Page 87 of The Clause in Christmas
Luke passed her the pen and pulled two strings of twine from his coat pocket, using one to wrap his scroll.
“You already finished yours?” Cassie asked.
“Yep. I knew exactly what I wanted.”
As he gazed into her eyes, Cassie shivered.
Attributing it to the cold, Luke said, “Write yours down and we can head back home. The snowfall is getting heavier.”
Cassie pressed the pen to her lips in thought, smiling as a silly idea sprang to mind. Hastily, she scribbled down her wish, then rolled the slip of paper as directed.
“You stay here, where it’s warm.” Luke held out his hand for her scroll. “I’ll go tie these to the tree.”
Cassie snuggled beneath the pile of blankets while Luke trotted through the snow and hung their wishes on the sparkling branches.
Glancing around her fairy-tale surroundings, Cassie savored the crisp scent of pine and freshly fallen snow, attempting to capture every exquisite detail of the moment.
So far, the evening had been beyond perfect.
And she had a feeling the magic had only begun.
* * *
After a serene ride back, stealing kisses along the way, Luke pulled up in front of the cottage. Extending his hand to help Cassie down from the carriage, Luke’s heart hammered against his chest.
As he led her toward the cottage, he paused a few feet from the front steps, gazing at the enchanting Victorian adorned in ethereal, shimmering lights.
“Remember the first evening we ever spent together?” Luke asked.
Cassie smiled, her eyes soft and dreamy. “The day you helped me decorate.”
“That’s the day I started falling in love with you.”
Luke heard Cassie’s sharp intake of breath, and he turned to face her.
Her stunning green eyes peered up at him, searching, as snowflakes gathered on her long lashes.
“Ru…” Luke said, his voice husky.
But before he could say another word, a sharp trill startled them both.
“I’m so sorry!” Cassie fumbled inside her coat pocket. As she withdrew her phone, the color drained from her face.
“What’s wrong?” Luke asked.
“It’s… the rehab center.”
“At this time of night?” Luke glanced at his wrist, realizing he wasn’t even wearing a watch.
“I’m so sorry,” Cassie repeated. “I’m worried it’s—”
“It’s okay. Answer it.” Luke reached for her free hand, in case she received bad news on the other end.
Squeezing back, she answered the call on speakerphone, a gesture of trust and intimacy that warmed Luke’s heart, even in the falling snow.
“Hello?”
“Cassie Hayward?”
