Page 371 of The Christmas Wife

"Arthur." I nod back.

"You made it."

I half smile. You don’t turn the old man down. I haven’t known Arthur Davenport that long, but even if he hadn’t been my grandfather, his authority is writ large in everything he says and does. He’s not the kind of man you say no to easily.

"You must be Mirabelle." He turns to Belle.

"Grandad." She closes the distance to him and throws her arms about his shoulders. "I am so happy to meet you."

Arthur stiffens. His gaze widens, and he gapes at me. If I didn’t know better, I’d say the old man is shocked. And it takes a lot to shock him. I manage to keep the smile off my face, then watch as my grandfather recovers himself. He pats Belle on the shoulder. "It’s nice to meet you, too."

She steps back and beams up at him. "Call me, Mira."

"Hmm." He scans her features. "I can see why Edward fell in love with you."

"Oh, but he’s not—" she begins.

I cut her off. "I hope we didn’t keep you waiting."

"You did"—he shoots me a glance—"but since you were showing Mira around, you're forgiven."

Belle laughs, a happy sound that infuses warmth into my veins.

"When Edward told me he was getting married, I was sure he’d decided to ask the first eligible woman he came across to be his wife. I’m relieved to see he’s been much more discerning."

"Umm—" She shuffle her feet. "I… We…."

"We’re very in love, Grandad. When I saw Mira, there was no question I was going to marry her. Your condition that I get married before I can be confirmed in my role as CEO spurred me to pop the question."

Arthur holds out his right hand, and when Belle places her left palm in it, he raises her fingers and kisses her engagement ring. "You gave her the ring your grandmother left you?”

"This is your grandmother’s ring?" She glances at me in shock.

"It’s the reason I found out about his existence,” Arthur adds.

She tears her gaze away from mine and frowns. "I’m not sure I understand."

Arthur hooks her arm through his, then leads her down the hallway. I bracket her in from the other side.

"When my wife passed away last year, I was gutted."

"I’m so sorry for your loss," she murmurs.

I shoot him a glance in time to see his eyes shadow. "Thank you. I appreciate it. Greta and I were married for fifty-five years."

Her gaze widens until those blue eyes seem to fill her face.

"Seems like a long time, but it went by in a flash." Arthur’s lips curve.Holy shit, the old man smiled?In the little time I’ve known him, I’ve never seen the hint of softness on his face, but a few seconds with her, and he’s already in a better mood. Seems I’m not the only one susceptible to her sunshine nature.

"Time is funny.” I narrow my gaze on him, then continue, “When you’re having fun, it speeds by, and when you’re dreading a deadline, it seems to be roaring toward you.”

Arthur nods. "I'll bet the two of you can’t wait to get married. It must seem like an impossibly long time until the ceremony."

I frown at my grandfather. Did he mean…? Nope, he means we’re in love and can’t wait to get married, and it seems like a long way off in the future, though it’s only a few days.

Belle hesitates, then shakes her head. "You’re wrong."

"I am?" He knits his brows.

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