Page 37 of Christmas With The Kings
“Yes, it is.”
“You made hot chocolate?”
I grinned. “I had some help. But it’s not just any hot chocolate. It’s Mrs. P approved. Extra marshmallows. Peppermint syrup. And a little something special from me.”
“May I have a sip?”
“Of course.” I unscrewed the lid and helped guide it to her plump lips.
She took a sip, then moaned. “Ohh…I taste a splash of vanilla cream and cinnamon?”
I kissed her temple. “You really are the smartest little elf.”
Her laugh bubbled out, light and airy, as I stepped behind her and placed my hands on her shoulders, guiding her forward. “Keep your eyes closed for a little longer.”
The cottage’s backyard opened like a winter fairytale behind her. It wasn’t cold enough for snow, but the frost laced the grass in soft silver, and the bare branches above glistened faintly from an earlier shower.
While we were saving Christmas in the escape room, the crew had been busy stringing lights last minute. The scent of pine clung to the air, crisp and clean. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the handmade map, its edges intentionally burned and curled, hand-drawn arrows winding through trails she didn’t even know I had memorized.
“You can open your eyes now.”
She did—and gasped.
A wide stretch of the woods was lit with soft golden lights, strung as best as four bachelors could do. In the center of the backyard, a cardboard sign stood with her name scrawled onto it, followed by four words: Let the hunt begin.
“You did this forme?” she whispered, holding the thermos to her chest like it was keeping her upright.
I didn’t answer right away, but stared at her in awe. This woman stormed into my life, threw me and my brothers for a loop, and somehow made our pact and dedication to one another stronger. Damn, we were lucky.
“I never thought I’d be the kind of man who did scavenger hunts in the woods, baby girl,” I murmured, sliding the map into her gloved hand. “Butthen again, I never thought I’d find someone who made me want to learn how. Truth is…before I met you, I didn’t even know I liked them.”
Her lashes fluttered. Her lip trembled. I reached out and traced it with my thumb.
“You’ve given so much to me. To all of us. The way you care, the way you light up a room—hell, the way you’ve managed to make me care about Christmas. Classic move, by the way. I have a feeling that you’ll make every holiday special.”
“I’ll try if you’ll let me.”
I kissed her knuckles. “You’ve taught me how to show up for someone, not only in the big ways, but the quiet ones, too.”
I cleared my throat. Emotions swelled at the back of it, unexpected and raw. “You’re the only woman who’s ever made me want to build a future. A real one. So tonight, I wanted to give you something fun. Something whimsical. Somethingyou.”
She stepped forward, threw her arms around me, and buried her face in my chest. I wrapped both arms around her small frame and held her tight, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head.
“I’m not as good at them as you are. But I had a little help.” I handed her the first card with a wink. “Ready to play?”
She cleared her throat and read aloud.
Malyshka,
It’s time for a game. One just for you and I.
It’ll be fun, I promise. Give it a try.
The reward at the end is all for you,
Flip this over to read your first clue.
“Go on. The anticipation is killing me, and it’s getting cold,” I teased.
