Page 13 of Curvy Christmas Magic for the Mountain Man
Soren
The weekend before Christmas, when Celia's aunt will return, the two of us spend a couple of nights at Ravenhart Mountain Dude Ranch and attend the festival of lights downtown.
I've been looking forward to this weekend for weeks. The ranch is perfect this time of year, all decorated with garland and twinkling lights, and there's something magical about being here with Celia as snow falls gently outside our cabin window.
On Saturday afternoon, we first take a tour of Corvid Valley Historic Hotel, which is well known to be haunted. Celia will not let go of my hand for the entire tour, shivering next to me.
"Why did you agree to do this if you're so scared?" I tease her.
"Well, I know I'm with you, so I'm safe, but ghosts freak me the hell out," she says with a nervous giggle.
It's adorable how she tries to be brave but practically climbs onto my back every time the tour guide mentions a cold spot or strange occurrence. I love that she trusts me to keep her safe, even from things that go bump in the night.
The tour guide at the end says, "Although our hauntings are well known, the hotel is regularly at capacity. In fact, we've had famous visitors such as Hollywood's Natalia Rose. And Sugar Rush stayed here during their last tour."
"Oh, I love them!" Celia says.
After dinner, we meet up with Tyson and his wife, Clementine, plus her three brothers and their wives and kids to walk around the festival of lights. Corvid Valley hosts this event every year, and it's always incredibly cozy and Christmassy. At one point, Celia and one wife, Scarlett, are in a discussion about how Scarlett can read people's auras before giving them tattoos.
Tyson pulls me away for a moment.
"So it looks like things are working out real well between you two," he says, giving me a grin.
"Yeah, you're right. They are."
"You two look like you might be in love. Are you thinking about doing what I think you're thinking about doing?" Tyson says, giving me a curious look.
"Maybe. It depends on how tonight goes."
Fifteen minutes later, Celia and I take off on our own to go buy a couple of spiked eggnogs. We walk hand in hand through Corvid Valley, looking at the lights surrounding us on the trees. I pull her close to me, leaning in for a kiss that tastes like sugary rum and warm spices.
"Celia, I have something to tell you," I say, looking into her dark brown eyes.
"What's that, babe?"
"I'm in love with you. I think you're just the most fantastic woman I've ever met."
My beautiful love's face breaks into a smile, and she giggles. "Well, that's funny. I think you're the most fantastic man I've ever met." She presses her lips against mine and then pulls away, whispering, "I love you too, Soren Felsenberg."
The way she says my full name sends a thrill through me, and I pull her in for another kiss.
11
Celia
The snow falls gently outside my cabin window as I play folksy Christmas music and wrap the last gifts before placing them under the tree. Aunt Griselda arrives tomorrow on Christmas Eve, but Soren will be here sometime this evening.
I've been buzzing with excitement all day, unable to concentrate on anything for more than a few minutes. There's something magical about this Christmas Eve eve, something that feels different from any other year. Maybe it's because I'm finally truly happy, or maybe it's because I have someone special to share the holidays with for the first time in years.
The cabin looks perfect, all decorated with garland and twinkling lights. I've got Soren's gifts wrapped and hidden under the tree. There are also several flannel shirts I want to rip off of him, and a small piece of black tourmaline for protection that I blessed during the full moon last week.
I keep checking the clock, even though Soren said he'd be here around seven. It's only six-thirty, but I'm so excited to seehim I can barely contain myself. It's our first Christmas together, and I am vibrating with happiness.
My doorbell rings, and I look out the window, but I can't see who is standing there. Curiosity gets the best of me, and I open the door to find my handsome mountain man down on one knee as the snow falls onto his silver hair. A dark green ring box is open in his hand, showing a beautiful princess-cut diamond sparkling in the porch light.
"Soren?"
My heart stops completely. This is not what I was expecting at all. The ring is absolutely stunning, and seeing this strong, gruff man down on one knee in the snow makes my eyes fill with tears immediately. My hands fly to my mouth as I try to process what's happening.
