Page 94 of The Clause in Christmas
Seated side by side, Cassie’s thoughts swirled wildly as he handed her a small, square-shaped box.
“Merry Christmas, Ru.”
Heart fluttering, Cassie tried to control the tremble in her fingers as she untied the velvet bow. Finally reaching the box beneath the wrapping, Cassie tentatively lifted the lid.
A gasp escaped her lips.
Luke scooted closer, placing his hand on her knee as her fingertips gripped the red satin cord.
Slowly, Cassie withdrew an exact replica of the cottage, each intricate detail of the ornament carved by hand. “Oh, Luke,” Cassie breathed.
“I thought we’d continue your grandmother’s tradition,” Luke said softly. “And there’s something else inside.”
Cassie’s gaze flickered to Luke’s face. Could it be?
He gestured toward the miniature red door.
Drawing in a deep breath, Cassie eased the door open and peered inside.
Her breath caught, and as she tilted the ornament, a glittering gold necklace slid into the palm of her hand.
“I thought you could use a new one.” Lifting it gently, Luke held it up for her to see. Light reflected off the charm shaped like a tipped coffee cup. The delicate chain appeared to loop through the handle and tiny diamonds sparkled along the rim.
But the engraving in the center garnered all her attention.
Two simple letters that made her heart sing like a Christmas choir.
Ru.
“Do you want to put it on?” Luke asked.
In response, Cassie pressed her lips to his, lacing her fingers through his hair.
Tenderly cupping the side of her face, Luke returned her kiss, speaking the depths of his love without a single word.
* * *
Contentment filled Cassie’s heart as she topped off her coffee mug, once again admiring the colorful poppies splashed across the smooth, white porcelain. Laughter and chatter carried into the kitchen from the living room, along with the triumphant notes of Andy Williams’s “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”
Cassie would have to agree. Oh, how things had changed.
“There you are.” Luke strode across the kitchen, scooping her into another kiss.
As their lips parted, Cassie chuckled. “Miss me already?”
“More than you know. And I have another gift for you.” Luke handed her a plain manila envelope. “The last day on the Calendar was Celebrate with Friends and Family. I think you’ve accomplished that, don’t you?”
Cassie met Luke’s gaze, her pulse pounding in her ears. Her fingers trembled slightly as she peeled open the seal. Even though she’d been working toward this moment all December, she couldn't believe it had actually arrived. She hesitated as her fingertips met the sharp edge of the paper.
Luke bent and kissed her forehead. “Do you want a minute alone?”
Reaching for him, Cassie shook her head.
Luke slid an arm around her waist and lovingly brushed aside a loose curl.
After taking a couple of deep breaths, Cassie slid the top sheet from the envelope. As she gazed at the deed to the cottage, her vision blurred. She’d finally received her inheritance. Yet, holding the deed in her hand felt so surreal. As if, in some strange way, Cassie had already received her inheritance. And it had nothing to do with the four walls surrounding her.
“There’s more,” Luke said, as though reading her thoughts.
