Chapter Forty-Seven
Jessica realised some secrets were not meant to last. Especially when her big secret, Reuben, was in such close physical proximity.
It was Christmas Day and she had woken up with a grin on her face when she realised that Reuben was lying next to her.
Ironically, he wasn’t in bed with her because they’d had a night of wild passion but because they’d sat up late chatting.
‘Hey,’ he said, looking at her with a smile. ‘Good morning, Jessie. Merry Christmas.’ He leaned across to kiss her.
She groaned. ‘So much for us keeping this under wraps. I just hope you don’t come face to face with my mum at my doorway.’
He chuckled. ‘I know, and there we were having such a reckless and thrilling night too. My chat was so scintillating that you fell asleep mid-sentence.’
She giggled. ‘I’m sure this is a first for you, Reuben Campbell. Have you ever just slept in bed with a woman without actually sleeping with her?’
He rolled onto his side and tucked the pillow under his head, his eyes twinkling mischievously. ‘I think you’ve got the wrong impression of me. What makes you think that I was ever that type of guy?’
She looked at him incredulously. ‘Because you absolutely were. And you know it. You were known as the Lothario of Rowan Bay.’
He looked at her in disbelief. ‘I wasn’t that bad, was I?’
‘Yes,’ said Jessica firmly. ‘You were known as a total ladies’ man.’
He looked sheepish and chewed his lower lip. ‘What can I say? I am a different and better human being now.’
She wriggled closer to him so their faces were just inches away. ‘I do hope so.’ His dark eyes swept over her and she grazed her lips against his.
Reuben kissed her deeply back, then gazed at her. ‘I wish we could stay like this all day.’
‘Me too,’ she said, her heart starting to race as he moved to kiss her again.
Then they heard clattering and banging downstairs.
‘What on earth is that?’ said Reuben as he sat up suddenly.
She chuckled. ‘That’s our cue to get up. That is the sound of my dad, as it’d better not be my mum, emptying the dishwasher.’
‘Noisy,’ he said, yawning. ‘Sounds like he is launching it from ten metres away.’
‘Yup. That’s why I started helping at the bakery. There’s never a chance of a lie-in when you’re here. Just wait. It will soon get noisier.’ Sure enough, the radio was switched on and then the blender.
Reuben laughed in disbelief. ‘You’re not joking.’
Jessica shook her head. ‘Nope. Dad has taken to making Mum smoothies to boost her energy levels. And deplete my sleep levels. Let’s get up. There’s loads to do and I’d better go and check on Mum. She’s not a fan of the smoothies.’ She gave him one last lingering kiss, a promise of more to come.
* * *
After breakfast they sat by the tree in the front room of Thistle Cottage and exchanged gifts with Jessica’s parents. Catriona handed them both a stocking and Jessica smiled when she saw the look of surprise on Reuben’s face. His was a red felt stocking with little jingle bells sewn into the cuff.
‘I made it at the craft class,’ she said proudly. ‘We couldn’t leave you out, Reuben. You’re part of the family too.’
‘Thank you,’ he said, clearly touched.
Jessica watched him as he looked down at the stocking as though he wasn’t quite sure what to do with it. She could tell he was overwhelmed and she gave him a reassuring smile when he glanced up and caught her eye.
After opening their stockings, they all took turns exchanging gifts. Her dad looked delighted as he unwrapped whisky truffles and a bottle of whisky, inspecting the label, a Lagg Single Malt, with an approving nod. ’This is great, dear. I’ve been wanting to try this one for a while.’
Her mum’s face lit up as she unwrapped her chocolates, the necklace and blue silk scarf. ‘These are just lovely,’ she said, holding the necklace up. ‘Jessica, will you help me put this on now, love? It’s a bit tricky with my arm.’
‘Of course I will, Mum,’ she said, thrilled she liked it. It was these simple moments, of giving and being with family, that reminded her what Christmas was all about.
Reuben had given Catriona and Angus a case of their favourite Portuguese red wine which they were delighted with.
He was equally pleased with the navy merino wool scarf they gifted him.
Jessica’s parents gave her vouchers for the newly opened spa in the village and a bottle of her favourite perfume.
Seeing that her parents were desperate to go to Primrose Cottage to see Lexi, Jessica insisted they go ahead first. She didn’t want Lexi to be over-excited if they all descended at the same time.
She and Reuben would go a bit later. It also meant they could get ahead with some of the Christmas dinner preparations while her mum was safely out of the way.
‘Are you okay?’ she said to Reuben when her parents had left. They were sitting in the front room by the tree. The lights cast a warm glow on the room and the log fire crackled and sparked.
Reuben nodded. His voice was low as he spoke. ‘The stocking was so kind of your mum. It made me feel like I really belong. I haven’t felt that way for a long time.’
She leaned over and kissed him. ‘You do belong, Reuben, more than you think. You’ve always been welcome here. A little too welcome,’ she said teasingly.
He smiled as he kissed her back. Then he stood up. ‘Wait there a minute,’ he said, before disappearing upstairs.
‘I know we’re not really doing presents,’ he said, as he appeared holding out a small, wrapped parcel. ‘But I got you a wee thing.’
Jessica was surprised but also touched. ‘You didn’t have to.’
‘I know, but I wanted to and it seemed like the ideal gift.’
Her eyes widened slightly as she took it, surprised and touched all at once.
‘The minute I saw it, I thought of you.’
She opened the package and grinned when she saw what was inside. ‘The Perfect Christmas Romance,’ she said her eyes sparkling with amusement. ‘How did you know I love a good romance novel?’
He chuckled. ‘Because your mum told me . . . I thought this was perfect and it would also go nicely in the love room upstairs.’
‘Thank you,’ she said, kissing him again then smiling.
‘I think we must be on the same wavelength with presents.’ She stood to walk across to the tree.
‘Either that or we shop at the same place. The new bookshop must be doing a good trade.’ She reached down and plucked up the last parcel from under the tree.
‘Merry Christmas, Reuben,’ she said handing it to him.
‘Thanks,’ he said, and carefully peeled back the wrapping paper to reveal a book. He turned it over in his hands, his eyebrows raised at the blood-red text on the cover. ‘The Snowman by Jo Nesb?. I’ve a feeling this isn’t going to be a festive or romantic read.’
‘I believe you like a good crime book, right?’ She had asked her brother’s advice earlier in the week.
‘I do, as long as it doesn’t keep me up at night,’ he said with a grin.
‘Well, if it does you can borrow my romance novel.’
Reuben chuckled. ‘Sounds like a plan. As long as you don’t tell anyone.’
Jessica grinned. ‘Worry not. Your secrets are safe with me. As long as you do as you’re told.’
He raised an eyebrow.
‘Oh, I almost forgot,’ she said reaching for a small package under the tree. ‘This is just another wee thing, that made me think of you.’ She smiled as she watched him unwrap the millionaire shortbread chocolates.
A smile tugged at his lips. ‘My favourite. Thank you.’
‘Right, come on,’ said Jessica. ‘Let’s get the turkey in the oven and the veg prepped before Mum and Dad get back.’
‘Okay, chef. I’m all yours,’ he said with a smirk.
‘Let’s get to it then,’ she said, grabbing his hand and pulling him towards the kitchen, her heart fluttering with joy.