Chapter 20
B rody was in his pickup’s rear hold, clearing the remnants from five loads of Christmas gear, when Rae walked around the home’s front edge. She was texting and not really watching where she was going, just heading for his cottage, moving by rote.
Then she looked up and froze. Her look of utter confusion drew smiles from almost everyone, including Brody. He watched as her shoulders hunched slightly and her eyes went round, a little girl again, at least for this one moment, captured by a Christmas surprise.
Olivia walked over, patted her arm, said, “My brother made this happen.”
She found him then, standing apart from the others, smiling. Then she rushed over and flung herself into Brody’s arms.
Olivia offered a soft, “What do you know.”
Marilee said, “I guess that means Santa didn’t get my note.”
Her husband told the others, “See what I have to put up with?”
Rae asked, “You really did this?”
“It was sort of my idea, yeah.” Brody felt her nuzzle more tightly still, and knew all the others watched, and didn’t care. As he pressed his face into the abundance of her hair and her scent, and held her gently, he decided this one incredible moment defined complete.
Rae released him only to take Brody’s hand and guide him over to the cottage porch.
There was only one rocker, since he had carried the other out for Cameron to use.
Brody settled on the floor, close enough for Rae to reach him, if she wanted—which, apparently, she did.
“Okay, so me flinging myself into your arms like that probably wasn’t the most professional act of my young career. ”
Her hand rested on his shoulder, up close to his collar so she could stroke his hairline.
He remained silent until she used one fingernail to poke his bare neck.
A silent demand for him to speak. Brody told her exactly what he had been thinking, which was, “You are without a doubt the most passionate woman I have ever known.”
The motions of her fingers slowed, the hand withdrew, her legs lifted so that her feet touched the chair, and she wrapped her arms around her shins. “So many people think I’m cold.”
“Then they don’t know you.”
“Analytical. Domineering.”
“Okay, sure, being a good attorney is one of your passions. So, yes. When you’re working, you are all of those things.
Along with diligent. Incredibly intelligent.
Dedicated. Fiercely loyal.” He stopped and searched for more, but all he could come up with was, “It means so much to know you, at least a little. I trust you with my life.”
He couldn’t believe he’d actually spoken those words. From Rae’s silence, she apparently thought the same.
Then Marilee and Olivia walked over, their smiles a gentle approval. Olivia said, “Emma’s awake.”
They trundled through the bookstore, all seventeen of them, grinning and whispering, Cameron hissing for quiet from her place in back. When they entered the hall, Emma was up and standing in the kitchen doorway. She demanded, “What on earth?”
Rae stepped forward. “You just come with us.”
“But I’m hungry.”
“We’ll get you anything you like in a minute.” She pried Emma’s hands free of the walker. “What are you in the mood for?”
“Privacy would do me just fine, thank you very much.”
“Coming right up.” Rae guided Emma around and headed for the kitchen door. “Brody, give me a hand with the old bat.”
Together they steadied her through the rear door, onto the porch, and over to where a trio of smiling reindeer flanked her rear steps. Marilee called over to where her husband stood holding the extension leads. “All right, Harry. Let ’er rip.”
The lights came on all at once.
The trees were linked now, forming an illuminated and blinking wall. The central magnolia was ablaze with color, and crowned with a brightly shining star.
Brody thought Emma looked frail as spun crystal.
The colorful glow only heightened her fragility.
He could see the trembling effort required to keep herself upright, even with their help.
So he moved closer still, just in case. Which meant he was there to observe a tear trickle down the side of her face.
Emma declared, “Great heavens above.”
Brody realized Rae was also shedding tears. “Merry Christmas, Emma.”
“Child, this is the gaudiest monstrosity I’ve ever laid eyes on.” She hugged Rae closer. “And you are the dearest, sweetest angel on this entire earth.”