A Bramble House Christmas (Carrigans of the Circle C Book 6) (18 page)

“I liked when Santa walked down the aisle,” Scout said. “He gave a special wink, just for me.”

W
illa had eaten modestly all day, saving room for Sage’s chocolate fondue. There were eight of them seated around Sage and Dawson’s dining room table, including Patricia and Mike. The baby, of course, was too young to participate, so Dawson held him on his knee so he could keep an eye on the proceedings.

The aroma of melted chocolate was intoxicating. Every person at the table was given their own small pot of it, as well as a generous portion of cut-up apples, bananas, strawberries and shortbread cookies for dunking.

“Merry Christmas everyone,” Sage announced. “Please dig in and let me know if you’d like more. There’s never a shortage of chocolate in this house.”

Willa stabbed a strawberry with her fork. Then dipped. The velvety combination of dark and milk varieties of chocolate had been heated to the perfect temperature so it clung in a thick layer to the fruit.

She popped the whole thing into her mouth. Then sighed. Sublime. She chewed slowly, savoring the experience, not even realizing she’d closed her eyes until she opened them—and saw Finn watching her with a lazy, sexy smile.

“Aren’t you going to take a taste?” she asked.

“I’d love to,” he murmured. “But this is a family event.”

She could feel her cheeks burning and not from the large fire burning in the adjoining family room. Finn was making his interest in her very obvious tonight. And she loved it. After the ceremony, he’d held her hand as they walked back to Bramble Road. Sage and Dawson’s home was several blocks from the B&B, a modest, but charming two-story.

“How is it you ended up living so close to your Aunt Eliza?” Willa asked.

“It was just a coincidence. I’d been in love with this house for years,” Sage said. “But I had to marry Dawson to get it.”

“I was willing to get her using whatever means necessary.” Dawson went along with the joke. “Even if it meant buying her dream home from under her and using it as a bribe.”

“I just hope you don’t feel too tied down, son.” Patricia was spending more time sipping her wine than enjoying the fondue. Perhaps she was watching her admittedly very trim figure.

“Why would you say that?” Dawson sounded annoyed.

“Not that long ago you were a carefree cowboy on the rodeo circuit. Now you’ve got a demanding full-time job as deputy, a house, a wife, and a brand new baby. That’s a lot of change for just two years.”

“I worked hard to get these things, Mom. I was sick and tired of the rodeo life. Independence is a fine thing. But having people in your life who love you and need you is a hell of a lot better.”

Willa glanced at Finn, and found him looking at her, too.

“From where I sit,” Finn said, “Dawson is a lucky man.”

Sage gave him a grateful smile, but Savannah was bored with the serious turn in the conversation. “When are we going to open presents?”

“Have you had enough chocolate?” Sage countered.

“No!” Savannah dipped a chunk of banana into the fondue, gobbled it down, then smiled. “Okay. Now I have.”

They all moved to the family room, where dozens of colorfully wrapped gifts were piled under a Scotch pine tree bedazzled with lights, ornaments and garland. The room was warm thanks to the wood-burning fire, and Christmas carols played softly in the background, only rarely heard above the buzz of conversation.

The idea was that everyone was to open one gift, and save the rest for tomorrow. The gifts were all fun, nothing extravagant. Both Savannah and Scout received small Lego sets from Jurassic World, which they happily assembled and began to play with.

Willa was more than happy with her signature Copper Mountain Chocolate mug, filled with a bag of hot cocoa mix. The cocoa wouldn’t last long, but the mug would forever be a reminder of the wonderful friends she’d made in Marietta.

“I wish you guys didn’t have to leave after Christmas,” Sage confessed when they were saying good-bye a few minutes before ten. Patricia and Mike were still in the family room. Since they wanted to watch the grandchildren open their stockings and gifts in the morning, they were sleeping over on the pull-out couch.

“I’ve grown to love this town,” Willa confessed.

“Me too!” Scout added. “Can we move here, Mom?”

Because of his prolonged illness and all the school he’d missed, Scout didn’t have many friends in Phoenix. With the added bonus of snow and ice, Willa wasn’t surprised to hear his request.

“According to the doctor who lives down the street from us, the hospital is currently looking to hire at least one nurse,” Sage said. “And yes, I confess, I did ask, on the outside chance you might be interested.”

“Wow.” Willa felt more than a little overwhelmed.

“You, too, Finn,” Sage added. “With your job you can work anywhere, right?”

“That’s true. As long as I’m near a ski hill, I’m happy.”

Willa shot him a questioning glance. Was he implying that he, too, would be willing to consider a move to Marietta? They had so much to discuss.

But right now, she needed to get her son home to bed. He was so tired he was leaning against her the way he had as a toddler when he wanted her to carry him.

Finn noticed, and once they were outside he scooped Scout up onto his shoulders. It was only a short walk home, but the cold made Willa’s cheeks tingle. She looked up at the sky, but couldn’t see any stars.

“I wonder if it’s going to snow.”

“I hope so,” Scout mumbled sleepily. “I love snow.”

