Page 95 of The Clause in Christmas
Cassie withdrew a second sheet of paper, her breath faltering as the handwritten letter came into focus. Wiping her damp cheeks with the edge of her sleeve, Cassie blinked back the impending tears, not wanting to miss a single word.
My dearest granddaughter,
You’ve made it. Of course, I knew you would. You’re a Hayward. Which means you’re too stubborn to quit a challenge. I just pray you’re not too stubborn to have a change of heart. Christmas is a gift. But like any gift, you have to accept it. Call it a clause, if you will. You can have the tallest tree or the brightest lights, but if you don’t have Hope in your heart, it’s all for naught. But then, I suspect you know that by now.
Merry Christmas, my dear. Until we celebrate together one day. In the meantime, I’ll leave you with words paraphrased from our good friend, Charles Dickens.
May you keep Christmas well.
All my love,
Grandma Edie
PS ~ Give Luke my love
Cassie heard Luke sniffle, and glancing up, caught him wipe a stray tear from his eye.
Her own eyes glistening, Cassie gently set the letter on the butcher block. “She sure was special, wasn’t she?”
“She was.” Luke turned Cassie to face him, brushing a tear from her cheek. “You okay?”
“I only wish I could have met her. Or, at least, thanked her somehow.” Every word from her grandmother’s letter had permeated Cassie’s heart. As she’d carried out the different tasks over the last few weeks, something had changed inside her. And Cassie knew it had nothing to do with the activities themselves.
“Come here.” Taking her hand, Luke led Cassie to the doorway.
“What are you doing?” A smile teased Casse’s lips as she gazed up at him.
Holding both of her hands in his own, Luke tipped his head toward the ceiling.
“Mistletoe?” Cassie laughed. Then, suddenly, her eyes widened. “Wait. How did you…”
Luke flashed an impish grin. “I may have snuck a peek at your wish. ‘Finally kiss Luke beneath the mistletoe.’”
Blushing, Cassie made a move to swat his arm, but Luke wouldn’t release her hands.
“Excuse me, but I believe I have a wish to fulfill.”
As he lowered his lips to hers, Cassie closed her eyes. The sensation of his deep, tenderhearted kiss flooded her with warmth, and vivid images flashed through her mind.
Luke rescuing her from the attic.
Their bodies sprawled in the snow.
The comfort of his strong, steady embrace.
A stolen kiss in swirling snowflakes.
So many memories shared.
And Cassie hoped, so many more to come.
“Wow,” Luke breathed, finally pausing to catch his breath. “Can we keep the mistletoe all year?”
Laughing softly, Cassie nudged his shoulder playfully. “Since you cheated, you have to tell me your wish now.”
“Sorry, no can do.”
“But that’s not fair!” Cassie tried to pout, but she couldn’t stop smiling.
