Chapter 14
A cool evening Christmas Eve breeze stirred Marlee’s hair around her shoulders as she and Colt walked from his truck and up the walkway to his parents’ home for dinner. Her cast had come off a couple of weeks ago. Her ankle was still tender, but much better. Her stab wound had healed, but it still bothered her on cold nights like tonight.
Sally Farmer would likely be going to prison for a long time. She had ended up bragging about killing the woman in Mesa, seemingly proud of herself for getting away with it the first time. Turned out she had been the one to throw the brick through Marlee’s window on Halloween night, and she had been responsible for all the other things that had happened, just like she and Colt had suspected.
Marlee cleared her mind of all thoughts that had nothing to do with the present, and that included her relationship with Colt.
When she was with Colt, everything was better. Much better.
One Christmas present that had come her way was the appearance of an amazing manuscript in her slush pile. She had found a memoir that she had no doubt would rock the publishing world and be on bestseller lists everywhere.
Colt squeezed her fingers in his warm grip, and she looked at him and smiled. “You’re amazing. Thank you again for the sweet puppy you gave me for Christmas. Holly will be a welcome addition to the family.”
He grinned. “Ranger has needed a little buddy, and I think Holly will fit that bill perfectly.”
Marlee brushed her free hand down her red dress that sparkled with gold threads and swirled around her ankles in the wind. She wore low-heeled shoes for more stability for her ankle. “I’m nervous about joining in on your family dinner. The whole crew will be here.”
“Don’t be nervous, honey.” Colt brought her to a stop and lightly kissed her. “Everyone loves you and they were all happy to hear you’ll be here.”
She smiled up at him. “Will your adorable nieces and nephew be at the dinner?”
He nodded. “Yep. What’s Christmas without rugrats?”
She laughed. “Indeed.”
Colt opened the door. Laughter and chatter flowed over them along with the smells of cinnamon and cloves.
“Marlee.” Rae hugged her. “So glad you made it.”
“Wouldn’t miss it.” Marlee hugged her back and stepped away. “You’re really showing now.”
Rae turned to the side, her hands on her growing belly. “He’s growing like crazy.”
“He?” Marlee smiled. “You know?”
Rae nodded, beaming. “We decided we wanted to know.”
Marlee looked up to see Bear, who swept her into a big hug. “Merry Christmas, Marlee.”
She couldn’t help but smile at the big teddy bear of a man. “Merry Christmas, Bear.”
Bear and Colt gave each other one-armed brother hugs. “Come on into the family room. Everyone is either there or in the kitchen.”
Marlee gripped Colt’s hand as they made their way to the huge McLeod family room. With eight kids, their parents, and grandparents, the family had needed a large home. Marlee had come from a small family, and she was nearly overwhelmed with what appeared to be happy chaos.
Carter and Kits’ twin daughters played with Justin and Miranda’s toddler son near the fifteen-foot Christmas tree under the soaring vaulted ceiling. The family had decorated it with ribbons, colorful handmade and collector ornaments, garlands and sparkling colored lights.
“Good to see you here, dear.” Colt’s white-haired Grandma Francis hugged Marlee with surprising strength. She smelled of roses, an old-fashioned perfume. “Come on in, you two.”
She ushered them forward and Colt embraced his grandma.
Grandpa Daniel and Colt gave each other big bear hugs. “Looking mighty fine,” Grandpa Daniel said to his grandson. “There you are, young lady.” He hugged Marlee. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.”
It went on from there, Marlee falling into more hugs and family togetherness. Colt’s sisters Leeann and Haylee were helping Kit in the kitchen, the only family members the former chef would allow in with her.
“My wife thinks all couples need to enjoy the evening together,” Carter said in way of explanation. “You know Kit. She’s got everything under control.”
Marlee felt almost overwhelmed, but happy to be with this big, boisterous family. They talked a while with Colt’s parents, Joe and Julie, and moved on to Justin and Miranda. The kids ran circles around the room that was decorated with red and gold ribbons, ornaments, and figurines in every possible space, and lots of glitter and sparkle.
