Page 417 of The Christmas Wife

I sit up, take in my surroundings. Edward eases the car forward, following those in front. We make our way through the quaint village streets. The display pays homage to the Twelve Days of Christmas with the illuminations counting up from the first day of Christmas. The houses are lit across rooftops and at the sides, and there’s even a display on the river over which we drive.

"It’s beautiful." I can’t take my gaze off the lights.

"It is," he murmurs.

I shoot him a glance, but he’s focused on the driving. The sidewalks teem with tourists, families with kids, couples, all taking photographs of the lights. It’s so festive. I feel like I’ve been dropped into the pages of a storybook Christmas. Finally, we pass the display with twelve drummers drumming, for the Twelfth Day. "Oh, I want a picture. Can I get a picture?"

Edward brings the car to a halt at the side of the road.

I grab my phone and step out, then gesture to him. "Can I take a picture with you?"

He hesitates.

"Please?"

He seems like he’s going to refuse, then nods. He gets out of the car and follows me. I hold up my phone, posing for a selfie, then realize he’s standing too far away.

"Come on." I hold out my arm. "I need you in the frame."

He walks over to stand next to me. I bend my head in his direction. He stands stiffly, unsmiling. I reach up on tiptoes and use my fingers to curve his lips. "There, that's better."

I look back at the screen, begin clicking, then freeze, for he’s put his arm about my waist and drawn me into his side. I snuggle in, take a few pics, then show them to him. "Not bad, eh?"

He grunts.

I roll my eyes. "You are the original Grinch, aren’t you?"

He says something under his breath that sounds like 'what-fucking-ever.'

"Do you want me to take your picture?" I turn to find a tiny woman, who must be at least seventy, smiling at us. She has short grey hair cut in a bob and is wearing a sparkly green dress with black wedges on her feet. "You look so cute together." Her smile increases in intensity. "Would you like me to take a picture of the two of you?"

"No, we don’t—" Eddie begins, but I cut him off.

"We’d love that." I hand my phone to her, then step back. He pulls me close again. I wrap my arm about his waist, and he brings his other around the front of my shoulders, embracing me in the circle of his warmth. I draw in the crisp evening air, redolent with pine and cinnamon, and laced with his darker scent. Little goosebumps dance across my skin. I smile, placing my cheek against the steady drumming of Eddie’s heart. Contentment seeps into my blood. I sigh, cuddle into his side and pose for a few seconds more.

"All done." The woman walks over and hands the phone to me. "Are you on your honeymoon?"

Next to me, Eddie tenses. "Why do you ask?"

The woman blinks.

I dig my elbow into my husband’s side. "What he means is, it's so nice of you to ask. Yes, we are.”

"Oh, isn’t that wonderful." She claps her hands. "Young love, so amazing. Did you enjoy the lights?" She waves her hand in the air. "I head up the organizing committee for the Christmas Lights."

"They are gorgeous," I exclaim.

"This must all seem so quaint to you big city folk. Where are you from?” She beams at Eddie, who makes a snarling sound at the back of his throat.

I nudge him, then interject, “He’s from London.”

“And you’re from the US, aren’t you, dear?" She turns her smile on me.

Edward’s muscles bunch further, and I rush in before he can say something else to upset her. "From New York, and I can tell you, these lights have more character than the Christmas lights on Times Square."

The woman seems taken aback, then claps her hands again. "You flatter us, dear, but I’ll take the compliment."

Tension drums off of Edward. He wraps his arm tighter about me. "We have to go," he growls.

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