Chapter 12
Christmas Day dawned bright and blue-skied, with the perfect dusting of snow underfoot; the tree boughs coated in white and gold.
“Why are you getting out of bed?” Nick asked in bemusement, as Rose went to the window, eagerly looking out across the square. “And why, in the name of all that is holy, are you putting on clothes right now?!”
“It’s Christmas!” she exclaimed, tugging on her knit socks. “We can’t just lay around in bed all day.”
“I beg to differ,” Nick said, sending her such a wicked grin that she was tempted to go diving beneath the covers with him and never come up for air. But the church bells were chiming in the square, and her excitement couldn’t be contained.
“Come on,” she said, leaning in to drop a kiss on his lips, before dancing away to go get dressed. “We can walk to the bakery for coffee and buns. Everyone’ll be there. It’s tradition.”
“The things I do for you…” Nick grumbled, but he had a smile on his face as he got up and pulled his pants on.
And why wouldn’t he? They’d barely stolen a few hours’ sleep, they were so busy making up for lost time in a delicious tangle of hands and mouths.
Rose’s body was still humming with pleasure as she stretched, reaching for her most festive knit sweater.
“You’re lucky my family isn’t coming until New Year’s,” she said, pulling her hair back.
“My nieces were probably up at five to open presents, and my dad is a firm believer in a five-mile hike to work up an appetite before dinner.”
“We’re more than capable of working up an appetite, all on our own,” Nick grinned, reaching for her. Rose melted happily into his arms, stealing another kiss. “But I was thinking… How about we book a little trip to England after the holidays? You can see where I grew up… Meet my folks…”
“You want me to meet your family?” she asked, blinking in surprise. Rose held her hand to Nick’s forehead, teasing. “Are you sure you’re feeling OK?”
Nick laughed, catching her hand and bringing it to his lips for a kiss. “I’m feeling just fine, thank you very much. If that appeals, at all?” he asked, questioning.
“Gee, let me think, a vacation in Europe,” Rose pretended to ponder. “I’ll have to make a pro and con list.”
“Let me know how I can sway you,” Nick said, starting to peel her sweater off again. “I can be very persuasive…”
He was, so much so that it was an hour later before Rose finally managed to get some clothes on and drag Nick out the door for her traditional Christmas morning cocoa. The walk to the bakery was just over a mile, and they crunched happily through the snow, hand-in-hand.
“You know, this is my first holiday in town,” Nick said, bundled up against the cold.
“Let me guess, you’re usually sunning yourself on a beach somewhere.” Rose smirked. “With a gorgeous woman, or two.”
Nick cleared his throat. “No comment,” he said, with a bashful grin. “But count me a fan of the Cape Cod Christmas now.”
“They’re not usually so eventful,” Rose said, thinking back over the past week. “The runaway sleighs and midnight breaking-and-entering are new for me, too.”
“Until next year.” Nick said. “We’re the victors now, we’ll have to defend our title from the upstarts who’ll come to take our throne.”
Next year…
Rose smiled at the thought of a future together, as they arrived at the bakery and found it bustling with life. Summer was serving cocoa and hot coffee, along with her famous sticky buns, and everyone had heard the news about their late-night scavenger hunt win.
“Our reigning champions!” June announced them, beaming, as they stepped through the doors. “I knew you could snatch a win,” she added, then dropped her voice. “As if I’d let Scott win by default.”
Rose laughed. “Thanks for the tip,” she said.
“Although obviously it’s a mystery how you managed to get to that final clue,” Debra said, joining them. “Seeing as how the town hall was locked up tight for the night.”
“A mystery,” Nick agreed, smiling. “Now, how about I buy you ladies some cocoa?”
“Smooth,” Debra laughed, but she allowed Nick to steer her away, and all thoughts of their illegal activity was quickly forgotten.
“I take it you won in more ways than one,” June said, looking satisfied. “I had faith you could do it.”
Rose smiled. “It turns out, I’m a force to be reckoned with.”
“Well, we knew that.” June said. “It was just a question of you realizing it, too.”
And she had now, Rose felt like she was capable of anything.
The bell over the door rang out, and Rose was surprised to see Becca stepping over the threshold—without Scott in tow. “Hi there,” she said, moving to welcome the other woman. “If you’re looking for a holiday sugar fix, you came to the right place.”
Becca gave a hesitant smile. “Thanks. I’ve got time to kill before my ride back to the city. Not many buses running today.”
“You’re leaving already?” Rose asked, surprised.
Becca nodded. “Scott and I had a… Disagreement. I thought he was being a pompous ass, and he saw things differently.” She gave a defiant shrug. “So, we’re finished. You were right,” she added, with a wry smile. “The man can listen to himself talk for hours.”
Rose laughed, and then felt bad. “I’m sorry,” she said. “Sorry that you won’t be sticking around for the parade later.”
“There’s a parade?”
“Of course. And a movie screening tomorrow. I’m sure Evie has a room at the B&B if you want to stay. Evie!” Rose beckoned her over, and soon she was chatting with Becca about ocean views—and Noah’s single, handsome cousin, who just happened to be visiting from out of town.
Rose smiled. Everything was working out, just the way it should.
She looked over at Nick, and found he was holding court with a group of locals.
“You know, it takes a true insider to be able to figure out those clues,” Nick was telling them.
“Insight, imagination, love for the town… Although, I do have some ideas for next year.” He saw her watching, and sent her a wink.
Clearly, his mayoral campaign was well underway.
Rose went to join him, sliding an arm around his waist. “Are you canvassing for votes already?”
“Never!” Nick protested with a grin. “I’m just getting to know my fellow residents.”
“Mmhmmm…” Rose murmured, smiling. “Well, it might interest you to know that resident has been complaining about local zoning laws for years, and that one isn’t too thrilled about the new bus timetable.”
Nick’s eyes widened, impressed. “Pick up a lot of information at the florist, do you?”
“A little.” Rose grinned. “I might even share it with you, for a price.”
“Name it.”
“A kiss would be a good place to start.”
“But of course.” He kissed her sweetly, tasting like hot cocoa and new beginnings, and Rose knew, there was nothing they couldn’t do. “That reminds me,” he said, drawing back a little. “I’d like to place an order for a bouquet.”
“What kind of flowers?”
“It depends.” Nick caressed her cheek. “What blooms mean, ‘I’m falling in love with you?’”
Her heart leapt. “Roses,” she said softly, and Nick kissed her again.
“I should have guessed.”
And the celebrations whirled on around them, full of friendship, good cheer, and that special spiced cocoa. It was a Christmas they’d never forget. Until the gingerbread debacle of next year, at least. But that was another story…
THE END.
Thank you so much for reading, and joining me in Sweetbriar Cove!