Page 16 of Whiskey Holiday
"Now?"
"Yep," he says, and I slide from Tannon's lap and stand.
"I need to close the bar," I tell him.
"Already taken care of. Danny is going to lock up."
Everyone else sitting at the table rises as well and begins to bundle up in their coats and hats. We collectively walk toward the front door, and my best friend hands me my jacket and bag from behind the bar.
"I'll see you later." Brinkley smiles, and I smile back.
"It was good meeting you all," I tell our new friends from Polson. "I hope you come back for another visit."
"You too. Let us know the next time you find yourselves in our neck of the woods," Jake says as Tannon pushes the front door open, and we step outside into the frigid night air.
The jingle of bells draws my attention.
My mouth gaps open as I stare at the horse-drawn sleigh sliding to a stop before us. Tim, who is one of the drivers for Jingle All The Way, tips his head and grins at us.
Tannon grabs my hand in his. "Ready?"
"This is my surprise?" My tummy flutters again, and I hear the women aww behind me.
"Hell, man. You're making the rest of us look bad," Reid, who is standing at my right with his woman, Mila, says.
"This town inspires me to want to write a small-town Christmas romance," Alba gushes.
"We have got to ride on one before we go home." Bella looks at her man. I watch Logan lift his woman's feet off the ground, bringing her lips to his.
"I'll give you something to ride," he tells her, then gives her a passionate kiss that makes me blush.
"Maybe we'll catch you later," Jake waves goodbye as their crew walks across the parking lot.
Tannon helps me onto the sleigh, then settles in beside me. He throws a heavy blanket across our legs before wrapping another around our shoulders. I snuggle close to his side, seeking his warmth as we start to move. We travel around the town square and along the trail near the frozen lake where families are ice skating. I soak it all in. It feels like I'm looking at the world around me through someone else's eyes. Like I'm experiencing the magic of Mistletoe for the first time.
Sometime later, the sleigh ride comes to an end, pulling up to the towering spruce decorated in beautiful red and green colors. I look around at many familiar faces in the crowd gathered to see the tree lights come on. Tannon steps down, then takes me by the waist, setting me to my feet. "Are you ready to flip the switch?" Tannon brushes the loose hair blowing across my face.
Snowflakes fall onto my face, getting caught on my lashes as it begins to snow. "Kiss me first," I tell him.
Tannon palms my cheek, and I lean into his touch and close my eyes. "Where have you been all my life?" he whispers.
"Waiting for you," I confess. Christmas music playing in the background feels like it's moving through me, keeping a steady rhythm with the drumming of my heart as Tannon kisses me.
This kiss is different.
It's whispering a thousand wishes and promises.
Like long lost lovers, our souls speak to each other.
When I open my eyes, I see more than Tannon gazing upon me. I recognize the father of my children—my future husband—my forever.