At the B&B Finn carried her son up the stairs, delivering him straight to his little bed. He was practically asleep so Willa decided, just this once they would forgo brushing his teeth. Quickly she helped him change into his Christmas pajamas—dark green with a pattern of miniature dancing reindeer.

By the time she drew his covers to his chin, he was fast asleep. “Merry Christmas my darling boy.” She kissed his forehead, then looked for Finn. He was sitting on a chair by the door, waiting for her.

As she moved toward him, he rose and drew her into his arms. Without a word, he kissed her.

So much need and desire had been building up between them, the kiss couldn’t possibly release it all. But being in his arms, feeling his lips on hers, was definitely a good start.

When he asked if she would come to his room, she nodded.

Until that moment, it hadn’t felt right. But it did now.

Quietly they left Scout, sleeping soundly on his rollaway bed. In the hallway, Finn paused. “I need to ask you something first.”

Now that they’d finally made the decision to sleep together, Willa was impatient. “What?”

“I had a talk with Kris Krinkles tonight. He wants your permission to take Scout on an outing later tonight.”

“Tonight?” she repeated, thinking she couldn’t be hearing correctly.

“Yes. He wants to take Scout on an adventure. He has a dog sled lined up to deliver presents to the sick children at the local hospital.”

Willa stared at him, stunned. “Why can’t they do this in the morning?”

“Because the children have to get the presents before they wake up.”

“But...” She blinked several times, wondering if she’d had too many glasses of wine tonight. “But Scout’s so tired. He needs a good night’s sleep. Besides, do any of us really know this Kris Krinkles?”

“I had a feeling you’d say that. So I stopped by the Graff today and asked. They told me they did a complete background check of the guy before they hired him for the holiday season. He came with glowing recommendations from many sources. And then I checked with Dawson. He’s going to be keeping an eye on the proceedings, too.”

“What about the dog sled? That doesn’t sound safe.”

“Snowy Owl Dog Sled Tours is providing the team. They’re very reputable.”

Willa covered her face with her hands. This was outrageous. How could anyone expect her to allow her six-year-old son to go out in the middle of the night, during a cold Montana winter, to deliver toys from a sled pulled by a team of dogs and driven by a total stranger with Santa delusions?

“It’s like an Everyday Sam book,” Finn explained. “You put him to bed like he’s just an ordinary boy, and then he has an amazing adventure, and in the morning—”

“—he goes back to being a regular little boy.” As she said this, Willa realized, despite her misgivings, there was no way she could say no. If Kris Krinkles pulled this off, Scout would be the happiest boy in the world tomorrow morning.

“You’re sure he’ll be safe?”

“I am.”

“And Dawson really will be watching out for them the entire time?”

“Yes.”

She took in a deep breath. “Well. Okay. I give my permission.”

Finn looked relieved. “I’m glad. I think this is going to be just what Scout needs.” He took a red ribbon from his pocket and tied it to the door knob of the Blue room.

“What’s that?”

“This will let Kris know you’re on board with the idea.”

She tried to swallow but her mouth was too dry. “I hope I’m doing the right thing. I know for sure I won’t sleep a wink until this whole thing is over.”

“I can think of a few ways I can help you pass the time.” Finn pulled her close again. Cupping her face with one hand, he leaned in for another kiss.

Willa thought she’d be too tense to enjoy it. She wasn’t.

And when he opened the door to his room, she was more than happy to step inside.

A
t twenty minutes to four there was a tapping on Finn’s door. Willa was immediately awake, pulling away from the circle of Finn’s warm embrace.

“Who’s that?”

“Kris Krinkles,” Finn replied, sounding a little groggy.

“Oh, my gosh.” This really was going to happen. She couldn’t believe it. Quickly she pulled on her clothes, while Finn did the same.

Thirty seconds later they opened the door to find a fully-outfitted Santa standing out in the hall.

“I’m about to wake up your son and invite him on the adventure,” Kris said. “I thought you’d like to listen in.”

“Yes,” Willa whispered. “But what if he doesn’t want to go? What if he gets scared?”

“You’ll be right here to reassure him, in that case.”

“Okay,” she agreed, reluctantly allowing Finn to close his door so it was only open a crack.

A few second later, she could hear Kris speaking to her son. “Merry Christmas, Scout. This is Santa. I’m having a little trouble tonight and I was wondering if you could help me.”

Willa waited for her son to scream, but he did nothing of the kind.

“What’s the matter?”

“It’s getting late and I still have a bunch of presents to deliver to the sick children at the hospital. Is there any chance you could help?”

“What about my mom?”

“We won’t disturb her. And we’ll be back before she wakes up.”

“I want to help. But I’m not supposed to go with strangers.”

“That’s a good rule. Your mother is absolutely right on that.”

Willa was so proud of Scout in that moment. Yet she knew she couldn’t let this opportunity pass him by. With a nod from Finn, she pulled the door open and slipped into the room.

“Scout,” she whispered. “It’s Mom. If you want to go help Santa, you can.”

“Really? Awesome! Thanks Mom!”

And in the time it took him to slip on his coat, snow pants, boots, hat and mitts, he was gone.