Page 69 of A Whiskey River Princess

She took it, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Where did you ever find it?”

Dirk smiled. “That’s for me to know.”

She chuckled. “Mr. Price, you certainly are full of surprises.”

“What do you say we sing Christmas carols and sit by the fire?” he beamed, reaching out to her.

“Oh no, you don’t!” She jumped to her feet and darted into the spare room.

“Hey, where are you going?”

“Close your eyes,” she called from her bedroom.

“Okay, they’re closed!”

“Promise?”

He laughed. “Yes, they’re closed!”

“Don’t peek!” She picked up his gifts and paused at the door.

He laughed. “I’m going to open them if you don’t hurry!”

“You’d better not!” She peeked around the corner to make sure he was telling the truth, and he was making a big show of keeping his eyes closed. Gabriella hid Dirk’s wrapped books behind her back and the special present behind the sofa. Then she tiptoed into the room and sat on the pillow in front of him. She held out the first present, with its brightly colored red paper and green Christmas trees, topped off with a gold ribbon. Mrs. Carson had placed it in a box before she wrapped it, so Gabriellahoped he wouldn’t guess what it was. “Okay, you can open your eyes now.” Her voice was merely a whisper.

Dirk opened his eyes, and they widened in surprise. “Gabby, you didn’t have to do this.” His voice was thick with emotion, reverent.

“Shh.” She placed a finger gingerly to his lips. “You’ve done so much for me, it’s the least I could do.” His smile faded, but she placed a finger under his chin, forcing him to look in her eyes. “I wanted to.”

He smiled and nodded.

“Open it,” she chirped as a thrill ran through her body. She couldn’t wait to see his expression.

He tore open the paper, revealing a box tied with brown string. “You really don’t want me to open this, do you?”

She laughed. “Open it!” Gabriella clapped excitedly, bouncing on her knees.

He pulled a pocket knife from his trousers and easily cut the strings. Then he closed the knife and slipped it back into his pocket. Gabriella watched his face as he carefully took off the lid. His eyes grew wide as tears filled them. “Oh, Gabby!” He slowly lifted the book out of the box as if it were a newborn baby. “The Count of Monte Cristoby Alexandre Dumas! How in the world did you ever manage it?”

She wasn’t going to tell him, but she thought he would eventually find out from Mrs. Carson. “I bought it at the general store. There was only one copy.”

He reached behind her head and pulled her in for a quick kiss, and then turned his attention back to the book. “Gabby, thank you! This is the best gift anyone has ever given me!”

She smiled, pleased by his reaction. “I’m so glad you like it.” She paused for a moment, and then added, “I have something else for you, too.”

He looked up from his book. “Gabby! You didn’t have to do this!”

“I wanted to.” She shrugged, and then pulled the other wrapped book from behind her back. “Are you ready?”

He nodded, clearly excited.

She held it out to him, wrapped in bright green paper adorned with snowmen, tied with a bright red ribbon. He unwrapped it quickly. “The Nutcracker?” he asked, confused, and then a broad smile spread across his face as the realization dawned on him. “By Alexandre Dumas.”

“I have one more surprise for you.”

“Gabby, what did you do? This is too much!”

She beamed, pleased with his reaction. “Just close your eyes.”

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