Page 139 of The Blessings of Christmas
“Really?” Wrapping her arms around his neck, she chuckled, remembering her fortunate accident. “What made it a tall tale?”
When Derek looked up into the sky, moonlight sculpted his handsome face. “I thought she was way too sophisticated for me.”
“Sophisticated, huh?” She gently bopped him on the nose with a finger.
“Downright uppity,” he murmured, reclaiming her hand.
Victoria tried to pull away. “Uppity? Now that hurts.”
His laugh reverberated in her chest. “Yeah, but I learned not to trust first impressions.”
“Oh, you did, did you?” Victoria relaxed into his arms again.
“She was hurting, you see. And so was I, but I didn’t know that at the time.”
“How were you hurting?” She blinked down at him. Whatever was Derek talking about?
“I didn’t have anyone to...” Lips twisted to the side, he seemed to be thinking.
“... sing Christmas carols with?”
He nodded. “For starters. And...”
Oh, he was being way too cute. Lowering her head, she brushed his lips with hers and whispered “...someone to give Christmas kisses?”
For a few seconds they explored Christmas kisses, one after another. If there was a Christmas kiss diet, she’d just broken it. “Exactly,” he finally eased out when they came up for air. “But I’m going to want more of this way past Christmas.” His arms tightened around her.
“Is that a request...or a warning?”
“Both.” And his next kiss made his intentions clear.
“If you think that’s better for my health, Dr. Darling. After all, you’re the doctor.”
“I’ll give you a prescription.” Nuzzling her neck, he brushed her lips with his again. “But first, a little more research.”
Victoria couldn’t recallanother time when she’d been this excited on Christmas morning. Dressing in her red sweater and the red slacks she’d bought for today, she felt like Mrs. Santa Claus. Taking a morning stroll through the square, she thought back to how much had changed in the last three weeks. When she passed the bushes she’d butchered, she had to laugh. Thankgoodness fresh limbs were already sprouting. Glancing at her watch, she saw she had to leave. Time to get that meal going. Derek had taken most of the the gifts over to Amblebury after the caroling that night. The last few were packed in her trunk.
By the time she reached the clinic, Phyllis had a huge turkey and a ham going in separate slow cookers. The place smelled heavenly, and Victoria rushed to hang her coat in the back. On her way past the tree, she admired the gifts under the tree. Phyllis came to join her. “Don’t they look wonderful? The children are dying to open them.”
“The people that bought those gifts will be coming soon.” They made such a colorful display under the clinic tree.
She felt Derek’s presence before she saw him and turned. “My, aren’t you looking handsome, Dr. Darling?” Derek stood there in gray slacks, a blue shirt and his boots, of course.
When he leaned over to kiss Victoria’s cheek, Victoria caught Phyllis’ pleased smile.
But everyone was starving, and they had to serve. Although many of her customers had arrived, Miss Charlotte wasn’t here yet.
“People are getting hungry,” Phyllis said, glancing at the closed door.
“Let’s serve,” Victoria said. “They’ll be here soon.”
But she was worried. Had something happened to them?
Just as folks began to go through the line, the front door opened with a bang. Uncle Vinny stepped through with Miss Charlotte and her friends. Victoria couldn’t believe her eyes. Behind them were Victoria’s parents, their eyes casting around as if they might be in the wrong place.
“Mama? Daddy.” She rushed over.
“Now, you didn’t think we could have a Christmas without you, did you?” Daddy wrapped her in a bear hug.