Brady came up and hugged Marlee. “Nice you could make it, Marlee.”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” she said with a smile. She hadn’t been able to stop smiling with the way she’d been embraced by this big family this evening.
Brady slapped Colt on the shoulder and gestured toward a sideboard. “Plenty of eggnog and whiskey.”
Marlee looked up at Colt. “I’m going to pop into the kitchen and see Kit and your sisters.”
Colt gave her a light kiss and stayed with Brady as she made her way to the kitchen. Delicious smells met her as she walked into the enormous space with its double ovens, double refrigerators and freezers, huge island, and much more than Marlee could take in all at once.
Kit didn’t look in the least bit harried. After she greeted Marlee, she continued to go from task to task with ease. As a chef in L.A., she had cooked for hundreds, so the McLeod family was a piece of cake.
Marlee in turn spoke with Leeann and Haylee. Jill, the third McLeod daughter, was running late.
“Everything smells wonderful,” Marlee said as she watched what seemed like choreographed movements. “Can I help with anything?”
Kit shook her head and waved to the door. “Enjoy the family. It isn’t that often that we all get together under the same roof.”
Marlee smiled and headed back into the family room. She moved to Colt’s side, and he rested his arm around her shoulders as he continued his conversation with Brady.
She let her gaze drift around the room and realized she felt comfortable and like she belonged. She probably shouldn’t let herself feel like she was part of the family, not yet, but she couldn’t help herself.
When dinner was called, they joined each other in the long dining room with a table long enough to fit all fifteen adults and three children. Marlee guessed that under the tablecloths were three long tables, end to end.
Kit had prepared appetizers of a candied nut glazed brie, meatballs with jalape?o dipping sauce, and date-balsamic feta cheese topped bruschetta. After that came pumpkin and apple soup and a house salad with champagne brie dressing.
“I’m going to be full before the main course.” Marlee looked at Kit, who sat across from her. “This is all amazing.”
“Thank you.” Kit gave a nod and smile. “After Carter and our children, it’s my passion.” She looked between Brady and Colt. “As long as you two don’t start any food fights, you’ll live to see another Christmas.”
Colt and Brady both laughed. “We haven’t done that for years,” Colt said. “He turned to Brady. “Not since high school.”
Kit shook her head. “That’s not what I’ve heard.”
Colt grinned. “Nah, we’ll keep to our best manners.”
Haylee laughed and met Marlee’s gaze. “These two are as onery as any guys can be.”
Colt gave a mock-insulted look. “Us? I seem to remember it was you girls who caused all the trouble.”
Leeann rolled her eyes. “As if.”
Jill grinned at Leeann. “You and Haylee did get into your fair share of trouble.”
“You were right there with us,” Haylee said.
Jill batted her eyes, looking innocent. “Moi?”
Julie pointed to each of her spawn. “Behave. All of you.”
Marlee grinned at the banter between the family members. She had her cousin Rae, and Rae’s sister in Tucson, but as an only child she had never experienced the kind of fun these siblings had. Certainly, there’d been a lot of ups and downs for this bunch, but in the end, they were family.
Dinner was roasted turkey with maple cranberry-orange glaze and sides of apple-cranberry cornbread stuffing, green beans with walnuts and bleu cheese, and mashed potatoes with sauteed mushrooms and burgundy wine gravy.
Dessert for the evening was ginger caramelized apple shortcakes and for the kids handcrafted vanilla ice cream in freshly baked waffle cone bowls.
When she finished dessert, Marlee put her hand on her belly. “I don’t think I’ve ever eaten so much wonderful food in all my life.”
Colt nodded in agreement. “I don’t think I can move. You’re gonna have to cart me out the door.”
Dessert dishes were cleared and after dinner hot buttered rum coffee was served.
Marlee felt pleasantly relaxed and happily enjoyed taking in all the conversation. She breathed in Colt’s masculine presence beside her and the warmth of the McLeod family’s love for each other surrounding her.
