Page 91 of The Clause in Christmas
“Cassie Hayward,” Luke began, his voice thick with emotion, “I am hopelessly in love with you.”
A soft smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Hopelessly? Why, Luke Davis, you know better than that.”
Baffled, Luke’s mouth fell open. “I...”
Cupping his chin with her fingertips, she murmured, “Love always hopes, remember?” and pressed her lips against his.
Luke melted into her kiss, savoring the knee-weakening taste of her.
Gently pulling back, she whispered, “I love you, too.”
As Luke took her in his arms, the silky notes of “The Christmas Waltz” filled the air, cocooning them in the melody.
Holding Cassie against him, Luke swayed, humming along with the lyrics.
This year, Luke had a pretty good feeling his New Year dream would come true.
Chapter 33
Cassie’s eyelashes fluttered as her surroundings drifted into focus, the edges hazy as though she was still dreaming.
Outside the window, delicate snowflakes swirled in playful patterns in celebration of Christmas morning. Cassie burrowed deeper beneath the soft sheets, grateful she’d donned the flannel pajamas Eliza had given her the night of Pajama Christmas.
Christmas… the word danced in Cassie’s mind, teasing a smile from her lips.
In the past, the day had conjured nothing but heartache. But now…
Hope and happiness swelled in Cassie’s chest, and she pressed a hand over her heart, certain she would burst with joy any second. In a few hours, she would join Luke at Maggie’s house, along with Frank and Dolores. Eliza and Ben said they’d stop by, too.
This year, Cassie would spend Christmas with family—people who loved her.
Stretching her arms overhead, Cassie beamed, basking in the glory of the morning and the promise of things to come.
Curiously, the tantalizing aroma of warm-from-the-oven cinnamon rolls and freshly brewed coffee tickled her nose. Ready to explain the sensation as the sheer force of her imagination, Cassie snuggled deeper beneath the covers.
Then the silky notes of Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song” floated up the staircase, luring Cassie out of bed.
Heart skittering in anticipation, Cassie’s fingers curled around the smooth banister. Had Luke come for her? A smile curved her lips, crinkling the corners of her eyes. As she slowly descended the stairs, her Christmas tree came into view, the star on top glittering brightly.
Cassie’s pulse quickened as she neared the last step, each chord of “The Christmas Song” accompanying her movement. Pausing at the bottom, Cassie’s breath caught as her gaze settled on Luke, surrounded by Maggie, Dolores, Frank, Ben and Eliza, each wearing a set of pajamas identical to her own.
“Merry Christmas!” they shouted in unison.
Happy tears pooling in her eyes, Cassie admired her new-found family gathered around the twinkling Christmas tree. The snowfall beyond the bay window provided the perfect backdrop to the most beautiful sight she’d ever seen.
“You’re here.” Cassie’s voice broke with emotion.
Luke stepped forward, cupping a mug of steaming coffee. “We thought you should spend your first Christmas in Poppy Creek at home.”
Moved beyond words, Cassie leaped into Luke’s arms, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Grinning, Luke tried to save the coffee from sloshing onto the floor. But as Cassie’s lips found Luke’s, his concern slipped away.
Ben’s less than subtle exclamation of, “Ew,” eventually pulled them apart.
Giggling, Cassie slid her arms from around Luke’s neck, hugging everyone else in turn.
When she finally reached Frank, he tugged the collar of the gaudy pajamas mumbling, “They made me wear this getup.”
