin. “Ouch,” I hissed. “Hold your horses. I’ll be out in a minute.”
“You need to come now. You’re running out of time.”
“Is there a bomb attached to it with a timer about to go off?”
“Avery, stop being a smart aleck and get out here.”
I thought I heard a foot stomp, but Amy wasn’t one to get overly loud, so it was hard to tell. Either way, I got the reaction I wanted from her. I swung the door open with a Cheshire grin on my face. “Lead the way, ma’am.”
She rolled her eyes, tugging me down the hall toward the kitchen. On the corner of the counter lay a red envelope with Avery scrawled in thick black ink. I picked it up, examining every inch. This wasn’t mailed; it was dropped off.
“Who’s it from?” I asked.
“JUST OPEN IT!”
“Alright, calm down.” I bit my bottom lip to stop smiling. I slid my finger under the flap. Pulling out a plain white card, I again took my time to look it over, cool as a cucumber. Amy about ripped it from hands.
I opened it to a dramatic sigh from Amy and read:
To the Love of My Life,
My body warmed like an overheated oven. I didn’t need to glance at the signature to know it was from my all-time favorite, hot-cocoa eyed, boyfriend.
I have a surprise for you. Change out of your yoga pants and meet me at the tree farm on Main Street.
Forever yours,
Liam
My chest floated away like a hot-air balloon. That Liam told me to change said how well he knew me. Instead of pestering Amy with a million questions like why she let me waste so much time, and more, I rushed to the bedroom. Changing into jeans and a green sweater, I took one minute to reapply lip gloss and fluff my curls before heading to my car.
Being the first week of December, the parking lot was packed. I ended up a block away at a bank. I slid my fingers into my gloves before exiting my car. The temperatures had dropped considerably the last month.
As I walked, I took in the sights of the season along Main Street. Wreaths sporting red bows decorated the lampposts. White lights were wound around the trees lining the sidewalk. Cinnamon and sugar roasted nuts greeted me as I made my way to the Christmas tree lot.
I loved this time of year. The focus on giving. Drinking my weight in hot chocolate. Eating ALL the treats. Spending time with family. Creating memories with Liam.
I increased my pace, eager to see the next surprise he’d lined up for me. He’d gone above and beyond, showering me with gifts or unplanned outings the past year. Of course, I couldn’t let it be one-sided. If there was one thing I never wanted Liam to doubt, it was how much I loved him.
At the wooden stand by the chain-link entrance stood Liam in his navy coat and gray beanie. My heart thumped an erratic rhythm as I approached him. If he wore a brown paper sack, I’d still think he was the most attractive man I’d ever met. Inside and out.
