Page 76 of Wintertime Love (Holiday 2)

I don’t say anything. I just tilt my head in acknowledgement.

She casts a terrified look at Finn before turning on her heels and rushing out.

As the door closes behind her, the silence within the diner is deafening, everyone is staring at Finn with a new respect.

“Well…” I clear my throat.

Finn turns to face me.

I say, “That was quite something.”

He grins and his cold expression melts. I have my Irishman back, “It’s not over yet.”

I blink, “What do you—”

Suddenly, he’s kneeling on the ground.

My gaze drops to him and I’m stuck with an ominous feeling, “Hey, no. Get up.”

He smirks. “Well, since you’ve been running around calling yourself my fiance, I thought we should just make it official.”

&

nbsp; I back into the counter, trapped by this devious man, warning him, “Finn, I mean it —“

A ring box is in his hands as he raises it up. “Clara Winter, Agra, love of my life…” There’s a wicked glint in his eyes and I know he’s enjoying my discomfort. “Heart of my heart, Keeper of my soul, light of my—”

“Fine! I’ll marry you!” I wail out. “Just stop!”

He grins and the ring is on my finger before I know it and I’m being lifted up in the air as he laughs and people are cheering.

My arms wrap around his neck and I lower my head to kiss him. “Manipulative bastard,” I whisper, my eyes twinkling.

He smirks. “And yet, you agreed to marry me.”

My heart is racing as he swallows my next jibe in a fierce kiss.

That Christmas, Finn doesn’t go back to the cold dreary estate and instead, spends it with me and my family. I watch him laugh with my aunts after easily integrating himself into my family. All I can do is watch him and feel hopelessly in love with the man who forced his way into my life, stolen my heart, and swept me off my feet. All, while tying me to himself so quickly and efficiently without giving me room to protest.

I don’t know if I’m his Christmas miracle or if he’s mine, but all I know is that he’s the best thing that’s ever walked into my life and I intend to keep him.

Epilogue

Finn

Five years later….

I enter the house and slam the door shut behind me, calling out, “The lights are working!”

“Daddy!” A four-year old boy in a green onesie with pictures of reindeers on it, runs towards me.

I scoop him up in my arms. “Where’s your mom?” I ask.

“At Gram’s place. She said she had to pick up the presents.”

I waggle my brows. “Want to go see your grandmas?”

Eric McCarthy, the next in line to be the Duke of WestHallor, burrows his face in my neck. “Gram Vee said that she’s baking gingerbread cookies.”

---