Page 77 of A Christmas Bargain

“Oh, my God!” I laughed as I looked at the paper. “It’s all so much clearer!”

“Let me see,” Naomi cheered.

I looked at them and grinned.

“See. You look smart,” she vowed.

“You look the same as ever,” Derek said, gripping my chin to pull me in for a kiss.

“Hey!” She protested with a giggle. “That’smygift.”

I lowered to read her certificate—a document crafted as a coupon of love.

“Aww.” I wrangled her off Derek’s lap so I could hug her and let her sit in mine. “Love you, too, Naomi.”

She squeezed her little arms tighter around me. “This is the best Christmas to date.”

“Mine too,” I said, smiling at Derek over her head.

He winked.

Even though I knew he was nervous and excited to tell her that we’d be together, he didn’t show a sign of it at all. We made our way through the gifts—all of them. Including a few things I got for her. Several for him. And they showed how well they were getting to know me, too, getting me a few thoughtful things I’d treasure forever.

Wrapping paper lay all over the floor. Boxes and bags were tipped over and waiting to be recycled. It didn’t matter how many times I glanced over as Derek and I cleaned up, shoving the debris in bags. Every chance I stole to look at her, she was hugging that white German Shepherd stuffed animal that I got her.

“She’ll never let it go,” I predicted.

He only smiled, like he knew something I didn’t.

“Should we tell her now?” I whispered.

Derek nodded and opened his mouth. Right when someone knocked on the door and entered.

“Merry Christmas,” Nicky boomed in a jovial, Santa-like voice.

“Dammit,” Derek muttered. “I didn’t realize how late it was already.”

Stacy entered after Nicky, bringing more gifts. “Merry Christmas!” She cheered.

“I wanted to tell her,” Derek said.

I took his hand, smiling. “Why not tell them all?” I asked.

He raised his brows. “Really?”

I shrugged. “Why not?”

I almost felt nervous about how Stacy would react, given her slightly cool treatment so far, but I knew it would all turn out fine. It had to.

We commenced a retake on opening gifts, and again, despite how briefly I’d been in their lives, Nicky and Stacy got me little gifts. I was pleased that they seemed to enjoy mine, too.

Finally, when most of the wrapping paper was collected and the brunch items had baked in the oven, we got dressed and joined Stacy and Nicky at the dining room table to eat. Coffee was brewed. Conversations flowed, and not once did anyone comment on an ornament seeming out of place on the tree.

“So, um.” Stacy rubbed her jaw, seeming uneasy. “Does sheknow?” she said quietly, nodding her head to Naomi who was still enamored with the dog stuffie I gave her.

I opened my eyes wide in shock. Whipping my head around until I saw Derek, I let him see the surprise on my face. “She knows?”

He shook his head.

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