Page 86 of A Very Naughty Christmas

Emotion filling her voice, Dixie replied, “I don’t think I could have done it without either of you.”

“We didn’t do much. I might have given you a nudge a time or two.”

“A nudge! If I hadn’t broken ground when I did, you threatened to rent the equipment and bulldoze the site yourself.”

She shrugged, but when the slight movement caused Wyatt to stir, went back to rocking.

“We’re so proud of you for realizing your dream, baby.” As he spoke, Kyle lightly stroked the back of one finger down her cheek and the tears welled yet again.

“I didn’t dream it until you and Miss Emmaline came into my life and made me think it was possible.” She nuzzled the hand at her face, as she admitted the undeniable truth. If not for Kyle and her dear friend, the new Goodwin Gallery for the Arts, whose mission was topromote the work of upcoming and often struggling artists like Dixie had once been, would have never been possible. She went on to add softly, just for him, “Thank you for everything, Kyle. I think I woke up the day you stormed out of my booth at that Mistletoe Market long ago.”

He had the grace to look chagrined. “I was hard on you, Dix.”

“Yeah, but I had my snobby head in the sand, painting everyone who had good fortune or worked hard and made something of themselves with the same brush.”

“Yet, as stubborn as you were, you had the capacity to grow, and became a better person for it.”

“Because of you.”

“No, because that’s the kind of woman you are. And it’s why I love you.”

His head began to dip to hers, when Wyatt made a little cooing sound. As they looked up, they saw Emmaline laying the sleeping baby in his crib. “I’ve got a hankering for some ice cream. I think I’ll go find my namesake and join her.”

“You don’t have to leave.”

“I may be old, Dixie, but I know when I’m a third wheel.” She moved to the door and pulled it open. “Oh, did I mention I ran into Marcy the other day? Poor dear, looked a little haggard with dark circles under her eyes, bless her heart. Divorce can do that to a woman.” The marriage hadn’t lasted two years. “And that Trisha, tsk tsk,” she continued, while sadly shaking her head.

“Nana…” Kyle cautioned, never one for gossip.

“What about her?” Dixie asked, shushing him.

“Another broken engagement. Number four, I believe.” Then she winked at Dixie, before sailing through the door, spry as could be for starting her second century of life.

Dixie turned to him, mouth open. “She didn’t… she couldn’t have… Could she?”

“No,” Kyle scoffed, then he grinned. “But as you so eloquently put it so many years ago, karma can be a real bitch.”

She started, then couldn’t keep from laughing. Not because Marcy or Trisha were miserable and alone, but because she had the man of her dreams and a more perfect life she couldn’t have asked for.

“Sh, Dix,” Kyle murmured, as he pulled her close. “You’ll wake Wyatt and I wanted to give you your Christmas present.”

“But it’s not Christmas morning.”

“This can’t wait.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out a familiar green sprig tied with a red bow.

“Oh, honey,” she whispered, her laughter instantly becoming tears of happiness. “The legend was right.”

“Yes, as promised, we found deep romance and lasting friendship under themistletoe.”

“We did, so kiss me, honey,” she urged while angling her face up to his. “We don’t want to risk breaking our run of good luck.”

He lowered his mouth until his next words brushed over her lips. “There wasn’t any luck about it, darlin’. You were destined to be mine. You just took a roundabout way of getting to me.”

“I love you, Kyle. So much.”

“I love you too, baby. Now, before the little guy wakes or someone else comes barging in, give me my mistletoe kiss.”

The End

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