Page 86 of The Cornish Christmas Book Clu
Tamara had been designated to give this year’s welcoming words. ‘Happy Christmas, everyone. It’s wonderful to see you all here and I know we have a feast ready for us. I’ll follow Quinten’s example from last year and quote Charles Dickens fromA Christmas Carol, “God bless us every one.”’
There was good-natured jostling as people queued for the buffet and soon everyone was tucking in. Gage had saved her a seat, so she squeezed in by him.
‘What’s up? You aren’t eating.’
Tamara put on a smile, and picked up her knife and fork. ‘Just catching my breath, that’s all.’ She stabbed a bite of turkey and popped it in her mouth. ‘Mmm, it’s lovely and moist.’ It took some determination but she ploughed through the whole lot, all the way down to the last sprout. ‘I’m off to help with the desserts.’ She put a hand on Gage’s shoulder before he could stand up to join her. ‘You stay there. You’ve done enough and there are plenty of people in the kitchen already.’
The only person she’d confided in was Monica, because she couldn’t sneak the extra-special dessert she had made past her eagle eyes. Tamara retrieved it from the fridge now and set it on the counter to add the last decorative touches.
Rocky, Laura and Karen stopped what they were doing to give her curious looks, but she ignored them and picked up the platter with its gorgeous vintage Royal Worcester ‘Village Christmas’ design, another of her Etsy bargains, and pushed out through the swing door. Tamara set the platter carefully down on the end of the bar and tapped a knife on a glass to get everyone’s attention.
‘I hope no one will mind if I hijack things for just a few minutes.’ She beckoned Gage over. ‘Will you come and join me?’
His reluctance was obvious, but he did as she asked.
‘Everyone knows we’re business partners, and the other kind too as well.’ Her cheeks heated. ‘This is my way of asking you to take it a step further. I created this Mistletoe Promise dessert specially for us. You’ll see there are two different sides. Mine is a cinnamon-spiced vanilla cheesecake with a sweet biscuit base, topped with glazed cranberries and pistachios. Your side has a tortilla-chip base and a savoury cheesecake filling made with grated Gruyere, green chillis and green onions, garnished with chopped red and green peppers. But see how it comes together in the middle — just like we have. Even the sprigs of imitation mistletoe in the centre are a combination of sweet green fondant and fresh parsley.’ She giggled. ‘I wouldn’t actually recommend eating those.’
‘What are you asking?’ Gage said huskily.
‘I know I told you once that I didn’t want to get married again and you’ve never really said one way or the other... Sorry, I’m rambling.’Here goes.‘Life’s too short not to seize every moment and every bit of love we’re offered — so marry me, Gage, because you’re all I want, for always.’
The stunned expression washing across his face wasn’t how she’d imagined this might go. Agonisingly slowly, it was replaced by a smile. A glorious, heart-stopping smile she couldn’t resist and never wanted to. Tamara’s heart thumped, her breath came in short puffs and she thought she might faint if he didn’t answer soon.
‘You’ve got more courage than me because I’ve been carrying this around for weeks, waiting for the right moment.’ Gage pulled a small red box from his pocket. ‘I even had a word with Toby and he’s on board.’ He nodded towards her son, standing at the back of the room.
Toby smiled broadly and gave a big thumbs-up.
‘I told him my plan too!’ Tamara couldn’t believe her son managed to keep both of their secrets. ‘So, is that a yes?’ she said playfully.
‘Of course it is.’ Finally he kissed her, and the pub erupted in celebration. ‘I’m thinking of a honeymoon in Oz maybe?’
Emotion gripped her throat and for a moment all she could do was nod. ‘Haven’t you forgotten something?’ She waggled her left hand in the air.
Gage turned the vivid scarlet of someone who’d fallen asleep sunbathing and was paying the price.
‘If you don’t like it, we can get something different.’ He flipped open the lid. ‘It’s a pink diamond.’ Another blush. ‘A bit of a nod to your pig fetish.’
It was as if the deep-pink, square-cut diamond in a simple platinum band winked at her. ‘OMG, it’s perfect.’ Tamara beamed. ‘Like you.’
‘I hope you never find out how untrue that is,’ Gage joked and slipped it on her finger.
They were swamped with people all rushing to congratulate them and over the crowd she caught sight of Pixie’s satisfied smile.
‘Happy Christmas, Mr Bennet.’ Tamara draped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
‘Happy Christmas, soon-to-be Mrs Bennet.’ Gage returned the kiss. ‘I believe I need some of that Mistletoe Promise cheesecake. A slice from both sides.’
‘Me too.’
THE END
