Page 111 of A Christmas Celebration
‘Literally ages ago,’ I told him between them. ‘Sorry, Albert,’ I apologized.
‘Don’t mind me,’ he chuckled. ‘From what Brodie’s told me, he’s wanted to kiss you from the moment he set eyes on you, so by all accounts, I reckon he’s got some lost time to make up for.’
‘Albert!’ Brodie cried, sounding embarrassed. ‘That was for your ears only.’
Laughing, I waved Brodie’s mortification away.
‘Go on, Albert,’ I encouraged. ‘What else did he say about me?’
‘Nothing I daresay you don’t already know,’ Albert chuckled again, reaching for another sandwich.
‘That’s the last time I trust you with a secret, Albert Price,’ Brodie pretended to huff.
‘Given how many you’ve told me over the last few days, my lad,’ Albert countered, ‘I reckon I know them all now anyway.’
‘You’re probably right,’ Brodie agreed, pulling me to my feet in one smooth movement.
He then sat himself in the armchair and pulled me on to his lap.
‘So how are things at the hall?’ he asked, as I offered him the rapidly emptying plate. ‘You haven’t told Angus that I’ve let you in on our secret, have you?’
‘Of course not,’ I told him. ‘I’ve hardly seen him this morning because I was cleaning in a frenzy to make sure I got here in time to shove some food down the pair of you.’
‘That’s all right then,’ he said, jiggling me about which prompted a hard stare from Bran who looked less inclined to tolerate our messing about than Albert did.
‘And no one knows about us either,’ I added, loving that there was now an ‘us’.
‘If you carry on like this though,’ Albert pointed out as Brodie kissed my cheek, ‘you won’t be able to keep your relationship under wraps for long.’
‘Albert’s right,’ I said, twisting around to look at Brodie, who was quite irresistible close to. ‘What are we going to do?’
Brodie stared deep into my eyes and I watched his pupils dilate.
‘Nothing.’ He shrugged, laying a hand lightly on my thigh. ‘We’re together now and there’s no reason to keep it a secret, is there?’
‘None at all,’ I agreed, feeling even happier. ‘Although we might have to put up with the odd person insisting that it’s down to them that we’re together.’
‘I can handle that,’ he laughed. ‘As one of Wynbridge’s most successful matchmakers perhaps Kathleen might give us discounts on tickets to the next dance. I’m very much looking forward to waltzing with you again, Paige.’
I felt a prickle of tears. I couldn’t think of a time when any of my former relationships had made me a part of a bona fide couple. I hadn’t had relationships while working overseas, and none of the occasional hook-ups during leave or any of the patchy university dates I’d been on, had warranted the title.
‘She might,’ I said, clearing my throat. ‘I’m looking forward to that too.’
I had told myself I wouldn’t keep thinking about whatwas going to happen after Christmas, but now Brodie had so comfortably and openly declared our togetherness, I was desperate for my seed of an idea to further sprout, especially if it would keep me in Wynbridge or very close by.
Albert stood up, resettled Bella and walked over to his easel again.
‘I don’t suppose there’s any tea left in that pot, is there?’ he asked.
‘I’ll go and make some more,’ I offered, shifting to stand up, but Brodie held me back.
‘Are you okay?’ he quietly asked.
‘Yes.’ I nodded. ‘Of course.’
‘Am I moving too fast?’ he asked, his eyes searching my face. ‘You’ll have to tell me if I am.’ He added, ‘I’ve never felt anything like the way I feel for you for anyone else and I’m worried it’s making me a bit needy and presumptuous.’
‘Oh, Brodie.’ I swallowed.
