Page 47 of A Baxter Family Christmas
“True.” She didn’t blink, didn’t look away.
Connor leaned in and for the most wonderful, brief moment, he kissed her. Her lips were soft and warm against his and her nearness filled his senses. It was a kiss Connor was sure he’d remember forever. He eased back, a little breathless. “This needs to be our tradition.” He smiled at her, searching her eyes. “Right here. Under the mistletoe. Every Christmas.”
“Every Christmas?” Her eyes sparkled and her laughter told him she had enjoyed the moment as much as him.
He grinned. “Every single one.”
They walked to the front door and he helped her with her coat. As she left he hugged her. “Merry Christmas, Maddie.”
“Merry Christmas.”
Connor had a single thought as he watched her walk into the snowy night with her parents and her sister. He didn’t need to wonder what gift he would want that couldn’t be wrapped.
Her name was Maddie West.
And because of her, after tonight, he would never be the same again.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The house was quiet, everyone asleep except Ashley and Landon. She found him near the Christmas tree, hands in his pockets, staring at the ornaments. “I love our tree.”
“I loved tonight.” She took her spot beside him, and he put his arm around her shoulders. “I can’t imagine if we would’ve missed it.”
“Kendra was wonderful. She fit in so easily.” Landon looked at Ashley, his eyes soft. “I kept forgetting she wasn’t someone we’d known for years.”
“Me, too. And what she said about Erin... I’ll remember that always.”
Landon sighed. “We still have some work to do, you and me.”
Ashley laughed. “True. It is Christmas Eve. The kids will be up bright and early.”
Their tradition was the same every year. They wrapped presents for the kids and hid them in their closet. Then late on Christmas Eve when everyone else was asleep they set them out in piles—one for each of the children. The final touch was always the kids’ stockings—embroidered with their names.
“Thank you.” Ashley turned to her husband. “Thanks for putting up with me.”
“Ash... I’ve loved you as far back as I can remember.”
“I know.” She framed his face with her hands. “But sometimes I’m not the easiest. Like the whole avoidance plan. I was wrong, but you never said so. You let me figure things out on my own.”
“I understand you. That’s all.” He ran his fingers through her hair. “You feel so much, Ash. I love that about you.”
“And I feel most for you.” She studied his eyes, his handsome face. “You were praying for me, weren’t you? That I’d change my mind and join the others tonight.”
“Hmmm.” He grinned. “Maybe.”
“I knew it.” She laughed and kissed him. “I love you so much.”
“I love you, too. I always have.” Landon returned the kiss.
For a long moment they forgot about the Christmas presents and the stockings. But then they heard a sound behind them. Ashley turned around first.
There, standing in the doorway in her red flannel Christmas nightgown was Amy. She was still wearing her heart locket.
“Hi.” Her voice was soft.
“Honey, we thought you were asleep.” Ashley went to her and hugged her shoulders. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes, sorry.” Amy looked up at her. “It’s just... I couldn’t sleep.” She fiddled with the heart locket and stared at the picture inside. Then she lifted her eyes to Ashley again. “I wanted to thank you. For letting me meet Kendra.”
