Page 6 of A Merry Little Christmas
When my shift ended at four, I said goodbye to Ellie and popped my head round the kitchen door to see if Maddy was ready to go.
‘Just going to finish emptying the dishwasher. I’ll catch you up,’ she said cheerily.
So I took my time bundling myself up in my winter coat and scarf and walked out onto the green. It was already getting dark, and as I stood there, breathing in the frosty air and wondering if there could be more snow in the forecast, the magic happened.
The magnificent village Christmas tree lit up in all its colourful, sparkling glory. And as I gazed into its glowing branches, something happened to my heart. I felt a warmth inside and suddenly tears were pricking at my eyelids.
I’d always adored the festive season. It brought out the best in me, somehow. Maybe it did that for everyone? The softer, more romantic side of me tended to emerge around this time of year when the air was filled with the homely scents of crackling fires, mulled wine and gingerbread... when sentimental Christmas songs were played wherever you went, and people were generally kinder to one another.
I swallowed on the lump in my throat.
It was time to be brave... time to forget the past and Richard and all the heartache and subsequent self-doubt, and step into the unknown with Caleb... confident that whatever the future might hold for us as a couple, I would be able to handle it.
And then suddenly, just as I was thinking this, there he was . . . striding across the green towards me.
CHAPTER FOUR
My heart leapt with joy at the sight of Caleb as it always did, although my natural instinct was still to play it just a little cool as I walked over.
‘What are you doing here?’ I smiled up at him. ‘I’ve just finished my shift so your timing is spookily brilliant.’
He grinned. ‘Ah, well, it’s that telepathy between us. I always know where you are. I can feel it in here.’ He tapped his heart twice with his fist.
I chuckled. ‘Like an internal satnav, you mean?’
‘Absolutely.’
‘Actually, that sounds a bit creepy.’
‘It does, doesn’t it?’
‘I don’t reallywantyou to track me when I’m heading to the fridge for my third slice of cheesecake of an evening.’
He laughed. ‘I hope you saved some for me.’
‘It’s cherry. Your favourite. Of course I did.’
He put his arms around me and our lips met as he drew me into the warmth of his body. His lips were soft but his kisses were urgent, and as my head spun with desire, I reflected dreamily that no one – not even me – could mistake Caleb’s embrace for anything else but true passion.
At moments like this, as we drew apart and smiled into one another’s eyes, all my doubts about whether our relationship would last seemed to vanish into the ether. Caleb wanted me as much as I wanted him. What better feeling was there in the world? I wanted to stay wrapped in his arms forever.
As we snuggled together and gazed up into the glowing branches of the village tree, Maddy came by and shouted, ‘Get a room, you two!’
Laughing, I turned, just as Caleb’s mobile started ringing.
He looked at it and frowned, then he turned away and began speaking urgently into the phone. I huddled more firmly into my winter coat, already missing the warmth of his arms around me. It sounded like business – probably his new assistant, Amanda, with a message. Caleb made his living building communities of stylish eco houses, but being the boss came with daily problems to sort out.
‘We’re off to Salzburg tomorrow for the Christmas markets,’ Maddy was reminding me, ‘so I won’t be here for your birthday. Got time for a drink at the Swan in half an hour?’
I smiled at her. ‘That would be lovely.’
‘Good. I’ve got your gift but I need to wrap it.’
‘I’m so envious of your trip to Austria. You’re heading for a snowy winter wonderland and I wantlotsof pics, please.’
She grinned. ‘Jack’s never been to a Christmas market. I have a feeling he’s terrified.’
‘Terrified? What of?’