Colt pushed back his chair and tapped his spoon against his coffee glass, capturing everyone’s attention. “I have something I want to share with you all.”
Marlee tipped her head to watch him. He was so darn sexy, he took her breath away.
Colt’s gaze met Marlee’s and her stomach flip-flopped. So much love was in that one look that she couldn’t take her eyes from his.
He looked around the big table at everyone gathered around them. “As you all have pretty much guessed, I fell head-over-heels for Marlee long ago, but for a while I lost her.” He cleared his throat. “Marlee gave me another chance and impossibly, I love her even more now than I did back then.”
Marlee tingled from her scalp all the way to her toes. Her face warmed as she felt everyone’s gaze on her.
Colt cleared his throat. “Just give me a moment now.”
He dug in his pocket and her whole body buzzed as he pulled out a ring box. He took to one knee and opened the box, displaying a beautiful one-carat solitaire surrounded by tiny sapphires.
“Marlee, I’ve loved you my entire life, from the time we were kids.” His throat worked. “Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
Marlee couldn’t find her voice and she swallowed. She nodded and managed a smile. “I love you, Colt. I will be happy to marry you.”
A broad grin crossed his features as applause and congratulations broke out around them.
Joy so sweet it almost brought her to tears rose in her as he slid the ring on her finger. It sparkled in the light, almost as bright as what she felt inside her.
He brought her to her feet and wrapped his strong arms around her and kissed her long and lovingly. The laughter and cheers around them faded as she fell into the kiss.
When he drew away to more cheers, they smiled at each other. She cupped his face and raised up to whisper in his ear. “I love you, Colt McLeod. I intend to show you just how much for the rest of our lives.”
When they reached Colt’s home, he held her hand tightly as they made it into the house. He drew her into his arms and gave her a slow, languid kiss. She melted in his arms at the same time every part of her was on fire.
Colt drew away and took Marlee’s hand again, leading her down the hall and into the master bedroom, where he switched on a single lamp. He moved behind her and unzipped her sparkly red dress, letting it slide down to land around her ankles and leaving her in her red bra, panties, and low heels. He gently pushed her to sit on the edge of the bed and removed each shoe and set them and the dress aside.
Her heart turned over at the sight of the big cowboy, whose strong hands were so gentle with her. She cupped his face in his hands, her ring catching the lamplight and sparkling. “I love you so much, Colt.”
“I’ve never loved anyone but you.” His words seemed to catch in his throat. “Let me show you how I feel.”
Colt unfastened her bra, letting her breasts spill free. He eased her onto her back in the center of the bed and slipped her panties to her ankles before setting them aside.
He stood and his gaze never left hers as he removed his belt and boots, followed by the rest of his clothing. Then he stood tall and gloriously naked above her. He slid onto the bed beside her and slowly kissed her before moving his lips to her ear and lightly nipping her earlobe.
She caught her breath as he kissed behind her ear then dragged his lips down her throat to the hollow between her breasts. His light stubble sensitized her skin, heightening her awareness.
Colt moved his lips to each nipple, drawing out soft moans from her. When she didn’t think she could breathe, he continued past her bellybutton to her thighs, stopping to kiss the length of her scar, healing her even more.
He kissed the insides of her thighs, and she slid her fingers into his hair. “Come here, Colt.”
He moved up her body, seeming to know what she wanted and needed most. She widened her thighs as he came to rest his hips between them.
“I love you, Colt,” she said just before he slid inside her. She gasped and tilted her head back, her back arching, her breasts softly rubbing his chest.
He gave a low groan. “I love you, Marlee. So damned much.”
Colt and Marlee moved together as one, the love they felt bringing their lovemaking to a fierce climax.
They came down from a precipice together, and he drew her into his arms, her head snuggled just below his chin. She felt so completely loved.
“It’s just the beginning for us, Marlee.”
She tilted her head and smiled at him. “Yes. And I am your and you are mine, forever and always.”