Page 105 of Deck the Fire Halls

But Hamish gasped and he spun to face Jayden. “Nooo... You didn’t. You did not. Jayden Turner, you...”

Jayden nodded, and Hamish burst into tears, pointed to his ugly Christmas sweater, and cried. “Look at what I’m wearing!”

I had no clue what was going on, and from the few other blank looks, I wasn’t the only one.

Cass cleared his throat and put his arm around Jayden, then gestured to the swinging door. “Uh, if you’d care to join us, this way,” he said.

The little boy asked, very loudly, “Uncle Hamish, why are you crying?”

But as we walked into the next room, it was pretty clear why.

This wasn’t a Kris Kringle potluck dinner. This was a wedding.

White chairs with ribbons made a short aisle, and the lady in the navy suit stood at the front. “Please take a seat,” she said.

Holy shit.

This was crazy. And awesome.

Rob pulled me into a seat next to his. “Oh my god,” he whispered. “Did you know?”

I shook my head. “Hamish didn’t even know.”

Cass and Jayden stood at the front, their kids standing beside them. And there, in a room lit by a woodfire, Christmas tree lights, and candles, they were married.

Short, sweet, and absolutely perfect.

Hamish wiped away tears the whole time and he strangle-hugged him when the formalities were over. Everyone congratulated them, hugged them, the kids danced with the grandparents, and it was all such a privilege to witness.

I didn’t know either Cass or Jayden overly well, but it was impossible not to feel the love in that room. To see everyone talking and laughing, to catch Rob smiling at me from across the room, I felt the need to tell him how I felt more than ever.

My heart decided that tonight would be the night. When we went home, when we were alone, I’d take my heart off my sleeve and give it to Rob.

He made his way over to me, leaning into my side, his eyes shining. “What a beautiful night, huh?”

Okay, so maybe I could tell him now...

But then Colson’s phone rang. He went to the end of the room to take the call, but his gaze shot to mine at the same time my pager buzzed.

I checked the screen and my stomach dropped.

House fire.

I could feel Rob’s eyes on me, but I couldn’t take my eyes off Colson. He was staring at me, walking over as he ended his call.

“We need to leave,” he said. “House fire. Off Old Gully Road.”

My blood ran cold, my feet stuck to the floor. Colson nodded. “It’s Chucky’s house. Let’s go.I’ll drive.”

Chucky’s house.

Rob grabbed Colson’s arm. “Is anyone injured? Should I come?”

I met his eyes, struggling to move, to think... Rob gave me a nod. “Go,” he urged me. “I’ll follow. You need to go. Now.”

Colson all but dragged me to the door and I saw Rob standing next to Braithe, both of them and everyone watching us leave.

Then reality kicked in, and I was running.

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